Unassociated Document
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23,
2010
Registration
No. 333-
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
S-3
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CAPLEASE,
INC.
(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
Maryland
(State
or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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52-2414533
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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1065
Avenue of the Americas
New
York, New York 10018
(212) 217-6300
(Address
and telephone number of principal executive
offices)
|
Paul
C. Hughes
Vice
President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
CapLease,
Inc.
1065
Avenue of the Americas
New
York, New York 10018
(212) 217-6300
(Name,
address and telephone number of agent for
service)
|
Approximate date of commencement of
proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration
statement becomes effective as determined by the registrant.
If the
only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. ¨
If any of
the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other
than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If this
form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this
form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. ¨
If this
form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the
following box. ¨
If this
form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to
General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional
classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act,
check the following box. ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”
“accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer ¨
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Accelerated
filer x
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Non-accelerated
filer ¨ (Do
not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller
reporting company ¨
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CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered (1)
|
|
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price Per Unit (1)
|
|
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Amount of
Registration Fee (1)
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Preferred
Stock, par value $0.01 per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Debt
Securities(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total
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$ |
500,000,000 |
(3) |
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$ |
6,090.18 |
(4) |
(1)
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The
securities covered by this Registration Statement may be sold or otherwise
distributed separately or together with any other securities covered by
this Registration Statement. This Registration Statement covers
offers, sales and other distributions of the securities listed in this
table from time to time at prices to be determined, and shares of Common
Stock issuable upon the exchange or conversion of shares of Preferred
Stock or debt securities so offered or sold that are exchangeable for or
convertible into shares of Common Stock. This Registration
Statement also covers shares of Preferred Stock, shares of Common Stock
and debt securities that may be offered or sold under delayed delivery
contracts pursuant to which the counterparty may be required to purchase
such securities, as well as such contracts themselves. Such
contracts would be issued with the shares of Preferred Stock, shares of
Common Stock and debt securities.
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(2)
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The
debt securities covered by this Registration Statement may be senior or
subordinated debt.
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(3)
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The
aggregate maximum offering price of all securities issued under this
Registration Statement will not exceed $500,000,000. No
separate consideration will be received for shares of Common Stock that
are issued upon exchange or conversion of shares of Preferred Stock or
debt securities.
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(4)
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Calculated
under Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. As discussed in the paragraph below, pursuant to Rule
415(a)(6) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement includes, as of the date of filing of this Registration
Statement, $414,583,722 of unsold securities that had previously been
registered and for which the registration fee had previously been
paid. Accordingly, the amount of the registration fee has been
calculated based on the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the
additional $85,416,278 of securities registered on this Registration
Statement.
|
|
Pursuant
to Rule 415(a)(6) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
securities registered pursuant to this Registration Statement include, as
of the date of filing of this Registration Statement, $414,583,722 of
unsold preferred stock, common stock and debt securities
previously registered on the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-148653), which we refer to as the
Prior Registration Statement. In connection with the
registration of such unsold securities on the Prior Registration
Statement, the registrant paid a registration fee of $16,293.14 which will
continue to be applied to such unsold securities. Pursuant to
Rule 415(a)(6), the offering of the unsold securities registered under the
Prior Registration Statement will be deemed terminated as of the date of
effectiveness of this Registration Statement. If the registrant
sells any of such unsold securities pursuant to the Prior Registration
Statement after the date of this filing, and prior to the date of
effectiveness, of this Registration Statement, the registrant will file a
pre-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which will reduce
the number of such unsold securities included on this Registration
Statement and increase the additional securities registered hereon so that
the total amount of securities registered hereon will equal $500,000,000,
as reflected in footnote (3) to the table above, and will pay the
additional registration fee resulting
therefrom.
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The
registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as
may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a
further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY
NOTE
This
registration statement contains three prospectuses. One of these
prospectuses, which we refer to as the base prospectus, covers the offering,
issuance and sale from time to time, in one or more series or classes of the
following securities:
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·
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shares
of our preferred stock;
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·
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shares
of our common stock; and
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·
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our
debt securities, which may be senior or
subordinated.
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The
specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus
will be specified in a prospectus supplement.
A second
prospectus, which we refer to as the common stock ATM prospectus with Brinson
Patrick, covers up to 2,693,900 shares of our common stock that we may offer,
issue and sell under a sales agreement that we have entered into with Brinson
Patrick Securities Corporation. The common stock ATM prospectus with
Brinson Patrick will be identical to the base prospectus in all respects, except
that the common stock ATM prospectus with Brinson Patrick will contain a
different cover page and a different plan of distribution
section. The cover page and plan of distribution section to be
contained in the common stock ATM prospectus with Brinson Patrick are set forth
following the base prospectus included herein.
A third
prospectus, which we refer to as the Series A preferred stock ATM
prospectus with Brinson Patrick, covers up to 995,100 shares of our 8.125%
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock that we may offer, issue and sell
under the sales agreement with Brinson Patrick Securities
Corporation. The Series A preferred stock ATM prospectus with
Brinson Patrick will be identical to the base prospectus in all respects, except
that the Series A preferred stock ATM prospectus with Brinson Patrick will
contain a different cover page, a supplemental risk factor section and a
supplemental federal income tax considerations section and a different plan of
distribution section. The cover page, supplemental risk factor
section, supplemental federal income tax considerations section and plan of
distribution section to be contained in the Series A preferred stock ATM
prospectus with Brinson Patrick are set forth following the common stock ATM
prospectus with Brinson Patrick included herein.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We
may not issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is
not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy
these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 23, 2010
PROSPECTUS
$500,000,000
CapLease,
Inc.
Preferred
Stock, Common Stock and Debt Securities
Under
this prospectus, we may offer, from time to time, in one or more series or
classes the following securities:
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·
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shares
of our preferred stock;
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·
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shares
of our common stock; and
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·
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our
debt securities, which may be senior or
subordinated.
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We may
offer these securities with an aggregate offering price of up to $500,000,000,
in amounts, at initial prices and on terms determined at the time of the
offering. We may offer the securities separately or together, in
separate series or classes and in amounts, at prices and on terms described in
one or more supplements to this prospectus.
We may
also provide you with one or more supplements to this prospectus including
specific terms of the offering. Such terms may include limitations on
direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions on transfer of our securities
being offered that we believe are appropriate to preserve our status as a real
estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income tax
purposes. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change
information contained in this prospectus. You should read this
prospectus and each applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest
in the securities.
We may
offer the securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time
to time, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents,
underwriters, or dealers are involved in the sale of any of the securities,
their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount
arrangement with, between or among them, will be set forth, or will be
calculable from the information set forth, in an accompanying prospectus
supplement. For more detailed information, see “Plan of Distribution”
beginning on page 52.
Our
common stock and 8.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock are each
listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “LSE” and “LSE PrA,”
respectively. Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the
securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities
exchange.
Our
executive offices are located at 1065 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
10018. Our telephone number is (212) 217-6300. We maintain
an Internet web site at http://www.caplease.com.
Investing
in these securities involves risks. Before investing in these
securities, you should carefully read and consider the “Risk Factors” on page 1
of this prospectus.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or
adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The
date of this prospectus is
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
RISK
FACTORS
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1
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ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
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2
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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2
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CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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4
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THE
COMPANY
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5
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USE
OF PROCEEDS
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6
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RATIO
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
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7
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DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON STOCK
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8
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CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS
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10
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PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENT
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15
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DESCRIPTION
OF PREFERRED STOCK
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19
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RESTRICTIONS
ON OWNERSHIP
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27
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DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
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29
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FEDERAL
INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF OUR STATUS AS A REIT
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33
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OTHER
TAX CONSEQUENCES
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49
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BOOK-ENTRY
SECURITIES
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50
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
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52
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LEGAL
MATTERS
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54
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EXPERTS
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54
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We have
not authorized anyone to provide you with information or to represent anything
not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any
unauthorized information or representations. We are offering to sell,
and seeking offers to buy, only the securities covered by this prospectus, and
only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do
so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as
of its date, regardless of the time and delivery of this prospectus or of any
sale of the securities covered hereby.
You
should read carefully the entire prospectus, as well as the documents
incorporated by reference in the prospectus, before making an investment
decision.
When used
in this prospectus, except where the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,”
“our,” “us” and “the Company” refer to CapLease, Inc. and its predecessors and
subsidiaries.
RISK
FACTORS
Investing
in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves
risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by
reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q, and the other information contained in this prospectus and any
prospectus supplement, as the same may be updated from time to time by our
future filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), before acquiring any of such securities. The
occurrence of any of these risks could cause you to lose all or part of your
investment in the securities. Please also refer to the section
entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements.”
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process, which
enables us, from time to time, to offer and sell in one or more offerings the
securities described on the cover page of this prospectus. The
aggregate public offering price of the securities we sell in these offerings
will not exceed $500,000,000. This prospectus contains a general
description of the securities that we may offer. We may also file,
from time to time, a prospectus supplement containing specific information about
the terms of the offering. That prospectus supplement may contain
additional risk factors or other special considerations applicable to the
securities. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change
information contained in this prospectus. If there is any supplement,
you should read the information in that prospectus supplement.
You
should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with
additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find
More Information.” Information filed with the SEC and incorporated by
reference after the date of this prospectus, or information included in any
prospectus supplement or an amendment to the registration statement of which
this prospectus forms a part, may add, update, or change information in this
prospectus or any prospectus supplement. If information in these
subsequent filings, prospectus supplements or amendments is inconsistent with
this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, the information incorporated by
reference or included in the subsequent prospectus supplement or amendment will
supersede the information in this prospectus or any earlier prospectus
supplement. You should not assume that the information in this
prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than
the date on the front of each document.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file
annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC under the Exchange Act. You may read and copy any
materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100
F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on
the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC filings are also available at the Internet
website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. These filings
are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval
services.
This
prospectus does not contain all of the information in our “shelf” registration
statement. We have omitted parts of the registration statement in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For more detail
about us and any securities that may be offered by this prospectus, you may
examine the registration statement on Form S-3 and the exhibits filed with
it at the locations listed in the previous paragraph.
We
incorporate information into this prospectus by reference, which means that we
disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed
separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is
deemed to be part of this prospectus, except to the extent superseded by
information contained herein or by information contained in documents filed with
or furnished to the SEC after the date of this prospectus. This
prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below, the file
number for each of which is 1-32039, that have been previously filed with the
SEC:
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·
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our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed
with the SEC on March 4, 2010;
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·
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our
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010
filed with the SEC on May 6, 2010, June 30, 2010 filed with the
SEC on August 5, 2010, and September 30, 2010 filed with the SEC on
November 5, 2010;
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·
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our
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 17,
2010, March 31, 2010, April 13, 2010, May 13, 2010,
June 17, 2010, July 19, 2010, December 8, 2010 and December 9,
2010; and
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·
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our
Registration Statement on Form 8-A, which incorporates by reference the
description of our common stock from our Registration Statement on Form
S-11 (Reg. No. 333-110644), and all reports filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
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We also
incorporate by reference into this prospectus additional documents that we may
file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
from the date of this prospectus until we have sold all of the securities to
which this prospectus relates or the offering is otherwise terminated (other
than any portion of these documents that is furnished or otherwise deemed not to
be filed). These documents may include annual reports on
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on
Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.
You may
obtain copies of any of these filings through CapLease, Inc. as described below,
through the SEC or through the SEC’s Internet website as described
above. Documents incorporated by reference are available without
charge by accessing our Internet web site at http://www.caplease.com or by
requesting them from us in writing or by telephone at:
CapLease,
Inc.
1065
Avenue of the Americas
New York,
New York 10018
(212)
217-6300
Attn:
Investor Relations
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We may
from time to time make written or oral forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section
21E of the Exchange Act, including statements contained in our filings with the
SEC and in our press releases and webcasts. Forward-looking
statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and
strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning
matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can
identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,”
“could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “should,”
“strategy,” “will” and other words of similar meaning. The
forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and
expectations of future performance, taking into account all information
currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and
expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all
of which are known to us or are within our control. If a change
occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations
may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking
statements. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are hereby identifying
important factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement made by or on
our behalf. Such factors include, but are not limited
to:
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our
ability to renew leases as they expire or lease-up vacant
space;
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·
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our
ability to close new investment transactions that we have under
contract;
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our
ability to make additional investments in a timely manner or on acceptable
terms;
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·
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current
credit market conditions and our ability to obtain long-term financing for
our asset investments in a timely manner and on terms that are consistent
with those we project when we invest in the
asset;
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access
to capital markets and capital market
conditions;
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·
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adverse
changes in the financial condition of the tenants underlying our
investments;
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·
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our
ability to make scheduled payments on our debt
obligations;
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·
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increases
in our financing costs (including as a result of LIBOR rate increases),
our general and administrative costs and/or our property
expenses;
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·
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changes
in our industry, the industries of our tenants, interest rates or the
general economy;
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·
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impairments
in the value of the collateral underlying our investments;
and
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·
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the
degree and nature of our
competition.
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These
risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking
statement we may make from time to time. Any forward-looking
statement speaks only as of its date. All subsequent written and oral
forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf
are qualified by the cautionary statements in this section. We
undertake no obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to
forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in
expectations after the date made.
THE
COMPANY
We are a
diversified real estate investment trust, or REIT, that invests primarily in
single tenant commercial real estate assets subject to long-term leases to high
credit quality tenants. We focus on properties that are subject to a
net lease, or a lease that requires the tenant to pay all or substantially all
expenses normally associated with the ownership of the property, such as
utilities, real estate taxes, insurance and routine
maintenance. We also continue to be opportunistic and have made
and expect to continue to make investments in single tenant properties where the
owner has exposure to property expenses when we determine we can sufficiently
underwrite that exposure and isolate a predictable cash flow.
We have
two complementary business lines: owning single tenant properties and
making first mortgage loans and other debt investments on single tenant
properties. Tenants underlying our investments are primarily large
public companies or their significant operating subsidiaries and governmental
entities with investment grade credit ratings, defined as a published senior
unsecured credit rating of BBB-/Baa3 or above from one or both of Standard &
Poor’s (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”). We also
imply an investment grade credit rating for tenants that are not publicly rated
by S&P or Moody’s but (i) are 100% owned by an investment grade parent, (ii)
for which we have obtained a private investment grade rating from either S&P
or Moody’s, or (iii) are governmental entity branches or units of another
investment grade rated governmental entity.
As of
September 30, 2010, some of the highlights of our investment portfolio were as
follows:
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approximately
$2.0 billion total investment portfolio measured by carry value before
depreciation and amortization;
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81%
owned real properties (approximately $1.6 billion) and 19% primarily loans
and mortgage securities (approximately $365.0
million);
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61
owned properties aggregating approximately 10.4 million rentable square
feet in 25 different states;
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·
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31
different tenants within our single tenant owned property portfolio, which
excludes three properties that we have classified as multi-tenant as each
is no longer leased primarily by a single tenant;
and
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·
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weighted
average underlying tenant remaining lease term of approximately eight
years, including seven years in the owned property
portfolio.
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USE
OF PROCEEDS
Unless
otherwise provided in any applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the
proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus for general corporate
purposes, which may include the funding of future investments, the repayment of
outstanding indebtedness, working capital and other general
purposes.
RATIO
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
The
following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges and of
earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the periods
indicated.
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Nine
Months
Ended
September
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Ratio
of earnings to fixed charges
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0.93 |
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0.85 |
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0.78 |
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0.97 |
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1.12 |
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1.06 |
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Ratio
of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock
dividends
|
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0.88 |
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0.82 |
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0.76 |
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0.95 |
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1.07 |
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1.04 |
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We
computed the ratio of earnings to fixed charges by dividing earnings by fixed
charges. We computed the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges
and preferred stock dividends by dividing earnings by the sum of fixed charges
and dividends on our outstanding shares of preferred stock. Earnings
have been calculated by adding fixed charges to net income (loss), and then
subtracting any capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of
interest incurred (whether expensed or capitalized), amortization of loan
origination fees and the portion of rental expense deemed to be the equivalent
of interest.
DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON STOCK
The
following summary of the terms of our common stock does not purport to be
complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our
charter and bylaws. See “Where You Can Find More
Information.”
Authorized
Stock
Our
charter provides that we may issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock,
$0.01 par value per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par
value per share. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation
Law, or MGCL, our charter contains a provision permitting our board of
directors, without any action by our stockholders, to amend the charter to
increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of
shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to
issue.
As of
September 30, 2010, 57,184,965 shares of common stock, and 3,200,600 shares of
8.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, were issued and
outstanding (see “Description of Preferred Stock” below). In
addition, as of September 30, 2010, 156,026 shares of common stock were reserved
for future issuance upon redemption of units of limited partnership interest in
our operating partnership, Caplease, LP (see “Partnership Agreement” below),
1,753,045 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under our
2004 stock incentive plan, 6,857,843 shares of common stock were reserved for
future issuance pursuant to our dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan,
and 2,977,000 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance through
our “at-the-market offering” program with Brinson Patrick Securities
Corporation.
Voting
Rights
Subject
to the provisions of our charter restricting the transfer and ownership of our
capital stock, each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one
vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election
of directors, and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series
of capital stock that we may issue in the future, the holders of our common
stock possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative
voting in the election of directors. The holders of a plurality of
the outstanding common stock, voting as a single class, can elect all of the
directors.
Distributions,
Liquidation and Other Rights
All
common stock offered by this prospectus will be duly authorized, fully paid and
nonassessable. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive
distributions when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared
by us out of assets legally available for the payment of
distributions. They also are entitled to share ratably in our assets
legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of or adequate provision
for all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject
to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock and to the
provisions of our charter restricting transfer of our stock.
Holders
of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund,
redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for
any of our securities. Subject to the restrictions on transfer of
stock contained in our charter, all shares of common stock have equal
distribution, liquidation and other rights.
Power
to Reclassify Stock
Our
charter authorizes our board of directors to classify any unissued preferred
stock and to reclassify any previously classified but unissued common stock and
preferred stock of any series, from time to time, in one or more classes or
series, as authorized by the board of directors. Prior to issuance of
stock of each class or series, the board of directors is required by the MGCL
and our charter to set for each such class or series, the terms, preferences,
conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to
dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of
redemption for each such class or series. Thus, our board of
directors could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with priority over the
common stock with respect to distributions and rights upon liquidation and with
other terms and conditions which may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a
change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our
common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our common
stockholders.
Power
to Issue Additional Common Stock and Preferred Stock
We
believe that the power to issue additional common stock or preferred stock and
to classify or reclassify unissued common stock or preferred stock and
thereafter to issue the classified or reclassified stock provides us with
increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions
and in meeting other needs which might arise. These actions can be
taken without stockholder approval, unless stockholder approval is required by
applicable law or the rules of the NYSE. The listing requirements of
the NYSE require stockholder approval of certain issuances of 20% or more of the
then outstanding voting power or the outstanding number of shares of common
stock. Although we have no current intention of doing so, we could
issue a class or series of stock that could delay, defer or prevent a
transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium
price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our common
stockholders.
Restrictions
on Ownership
Our
charter provides that no person may beneficially own, actually or
constructively, more than 9.9% in value or in number, whichever is more
restrictive, of our outstanding shares of capital stock, or more than 9.9% in
value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of
common stock. See “Restrictions on Ownership.”
Transfer
Agent
The
transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company.
CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER
AND
BYLAWS
The
following description of certain provisions of Maryland law and of our charter
and bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to Maryland law, our charter and our bylaws. See “Where You
Can Find More Information.”
Our
Board of Directors
Our
bylaws provide that the number of our directors may be established only by our
board of directors. We currently have six directors. The
board of directors may increase or decrease the number of directors by a vote of
a majority of the members of our board of directors, provided that the number of
directors may not be less than the number required by Maryland law, nor more
than 15, and that the tenure of office of a director may not be affected by any
decrease in the number of directors. Except as may be provided by the
board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred
stock, any vacancy on our board of directors may be filled only by a majority of
the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a
quorum, or, if no directors remain, by our stockholders. Any director
elected to fill a vacancy serves for the remainder of the full term of the
directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and
qualifies.
At each
annual meeting of stockholders, the holders of the common stock may vote to
elect all of the directors on the board of directors, each of which is elected
to a one-year term. Holders of common stock have no right to
cumulative voting in the election of directors. At each annual
meeting of stockholders, the holders of a plurality of the common stock are able
to elect all of the directors.
Removal
of Directors
Under
Maryland law and our charter, a director may be removed, with or without cause,
upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be
cast in the election of directors. Absent removal of all of our
directors, this provision, when coupled with the exclusive power of our board of
directors to fill vacant directorships (described below under “—Other
Anti-Takeover Provisions”), precludes stockholders from removing incumbent
directors, except upon a substantial affirmative vote, and filling the vacancies
created by such removal with their own nominees.
Business
Combinations
Maryland
law prohibits “business combinations” between us and an interested stockholder
or an affiliate of an interested stockholder for five years after the most
recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder. These business combinations include a merger,
consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances specified in the
statute, an asset transfer, issuance or transfer by us of equity securities,
liquidation plan or reclassification of equity securities. Maryland
law defines an interested stockholder as:
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any
person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our stock;
or
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an
affiliate or associate of ours who, at any time within the two-year period
prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of
the voting power of our then-outstanding voting
stock.
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A person
is not an interested stockholder if our board of directors approved in advance
the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested
stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, our board of
directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after
the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by our board of
directors.
After the
five-year prohibition, any business combination between us and an interested
stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder generally must be
recommended by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at
least:
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80%
of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of our then-outstanding shares
of voting stock; and
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two-thirds
of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of our voting stock other than
stock held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate
the business combination is to be effected or stock held by an affiliate
or associate of the interested
stockholder.
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These
super-majority vote requirements do not apply if our common stockholders receive
a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their stock in the form of
cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the
interested stockholder for its stock.
The
statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business
combinations that are approved or exempted by the board of directors before the
time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. We have
opted out of the business combination provisions of the MGCL by resolution of
our board of directors. However, our board of directors may, by
resolution, opt into the business combination statute in the
future.
Should
our board opt into the business combination statute, the business combination
statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase
the difficulty of consummating any offer.
Control
Share Acquisitions
Maryland
law provides that “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a
“control share acquisition” have no voting rights unless approved by a vote of
two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the
acquiring person, or by officers or by directors who are our employees, are
excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. “Control shares” are voting
shares which, if aggregated with all other shares previously acquired by the
acquiring person, or in respect of which the acquiring person is able to
exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a
revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiring person to exercise voting power in
electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting
power:
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one-tenth
or more but less than one-third;
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one-third
or more but less than a majority;
or
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Control
shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a
result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A “control
share acquisition” means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain
exceptions.
A person
who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel our
board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within
50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to
compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of
certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting
and delivery of an acquiring person statement. If no request for a meeting is
made, we may present the question at any stockholders’ meeting.
If voting
rights are not approved at the stockholders’ meeting or if the acquiring person
does not deliver the acquiring person statement required by Maryland law, then,
subject to certain conditions and limitations, we may redeem any or all of the
control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been
approved, for fair value. Fair value is determined without regard to the absence
of voting rights for the control shares and as of the date of the last control
share acquisition by the acquiring person or of any meeting of stockholders at
which the voting rights of the shares were considered and not approved. If
voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders’ meeting and the
acquiring person becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to
vote, then all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value
of the shares for purposes of these appraisal rights may not be less than the
highest price per share paid by the acquiring person in the control share
acquisition. The control share acquisition statute does not apply to
shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if we are a party
to the transaction, nor does it apply to acquisitions approved or exempted by
our charter or bylaws.
Our
bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute
any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares of stock. There
can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated at any
time in the future.
Other
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Subtitle
8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity
securities registered under the Exchange Act, and at least three independent
directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a
resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision
in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:
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a
two-thirds vote requirement for removing a
director;
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a
requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the
directors;
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a
requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining
directors and for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in
which the vacancy occurred; and
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a
majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of
stockholders.
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Pursuant
to Subtitle 8, we have elected to provide that vacancies on the board be filled
only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the
directorship in which the vacancy occurred. Through provisions in our
charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we also (a) require a two-thirds
vote for the removal of any director from the board, (b) vest in our board the
exclusive power to fix the number of directorships and (c) require, unless
called by the chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer,
our president or our board of directors, the request of the holders of a
majority of outstanding shares to call for a special stockholders
meeting.
Our
bylaws also provide that only our board of directors may amend or repeal any of
our bylaws or adopt new bylaws.
Merger;
Amendment of Charter
Under the
MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter or
merge with another entity unless approved by the affirmative vote of
stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the
matter, unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all the
votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation’s
charter. Our charter provides for approval by the holders of a majority of all
the votes entitled to be cast on the matter for the matters described in this
paragraph, except for amendments to various provisions of the charter, including
the provisions relating to removal of directors, that require the affirmative
vote of the holders of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter. As permitted by the MGCL, our charter contains a provision permitting
our directors, without any action by our stockholders, to amend the charter to
increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of
shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to
issue.
Limitation
of Liability and Indemnification
Our
charter limits the liability of our directors and officers for money damages to
the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. Maryland law permits us to include
in our charter a provision limiting the liability of our directors and officers
to us and our stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting
from:
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actual
receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services;
or
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active
and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment and which is
material to the cause of action.
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Our
charter authorizes us to obligate ourselves and our bylaws require us, to the
maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse
reasonable expenses to, any of our present or former directors or officers or
any individual who, while a director and at our request, serves or has served
another entity, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a director,
trustee, officer, partner or otherwise. The indemnification covers any claim or
liability against the person by reason of his or her status as a present or
former director or officer.
Maryland
law requires us (unless our charter provides otherwise, which our charter does
not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits
or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a
party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits us
to indemnify our present and former directors and officers against liabilities
and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in any proceeding to which
they are made a party by reason of their service in these or other capacities
unless it is established that:
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the
act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter
giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the
result of active and deliberate
dishonesty;
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the
director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in
money, property or services; or
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in
a criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to
believe that the act or omission was
unlawful.
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However,
Maryland law prohibits us from indemnifying our present and former directors and
officers for an adverse judgment in a derivative action or for a judgment of
liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in
either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for
expenses.
Maryland
law requires us, as a condition to advancing expenses in certain circumstances,
to obtain:
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a
written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith
belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for
indemnification; and
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a
written undertaking to repay the amount advanced if the standard of
conduct is not met.
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Insofar
as the above provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers, or
persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have
been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is therefore
unenforceable.
REIT
Status
Our
charter provides that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate
our REIT election if it determines that it is no longer in our best interest to
continue to qualify as a REIT.
Dissolution
Pursuant
to our charter, and subject to the provisions of any of our classes or series of
shares of stock then outstanding and the prior approval by a majority of the
entire board of directors, our stockholders, at any meeting thereof, by the
affirmative vote of a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter, may approve a plan of liquidation and dissolution.
Action
by Stockholders
Under the
MGCL, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders or by unanimous consent in lieu of a meeting (unless our charter
provides for a lesser percentage, which our charter does
not). Special meetings of stockholders may be called by the chairman
of our board of directors, our chief executive officer, our president or our
board of directors, and must be called, subject to the satisfaction of certain
procedural and information requirements by the stockholders requesting the
meeting, by our secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to
cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on any matter that may properly
be considered at such meeting. These provisions, combined with the
advance notice provisions of our bylaws, which are summarized below, may have
the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next
annual meeting.
Advance
Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
Our
bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders,
nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors and the
proposal of business to be considered by stockholders at the annual meeting may
be made only:
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pursuant
to our notice of the meeting;
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by
or at the direction of our board of directors;
or
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by
a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of the
provision of notice and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to
vote at the meeting and who complied with the advance notice procedures
set forth in our bylaws.
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Generally,
under our bylaws, a stockholder seeking to nominate a director or bring other
business before our annual meeting of stockholders must deliver a notice to our
secretary not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor
earlier than the close of business on the 120th day
prior to the first anniversary of the date of mailing of the notice to
stockholders for the prior year’s annual meeting. For a stockholder seeking to
nominate a candidate for our board of directors, the notice must describe
various matters regarding the nominee, including name, address, occupation and
number of shares held, and other specified matters. For a stockholder seeking to
propose other business, the notice must include a description of the proposed
business, the reasons for the proposal and other specified
matters.
With
respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our
notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting of stockholders and
nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors may be made
only:
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pursuant
to our notice of the meeting;
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by
or at the direction of our board of directors;
or
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provided
that our board of directors has determined that directors shall be elected
at such meeting, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at
the time of the provision of notice and at the time of the meeting, who is
entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the advance notice
provisions set forth in our bylaws.
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The
purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and
other business is to afford our board of directors a meaningful opportunity to
consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any
other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by our
board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such
qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for
conducting meetings of stockholders. Although our bylaws do not give
our board of directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the
election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, they may have
the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the
consideration of stockholder proposals if proper procedures are not
followed. Our bylaws may also have the effect of discouraging or
deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its
own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether
consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us
and our stockholders.
Possible
Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter
and Bylaws
Our board
or directors may rescind the resolution opting out of the business combination
statute or repeal the bylaw opting out of the control share acquisition
statute. If the business combination provisions or control share
provisions become applicable to our company, those provisions, in addition to
the provisions in our charter regarding removal of directors and the
restrictions on the transfer of shares of capital stock and the advance notice
provisions of our bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change
of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our common
stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our common
stockholders.
PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENT
We
conduct a significant portion of our business through our operating partnership,
Caplease, LP. Our operating partnership structure enables us to issue
units of limited partnership interest in the partnership to sellers of real
estate. The issuance of these partnership units can help sellers
defer recognition of taxable gain which would otherwise be payable upon the sale
of a property to us. We believe that offering sellers the ability to
acquire these partnership units enhances our ability to acquire properties
because of the tax advantages to sellers.
One of
our wholly-owned subsidiaries is the sole general partner of our operating
partnership. As of September 30, 2010, we owned directly or
indirectly approximately 99.7% and an unaffiliated third party owned the
remaining approximately 0.3% of the aggregate partnership interests in our
operating partnership. This third party acquired its limited
partnership interest in June 2006 as partial consideration for the sale of a
real property to us. The third party owns 156,026 units of limited
partnership interest which, as described below, are redeemable for cash or
shares of CapLease, Inc. common stock on a one-for-one basis. We may
admit additional limited partners to the partnership in the future, particularly
in connection with the acquisition of real estate.
The
following is a summary of the material terms of the amended and restated
agreement of limited partnership of our operating partnership, a copy of which
is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is
a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Management
As the
sole general partner of the operating partnership, we have, subject to certain
protective rights of limited partners described below, full, exclusive and
complete responsibility and discretion in the management and control of the
operating partnership, including the ability to cause the operating partnership
to enter into certain major transactions including acquisitions, dispositions
and refinancings and to cause changes in the operating partnership’s line of
business and distribution policies.
Transferability
of Interests
We may
not voluntarily withdraw from the operating partnership or transfer or assign
our interest in the operating partnership or engage in any merger, consolidation
or other combination, or sale of substantially all of our assets, in a
transaction which results in a change of control of our company
unless:
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we
receive the consent of limited partners (other than our company or its
subsidiaries) holding more than 50% of the partnership interests of the
limited partners;
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as
a result of such transaction all limited partners will receive for each
partnership unit an amount of cash, securities or other property equal in
value to the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid in
the transaction to a holder of one share of our common stock, provided
that if, in connection with the transaction, a purchase, tender or
exchange offer shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of more
than 50% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, each holder of
partnership units will be given the option to exchange its partnership
units for the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property that a
limited partner would have received had it (i) exercised its redemption
right (described below) and (ii) sold, tendered or exchanged pursuant to
the offer shares of our common stock received upon exercise of the
redemption right immediately prior to the expiration of the offer;
or
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we
are the surviving entity in the transaction and either (i) our
stockholders do not receive cash, securities or other property in the
transaction or (ii) all limited partners (other than our company or its
subsidiaries) receive for each partnership unit an amount of cash,
securities or other property having a value that is no less than the
greatest amount of cash, securities or other property received in the
transaction by our stockholders for a share of our common
stock.
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We also
may merge with or into or consolidate with another entity if immediately after
such merger or consolidation (i) substantially all of the assets of the
successor or surviving entity, other than partnership units held by us, are
contributed, directly or indirectly, to the partnership as a capital
contribution in exchange for partnership units with a fair market value equal to
the value of the assets so contributed as determined by the survivor in good
faith and (ii) the survivor expressly agrees to assume all of our obligations
under the partnership agreement and the partnership agreement is amended after
any such merger or consolidation so as to arrive at a new method of calculating
the amounts payable upon exercise of the redemption right that approximates the
existing method for such calculation as closely as reasonably
possible.
We also
may (i) transfer all or any portion of our general partnership interest to (1) a
wholly-owned subsidiary or (2) a parent company, and following such transfer may
withdraw as the general partner and (ii) engage in a transaction required by law
or by the rules of any national securities exchange on which our common stock is
listed.
Capital
Contribution
We and
the third party limited partner have contributed capital to the operating
partnership in exchange for our partnership interests. Other parties
in the future that contribute assets to our operating partnership will become
limited partners and will receive partnership units based on the fair market
value of the assets at the time of such contributions. The
partnership agreement provides that if the operating partnership requires
additional funds at any time in excess of funds available to the operating
partnership from borrowing or capital contributions, we may contribute
additional capital to the operating partnership and receive in exchange
additional partnership interests. We may also borrow such funds from
a financial institution or other lender and lend such funds to the operating
partnership on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to our borrowing
of such funds. Under the partnership agreement, we may contribute the proceeds
of any offering of shares of stock of CapLease, Inc. as additional capital to
the operating partnership. We are authorized to cause the operating
partnership to issue partnership interests for less than fair market value if we
have concluded in good faith that such issuance is in both the operating
partnership’s and our best interests. If we contribute additional
capital to the operating partnership, we will receive additional partnership
units and our percentage interest will be increased on a proportionate basis
based upon the amount of such additional capital contributions and the value of
the operating partnership at the time of such
contributions. Conversely, the percentage interests of the limited
partners will be decreased on a proportionate basis in the event of additional
capital contributions by us. In addition, if we contribute additional capital to
the operating partnership, we will revalue the property of the operating
partnership to its fair market value (as determined by us) and the capital
accounts of the partners will be adjusted to reflect the manner in which the
unrealized gain or loss inherent in such property (that has not been reflected
in the capital accounts previously) would be allocated among the partners under
the terms of the partnership agreement if there were a taxable disposition of
such property for its fair market value (as determined by us) on the date of the
revaluation. The operating partnership has issued to us preferred
partnership interests that track the rights and obligations of the Series A
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock holders of CapLease, Inc. The
operating partnership may issue preferred partnership interests, in connection
with acquisitions of property or otherwise, which could have priority over
common partnership interests with respect to distributions from the operating
partnership, including the partnership interests we own as the general
partner.
Redemption
Rights
Pursuant
to the partnership agreement, the limited partners receive redemption rights,
which enable them to cause the operating partnership to redeem their units of
partnership interests in exchange for cash or, at our option, shares of common
stock on a one-for-one basis. The number of shares of common stock
issuable upon redemption of units of partnership interest held by limited
partners may be adjusted upon the occurrence of certain events such as stock
dividends, stock subdivisions or combinations. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a limited partner will not be entitled to exercise its redemption
rights if the delivery of common stock to the redeeming limited partner
would:
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result
in any person owning, directly or indirectly, shares of common stock in
excess of the stock ownership limits in our
charter;
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result
in our shares of our common stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons
(determined without reference to any rules of
attribution);
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result
in our being “closely held” within the meaning of section 856(h) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”);
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cause
us to own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the ownership
interests in a tenant of our or a subsidiary’s real property, within the
meaning of section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code;
or
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cause
the acquisition of common stock by such redeeming limited partner to be
“integrated” with any other distribution of common stock for purposes of
complying with the registration provisions of the Securities
Act.
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We may,
in our sole and absolute discretion, waive any of these
restrictions.
The
redemption rights may be exercised by the limited partners at any time after an
initial holding period; provided, however, unless we otherwise
agree:
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a
limited partner may not exercise the redemption right for fewer than 1,000
partnership units or, if such limited partner holds fewer than 1,000
partnership units, the limited partner must redeem all of the partnership
units held by such limited partner;
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a
limited partner may not exercise the redemption right for more than the
number of partnership units that would, upon redemption, result in such
limited partner or any other person owning, directly or indirectly, common
stock in excess of the ownership limitation in our charter;
and
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a
limited partner may not exercise the redemption right more than two times
annually.
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The
partnership agreement requires that the operating partnership be operated in a
manner that enables us to satisfy the requirements for being classified as a
REIT, to avoid any federal income or excise tax liability imposed by the Code
(other than any federal income tax liability associated with our retained
capital gains) and to ensure that the partnership will not be classified as a
“publicly traded partnership” taxable as a corporation under section 7704 of the
Code.
In
addition to the administrative and operating costs and expenses incurred by the
operating partnership, the operating partnership generally will pay all of our
administrative costs and expenses, including:
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all
expenses relating to our continuity of existence and our subsidiaries’
operations;
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all
expenses relating to offerings and registration of
securities;
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all
expenses associated with the preparation and filing of any of our periodic
or other reports and communications under federal, state or local laws or
regulations;
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all
expenses associated with our compliance with laws, rules and regulations
promulgated by any regulatory body;
and
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all
of our other operating or administrative costs incurred in the ordinary
course of business on behalf of the operating
partnership.
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These
expenses, however, do not include any of our administrative and operating costs
and expenses incurred that are attributable to assets that are owned by us
directly rather than by the operating partnership or its
subsidiaries.
Distributions
The
partnership agreement provides that the operating partnership will distribute
cash from operations (including net sale or refinancing proceeds, but excluding
net proceeds from the sale of the operating partnership’s property in connection
with the liquidation of the operating partnership) at such time and in such
amounts as determined by us in our sole discretion, to us and the limited
partners in accordance with their respective percentage interests in the
operating partnership.
Upon
liquidation of the operating partnership, after payment of, or adequate
provision for, debts and obligations of the partnership, including any partner
loans, any remaining assets of the partnership will be distributed to us and the
limited partners with positive capital accounts in accordance with their
respective positive capital account balances.
Allocations
Profits
and losses of the operating partnership (including depreciation and amortization
deductions) for each fiscal year generally will be allocated to us and the
limited partners in accordance with the respective percentage interests in the
operating partnership. All of the foregoing allocations are subject
to compliance with the provisions of sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code and
Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. We expect the operating partnership
to use the “traditional method” under section 704(c) of the Code for allocating
items with respect to contributed property for which the fair market value
differs from the adjusted tax basis at the time of
contribution.
Term
The
operating partnership will continue for a perpetual term, or until sooner
dissolved upon:
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our
bankruptcy, dissolution, removal or withdrawal (unless the limited
partners elect to continue the
partnership);
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the
passage of 90 days after the sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all the assets of the
partnership;
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the
redemption of all limited partnership units (other than those held by us,
if any); or
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an
election by us in our capacity as the general
partner.
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Tax
Matters
Pursuant
to the partnership agreement, we are the tax matters partner of the operating
partnership and have authority to handle tax audits and to make tax elections
under the Code on behalf of the operating partnership.
DESCRIPTION
OF PREFERRED STOCK
We are
authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per
share. As of September 30, 2010, 4,680,000 shares were
classified and designated as 8.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Stock, of which 3,200,600 were issued and outstanding. Also as of
September 30, 2010, 999,400 shares of Series A Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock were reserved for future issuance pursuant to our “at-the-market
offering” program with Brinson Patrick Securities Corporation. As of
September 30, 2010, we had no other classes or series of preferred stock
authorized.
The
following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the
preferred stock and the material terms and provisions of the Series A Preferred
Stock. This description and the description contained in any
prospectus supplement are not complete and are in all respects subject to and
qualified in their entirety by reference to our charter, the applicable articles
supplementary describing the terms of the related class or series of preferred
stock, and our bylaws, each of which we have filed or will file with the
SEC.
General
Subject
to the limitations prescribed by Maryland law and our charter and bylaws, our
board of directors is authorized to establish the number of shares constituting
each series of preferred stock and to designate and issue, from time to time,
one or more classes or series of preferred stock with the designations and
powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including such
provisions as may be desired concerning voting, redemption, dividends,
dissolution or the distribution of assets, conversion or exchange, and such
other subjects or matters as may be fixed by resolution of the board of
directors or duly authorized committee thereof. The preferred stock
will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be
subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.
The
prospectus supplement relating to the class or series of preferred stock being
offered thereby will describe the specific terms of such securities,
including:
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the
title and stated value of such preferred
stock;
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the
number of shares of such preferred stock offered, the liquidation
preference per share and the offering price of such preferred
stock;
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the
dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of
calculation thereof applicable to such preferred
stock;
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whether
dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the
date from which dividends on such preferred stock shall
accumulate;
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the
procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such preferred
stock;
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the
provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for such preferred
stock;
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the
provisions for redemption, if applicable, of such preferred
stock;
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any
listing of such preferred stock on any securities
exchange;
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the
terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such preferred stock will
be convertible into our common stock, including the conversion price (or
manner of calculation thereof) and conversion
period;
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any
voting rights of such preferred
stock;
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a
discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations
applicable to such preferred stock;
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the
relative ranking and preferences of such preferred stock as to dividend
rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding
up;
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any
limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking
senior to or on a parity with such class or series of preferred stock as
to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding
up;
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any
other limitations on actual and constructive ownership and restrictions on
transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve our status as a
REIT; and
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any
other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of
such preferred stock.
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Rank
Unless
otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular class
or series of preferred stock, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend
rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up,
rank:
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senior
to all classes or series of our common stock, and to all equity securities
ranking junior to such preferred
stock;
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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; and
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junior
to all equity securities issued by us, the terms of which specifically
provide that such equity securities rank senior to the preferred
stock.
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As used
for these purposes, the term “equity securities” does not include convertible
debt securities.
Dividends
Unless
otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will have
the rights with respect to payment of dividends set forth below.
Subject
to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of our capital
stock ranking senior to the preferred stock as to dividends, holders of shares
of each class or series of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive, when,
as and if declared and authorized by our board of directors, out of assets
legally available for payment, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates as
will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each such dividend
will be payable to holders of record as they appear on our stock transfer books
on such record dates as are fixed by our board of directors.
Dividends
on any class or series of the preferred stock may be cumulative or
non-cumulative, as provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Dividends, if cumulative, will accumulate 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
class or series of preferred stock for which dividends are non-cumulative, then
the holders of such class or series of preferred stock will have no right to
receive a dividend in respect of the dividend period ending on such dividend
payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for
such period, whether or not dividends on such class or series of preferred stock
are declared payable on any future dividend payment date.
Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if any shares of
any class or series of preferred stock are outstanding, we generally may not
declare, pay or set apart for payment full dividends on any of our capital stock
of any other class or series ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or
junior to such class or series of preferred stock for any period
unless:
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if
such class or series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, full
cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid
or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof irrevocably set
apart for such payment on such class or series of preferred stock for all
past dividend periods and the then current dividend period;
or
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if
such class or series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative
dividend, full dividends for the then current dividend period have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient
for the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for such payment on such
class or series of preferred stock.
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When
dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not
so irrevocably set apart) upon the shares of preferred stock of any class or
series and the shares of any other class or series of preferred stock ranking on
a parity as to dividends with the preferred stock of such class or series, all
dividends declared upon shares of such class or series of preferred stock and
any other class or series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends
with such preferred stock will be declared pro rata so that the amount of
dividends declared per share on the preferred stock of such class or series and
such other class or series of preferred stock will in all cases bear to each
other the same ratio that accrued and unpaid dividends per share on the shares
of preferred stock of such class or series (which shall not include any
accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such
preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend) and such other class or
series of preferred stock bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in
lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments
on shares of preferred stock which may be in arrears.
Except as
provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless
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if
such class or series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, full
cumulative dividends on such class or series of preferred stock have been
or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for payment for
all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period,
and
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if
such series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full
dividends on the preferred stock of such series have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient
for the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for payment for the then
current dividend period,
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no
dividends (other than in common stock or other capital stock ranking junior to
such class or series of preferred stock as to dividends and upon our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) may be declared or paid or set aside for
payment or other distribution may be declared or made upon our common stock or
any other of our capital stock ranking junior to or on a parity with such class
or series of preferred stock as to dividends or upon our liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, and no common stock or any other of our capital stock
ranking junior to or on a parity with such class or series of preferred stock as
to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up may be redeemed,
purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to
or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any
such stock) by us (except by conversion into or exchange for our other capital
stock ranking junior to such class or series of preferred stock as to dividends
and upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and except for a redemption
or purchase or other acquisition of shares of our common stock made for purposes
of an employee benefit plan of the Company or as provided for under our charter
to protect our status as a REIT).
Any
dividend payment made on shares of a class or series of preferred stock will
first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with
respect to shares of such class or series which remains payable.
Redemption
If so
provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the shares of preferred stock
will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, in whole or
in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices
set forth in such prospectus supplement.
The
prospectus supplement relating to a class or series of preferred stock that is
subject to mandatory redemption will specify:
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the
number of shares of preferred stock that we will
redeem;
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the
dates on or the period during which we will redeem the shares;
and
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the
redemption price that we will pay per share, together with an amount equal
to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon (which shall not, if such
preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, include any
accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods) to
the date of redemption.
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The
redemption price may be payable in cash or other property, as described in the
applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for any class or
series of preferred stock is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance
of our capital stock, the terms of such preferred stock may provide that, if no
such capital stock was issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any
issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then
due, such preferred stock will automatically and mandatorily be converted into
shares of our applicable capital stock pursuant to conversion provisions
specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, unless
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if
such class or series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, full
cumulative dividends on all shares of any class or series of preferred
stock shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or
declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof irrevocably set
apart for payment for all past dividend periods and the then current
dividend period, and
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if
such class or series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative
dividend, full dividends on the preferred stock of any series have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient
for the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for payment for the then
current dividend period,
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no shares
of any class or series of preferred stock shall be redeemed unless all
outstanding shares of such class or series of preferred stock are simultaneously
redeemed; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase
or acquisition of shares of such class or series of preferred stock pursuant to
a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all
outstanding shares of such class or series of preferred stock.
In
addition, unless
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if
such class or series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, full
cumulative dividends on all shares of any class or series of preferred
stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and
a sum sufficient for the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for payment
for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period,
and
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if
such class or series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative
dividend, full dividends on the preferred stock of any class or series
have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof irrevocably set apart for payment for
the then current dividend period,
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we will
not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of preferred
stock of such class or series (except by conversion into or exchange for our
capital stock ranking junior to such class or series of preferred stock as to
dividends and upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up).
If fewer
than all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock of any class or series are
to be redeemed, we will determine the number of shares to be redeemed and such
shares may be redeemed pro rata from the holders of record of such shares in
proportion to the number of such shares held by such holders (with adjustments
to avoid redemption of fractional shares) or any other equitable method
determined by us that will not result in violation of the ownership limitations
set forth in our charter.
Notice of
redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the
redemption date to each holder of record of a share of preferred stock of any
class or series to be redeemed at the address shown on our stock transfer books.
Each notice of redemption will state:
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the
number of shares and class or series of the preferred stock to be
redeemed;
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the
place or places where certificates for such preferred stock are to be
surrendered for payment of the redemption
price;
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that
dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such
redemption date; and
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the
date upon which the holder’s conversion rights, if any, as to such shares
will terminate.
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If fewer
than all the shares of preferred stock of any class or series are to be
redeemed, the notice of redemption will also specify the number of shares of
preferred stock to be redeemed from each holder. If notice of redemption of any
shares of preferred stock has been given and if the funds necessary for such
redemption have been irrevocably set apart by us in trust for the benefit of the
holders of any shares of preferred stock so called for redemption, then from and
after the redemption date dividends will cease to accrue on such shares of
preferred stock, such shares of preferred stock will no longer be deemed
outstanding and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except
the right to receive the redemption price.
Any
shares of preferred stock that we redeem or repurchase will be retired and
restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred
stock.
Liquidation
Preference
Upon any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs,
then, before any distribution or payment may be made 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 our liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, the holders of each class or series of preferred
stock will be entitled to receive out of our 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 and articles supplementary), plus an amount equal to all dividends
accrued and unpaid thereon (which will not include any accumulation in respect
of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such preferred stock does not
have a cumulative dividend). After payment of the full amount of the
liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred
stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. In
the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution
or winding up, our legally available assets are insufficient to pay the amount
of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of preferred stock
and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series
of our capital stock ranking on a parity with the preferred stock in the
distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, 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 respectively
entitled.
After
liquidating distributions have been made in full to all holders of shares of
preferred stock, our remaining assets will be distributed among the holders of
any other classes or series of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred
stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, 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, or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or
substantially all of our property or business, will not be deemed to constitute
our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Voting
Rights
Holders
of our preferred stock generally will not have any voting rights, except as
otherwise required by law from time to time or as indicated in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
Conversion
Rights
The terms
and conditions, if any, upon which shares of any class or series of preferred
stock are convertible into our common stock will be set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the
number of shares of common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible,
the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period,
provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the
preferred stock or at our option, the events requiring an adjustment of the
conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the
redemption of such preferred stock.
Restrictions
on Ownership
Our
charter provides that no person may beneficially own, actually or
constructively, more than 9.9% in value or in number, whichever is more
restrictive, of our outstanding shares of capital stock. See
“Restrictions on Ownership.”
Transfer
Agent
The
transfer agent and registrar for a particular series of preferred stock will be
set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Description
of the Series A Preferred Stock
Our board
of directors has adopted articles supplementary to our charter establishing the
number and fixing the terms, designations, powers, preferences, rights,
limitations and restrictions of a series of preferred stock designated the
8.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The Series A
Preferred Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Ranking. The
Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to our shares of common stock and to
any other of our equity securities that by their terms rank junior to the
Series A Preferred Stock with respect to payments of distributions or
amounts upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The
Series A Preferred Stock ranks on a parity with other equity securities
that we may later authorize or issue and that by their terms are on a parity
with the Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred
Stock ranks junior to any equity securities that we may later authorize or issue
and that by their terms rank senior to the Series A Preferred
Stock. Any authorization or issuance of equity securities senior to
the Series A Preferred Stock would require the affirmative vote of the
holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred
Stock. Any convertible debt securities that we may issue are not
considered to be equity securities for these purposes.
Dividends. Holders
of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as
authorized by our board of directors and declared by us, out of funds legally
available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends at the rate of
8.125% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference, equivalent to
$2.03125 per annum per share. However, if the Series A Preferred
Stock is delisted from the New York Stock Exchange following a “change of
control” (as defined below), holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will
be entitled to receive, when and as authorized by our board of directors and
declared by us, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends,
cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 9.125% per annum of the $25.00
liquidation preference, equivalent to $2.28125 per annum per
share. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will accrue and
be cumulative from (but excluding) the date of original issue and will be
payable quarterly in arrears on or about the 15th day of each January, April,
July and October. Dividends payable on the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock for any partial period will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
We will
pay dividends to holders of record as they appear in our stock records at the
close of business on the applicable record date, which will be the last day of
the calendar month that immediately precedes the calendar month in which the
applicable dividend payment date falls, or such other date as designated by our
board of directors or an officer of our company duly authorized by our board of
directors for the payment of dividends that is not more than 30 days nor less
than 10 days prior to the dividend payment date.
We will
not declare or pay or set aside for payment any dividend on the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock if the terms of any of our agreements, including
agreements relating to our indebtedness, prohibit that declaration, payment or
setting aside of funds or provide that the declaration, payment or setting aside
of funds is a breach of or a default under that agreement, or if the
declaration, payment or setting aside of funds is restricted or prohibited by
law.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, dividends on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock will
accrue whether or not we have earnings, whether or not there are funds legally
available for the payment of distributions and whether or not dividends are
authorized. Accrued but unpaid distributions on the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock will not bear interest, and holders of the shares
of Series A Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any distributions in
excess of full cumulative distributions as described above. All of
our dividends on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, including any
capital gain distributions, will be credited to the previously accrued dividends
on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock. We will credit any
dividends made on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock first to the
earliest accrued and unpaid dividend due.
We will
not declare or pay any dividends, or set aside any funds for the payment of
dividends, on shares of common stock or other shares that rank junior to the
shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or redeem or otherwise acquire shares
of common stock or other junior shares, unless we also have declared and either
paid or set aside for payment the full cumulative dividends on the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock for the current and all past dividend
periods. This restriction will not limit our redemption or other
acquisition of shares under an employee benefit plan or to ensure our status as
a REIT.
If we do
not declare and either pay or set aside for payment the full cumulative
dividends on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and all shares that
rank on a parity with the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the amount
which we have declared will be allocated pro rata to the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock and to each parity series of shares so that the amount declared
for each share of Series A Preferred Stock and for each share of each
parity series is proportionate to the accrued and unpaid distributions on those
shares.
A “change
of control” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (a) the date a
“person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) becomes the ultimate “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3
and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a person or group shall be deemed
to have beneficial ownership of all shares of voting stock that such person or
group has the right to acquire regardless of when such right is first
exercisable), directly or indirectly, of voting stock representing more than 50%
of the total voting power of the total voting stock of our company on a fully
diluted basis; (b) the date we sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of our assets; or (c) the date of the consummation of a merger
or share exchange of our company with another entity where our stockholders
immediately prior to the merger or share exchange would not beneficially own
immediately after the merger or share exchange, shares representing 50% or more
of all votes (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect
directors by a separate group vote) to which all stockholders of the corporation
issuing cash or securities in the merger or share exchange would be entitled in
the election of directors, or where members of our board of directors
immediately prior to the merger, or share exchange would not immediately after
the merger or share exchange constitute a majority of the board of directors of
the corporation issuing cash or securities in the merger or share
exchange. “Voting stock” shall mean capital stock of any class or
kind having the power to vote generally for the election of
directors.
Liquidation
Rights. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, the holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be
entitled to receive out of our assets legally available for distribution to our
stockholders a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and
unpaid dividends through and including the date of the payment. The
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive
this liquidating distribution before we distribute any assets to holders of
shares of our common stock or any other shares of capital stock that rank junior
to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The rights of holders
of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to receive their liquidation
preference would be subject to preferential rights of the holders of any series
of shares that is senior to the shares of Series A Preferred
Stock. Written notice will be given to each holder of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock of any such liquidation not less than 30 days and
no more than 60 days prior to the payment date. After payment of the
full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock will have no right or claim
to any of our remaining assets. If we consolidate or merge with any
other entity, sell, lease, transfer or convey all or substantially all of our
property or business, or engage in a statutory share exchange, we will not be
deemed to have liquidated. In the event our assets are insufficient
to pay the full liquidating distributions to the holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock and all other classes or series of our equity
securities ranking on a parity with our shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
then we will distribute our assets to the holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock and all other classes or series of parity securities ratably in
proportion to the full liquidating distributions they would otherwise have
received.
The
articles supplementary provide that in determining whether a distribution (other
than voluntary or involuntary liquidation), by dividend, redemption or
otherwise, is permitted under the MGCL, amounts that would be needed, if we were
to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the Series A
Preferred Stock liquidation preference will not be added to our total
liabilities.
Redemption. We may
redeem the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, at our option upon not less
than 30 days’ nor more than 60 days’ written notice to the holder, in whole or
from time to time in part, at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any
accrued and unpaid dividends through the date fixed for redemption.
We will
give notice of redemption by publication in a newspaper of general circulation
in the City of New York and by mail to each holder of record of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock at the address shown on our stock transfer
books. A failure to give notice of redemption or any defect in the
notice or in its mailing will not affect the validity of the redemption of any
shares of Series A Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice
was defective. Each notice will state the following:
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the
number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be
redeemed;
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the
place or places where the certificates for the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for payment;
and
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that
dividends on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed
will cease to accrue on the redemption
date.
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If we
redeem fewer than all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the notice
of redemption mailed to each stockholder will also specify the number of shares
of Series A Preferred Stock that we will redeem from each
stockholder. In this case, we will determine the number of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed on a pro rata basis, by lot or by
any other equitable method we may choose.
If we
have given a notice of redemption and have set aside sufficient funds for the
redemption in trust for the benefit of the holders of the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption, then from and after the
redemption date, those shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be treated
as no longer being outstanding, no further dividends will accrue and all other
rights of the holders of those shares of Series A Preferred Stock will
terminate. The holders of those shares of Series A Preferred
Stock will retain their right to receive the redemption price for their shares
and any accrued and unpaid dividends through the redemption date.
The
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the close of business on a
dividend record date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable with
respect to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock on the corresponding
payment date (including any accrued and unpaid distributions for prior periods)
notwithstanding the redemption of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
between such record date and the corresponding payment date or our default in
the payment of the dividend due. Except as provided above, we will
make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on
shares of Series A Preferred Stock for which a notice of redemption has
been given.
The
shares of Series A Preferred Stock have no stated maturity and will not be
subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption provisions, except as
provided under “Restrictions on Ownership” below.
Subject
to applicable law, we may purchase shares of Series A Preferred Stock in
the open market, by tender or by private agreement. Any shares of
Series A Preferred Stock that we reacquire will return to the status of
authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock.
Voting
Rights. Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
have no voting rights, except as set forth below.
If
distributions on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are due but unpaid
for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, holders of the
shares of Series A Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class with
all other shares of any class or series of stock ranking on a parity with the
Series A Preferred Stock which are entitled to similar voting rights, if
any) will be entitled to elect a total of two additional directors to serve on
our board of directors until all distribution arrearages have been paid or
authorized and set aside for payment in full. The holders of record
of at least 10% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock (or
of any other series of preferred stock ranking on a parity and with like voting
rights) may compel us to call a special meeting to elect these additional
directors unless we receive the request less than 120 days before the date of
the next annual meeting of stockholders if all the classes of voting preferred
stock are offered the opportunity to elect such directors at the annual
meeting. Whether or not the holders call a special meeting, the
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock (and any other series of preferred
stock ranking on a parity and with like voting rights) may vote for the
additional directors at the next annual meeting of stockholders and at each
subsequent meeting until we have fully paid all unpaid dividends on the shares
for the past dividend periods and the then current dividend period, or we have
declared the unpaid dividends and set apart a sufficient sum for their
payment. These two additional directors may be removed at any time
with or without cause by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred Stock.
In
addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock is required for us to authorize, create
or increase equity securities ranking senior to the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock or to amend, alter or repeal our charter in a manner that
materially and adversely affects the rights of the holders of the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock. We may issue additional shares of
Series A Preferred Stock, or other parity stock, without any vote of the
holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
In any
matter in which the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to
vote, each share of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to one
vote. If the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and
another series of preferred stock are entitled to vote together as a single
class on any matter, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the shares
of the other series will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation
preference.
The
holders of Series A Preferred Stock (or any other series of preferred stock
ranking on a parity and with like voting rights) will have no voting rights,
however, if we redeem or call for redemption all outstanding shares of the
series and deposit sufficient funds in a trust to effect the redemption on or
before the time the act occurs requiring the vote.
Conversion
Rights. The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible
into or exchangeable for any property or other securities.
Information
Rights. During any period in which we are not subject to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and any shares of Series A
Preferred Stock are outstanding, we will (i) transmit by mail to all holders of
Series A Preferred Stock, as their names and addresses appear in our record
books and without cost to such holders, copies of the annual reports and
quarterly reports that we would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if we were subject to such Sections
(other than any exhibits that would have been required), and (ii) promptly upon
written request, supply copies of such reports to any prospective holder of
Series A Preferred Stock. We will mail the reports to the
holders of Series A Preferred Stock within 15 days after the respective
dates by which we would have been required to file the reports with the SEC if
we were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Restrictions on
Ownership. For information regarding restrictions on ownership
of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, see “Restrictions on Ownership”
below. The articles supplementary for the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock provide that the ownership limitation described below applies to
ownership of shares of Series A Preferred Stock. We have the
right to purchase or refuse to transfer any shares of Series A Preferred
Stock that would result in any person owning shares in excess of the ownership
limitation, as provided in our charter. If we elect to purchase such
shares, the purchase price will be equal to $25.00 per share, plus any accrued
and unpaid distributions through the date of purchase.
Transfer
Agent. The transfer agent and registrar for the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company.
For us to
qualify as a REIT under the Code, our shares of stock must be beneficially owned
by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months
(other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or
during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more
than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of stock may be owned, directly
or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include
certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first
year for which an election to be a REIT has been made).
In order
to help us to satisfy the requirements set forth in the preceding paragraph, our
charter, subject to certain exceptions, contains restrictions on the number of
shares of our stock that a person may own. Our charter provides that
no person or persons acting as a group may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of
the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 9.9% in value or in number,
whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of capital stock (the
“Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit”). In addition, our charter
prohibits any person or persons acting as a group from acquiring or holding,
directly or indirectly, shares of common stock in excess of 9.9% in value or in
number, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of common stock
(the “Common Stock Ownership Limit”).
In
addition to these ownership limits, our charter prohibits:
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any
person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that
would result in us being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the
Code;
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any
transfer of shares of our stock if that would result in our stock being
beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons;
and
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any
transfer of shares of our stock that would cause us to own, directly or
indirectly, 10% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant of our
company (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by
us).
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Any
person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive
ownership of our shares of stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing
restrictions on transferability and ownership, or any person who would have
owned shares of our stock that resulted in a transfer of shares to a charitable
trust, as described below, is required to give written notice immediately to us,
or in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, to give at least 15 days’
prior written notice, and provide us with such other information as we may
request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our status as a
REIT. The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership
will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our
best interest to attempt to continue to qualify as a REIT.
Furthermore,
our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt a person from the
above ownership limits and any of the restrictions described in the first
sentence of the paragraph directly above. However, the board of
directors may not grant an exemption to any person unless the board of directors
obtains such representations, covenants and undertakings as the board of
directors may deem appropriate in order to determine that granting the exemption
would not result in our failing to qualify as a REIT. As a condition
of exemption, our board of directors may require a ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance
satisfactory to the board of directors, in its sole discretion, in order to
determine or ensure our status as a REIT.
Our board
of directors has granted an exemption to Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management
permitting them to own up to 12.5% of our outstanding common stock.
If any
transfer of our shares of stock occurs which, if effective, would result in our
shares of stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons, would cause us to be
“closely held” under the Code, would cause us to own, directly or indirectly,
10% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant of our company (or a tenant
of any entity owned or controlled by us) or would result in any person
beneficially or constructively owning shares of stock in excess or in violation
of the above transfer or ownership limitations (a “Prohibited Owner”), then that
number of shares of stock the transfer of which otherwise would cause such
person to violate the charter limitations (rounded up to the nearest whole
share) will be automatically transferred to a charitable trust for the exclusive
benefit of a charitable beneficiary, and the Prohibited Owner will not acquire
any rights in such shares. This automatic transfer will be considered
effective as of the close of business on the business day before the violative
transfer. If the transfer to the charitable trust would not be
effective for any reason to prevent the violation of the above transferor
ownership limitations, then the transfer of that number of shares of stock that
otherwise would cause any person to violate the above limitations will be
void. Shares of stock held in the charitable trust will constitute
issued and outstanding shares of our stock. The Prohibited Owner will
not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of stock held in the
charitable trust, will have no rights to dividends or other distributions and
will not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares
of stock held in the charitable trust. The trustee of the charitable
trust will be designated by us and must be unaffiliated with us or any
Prohibited Owner and will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or
other distributions with respect to shares of stock held in the charitable
trust, and these rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the
trust’s beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid before
our discovery that shares of stock have been transferred to the trustee will be
paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the trustee upon
demand, and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be
paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the
trustee will be held in trust for the trust’s charitable
beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner will have no voting rights with
respect to shares of stock held in the charitable trust and, subject to Maryland
law, effective as of the date that such shares of stock have been transferred to
the trustee, the trustee, in its discretion, will have the authority
to:
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rescind
as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to our discovery that
such shares have been transferred to the trustee;
and
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recast
such vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the
benefit of the trust’s beneficiary.
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However,
if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will
not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote.
Within 20
days of receiving notice from us that shares of stock have been transferred to
the charitable trust, and unless we buy the shares as described below, the
trustee will sell the shares of stock held in the charitable trust to a person,
designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the
ownership limitations in our charter. Upon the sale, the interest of
the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee
will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the
charitable beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner will receive the lesser
of:
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the
price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited
Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event
causing the shares to be held in the charitable trust (for example, in the
case of a gift or devise) the market price of the shares on the day of the
event causing the shares to be held in the charitable trust;
and
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the
price per share received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition
of the shares held in the charitable
trust.
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Any net
sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner will be
paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, before our
discovery that shares of stock have been transferred to the charitable trust,
such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then:
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such
shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the charitable trust;
and
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to
the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares
that exceeds the amount that the Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive
as described above, the excess must be paid to the trustee upon
demand.
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In
addition, shares of stock held in the charitable trust will be deemed to have
been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the
lesser of:
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the
price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the
charitable trust (or, in the case of a gift or devise, the market price at
the time of the gift or devise);
and
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the
market price on the date we, or our designee, accept such
offer.
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We will
have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares of
stock held in the charitable trust. Upon such a sale to us, the
interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the
trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and
any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee will be paid to the
charitable beneficiary.
All
certificates representing our shares of stock will bear a legend referring to
the restrictions described above.
Every
owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentages as required by the Code or the
Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of all classes or series of our
shares of capital stock must give written notice to us, within 30 days after the
end of each taxable year, of the name and address of such owner, the number of
shares of each class and series of shares of stock which the owner beneficially
owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are
held. Each such owner must also provide us with additional
information as we may request to determine the effect of the owner’s beneficial
ownership on our REIT status and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock
Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit. In addition,
each of our stockholders, whether or not an owner of 5% or more of our capital
stock, must provide us with information as we may request to determine our REIT
status and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or
governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance
with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership
Limit.
These
ownership and transfer limitations in our charter could delay, defer or prevent
a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium
price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our
stockholders.
DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
The
following description, together with the additional information we include in
any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and
provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While
the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt
securities we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any debt
securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus
supplement. The terms of any debt securities we offer under that
prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.
The debt
securities will be our direct unsecured general obligations and may include
debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness. The debt
securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt
securities. The debt securities will be issued under one or more
separate indentures. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior
indenture, and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated
indenture. We use the term “indentures” to refer to both the senior
indenture and the subordinated indenture. A form of each of the
senior indenture and the subordinated indenture is filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The
indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. We use
the term “indenture trustee” to refer to either the senior trustee or the
subordinated trustee, as applicable.
The
following summaries of material provisions of the debt securities and indentures
are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the
provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt
securities.
General
We will
describe in each prospectus supplement the following terms relating to a series
of debt securities:
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the
title or designation;
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any
limit on the principal amount that may be
issued;
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whether
or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, the
terms and the depository;
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the
annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for
determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates
interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment
dates or the method for determining such
dates;
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whether
or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of
any secured debt;
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the
terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated
debt;
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the
place where payments will be
payable;
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our
right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any
such deferral period;
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the
date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our option,
redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional redemption
provisions;
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the
date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant
to any mandatory sinking fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at
the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt
securities;
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whether
the indenture will restrict our ability to pay dividends, or will require
us to maintain any asset ratios or
reserves;
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whether
we will be restricted from incurring any additional
indebtedness;
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a
discussion on any material or special U.S. federal income tax
considerations applicable to the debt
securities;
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the
denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if
other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;
and
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any
other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or
restrictions on, the debt
securities.
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Conversion
or Exchange Rights
We will
set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt
securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other
securities. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or
exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our
option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of
shares of common stock or other securities that the holders of the series of
debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation,
Merger or Sale
The
indentures will not contain any covenant which restricts our ability to merge or
consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or
acquirer of our assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures
or the debt securities, as appropriate.
Events
of Default Under the Indenture
The
following will be events of default under the indentures with respect to any
series of debt securities that we may issue:
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if
we fail to pay interest when due and our failure continues for a number of
days to be stated in the indenture and the time for payment has not been
extended or deferred;
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if
we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, when due and the time
for payment has not been extended or
delayed;
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if
we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt
securities or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating
to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for a
number of days to be stated in the indenture after we receive notice from
the indenture trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series;
and
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if
specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur as to
us.
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If an
event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is
continuing, the indenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to
us in writing, and to the indenture trustee if notice is given by such holders,
may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if
any, due and payable immediately.
The
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the
series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding
payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the
default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver will
cure the default or event of default.
Subject
to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture occurs
and is continuing, the indenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise
any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of
any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such
holders have offered the indenture trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of
a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series
will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the indenture trustee, or exercising any
trust or power conferred on the indenture trustee, with respect to the debt
securities of that series, provided that:
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the
direction given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the
applicable indenture; and
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subject
to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the indenture trustee need
not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might
be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the
proceeding.
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A holder
of the debt securities of any series will only have the right to institute a
proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek
other remedies if:
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the
holder has given written notice to the indenture trustee of a continuing
event of default with respect to that
series;
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the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders
have offered reasonable indemnity to the indenture trustee to institute
the proceeding as trustee; and
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the
indenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive
from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions
within 60 days after the notice, request and
offer.
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These
limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if
we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the
debt securities.
We will
periodically file statements with the indenture trustee regarding our compliance
with specified covenants in the indentures.
Modification
of Indenture; Waiver
We and
the indenture trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders
with respect to specific matters, including:
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to
fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture;
and
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to
change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of
any holder of debt securities of any
series.
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In
addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt
securities may be changed by us and the indenture trustee with the written
consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities of each series that is
affected. However, we and the indenture trustee may only make the
following changes with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt
securities affected:
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extending
the fixed maturity of the series of debt
securities;
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reducing
the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of
payment of interest, or any premium payable upon the redemption of any
debt securities; or
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reducing
the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to
consent to any amendment.
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Discharge
Each
indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with
respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for obligations
to:
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register
the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the
series;
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replace
stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the
series;
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maintain
paying agencies;
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hold
monies for payment in trust;
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compensate
and indemnify the indenture trustee;
and
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appoint
any successor indenture trustee.
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In order
to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the indenture
trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of,
any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the
dates payments are due.
Form,
Exchange and Transfer
We will
issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without
coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus
supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The
indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or
permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with,
or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company or another depository named by us
and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that
series. See “Book-Entry Securities” for a further description of the
terms relating to any book-entry securities.
Subject
to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global
securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the
debt securities of any series, at its option, can exchange the debt securities
for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and
of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject
to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global
securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the
debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration
of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly
executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the
security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for
this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder
presents for transfer or exchange, no service charge will be required for any
registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or
other governmental charges.
We will
name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any
transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially
designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional
transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a
change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will
be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt
securities of each series.
If we
elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required
to:
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issue,
register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series
during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the
day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may
be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day
of the mailing; or
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register
the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for
redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt
securities we are redeeming in
part.
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Information
Concerning the Indenture Trustee
The
indenture trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event
of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are
specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default
under an indenture, the indenture trustee must use the same degree of care as a
prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
Subject to this provision, the indenture trustee is under no obligation to
exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any
holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity
against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
Payment
and Paying Agents
Unless we
otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment
of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the
person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities,
are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the
interest.
We will
pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a
particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except
that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we
will make interest payments by check which we will mail to the holder. Unless we
otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate
trust office of the indenture trustee in the City of New York as our sole paying
agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name
in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we
initially designate for the debt securities of a particular
series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for
the debt securities of a particular series.
All money
we pay to a paying agent or the indenture trustee for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities which remains
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has
become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the security
thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing
Law
The
indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the
Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
Subordination
of Subordinated Notes
The
subordinated notes will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in
priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described
in a prospectus supplement. The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount
of subordinated notes which we may issue. It also does not limit us from issuing
any other secured or unsecured debt.
FEDERAL
INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF OUR STATUS AS A REIT
This
section summarizes the federal income tax issues that you, as a holder of our
securities, may consider relevant. The discussion in this section
does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax
considerations relating to our securities or our taxation as a
REIT. This section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”), current, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations
promulgated thereunder, current administrative interpretations and practices of
the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and judicial decisions now in effect, all
of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) or to
different interpretations.
We have
not requested, and do not plan to request, any rulings from the IRS concerning
the tax treatment with respect to matters contained in this discussion, and the
statements in this prospectus are not binding on the IRS or any
court. Thus, we can provide no assurance that the tax considerations
contained in this summary will not be challenged by the IRS or will be sustained
by a court if challenged by the IRS.
This
summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences applies to you if hold
our securities as a “capital asset” (generally, property held for investment
within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code). Because this
discussion is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that may be
important to you. As you review this discussion, you should keep in mind
that:
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the
tax consequences to you may vary depending on your particular tax
situation;
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special
rules that are not discussed below may apply to you if, for example, you
are a tax-exempt organization, a broker-dealer, a trust, an estate, a
cooperative, a regulated investment company, a financial institution, an
insurance company, a partnership or other pass-through entity (or a
partner or member thereof) that holds our notes or shares, or are
otherwise subject to special tax treatment under the
Code;
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this
summary does not address state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations;
and
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this
discussion is not intended to be, and should not be construed as tax
advice.
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We
urge you to consult your own tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences
to you of ownership of our securities and of our election to be taxed as a
REIT. Specifically, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding
the federal, state, local, foreign, and other tax consequences of such ownership
and election, and regarding potential changes in applicable tax
laws.
Taxation
of Our Company
We
elected to be taxed as a REIT under the federal income tax laws commencing with
our short taxable year ended on December 31, 2004. We believe that, commencing
with such short taxable year, we were organized and have operated in such a
manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the federal income tax laws,
and we intend to continue to operate in such a manner, but no assurance can be
given that we will operate in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a
REIT. This section discusses the laws governing the federal income
tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. These laws are highly
technical and complex.
In the
opinion of Hunton & Williams LLP, we qualified to be taxed as a REIT under
the federal income tax laws for our taxable years ended December 31, 2004
through December 31, 2009, and our current and proposed method of operation will
enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as
a REIT under the federal income tax laws for our taxable year ended December 31,
2010 and in the future. Investors should be aware that Hunton &
Williams LLP’s opinion is based upon customary assumptions, is conditioned upon
certain representations made by us as to factual matters, including
representations regarding the nature of our assets and the conduct of our
business, and is not binding upon the IRS or any court. In addition, Hunton
& Williams LLP’s opinion is based on existing federal income tax law
governing qualification as a REIT, which is subject to change either
prospectively or retroactively. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a
REIT depend upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual
annual operating results, certain qualification tests set forth in the federal
tax laws. Those qualification tests involve the percentage of income that we
earn from specified sources, the percentage of our assets that falls within
specified categories, the diversity of our stock ownership, and the percentage
of our earnings that we distribute. Hunton & Williams LLP will not review
our compliance with those tests on a continuing basis. Accordingly, no assurance
can be given that our actual results of operations for any particular taxable
year will satisfy such requirements. For a discussion of the tax
consequences of our failure to qualify as a REIT, see “Federal Income Tax
Consequences of Our Status as a REIT—Failure to Qualify” below.
If we
qualify as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on the
taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. The benefit of
that tax treatment is that it avoids the “double taxation,” or taxation at both
the corporate and stockholder levels, that generally results from owning stock
in a corporation. However, we will be subject to federal tax in the
following circumstances:
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We
will pay federal income tax on taxable income, including net capital gain,
that we do not distribute to stockholders during, or within a specified
time period after, the calendar year in which the income is
earned.
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We
may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on items of tax
preference.
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We
will pay income tax at the highest corporate rate
on:
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net
income from the sale or other disposition of property acquired through
foreclosure (“foreclosure property”) that we hold primarily for sale to
customers in the ordinary course of business,
and
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other
non-qualifying income from foreclosure
property.
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We
will pay a 100% tax on net income from sales or other dispositions of
property, other than foreclosure property, that we hold primarily for sale
to customers in the ordinary course of
business.
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If
we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% gross income test or the 95%
gross income test, as described below under “Requirements for
Qualification—Income Tests,” and nonetheless continue to qualify as a REIT
because we meet other requirements, we will pay a 100% tax
on:
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the
gross income attributable to the greater of the amount by which we fail
the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, multiplied
by
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a
fraction intended to reflect our
profitability.
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In
the event of a more than de minimis failure of any of the asset tests, as
described below under “—Requirements for Qualification—Asset Tests,” as
long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect
and we dispose of the assets or otherwise comply with the asset tests
within six months after the last day of the applicable quarter, we will
pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or 35% of the net income from
the nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy
the asset test or tests.
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If
we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification during
a taxable year, other than a gross income test or an asset test, and such
failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we will be
required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such
failure.
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If
we fail to distribute during a calendar year at least the sum
of:
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85%
of our REIT ordinary income for the calendar
year,
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95%
of our REIT capital gain net income for the calendar year,
and
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any
undistributed income required to be distributed from earlier
periods,
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we will
pay a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of the required distribution
over the amount we actually distributed.
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We
may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gain.
In that case, a U.S. stockholder would be taxed on its proportionate share
of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent that we make a
timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) and would receive a
credit or refund for its proportionate share of the tax we
paid.
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We
will be subject to a 100% tax on transactions with a taxable REIT
subsidiary that are not conducted on an arm’s-length
basis.
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If
we acquire any asset from a C corporation, or a corporation that generally
is subject to full corporate-level tax, in a merger or other transaction
in which we acquire a basis in the asset that is determined by reference
either to the C corporation’s basis in the asset or to another asset, we
will pay tax at the highest regular corporate rate applicable if we
recognize gain on the sale or disposition of the asset during the 10-year
period after we acquire the asset. The amount of gain on which we will pay
tax is the lesser of:
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the
amount of gain that we recognize at the time of the sale or disposition,
and
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the
amount of gain that we would have recognized if we had sold the asset at
the time we acquired it.
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Requirements
for Qualification
A REIT is
a corporation, trust, or association that meets each of the following
requirements:
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1.
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It
is managed by one or more trustees or
directors.
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2.
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Its
beneficial ownership is evidenced by transferable shares or by
transferable certificates of beneficial
interest.
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3.
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It
would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for the REIT provisions of
the federal income tax laws.
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4.
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It
is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to
special provisions of the federal income tax
laws.
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5.
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At
least 100 persons are beneficial owners of its shares or ownership
certificates.
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6.
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Not
more than 50% in value of its outstanding shares or ownership certificates
is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals, which the
federal income tax laws define to include certain entities, during the
last half of any taxable year.
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7.
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It
elects to be a REIT, or has made such election for a previous taxable
year. and satisfies all relevant filing and other administrative
requirements established by the IRS that must be met to elect and maintain
REIT status.
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8.
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It
meets certain other qualification tests, described below, regarding the
nature of its income and assets and the distribution of its
income.
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We must
meet requirements 1 through 4 during our entire taxable year and must meet
requirement 5 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. Requirements 5
and 6 applied to us beginning with our 2005 taxable year. If we comply with all
the requirements for ascertaining the ownership of our outstanding stock in a
taxable year and have no reason to know that we violated requirement 6, we will
be deemed to have satisfied requirement 6 for that taxable year. For purposes of
determining share ownership under requirement 6, an “individual” generally
includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefits plan, a private
foundation, or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively
for charitable purposes. An “individual,” however, generally does not include a
trust that is a qualified employee pension or profit sharing trust under the
federal income tax laws, and beneficiaries of such a trust will be treated as
holding our stock in proportion to their actuarial interests in the trust for
purposes of requirement 6.
We have
issued common stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to satisfy
requirements 5 and 6. In addition, our charter restricts the
ownership and transfer of our stock so that we should continue to satisfy these
requirements. The provisions of our charter restricting the ownership
and transfer of the common stock are described in “Restrictions on
Ownership.”
Qualified REIT
Subsidiaries. A corporation that is a “qualified REIT
subsidiary” is not treated as a corporation separate from its parent
REIT. All assets, liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and
credit of a “qualified REIT subsidiary” are treated as assets, liabilities, and
items of income, deduction, and credit of the REIT. A “qualified REIT
subsidiary” is a corporation, all of the capital stock of which is owned by the
REIT and that has not elected to be a taxable REIT subsidiary. Thus,
in applying the requirements described herein, any “qualified REIT subsidiary”
that we own will be ignored, and all assets, liabilities, and items of income,
deduction, and credit of such subsidiary will be treated as our assets,
liabilities, and items of income, deduction, and credit.
Other Disregarded Entities and
Partnerships. An unincorporated domestic entity, such as a
partnership or limited liability company, that has a single owner, generally is
not treated as an entity separate from its parent for federal income tax
purposes. An unincorporated domestic entity with two or more owners
generally is treated as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes. In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership
that has other partners, the REIT is treated as owning its proportionate share
of the assets of the partnership and as earning its proportionate share of the
gross income of the partnership for purposes of the applicable REIT
qualification tests. Our proportionate share for purposes of the 10%
value test (see “—Asset Tests”) is based on our proportionate interest in the
equity interests and certain debt securities issued by the partnership. For all
of the other asset and income tests, our proportionate share is based on our
proportionate interest in the capital interests in the
partnership. Our proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, and
items of income of any partnership, including Caplease, LP (the “operating
partnership”), joint venture, or limited liability company that is treated as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes in which we acquire an interest,
directly or indirectly, will be treated as our assets and gross income for
purposes of applying the various REIT qualification
requirements.
Taxable REIT
Subsidiaries. A REIT is permitted to own up to 100% of the
stock of one or more “taxable REIT subsidiaries” or TRSs. A TRS is a
fully taxable corporation that may earn income that would not be qualifying
income if earned directly by the parent REIT. The subsidiary and the
REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a TRS. A corporation of which
a TRS directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of
the stock will automatically be treated as a TRS. Overall, no more than 20% of
the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more
TRSs.
A TRS
will pay income tax at regular corporate rates on any income that it earns. In
addition, the TRS rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a
TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level
of corporate taxation. Further, the rules impose a 100% tax on
transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the REIT’s tenants that are
not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. We have a TRS, Caplease
Services Corp., which earns income that would not be qualifying income if earned
directly by us.
Income
Tests
We must
satisfy two gross income tests annually to maintain our qualification as a
REIT. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year
must consist of defined types of income that we derive, directly or indirectly,
from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property or
qualified temporary investment income. Qualifying income for purposes of that
75% gross income test generally includes:
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rents
from real property;
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interest
on debt secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real
property;
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dividends
or other distributions on. and gain from the sale of, shares in other
REITs;
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gain
from the sale of real estate
assets;
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amounts,
such as commitment fees, received in consideration for entering into an
agreement to make a loan secured by real property, unless such amounts are
determined by income and profits;
and
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income
derived from the temporary investment of new capital that is attributable
to the issuance of our stock or a public offering of our debt with a
maturity date of at least five years and that we receive during the
one-year period beginning on the date on which we received such new
capital.
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Second,
in general, at least 95% of our gross income for each taxable year must consist
of income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test,
other types of interest and dividends, gain from the sale or disposition of
stock or securities, or any combination of these. Gross income from
servicing fees, loan origination fees, financial advisory fees and structuring
fees receivable are not qualifying income for purposes of either gross income
test. In addition, gross income from our sale of property that we
hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business is
excluded from both the numerator and the denominator in both income
tests. Income and gain from “hedging transactions” that we enter into
to hedge indebtedness incurred or to be incurred to acquire or carry real estate
assets and that are clearly and timely identified as such are excluded from both
the numerator and the denominator for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income
tests. In addition, certain foreign currency gains will be excluded
from gross income for purposes of one or both of the gross income
tests. We monitor the amount of our nonqualifying income and we
manage our portfolio to comply at all times with the gross income
tests. The following paragraphs discuss the specific application of
the gross income tests to us.
Rents from Real
Property. Rent that we receive from real property that we own
and lease to tenants will qualify as “rents from real property,” which is
qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, only if
the following 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. Any participating or percentage rent, however, will
qualify as “rents from real property” if it is based on percentages of receipts
or sales and the percentages:
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are
fixed at the time the leases are entered
into;
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are
not renegotiated during the term of the leases in a manner that has the
effect of basing percentage rent on income or profits;
and
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conform
with normal business practice.
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More
generally, any participating or percentage rent will not qualify as “rents from
real property” if, considering the leases and all the surrounding circumstances,
the arrangement does not conform with normal business practice, but is in
reality used as a means of basing the rent on income or profits. Since the rent
that we expect to receive will not be based on the lessees’ income or sales, our
rent should not be considered based in whole or in part on the income or profits
of any person. Furthermore, we have represented that, with respect to other
properties that we acquire in the future, we will not charge rent for any
property that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any
person, except by reason of being based on a fixed percentage of gross revenues,
as described above.
Second,
we must not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the stock or the
assets or net profits of any lessee (a “related party tenant”) other than a TRS.
The constructive ownership rules generally provide that, if 10% or more in value
of our stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by or for any person, we are
considered as owning the stock owned, directly or indirectly, by or for such
person. We do not own any stock or any assets or net profits of any
lessee directly. In addition, our charter prohibits transfers of our common
stock that would cause us to own actually or constructively, 10% or more of the
ownership interests in a lessee. Based on the foregoing, we should
never own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of any lessee other than a
TRS. Furthermore, we have represented that, with respect to other properties
that we acquire in the future, we will not rent any property to a related party
tenant. However, because the constructive ownership rules are broad
and it is not possible to monitor continually direct and indirect transfers of
our common stock, no absolute assurance can be given that such transfers or
other events of which we have no knowledge will not cause us to own
constructively 10% or more of a lessee other than a TRS at some future
date.
As
described above, we may own up to 100% of the stock of one or more
TRSs. As an exception to the related party tenant rule described in
the preceding paragraph, rent that we receive from a TRS will qualify as “rents
from real property” as long as (i) the TRS is a qualifying TRS (among other
things, it does not directly or indirectly operate or manage any hotels or
health care facilities or provide rights to any brand name under which any hotel
or health care facility is operated), (ii) at least 90% of the leased space in
the property is leased to persons other than TRSs and related party tenants, and
(iii) the amount paid by the TRS to rent space at the property is substantially
comparable to rents paid by other tenants of the property for comparable
space. The “substantially comparable” requirement must be satisfied
when the lease is entered into, when it is extended, and when the lease is
modified, if the modification increases the rent paid by the TRS. If
the requirement that at least 90% of the leased space in the related property is
rented to unrelated tenants is met when a lease is entered into, extended, or
modified, such requirement will continue to be met as long as there is no
increase in the space leased to any TRS or related party tenant. Any
increased rent attributable to a modification of a lease with a TRS in which we
own directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting power or value of the
stock (a “controlled TRS”) will not be treated as “rents from real
property.”
Third,
the rent attributable to the personal property leased in connection with the
lease of a property must not be greater than 15% of the total rent received
under the lease. The rent attributable to the personal property contained in a
property is the amount that bears the same ratio to total rent for the taxable
year as the average of the fair market values of the personal property at the
beginning and at the end of the taxable year bears to the average of the
aggregate fair market values of both the real and personal property contained in
the property at the beginning and at the end of such taxable year (the “personal
property ratio”). With respect to each property, we believe either that the
personal property ratio is less than 15% or that any income attributable to
excess personal property will not jeopardize our ability to qualify as a
REIT. There can be no assurance, however, that the IRS would not
challenge our calculation of a personal property ratio, or that a court would
not uphold such assertion. If such a challenge were successfully asserted, we
could fail to satisfy the 75% or 95% gross income test and thus lose our REIT
status.
Fourth,
we generally cannot furnish or render noncustomary services to the tenants of
our properties, or manage or operate our properties, other than through an
independent contractor who is adequately compensated and from whom we do not
derive or receive any income. However, we need not provide services
through an “independent contractor,” but instead may provide services directly
to our tenants, if the services are “usually or customarily rendered” in
connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not considered to
be provided for the tenants’ convenience. In addition, we may provide a minimal
amount of “noncustomary” services to the tenants of a property, other than
through an independent contractor, as long as our income from the services does
not exceed 1% of our gross income from the related property. Finally,
we may own up to 100% of the stock of one or more TRSs, which may provide
noncustomary services to our tenants without tainting our rents from the related
properties. We do not perform any services other than customary ones
for our lessees. Furthermore, we have represented that, with respect to other
properties that we acquire in the future, we will not perform noncustomary
services for the lessees of the property to the extent that the provision of
such services would jeopardize our REIT status.
If a
portion of the rent that we receive from a property does not qualify as “rents
from real property” because the rent attributable to personal property exceeds
l5% of the total rent for a taxable year, the portion of the rent that is
attributable to personal property will not be qualifying income for purposes of
either the 75% or 95% gross income test. Thus, if such rent attributable to
personal property, plus any other income that is nonqualifying income for
purposes of the 95% gross income test, during a taxable year exceeds 5% of our
gross income during the year, we would lose our REIT status. If,
however, the rent from a particular property does not qualify as “rents from
real property” because either (i) the rent is considered based on the income or
profits of the related lessee, (ii) the lessee either is a related party tenant
or fails to qualify for the exception to the related party tenant rule for
qualifying TRSs, or (iii) we furnish noncustomary services to the tenants of the
property, or manage or operate the property, other than through a qualifying
independent contractor or a TRS, none of the rent from that property would
qualify as “rents from real property.” In that case, we might lose
our REIT status because we would be unable to satisfy either the 75% or 95%
gross income test.
In
addition to rent, our lessees are required to pay certain additional charges. To
the extent that such additional charges represent either (i) reimbursements of
amounts that we are obligated to pay to third parties, such as a lessee’s
proportionate share of a property’s operational or capital expenses or (ii)
penalties for nonpayment or late payment of such amounts, such charges should
qualify as “rents from real property.” However, to the extent that
charges described in clause (ii) do not qualify as “rents from real property,”
they instead may be treated as interest that qualifies for the 95% gross income
test.
Interest. The term
“interest,” as defined for purposes of both gross income tests, generally
excludes any amount that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits
of any person. However, interest generally includes the
following:
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an
amount that is based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or
sales; and
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an
amount that is based on the income or profits of a debtor, as long as the
debtor derives substantially all of its income from the real property
securing the debt from leasing substantially all of its interest in the
property, and only to the extent that the amounts received by the debtor
would be qualifying “rents from real property” if received directly by a
REIT.
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If a loan
contains a provision that entitles a REIT to a percentage of the borrower’s gain
upon the sale of the real property securing the loan or a percentage of the
appreciation in the property’s value as of a specific date, income attributable
to that loan provision generally will be treated as gain from the sale of the
property securing the loan, which generally is qualifying income for purposes of
both gross income tests.
Interest
on debt secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property,
including, for this purpose, prepayment penalties, loan assumption fees, and
late payment charges that are not compensation for services, generally is
qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. However,
if the highest principal amount of a loan outstanding during a taxable year
exceeds the fair market value of the real property securing the loan as of the
date the REIT agreed to originate or acquire the loan, a portion of the interest
income from such loan will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75%
gross income test, but will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross
income test. The portion of the interest income that will not be
qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test will be equal to the
portion of the principal amount of the loan that is not secured by real
property—that is, the amount by which the principal amount of the loan exceeds
the value of the real estate that is security for the loan.
Mezzanine
loans that we originate generally will not be secured by a direct interest in
real property. Instead, our mezzanine loans generally will be secured by
ownership interests in an entity owning real property. In Revenue Procedure
2003-65, the Internal Revenue Service established a safe harbor under which
interest from loans secured by a first priority security interest in ownership
interests in a partnership or limited liability company owning real property
will be treated as qualifying income for both the 75% and 95% gross income
tests, provided several requirements are satisfied. Although we
anticipate that any mezzanine loans that we extend will qualify for the safe
harbor in Revenue Procedure 2003-65, it is possible that we may make some
mezzanine loans that do not qualify for that safe harbor. In those cases, the
interest income from the loan will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95%
gross income test, but potentially will not be qualifying income for purposes of
the 75% gross income test. We will make mezzanine loans that do not qualify for
the safe harbor in Revenue Procedure 2003-65 only to the extent that the
interest from those loans, combined with our other nonqualifying income, will
not cause us to fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test.
We also
may originate construction or development loans. As stated above, in order to
determine whether the interest income from a loan is qualifying income for
purposes of the gross income tests, we generally compare the loan amount, or the
highest principal amount of a loan outstanding during a taxable year, to the
loan value, or the fair market value of the real property securing the loan as
of the date we agree to originate or acquire the loan. However, in
the case of a construction or development loan, the loan value is equal to the
fair market value of the land plus the reasonably estimated cost of the
improvements or developments (other than personal property) which will secure
the loan and which are to be constructed from the proceeds of the loan,
determined as of the date we agree to originate the loan. If we do not make the
construction loan but commit to provide long-term financing following completion
of construction, the loan value is determined by using the principles for
determining the loan value for a construction loan. In addition, if the mortgage
on the real property is given as additional security (or as a substitute for
other security) for the loan after our commitment to extend the loan is binding,
the loan value is equal to the fair market value of the real property when it
becomes security for the loan (or, if earlier, when the borrower makes a binding
commitment to add or substitute the property as security).
The
interest, original issue discount, and market discount income that we receive
from our mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities generally are qualifying
income for purposes of both gross income tests. However, as discussed
above, if the fair market value of the real estate securing any of our loans is
less than the principal amount of the loan, a portion of the income from that
loan will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test but not
the 75% gross income test. In addition, to the extent that any mezzanine loans
that we extend do not qualify for the safe harbor described above, the interest
income from the loans will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross
income test, but potentially will not be qualifying income for purposes of the
75% gross income test.
Fee Income. We may
receive various fees in connection with our mortgage loans. The fees will be
qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% income tests if they are
received in consideration for entering into an agreement to make a loan secured
by real property, and the fees are not determined by income and profits.
Therefore, commitment fees generally will be qualifying income for purposes of
the income tests. Other fees, such as fees received for servicing loans for
third parties, origination fees, and financial advisory fees, are not qualifying
income for purposes of either income test. To the extent necessary, one of our
TRSs will conduct loan servicing and financial advisory functions that generate
fee income that is not qualifying income. In this case, the income
earned by our TRS from these services will not be included for purposes of the
REIT gross income tests.
Dividends. Our
share of any dividends received from any corporation (including a TRS but not
another REIT) in which we own an equity interest will be qualifying income for
purposes of the 95% gross income test but not for purposes of the 75% gross
income test. Our share of any dividends received from any other REIT
in which we own an equity interest will be qualifying income for purposes of
both gross income tests.
Hedging
Transactions. From time to time, we may enter into hedging
transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or
liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into
interest rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase such items, and
futures and forward contracts. Income and gain from “hedging
transactions” are excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and
95% gross income tests. A “hedging transaction” means either
(1) any transaction entered into in the normal course of our trade or
business primarily to manage the risk of interest rate changes, price changes,
or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or
ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate
assets and (2) any transaction entered into primarily to manage the risk of
currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be
qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income test (or any property which
generates such income or gain). We are required to clearly identify
any such hedging transaction before the close of the day on which it was
acquired or entered into and to satisfy other identification
requirements.. We structure our hedging transactions in a manner that
does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT.
Prohibited
Transactions. A REIT will incur a 100% tax on the net income
derived from any sale or other disposition of property, other than foreclosure
property, that the REIT holds primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of a trade or business. We believe that none of our assets
will be held primarily for sale to customers and that a sale of any of our
assets will not be in the ordinary course of our business. Whether a
REIT holds an asset “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a
trade or business” depends, however, on the facts and circumstances in effect,
from time to time, including those related to a particular
asset. Nevertheless, we will attempt to comply with the terms of
safe-harbor provisions in the federal income tax laws prescribing when an asset
sale will not be characterized as a prohibited transaction. We cannot
assure you, however, that we can comply with the safe-harbor provisions or that
we will avoid owning property that may be characterized as property that we hold
“primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or
business.” To the extent necessary to avoid the prohibited
transactions tax, we will conduct sales of our loans through one of our taxable
REIT subsidiaries.
Foreclosure
Property. We will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate
rate on any income from foreclosure property, other than income that otherwise
would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, less
expenses directly connected with the production of that
income. However, gross income from foreclosure property will qualify
under the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Foreclosure property is any
real property, including interests in real property, and any personal property
incident to such real property:
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that
is acquired by a REIT as the result of the REIT having bid on such
property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced such property to
ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a
default or default was imminent on a lease of such property or on
indebtedness that such property
secured;
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for
which the related loan or leased property was acquired by the REIT at a
time when the default was not imminent or anticipated;
and
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for
which the REIT makes a proper election to treat the property as
foreclosure property.
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However,
a REIT will not be considered to have foreclosed on a property where the REIT
takes control of the property as a mortgagee-in-possession and cannot receive
any profit or sustain any loss except as a creditor of the
mortgagor. Property generally ceases to be foreclosure property at
the end of the third taxable year following the taxable year in which the REIT
acquired the property, or longer if an extension is granted by the Secretary of
the Treasury. This grace period terminates and foreclosure property
ceases to be foreclosure property on the first day:
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on
which a lease is entered into for the property that, by its terms, will
give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross
income test, or any amount is received or accrued, directly or indirectly,
pursuant to a lease entered into on or after such day that will give rise
to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income
test;
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on
which any construction takes place on the property, other than completion
of a building or any other improvement, where more than 10% of the
construction was completed before default became imminent;
or
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which
is more than 90 days after the day on which the REIT acquired the property
and the property is used in a trade or business which is conducted by the
REIT, other than through an independent contractor from whom the REIT
itself does not derive or receive any
income.
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Foreign Currency
Gain. Certain foreign currency gains are excluded from gross
income for purposes of one or both of the gross income tests. “Real estate
foreign exchange gain” is excluded from gross income for purposes of the 75%
gross income test. Real estate foreign exchange gain generally includes foreign
currency gain attributable to any item of income or gain that is qualifying
income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, foreign currency gain
attributable to the acquisition or ownership of (or becoming or being the
obligor under) obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests
in real property and certain foreign currency gain attributable to certain
“qualified business units” of a REIT. “Passive foreign exchange gain” is
excluded from gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. Passive
foreign exchange gain generally includes real estate foreign exchange gain as
described above, and also includes foreign currency gain attributable to any
item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross
income test and foreign currency gain attributable to the acquisition or
ownership of (or becoming or being the obligor under) obligations. Because
passive foreign exchange gain includes real estate foreign exchange gain, real
estate foreign exchange gain is excluded from gross income for purposes of both
the 75% and 95% gross income tests. These exclusions for real estate foreign
exchange gain and passive foreign exchange gain do not apply to any certain
foreign currency gain derived from dealing, or engaging in substantial and
regular trading, in securities. Such gain is treated as nonqualifying income for
purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.
Failure to Satisfy Gross Income
Tests. If we fail to satisfy one or both of the gross income
tests for any taxable year, we nevertheless may qualify as a REIT for that year
if we qualify for relief under certain provisions of the federal income tax
laws. Those relief provisions generally will be available
if:
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our
failure to meet such tests is due to reasonable cause and not due to
willful neglect; and
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following
such failure for any taxable year, a schedule of the sources of our income
is filed in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the
Treasury.
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We cannot
predict, however, whether in all circumstances we would qualify for the relief
provisions. In addition, as discussed above in “Taxation of Our
Company,” even if the relief provisions apply, we would incur a 100% tax on the
gross income attributable to the greater of the amount by which we fail the 75%
gross income test or the 95% gross income test, multiplied by a fraction
intended to reflect our profitability.
Asset
Tests
To
qualify as a REIT, we also must satisfy the following asset tests at the end of
each quarter of each taxable year. At least 75% of the value of our
total assets must consist of:
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cash
or cash items, including certain
receivables;
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interests
in real property, including leaseholds and options to acquire real
property and leaseholds;
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interests
in mortgages on real property;
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stock
in other REITs; and
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investments
in stock or debt instruments during the one-year period following our
receipt of new capital that we raise through equity offerings or offerings
of debt with at least a five-year
term.
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Of our
investments not included in the 75% asset class:
First,
the value of our interest in any one issuer’s securities may not exceed 5% of
the value of our total assets.
Second,
we may not own more than 10% of the voting power or value of any one issuer’s
outstanding securities.
Third, no
more than 20% of the value of our total assets may consist of the securities of
one or more TRSs.
Fourth,
no more than 25% of the value of our total assets may consist of the securities
of TRSs and other non-TRS taxable subsidiaries and other assets that are not
qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test.
For
purposes of the 5% and 10% asset tests, the term “securities” does not include
stock in another REIT, equity or debt securities of a qualified REIT subsidiary
or TRS, mortgage loans that constitute real estate assets, or equity interests
in a partnership. The term “securities,” however, generally includes
debt securities issued by a partnership or another REIT, except that for
purposes of the 10% value test, the term “securities” does not
include:
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“Straight
debt,” defined as a written unconditional promise to pay on demand or on a
specified date a sum certain in money if (i) the debt is not convertible,
directly or indirectly, into stock, and (ii) the interest rate and
interest payment dates are not contingent on profits, the borrower’s
discretion, or similar factors. “Straight debt” securities do
not include any securities issued by a partnership or a corporation in
which we or any controlled TRS (i.e., a TRS in which we own directly or
indirectly more than 50% of the voting power or value of the stock) holds
non-”straight debt” securities that have an aggregate value of more than
1% of the issuer’s outstanding securities. However, “straight
debt” securities include debt subject to the following
contingencies:
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a
contingency relating to the time of payment of interest or principal, as
long as either (i) there is no change to the effective yield of the debt
obligation, other than a change to the annual yield that does not exceed
the greater of 0.25% or 5% of the annual yield, or (ii) neither the
aggregate issue price nor the aggregate face amount of the issuer’s debt
obligations held by us exceeds $1 million and no more than 12 months of
unaccrued interest on the debt obligations can be required to be prepaid;
and
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a
contingency relating to the time or amount of payment upon a default or
prepayment of a debt obligation, as long as the contingency is consistent
with customary commercial practice;
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Any
loan to an individual or an estate;
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Any
“section 467 rental agreement,” other than an agreement with a related
party tenant;
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Any
obligation to pay “rents from real
property”;
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Any
security issued by a state or any political subdivision thereof, the
District of Columbia, a foreign government of any political subdivision
thereof, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, but only if the determination
of any payment thereunder does not depend in whole or in part on the
profits of any entity not described in this paragraph or payments on any
obligation issued by an entity not described in this
paragraph;
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Any
security issued by a REIT;
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Any
debt instrument of an entity treated as a partnership for federal income
tax purposes to the extent of our interest as a partner in the
partnership; or
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Any
debt instrument of an entity treated as a partnership for federal income
tax purposes not described in the preceding bullet points if at least 75%
of the partnership’s gross income, excluding income from prohibited
transactions, is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income
test described above in “—Requirements for Qualification-Income
Tests.”
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For
purposes of the 10% value test, our proportionate share of the assets of a
partnership is our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the
partnership, without regard to securities described in the last two bullet
points above.
We
believe that all or substantially all of the real property, mortgage loans, and
mortgage-backed securities that we own are qualifying assets for purposes of the
75% asset test. For purposes of these rules, however, if the
outstanding principal balance of a mortgage loan exceeds the fair market value
of the real property securing the loan (determined as described under “Income
Tests—Interest” above), a portion of such loan likely will not be a qualifying
real estate asset under the federal income tax laws. Although the law
on the matter is not entirely clear, it appears that the non-qualifying portion
of that mortgage loan will be equal to the portion of the loan amount that
exceeds the value of the associated real property that is security for that
loan. In addition, any mezzanine loan that we extend generally will
be secured by ownership interests in an entity owning real
property. We anticipate that most or all of such mezzanine loans will
qualify for the safe harbor in Revenue Procedure 2003-65 pursuant to which
certain loans secured by a first priority security interest in ownership
interests in a partnership or limited liability company will be treated as
qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. See “—Income
Tests.” However, it is possible that we may make some mezzanine loans
that do not qualify for that safe harbor and that do not qualify as “straight
debt” securities for purposes of the 10% value test. We will make
mezzanine loans that do not qualify for the safe harbor in Revenue Procedure
2003-65 or as “straight debt” securities only to the extent that such loans will
not cause us to fail the asset tests described above. Furthermore, to
the extent that we own debt securities issued by other REITs or C corporations
that are not secured by mortgages on real property, those debt securities will
not be qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. Instead,
we would be subject to the 5% and 10% asset tests with respect to those debt
securities.
We will
monitor the status of our assets for purposes of the various asset tests and
will seek to manage our portfolio to comply at all times with such
tests. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful
in this effort. In this regard, to determine our compliance with
these requirements, we will need to estimate the value of the real estate
securing our mortgage loans at various times. Although we will seek
to be prudent in making these estimates, there can be no assurances that the IRS
will not disagree with these determinations and assert that a lower value is
applicable. If we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a
calendar quarter, we will not lose our REIT status if:
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we
satisfied the asset tests at the end of the immediately preceding calendar
quarter; and
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the
discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset test
requirements arose from changes in the market values of our assets and was
not wholly or partly caused by the acquisition of one or more
non-qualifying assets.
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If we did
not satisfy the condition described in the second item, above, we still could
avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the
close of the calendar quarter in which it arose.
In the
event that, at the end of any calendar quarter in a taxable year, we violate the
5% or 10% asset test described above, we will not lose our REIT status if (1)
the failure is de minimis (up to the lesser of 1% of our assets or $10 million)
and (2) we dispose of assets or otherwise comply with the asset tests within six
months after the last day of the quarter in which we discovered the failure of
the asset test. In the event of a more than de minimis failure of any
of the asset tests at the end of any calendar quarter in a taxable year, as long
as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we will
not lose our REIT status if we (1) dispose of assets or otherwise comply with
the asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we
discovered the failure of the asset test and (2) pay a tax equal to the greater
of $50,000 or 35% of the net income from the nonqualifying assets during the
period in which we failed to satisfy the asset tests.
Distribution
Requirements
Each
taxable year, we must distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends
and deemed distributions of retained capital gain, to our stockholders in an
aggregate amount at least equal to:
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90%
of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to the dividends
paid deduction and our net capital gain or loss,
and
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90%
of our after-tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property,
minus
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the
sum of certain items of non-cash
income.
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Generally,
we must pay such distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in
the following taxable year if we declare the distribution before we timely file
our federal income tax return for the year and pay the distribution on or before
the first regular dividend payment date after such declaration.
We will
pay federal income tax on taxable income, including net capital gain, that we do
not distribute to stockholders. Furthermore, if we fail to distribute
during a calendar year, or by the end of January following the calendar year in
the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last
three months of the calendar year, at least the sum of:
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85%
of our REIT ordinary income for such calendar
year,
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95%
of our REIT capital gain income for such calendar year,
and
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the
excess, if any, of the “grossed up required distribution” for the
preceding calendar year over the distributed amount for that preceding
calendar year. The “grossed up required distribution” for any
calendar year is the sum of the taxable income of the REIT for the
calendar year (without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and all
amounts from earlier years that are not treated as having been distributed
under the provision,
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we will
incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of such required distribution
over the distributed amount. The distributed amount is the sum of (i)
the deduction for dividends paid during that calendar year, (ii) amounts on
which the REIT is required to pay corporate tax, and (iii) the excess, if any,
of the distributed amount for the preceding taxable year over the grossed up
required distribution for that preceding taxable year. We may elect
to retain and pay income tax on the net long-term capital gain we receive in a
taxable year. See “Taxation of Taxable U.S.
Stockholders.” If we so elect, we will be treated as having
distributed any such retained amount for purposes of the 4% nondeductible excise
tax described above. We intend to make timely distributions
sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements and to avoid
corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax.
It is
possible that, from time to time, we may experience timing differences between
the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses and the
inclusion of that income and deduction of such expenses in arriving at our REIT
taxable income. Possible examples of those timing differences include
the following:
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Because
we may deduct capital losses only to the extent of our capital gains, we
may have taxable income that exceeds our economic
income.
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We
will recognize taxable income in advance of the related cash flow if any
of our mortgage loans or subordinated structured interests in net lease
assets are deemed to have original issue discount. We generally must
accrue original issue discount based on a constant yield method that takes
into account projected prepayments but that defers taking into account
credit losses until they are actually
incurred.
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We
may be required to recognize the amount of any payment projected to be
made pursuant to a provision in a mortgage loan that entitles us to share
in the gain from the sale of, or the appreciation in, the mortgaged
property over the term of the related loan using the constant yield
method, even though we may not receive the related cash until the maturity
of the loan.
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We
may recognize taxable market discount income when we receive the proceeds
from the disposition of, or principal payments on, loans that have a
stated redemption price at maturity that is greater than our tax basis in
those loans, although such proceeds often will be used to make
non-deductible principal payments on related
borrowings.
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We
may recognize taxable income without receiving a corresponding cash
distribution if we foreclose on or make a significant modification to a
loan, to the extent that the fair market value of the underlying property
or the principal amount of the modified loan, as applicable, exceeds our
basis in the original loan.
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Although
several types of non-cash income are excluded in determining the annual
distribution requirement, we may incur corporate income tax and the 4% excise
tax with respect to those non-cash income items if we do not distribute those
items on a current basis. As a result of the foregoing, we may have
less cash than is necessary to distribute all of our taxable income and thereby
avoid corporate income tax and the excise tax imposed on certain undistributed
income. In such a situation, we may need to borrow funds or issue
additional common or preferred stock.
Pursuant
to Revenue Procedure 2010-12, the IRS has indicated that it will treat
distributions from publicly traded REITs that are paid partly in cash and partly
in shares of beneficial interest as dividends that would satisfy the REIT annual
distribution requirements and qualify for the dividends paid deduction for
federal income tax purposes. In order to qualify for such treatment, Revenue
Procedure 2010-12 requires that at least 10% of the total distribution be
payable in cash and that each stockholder have a right to elect to receive its
entire distribution in cash. If too many stockholders elect to receive cash,
each stockholder electing to receive cash must receive a proportionate share of
the cash to be distributed (although no stockholder electing to receive cash may
receive less than 10% of such stockholder’s distribution in cash). Revenue
Procedure 2010-12 applies to distributions declared on or before December 31,
2012 with respect to taxable years ending on or before December 31,
2011.
Under
certain circumstances, we may be able to correct a failure to meet the
distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to our
stockholders in a later year. We may include such deficiency
dividends in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier
year. Although we may be able to avoid income tax on amounts
distributed as deficiency dividends, we will be required to pay interest to the
IRS based upon the amount of any deduction we take for deficiency
dividends.
Recordkeeping
Requirements
We must
maintain certain records in order to qualify as a REIT. In addition,
to avoid a monetary penalty, we must request on an annual basis information from
our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding
stock. We intend to comply with these requirements.
Failure
to Qualify
If we
fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and no relief provision applies,
we would be subject to federal income tax and any applicable alternative minimum
tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. In calculating
our taxable income in a year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT, we would not
be able to deduct amounts paid out to stockholders. In fact, we would
not be required to distribute any amounts to stockholders in that
year. In such event, to the extent of our current and accumulated
earnings and profits, all distributions to stockholders would be taxable as
ordinary income. Subject to certain limitations of the federal income
tax laws, corporate stockholders might be eligible for the dividends received
deduction. Unless we qualified for relief under specific statutory
provisions, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four
taxable years following the year during which we ceased to qualify as a
REIT. We cannot predict whether in all circumstances we would qualify
for such statutory relief.
If we
fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification, other than the
gross income tests and the asset tests, we could avoid disqualification if our
failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a
penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. In addition, there are
relief provisions for a failure of the gross income tests and asset tests, as
described above in “—Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests.”
Taxation
of Taxable U.S. Stockholders
The term
“U.S. stockholder” means a holder of our common stock that, for United States
federal income tax purposes, is:
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a
citizen or resident of the United
States;
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a
corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation or partnership
for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws
of the United States or of a political subdivision of the United
States;
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an
estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless
of its source; or
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any
trust if (i) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has
a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S.
person.
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If a
partnership, including any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of our common stock, the
treatment of the partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status
of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Persons that
have an indirect interest in shares of common stock through an entity treated as
a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their tax
advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, holding
and disposing of our common stock.
As long
as we qualify as a REIT, a taxable “U.S. stockholder” must generally take into
account as ordinary income distributions made out of our current or accumulated
earnings and profits that we do not designate as capital gain dividends or
retained long-term capital gain. A U.S. stockholder will not qualify for the
dividends received deduction generally available to corporations. In addition,
dividends paid to a U.S. stockholder generally will not qualify for the 15% tax
rate for “qualified dividend income.” The maximum tax rate for qualified
dividend income received by U.S. stockholders taxed at individual rates is 15%
through 2010. The maximum tax rate on qualified dividend income is lower than
the maximum tax rate on ordinary income, which is 35% through 2010. Qualified
dividend income generally includes dividends paid to U.S. stockholders taxed at
individual rates by domestic C corporations and certain qualified foreign
corporations. Because we are not generally subject to federal income tax on the
portion of our REIT taxable income distributed to our stockholders (see “—
Taxation of Our Company” above), our dividends generally will not be eligible
for the 15% rate on qualified dividend income. As a result, our ordinary REIT
dividends will be taxed at the higher tax rate applicable to ordinary income.
However, the 15% tax rate for qualified dividend income will apply to our
ordinary REIT dividends (i) attributable to dividends received by us from
non-REIT corporations, such as our TRS, and (ii) to the extent attributable to
income upon which we have paid corporate income tax (e.g., to the extent that we
distribute less than 100% of our taxable income). In general, to qualify for the
reduced tax rate on qualified dividend income, a stockholder must hold our
common stock for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the
date that is 60 days before the date on which our common stock becomes
ex-dividend. In addition, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012,
dividends paid to certain individuals, trusts and estates may be subject to a
3.8% Medicare tax.
If we
declare a distribution in October, November, or December of any year that is
payable to a U.S. stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month,
such distribution shall be treated as both paid by us and received by the U.S.
stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay
the distribution during January of the following calendar year.
A U.S.
stockholder generally will recognize distributions that we designate as capital
gain dividends as long-term capital gain without regard to the period for which
the U.S. stockholder has held its common stock. We generally will designate our
capital gain dividends as either 15% or 25% rate distributions. See “—Capital
Gains and Losses.” A corporate U.S. stockholder, however, may be required to
treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as a preference
item.
We may
elect to retain and pay income tax on the net long-term capital gain that we
recognize in a taxable year. In that case, a U.S. stockholder would be taxed on
its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain. The U.S.
stockholder would receive a credit or refund for its proportionate share of the
tax we paid. The U.S. stockholder would increase the basis in its common stock
by the amount of its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital
gain, minus its share of the tax we paid.
A U.S.
stockholder will not incur tax on a distribution in excess of our current and
accumulated earnings and profits if the distribution does not exceed the
adjusted basis of the U.S. stockholder’s common stock. Instead, the distribution
will reduce the adjusted basis of such common stock. A U.S. stockholder will
recognize a distribution in excess of both our current and accumulated earnings
and profits and the U.S. stockholder’s adjusted basis in his or her common stock
as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the common stock has
been held for one year or less, assuming the common stock is a capital asset in
the hands of the U.S. stockholder.
Stockholders
may not include in their individual income tax returns any of our net operating
losses or capital losses. Instead, these losses are generally carried over by us
for potential offset against our future income. Taxable distributions from us
and gain from the disposition of the common stock will not be treated as passive
activity income and, therefore, stockholders generally will not be able to apply
any “passive activity losses,” such as losses from certain types of limited
partnerships in which the stockholder is a limited partner, against such income.
In addition, taxable distributions from us and gain from the disposition of our
common stock generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of the
investment interest limitations. We will notify stockholders after the close of
our taxable year as to the portions of the distributions attributable to that
year that constitute ordinary income, return of capital, and capital
gain.
Taxation
of U.S. Stockholders on the Disposition of Common Stock
In
general, a U.S. stockholder who is not a dealer in securities must treat any
gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of our common stock as
long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder has held the common stock
for more than one year and otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss.
However, a U.S. stockholder must treat any loss upon a sale or exchange of
common stock held by such stockholder for six-months or less as a long-term
capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends and any other actual or
deemed distributions from us that such U.S. stockholder treats as long-term
capital gain. All or a portion of any loss that a U.S. stockholder realizes upon
a taxable disposition of the common stock may be disallowed if the U.S.
stockholder purchases substantially identical common stock within 30 days before
or after the disposition.
Capital
Gains and Losses
A
taxpayer generally must hold a capital asset for more than one year for gain or
loss derived from its sale or exchange to be treated as long-term capital gain
or loss. The highest marginal individual income tax rate currently is 35% (which
rate, absent additional congressional action, will apply until December 31,
2010). The maximum tax rate on long-term capital gain applicable to taxpayers
taxed at individual rates is 15% for sales and exchanges of assets held for more
than one year occurring through December 31, 2010. The maximum tax rate on
long-term capital gain from the sale or exchange of “Section 1250 property,” or
depreciable real property, is 25%, which applies to the lesser of the total
amount of the gain or the accumulated depreciation on the Section 1250 property.
In addition, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, capital gains
recognized by certain stockholders that are individuals, estates or trusts may
be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax.
With
respect to distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends and any
retained capital gain that we are deemed to distribute, we generally may
designate whether such a distribution is taxable to our stockholders taxed at
individual rates at a 15% or 25% rate. Thus, the tax rate differential between
capital gain and ordinary income for those taxpayers may be significant. In
addition, the characterization of income as capital gain or ordinary income may
affect the deductibility of capital losses. A non-corporate taxpayer may deduct
capital losses not offset by capital gains against its ordinary income only up
to a maximum annual amount of $3,000. A non-corporate taxpayer may carry forward
unused capital losses indefinitely. A corporate taxpayer must pay tax on its net
capital gain at ordinary corporate rates. A corporate taxpayer may deduct
capital losses only to the extent of capital gains, with unused losses being
carried back three years and forward five years.
Taxation
of Tax-Exempt Stockholders
Tax-exempt
entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and
individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from federal income
taxation. However, they are subject to taxation on their unrelated business
taxable income, or UBTI. While many investments in real estate generate UBTI,
the IRS has issued a ruling that dividend distributions from a REIT to an exempt
employee pension trust do not constitute UBTI so long as the exempt employee
pension trust does not otherwise use the shares of the REIT in an unrelated
trade or business of the pension trust. Based on that ruling, amounts that we
distribute to tax-exempt stockholders generally should not constitute UBTI.
However, if a tax-exempt stockholder were to finance its acquisition of common
stock with debt, a portion of the income that it receives from us would
constitute UBTI pursuant to the “debt-financed property” rules. Moreover, social
clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment
benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans that are exempt from
taxation under special provisions of the federal income tax laws are subject to
different UBTI rules, which may require them to characterize distributions that
they receive from us as UBTI. Finally, in certain circumstances, a qualified
employee pension or profit sharing trust that owns more than 10% of our stock
must treat a percentage of the dividends that it receives from us as UBTI. Such
percentage is equal to the gross income we derive from an unrelated trade or
business, determined as if we were a pension trust, divided by our total gross
income for the year in which we pay or are treated as having paid the dividends.
That rule applies to a pension trust holding more than 10% of our stock only
if:
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the
percentage of our dividends that the tax-exempt trust must treat as UBTI
is at least 5%;
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we
qualify as a REIT by reason of the modification of the rule requiring that
no more than 50% of our stock be owned by five or fewer individuals that
requires the beneficiaries of the pension trust to be treated as holding
our stock in proportion to their actuarial interests in the pension trust;
and
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at
least one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock;
or
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a
group of pension trusts individually holding more than 10% of the value of
our stock collectively owns more than 50% of the value of our
stock.
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Taxation
of Non-U.S. Stockholders
The rules
governing U.S. federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign
corporations, foreign partnerships, and other foreign stockholders are complex.
This section is only a summary of such rules. We urge non-U.S. stockholders to
consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact of federal, foreign,
state, and local income tax laws on ownership of the common stock, including any
reporting requirements.
A
non-U.S. stockholder that receives a distribution that is not attributable to
gain from our sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests, as defined
below, and that we do not designate as a capital gain dividend or retained
capital gain will recognize ordinary income to the extent that we pay the
distribution out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. A
withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution ordinarily
will apply unless an applicable tax treaty reduces or eliminates the tax.
However, if a distribution is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S.
stockholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder
generally will be subject to federal income tax on the distribution at graduated
rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed on distributions and
also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a corporate
non-U.S. stockholder. We plan to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on
the gross amount of any ordinary dividend paid to a non-U.S. stockholder unless
either:
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a
lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. stockholder files an IRS Form
W-8BEN evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate with us,
or
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the
non-U.S. stockholder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us claiming that the
distribution is effectively connected
income.
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A
non-U.S. stockholder will not incur U.S. tax on a distribution in excess of our
current and accumulated earnings and profits if the excess portion of the
distribution does not exceed the adjusted basis of its common stock. Instead,
the excess portion of the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of that
common stock. A non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to tax on a distribution
that exceeds both our current and accumulated earnings and profits and the
adjusted basis of the common stock, if the non-U.S. stockholder otherwise would
be subject to tax on gain from the sale or disposition of its common stock, as
described below. Because we generally cannot determine at the time we make a
distribution whether or not the distribution will exceed our current and
accumulated earnings and profits, we normally will withhold tax on the entire
amount of any distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on a dividend.
However, by filing a U.S. tax return, a non-U.S. stockholder may obtain a refund
of amounts that we withhold if we later determine that a distribution in fact
exceeded our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
We may be
required to withhold 10% of any distribution that exceeds our current and
accumulated earnings and profits if we are not a domestically controlled
qualified investment entity at the time of distribution. Consequently, although
we intend to withhold at a rate of 30% on the entire amount of any distribution,
to the extent that we do not do so, we will withhold at a rate of 10% on any
portion of a distribution not subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, if we
determine that we are not a domestically controlled qualified investment
entity.
For any
year in which we qualify as a REIT, a non-U.S. stockholder may incur tax on
distributions that are attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of a USRPI
under FIRPTA. The term USRPI includes certain interests in real property and
stock in corporations at least 50% of whose assets consist of interests in real
property. Under those rules, a non-U.S. stockholder is taxed on distributions
attributable to gain from sales of USRPIs as if such gain were effectively
connected with a U.S. business of the non-U.S. Holder. A non-U.S. stockholder
thus would be taxed on such a distribution at the normal capital gains rates
applicable to U.S. stockholders, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax
and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of a nonresident alien
individual. A corporate non-U.S. stockholder not entitled to treaty relief or
exemption also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax on such a
distribution. Unless the exception described in the next paragraph applies, we
must withhold 35% of any distribution that we could designate as a capital gain
dividend. A non-U.S. stockholder may receive a credit against its tax liability
for the amount we withhold.
Capital
gain distributions to non-U.S. stockholders of common stock that are
attributable to our sale of real property are treated as ordinary dividends
rather than as gain from the sale of a USRPI, as long as (1) our common stock is
“regularly traded” on an established securities market in the United States and
(2) the non-U.S. stockholder did not own more than 5% of our common stock at any
time during the one-year period preceding the date of the distribution. As a
result, non-U.S. stockholders generally will be subject to withholding tax on
such capital gain distributions in the same manner as they are subject to
withholding tax on ordinary dividends. If the common stock ceases to be
regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States or the
non-U.S. stockholder owned more than 5% of our common stock at any time during
the one-year period preceding the date of the distribution, capital gain
distributions that are attributable to our sale of real property would be
subject to tax under FIRPTA, as described in the preceding
paragraph.
A
non-U.S. stockholder generally will not incur tax under FIRPTA with respect to
gain realized upon a disposition of common stock as long as at all times
non-U.S. persons hold, directly or indirectly, less than 50% in value of our
outstanding stock. We cannot assure you that that test will be met. However, a
non-U.S. Holder that owned, actually or constructively, 5% or less of the common
stock at all times during a specified testing period will not incur tax under
FIRPTA if the common stock is “regularly traded” on an established securities
market in the United States. Because the common stock is regularly traded on an
established securities market in the United States, a non-U.S. stockholder will
not incur tax under FIRPTA with respect to any such gain unless it owns,
actually or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock. If the gain on the
sale of the common stock was taxed under FIRPTA, a non-U.S. Holder would be
taxed in the same manner as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain, subject
to applicable alternative minimum tax or a special alternative minimum tax in
the case of nonresident alien individuals. Furthermore, a non-U.S. stockholder
will incur tax on gain not subject to FIRPTA if (1) the gain is effectively
connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. trade or business (and, if
required by an applicable tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent
establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. Holder), in which case
the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S.
stockholders with respect to such gain, or (2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a
nonresident alien individual who was 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 non-U.S. stockholder will incur a 30% tax on his capital
gains.
For
taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a U.S. withholding tax at a 30%
rate will be imposed on dividends and proceeds of sale in respect of our common
stock received by certain non-U.S. stockholders if certain disclosure
requirements related to U.S. accounts or ownership are not satisfied. If payment
of withholding taxes is required, non-U.S. stockholders that are otherwise
eligible for an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. withholding taxes with
respect of such dividends and proceeds will be required to seek a refund from
the IRS to obtain the benefit or such exemption or reduction. We will not pay
any additional amounts in respect of any amounts withheld.
Information
Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding, Shares Held Offshore
We will
report to our stockholders and to the IRS the amount of distributions we pay
during each calendar year, and the amount of tax we withhold, if any. Under the
backup withholding rules, a stockholder may be subject to backup withholding at
a rate of 28% with respect to distributions unless the holder is a corporation
or qualifies for certain other exempt categories and, when required,
demonstrates this fact; or provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies
as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with
the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.
A
stockholder who does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification
number also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as
backup withholding will be creditable against the stockholder’s income tax
liability. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain
distributions to any stockholders who fail to certify their non-foreign status
to us.
Backup
withholding will generally not apply to payments of dividends made by us or our
paying agents, in their capacities as such, to a non-U.S. stockholder provided
that the non-U.S. stockholder furnishes to us or our paying agent the required
certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as providing a valid IRS Form
W-8BEN or W-8ECI, or certain other requirements are met. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has
actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person that is
not an exempt recipient. Payments of the net proceeds from a disposition or a
redemption effected outside the U.S. by a non-U.S. stockholder made by or
through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to
information reporting or backup withholding. However, information reporting (but
not backup withholding) generally will apply to such a payment if the broker has
certain connections with the U.S. unless the broker has documentary evidence in
its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. stockholder and specified
conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established. Payment of the net
proceeds from a disposition by a non-U.S. stockholder of common stock made by or
through the U.S. office of a broker is generally subject to information
reporting and backup withholding unless the non-U.S. stockholder certifies under
penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person and satisfies certain other
requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption from information reporting
and backup withholding.
Backup
withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the stockholder’s federal
income tax liability if certain required information is furnished to the IRS.
Stockholders are urged consult their own tax advisors regarding application of
backup withholding to them and the availability of, and procedure for obtaining
an exemption from, backup withholding.
For
taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a U.S. withholding tax at a 30%
rate will be imposed on dividends and proceeds of sale in respect of our common
stock received by U.S. stockholder who own their shares through foreign accounts
or foreign intermediaries if certain disclosure requirements related to U.S.
accounts or ownership are not satisfied. We will not pay any additional amounts
in respect of any amounts withheld.
OTHER
TAX CONSEQUENCES
Tax
Aspects of Our Investment in the Operating Partnership
The
following discussion summarizes certain federal income tax considerations
applicable to our direct or indirect investments in the operating partnership.
See “Partnership Agreement.” The discussion does not cover state or local tax
laws or any federal tax laws other than income tax laws.
Tax Classification. We will
be entitled to include in our income our distributive share of the operating
partnership’s income and to deduct our distributive share of the operating
partnership’s losses only if the operating partnership is classified for federal
income tax purposes as a partnership rather than as a corporation or an
association taxable as a corporation. An organization will be classified as a
partnership, rather than as a corporation, for federal income tax purposes if
it:
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is
treated as a partnership under Treasury regulations, effective January 1,
1997, relating to entity classification (the “check-the-box regulations”);
and
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is
not a “publicly traded”
partnership.
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Under the
check-the-box regulations, an unincorporated entity with at least two members
may elect to be classified either as an association taxable as a corporation or
as a partnership. If such an entity fails to make an election, it generally will
be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. The operating
partnership intends to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes and it will not elect to be treated as an association taxable as a
corporation under the check-the-box regulations.
A
publicly traded partnership is a partnership whose interests are traded on an
established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or
the substantial equivalent thereof. A publicly traded partnership will not,
however, be treated as a corporation for any taxable year if 90% or more of the
partnership’s gross income for such year consists of certain passive-type
income, including real property rents (which includes rents that would be
qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, with certain
modifications that make it easier for the rents to qualify for the 90% passive
income exception), gains from the sale or other disposition of real property,
interest, and dividends (the “90% passive income exception”).
Treasury
regulations (the “PTP regulations”) provide limited safe harbors from the
definition of a publicly traded partnership. Pursuant to one of those safe
harbors (the “private placement exclusion”), interests in a partnership will not
be treated as readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial
equivalent thereof if (i) all interests in the partnership were issued in a
transaction or transactions that were not required to be registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (ii) the partnership does not have more
than 100 partners at any time during the partnership’s taxable year. In
determining the number of partners in a partnership, a person owning an interest
in a partnership, grantor trust, or S corporation that owns, directly or
indirectly, an interest in the partnership is treated as a partner in such
partnership only if (i) substantially all of the value of the owner’s interest
in the entity is attributable to the entity’s direct or indirect interest in the
partnership and (ii) a principal purpose of the use of the tiered arrangement is
to permit the partnership to satisfy the 100-partner limitation. We believe that
the operating partnership will qualify for the private placement
exclusion.
We have
not requested and do not intend to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service that the operating partnership will be classified as a partnership for
federal income tax purposes. If for any reason the operating partnership were
taxable as a corporation, rather than as a partnership, for federal income tax
purposes, we likely would not be able to qualify as a REIT. See “—Requirements
for Qualification—Income Tests” and “—Requirements for Qualification—Asset
Tests.” In addition, any change in the operating partnership’s status for tax
purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case we might incur tax
liability without any related cash distribution. See “—Requirements for
Qualification—Distribution Requirements.” Further, items of income and deduction
of the operating partnership would not pass through to its partners, and its
partners would be treated as stockholders for tax
purposes. Consequently, the operating partnership would be required
to pay income tax at corporate rates on its net income, and distributions to its
partners would constitute dividends that would not be deductible in computing
the operating partnership’s taxable income.
State
and Local Taxes
We and/or
our stockholders may be subject to taxation by various states and localities,
including those in which we or a stockholder transacts business, owns property
or resides. The state and local tax treatment may differ from the
federal income tax treatment described above. Consequently,
stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state
and local tax laws upon an investment in the common stock.
BOOK-ENTRY
SECURITIES
We may
issue the securities offered by means of this prospectus in whole or in part in
book-entry form, meaning that beneficial owners of the securities will not
receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the securities,
except as described below. If securities are issued in book-entry
form, they will be evidenced by one or more global securities that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the applicable
prospectus supplement relating to the securities. The Depository
Trust Company is expected to serve as depository. Unless and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby,
a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for
the global security to a nominee of such depository or by a nominee of such
depository to such depository or another nominee of such depository or by the
depository or any nominee of such depository to a successor depository or a
nominee of such successor. Global securities may be issued in either
registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent
form. The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect
to a class or series of securities that differ from the terms described herein
will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that
the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements.
The
Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), New York, NY, will act as securities
depository for the securities offered by this prospectus (the “Securities”). The
Securities will be issued as fully-registered securities registered in the name
of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee) or such other name as may be
requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully-registered Security
certificate will be issued for each issue of the Securities, each in the
aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with
DTC.
DTC, the
world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company
organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the
meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a
“clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial
Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section
17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5
million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt
issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that DTC’s
participants (“Direct 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
include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation
(“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing
Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered
clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries.
Access to the DTC 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 (“Indirect Participants”). The
DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases
of Securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct
Participants, which will receive a credit for the Securities on DTC’s records.
The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Security (“Beneficial
Owner”) is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’
records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of
their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written
confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic
statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through
which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership
interests in the Securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books
of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners.
Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership
interests in Securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system
for the Securities is discontinued.
To
facilitate subsequent transfers, all Securities deposited by Direct Participants
with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede &
Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of
DTC. The deposit of Securities with DTC and their registration in the name of
Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial
ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the
Securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants
to whose accounts such Securities are credited, which may or may not be the
Beneficial Owners. The Direct 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 Owners will be governed by arrangements among them,
subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from
time to time.
Redemption
notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the Securities within an issue
are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the
interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.
Neither
DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with
respect to Securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance
with DTC’s MMI Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus
Proxy to the Company as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus
Proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct
Participants to whose accounts Securities are credited on the record
date.
Redemption
proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments on the Securities will be made to
Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized
representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit Direct Participants’ accounts
upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from the
Company, on payable 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 such Participant and not of DTC or the
Company, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect
from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend
payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an
authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of the Company,
disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility
of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the
responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.
DTC may
discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the Securities
at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Company. Under such
circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained,
Security certificates are required to be printed and delivered.
The
Company may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers
through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, Security
certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.
The
information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been
obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable, but the Company
takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We may
sell the securities being offered by this prospectus and any accompanying
prospectus supplement:
|
·
|
through
underwriters or dealers;
|
|
·
|
in
“at-the-market offerings” to or through a market maker or into an existing
trading market, or a securities exchange or
otherwise;
|
|
·
|
directly
to purchasers;
|
|
·
|
directly
to our stockholders; or
|
|
·
|
through
a combination of any such methods of
sale.
|
The
securities may be sold in one or more transactions either:
|
·
|
at
a fixed price or prices, which may be
changed;
|
|
·
|
at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, including in “at-the-market
offerings”;
|
|
·
|
at
prices relating to prevailing market prices;
or
|
We will
describe in a prospectus supplement the particular terms of the offering of the
securities, including the following:
|
·
|
the
names of any underwriters or
agents;
|
|
·
|
any
underwriters' or agents' discounts or commissions;
and
|
|
·
|
any
securities exchanges on which the applicable securities may be
listed.
|
If we use
underwriters in the sale, such underwriters will acquire the securities for
their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one
or more transactions, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to prevailing
market prices or at negotiated prices.
The
securities may be offered to the public through underwriting syndicates
represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a
syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the
securities will be subject to certain conditions.
We may
sell securities through agents designated by us. Any agent involved
in the offer or sale of the securities pursuant to this prospectus will be
named, and any commissions payable by us to that agent will be set forth, in the
prospectus supplement.
Underwriters,
dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be
underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions
received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the securities by them
may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities
Act.
We may
have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them
against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act or to contribute with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or
agents may be required to make. Additionally, underwriters, dealers
and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our
subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.
In order
to facilitate the offering of our securities, any underwriters or agents, as the
case may be, involved in the offering of such securities may engage in
transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of such
securities or other securities. Specifically, the underwriters or
agents, as the case may be, may overallot in connection with the offering,
creating a short position in such securities for their own
account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the
price of the securities or of such other securities, the underwriters or agents,
as the case may be, may bid for, and purchase, such securities in the open
market. Finally, in any offering of such securities through a
syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling
concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing such
securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed
securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization
transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or
maintain the market price of the securities above independent market
levels. The underwriters or agents, as the case may be, are not
required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at
any time without notice.
We also
may solicit offers to purchase securities directly from, and we may sell
securities directly to, institutional investors or others. The terms
of any of those sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if
utilized, will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Some or
all of the securities we may sell may be new issues of securities with no
established trading market. We cannot give any assurances as to the
liquidity of the trading market for any of our securities.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Unless
otherwise indicated in any applicable prospectus supplement, the legality of any
securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Hunton & Williams
LLP. If legal matters in connection with the offerings made pursuant
to this prospectus are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters, dealers of
agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating
to such offering. In addition, we have based the description of
federal income tax consequences in “Federal Income Tax Consequences of Our
Status as a REIT” upon the opinion of Hunton & Williams LLP.
EXPERTS
The
consolidated financial statements, financial statement schedule and management’s
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, have been so incorporated in
reliance on the reports of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We
may not issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is
not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy
these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 23, 2010
PROSPECTUS
CapLease,
Inc.
2,693,900
Shares of Common Stock
We have
entered into a sales agreement with Brinson Patrick Securities Corporation, or
our sales agent, relating to shares of our common stock. In
accordance with the terms of the sales agreement with Brinson Patrick and this
prospectus, we may offer and sell up to 2,693,900 shares of common stock from
time to time through Brinson Patrick as our sales agent.
Our
common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol
“LSE.” On December 23, 2010, the closing price of our common stock on
the NYSE was $5.82 per share.
Sales of
the shares of our common stock, if any, may be made by means of ordinary
brokers’ transactions on the NYSE or otherwise at market prices prevailing at
the time of the sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices.
Our
common stock is subject to an ownership limit of 9.9% of the value or number of
all outstanding shares, which is designed to preserve our qualification as a
real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. See
“Restrictions on Ownership” on page 27 of this prospectus for more
information about these restrictions.
The
compensation to the sales agent for sales of our common stock will be a
commission equal to 1.5% of the gross sales price of the shares sold pursuant to
the sales agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of the sales
agreement, the sales agent will use best efforts to sell the common stock on our
behalf.
Our
executive offices are located at 1065 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
10018. Our telephone number is (212) 217-6300. We maintain
an Internet web site at http://www.caplease.com.
Before
investing in our common stock, you should carefully read and consider the
information under “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or
adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The
date of this prospectus is
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We have
entered into a sales agreement with Brinson Patrick Securities Corporation, or
our sales agent, relating to shares of our common stock. In
accordance with the terms of the sales agreement with Brinson Patrick and this
prospectus, we may offer and sell up to 2,693,900 shares of common stock from
time to time through Brinson Patrick as our sales agent.
Sales of
the common stock, if any, will be made by means of ordinary brokers’
transactions on the NYSE or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of
sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. As
agent, Brinson Patrick will not engage in any transactions that stabilize our
common stock.
When
requested to do so by us, Brinson Patrick will offer our common stock subject to
the terms and conditions of the sales agreement on a daily basis or as otherwise
agreed upon by us and Brinson Patrick. Subject to the terms and
conditions of the sales agreement, Brinson Patrick will use its best efforts to
sell the common stock on our behalf. We may instruct Brinson Patrick not to sell
common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by
us in any such instruction. We or Brinson Patrick may suspend the
offering of the common stock being made through Brinson Patrick under the sales
agreement upon proper notice to the other party.
Brinson
Patrick will receive from us a commission equal to 1.5% of the gross sales price
of the shares sold under the sales agreement. The remaining sales proceeds,
after deducting any expenses payable by us and any transaction fees imposed by
any governmental, regulatory, or self-regulatory organization in connection with
the sales, will equal our net proceeds for the sale of such common
stock.
Brinson
Patrick will provide written confirmation to us following the close of trading
on the NYSE each day in which common stock is sold under the sales agreement.
Each confirmation will include the number of shares of common stock sold on that
day, the gross sales price per share, the net proceeds to us and the
compensation payable by us to Brinson Patrick.
Settlement
for sales of common stock will occur, unless the parties agree otherwise, on the
third business day that is also a trading day following the date on which any
sales were made in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There is no
arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar
arrangement.
We will
report publicly at least quarterly the number of shares of common stock sold
through Brinson Patrick under the sales agreement, the net proceeds to us and
the compensation paid by us to Brinson Patrick in connection with the sales of
common stock.
In
connection with the sales of common stock on our behalf, Brinson Patrick may be
deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the
compensation paid to Brinson Patrick may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions. We have agreed in the sales agreement to provide
indemnification and contribution to Brinson Patrick against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
We
estimate that the total expenses of the offering of the shares of common stock
payable by us, excluding commissions under the sales agreement, will be
approximately $25,000.
We or
Brinson Patrick may terminate the sales agreement at any time upon proper notice
to the other party.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We
may not issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is
not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy
these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 23, 2010
PROSPECTUS
CapLease,
Inc.
995,100
Shares of 8.125 % Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
We have
entered into a sales agreement with Brinson Patrick Securities Corporation, or
our sales agent, relating to shares of our 8.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, which we refer to as
our “Series A Preferred Stock.” In accordance with the terms of
the sales agreement and this prospectus, we may offer and sell up to 995,100
shares of our Series A Preferred Stock from time to time through Brinson
Patrick as our sales agent.
Our
Series A Preferred Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
under the symbol “LSE PrA.” On December 23, 2010, the last reported
sales price of our Series A Preferred Stock on the NYSE was $24.80 per
share.
Sales of
the shares of our Series A Preferred Stock, if any, may be made by means of
ordinary brokers’ transactions on the NYSE or otherwise at market prices
prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices related to the prevailing market
prices or at negotiated prices.
We will
pay to investors cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock in
the amount of $2.03125 per share each year, which is equivalent to 8.125% of the
$25.00 liquidation preference per share. Dividends on the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the
15th
day of each January, April, July and October. The shares of
Series A Preferred Stock have no stated maturity, are not subject to any
sinking fund or mandatory redemption and are not convertible into any other
securities. Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
generally have no voting rights, but have limited voting rights if we fail to
pay dividends for six or more quarters and under certain other
circumstances.
We may,
at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, by
paying $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends to and including
the date of redemption.
Our stock
is subject to an ownership limit of 9.9% of the value or number of all
outstanding shares, which is designed to preserve our qualification as a real
estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. See
“Restrictions on Ownership” on page 27 of this prospectus for more
information about these restrictions.
The
compensation to the sales agent for sales of our Series A Preferred Stock will
be a commission equal to 1.5% of the gross sales price of the shares sold
pursuant to the sales agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions
of the sales agreement, the sales agent will use best efforts to sell the Series
A Preferred Stock on our behalf.
Before
buying any of these shares of our Series A Preferred Stock, you should
carefully consider the risk factors described in “Risk Factors” on page 1 of
this prospectus.
Neither
the Securities and
Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The
date of this prospectus is
An
investment in the Series A Preferred Stock involves certain risks,
including those described below and in the section entitled “Risk Factors”
beginning on page 1 of this prospectus. Before you invest in the
Series A Preferred Stock, you should carefully consider these risks,
together with the other information contained in or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus.
Our
Series A Preferred Stock has not been rated and is subordinate to our debt,
and your interests could be diluted by the issuance of additional preferred
stock and by other transactions.
The
Series A Preferred Stock has not been rated by any nationally recognized
statistical rating organization and is subordinate to all of our existing and
future debt. Our future debt may include restrictions on our ability
to pay dividends to preferred stockholders. Our charter currently
authorizes the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or
more series. Our charter currently authorizes the issuance of up to
500,000,000 shares of common stock. In addition, our board of
directors has the power to reclassify unissued common stock as preferred stock,
and to amend our charter, without any action by our stockholders, to increase
the aggregate number of shares of our stock or the number of shares of stock of
any class or series, including preferred stock, that we have authority to
issue. The issuance of additional preferred stock in parity with or
senior to the Series A Preferred Stock would dilute the interests of the
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, and any issuance of preferred
stock senior to the Series A Preferred Stock or of additional indebtedness
could affect our ability to pay dividends on, redeem or pay the liquidation
preference on the Series A Preferred Stock. None of the
provisions relating to the Series A Preferred Stock affords the holders of
the Series A Preferred Stock protection in the event of a highly leveraged
or other transaction, including a merger or the sale, lease or conveyance of all
or substantially all our assets or business, that might adversely affect the
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, so long as the rights of the
Series A Preferred Stock holders are not materially and adversely
affected.
As
a holder of Series A Preferred Stock you have extremely limited voting
rights.
Your
voting rights as a holder of Series A Preferred Stock will be
limited. Shares of our common stock are the only class carrying full
voting rights. Voting rights for holders of Series A Preferred
Stock exist primarily with respect to adverse changes in the terms of the
Series A Preferred Stock, the creation of additional classes or series of
preferred stock that are senior to the Series A Preferred Stock and our
failure to pay dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock.
Listing
on the New York Stock Exchange does not guarantee a market for our Series A
Preferred Stock.
Although
the Series A Preferred Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, an
active and liquid trading market to sell the Series A Preferred Stock has
not developed and may not ever develop or be sustained. Since the
Series A Preferred Stock has no stated maturity date, investors seeking
liquidity may be limited to selling their shares in the secondary
market. If an active trading market does not develop, the market
price and liquidity of the Series A Preferred Stock may be adversely
affected. Even if an active public market does develop, we cannot
guarantee you that the market price for the Series A Preferred Stock will
equal or exceed the price you pay for your shares.
The
market determines the trading price for the Series A Preferred Stock and
may be influenced by many factors, including our history of paying dividends on
the Series A Preferred Stock, variations in our financial results, the
market for similar securities, investors’ perception of us, our issuance of
additional preferred equity or indebtedness and general economic, industry,
interest rate and market conditions. Because the Series A
Preferred Stock carries a fixed dividend rate, its value in the secondary market
will be influenced by changes in interest rates and will tend to move inversely
to such changes.
SUPPLEMENTAL
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This
discussion supplements the discussion contained under the caption “Federal
Income Tax Consequences of Our Status as a REIT” in this prospectus and should
be read in conjunction therewith.
Redemption
of Series A Preferred Stock
In
general, a redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock will be treated under
Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) as a
distribution that is taxable at ordinary income tax rates as a dividend (to the
extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits), unless the
redemption satisfies certain tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code
enabling the redemption to be treated as a sale of the Series A Preferred
Stock (in which case the redemption will be treated in the same manner as a sale
described in “Federal Income Tax Consequences of Our Status as a REIT—Taxation
of U.S. Stockholders on the Disposition of Common Stock” in the accompanying
prospectus). The redemption will satisfy such tests and be treated as
a sale of the Series A Preferred Stock if the redemption:
|
·
|
is
“substantially disproportionate” with respect to the holder’s interest in
our stock;
|
|
·
|
results
in a “complete termination” of the holder’s interest in all classes of our
stock; or
|
|
·
|
is
“not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the holder, all
within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the
Code.
|
In
determining whether any of these tests have been met, stock considered to be
owned by the holder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth
in the Code, as well as stock actually owned, generally must be taken into
account. Because the determination as to whether any of the three
alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code described above will be
satisfied with respect to any particular holder of the Series A Preferred
Stock depends upon the facts and circumstances at the time that the
determination must be made, prospective investors are advised to consult their
own tax advisors to determine such tax treatment.
If a
redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock does not meet any of the three
tests described above, the redemption proceeds will be treated as a
distribution, as described in “Federal Income Tax Consequences of Our Status as
a REIT—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders” in the accompanying
prospectus. In that case, a stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the
redeemed Series A Preferred Stock will be transferred to such stockholder’s
remaining stock holdings in our company. If the stockholder does not
retain any of our stock, such basis could be transferred to a related person
that holds our stock or it may be lost.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We have
entered into a sales agreement with Brinson Patrick Securities Corporation, or
our sales agent, relating to shares of our Series A Preferred
Stock. In accordance with the terms of the sales agreement with
Brinson Patrick and this prospectus, we may offer and sell up to 995,100 shares
of Series A Preferred Stock from time to time through Brinson Patrick as our
sales agent.
Sales of
the Series A Preferred Stock, if any, will be made by means of ordinary brokers’
transactions on the NYSE or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of
sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. As
agent, Brinson Patrick will not engage in any transactions that stabilize our
Series A Preferred Stock.
When
requested to do so by us, Brinson Patrick will offer our Series A Preferred
Stock subject to the terms and conditions of the sales agreement on a daily
basis or as otherwise agreed upon by us and Brinson Patrick. Subject
to the terms and conditions of the sales agreement, Brinson Patrick will use its
best efforts to sell the Series A Preferred Stock on our behalf. We may instruct
Brinson Patrick not to sell Series A Preferred Stock if the sales cannot be
effected at or above the price designated by us in any such
instruction. We or Brinson Patrick may suspend the offering of the
Series A Preferred Stock being made through Brinson Patrick under the sales
agreement upon proper notice to the other party.
Brinson
Patrick will receive from us a commission equal to 1.5% of the gross sales price
of the shares sold under the sales agreement. The remaining sales proceeds,
after deducting any expenses payable by us and any transaction fees imposed by
any governmental, regulatory, or self-regulatory organization in connection with
the sales, will equal our net proceeds for the sale of such Series A Preferred
Stock.
Brinson
Patrick will provide written confirmation to us following the close of trading
on the NYSE each day in which Series A Preferred Stock is sold under the sales
agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock sold on that day, the gross sales price per share, the net
proceeds to us and the compensation payable by us to Brinson
Patrick.
Settlement
for sales of Series A Preferred Stock will occur, unless the parties agree
otherwise, on the third business day that is also a trading day following the
date on which any sales were made in return for payment of the net proceeds to
us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or
similar arrangement.
We will
report publicly at least quarterly the number of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock sold through Brinson Patrick under the sales agreement, the net proceeds
to us and the compensation paid by us to Brinson Patrick in connection with the
sales of Series A Preferred Stock.
In
connection with the sales of Series A Preferred Stock on our behalf, Brinson
Patrick may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the
Securities Act and the compensation paid to Brinson Patrick may be deemed to be
underwriting commissions. We have agreed in the sales agreement to
provide indemnification and contribution to Brinson Patrick against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
We
estimate that the total expenses of the offering of the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock payable by us, excluding commissions under the sales agreement,
will be approximately $25,000.
We or
Brinson Patrick may terminate the sales agreement at any time upon proper notice
to the other party.
Part
II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item
14. Other Expenses of Issuance and
Distribution
The
following table sets forth the estimated fees and expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the
issuance and distribution of the securities being registered:
Registration
Fee
|
|
$ |
6,090 |
|
Printing
and Duplicating Expenses
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
Legal
Fees and Expenses
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
Accounting
Fees and Expenses
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
Transfer
Agent and/or Trustee Fees
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
163,910 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
750,000 |
|
Item
15. Indemnification of Directors and
Officers
The
Maryland General Corporation Law permits a Maryland corporation to include in
its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to
the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability
resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money,
property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a
final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our charter
contains a provision which limits the liability of our directors and officers to
the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
Our
charter permits us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to obligate
ourselves to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of
the final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any present or former director or
officer or (b) any individual who, while a director and at our request, serves
or has served another real estate investment trust, corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise as a
trustee, director, officer or partner of such real estate investment trust,
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may
become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his status as a
present or former director or officer of our company. Our bylaws
obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify and
to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of the final disposition of a
proceeding to (a) any present or former director or officer who is made a party
to the proceeding by reason of his service in that capacity or (b) any
individual who, while a director of our company and at our request, serves or
has served another real estate investment trust, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a trustee,
director, officer or partner of such real estate investment trust, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and
who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his service in that
capacity. Our charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and
advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of our company in any of
the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a
predecessor of our company.
The
Maryland General Corporation Law requires a corporation (unless its charter
provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or
officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of
any proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of his service in that
capacity. The Maryland General Corporation Law permits a corporation
to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others,
against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses
actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be
a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is
established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material
to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith
or (ii) was a result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or
officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or
services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer
had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was
unlawful. However, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an
adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a
judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received
unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification, and then only for
expenses. The Maryland General Corporation Law permits a corporation
to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s
receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good
faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for
indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or on
his behalf to repay the amount paid or advanced by the corporation if it shall
ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not
met.
It is the
position of the Securities and Exchange Commission that indemnification of
directors and officers for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, is against public policy and is unenforceable pursuant to Section 14
of such act.
We also
maintain insurance on behalf of all of our directors and executive officers
against liability asserted against or incurred by them in their official
capacities with us, whether or not we are required or have the power to
indemnify them against the same liability.
Item
16. Exhibits
The
Exhibits to this Registration Statement are listed on the exhibit index, which
appears elsewhere herein and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item
17. Undertakings
(a) The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
(ii) To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the
effective registration statement; and
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
such information in this registration statement;
provided, however, that
subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall not apply if the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in the periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by
the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration
statement, or is contained in a prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is
part of the registration statement.
(2) That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(3) To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(4) That,
for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any
purchaser:
(i) Each
prospectus filed by a Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed
to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was
deemed part of and included in the registration statement: and
(ii) Each
prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or
(b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B
relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x)
for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the
registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is
first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of
securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in
Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at
that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date
of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration
statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or
prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document
incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement
or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser
with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or
modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus
that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document
immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That,
for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities
Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the
undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of
the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless
of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the
securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any to the
following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the
purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such
purchaser:
(i) Any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to
the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any
free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the
undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned
Registrant;
(iii) The
portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing
material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided
by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(iv) Any
other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned
Registrant to the purchaser.
(b) That,
for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by
reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to existing provisions or arrangements whereby the
Registrant may indemnify a director, officer or controlling person of the
Registrant against liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of New York, State of New York, on December 23, 2010.
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CAPLEASE,
INC.
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(Registrant)
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|
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By:
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/s/
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Paul H. McDowell
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|
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Paul
H. McDowell
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Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer
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Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on
December 23, 2010.
Signature
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Title
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/s/ Paul
H. McDowell
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Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal
Executive Officer)
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Paul
H. McDowell
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/s/ William
R. Pollert
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Director
and President
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William
R. Pollert
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/s/ Shawn
P. Seale
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Senior
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
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Shawn
P. Seale
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/s/ John
E. Warch
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Senior
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal
Accounting Officer)
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John
E. Warch
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/s/ Michael
E. Gagliardi
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Director
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Michael
E. Gagliardi
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/s/ Stanley
Kreitman
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Director
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Stanley
Kreitman
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/s/ Jeffrey
F. Rogatz
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Director
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Jeffrey
F. Rogatz
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|
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/s/ Howard
A. Silver
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Director
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Howard
A. Silver
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EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit Number
|
|
Description
|
|
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1.1*
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Form
of Common Stock Underwriting Agreement
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1.2*
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Form
of Preferred Stock Underwriting Agreement
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|
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1.3*
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Form
of Debt Securities Underwriting Agreement
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|
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1.4
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Sales
Agreement, dated as of October 9, 2009, between the Registrant and Brinson
Patrick Securities Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 9, 2009)
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|
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1.5
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First
Amendment to Sales Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2010, between the
Registrant and Brinson Patrick Securities Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2010)
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1.6
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ATM
Equity Offering Sales Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2010, by and
among the Registrant, Caplease, LP and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
December 8, 2010)
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4.1
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Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement
on Form S-11 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8,
2004)
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4.2
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Articles
Supplementary Establishing the Rights and Preferences of the 8.125% Series
A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Registrant (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on
Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17,
2005)
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4.3
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Articles
of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on July 31, 2007)
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|
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4.4
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|
Articles
of Amendment to Articles Supplementary Establishing the Rights and
Preferences of the 8.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2010)
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|
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4.5
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|
Articles
of Amendment to Articles Supplementary Establishing the Rights and
Preferences of the 8.125% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2010)
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|
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4.6
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|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the
Registrant’s Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8,
2004)
|
|
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4.7
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|
First
Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on July 31, 2007)
|
|
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4.8
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|
First
Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Caplease, LP, dated
June 13, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on January 14, 2008 (Registration No.
333-148649))
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4.9
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|
Form
of Senior Debt Indenture
|
|
|
|
4.10
|
|
Form
of Senior Debt Security
|
|
|
|
4.11
|
|
Form
of Subordinated Debt Indenture
|
|
|
|
4.12
|
|
Form
of Subordinated Debt Security
|
|
|
|
5.1
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|
Opinion
of Hunton & Williams LLP regarding the legality of the securities
being registered
|
|
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8.1
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|
Opinion
of Hunton & Williams LLP regarding certain tax
matters
|
Exhibit Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
|
12.1
|
|
Statement
on Computation of Ratios
|
|
|
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23.1
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|
Consent
of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
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|
|
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23.2
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|
Consent
of Hunton & Williams LLP (included as part of Exhibit
5.1)
|
|
|
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23.3
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Consent
of Hunton & Williams LLP (included as part of Exhibit
8.1)
|
|
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24
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Powers
of Attorney
|
|
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25.1*
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|
Statement
as to Eligibility to act as trustee to the Senior Debt
Securities
|
|
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25.2*
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Statement
as to Eligibility to act as trustee to the Subordinated Debt
Securities
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*
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To
be incorporated by reference prior to or in connection with the offering
of specific securities.
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