As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 11, 2021
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | 26-1701984 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||
______________
2 Bethesda Metro Center, 12th Floor Bethesda, Maryland 20814 (301) 968-9300 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices) | ||
______________
Kenneth L. Pollack, Esq.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
AGNC Investment Corp.
2 Bethesda Metro Center, 12th Floor
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
(301) 968-9300
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
______________________________
Copy to:
David J. Goldschmidt, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, New York 10036
(212) 735-3000
______________________________
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, 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 of 1933, 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 of 1933, 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 of 1933, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth
company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer ☒ | Accelerated filer ☐ | Non-accelerated filer ☐ | Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
| Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered | Amounts to be Registered | Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price | Amount of Registration Fee | ||||||||||
| Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share) | (1)(2) | (1)(2) | (1)(2) | (3) | ||||||||||
| Preferred Stock ($0.01 par value per share) | (1)(2) | (1)(2) | (1)(2) | (3) | ||||||||||
| Debt Securities | (1)(2) | (1)(2) | (1)(2) | (3) | ||||||||||
| Depositary Shares | (1)(2) | (1)(2) | (1)(2) | (3) | ||||||||||
| Under the Plan: Common Stock ($0.01 par value per share) | 21,740,000(4)(5) | (5) | (5) | (5) | ||||||||||
(1)Omitted pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II.E.
(2)An unspecified number and aggregate principal amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered for possible issuance from time to time at indeterminate prices. Includes an indeterminate amount of our Common Stock as may be issued upon conversion of shares of Preferred Stock or Debt Securities registered under this registration statement.
(3)In reliance on and in accordance with Rule 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee.
(4)Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares of Common Stock being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(5)Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement includes 21,740,000 unsold shares of Common Stock that were previously registered by AGNC Investment Corp. on Registration Statement No. 333-225628 on June 14, 2018 (the “Prior Registration Statement”) that may be issued under the AGNC Investment Corp. Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”). In connection with the registration of such unsold shares of Common Stock on the Prior Registration Statement, AGNC Investment Corp. previously paid filing fees of $60,635.00, which will continue to be applied to such unsold securities. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), the offering of the unsold shares of Common Stock registered under the Prior Registration Statement will be terminated as of the date of effectiveness of this registration statement.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement contains:
| A base prospectus to be used by AGNC Investment Corp. (the “Company”) in connection with offerings of the Company’s common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and depositary shares. | |||||
| A base prospectus to be used by the Company in connection with sales of shares of the Company’s common stock registered for purchase under the AGNC Investment Corp. Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan. | |||||
PROSPECTUS
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
By this prospectus, we may offer, from time to time, shares of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and depositary shares in one or more offerings (together, the “Securities”). The Securities may be offered separately or together in amounts and at prices and on terms to be disclosed in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may describe the terms of these offerings in a term sheet that will precede the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and any supplement or term sheet carefully before you decide to invest. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of any Securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AGNC;” our depositary shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of our 7.00% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AGNCN;” our depositary shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of our 6.875% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AGNCM;” our depositary shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of our 6.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AGNCO;” and our depositary shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of our 6.125% Series F Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AGNCP.” As of June 10, 2021, the last reported sales price for our common stock was $18.62 per share.
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (our “Charter”), contains certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of both our common stock and our capital stock, including a limitation on ownership of more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of either our common stock or our capital stock. These ownership limitations are intended to assist us in qualifying and maintaining our qualifications as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Investing in our Securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully these risks together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before making a decision to purchase our Securities. See the sections entitled “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus and in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other periodic reports filed by us updating such disclosure.
The Securities may be sold directly by us, through agents designated from time to time, or to or through underwriters or dealers. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section in this prospectus entitled “Plan of Distribution.” If any underwriters are involved in the sale of any Securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in the prospectus supplement. The net proceeds that we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in the prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is June 11, 2021.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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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. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the Securities in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities that we may offer. Each time that we sell Securities under this shelf registration statement, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplements, includes or incorporates by reference all material information relating to this offering. Please read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under “Where You Can Get More Information.”
Except where the context suggests otherwise, in this prospectus “we,” “us,” “our,” “AGNC” and “the Company” refer to AGNC Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by us. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. This prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by us does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the Securities offered by such documents in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by us is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of such documents. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
This prospectus contains, and any applicable prospectus supplement may contain, summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein and therein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to have been filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or prospectus summary may contain “forward- looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “plans,” “anticipate,” “estimate” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. The matters described throughout this prospectus and in any exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, constitute cautionary statements identifying important factors with respect to any such forward-looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements.
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THE COMPANY
We are a Delaware corporation formed on January 7, 2008. We commenced operations on May 20, 2008 upon completion of our initial public offering. We operate to qualify to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). As a REIT, we are required to distribute annually at least 90% of our taxable income. So long as we continue to qualify as a REIT, we will generally not be subject to U.S. federal or state corporate income tax on our taxable income to the extent that we distribute all our annual taxable income to our stockholders on a timely basis. It is our intention to distribute 100% of our taxable income within the time limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code, which may extend into the subsequent taxable year.
We are a leading provider of private capital to the U.S. housing market, enhancing liquidity in the residential real estate mortgage markets and, in turn, facilitating home ownership in the U.S. We invest primarily in Agency residential mortgage-backed securities ("Agency RMBS") on a leveraged basis. These investments consist of residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac," and together with Fannie Mae, the "GSEs"), or by a U.S. Government agency, such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae"). We may also invest in other assets related to the housing, mortgage or real estate markets that are not guaranteed by a GSE or U.S. Government agency.
We are an internally managed REIT with the principal objective of providing our stockholders with attractive risk-adjusted returns through a combination of monthly dividends and tangible net book value accretion. We generate income from the interest earned on our investments, net of associated borrowing and hedging costs, and net realized gains and losses on our investment and hedging activities. We fund our investments primarily through collateralized borrowings structured as repurchase agreements.
Our principal place of business is located at 2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, and our telephone number is (301) 968-9300. We maintain a website that can be accessed at https://www.AGNC.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to SEC.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our Securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks described under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (which descriptions are incorporated by reference herein), as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement hereto before making a decision to invest in our Securities. Please also see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” below.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from our sale of the Securities offered by this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement to finance the acquisition of agency securities, non-agency securities (including credit risk transfer securities), other assets related to the housing, mortgage or real estate markets that are not guaranteed by a GSE or U.S. Government agency, and hedging instruments and for other general corporate purposes, such as repayment of indebtedness, working capital and for liquidity needs. Pending this utilization, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds in readily marketable, short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing investments, including money market accounts, which are consistent with maintaining our qualification as a REIT. Such temporary investments would be expected to provide a lower net return than we hope to achieve from our targeted investments in agency securities, non-agency securities, and other mortgage-related assets.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Sales of our Securities
We may sell the Securities separately or together:
•through one or more underwriters or dealers in a public offering and sale by them;
•directly to investors;
•through agents; or
•through a combination of any of these methods of sale.
We may sell the Securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplements to or through one or more underwriters or dealers or we may sell the Securities to investors directly or through agents. Each prospectus supplement, to the extent applicable, will describe the number and terms of the Securities to which such prospectus supplement relates, the name or names of any underwriters or agents with whom we have entered into arrangements with respect to the sale of such Securities, the public offering or purchase price of such Securities and the net proceeds we will receive from such sale. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the Securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may sell Securities directly to investors on our own behalf in those jurisdictions where we are authorized to do so.
Underwriters may offer and sell the Securities at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We also may, from time to time, authorize dealers or agents to offer and sell these Securities upon such terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of any of these Securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the Securities for whom they may act as an agent. Underwriters may sell the Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for which they may act as agents.
Securities may also be sold in one or more of the following transactions: (a) block transactions (which may involve crosses) in which a broker-dealer may sell all or a portion of the Securities as agent but may position and resell all or a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (b) purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker- dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement; (c) a special offering, an exchange distribution or a secondary distribution in accordance with applicable Nasdaq Stock Market or other stock exchange rules; (d) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers; (e) sales “at the market” to or through one or more market makers or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, for Securities; and (f) sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers or negotiated transactions. Broker-dealers may also receive compensation from purchasers of the Securities, which is not expected to exceed that which is customary in the types of transactions involved.
We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of the offering of Securities, including:
•the name or names of any agents or underwriters, if any;
•the purchase price of the Securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;
•any over-allotment or other options under which underwriters may purchase additional Securities from us;
•any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;
•any initial public offering price;
•any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
•any securities exchanges on which such Securities may be listed; and
•a discussion of any other material U.S. federal income tax consideration applicable to the Securities being offered that is not otherwise discussed in this prospectus.
If we use underwriters for a sale of Securities, the underwriters will acquire the Securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the Securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the Securities of the series offered if they purchase any of the Securities of that series. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement naming the underwriter the nature of any such relationship.
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Underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us or from our purchasers (as their agents in connection with the sale of Securities). These underwriters, dealers or agents may be considered to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). As a result, discounts, commissions or profits on resale received by the underwriters, dealers or agents may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions. The prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus will identify any such underwriter, dealer or agent, and describe any compensation received by them from us. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase Securities as a principal, and may then resell the Securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments made by the underwriters, dealers or agents, under agreements between us and the underwriters, dealers and agents.
We may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of Securities an option to purchase additional Securities, including to cover over-allotments, if any, in connection with the distribution or otherwise.
To facilitate the offering of the Securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the Securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the Securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more Securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their option to purchase additional Securities or over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the Securities by bidding for or purchasing Securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if Securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Any person participating in a distribution of the Securities covered by this prospectus will be subject to the applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules and regulations thereunder. Regulation M of the Exchange Act may limit the timing of purchases and sales of Securities by such person. In addition, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the Securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to our Securities for a period of up to five business days before the distribution.
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DESCRIPTION OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The following is a summary of the rights and preferences of our equity Securities and related provisions of our Charter and Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended (our “Bylaws”). While we believe that the following description covers the material terms of our capital stock, the description may not contain all of the information that is important to you. We encourage you to read carefully this entire prospectus, our Charter and Bylaws and the other documents we refer to herein for a more complete understanding of our capital stock. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
General
Our Charter provides that we may issue up to 1,500,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, both having a par value of $0.01 per share. Of these shares of preferred stock, 13,800 shares have been designated as our 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”), 10,350 shares have been designated as our 6.875% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”), 16,100 shares have been designated as our 6.50% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series E Preferred Stock”), and 23,000 shares have been designated as our 6.125% Series F Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series F Preferred Stock”). As of June 10, 2021, 524,907,212 shares of our common stock, 13,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock, 9,400 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock, 16,100 shares of our Series E Preferred Stock, and 23,000 shares of our Series F Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
All shares of common stock offered hereby will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. The statements below describing the common stock are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to our Charter and Bylaws.
Common Stock
Voting Rights
Subject to the restrictions contained in our Charter regarding the transfer and ownership of our capital stock and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of common stock, our common stockholders are entitled to one vote per share. Our common stockholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by all holders of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class; provided, that if the number of nominees for director exceeds the number of directors to be elected at our annual meeting, each director shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Except as otherwise provided by law, amendments to our Charter must be approved by a majority or, with respect to provisions relating to the powers, numbers, classes, elections, terms and removal of our directors, the ability to fill vacancies on our Board of Directors and our election to qualify as a REIT, 66% of the combined voting power of all shares of all classes of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Dividend Rights
Subject to the restrictions contained in our Charter regarding the transfer and ownership of our capital stock, our common stockholders will share ratably (based on the number of common shares held) if and when any dividend is declared by our Board of Directors.
Liquidation Rights
On our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each of our common stockholders will be entitled to a pro rata dividend of any assets available for distribution to common stockholders.
Other Matters
In the event of our merger or consolidation with or into another company in connection with which shares of common stock are converted into or exchangeable for shares of stock, other securities or property (including cash), all of our common stockholders will be entitled to receive the same kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property (including cash). No shares of our common stock will be subject to redemption or have preemptive rights to purchase additional shares.
Preferred Stock
Our Charter provides that our Board of Directors has the authority, without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the rights, preferences,
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privileges and restrictions of each class or series of preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series, which may be greater than the rights of the holders of the common stock. Any issuance of shares of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock, and the likelihood that the holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the preferred stock we may offer. Each time we sell preferred stock, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the preferred stock, including, to the extent applicable:
•designation or classification;
•redemption terms;
•dividends;
•listing on a securities exchange;
•conversion rights; and
•voting or other rights.
Description of Series C Preferred Stock Underlying Our Depositary Shares
On August 17, 2017, we filed a certificate of designations (the “Series C Certificate of Designations”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to designate 13,800 shares of our authorized preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, as shares of 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) with the powers, designations, preferences and other rights as set forth therein. The Series C Certificate of Designations became effective upon filing on August 17, 2017 and is incorporated herein by reference. On August 22, 2017, we issued 13,000 shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, which shares were deposited with Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., jointly as depositary, against which depositary receipts evidencing 13,000,000 depositary shares were issued, all of which remain outstanding as of June 10, 2021. Each depositary share represents 1/1,000th of a share of Series C Preferred Stock. The depositary shares underlying the Series C Preferred Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AGNCN.”
Ranking. The Series C Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (1) senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other equity Securities issued by us other than equity Securities referred to in clauses (2) and (3); (2) on a parity with all equity Securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity Securities rank on a parity with the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, including the Series B Preferred Stock; (3) junior to all equity Securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity Securities rank senior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and (4) effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible to our common stock or preferred stock) and to the indebtedness of our existing subsidiary and any future subsidiaries.
Distributions. Holders of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends. The initial dividend rate for the Series C Preferred Stock from and including the date of original issuance to, but not including, October 15, 2022 (the “Fixed Rate Period”) is at the rate of 7.00% of the $25,000 liquidation preference per share of Series C Preferred Stock per annum (equivalent to $1,750 per annum per share of Series C Preferred Stock or $1.75 per annum per depositary share). On and after October 15, 2022 (the “Floating Rate Period”), dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock will accumulate at a percentage of the $25,000 liquidation preference per share of Series C Preferred Stock equal to an annual floating rate of the Three-Month LIBOR Rate plus a spread of 5.111%. Dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock accumulate daily and are cumulative from, and including, the date of original issue (August 22, 2017) and are payable quarterly in arrears on the 15th day of each January, April, July and October; provided that if any dividend payment date is not a business day, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that dividend payment date may be paid on the next succeeding business day. Dividends accumulate and are cumulative from, and including, the date of original issuance. Dividends payable for any dividend period during the Fixed Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and dividends payable for any dividend period during the Floating Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in our stock records for the Series C Preferred Stock at the close of business on the
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applicable record date, which shall be the first day of the calendar month, in which the applicable dividend payment date falls.
Liquidation Preference. In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid out of the assets we have legally available for distribution to our stockholders, subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of our capital stock we may issue ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share), plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of payment, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of our common stock or any other class or series of our stock that we may issue that ranks junior to the Series C Preferred Stock as to liquidation rights.
Redemption. The Series C Preferred Stock will not be redeemable by us prior to October 15, 2022, except under circumstances intended to preserve our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and except upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Series C Certificate of Designations). On or after October 15, 2022, we may, at our option, redeem any or all of the shares of the Series C Preferred Stock at $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share) plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, we may, at our option, redeem any or all of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred at $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share) plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date.
Maturity. The Series C Preferred Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless repurchased or redeemed by us or converted into our common stock in connection with a Change of Control by the holders of Series C Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series C Preferred Stock will generally have no voting rights. However, if we do not pay dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly dividend periods (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock (voting separately as a class with the holders of all other classes or series of our preferred stock we may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series C Preferred Stock in the election referred to below) will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors to serve on our Board of Directors until we pay, or declare and set aside funds for the payment of, all dividends that we owe on the Series C Preferred Stock, subject to certain limitations. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock is required for us to authorize or issue any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, to amend any provision of our Charter so as to materially and adversely affect any rights of the Series C Preferred Stock or to take certain other actions.
Conversion. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series C Preferred Stock will have the right (subject to our election to redeem the Series C Preferred Stock in whole or in part, as described above, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined in the Series C Certificate of Designations)) to convert some or all of the Series C Preferred Stock held by such holder on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of our common stock per share of Series C Preferred Stock determined by a formula, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Series C Certificate of Designations, including provisions for the receipt, under specified circumstances, of alternative consideration.
Description of Series D Preferred Stock Underlying Our Depositary Shares
On March 5, 2019, we filed a certificate of designations (the “Series D Certificate of Designations”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to designate 10,350 shares of our authorized preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, as shares of 6.875% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) with the powers, designations, preferences and other rights as set forth therein. The Series D Certificate of Designations became effective upon filing on March 5, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference. On March 6, 2019, we issued 9,400 shares of the Series D Preferred Stock, which shares were deposited with Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., jointly as depositary, against which depositary receipts evidencing 9,400,000 depositary shares were issued, all of which remain outstanding as of June 10, 2021. Each depositary share represents 1/1,000th of a share of Series D Preferred Stock. The depositary shares underlying the Series D Preferred Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AGNCM.”
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Ranking. The Series D Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (1) senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other equity Securities issued by us other than equity Securities referred to in clauses (2) and (3); (2) on a parity with all equity Securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity Securities rank on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, including the Series C Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock, and Series F Preferred Stock; (3) junior to all equity Securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity Securities rank senior to the Series D Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and (4) effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible to our common stock or preferred stock) and to the indebtedness of our existing subsidiary and any future subsidiaries.
Distributions. Holders of shares of the Series D Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends. The initial dividend rate for the Series D Preferred Stock from and including the date of original issuance to, but not including, April 15, 2024 (the “Fixed Rate Period”) is at the rate of 6.875% of the $25,000 liquidation preference per share of Series D Preferred Stock per annum (equivalent to $1,718.75 per annum per share of Series D Preferred Stock or $1.71875 per annum per depositary share). On and after April 15, 2024 (the “Floating Rate Period”), dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock will accumulate at a percentage of the $25,000 liquidation preference per share of Series D Preferred Stock equal to an annual floating rate of the Three-Month LIBOR Rate plus a spread of 4.332%. Dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock accumulate daily and are cumulative from, and including, the date of original issue (March 6, 2019) and are payable quarterly in arrears on the 15th day of each January, April, July and October; provided that if any dividend payment date is not a business day, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that dividend payment date may be paid on the next succeeding business day. Dividends accumulate and are cumulative from, and including, the date of original issuance. Dividends payable for any dividend period during the Fixed Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and dividends payable for any dividend period during the Floating Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in our stock records for the Series D Preferred Stock at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be the first day of the calendar month, in which the applicable dividend payment date falls.
Liquidation Preference. In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of the Series D Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid out of the assets we have legally available for distribution to our stockholders, subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of our capital stock we may issue ranking senior to the Series D Preferred Stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share), plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of payment, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of our common stock or any other class or series of our stock that we may issue that ranks junior to the Series D Preferred Stock as to liquidation rights.
Redemption. The Series D Preferred Stock will not be redeemable by us prior to April 15, 2024, except under circumstances intended to preserve our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and except upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designations). On or after April 15, 2024, we may, at our option, redeem any or all of the shares of the Series D Preferred Stock at $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share) plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, we may, at our option, redeem any or all of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred at $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share) plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date.
Maturity. The Series D Preferred Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless repurchased or redeemed by us or converted into our common stock in connection with a Change of Control by the holders of Series D Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series D Preferred Stock will generally have no voting rights. However, if we do not pay dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly dividend periods (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Series D Preferred Stock (voting separately as a class with the holders of all other classes or series of our preferred stock we may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series D Preferred Stock in the election referred to below) will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors to serve on our Board of Directors until we pay, or declare and set aside funds for the payment of, all
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dividends that we owe on the Series D Preferred Stock, subject to certain limitations. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock is required for us to authorize or issue any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series D Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, to amend any provision of our Charter so as to materially and adversely affect any rights of the Series D Preferred Stock or to take certain other actions.
Conversion. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series D Preferred Stock will have the right (subject to our election to redeem the Series D Preferred Stock in whole or in part, as described above, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designations)) to convert some or all of the Series D Preferred Stock held by such holder on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of our common stock per share of Series D Preferred Stock determined by a formula, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Series D Certificate of Designations, including provisions for the receipt, under specified circumstances, of alternative consideration.
Description of Series E Preferred Stock Underlying Our Depositary Shares
On October 2, 2019, we filed a certificate of designations (the “Series E Certificate of Designations”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to designate 16,100 shares of our authorized preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, as shares of 6.50% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series E Preferred Stock”) with the powers, designations, preferences and other rights as set forth therein. The Series E Certificate of Designations became effective upon filing on October 2, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference. On October 3, 2019, we issued 16,100 shares of the Series E Preferred Stock, which shares were deposited with Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., jointly as depositary, against which depositary receipts evidencing 16,100,000 depositary shares were issued, all of which remain outstanding as of June 10, 2021. Each depositary share represents 1/1,000th of a share of Series E Preferred Stock. The depositary shares underlying the Series E Preferred Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AGNCO.”
Ranking. The Series E Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (1) senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other equity Securities issued by us other than equity Securities referred to in clauses (2) and (3); (2) on a parity with all equity Securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity Securities rank on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, including the Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock, and Series F Preferred Stock; (3) junior to all equity Securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity Securities rank senior to the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and (4) effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible to our common stock or preferred stock) and to the indebtedness of our existing subsidiary and any future subsidiaries.
Distributions. Holders of shares of the Series E Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends. The initial dividend rate for the Series E Preferred Stock from and including the date of original issuance to, but not including, October 15, 2024 (the “Fixed Rate Period”) is at the rate of 6.50% of the $25,000 liquidation preference per share of Series E Preferred Stock per annum (equivalent to $1,625 per annum per share of Series E Preferred Stock or $1.625 per annum per depositary share). On and after October 15, 2024 (the “Floating Rate Period”), dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will accumulate at a percentage of the $25,000 liquidation preference per share of Series E Preferred Stock equal to an annual floating rate of the Three-Month LIBOR Rate plus a spread of 4.993%. Dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock accumulate daily and are cumulative from, and including, the date of original issue (October 3, 2019) and are payable quarterly in arrears on the 15th day of each January, April, July and October; provided that if any dividend payment date is not a business day, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that dividend payment date may be paid on the next succeeding business day. Dividends accumulate and are cumulative from, and including, the date of original issuance. Dividends payable for any dividend period during the Fixed Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and dividends payable for any dividend period during the Floating Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in our stock records for the Series E Preferred Stock at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be the first day of the calendar month, in which the applicable dividend payment date falls.
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Liquidation Preference. In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of the Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid out of the assets we have legally available for distribution to our stockholders, subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of our capital stock we may issue ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share), plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of payment, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of our common stock or any other class or series of our stock that we may issue that ranks junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to liquidation rights.
Redemption. The Series E Preferred Stock will not be redeemable by us prior to October 15, 2024, except under circumstances intended to preserve our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and except upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Series E Certificate of Designations). On or after October 15, 2024, we may, at our option, redeem any or all of the shares of the Series E Preferred Stock at $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share) plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, we may, at our option, redeem any or all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred at $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share) plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date.
Maturity. The Series E Preferred Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless repurchased or redeemed by us or converted into our common stock in connection with a Change of Control by the holders of Series E Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series E Preferred Stock will generally have no voting rights. However, if we do not pay dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly dividend periods (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Series E Preferred Stock (voting separately as a class with the holders of all other classes or series of our preferred stock we may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series E Preferred Stock in the election referred to below) will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors to serve on our Board of Directors until we pay, or declare and set aside funds for the payment of, all dividends that we owe on the Series E Preferred Stock, subject to certain limitations. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock is required for us to authorize or issue any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, to amend any provision of our Charter so as to materially and adversely affect any rights of the Series E Preferred Stock or to take certain other actions.
Conversion. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series E Preferred Stock will have the right (subject to our election to redeem the Series E Preferred Stock in whole or in part, as described above, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined in the Series E Certificate of Designations)) to convert some or all of the Series E Preferred Stock held by such holder on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of our common stock per share of Series E Preferred Stock determined by a formula, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Series E Certificate of Designations, including provisions for the receipt, under specified circumstances, of alternative consideration.
Description of Series F Preferred Stock Underlying Our Depositary Shares
On February 10, 2020, we filed a certificate of designations (the “Series F Certificate of Designations”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to designate 23,000 shares of our authorized preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, as shares of 6.125% Series F Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock”) with the powers, designations, preferences and other rights as set forth therein. The Series F Certificate of Designations became effective upon filing on February 10, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference. On February 11, 2020, we issued 23,000 shares of the Series F Preferred Stock, which shares were deposited with Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., jointly as depositary, against which depositary receipts evidencing 23,000,000 depositary shares were issued, all of which remain outstanding as of June 10, 2021. Each depositary share represents 1/1,000th of a share of Series F Preferred Stock. The depositary shares underlying the Series F Preferred Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AGNCP.”
Ranking. The Series F Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (1) senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other equity Securities issued by us other than equity Securities referred to in clauses (2) and (3); (2) on a parity with all
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equity Securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity Securities rank on a parity with the Series F Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, including the Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock, and Series E Preferred Stock; (3) junior to all equity Securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity Securities rank senior to the Series F Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and (4) effectively junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible to our common stock or preferred stock) and to the indebtedness of our existing subsidiary and any future subsidiaries.
Distributions. Holders of shares of the Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends. The initial dividend rate for the Series F Preferred Stock from and including the date of original issuance to, but not including, April 15, 2025 (the “Fixed Rate Period”) is at the rate of 6.125% of the $25,000 liquidation preference per share of Series F Preferred Stock per annum (equivalent to $1,531.25 per annum per share of Series F Preferred Stock or $1.53125 per annum per depositary share). On and after April 15, 2025 (the “Floating Rate Period”), dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock will accumulate at a percentage of the $25,000 liquidation preference per share of Series F Preferred Stock equal to an annual floating rate of the Three-Month LIBOR Rate plus a spread of 4.697%. Dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock accumulate daily and are cumulative from, and including, the date of original issue (February 11, 2020) and are payable quarterly in arrears on the 15th day of each January, April, July and October; provided that if any dividend payment date is not a business day, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that dividend payment date may be paid on the next succeeding business day. Dividends accumulate and are cumulative from, and including, the date of original issuance. Dividends payable for any dividend period during the Fixed Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and dividends payable for any dividend period during the Floating Rate Period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in our stock records for the Series F Preferred Stock at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be the first day of the calendar month, in which the applicable dividend payment date falls.
Liquidation Preference. In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of the Series F Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid out of the assets we have legally available for distribution to our stockholders, subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of our capital stock we may issue ranking senior to the Series F Preferred Stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share), plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of payment, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of our common stock or any other class or series of our stock that we may issue that ranks junior to the Series F Preferred Stock as to liquidation rights.
Redemption. The Series F Preferred Stock will not be redeemable by us prior to April 15, 2025, except under circumstances intended to preserve our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and except upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Series F Certificate of Designations). On or after April 15, 2025, we may, at our option, redeem any or all of the shares of the Series F Preferred Stock at $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share) plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, we may, at our option, redeem any or all of the shares of Series F Preferred Stock within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred at $25,000 per share ($25.00 per depositary share) plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date.
Maturity. The Series F Preferred Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless repurchased or redeemed by us or converted into our common stock in connection with a Change of Control by the holders of Series F Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of Series F Preferred Stock will generally have no voting rights. However, if we do not pay dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly dividend periods (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock (voting separately as a class with the holders of all other classes or series of our preferred stock we may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series F Preferred Stock in the election referred to below) will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors to serve on our Board of Directors until we pay, or declare and set aside funds for the payment of, all dividends that we owe on the Series F Preferred Stock, subject to certain limitations. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock is required for us to authorize or issue any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series F Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the
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distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, to amend any provision of our Charter so as to materially and adversely affect any rights of the Series F Preferred Stock or to take certain other actions.
Conversion. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series F Preferred Stock will have the right (subject to our election to redeem the Series F Preferred Stock in whole or in part, as described above, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined in the Series F Certificate of Designations)) to convert some or all of the Series F Preferred Stock held by such holder on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of our common stock per share of Series F Preferred Stock determined by a formula, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Series F Certificate of Designations, including provisions for the receipt, under specified circumstances, of alternative consideration.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Our Capital Stock
In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, our shares of capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, no more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares of capital stock may be owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) during the second half of any calendar year.
Our Charter, subject to certain exceptions, contains restrictions on the number of shares of our common stock and our capital stock that a person may own and may prohibit certain entities from owning our shares. Our Charter provides that (subject to certain exceptions described below) no person may beneficially or constructively own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of either our common stock or our capital stock. Pursuant to our Charter, our Board of Directors has the power to increase or decrease the percentage of our common stock and our capital stock that a person may beneficially or constructively own. However, any decreased stock ownership limit will not apply to any person whose percentage ownership of our common stock or our capital stock, as the case may be, is in excess of such decreased stock ownership limit until that person’s percentage ownership of our common stock or our capital stock, as the case may be, equals or falls below the decreased stock ownership limit. Until such a person’s percentage ownership of our common stock or our capital stock, as the case may be, falls below such decreased stock ownership limit, any further acquisition of common stock will be in violation of the decreased stock ownership limit. If our Board of Directors changes the stock ownership limit, it will (i) notify each stockholder of record of any such change, and (ii) publicly announce any such change, in each case at least 30 days prior to the effective date of such change.
Our Charter also prohibits any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT and from transferring shares of our capital stock if the transfer would result in our capital stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons. In addition, no such person may own an interest in any tenant that would cause us to own, actually or constructively, more than a 9.9% interest in such tenant. Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our capital stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership, or who is the intended transferee of shares of our capital stock that are transferred to the trust (as described below), is required to give written notice immediately to us and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our qualification 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 interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.
Our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt a person from the foregoing restrictions. The person seeking an exemption must provide to our Board of Directors such conditions, representations and undertakings as our Board of Directors may deem reasonably necessary to conclude that granting the exemption will not cause us to lose our qualification as a REIT. Our Board of Directors may also require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or an opinion of counsel in order to determine or ensure our qualification as a REIT in the context of granting such exemptions.
Any attempted transfer of our capital stock which, if effective, would result in a violation of the foregoing restrictions will cause the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in such shares. The automatic transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day (as defined in our Charter) prior to the date of the transfer. If, for any reason, the transfer to the trust does not occur or would not prevent a violation of the restrictions on ownership contained in our Charter, our Charter provides that the purported transfer will be void ab initio. Shares of our capital stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of our capital stock held in the trust, will have no
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rights to dividends and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of capital stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of capital stock have been transferred to the trust will be paid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or distribution paid to the trustee will be held in trust for the charitable beneficiary. Subject to Delaware law, the trustee will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by the proposed transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast the vote.
Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will sell the shares to a person designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the above ownership limitations. Upon such 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 proposed transferee and to the charitable beneficiary as follows: the proposed transferee will receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the proposed transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other similar transaction), the market price (as defined in our Charter) of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (2) the price received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the proposed transferee will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, prior to our discovery that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the shares are sold by the proposed transferee, then (1) the shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and (2) to the extent that the proposed transferee received an amount for the shares that exceeds the amount the proposed transferee was entitled to receive, the excess shall be paid to the trustee upon demand.
In addition, shares of our capital stock held in the 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 the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of the devise or gift) and the market price on the date we, or our designee, accept the offer. We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares. Upon 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 proposed transferee.
Every owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as required by the Internal Revenue Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) in number or in value of all classes or series of our capital stock, including shares of our common stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, will be required to give written notice to us stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of shares of our capital stock that the owner beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each owner shall provide to us such additional information as we may request to determine the effect, if any, of the beneficial ownership on our qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limitations. In addition, each such owner shall, upon demand, be required to provide to us such information as we may request, in good faith, to determine our qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the 9.8% ownership limitations in our Charter.
These ownership limitations could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and Our Charter and Bylaws
Our Charter and Bylaws contain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board of Directors and that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a future takeover or change in control of our Company unless the takeover or change in control is approved by our Board of Directors. In addition to the above-described restrictions regarding the transfer and ownership of our capital stock, these provisions include the following:
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
Our Charter provides that stockholder action may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting and that stockholder action may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders.
Elimination of the Ability to Call Special Meetings
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Our Bylaws provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of our stockholders can only be called by our chief executive officer, pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of our Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors that has been duly designated by the Board of Directors and whose powers and authority include the power to call such meetings, or by the chair of our Board of Directors. Stockholders are not permitted to call a special meeting or to require our Board of Directors to call a special meeting.
Removal of Directors; Board of Directors Vacancies
Our Charter provides that members of our Board of Directors may be removed with or without cause with the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66% of the combined voting power of all the classes of shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Our Bylaws provide that only our Board of Directors may fill vacant directorships. These provisions would prevent a stockholder from gaining control of our Board of Directors by removing incumbent directors and filling the resulting vacancies with such stockholder’s own nominees.
Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws
The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or DGCL, provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is required to amend or repeal a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws, unless the certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage. Our Charter generally requires the approval of both a majority of the combined voting power of all the classes of shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and a majority of the members of our Board of Directors to amend any provisions of our Charter except that provisions of our Charter relating to the powers, numbers, classes, elections, terms and removal of our directors, the ability to fill vacancies on our Board of Directors and our election to qualify as a REIT requires the affirmative vote of at least 66% of the combined voting power of all the shares of all classes of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. In addition, our Charter (i) grants our Board of Directors the authority to amend and repeal our Bylaws without a stockholder vote in any manner not inconsistent with the DGCL and (ii) requires that stockholders may only amend our Bylaws with the affirmative vote of 66% of the combined voting power of all the shares of all classes of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
The foregoing provisions of our Charter and Bylaws could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our Board of Directors and in the policies formulated by our Board of Directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management or delaying or preventing a transaction that might benefit you or other minority stockholders.
Section 203 of the DGCL
We will not be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly- held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the “business combination” or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. In our original certificate of incorporation, we elected not to be bound by Section 203.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our Charter and Bylaws provide indemnification for our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, except that such directors and officers will not be indemnified to the extent that any such person has committed willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard involved in the conduct of such person’s duty to or for us. In addition, as permitted by Delaware law, our Charter includes provisions that eliminate the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages resulting from breaches of certain fiduciary duties as a director. The effect of this provision is to restrict our rights and the rights of our stockholders in derivative suits to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duties as a director, except that a director will be personally liable to the extent such director has committed willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such director’s duties involved in the conduct of the office of director.
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We entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and certain of our executive officers in addition to the indemnification provided for in our Charter and Bylaws. These indemnification agreements provide, among other things, that we will indemnify each of our directors and certain of our executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and advance certain expenses, including judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and costs and attorneys’ fees and disbursements, incurred by each of our directors and certain of our executive officers in any claim, action or proceeding arising in his or her capacity as our director or executive officer or in connection with service at our request for another corporation or entity, regardless of, among other things, any amendment to or revocation of our Charter and Bylaws or any change in the composition of our Board of Directors. The indemnification agreements also provide for procedures that will apply in the event that a director or certain executive officers make a claim for indemnification.
These provisions may be held unenforceable for violations of the federal securities laws of the United States.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our shares of capital stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The principal business address of Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is P.O. Box 505000, Louisville, Kentucky 40233-5000.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that may be offered by this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be issued in one or more series under an indenture to be entered into between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. A form of the indenture is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “TIA”). You should read the summary set forth below, the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indenture and supplemental indenture and/or company order, if any, in their entirety before investing in our debt securities. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
General
We may offer debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated, secured or unsecured, guaranteed or non-guaranteed and convertible or non-convertible. We may sell these debt securities at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, including original issue discount securities. United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the designated corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture is unlimited. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series or any other series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, may constitute a single series of securities under the indenture.
The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will specify the aggregate principal amount of such debt securities to be offered and will contain the specific terms of such debt securities, including:
•the title of the debt securities and any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series;
•the date(s) on which the debt securities may be issued and on which the principal and premium, if any, thereof will be payable, or the method for determining the same;
•the interest rate(s) or the method for determining the same, whether interest shall be payable in cash or additional securities, the dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining such dates and the dates on which interest will be payable;
•the currency, currencies or currency units in which the debt securities will be denominated or in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, such debt securities will be payable, if other than U.S. dollars;
•any time period within which or the manner in which, and the terms and conditions upon which, we or the holders of the debt securities can select the payment currency, if other than that in which the securities are denominated;
•place(s) where payment of principal and interest may be made, where debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, and where notices or demands upon us may be made;
•redemption or early repayment provisions, including at our option or at the option of the holders;
•our obligation or right to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision;
•authorized denominations, if other than $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000;
•if other than the principal amount, the principal amount of debt securities payable upon acceleration;
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•the guarantors of each series, if any, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination and release of the guarantees), if any;
•amount of discount or premium, if any, with which such debt securities will be issued;
•additions or changes to the provisions for the defeasance of the debt securities or to provisions related to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;
•whether such debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities, the depositary for any such global securities and the date as of which the securities are dated if other than the date of original issuance;
•whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into other securities and any related terms and conditions;
•whether the debt securities will be subordinated and the terms of such subordination;
•whether the debt securities will be secured and the terms of any security agreement or arrangement;
•any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities;
•additions or changes relating to compensation or reimbursement of the trustee of the series of debt securities;
•provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture and the execution of supplemental indentures for such series;
•any additions or changes in the defaults and events of default applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;
•any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;
•any other terms of the debt securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the TIA, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of the indenture with respect to such series of debt securities); and
•if appropriate, a discussion of any additional U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We may not consolidate or merge with or into or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets to another entity unless we are the continuing entity or the successor, transferee or lessee entity (if other than us) expressly assumes our obligations under the indenture and the debt securities issued under the indenture and, immediately after giving effect to the transaction, we or the successor, transferee or lessee entity (if other than us) would not be in default in the performance of any covenant or condition of the indenture.
Events of Default
The following are “events of default” under the indenture with respect to any series of notes issued under the indenture:
◦failure to pay any installment of interest on the notes when due, continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;
◦failure to pay principal of or any premium on any series of notes when payable;
◦failure to pay a sinking fund installment (if any) on the notes when payable, continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;
◦failure to perform any other of our covenants or agreements in the indenture (other than a covenant or agreement included in the indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than the notes to which this prospectus pertains, or a covenant or agreement specifically addressed by other enumerated events of default), which failure shall not have been remedied for a period of 90 days after written notice by the trustee to us or by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of such series to us and the trustee as provided in the indenture; and
•certain specified events under bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws with respect to us.
These events of default may be modified, and any additional events of default may be specified, with respect to any series of notes issued under the indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture thereto or a company order.
If an event of default with respect to the notes (other than an event of default relating to certain specified events under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws) occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of any series may declare the principal amount of all the outstanding
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notes of such series to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default relating to certain specified events under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all the outstanding notes issued under the Indenture shall automatically become due and payable immediately without any declaration or other action on the part of the trustee or the note holders. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the notes of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained thereon, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of such series may rescind and annul the acceleration, provided that we have paid or deposited with the trustee sufficient amounts owed to the trustee and noteholders of such series then due thereupon.
The indenture provides that within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, and if known to the trustee, the trustee will give the holders of the notes of the applicable series notice of each event which is or, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default with respect of the notes of such series, unless such default has been cured or waived before the giving of such notice. Except in the case of default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any notes, the trustee shall be protected in withholding the notice if our Board of Directors or the trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of the notice is in the interest of the holders of outstanding notes.
The indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the trustee during the continuance of an event of default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of notes of a particular series, unless the holders of notes of such series shall have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee and subject to certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the notes of such series.
We are required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indenture and as to any default in our performance.
Modification of the Indenture
The indenture provides that we and the trustee may, without the consent of the holders of any debt securities issued under the indenture, enter into supplemental indentures for the purposes, among other things, of:
•adding to the covenants or events of default for the benefit of holders of all or any series of debt securities or surrendering any right or power conferred upon us;
•deleting or modifying any events of default with respect to any series of debt securities, the form and terms of which are being established pursuant to such supplemental indenture;
•adding to or changing any provision of the indenture to provide, change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal or premium that does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any series of debt securities in any material respect;
•changing or eliminating any provisions of the indenture so long as there are no holders of debt securities of any series entitled to the benefit of such provisions;
•evidencing the succession of another entity to the indenture and the assumption by such entity of our covenants and obligations under the indenture;
•evidencing the appointment of a successor trustee under the indenture;
•securing the debt securities of any series;
•curing ambiguities in the indenture, correcting or supplementing any provision which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision, and conforming the terms of the indenture applicable to the debt securities of any series to the description of the terms of such debt securities in the applicable offering memorandum, prospectus or other offering document;
•adding to, changing or eliminating any provision of the indenture as may be necessary or desirable in accordance with the TIA;
•adding guarantors or co-obligors with respect to the debt securities of any series, or to release guarantors from guarantees in accordance with the terms of the indenture;
•making any change in any series of debt securities that does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of holders of such debt securities;
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•to provide for uncertificated debt securities;
•supplementing the indenture to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any debt securities issued thereunder that does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any series of debt securities in any material respect;
•to prohibit the authentication and delivery of additional series of debt securities; and
•establishing the form and terms of the debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture and authorizing the issuance of additional debt securities of a series previously authorized.
With specific exceptions, the indenture or the rights of the holders of the notes of a particular series may be modified by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes of such series, but no modification may be made without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note of any series affected thereby that, among other things, would:
•extend the maturity of any payment of principal of or any installment of interest on any notes;
•reduce the principal amount of any note, or the interest thereon, or any premium payable on any note;
•change any place of payment where, or the currency in which, any note or any premium or interest is denominated or payable;
•impair the right to sue for the enforcement of any payment on or after its stated maturity or redemption date, if applicable;
•materially adversely affect the economic terms of any right to convert or exchange any debt security;
•reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding notes of any series required to consent to any supplemental indenture, any waiver of compliance with provisions of the indenture or specific defaults and their consequences provided for in the indenture;
•reduce the requirements of the indenture for voting or otherwise modify the sections in the indenture relating to these consents and waivers; or
•modify the rights, duties and immunities of the trustee without its written consent.
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
The indenture, with respect to any series of notes issued thereunder (except for certain surviving obligations specified therein), will cease to be of further effect (a) upon delivery to the trustee for cancellation all notes of such series previously authenticated, or (b) if all securities of such series have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year and funds sufficient for the payment in full of the principal of and premium, if any, and the interest on the notes of such series have been deposited with the trustee.
Discharge and Defeasance
At our option, either (a) we shall be discharged from our obligations with respect to a particular series of notes (subject to survival of certain limited provisions in the indenture) or (b) we will cease to be under any obligation to comply with the covenants applicable with respect to a particular series of notes, in either case by depositing with the trustee cash or U.S. government obligations (or combination thereof) sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such notes to their maturity or redemption date in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the notes of such series, provided that no default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing and that we shall have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s election to discharge or defease the notes of such series.
Reports
The indenture provides that we will file with the trustee and the SEC, and transmit to holders of debt securities, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the TIA.
Trustee
U.S. Bank National Association is the initial trustee, registrar, paying agent and, where applicable, conversion agent under the indenture. Any other entity that is named to serve in any such capacity in place thereof with respect to a particular series of notes will be named in the prospectus supplement applicable to such series of notes.
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Global Securities
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred, except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary, or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary, or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The following summarizes the material provisions of the deposit agreement and of the depositary shares and depositary receipts, other than pricing and related terms that will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should read the particular terms of any depositary shares and any depositary receipts that are offered by us and any deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, which will be described in more detail in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the generalized provisions summarized below do not apply to the depositary shares or depositary receipts being offered. A form of the deposit agreement, including the form of depositary receipt, is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should read carefully the more detailed provisions of the deposit agreement and the form of depositary receipt for provisions that may be important to you.
General
We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. In such event, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. As of June 10, 2021, 13,000,000 Series C depositary shares were issued and outstanding, with each depositary share representing 1/1,000th of a share of our Series C Preferred Stock; 9,400,000 Series D depositary shares were issued and outstanding, with each depositary share representing 1/1,000th of a share of our Series D Preferred Stock; 16,100,000 Series E depositary shares were issued and outstanding, with each depositary share representing 1/1,000th of a share of our Series E Preferred Stock; and 23,000,000 Series F depositary shares were issued and outstanding, with each depositary share representing 1/1,000th of a share of our Series F Preferred Stock. See “Description of Equity Securities- Description of Series C Preferred Stock Underlying Our Depositary Shares” for a description of the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock underlying the Series C depositary shares, “Description of Equity Securities- Description of Series D Preferred Stock Underlying Our Depositary Shares” for a description of the terms of the Series D Preferred Stock underlying the Series D depositary shares, “Description of Equity Securities- Description of Series E Preferred Stock Underlying Our Depositary Shares” for a description of the terms of the Series E Preferred Stock underlying the Series E depositary shares, and “Description of Equity Securities- Description of Series F Preferred Stock Underlying Our Depositary Shares” for a description of the terms of the Series F Preferred Stock underlying the Series F depositary shares.
The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, as depositary. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred stock, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by such depositary share.
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received by it in respect of the deposited preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to such preferred stock in proportion to the number of such depositary shares owned by such holders, subject to any applicable tax withholding requirements. The depositary will distribute any securities or property (other than cash) received by it in respect of the deposited preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to such preferred stock in proportion to the number of such depositary shares owned by such holders in any manner that the depositary and we deem equitable and practicable.
Redemption of Preferred Stock
If a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is to be redeemed, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of such series of preferred stock. The depositary shares will be redeemed by the depositary at a price per depositary share equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable in respect of the shares of preferred stock so redeemed. Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same date the number of depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock so redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares
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are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by the depositary by lot or ratably or by any other equitable method as the depositary may decide.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
Unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption, any holder of depositary shares may receive the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by such depositary receipts after surrendering the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary. Holders of depositary shares making such withdrawals will be entitled to receive whole shares of preferred stock on the basis set forth in the related prospectus supplement for such series of preferred stock. However, holders of such whole shares of preferred stock will not be entitled to deposit such preferred stock under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts for such preferred stock after such withdrawal. If the depositary shares surrendered by the holder in connection with such withdrawal exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares.
Voting Deposited Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of deposited preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such series of preferred stock. Each record holder of such depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such holder's depositary shares. The depositary will insofar as practicable vote or cause to be voted the amount of such series of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions. We will agree to take all reasonable actions that the depositary determines are necessary to enable the depositary to vote as instructed. The depositary will vote all shares of any series of preferred stock held by it proportionately with instructions received if it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such series of preferred stock.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares or would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to holders of the applicable series of preferred stock under our certificate of incorporation will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least two thirds of the affected depositary shares then outstanding. Except as required by law, no amendment shall impair the right of any holder of depositary receipts to receive the number of shares of the applicable series of preferred stock and all money or other property represented thereby. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such depositary receipt, or by reason of the acquisition thereof, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement, which has been amended thereby.
The deposit agreement automatically terminates if all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or a final distribution in respect of the deposited preferred stock has been made to the holders of depositary shares in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us upon not less than 30 days prior written notice to the depositary if holders of a majority of depositary shares of the applicable series consent thereto. In such event, the depositary will deliver or make available for delivery to holders of depositary shares, upon surrender of such depositary receipts, the number of whole or fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock as are represented by such depositary shares and any other property held by the depositary in respect thereof.
Fees, Charges and Expenses of Depositary
All fees, charges and expenses of the depositary or any agent of the depositary, including any transfer or other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the deposit agreement, shall be payable by us.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
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The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its intent to do so, and we may at any time remove the depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the deposited preferred stock and not otherwise made publicly available.
Neither we nor the depositary nor its agents assume any obligation under the deposit agreement, and neither we nor they will be liable under the deposit agreement for our or their acts or omissions with respect to our or their bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct, respectively. Neither we nor the depositary nor its agents will be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares, depositary receipts or shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished.
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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to an investment in common stock of AGNC Investment Corp. This summary does not discuss the consequences of an investment in shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares or other securities. The tax consequences of such an investment will be discussed in a relevant prospectus supplement. For purposes of this section under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” references to “AGNC Investment Corp.,” “we,” “our” and “us” mean only AGNC Investment Corp. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code, the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury”), rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as in effect as of the date of this prospectus, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we will operate AGNC Investment Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities in accordance with their applicable organizational documents or partnership agreements. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. The Internal Revenue Code provisions governing the U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs and their stockholders are highly technical and complex, and this summary is qualified in its entirety by the express language of applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof. Moreover, this summary does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:
•Financial institutions;
•Insurance companies;
•Broker-dealers;
•Regulated investment companies;
•Partnerships and trusts;
•Persons who hold our stock on behalf of other persons as nominees;
•Persons who receive AGNC Investment Corp. stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;
•Persons holding AGNC Investment Corp. stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;
•U.S. expatriates;
•Persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;
•Persons subject to the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities;
•Persons who own (actually or constructively) more than 10% of our stock;
and, except to the extent discussed below:
•Tax-exempt organizations; and
•Foreign investors.
This summary assumes that investors will hold their common stock as a capital asset, which generally means as property held for investment.
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK DEPENDS IN SOME INSTANCES ON DETERMINATIONS OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER OF HOLDING OUR COMMON STOCK WILL DEPEND ON THE STOCKHOLDER'S PARTICULAR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR INVESTMENT OR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING, EXCHANGING, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
Taxation of AGNC Investment Corp.
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT, commencing with our initial taxable year ended December 31, 2008. We believe that we have been organized and have operated in such a manner that permits us to satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
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The law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has acted as our tax counsel in connection with the filing of this registration statement. In connection with the filing of this registration statement, we expect to receive an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP to the effect that, commencing with our initial taxable year ended December 31, 2008, we have been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, and that our actual method of operation has enabled, and our proposed method of operation will continue to enable, us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent taxable years. It must be emphasized that the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our organization, assets, and income, and the past, present and future conduct of our business operations. While we intend to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP or by us that we will qualify as a REIT for any particular year. The opinion is expressed as of the date issued and will not cover subsequent periods. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will have no obligation to advise us or our stockholders of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.
Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on the ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, distribution levels, and diversity of stock and asset ownership, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code, the compliance with which will not be reviewed by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.
Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under “-Requirements for Qualification-General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “-Failure to Qualify.”
Provided that we qualify as a REIT, we will generally be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from investment in a corporation. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon a distribution of dividends to our stockholders.
Most domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate dividends at a reduced maximum rate (the same as long-term capital gains). With limited exceptions, however, dividends from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are generally not eligible for this rate and will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income. However, for taxable years that begin after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026, stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates generally are entitled to a deduction equal to 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary income dividends received from a REIT, subject to certain limitations. See “-Taxation of Stockholders-Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders-Distributions.”
Any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See “-Taxation of Stockholders-Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders-Distributions.”
In any year in which we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:
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| We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains. | |||||
| If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “-Prohibited Transactions,” and “-Foreclosure Property,” below. | |||||
| If we derive “excess inclusion income” from an interest in certain mortgage loan securitization structures (i.e., a “taxable mortgage pool” or a residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit, or REMIC), we could be subject to corporate level U.S. federal income tax at the highest applicable rate to the extent that such income is allocable to specified types of tax-exempt stockholders known as “disqualified organizations” that are not subject to unrelated business income tax. | |||||
| If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate. | |||||
| If we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income. | |||||
| If we should violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to a penalty tax. In that case, the amount of the penalty tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure. | |||||
| If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts that we actually distributed and (ii) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level. | |||||
| We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT's stockholders, as described below in “-Requirements for Qualification-General.” | |||||
| A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) (as described below) that do not reflect arm's-length terms. | |||||
| If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the five-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation. | |||||
| The earnings of our subsidiaries, including any TRS, may be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax to the extent that such subsidiaries are subchapter C corporations. | |||||
In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for Qualification-General
The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;
(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;
(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
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(6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include specified tax-exempt entities); and
(7) which meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.
The Internal Revenue Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporation's initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, was 2008). Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of our stock, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the stock ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above.
To monitor compliance with the stock ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our stock. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the stock (i.e., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our stock and other information.
In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We have adopted December 31 as our year-end, and thereby satisfy this requirement.
The Internal Revenue Code provides relief from violations of the REIT gross income requirements, as described below under “-Income Tests,” in cases where a violation is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, and other requirements are met, including the payment of a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the violation. In addition, certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code extend similar relief in the case of certain violations of the REIT asset requirements (see “-Asset Tests” below) and other REIT requirements, again provided that the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other conditions are met, including the payment of a penalty tax. If we fail to satisfy any of the various REIT requirements, there can be no assurance that these relief provisions would be available to enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, if such relief provisions are available, the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.
Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests. If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership's assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership's income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership's assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the value prong of the 10% asset test, described below, our proportionate share of the partnership's assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.
To the extent we are a limited partner or non-managing member in any partnership or limited liability company and such entity takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below.
Disregarded Subsidiaries. If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is generally disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary's assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), that is directly or indirectly wholly-owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly-owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”
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In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned (for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours) the subsidiary's separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See “-Asset Tests” and “-Income Tests.”
Taxable Subsidiaries. In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly-owned, to treat such subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable corporation generally is subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income (such as management fees or certain income with respect to mortgage servicing rights) or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.
The deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT could be limited under the Code. Accordingly, if we lend money to a TRS, the TRS may be unable to deduct all or a part of the interest paid on that loan, and the lack of an interest deduction could result in a material increase in the amount of tax paid by the TRS. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise 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 intend that all of our transactions with our TRSs will be conducted on an arm's-length basis.
We may hold a significant amount of assets in one or more TRSs, subject to the limitation that securities in TRSs may not represent more than 20% of our assets. In general, we intend that loans that we originate or buy with an intention of selling in a manner that might expose us to a 100% tax on “prohibited transactions” will be originated or sold by a TRS. We anticipate that the TRS through which any such sales are made may be treated as a dealer for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a dealer, the TRS may in general mark all the loans it holds on the last day of each taxable year to their market value, and may recognize ordinary income or loss on such loans with respect to such taxable year as if they had been sold for that value on that day. In addition, the TRS may further elect to be subject to the mark-to-market regime described above in the event that the TRS is properly classified as a “trader” as opposed to a “dealer” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Income Tests
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year (excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions,” discharge of indebtedness, and certain hedging transactions) generally must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including, generally, agency securities and certain other types of mortgage-backed securities), “rents from real property,” dividends received from other REITs, and gains from the sale of real property, mortgages on real property, and shares in other REITs, as well as specified income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, discharge of indebtedness, and certain hedging transactions) must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.
Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that
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the interest is allocable to the real property. In certain cases, personal property collateral securing a loan that we hold may be treated as real property for purposes of the foregoing rules. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.
We intend to continue to invest primarily in agency securities that are either pass-through certificates or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). We expect that the agency securities will be treated either as interests in a grantor trust or as interests in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that all interest income from our agency securities will be qualifying income for the 95% gross income test. In the case of an agency securities treated as interests in grantor trusts, we would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. The interest on such mortgage loans would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by real property, as discussed above. In the case of agency securities treated as interests in a REMIC, income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. If less than 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, some REMIC securitizations include imbedded interest rate swap or cap contracts or other derivative instruments that potentially could produce non-qualifying income for the holder of the related REMIC securities. We expect that substantially all of our income from agency securities will be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.
We purchase and sell agency securities through “to-be-announced” forward contracts (“TBAs”) and recognize income or gains from the disposition of those TBAs, through dollar roll transactions or otherwise, and may continue to do so in the future. While there is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, we treat income and gains from our TBAs as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, based on an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP substantially to the effect that, for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test, any gain recognized by us in connection with the settlement of our TBAs should be treated as gain from the sale or disposition of the underlying agency securities. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition, as noted above, the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is based on various assumptions relating to our TBAs and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such income is not qualifying income. If the IRS were to successfully challenge the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if a sufficient portion of our income consists of income or gains from the disposition of TBAs.
Rents received by us, if any, will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements described above only if several conditions are met. If rent is partly attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property, the portion of the rent that is attributable to the personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property” unless it constitutes 15% or less of the total rent received under the lease. In addition, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. Amounts received as rent, however, generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of gross receipts or sales. Also, rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent that we do not directly or constructively hold a 10% or greater interest, as measured by vote or value, in the lessee's equity.
We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from a REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.
Fees will generally be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross 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. Other fees generally will not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test and will not be favorably counted for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by our TRS will not be included for purposes of the gross income tests. Any income or gain that we or our pass-through subsidiaries derive from instruments that hedge certain risks, such as the risk of changes in interest rates, will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests (i.e., will be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator), provided that specified requirements are met, including the requirement that the instrument is entered into during the ordinary course of our business, the instrument hedges certain specified risks, such as risks associated with indebtedness issued by us or a pass-through subsidiary that is incurred to
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acquire or carry “real estate assets” (as described below under “-Asset Tests”), and the instrument is properly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods. Income and gain from all other hedging transactions will not be qualifying income for either the 95% or 75% gross income test.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, including as a result of income and gains from the disposition of TBAs being treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (1) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (2) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations yet to be issued. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “-Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, the Internal Revenue Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.
Under The Housing and Economic Recovery Tax Act of 2008, the Secretary of the Treasury has been given broad authority to determine whether particular items of gain or income recognized after July 30, 2008, qualify or not under the 75% and 95% gross income tests, or are to be excluded from the measure of gross income for such purposes.
Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy five tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items (including certain money market funds), U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include some kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans, debt instruments (whether or not secured by real property) that are issued by a “publicly offered REIT” (i.e., a REIT that is required to file annual and periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), as well as interests in real property and stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.
Second, the value of any one issuer's securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.
Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer's outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the value prong of the 10% asset test does not apply to “straight debt” having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the value prong of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Internal Revenue Code.
Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold may not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets.
Fifth, no more than 25% of the total value of our assets may be represented by “nonqualified publicly offered REIT debt instruments” (i.e., real estate assets that would cease to be real estate assets if debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs were not included in the definition of real estate assets).
Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by a REIT that is not “publicly offered” may not so qualify (such debt, however, will not be treated as “securities” for purposes of the value prong of the 10% asset test, as explained below).
Certain securities will not cause a violation of the value prong of the 10% asset test described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute “straight debt,” which term generally excludes, among other things, securities having certain contingency features. A security does not qualify as “straight debt” where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuer's outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Internal Revenue Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the value prong of the 10% asset test. Such securities include (1) any
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loan made to an individual or an estate, (2) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (3) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (4) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a non-governmental entity, (5) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT, and (6) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnership's income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under “-Income Tests.” In applying the value prong of the 10% asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REIT's proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership.
We intend to continue to invest primarily in agency securities that are either pass-through certificates or CMOs. We expect that the agency securities will be treated either as interests in grantor trusts or as interests in REMICs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the case of an agency securities treated as interests in grantor trusts, we would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. Such mortgage loans will generally qualify as real estate assets to the extent that they are secured by real property. We expect that substantially all of our agency securities treated as interests in grantor trust will qualify as real estate assets. In the case of agency securities treated as interests in a REMIC, such interests will generally qualify as real estate assets and income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT income tests described above. If less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests.
To the extent that we hold mortgage participations or mortgage-backed securities that do not represent REMIC interests, such assets may not qualify as real estate assets, and the income generated from them might not qualify for purposes of either or both of the REIT income requirements, depending upon the circumstances and the specific structure of the investment. Our ability to invest in those assets may be limited by our intention to qualify as a REIT.
We enter into sale and repurchase agreements under which we nominally sell certain of our investments to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase the sold assets in exchange for a purchase price that reflects a financing charge. We believe that we will generally be treated for REIT asset and income test purposes as the owner of the collateral that is the subject of any such agreement notwithstanding that such agreements may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we did not own such collateral during the term of the sale and repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT.
We purchase and sell agency securities through TBAs and may continue to do so in the future. While there is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of TBAs as real estate assets or Government securities for purposes of the 75% asset test, we treat our TBAs as qualifying assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests, based on an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP substantially to the effect that, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, our ownership of a TBA should be treated as ownership of the underlying agency securities. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition, as noted above, the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is based on various assumptions relating to our TBAs and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such assets are not qualifying assets. If the IRS were to successfully challenge the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if a sufficient portion of our assets consists of TBAs.
No independent appraisals have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, values of some assets, including instruments issued in securitization transactions, may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.
However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. One such provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (1) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (2) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (3) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure, and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate, and (4) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.
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In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (1) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT's total assets and $10,000,000, and (2) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.
If we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, including any failure to satisfy the 75% asset test as a result of any investments in TBAs, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (1) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (2) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the market value of our assets. If the condition described in (2) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of relief provisions described below.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
(a) the sum of:
(1) 90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid, and
(2) 90% of our net income, if any, (after tax) from foreclosure property (as described below), minus
(b) the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid.
We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. If we cease to be a “publicly offered REIT,” then in order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITs, and to provide us with a tax deduction, the distributions must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (1) pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class, and (2) in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (b) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.
To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may, subject to limitations, reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the character, in the hands of our stockholders, of any distributions that are actually made as ordinary dividends or capital gains. See “-Taxation of Stockholders-Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders-Distributions.”
If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed, plus (y) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.
It is possible that, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between (a) our actual receipt of cash, including receipt of distributions from any subsidiaries, or the actual payment of deductible expenses and (b) our inclusion of items in income or deduction, as applicable, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, the Code contains various limitations on the deductibility of interest and other expenses and various rules that may accelerate income before the receipt of cash. Other potential sources of non-cash taxable income include:
| loans or mortgage-backed securities held as assets that are issued or purchased at a discount and require the accrual of taxable economic interest in advance of receipt in cash; and | |||||
| loans on which the borrower is permitted to defer cash payments of interest, and distressed loans on which we may be required to accrue taxable interest income even though the borrower is unable to make current servicing payments in cash. | |||||
In the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution requirements, it might be necessary for us to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings, or to pay dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of property. Alternatively, we may declare a taxable distribution payable in cash or stock at the election of each stockholder, where the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed in such distribution may be subject to limitation. In such case, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the distribution paid in stock will be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of stock.
We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. We will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Prohibited Transactions
Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business by us or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument to us. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.
Foreclosure Property
Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that we acquire as the result of having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated, and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. Because we will invest primarily in agency securities, we do not anticipate receiving any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test.
Derivatives and Hedging Transactions
We and our subsidiaries may enter into hedging transactions with respect to interest rate exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, interest rate cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts and options. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into, including gain from the sale, disposition, or termination of such a transaction, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test if we properly identify the transaction as specified in applicable Treasury regulations and we enter into such transaction (1) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or 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, (2) primarily to manage 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 tests (or any asset that produces such income), or (3) in connection with the extinguishment of indebtedness with respect to which we have entered into a qualified hedging position described in clause (1) or the disposition of property with respect to which we have entered into a qualified hedging position described in clause (2),
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primarily to manage the risks of such hedging positions. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency risk) through our TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of either or both of the REIT gross income tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.
Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the income or 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. Relief provisions are available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in “-Income Tests” and “-Asset Tests.”
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, distributions to most domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates will generally be taxable at capital gains rates. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Internal Revenue Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Taxation of Stockholders
Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders
Distributions. So long as we qualify as a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable domestic stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits that we do not designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taken into account by stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. With limited exceptions, our dividends are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates for qualified dividends received by most domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates from taxable C corporations. Such stockholders, however, are taxed at the preferential rates on dividends designated by and received from REITs to the extent that the dividends are attributable to:
| income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax); | |||||
| dividends received by the REIT from TRSs or other taxable C corporations; or | |||||
| income subject to tax with respect to the prior taxable year from the sales of “built-in gain” property acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income). | |||||
In addition, for taxable years that begin after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are generally entitled to a deduction equal to 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary income dividends received from a REIT (not including capital gain dividends, as described below, or dividends eligible for the reduced rates applicable to “qualified dividend income,” as described above), subject to certain limitations. Under Treasury regulations, in order to qualify for such deduction with respect to a dividend on our shares, a shareholder must hold such shares for more than 45 days during a 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such shares become ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (taking into account certain special holding period rules that may, among other consequences, reduce a shareholder’s holding period during any period in which the shareholder has diminished its risk of loss with respect to the shares). Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to their ability to claim this deduction.
Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxed to our stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the stockholder that receives such distribution has held its stock. We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gains, in which case we may elect to treat our stockholders as having received, solely for tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains, and the stockholders will receive a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gains. See “-Taxation of AGNC Investment Corp.-Annual Distribution Requirements.” Corporate
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stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at reduced maximum federal rates in the case of stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates, and ordinary income rates in the case of stockholders that are corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for taxpayers who are taxed as individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will generally represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that the amount of such distributions does not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholder's shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the stockholder's shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a stockholder's shares, the stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In determining the extent to which a distribution will be treated as being made from our earnings and profits, our earnings and profits will be allocated on a pro rata basis, first to distributions with respect to our preferred stock, and then to our common stock.
In addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may, subject to limitations, reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “-Taxation of AGNC Investment Corp.-Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses generally affect the taxable character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.
Dispositions of AGNC Investment Corp. Stock. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts and estates upon the sale or disposition of our stock will be subject to a reduced maximum U.S. federal income tax rate if the stock is held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates if the stock is held for one year or less. Gains recognized by stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at ordinary income rates, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. Capital losses recognized by a stockholder upon the disposition of our stock that was held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses. Capital losses are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the stockholder as long-term capital gain.
If an investor recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our stock or other securities in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury regulations involving “reportable transactions” could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards “tax shelters,” are broadly written and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Internal Revenue Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. You should consult your tax advisor concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our stock or securities or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions that we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a domestic stockholder of our stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, stockholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our stock. To the extent that distributions we make do not constitute a return of capital or capital gain dividends, they will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.
Medicare Tax. Certain U.S. holders who are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which includes dividends received from us and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of our common stock.
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Taxation of Foreign Stockholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to non-U.S. holders. A “non-U.S. holder” is any person that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is neither a partnership nor any of the following:
| a citizen or resident of the United States; | |||||||||||
| a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; | |||||||||||
| an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or | |||||||||||
| a trust if (1) a United States court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) the trust has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. | |||||||||||
If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.
The following discussion is based on current law, and is for general information only. It addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxation.
In General. For most foreign investors, investment in a REIT that invests principally in mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities is not the most tax-efficient way to invest in such assets. That is because receiving distributions of income derived from such assets in the form of REIT dividends subjects most foreign investors to withholding taxes that direct investment in those asset classes, and the direct receipt of interest and principal payments with respect to them, would not. The principal exceptions are foreign sovereigns and their agencies and instrumentalities, which may be exempt from withholding taxes on REIT dividends under the Internal Revenue Code, and certain foreign pension funds or similar entities able to claim an exemption from withholding taxes on REIT dividends under the terms of a bilateral tax treaty between their country of residence and the United States.
Ordinary Dividends. The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. holders that is (1) payable out of our earnings and profits, (2) not attributable to our capital gains and (3) not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder, will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by treaty.
In general, non-U.S. holders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. holder's investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the same rates and in the same manner as domestic stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such income must generally be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. holder. The income may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation.
Non-Dividend Distributions. Unless our stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (a “USRPI”), distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will generally not be subject to U.S. income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. The non-U.S. holder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If our stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (a) the stockholder's proportionate share of our earnings and profits, plus (b) the stockholder's basis in its stock, will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”), at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a domestic stockholder of the same type (e.g., an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax may be enforced by a refundable withholding tax at a rate of 15% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholder's share of our earnings and profits.
Capital Gain Dividends. Under FIRPTA, a distribution that we make to a non-U.S. holder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, or USRPI capital gains, will, except as described below, be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder and will be
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subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations, without regard to whether we designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend. See above under “-Taxation of Foreign Stockholders-Ordinary Dividends,” for a discussion of the consequences of income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax at a rate equal to the maximum corporate rate (currently 21%) of the maximum amount that could have been designated as USRPI capital gains dividends. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. A distribution is not a USRPI capital gain if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that are attributable to dispositions of our assets other than USRPIs are not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless (1) the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. holder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such gain, or (2) the non-U.S. holder 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. holder will incur a 30% tax on his capital gains.
A capital gain dividend that would otherwise have been treated as a USRPI capital gain will not be so treated or be subject to FIRPTA, and generally will not be treated as income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, and instead will be treated in the same manner as an ordinary dividend (see “-Taxation of Foreign Stockholders-Ordinary Dividends”), if (1) the capital gain dividend is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States, and (2) the recipient non-U.S. holder does not own more than 10% of that class of stock at any time during the year ending on the date on which the capital gain dividend is received. We anticipate that our common stock will continue to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market.
Dispositions of AGNC Investment Corp. Stock. Unless our stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of our stock by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA. Our stock will not be treated as a USRPI if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the United States, excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor. It is not currently anticipated that our stock will constitute a USRPI. However, we cannot assure you that our stock will not become a USRPI.
Even if the foregoing 50% test is not met, our stock nonetheless will not constitute a USRPI if we are a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of value of which is treated as held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders at all times during a specified testing period (after applying certain presumptions regarding the ownership of our stock, as described in Section 897(h)(4)(E) of the Code). We believe that we are, and we will be, a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, and that a sale of our stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, no assurance can be given that we are or will remain a domestically controlled qualified investment entity.
In the event that we are not a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, but our stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market, a non-U.S. holder's sale of our common stock nonetheless would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that the selling non-U.S. holder held 10% or less of our outstanding common stock at all times during the five-year period ending on the date of the sale. We expect that our common stock will continue to be regularly traded on an established securities market.
If gain on the sale of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a domestic stockholder with respect to such gain, and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 15% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.
Gain from the sale of our stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. holder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. holder's investment in our stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. holder, the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as a domestic stockholder with respect to such gain, and a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty), or (2) if the non-U.S. holder 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, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual's capital gain. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our stock (subject to the 10% exception applicable to “regularly traded” stock described above), a non-U.S. holder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI if the non-U.S. holder (1) disposes of our common stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (2) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our common stock within 30 days after such ex-dividend date.
Special FIRPTA Rules. Special rules under FIRPTA create certain exemptions form FIRPTA and otherwise modify the
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application of the foregoing FIRPTA rules for particular types of non-U.S. investors, including “qualified foreign pension funds” and their wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries and certain widely held, publicly traded “qualified collective investment vehicles.” Non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of these or any other special FIRPTA rules to their particular investment in our common stock.
Other Withholding Rules. Legislation known as “FATCA” and existing guidance issued thereunder will require withholding at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of our common stock held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to shares in, or accounts maintained by, the institution to the extent such shares or accounts are held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments. Accordingly, the entity through which our common stock is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of our common stock held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (1) certifies that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (2) provides certain information regarding the entity's “substantial United States owners,” which the applicable withholding agent will in turn provide to the Secretary of the Treasury. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance, may modify these requirements. We will not pay any additional amounts to stockholders in respect of any amounts withheld. Non-U.S. holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of the legislation on their investment in our common stock.
Estate Tax. If our stock is owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) of the United States at the time of such individual's death, the stock will be includable in the individual's gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise, and may therefore be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.
Non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning AGNC Investment Corp. stock.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders
Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt stockholder has not held our stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder), and (2) our stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions that we make and income from the sale of our stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt stockholder.
Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Internal Revenue Code are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to characterize distributions that we make as UBTI.
In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends as UBTI if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) we are required to “look through” one or more of our pension trust stockholders in order to satisfy the REIT “closely-held” test, and (2) either (i) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (ii) one or more pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of the value of our stock. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock generally should prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock and generally should prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.
Tax-exempt stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning AGNC Investment Corp. stock.
Other Tax Considerations
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the
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legislative process and by the IRS and the Treasury, which may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. For example, the Biden administration has indicated that it intends to modify key aspects of the Internal Revenue Code, including increasing corporate and individual tax rates. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our common stock.
State, Local and Foreign Taxes
We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside and may be required to file tax returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. We may pay foreign property taxes, and dispositions of foreign property or operations involving, or investments in, foreign property may give rise to foreign income or other tax liability in amounts that could be substantial. Any foreign taxes that we incur do not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our stock.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York, will provide opinions regarding the authorization and validity of the Securities and certain U.S. federal income tax matters. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York may also provide opinions regarding certain other matters. Any underwriters will also be advised about legal matters by their own counsel, who will be identified in the prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of AGNC Investment Corp. appearing in AGNC Investment Corp.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the effectiveness of AGNC Investment Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on their reports given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings, including our registration statement, are available to you, free of charge, on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also obtain additional information by visiting our website at http://www.agnc.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of this prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus which has been previously filed, which means that we can 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 for any information superseded by information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have filed the documents listed below with the SEC (File No. 001-34057) under the Exchange Act and these documents are incorporated herein by reference:
•our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed on February 26, 2021;
•our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2021, filed on May 7, 2021;
•our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on January 22, 2021, March 11, 2021, April 23, 2021 and April 28, 2021;
•the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on March 12, 2021;
•the description of our common stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on May 9, 2008, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description;
•the description of our depositary shares representing our 7.00% Series C Preferred Stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on August 18, 2017, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description;
•the description of our depositary shares representing our 6.875% Series D Preferred Stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on March 6, 2019, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description;
•the description of our depositary shares representing our 6.50% Series E Preferred Stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on October 3, 2019, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and
•the description of our depositary shares representing our 6.125% Series F Preferred Stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on February 11, 2020, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents that we file (but not those that we furnish) with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to
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effectiveness of the registration statement will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus, and any previously filed document. In addition, all documents that we file (but not those that we furnish) with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of shares hereby will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any previously filed document.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus (other than the exhibits to such documents which are not specifically incorporated by reference herein); we will provide this information at no cost to the requester upon written or oral request to AGNC Investment Corp., 2 Bethesda Metro Center, 12th Floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, telephone number (301) 968-9300.
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Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
__________________________
P R O S P E C T U S
__________________________
Dated: June 11, 2021
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AGNC Investment Corp. Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan
21,740,000 shares of Common Stock
______________________________
This prospectus relates to 21,740,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“common stock”), of AGNC
Investment Corp. registered for purchase under the AGNC Investment Corp. Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”).
The Plan provides our stockholders with a simple and convenient method of reinvesting cash dividends and distributions and purchasing shares of our common stock. By participating in the Plan, you may purchase shares of our common stock by reinvesting some or all of the cash dividends and distributions that you receive on your shares of our common stock. You may also make optional cash purchases of shares of our common stock of between $50 and $10,000 per month and, with our prior approval, in excess of $10,000 per month. Highlights of the Plan include:
Any registered stockholder may elect to participate in the Plan. | |||||
Interested prospective investors who are not currently holders of our common stock may make their initial purchase through the Plan, subject to a minimum purchase of $250. | |||||
Up to a 5% discount on shares of our common stock purchased under the Plan for purchases, with our prior approval, in excess of $10,000 per month. | |||||
Optional full or partial dividend reinvestment options. | |||||
| Optional cash purchases of between $50 and $10,000 per month and, with our prior approval, in excess of $10,000 per month. | |||||
| Certificate safekeeping in book-entry form available at no charge to participants. | |||||
| Detailed record keeping and reporting will be provided at no charge to participants. | |||||
| Optional automatic investment withdrawals from your bank account. | |||||
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AGNC.” As of June 10, 2021, the last reported sales price for our common stock was $18.62 per share. We suggest that you retain this prospectus for future reference.
Investing in our common stock involves significant risks. You should carefully consider these risks together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus before making a decision to purchase our common stock. See the sections entitled “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus and in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other periodic reports filed by us updating such disclosure.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is June 11, 2021.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. This prospectus provides you with a general description of our common stock. This prospectus includes or incorporates by reference all material information relating to an offering. Please carefully read this prospectus together with the additional information described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Except where the context suggests otherwise, in this prospectus “we,” “us,” “our,” “AGNC” and “the Company” refer to AGNC Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the common stock offered by such document in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation of an offer in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates of such documents. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any distribution of common stock pursuant to such document shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth in this prospectus or in our affairs since the date of this prospectus.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to have been filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or prospectus summary may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “plans,” “anticipate,” “estimate” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. The matters described throughout this prospectus and in any exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, constitute cautionary statements identifying important factors with respect to any such forward-looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward- looking statements.
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THE COMPANY
We are a Delaware corporation formed on January 7, 2008. We commenced operations on May 20, 2008 upon completion of our initial public offering. We operate to qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). As a REIT, we are required to distribute annually at least 90% of our taxable income. So long as we continue to qualify as a REIT, we will generally not be subject to U.S. federal or state corporate income tax on our taxable income to the extent that we distribute all our annual taxable income to our stockholders on a timely basis. It is our intention to distribute 100% of our taxable income within the time limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code, which may extend into the subsequent taxable year.
We are a leading provider of private capital to the U.S. housing market, enhancing liquidity in the residential real estate mortgage markets and, in turn, facilitating home ownership in the U.S. We invest primarily in Agency residential mortgage-backed securities ("Agency RMBS") on a leveraged basis. These investments consist of residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac," and together with Fannie Mae, the "GSEs"), or by a U.S. Government agency, such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae"). We may also invest in other assets related to the housing, mortgage or real estate markets that are not guaranteed by a GSE or U.S. Government agency.
We are an internally managed REIT with the principal objective of providing our stockholders with attractive risk-adjusted returns through a combination of monthly dividends and tangible net book value accretion. We generate income from the interest earned on our investments, net of associated borrowing and hedging costs, and net realized gains and losses on our investment and hedging activities. We fund our investments primarily through collateralized borrowings structured as repurchase agreements.
Our principal place of business is located at 2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, and our telephone number is (301) 968-9300. We maintain a website that can be accessed at http://www.AGNC.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to SEC.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (which descriptions are incorporated by reference herein), as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus before making a decision to invest in our common stock. Please also see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” below.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We cannot determine precisely the number of shares of common stock that ultimately may be sold pursuant to the Plan, the extent to which shares will be purchased directly from us rather than in the open market, or the prices at which shares will be sold. The net proceeds from any purchases of common stock directly from us under the Plan would provide us with funds that we would expect to use to finance the acquisition of agency securities, non-agency securities (including credit risk transfer securities), other mortgage-related assets and hedging instruments and for other general corporate purposes. We will receive no proceeds from any shares of our common stock purchased in open market transactions.
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AGNC INVESTMENT CORP. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
AND DIRECT STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Details of the Plan are set forth below in question and answer format. Further questions and correspondence should be directed to either AGNC Investment Corp. (Attention: Investor Relations) or the plan administrator at the following address:
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 5050000
Louisville, KY 40233-5000
1-800-733-5001 (U.S and Canada)
1-781-575-2879 (Outside U.S. and Canada)
www.computershare.com/investor
Purpose
1. What is the purpose of the Plan?
The purpose of the dividend reinvestment component of the Plan is to provide our stockholders with a simple and convenient method of investing cash dividends and distributions in additional shares of our common stock. The optional cash
purchase component of the Plan permits current stockholders and new investors to purchase shares of our common stock on a
monthly basis in amounts, subject to certain exceptions, ranging from $50 to $10,000 or, with our prior approval, in excess of
$10,000 (see Question 15). Participants in the Plan may have cash dividends and distributions automatically reinvested without
charges for recordkeeping, and may take advantage of the custodial and reporting services provided by Computershare Trust
Company, N.A. (the “Plan Administrator” or “Computershare”), at no additional cost. The Plan is intended to benefit long-term
investors who want to increase their investment in our common stock over time.
2. What are the advantages of participating in the Plan?
| The Plan provides participants with the opportunity to purchase additional shares of common stock, if desired, by automatically reinvesting all or a portion of cash dividends on our common stock in the Plan. | |||||
| The Plan also provides participants with the opportunity to purchase additional shares of common stock directly from us, if desired, by investing additional cash on a monthly basis from $50 to $10,000, or, with our prior approval, in excess of $10,000, with or without enrolling in dividend reinvestment. | |||||
| There are no transaction or processing fees, expenses or service charges on shares of stock purchased under the Plan with reinvested dividends. Participants will, however, pay a transaction and processing fee on purchases made with optional cash payments. See Question 4. | |||||
| Funds invested in the Plan are fully invested through the purchase of fractional shares, as well as whole shares, and proportionate cash dividends on fractional shares are used to purchase additional shares. | |||||
| There is a “share safekeeping” service that allows participants to deposit common stock certificates with the Plan Administrator and have their share ownership maintained on the Plan Administrator’s records as part of the Plan account. There is no charge for this service. | |||||
| Participants will receive statements containing year-to-date information on all Plan transactions in their account within a reasonable time after a transaction occurs, designed to simplify their record keeping. | |||||
3. What are the disadvantages of participating in the Plan?
| For Federal income tax purposes, participants will be treated as having received dividend income on the dividend payment date; such dividend will generally give rise to a tax liability even though no cash was actually paid. See the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” below. | |||||
| No interest will be paid by us or the Plan Administrator on dividends held pending reinvestment or on optional cash purchase payments held pending investment. See Question 16. | |||||
| Participants bear the risk of loss and the benefits of gain from market price changes for all of their shares of common stock. NEITHER WE NOR THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR CAN GUARANTEE THAT SHARES OF COMMON STOCK PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN WILL, AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME, BE WORTH MORE OR LESS THAN THEIR PURCHASE PRICE. | |||||
| The price of our shares of common stock may fluctuate in the interim between your investment decision and the time of the actual purchase and may decline between the time you decide to sell and the time at which your shares of common stock are actually sold. | |||||
| We may, in our sole discretion and without prior notice to participants, change our determination as to whether shares of our common stock will be purchased by the Plan Administrator directly from us or through market purchases. This determination will be made by us based upon general market conditions, the relationship between purchase price and book value per share, regulatory requirements and other factors. | |||||
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4. Is there a cost to participate in the Plan?
We will pay all administrative costs associated with the reinvestment of dividends under the Plan. There are no transaction or processing fees, expenses or service charges under the Plan in connection with such purchases; however, if you enroll in the Plan through a broker, bank or other nominee, they may charge you a fee for participating on your behalf. If the Plan purchases shares with reinvested dividends in market transactions instead of directly from us, we will pay any brokerage
fees or commissions on such purchases.
The Plan Administrator will charge participants a processing fee of $0.05 per share purchased in connection with any optional cash payments made under the Plan. The processing fee includes any brokerage commissions that the Plan Administrator is required to pay. In addition, the Plan Administrator will charge participants a $5 transaction fee for optional cash payments made by check or one-time online ACH, and a $2.50 transaction fee for each optional cash payment made by recurring debit from a U.S. bank account.
Administration
5. What does the Plan Administrator do?
The Plan Administrator administers the Plan for participants, keeps records, sends statements of accounts to participants,
and performs other duties relating to the Plan, including the safekeeping of the shares purchased for each participant. The Plan
Administrator also acts as the dividend disbursing agent, transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.
Participation and Enrollment
6. Who is eligible to participate?
You may participate in the Plan if: (a) you are a “registered holder;” that is, your shares are registered in your name on
our stock transfer books, (b) you are a “beneficial owner;” that is, your shares are registered in a name other than your name
(for example, in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee) (see Question 8), or (c) you are a new investor.
If you live outside the United States, you should first determine if there are any laws or governmental regulations that
would prohibit your participation in the Plan, or affect the terms of the Plan. We have the right to terminate participation of any
stockholder if we deem it advisable under any foreign laws or regulations. Tax consequences of Plan participation may vary
under foreign laws or regulations, and you should determine the tax treatment of Plan features before you decide to invest
through the Plan.
The Plan is intended for the benefit of our investors and not for persons or entities who engage in transactions that cause
or are designed to cause aberrations in the price or trading volume of our common stock. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan
to the contrary, we reserve the right to exclude from participation in the Plan at any time any persons or entities, as determined
in our sole discretion.
7. How do I enroll in the Plan?
The Plan is an “opt-in” plan. If you are a registered holder of our common stock, you may join the Plan by signing an
enrollment form and returning it to the Plan Administrator or by going online to the Plan Administrator’s website,
www.computershare.com/investor. If you are enrolling for dividend reinvestment, the enrollment form must be received by the
Plan Administrator prior to the dividend record date in order to take effect as of the related dividend payment. A dividend
record date is, with respect to any dividend or distribution declared by our Board of Directors, the date set by our Board of
Directors for determining stockholders of record entitled to receive the dividend or distribution.
If you are a new investor, that is, you do not currently own shares of our common stock, you may join the Plan in either
of the following ways:
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| (a) | Going to the Plan Administrator’s website at www.computershare.com/investor, and following the instructions provided for opening a Plan account online. You will be asked to complete an Online Initial Enrollment Form and to submit an initial optional cash purchase between $250 and $10,000. To make an initial optional cash purchase you may authorize a one-time online bank debit from your U.S. bank account or you may authorize a minimum of five (5) consecutive monthly automatic deductions of at least $50 each from your U.S. bank account. | ||||
| (b) | Completing and signing an Initial Enrollment Form and submitting an initial investment in the amount between $250 and $10,000. To make an initial optional cash purchase in this manner, you may enclose a check, payable in U.S. funds and drawn against a U.S. bank, to “Computershare-AGNC Investment Corp.” or you may complete the direct debit authorization form enclosed with the Initial Enrollment Form and authorize a minimum of five consecutive monthly automatic deductions of at least $50 each from your U.S. bank account by following the instructions provided. | ||||
If you are enrolling by making an optional cash purchase of less than $10,000, the enrollment form and investment funds
must be received by the Plan Administrator at least three (3) business days before the date such funds are to be invested for a
particular month (see Question 12). Enrollment forms may be obtained at any time by telephonic, Internet or written request to
the Plan Administrator.
8. How do I enroll in the Plan if I am a beneficial owner?
If you are a beneficial owner, that is your shares are held on the books of the Plan Administrator in the name of a broker,
bank or other nominee (a “Nominee”), your distributions will be reinvested automatically by the Nominee in additional shares
under the Plan only if your Nominee provides such a service and you elect to participate in the Plan. Many Nominees do not
provide such a service and routinely request dividends and distributions to be paid in cash on all shares registered in their
names. Therefore, if your shares are held for your account by a Nominee and you would like to participate in the Plan, then, in
addition to enrolling in the Plan as provided in Question 7, you must either make appropriate arrangements for your Nominee
to participate on your behalf, or you must become a stockholder of record by having a part or all of your shares transferred to
your own name. If your shares are held in the name of a Nominee, you should contact the Nominee for details.
9. How does reinvestment of dividends under the Plan work?
As a participant, when our Board of Directors declares a dividend or distribution, on the distribution date for such
dividend or distribution you will have credited to your Plan account the number of whole and fractional shares (computed up to
six decimal places) that could be obtained, at the price determined in accordance with the answer to Question 18, with the cash,
net of any applicable withholding taxes, that would have been paid to you if you were not a participant. Such shares will be
acquired by the Plan Administrator for participants either (i) through receipt of newly issued or treasury shares of common
stock from us or (ii) by purchase of outstanding shares of common stock on the open market (see Question 17).
10. What if a stockholder would rather receive cash instead of reinvesting their dividends?
If you would rather receive a cash dividend, you should not enroll in the Plan or, if you are enrolled in the Plan, you must notify the Plan Administrator through the Internet, by telephone or in writing that you would like to terminate your
participation in the Plan. You may terminate your participation in the Plan at any time. The procedure for terminating
participation in the Plan is explained in the answer to Question 29.
11. What if a stockholder wishes to receive cash as a dividend on only some of his or her shares?
If participants wish to receive dividends and distributions in cash on some of their shares, and have the remaining
dividends and distributions reinvested, the Plan Administrator must be notified to that effect. This may be done by completing
and submitting an enrollment form and choosing the “Partial Dividends Paid In Cash” option, by calling the Plan
Administrator or by accessing your Plan account at the Plan Administrator’s website, www.computershare.com/investor. A
partial participant will receive dividends and distributions in cash only with respect to the number of whole shares that have
been specified. On any other shares registered in the participant’s name or other shares credited to their Plan account on the
books of the Plan Administrator, the corresponding dividends and distributions will be reinvested.
12. How can I make an optional cash payment?
Participants may make an optional cash payment for the purchase of additional shares of common stock at any time,
subject to the limitations listed in the response to Question 14 below.
Participants may do so in one of three ways:
(a) By Check. Participants can make additional cash investments by sending a check ($50-$10,000), payable to
Computershare-AGNC Investment Corp., in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank. Cash, traveler’s checks, money orders or third
4
party checks are not acceptable. Optional cash investments may be mailed to the Plan Administrator with the tear-off portion of
the account statement or via detailed written instructions and enclosed in the return envelope with each statement, or
mailed to the address specified on the statement. Checks must be received by the Plan Administrator at least three (3) business
day before an investment date in order to be invested on that date. When investing by check, participants do not need to invest
the same amount each time and are under no obligation to make investments in any month or at any particular time.
(b) By One-Time Online Bank Debit. A registered holder of our common stock can make an investment online ($50-
$10,000) by logging on to www.computershare.com/investor, selecting “Investor Centre,” and following the online instructions.
Registered holders should refer to the online confirmation for their bank account debit date and investment date. When
investing by one-time online bank debit, registered holders do not need to invest the same amount each time and are under no
obligation to make investments in any month or at any particular time.
(c) By Recurring Automatic Debits from a U.S. Bank Account. A registered holder may also authorize the Plan
Administrator, on a direct debit authorization form or the Plan Administrator’s website, www.computershare.com/investor, to
make recurring monthly purchases of a specified dollar amount ($50-$10,000) paid for by automatic withdrawal from the
registered holder’s U.S. bank account. Funds will be withdrawn from the bank account, via electronic funds transfer, on the 20th day of each month (or the next business day if the 20th day is not a business day). Requests will be processed and will become effective as promptly as practicable; however, registered holders should allow two to four weeks for the first investment to be initiated. Automatic deductions will continue at the level set until a registered holder changes his or her instructions by notifying the Plan Administrator. To terminate monthly purchases by automatic withdrawal, written and signed instructions must be sent to the Plan Administrator. Alternatively, you can terminate monthly deductions through www.computershare.com/investor. It is the responsibility of the registered holder to notify the Plan Administrator if any direct debit information changes.
13. Are funds held in my Plan account insured?
No. Funds held in your Plan account pending investment or return are not treated as a bank deposit or account and are not insured by the FDIC or any other governmental agency or instrumentality.
14. What are the limitations on the amount of cash payments?
Participants may make optional cash payments of $50 to $10,000 or, with our prior approval, in excess of $10,000 per
month.
If any check, draft or electronic funds transfer that is tendered or ordered by a participant as payment to the Plan
Administrator to purchase common stock is dishonored, refused or returned, such participant agrees that the purchased shares
when credited to the participant’s account may be sold, on the Plan Administrator’s order, without the participant’s consent or
approval, to satisfy the amount owing on the purchase. The “amount owing” will include the purchase price paid, any purchase
and sale transaction fees, any brokerage commissions and the Plan Administrator’s returned check or failed electronic payment
fee of $35.00. If the sale proceeds of purchased shares are insufficient to satisfy the amount owing, such participant authorizes
the Plan Administrator to sell additional shares then credited to the participant’s account as necessary to cover the amount
owing, without the participant’s further consent or authorization. The Plan Administrator may sell shares to cover an amount
owing as a result of the participant’s order in any manner consistent with applicable securities laws. Any sale for that purpose
on a national securities market will be considered to be commercially reasonable. A participant grants the Plan Administrator a
security interest in all shares credited to such participant’s account, including securities subsequently acquired and held or
tendered for deposit, for purposes of securing any amount owing as described in this paragraph.
15. How do I make monthly optional cash purchases in excess of $10,000?
Request for Waiver. Cash purchases of more than $10,000 per month may be made only pursuant to our acceptance of a
request to make such a purchase. If participants wish to make an optional cash purchase in excess of $10,000 (or other
maximum amount established by us) for any month, participants must obtain our prior written approval with a form (“Request
for Waiver”) and a copy of such written approval must accompany any such optional cash purchase. We have sole discretion to
grant any approval for optional cash purchases in excess of the allowable maximum amount. Unless the participant has
complied with these procedures, any amount submitted for investment over $10,000 will be returned without interest.
We expect to approve requests for optional cash purchases in excess of $10,000 from financial intermediaries, including
brokers and dealers, and other participants from time to time. Participants may ascertain whether we are accepting Requests for
Waivers in any given month, and certain other important information, by contacting us on the first business day of each month
at (301) 968-9302 or such other number as we may establish from time to time. In addition, participants may ascertain whether
5
we are accepting requests in the first month that the Plan is activated by calling the number above on or about the date of this
prospectus. When participants call this number we will inform such participants (by a prerecorded message) of one of the three
following pieces of information:
| that we will not be accepting Requests for Waivers that month; | |||||
| that we will be accepting Requests for Waivers that month. In that case, we will provide relevant information such as the date on which a Pricing Period (as defined below) will begin; the number of days in the Pricing Period; the Waiver Discount (as defined below), if applicable; the Threshold Price (as defined below), if applicable; and whether or not the Pricing Period Extension Feature (as defined below) will be activated; | |||||
| that we have not yet determined whether we will be accepting Requests for Waivers. If this is the case, we will inform participants of a date later in the month when they can call to ascertain whether we will be accepting Requests for Waivers. | |||||
Participants may make a Request for Waiver by contacting Investor Relations at IR@agnc.com or by downloading the
Request for Waiver form on our website, www.AGNC.com. Completed Request for Waiver forms should be submitted to us via
facsimile at (301) 968-9301 no later than three business days prior to the applicable Pricing Period (defined below). We will
notify the participant as to whether the Request for Waiver has been granted or denied, either in whole or in part, within one
business day of the receipt of the request. If the Request for Waiver is granted in part, we will advise the participant of the
maximum amount that will be accepted in connection with the purchase. If the request is approved, the Plan Administrator must
receive the funds for the purchase prior to or on the applicable date specified by the Plan Administrator for the relevant Pricing
Period (which typically will be one business day prior to the applicable Pricing Period). If a response is not received in
connection with the Request for Waiver, the participant should assume that the request has been denied. We may alter, amend,
supplement or waive, in our sole discretion, the time periods and/or other parameters relating to optional cash purchases in
excess of $10,000 made by one or more participants in the Plan or new investors, at any time and from time to time, prior to the
granting of any Request for Waiver. For more information regarding a particular Pricing Period (including applicable Pricing
Period start dates), please contact us at (301) 968-9302.
Purchase Price of Shares for Optional Cash Purchases in Excess of $10,000. Shares purchased pursuant to an approved
Request for Waiver will be purchased directly from us as described herein, including the establishment of a “Threshold Price”
as more fully described below. The Purchase Price may be reduced by the Waiver Discount that we have provided for optional
cash purchases in excess of $10,000 on each Investment Date. If we grant the request to purchase shares pursuant to a Request
for Waiver, there will be a “Pricing Period”, which will generally consist of one to 12 separate days during which our common
stock is quoted on The Nasdaq Global Select Market during the applicable Pricing Period. Each of these separate days will
be an “Investment Date”, and an equal proportion of your optional cash purchase will be invested on each trading day during
such Pricing Period, subject to the qualifications listed below. The purchase price for shares acquired on a particular Investment
Date will be equal to 100% (subject to change as provided below) of the volume weighted average price, rounded to four
decimal places, of our common stock as quoted on The Nasdaq Global Select Market only, obtained from Bloomberg, LP for
the trading hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (including the closing print), Eastern time, for that Investment Date. The Plan
Administrator will apply all optional cash purchases made pursuant to a Request for Waiver for which good funds are received
on or before the first business day before the Pricing Period to the purchase of shares of our common stock on each Investment
Date of the applicable Pricing Period.
Threshold Price. We may establish for a Pricing Period a minimum price (or the Threshold Price) applicable to optional
cash purchases made pursuant to a Request for Waiver. At least three business days prior to the first day of the applicable
Pricing Period, we will determine whether to establish a Threshold Price, and if the Threshold Price is established, its amount,
and will so notify the Plan Administrator. This determination will be made by us in our discretion after a review of current
market conditions, the level of participation in the Plan, and current and projected capital needs. If established for any Pricing
Period, the Threshold Price will be stated as a dollar amount that the volume weighted average price, rounded to four decimal
places, of our common stock as quoted on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, obtained from Bloomberg, LP for the trading
hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (including the closing print), Eastern time, for each trading day of such Pricing Period (not
adjusted for discounts, if any) must equal or exceed. Except as provided below, we will exclude from the Pricing Period any
trading day that the unsolicited volume weighted average price is less than the Threshold Price. We also will exclude from the
Pricing Period and from the determination of the purchase price any day in which no shares of common stock are quoted on
The Nasdaq Global Select Market. For example, if the Threshold Price is not met for two of the trading days in a 10 day
Pricing Period, then we will return 20% of the funds you submitted in connection with your Request for Waiver unless we have
activated the pricing period extension feature for the Pricing Period which is described below.
Pricing Period Extension Feature. We may elect to activate for any particular Pricing Period the pricing period extension
6
feature which will provide that the initial Pricing Period will be extended by the number of days that the Threshold Price is not
satisfied, or on which no shares of our common stock are quoted on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, subject to a
maximum of five trading days. If we elect to activate the pricing period extension feature and the Threshold Price is satisfied
for any additional day that has been added to the initial Pricing Period, that day will be included as one of the trading days for
the Pricing Period in lieu of the day on which the Threshold Price was not met or trades of our common stock were not
reported. For example, if the determined Pricing Period is 10 days, and the Threshold Price is not satisfied for three out of those
10 days in the initial Pricing Period, and we had previously announced at the time of the Request for Waiver acceptance that the
pricing period extension feature was activated, then the Pricing Period will automatically be extended, and if the Threshold
Price is satisfied on the next three trading days (or a subset thereof), then those three days (or a subset thereof) will become
Investment Days in lieu of the three days on which the Threshold Price was not met. As a result, because there were 10 trading
days during the initial and extended Pricing Period on which the Threshold Price was satisfied, all of the optional cash purchase
will be invested.
Return of Unsubscribed Funds. We will return a portion of each optional cash purchase in excess of $10,000 for each
trading day of a Pricing Period or extended Pricing Period, if applicable, for which the Threshold Price is not met or for each
day in which no shares of common stock are quoted on The Nasdaq Global Select Market (“unsubscribed funds”). Any
unsubscribed funds will be returned within five business days after the last day of the Pricing Period, or if applicable, the
extended Pricing Period, without interest. The amount returned will be based on the number of days during which the
Threshold Price was not met compared to the number of days in the Pricing Period or extended Pricing Period. For
example, the returned amount in a 10 day Pricing Period will equal one-tenth (1/10) of the total amount of such optional cash
purchase (not just the amount exceeding $10,000) for each trading day that the Threshold Price is not met or for each trading
day in which sales are not reported. The establishment of the Threshold Price and the possible return of a portion of the
investment applies only to optional cash purchases in excess of $10,000. Setting a Threshold Price for a Pricing Period will not
affect the setting of a Threshold Price for any other Pricing Period. We may waive our right to set a Threshold Price for any
particular Pricing Period. Neither we nor the Plan Administrator is required to give you notice of the Threshold Price for any
Pricing Period.
Waiver Discount. Each month, at least three business days prior to the first day of the applicable Pricing Period, at the
same time the Threshold Price is determined, we may establish a discount from the market price applicable to optional cash
purchases made pursuant to a Request for Waiver. This discount (or the Waiver Discount) may be between 0% and 5% of the
purchase price, and may vary each month and for each Pricing Period. The Waiver Discount will be established at our sole
discretion after a review of current market conditions, the level of participation in the Plan, the attractiveness of obtaining such
additional funds through the sale of common stock as compared to other sources of funds and current and projected capital
needs. You may obtain the Waiver Discount applicable to the next month by contacting us via email at IR@agnc.com. Setting a
Waiver Discount for a particular month shall not affect the setting of a Waiver Discount for any subsequent month. The Waiver
Discounts will apply only to optional cash purchases of more than $10,000 (or other applicable maximum monthly amount).
The Waiver Discounts will apply to the entire optional cash purchase and not just the portion of the optional cash purchase that
exceeds $10,000.
16. Will I earn interest on funds in my Plan account prior to investment or return to me?
No. Interest will not be paid on funds deposited by you in your Plan account pending investment or return to you.
Purchase of Shares under the Plan
17. What is the source of shares purchased under the Plan?
All dividends reinvested through the Plan and all optional cash purchases will be used to purchase, in our sole discretion,
either newly issued or treasury shares directly from us or shares on the open market or a combination thereof. Open market
purchases may be made on any securities exchange where the shares of our common stock are traded, in the over-the-counter
market or in privately negotiated transactions with third persons, and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise
as we may determine.
18. At what price will shares be purchased under the Plan?
The purchase price of shares purchased directly from us will be the volume weighted average price, rounded to four
decimal places, of our common stock as quoted on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date the shares are purchased. If
shares are purchased in the open market, the Plan Administrator may combine your purchase requests with other purchase
requests received from other Plan Participants and will generally batch purchase types (dividend and optional cash investments)
for separate execution by the Plan Administrator’s broker. Shares for the Plan will be purchased on the Nasdaq Global Select
7
Market, or in privately negotiated transactions. The Plan Administrator may also direct its broker to execute each purchase type
in several batches throughout a trading day. Depending on the number of shares being purchased and current trading volume in
the shares, the Plan Administrator’s broker may execute purchases for any batch or batches in multiple transactions and over
more than one day. If different purchase types are batched, the price per share of the common shares purchased for each
Participant’s account, whether purchased with reinvested dividends, with initial cash investments or with optional cash, shall be
the weighted average price of the specific batch for such shares purchased by the Plan Administrator’s broker on that day to
satisfy Plan requirements. See Question 15 for the purchase price for optional cash purchases in excess of $10,000 per month.
19. When will shares of our common stock be purchased under the Plan?
Dividend Reinvestments. In the months in which dividends are paid, dividends will be invested beginning on the
dividend or distribution payment date. If the shares of our common stock are to be newly issued or treasury shares, such shares
will be issued or delivered on the dividend or distribution payment date. If our shares of common stock are to be purchased by
the Plan Administrator in the open market, the Plan Administrator will make every effort to invest any dividends it receives
promptly beginning on each dividend or distribution payment date, and in no event later than thirty days from such date, except
where necessary under any applicable federal securities laws.
Initial and Optional Cash Purchases up to $10,000. For common stock acquired directly from us, the purchase date will
generally be on the 25th calendar day of each month, or the next trading day if the 25th day is not a trading day. For common
stock acquired in market transactions, purchases will begin on the 25th calendar day of each month, or the next trading day if
the 25th day is not a trading day, and will be completed no later than thirty-five (35) days following such date, except where
reinvestment of such funds at a later date is necessary or advisable under applicable securities laws. The Plan Administrator will wait up to three business days after receipt of the check or electronic funds transfer to ensure it receives good funds and will then seek to purchase shares for optional cash investments on the purchase date described above. The Plan Administrator
will commingle all funds received from participants. Once a participant has placed an order, he or she may not request a cash
refund or otherwise change the order.
No interest will be paid on funds pending investment held by the Plan Administrator.
Reports to Participants
20. What accounts are maintained for participants and what reports on these accounts do participants receive?
The Plan Administrator will maintain a separate Plan account for each participant. All shares issued to participants under
the Plan will be credited to their Plan account. The Plan Administrator will mail to each participant a statement confirming the
issuance of shares within fifteen days after the allocation of shares is made. The statement will show the amount of the dividend
or distribution, the price at which shares were credited, the number of full and fractional shares credited, the number of shares
previously credited and the cumulative total of shares credited. For market order sales, the time of sale will be provided. For
any shares acquired in the Plan, specific cost basis information will be included in your statement in accordance with applicable
law. In addition, participants will receive copies of our annual and quarterly reports to stockholders, proxy statements and
dividend income information for tax purposes. Participants may also view year-to-date transaction activity in their Plan account
under the Plan for the current year, as well as activity in prior years, by accessing their Plan account at
www.computershare.com/investor.
Voting of Shares
21. How will a participant’s shares be voted at meetings of stockholders?
Participants will receive a proxy card covering the total number of shares held, including shares credited to their Plan
account. If a proxy card is returned properly signed, but without indicating instructions as to the manner in which shares are to
be voted with respect to any item thereon, the corresponding shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of our Board of Directors. If the proxy card is not returned, or it is unexecuted or improperly executed, the corresponding shares
will not be voted unless the participant or their duly appointed representative votes in person at the meeting.
Certificates for Shares/Safekeeping
22. Will certificates be issued for shares issued under the Plan?
No. Certificates for shares issued under the Plan will not be furnished unless the participant requests certificates through
the Internet, by telephone or in writing for a specified number of shares credited to their Plan account. All written requests for
certificates should be directed to the Plan Administrator, allowing two weeks for processing. There is a fee for certificate
8
issuance. The issuance of certificates for shares credited to a Plan account will not terminate participation in the Plan. No
certificate for a fractional share will be issued. If the participant terminates participation in the Plan (see Question 29), the Plan
Administrator will sell for the account any fractional share and send a check for the proceeds, valued at the then-current market
price for our common stock, less any applicable services charges, processing fees and any other costs of sale.
23. In whose name will certificates be registered when issued?
The Plan account will be maintained in the name under which you registered, or in the name of the account in which you
owned securities, at the time you became a participant. Certificates for whole shares issued at your request from your Plan
account will be similarly registered.
24. Can stock certificates be deposited into a stockholder’s Plan account for safekeeping?
Yes. A participant can deposit certificate(s) for shares of our common stock into their Plan account. To deposit shares,
send the certificate(s) to the Plan Administrator, at the address provided on page 2 of this prospectus, by registered or certified
mail, with return receipt requested, or some other form of traceable mail, and properly insured. Do not sign the certificate(s) or
complete the assignment section. When submitting certificate(s) for deposit into the Plan account, be sure to include a written
request to have the certificate(s) deposited. Shares that are deposited will be credited in book-entry form to the Plan account.
The advantages of holding shares in book-entry form include protection against certificate loss, theft, and damage.
25. How do I sell or transfer shares in my account?
Participants may sell or transfer shares in their account by contacting the Plan Administrator. Shares may be sold through
a market order, limit order, good-til cancelled limited order or a batch order, depending on how the sale request is submitted.
Market Order: A market order is a request to sell shares promptly at the current market price. Market order sales are only available at www.computershare.com/investor through Investor Centre or by calling the Plan Administrator directly at
1-800-733-5001 (within the United States and Canada) or 1-781-575-2879 (outside the United States and Canada). Market
order sale requests received at www.computershare.com/investor through Investor Centre or by telephone will be placed
promptly upon receipt during market hours (normally 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Any orders received after 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time will be placed promptly on the next day the market is open. The Plan administrator will use commercially
reasonable efforts to honor requests by participants to cancel market orders placed outside of market hours. Depending on the
number of shares being sold and current trading volume in the shares, a market order may only be partially filled or not filled at
all on the trading day in which it is placed, in which case the order, or remainder of the order, as applicable, will be cancelled at
the end of such day. To determine if your shares were sold, you should check your account online at www.computershare.com/
investor or call the Plan administrator directly at 1-800-733-5001 (within the United States and Canada) or 1-781-575-2879
(outside the United States and Canada). If your market order sale was not filled and you still want the shares to be sold, you
will need to re-enter the sale request. The price shall be the market price of the sale obtained by the Plan Administrator’s
broker, less a service charge of $25 and applicable processing fees, currently $0.12 per share.*
Batch Order: A batch order is an accumulation of all sales requests for a security submitted together as a collective
request. Batch orders are submitted on each market day, assuming there are sale requests to be processed. Sale instructions for
batch orders received by the Plan Administrator will be processed no later than five business days after the date on which the
order is received (except where deferral is required under applicable federal or state laws or regulations), assuming the
applicable market is open for trading and sufficient market liquidity exists. Batch order sales are available by writing to the
Plan Administrator. All sales requests received in writing will be submitted as batch order sales. The Plan Administrator will
cause a Participant’s shares to be sold on the open market within five business days of receipt of a request. To maximize cost
savings for batch order sale requests, the Plan Administrator will seek to sell shares in round lot transactions. For this purpose
the Plan Administrator may combine each selling participant’s shares with those of other selling participants. In every case of a
batch order sale, the price to each selling program participant shall be the weighted average sale price obtained by the Plan Administrator’s broker for each aggregate order placed by the Plan Administrator and executed by the broker, less a service
charge of $25 and applicable processing fees, currently $0.12 per share.* Proceeds are normally paid by check, which are
distributed within 24 hours after a Participant’s sale transaction has settled.
Day Limit Order: A day limit order is an order to sell shares when and if they reach a specific trading price on a specific
day. The order is automatically cancelled if the price is not met by the end of that day (or, for orders placed after-market hours,
the next day the market is open). Depending on the number of shares being sold and the current trading volume in the shares,
such an order may only be partially filled, in which case the remainder of the order will be cancelled. The order may be
cancelled by the applicable stock exchange, by the Plan Administrator at its sole discretion or, if the Plan Administrator’s
broker has not filled the order, at your request made online at www.computershare.com/investor or by calling the Plan
9
Administrator directly at 1-800-733-5001 (within the United States and Canada) or 1-781-575-2879 (outside the United States
and Canada). A service fee of $25 and a processing fee of $0.12 per share* sold will be deducted from the sale proceeds.
Good-Til-Cancelled (‘‘GTC’’) Limit Order: A GTC limit order is an order to sell shares when and if the shares reach a
specific trading price at any time while the order remains open (generally up to 30 days). Depending on the number of shares
being sold and current trading volume in the shares, sales may be executed in multiple transactions and over more than one day.
If an order is traded for more than one day during which the market is open, a separate fee will be charged for each
such day. The order (or any unexecuted portion thereof) is automatically cancelled if the trading price is not met by the end of
the order period. The order may be cancelled by the applicable stock exchange, by the Plan Administrator at its sole discretion
or, if the Plan Administrator’s broker has not filled the order, at your request made online at www.computershare.com/investor
or by calling the Plan Administrator directly at 1-800-733-5001 (within the United States and Canada) or 1-781-575-2879
(outside the United States and Canada). A service fee of $25 and a processing fee of $0.12 per share sold* will be deducted
from the sale proceeds.
*All per share fees described in this Question 25 include any brokerage commissions the Plan administrator is required to pay. Any fractional share will be rounded up to a whole share for purposes of calculating the per share fee. All sales requests
processed over the telephone by a customer service representative entail an additional fee of $15.
The Plan Administrator may, for various reasons, require a transaction request to be submitted in writing. Participants
should contact the Plan Administrator to determine if their particular request, including any sales request, must be submitted in
writing. The Plan Administrator reserves the right to decline to process a sale if it determines, in its sole discretion, that
supporting legal documentation is required. In addition, no one will have any authority or power to direct the time or price at
which shares for the Plan are sold and no one, other than the Plan Administrator, will select the broker(s) or dealer(s) through or
from whom sales are to be made.
Dividends and Stock Splits
26. What happens if we issue a stock dividend or declare a stock split?
Any stock dividends or split shares we distribute on shares of our common stock (whole and fractional) with respect to
both certificated and book-entry shares will be credited automatically to the participant’s Plan account in book-entry form.
U.S. Federal Tax Consequences of Acquiring Shares under the Plan
The summary set forth in Questions 27 and 28 below is intended only as a general discussion of the current U.S. federal income tax consequences of participation in the Plan. This discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of
taxation that may be relevant to a particular participant in light of its personal investment circumstances, or to certain types of
participants (including insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, broker-dealers or foreign persons)
subject to special treatment under the federal income tax laws. This discussion is based on various rulings of the Internal
Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding several types of dividend reinvestment plans. No ruling, however, has been issued or
requested regarding the Plan. Additionally, this discussion is not binding upon, nor considered authority by, the IRS or any
court, and no assurance can be provided that the tax treatment discussed below or claimed by any participant in the Plan will
not be successfully challenged by the IRS. THEREFORE, YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT YOUR
OWN TAX ADVISOR IN THIS REGARD. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding stock in a
REIT generally, see the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-Taxation of Stockholders” below.
27. What is the tax treatment of a participant that acquires shares in lieu of cash dividends under the Plan?
Participants who, pursuant to the Plan, receive shares in lieu of the cash distributions to which they would have otherwise been entitled will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having received, on the distribution payment date, a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares as determined by the Board of Directors on the Closing Date. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving a cash distribution, see the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-Taxation of Stockholders” below. The tax basis of the shares issued pursuant to the Plan will equal the amount included in income as a result of the participant’s receipt of such shares.
Distribution payments to a Plan participant will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax to the same extent as a cash
distribution. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving a distribution, see the section entitled “U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations-Taxation of Stockholders” below. In that case, the amount of tax to be withheld will be
deducted from the amount of the cash distribution that would have otherwise been made to the participant and only the reduced
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amount will be reinvested in Plan shares. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
Participants will not realize any taxable income upon receipt of a certificate for whole shares credited to their Plan
account either upon their request for a specified number of shares or upon termination of enrollment in the Plan.
For additional information on the tax consequences of participation in the Plan, please consult your own tax advisor.
28. What is the tax treatment of a participant that acquires shares at a discount through an optional cash
purchase?
The IRS has privately ruled that stockholders who acquire stock at a discount to fair market value pursuant to a stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plan of a REIT will not be treated as receiving dividend income in respect of the discount unless such stockholder also participates in the reinvestment of dividends under such plan. Private letter rulings are not precedent and may not be relied upon by any taxpayer other than the taxpayer to whom the ruling is addressed. Nevertheless, such rulings often reflect the thinking of the IRS at the time of the ruling. Under the analysis adopted by the IRS in those rulings, the tax treatment of a purchase of shares under the Plan with an initial cash purchase by a prospective investor or a cash purchase by an existing stockholder may differ depending on whether the purchaser is participating in the dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan.
If you are not participating in the dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan, you may not be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having received a distribution from us equal to the amount of the discount. In that case, your tax basis in the shares purchased will equal the purchase price for such shares.
On the other hand, if you participate in the dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan, you may be treated for U.S. federal
income tax purposes as having received a distribution from us upon the purchase of shares with a cash purchase in an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the per share fair market value of the purchased shares multiplied by the number of shares
(including any fractional share) purchased, plus any trading fees or service charges that we pay on your behalf, over (ii) the
purchase price of such shares, taking into account any discount. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of
receiving a distribution from us, see the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-Taxation of Stockholders”
below. In the case of participants who are subject to withholding tax in respect of amounts deemed to be received under the
Plan (see above), we or the Plan Administrator will reinvest dividends less the amount of tax required to be withheld. If
withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
If you participate in the dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan, you will receive a tax basis in shares acquired with a
cash purchase equal to the purchase price you paid for the shares plus the amount of income you recognized as a result of any
cash purchase. The holding period for shares (including a fractional share) acquired under the Plan generally will begin on the
day after the shares were acquired.
Modification and Termination
29. What happens if a participant wishes to terminate participation in the Plan?
Participants may terminate participation in the Plan at any time by notifying the Plan Administrator through the Internet,
by telephone or in writing. If the notice to terminate is received by the Plan Administrator near a record date for a dividend or
distribution payment, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may either distribute such dividends in cash or reinvest them
in shares on behalf of the withdrawing Participant. If such dividends are reinvested, the Plan Administrator will process the
withdrawal as soon as practicable, but in no event later than five business days after the reinvestment is completed. Participants
may cancel an optional cash purchase of $10,000 or less by advising the Plan Administrator at least two (2) business days
before the applicable purchase date. The Plan Administrator will return the funds from a canceled purchase without interest as soon as practical. No refund of a check or ACH will be made until the funds have been actually received by the Plan
Administrator. For cash purchases of more than $10,000 per month, see Question 15.
Upon termination of participation, you will receive a Direct Registration System “DRS” statement showing the number
of full shares of our common stock held by the Plan Administrator in book-entry form at no charge. At the same time, you will
receive a check in payment for any fractional shares in your account, valued at the then-current market price of our common
stock, less any applicable processing fees and any other costs of sale. If you prefer, you can request (through the Internet, by
telephone or in writing) that your full shares of our common stock held by the Plan Administrator be sold, and you will receive
a check for the proceeds, valued at the then-current market price of our common stock, less any applicable service charges,
processing fees and any other costs of sale.
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30. May the Plan be amended, suspended or terminated?
We, along with the Plan Administrator, may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Any such amendment,
suspension or termination will be effective upon a designated dividend record date and notice of such amendment, suspension
or termination will be sent to all participants at least thirty (30) days prior to such record date.
If the Plan is terminated, whole shares will continue to be held in book-entry form in your Plan account or distributed in
certificate form at our sole discretion. A cash payment will be made for any fractional share.
Plan Administrator Responsibilities
31. What are the Plan Administrator’s responsibilities under the Plan?
The Plan Administrator will not be liable under the Plan for any act done by the Plan Administrator in good faith or for
any good faith omission to act including, without limitation, any claims for liability (a) arising out of failure to terminate a
participant’s participation in the Plan upon the participant’s death prior to receipt of notice in writing of such death; (b) with
respect to the prices at which shares are purchased or sold for the participant’s account and the time such purchases or sales are
made; and (c) as to any ability to purchase common shares or as to the timing of any purchase; and (d) relating to the value of the shares acquired for the participant’s Plan account.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, imposes certain reporting obligations upon brokers and other
middlemen. As a result, the Plan Administrator will be required to report to the IRS and the participant any sales of stock by the
Plan Administrator on behalf of a participant.
32. What if I have additional questions about the Plan?
Additional questions about the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator. If your shares are held by a Nominee,
contact your Nominee for more information. They can contact the Plan Administrator directly for instructions on how to participate on your behalf.
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
The following is a summary of the rights and preferences of our common stock and related provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (our “Charter”), and Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended (our “Bylaws”). While we believe that the following description covers the material terms of our common stock, the description may not contain all of the information that is important to you. We encourage you to read carefully this entire prospectus, our Charter and Bylaws and the other documents we refer to herein for a more complete understanding of our capital stock. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
General
Our Charter provides that we may issue up to 1,500,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, both having a par value of $0.01 per share. Of these shares of preferred stock, 13,800 shares have been designated as our 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”), 10,350 shares have been designated as our 6.875% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”), 16,100 shares have been designated as our 6.50% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series E Preferred Stock”), and 23,000 shares have been designated as our 6.125% Series F Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series F Preferred Stock”). As of June 10, 2021, 524,907,212 shares of our common stock, 13,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock, 9,400 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock, 16,100 shares of our Series E Preferred Stock, and 23,000 shares of our Series F Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
All shares of common stock offered hereby will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. The statements below describing the common stock are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to our Charter and Bylaws.
Voting Rights
Subject to the restrictions contained in our Charter regarding the transfer and ownership of our capital stock and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of common stock, our common stockholders are entitled to one vote per share. Our common stockholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by all holders of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class; provided, that if the number of nominees for director exceeds the number of directors to be elected at our annual meeting, each director shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Except as otherwise provided by law, amendments to our Charter must be approved by a majority or, in some cases, a super-majority of the combined voting power of all shares of all classes of capital stock, voting together as a single class.
Dividend Rights
Subject to the restrictions contained in our Charter regarding the transfer and ownership of our capital stock, our common stockholders will share ratably (based on the number of common shares held) if and when any dividend is declared by our Board of Directors. Dividends consisting of common stock may be paid only as follows: (i) common stock may be paid only to holders of common stock; and (ii) shares shall be paid proportionally with respect to each outstanding common share.
Liquidation Rights
On our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each of our common stockholders will be entitled to a pro rata dividend of any assets available for dividend to common stockholders.
Other Matters
In the event of our merger or consolidation with or into another company in connection with which shares of common stock are converted into or exchangeable for shares of stock, other securities or property (including cash), all of our common stockholders will be entitled to receive the same kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property (including cash). No shares of our common stock will be subject to redemption or have preemptive rights to purchase additional shares.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Our Capital Stock
In order to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, our shares of capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, no more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares of capital stock may be owned, directly or constructively,
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by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) during the second half of any calendar year.
Our Charter, subject to certain exceptions, contains restrictions on the number of shares of our common stock and our capital stock that a person may own and may prohibit certain entities from owning our shares. Our Charter provides that (subject to certain exceptions described below) no person may beneficially or constructively own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of either our common stock or our capital stock. Pursuant to our Charter, our Board of Directors has the power to increase or decrease the percentage of our common stock and our capital stock that a person may beneficially or constructively own. However, any decreased stock ownership limit will not apply to any person whose percentage ownership of our common stock or our capital stock, as the case may be, is in excess of such decreased stock ownership limit until that person’s percentage ownership of our common stock or our capital stock, as the case may be, equals or falls below the decreased stock ownership limit. Until such a person’s percentage ownership of our common stock or our capital stock, as the case may be, falls below such decreased stock ownership limit, any further acquisition of common stock will be in violation of the decreased stock ownership limit. If our Board of Directors changes the stock ownership limit, it will (i) notify each stockholder of record of any such change, and (ii) publicly announce any such change, in each case at least 30 days prior to the effective date of such change.
Our Charter also prohibits any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT and from transferring shares of our capital stock if the transfer would result in our capital stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons. In addition, no such person may own an interest in any tenant that would cause us to own, actually or constructively, more than a 9.9% interest in such tenant. Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our capital stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership, or who is the intended transferee of shares of our capital stock that are transferred to the trust (as described below), is required to give written notice immediately to us and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our qualification 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 interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
Our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt a person from the foregoing restrictions. The person seeking an exemption must provide to our Board of Directors such conditions, representations and undertakings as our Board of Directors may deem reasonably necessary to conclude that granting the exemption will not cause us to lose our qualification as a REIT. Our Board of Directors may also require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or an opinion of counsel in order to determine or ensure our qualification as a REIT in the context of granting such exemptions.
Any attempted transfer of our capital stock which, if effective, would result in a violation of the foregoing restrictions will cause the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in such shares. The automatic transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day (as defined in our Charter) prior to the date of the transfer. If, for any reason, the transfer to the trust does not occur or would not prevent a violation of the restrictions on ownership contained in our Charter, our Charter provides that the purported transfer will be void ab initio. Shares of our capital stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of our capital stock held in the trust, will have no rights to dividends and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of capital stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of capital stock have been transferred to the trust will be paid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or distribution paid to the trustee will be held in trust for the charitable beneficiary. Subject to Delaware law, the trustee will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by the proposed transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast the vote.
Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will sell the shares to a person designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the above ownership limitations. Upon such 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 proposed transferee and to the charitable beneficiary as follows: the proposed transferee will receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the proposed transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other
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similar transaction), the market price (as defined in our Charter) of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (2) the price received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the proposed transferee will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, prior to our discovery that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the shares are sold by the proposed transferee, then (1) the shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and (2) to the extent that the proposed transferee received an amount for the shares that exceeds the amount the proposed transferee was entitled to receive, the excess shall be paid to the trustee upon demand.
In addition, shares of our capital stock held in the 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 the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of the devise or gift) and the market price on the date we, or our designee, accept the offer. We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares. Upon 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 proposed transferee.
Every owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as required by the Internal Revenue Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) in number or in value of all classes or series of our capital stock, including shares of our common stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, will be required to give written notice to us stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of shares of our capital stock that the owner beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each owner shall provide to us such additional information as we may request to determine the effect, if any, of the beneficial ownership on our qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limitations. In addition, each such owner shall, upon demand, be required to provide to us such information as we may request, in good faith, to determine our qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the 9.8% ownership limitations in our Charter.
These ownership limitations could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and Our Charter and Bylaws
Our Charter and Bylaws contain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board of Directors and that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a future takeover or change in control of our Company unless the takeover or change in control is approved by our Board of Directors. In addition to the above-described restrictions regarding the transfer and ownership of our capital stock, these provisions include the following:
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
Our Charter provides that stockholder action may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting and that stockholder action may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders.
Elimination of the Ability to Call Special Meetings
Our Bylaws provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of our stockholders can only be called by our chief executive officer, pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of our Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors that has been duly designated by the Board of Directors and whose powers and authority include the power to call such meetings, or by the chair of our Board of Directors. Stockholders are not permitted to call a special meeting or to require our Board of Directors to call a special meeting.
Removal of Directors; Board of Directors Vacancies
Our Charter provides that members of our Board of Directors may be removed with or without cause with the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66% of the combined voting power of all the classes of shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Our Bylaws provide that only our Board of Directors may fill vacant directorships. These provisions would prevent a stockholder from gaining control of our Board of Directors by removing incumbent directors and filling the resulting vacancies with such stockholder’s own nominees.
Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws
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The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or DGCL, provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is required to amend or repeal a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws, unless the certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage. Our Charter generally requires the approval of both a majority of the combined voting power of all the classes of shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and a majority of the members of our Board of Directors to amend any provisions of our Charter except that provisions of our Charter relating to the powers, numbers, classes, elections, terms and removal of our directors, as well as the ability to fill vacancies on our Board of Directors requires the affirmative vote of at least 66% of the combined voting power of all the shares of all classes of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. In addition, our Charter (i) grants our Board of Directors the authority to amend and repeal our Bylaws without a stockholder vote in any manner not inconsistent with the DGCL and (ii) requires that stockholders may only amend our Bylaws with the affirmative vote of 66% of the combined voting power of all the shares of all classes of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
The foregoing provisions of our Charter and Bylaws could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our Board of Directors and in the policies formulated by our Board of Directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management or delaying or preventing a transaction that might benefit you or other minority stockholders.
Section 203 of the DGCL
We will not be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the “business combination” or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. In our original certificate of incorporation, we elected not to be bound by Section 203.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our Charter and Bylaws provide indemnification for our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, except that such directors and officers will not be indemnified to the extent that any such person has committed willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard involved in the conduct of such person’s duty to or for us. In addition, as permitted by Delaware law, our Charter includes provisions that eliminate the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages resulting from breaches of certain fiduciary duties as a director. The effect of this provision is to restrict our rights and the rights of our stockholders in derivative suits to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duties as a director, except that a director will be personally liable to the extent such director has committed willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such director’s duties involved in the conduct of the office of director.
We entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and certain of our executive officers in addition to the indemnification provided for in our Charter and Bylaws. These indemnification agreements provide, among other things, that we will indemnify each of our directors and certain of our executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and advance certain expenses, including judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and costs and attorneys’ fees and disbursements, incurred by each of our directors and certain of our executive officers in any claim, action or proceeding arising in his or her capacity as our director or executive officer or in connection with service at our request for another corporation or entity, regardless of, among other things, any amendment to or revocation of our Charter and Bylaws or any change in the composition of our Board of Directors. The indemnification agreements also provide for procedures that will apply in the event that a director or certain executive officers make a claim for indemnification.
These provisions may be held unenforceable for violations of the federal securities laws of the United States.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
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The transfer agent and registrar for our shares of common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The principal business address of Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is P.O. Box 505000, Louisville, Kentucky 40233-5000.
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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to an investment in common stock of AGNC Investment Corp. This summary does not discuss the consequences of an investment in shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares or other securities. The tax consequences of such an investment will be discussed in a relevant prospectus supplement. For purposes of this section under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” references to “AGNC Investment Corp.,” “we,” “our” and “us” mean only AGNC Investment Corp. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code, the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury”), rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as in effect as of the date of this prospectus, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we will operate AGNC Investment Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities in accordance with their applicable organizational documents or partnership agreements. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. The Internal Revenue Code provisions governing the U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs and their stockholders are highly technical and complex, and this summary is qualified in its entirety by the express language of applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof. Moreover, this summary does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:
•Financial institutions;
•Insurance companies;
•Broker-dealers;
•Regulated investment companies;
•Partnerships and trusts;
•Persons who hold our stock on behalf of other persons as nominees;
•Persons who receive AGNC Investment Corp. stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;
•Persons holding AGNC Investment Corp. stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;
•U.S. expatriates;
•Persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;
•Persons subject to the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities;
•Persons who own (actually or constructively) more than 10% of our stock;
and, except to the extent discussed below:
•Tax-exempt organizations; and
•Foreign investors.
This summary assumes that investors will hold their common stock as a capital asset, which generally means as property held for investment.
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK DEPENDS IN SOME INSTANCES ON DETERMINATIONS OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER OF HOLDING OUR COMMON STOCK WILL DEPEND ON THE STOCKHOLDER'S PARTICULAR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR INVESTMENT OR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING, EXCHANGING, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
Taxation of AGNC Investment Corp.
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT, commencing with our initial taxable year ended December 31, 2008. We believe that we have been organized and have operated in such a manner that permits us to satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
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The law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has acted as our tax counsel in connection with the filing of this registration statement. In connection with the filing of this registration statement, we expect to receive an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP to the effect that, commencing with our initial taxable year ended December 31, 2008, we have been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, and that our actual method of operation has enabled, and our proposed method of operation will continue to enable, us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for our taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent taxable years. It must be emphasized that the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our organization, assets, and income, and the past, present and future conduct of our business operations. While we intend to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP or by us that we will qualify as a REIT for any particular year. The opinion is expressed as of the date issued and will not cover subsequent periods. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will have no obligation to advise us or our stockholders of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.
Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on the ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, distribution levels, and diversity of stock and asset ownership, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code, the compliance with which will not be reviewed by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.
Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under “-Requirements for Qualification-General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “-Failure to Qualify.”
Provided that we qualify as a REIT, we will generally be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from investment in a corporation. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon a distribution of dividends to our stockholders.
Most domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate dividends at a reduced maximum rate (the same as long-term capital gains). With limited exceptions, however, dividends from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are generally not eligible for this rate and will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income. However, for taxable years that begin after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026, stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates generally are entitled to a deduction equal to 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary income dividends received from a REIT, subject to certain limitations. See “-Taxation of Stockholders-Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders-Distributions.”
Any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See “-Taxation of Stockholders-Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders-Distributions.”
In any year in which we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:
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| We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains. | |||||
| If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “-Prohibited Transactions,” and “-Foreclosure Property,” below. | |||||
| If we derive “excess inclusion income” from an interest in certain mortgage loan securitization structures (i.e., a “taxable mortgage pool” or a residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit, or REMIC), we could be subject to corporate level U.S. federal income tax at the highest applicable rate to the extent that such income is allocable to specified types of tax-exempt stockholders known as “disqualified organizations” that are not subject to unrelated business income tax. | |||||
| If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate. | |||||
| If we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income. | |||||
| If we should violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to a penalty tax. In that case, the amount of the penalty tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure. | |||||
| If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts that we actually distributed and (ii) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level. | |||||
| We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT's stockholders, as described below in “-Requirements for Qualification-General.” | |||||
| A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) (as described below) that do not reflect arm's-length terms. | |||||
| If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the five-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation. | |||||
| The earnings of our subsidiaries, including any TRS, may be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax to the extent that such subsidiaries are subchapter C corporations. | |||||
In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for Qualification-General
The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;
(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;
(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
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(6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include specified tax-exempt entities); and
(7) which meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.
The Internal Revenue Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporation's initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, was 2008). Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of our stock, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the stock ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above.
To monitor compliance with the stock ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our stock. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the stock (i.e., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our stock and other information.
In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We have adopted December 31 as our year-end, and thereby satisfy this requirement.
The Internal Revenue Code provides relief from violations of the REIT gross income requirements, as described below under “-Income Tests,” in cases where a violation is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, and other requirements are met, including the payment of a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the violation. In addition, certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code extend similar relief in the case of certain violations of the REIT asset requirements (see “-Asset Tests” below) and other REIT requirements, again provided that the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other conditions are met, including the payment of a penalty tax. If we fail to satisfy any of the various REIT requirements, there can be no assurance that these relief provisions would be available to enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, if such relief provisions are available, the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.
Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests. If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership's assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership's income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership's assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the value prong of the 10% asset test, described below, our proportionate share of the partnership's assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.
To the extent we are a limited partner or non-managing member in any partnership or limited liability company and such entity takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below.
Disregarded Subsidiaries. If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is generally disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary's assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), that is directly or indirectly wholly-owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly-owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”
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In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned (for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours) the subsidiary's separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See “-Asset Tests” and “-Income Tests.”
Taxable Subsidiaries. In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly-owned, to treat such subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable corporation generally is subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income (such as management fees or certain income with respect to mortgage servicing rights) or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.
The deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT could be limited under the Code. Accordingly, if we lend money to a TRS, the TRS may be unable to deduct all or a part of the interest paid on that loan, and the lack of an interest deduction could result in a material increase in the amount of tax paid by the TRS. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise 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 intend that all of our transactions with our TRSs will be conducted on an arm's-length basis.
We may hold a significant amount of assets in one or more TRSs, subject to the limitation that securities in TRSs may not represent more than 20% of our assets. In general, we intend that loans that we originate or buy with an intention of selling in a manner that might expose us to a 100% tax on “prohibited transactions” will be originated or sold by a TRS. We anticipate that the TRS through which any such sales are made may be treated as a dealer for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a dealer, the TRS may in general mark all the loans it holds on the last day of each taxable year to their market value, and may recognize ordinary income or loss on such loans with respect to such taxable year as if they had been sold for that value on that day. In addition, the TRS may further elect to be subject to the mark-to-market regime described above in the event that the TRS is properly classified as a “trader” as opposed to a “dealer” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Income Tests
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year (excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions,” discharge of indebtedness, and certain hedging transactions) generally must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including, generally, agency securities and certain other types of mortgage-backed securities), “rents from real property,” dividends received from other REITs, and gains from the sale of real property, mortgages on real property, and shares in other REITs, as well as specified income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, discharge of indebtedness, and certain hedging transactions) must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.
Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that
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the interest is allocable to the real property. In certain cases, personal property collateral securing a loan that we hold may be treated as real property for purposes of the foregoing rules. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.
We intend to continue to invest primarily in agency securities that are either pass-through certificates or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). We expect that the agency securities will be treated either as interests in a grantor trust or as interests in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that all interest income from our agency securities will be qualifying income for the 95% gross income test. In the case of an agency securities treated as interests in grantor trusts, we would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. The interest on such mortgage loans would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by real property, as discussed above. In the case of agency securities treated as interests in a REMIC, income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. If less than 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, some REMIC securitizations include imbedded interest rate swap or cap contracts or other derivative instruments that potentially could produce non-qualifying income for the holder of the related REMIC securities. We expect that substantially all of our income from agency securities will be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.
We purchase and sell agency securities through “to-be-announced” forward contracts (“TBAs”) and recognize income or gains from the disposition of those TBAs, through dollar roll transactions or otherwise, and may continue to do so in the future. While there is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, we treat income and gains from our TBAs as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, based on an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP substantially to the effect that, for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test, any gain recognized by us in connection with the settlement of our TBAs should be treated as gain from the sale or disposition of the underlying agency securities. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition, as noted above, the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is based on various assumptions relating to our TBAs and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such income is not qualifying income. If the IRS were to successfully challenge the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if a sufficient portion of our income consists of income or gains from the disposition of TBAs.
Rents received by us, if any, will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements described above only if several conditions are met. If rent is partly attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property, the portion of the rent that is attributable to the personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property” unless it constitutes 15% or less of the total rent received under the lease. In addition, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. Amounts received as rent, however, generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of gross receipts or sales. Also, rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent that we do not directly or constructively hold a 10% or greater interest, as measured by vote or value, in the lessee's equity.
We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from a REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.
Fees will generally be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross 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. Other fees generally will not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test and will not be favorably counted for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by our TRS will not be included for purposes of the gross income tests. Any income or gain that we or our pass-through subsidiaries derive from instruments that hedge certain risks, such as the risk of changes in interest rates, will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests (i.e., will be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator), provided that specified requirements are met, including the requirement that the instrument is entered into during the ordinary course of our business, the instrument hedges certain specified risks, such as risks associated with indebtedness issued by us or a pass-through subsidiary that is incurred to
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acquire or carry “real estate assets” (as described below under “-Asset Tests”), and the instrument is properly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods. Income and gain from all other hedging transactions will not be qualifying income for either the 95% or 75% gross income test.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, including as a result of income and gains from the disposition of TBAs being treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (1) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (2) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations yet to be issued. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “-Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, the Internal Revenue Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.
Under The Housing and Economic Recovery Tax Act of 2008, the Secretary of the Treasury has been given broad authority to determine whether particular items of gain or income recognized after July 30, 2008, qualify or not under the 75% and 95% gross income tests, or are to be excluded from the measure of gross income for such purposes.
Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy five tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items (including certain money market funds), U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include some kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans, debt instruments (whether or not secured by real property) that are issued by a “publicly offered REIT” (i.e., a REIT that is required to file annual and periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), as well as interests in real property and stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.
Second, the value of any one issuer's securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.
Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer's outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the value prong of the 10% asset test does not apply to “straight debt” having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the value prong of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Internal Revenue Code.
Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold may not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets.
Fifth, no more than 25% of the total value of our assets may be represented by “nonqualified publicly offered REIT debt instruments” (i.e., real estate assets that would cease to be real estate assets if debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs were not included in the definition of real estate assets).
Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by a REIT that is not “publicly offered” may not so qualify (such debt, however, will not be treated as “securities” for purposes of the value prong of the 10% asset test, as explained below).
Certain securities will not cause a violation of the value prong of the 10% asset test described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute “straight debt,” which term generally excludes, among other things, securities having certain contingency features. A security does not qualify as “straight debt” where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuer's outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Internal Revenue Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the value prong of the 10% asset test. Such securities include (1) any
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loan made to an individual or an estate, (2) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (3) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (4) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a non-governmental entity, (5) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT, and (6) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnership's income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under “-Income Tests.” In applying the value prong of the 10% asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REIT's proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership.
We intend to continue to invest primarily in agency securities that are either pass-through certificates or CMOs. We expect that the agency securities will be treated either as interests in grantor trusts or as interests in REMICs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the case of an agency securities treated as interests in grantor trusts, we would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. Such mortgage loans will generally qualify as real estate assets to the extent that they are secured by real property. We expect that substantially all of our agency securities treated as interests in grantor trust will qualify as real estate assets. In the case of agency securities treated as interests in a REMIC, such interests will generally qualify as real estate assets and income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT income tests described above. If less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests.
To the extent that we hold mortgage participations or mortgage-backed securities that do not represent REMIC interests, such assets may not qualify as real estate assets, and the income generated from them might not qualify for purposes of either or both of the REIT income requirements, depending upon the circumstances and the specific structure of the investment. Our ability to invest in those assets may be limited by our intention to qualify as a REIT.
We enter into sale and repurchase agreements under which we nominally sell certain of our investments to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase the sold assets in exchange for a purchase price that reflects a financing charge. We believe that we will generally be treated for REIT asset and income test purposes as the owner of the collateral that is the subject of any such agreement notwithstanding that such agreements may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we did not own such collateral during the term of the sale and repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT.
We purchase and sell agency securities through TBAs and may continue to do so in the future. While there is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of TBAs as real estate assets or Government securities for purposes of the 75% asset test, we treat our TBAs as qualifying assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests, based on an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP substantially to the effect that, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, our ownership of a TBA should be treated as ownership of the underlying agency securities. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In addition, as noted above, the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is based on various assumptions relating to our TBAs and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such assets are not qualifying assets. If the IRS were to successfully challenge the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if a sufficient portion of our assets consists of TBAs.
No independent appraisals have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, values of some assets, including instruments issued in securitization transactions, may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.
However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. One such provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (1) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (2) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (3) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure, and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate, and (4) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.
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In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (1) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT's total assets and $10,000,000, and (2) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.
If we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, including any failure to satisfy the 75% asset test as a result of any investments in TBAs, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (1) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (2) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the market value of our assets. If the condition described in (2) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of relief provisions described below.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
(a) the sum of:
(1) 90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid, and
(2) 90% of our net income, if any, (after tax) from foreclosure property (as described below), minus
(b) the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid.
We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. If we cease to be a “publicly offered REIT,” then in order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITs, and to provide us with a tax deduction, the distributions must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (1) pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class, and (2) in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (b) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.
To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may, subject to limitations, reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the character, in the hands of our stockholders, of any distributions that are actually made as ordinary dividends or capital gains. See “-Taxation of Stockholders-Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders-Distributions.”
If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed, plus (y) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.
It is possible that, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between (a) our actual receipt of cash, including receipt of distributions from any subsidiaries, or the actual payment of deductible expenses and (b) our inclusion of items in income or deduction, as applicable, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, the Code contains various limitations on the deductibility of interest and other expenses and various rules that may accelerate income before the receipt of cash. Other potential sources of non-cash taxable income include:
| loans or mortgage-backed securities held as assets that are issued or purchased at a discount and require the accrual of taxable economic interest in advance of receipt in cash; and | |||||
| loans on which the borrower is permitted to defer cash payments of interest, and distressed loans on which we may be required to accrue taxable interest income even though the borrower is unable to make current servicing payments in cash. | |||||
In the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution requirements, it might be necessary for us to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings, or to pay dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of property. Alternatively, we may declare a taxable distribution payable in cash or stock at the election of each stockholder, where the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed in such distribution may be subject to limitation. In such case, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the distribution paid in stock will be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of stock.
We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. We will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Prohibited Transactions
Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business by us or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument to us. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.
Foreclosure Property
Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that we acquire as the result of having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated, and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. Because we will invest primarily in agency securities, we do not anticipate receiving any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test.
Derivatives and Hedging Transactions
We and our subsidiaries may enter into hedging transactions with respect to interest rate exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, interest rate cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts and options. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into, including gain from the sale, disposition, or termination of such a transaction, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test if we properly identify the transaction as specified in applicable Treasury regulations and we enter into such transaction in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or price changes or currency fluctuations with (1) respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, (2) primarily to manage 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 tests (or any asset that produces such income), or (3) in connection with the extinguishment of indebtedness with respect to which we have entered into a qualified hedging position described in clause (1) or the disposition of property with respect to which we have entered into a qualified hedging position described in clause (2),
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primarily to manage the risks of such hedging positions. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency risk) through our TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of either or both of the REIT gross income tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.
Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the income or 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. Relief provisions are available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in “-Income Tests” and “-Asset Tests.”
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, distributions to most domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates will generally be taxable at capital gains rates. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Internal Revenue Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Taxation of Stockholders
Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders
Distributions. So long as we qualify as a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable domestic stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits that we do not designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taken into account by stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. With limited exceptions, our dividends are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates for qualified dividends received by most domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates from taxable C corporations. Such stockholders, however, are taxed at the preferential rates on dividends designated by and received from REITs to the extent that the dividends are attributable to:
| income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax); | |||||
| dividends received by the REIT from TRSs or other taxable C corporations; or | |||||
| income subject to tax with respect to the prior taxable year from the sales of “built-in gain” property acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income). | |||||
In addition, for taxable years that begin after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are generally entitled to a deduction equal to 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary income dividends received from a REIT (not including capital gain dividends, as described below, or dividends eligible for the reduced rates applicable to “qualified dividend income,” as described above), subject to certain limitations. Under Treasury regulations, in order to qualify for such deduction with respect to a dividend on our shares, a shareholder must hold such shares for more than 45 days during a 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such shares become ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (taking into account certain special holding period rules that may, among other consequences, reduce a shareholder’s holding period during any period in which the shareholder has diminished its risk of loss with respect to the shares). Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to their ability to claim this deduction.
Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxed to our stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the stockholder that receives such distribution has held its stock. We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gains, in which case we may elect to treat our stockholders as having received, solely for tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains, and the stockholders will receive a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gains. See “-Taxation of AGNC Investment Corp.-Annual Distribution Requirements.” Corporate
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stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at reduced maximum federal rates in the case of stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates, and ordinary income rates in the case of stockholders that are corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for taxpayers who are taxed as individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will generally represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that the amount of such distributions does not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholder's shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the stockholder's shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a stockholder's shares, the stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In determining the extent to which a distribution will be treated as being made from our earnings and profits, our earnings and profits will be allocated on a pro rata basis, first to distributions with respect to our preferred stock, and then to our common stock.
In addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may, subject to limitations, reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “-Taxation of AGNC Investment Corp.-Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses generally affect the taxable character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.
Dispositions of AGNC Investment Corp. Stock. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts and estates upon the sale or disposition of our stock will be subject to a reduced maximum U.S. federal income tax rate if the stock is held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates if the stock is held for one year or less. Gains recognized by stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at ordinary income rates, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. Capital losses recognized by a stockholder upon the disposition of our stock that was held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses. Capital losses are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the stockholder as long-term capital gain.
If an investor recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our stock or other securities in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury regulations involving “reportable transactions” could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards “tax shelters,” are broadly written and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Internal Revenue Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. You should consult your tax advisor concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our stock or securities or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions that we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a domestic stockholder of our stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, stockholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our stock. To the extent that distributions we make do not constitute a return of capital or capital gain dividends, they will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.
Medicare Tax. Certain U.S. holders who are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which includes dividends received from us and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of our common stock.
Taxation of Foreign Stockholders
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The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to non-U.S. holders. A “non-U.S. holder” is any person that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is neither a partnership nor any of the following:
| a citizen or resident of the United States; | |||||||||||
| a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; | |||||||||||
| an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or | |||||||||||
| a trust if (1) a United States court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) the trust has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. | |||||||||||
If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.
The following discussion is based on current law, and is for general information only. It addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxation.
In General. For most foreign investors, investment in a REIT that invests principally in mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities is not the most tax-efficient way to invest in such assets. That is because receiving distributions of income derived from such assets in the form of REIT dividends subjects most foreign investors to withholding taxes that direct investment in those asset classes, and the direct receipt of interest and principal payments with respect to them, would not. The principal exceptions are foreign sovereigns and their agencies and instrumentalities, which may be exempt from withholding taxes on REIT dividends under the Internal Revenue Code, and certain foreign pension funds or similar entities able to claim an exemption from withholding taxes on REIT dividends under the terms of a bilateral tax treaty between their country of residence and the United States.
Ordinary Dividends. The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. holders that is (1) payable out of our earnings and profits, (2) not attributable to our capital gains and (3) not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder, will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by treaty.
In general, non-U.S. holders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. holder's investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the same rates and in the same manner as domestic stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such income must generally be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. holder. The income may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation.
Non-Dividend Distributions. Unless our stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (a “USRPI”), distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will generally not be subject to U.S. income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. The non-U.S. holder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If our stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (a) the stockholder's proportionate share of our earnings and profits, plus (b) the stockholder's basis in its stock, will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”), at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a domestic stockholder of the same type (e.g., an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax may be enforced by a refundable withholding tax at a rate of 15% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholder's share of our earnings and profits.
Capital Gain Dividends. Under FIRPTA, a distribution that we make to a non-U.S. holder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, or USRPI capital gains, will, except as described below, be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder and will be subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations, without regard to whether we designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend. See above under “-Taxation of Foreign Stockholders-Ordinary Dividends,” for a
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discussion of the consequences of income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax at a rate equal to the maximum corporate rate (currently 21%) of the maximum amount that could have been designated as USRPI capital gains dividends. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. A distribution is not a USRPI capital gain if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that are attributable to dispositions of our assets other than USRPIs are not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless (1) the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. holder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such gain, or (2) the non-U.S. holder 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. holder will incur a 30% tax on his capital gains.
A capital gain dividend that would otherwise have been treated as a USRPI capital gain will not be so treated or be subject to FIRPTA, and generally will not be treated as income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, and instead will be treated in the same manner as an ordinary dividend (see “-Taxation of Foreign Stockholders-Ordinary Dividends”), if (1) the capital gain dividend is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States, and (2) the recipient non-U.S. holder does not own more than 10% of that class of stock at any time during the year ending on the date on which the capital gain dividend is received. We anticipate that our common stock will continue to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market.
Dispositions of AGNC Investment Corp. Stock. Unless our stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of our stock by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA. Our stock will not be treated as a USRPI if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the United States, excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor. It is not currently anticipated that our stock will constitute a USRPI. However, we cannot assure you that our stock will not become a USRPI.
Even if the foregoing 50% test is not met, our stock nonetheless will not constitute a USRPI if we are a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of value of which is treated as held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders at all times during a specified testing period (after applying certain presumptions regarding the ownership of our stock, as described in Section 897(h)(4)(E) of the Code). We believe that we are, and we will be, a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, and that a sale of our stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, no assurance can be given that we are or will remain a domestically controlled qualified investment entity.
In the event that we are not a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, but our stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market, a non-U.S. holder's sale of our common stock nonetheless would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that the selling non-U.S. holder held 10% or less of our outstanding common stock at all times during the five-year period ending on the date of the sale. We expect that our common stock will continue to be regularly traded on an established securities market.
If gain on the sale of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a domestic stockholder with respect to such gain, and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 15% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.
Gain from the sale of our stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. holder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. holder's investment in our stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. holder, the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as a domestic stockholder with respect to such gain, and a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty), or (2) if the non-U.S. holder 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, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual's capital gain. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our stock (subject to the 10% exception applicable to “regularly traded” stock described above), a non-U.S. holder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI if the non-U.S. holder (1) disposes of our common stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (2) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our common stock within 30 days after such ex-dividend date.
Special FIRPTA Rules. Special rules under FIRPTA create certain exemptions form FIRPTA and otherwise modify the application of the foregoing FIRPTA rules for particular types of non-U.S. investors, including “qualified foreign pension funds” and their wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries and certain widely held, publicly traded “qualified collective investment
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vehicles.” Non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of these or any other special FIRPTA rules to their particular investment in our common stock.
Other Withholding Rules. Legislation known as “FATCA” and existing guidance issued thereunder will require withholding at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of our common stock held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to shares in, or accounts maintained by, the institution to the extent such shares or accounts are held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments. Accordingly, the entity through which our common stock is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of our common stock held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (1) certifies that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (2) provides certain information regarding the entity's “substantial United States owners,” which the applicable withholding agent will in turn provide to the Secretary of the Treasury. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance, may modify these requirements. We will not pay any additional amounts to stockholders in respect of any amounts withheld. Non-U.S. holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of the legislation on their investment in our common stock.
Estate Tax. If our stock is owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) of the United States at the time of such individual's death, the stock will be includable in the individual's gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise, and may therefore be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.
Non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning AGNC Investment Corp. stock.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders
Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt stockholder has not held our stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder), and (2) our stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions that we make and income from the sale of our stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt stockholder.
Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Internal Revenue Code are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to characterize distributions that we make as UBTI.
In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends as UBTI if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) we are required to “look through” one or more of our pension trust stockholders in order to satisfy the REIT “closely-held” test, and (2) either (i) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (ii) one or more pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of the value of our stock. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock generally should prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock and generally should prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.
Tax-exempt stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning AGNC Investment Corp. stock.
Other Tax Considerations
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the Treasury, which may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. For example, the Biden administration has indicated that it intends to modify key aspects of the Internal
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Revenue Code, including increasing corporate and individual tax rates. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our common stock.
State, Local and Foreign Taxes
We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside and may be required to file tax returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. We may pay foreign property taxes, and dispositions of foreign property or operations involving, or investments in, foreign property may give rise to foreign income or other tax liability in amounts that could be substantial. Any foreign taxes that we incur do not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our stock.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Plan allows for shares of our common stock to be purchased and dividends to be reinvested into shares of our common stock acquired by the Plan Administrator either on the market or through receipt of newly issued shares of common stock from us. We will pay all administrative costs associated with the reinvestment of dividends under the Plan, including any brokerage fees and commissions on shares purchased on the market. Brokerage commissions and certain fees related to the optional cash purchase part of the Plan shall be borne by the Plan participants.
In connection with the administration of the Plan, we may be requested to approve investments made pursuant to Requests for Waivers by or on behalf of participants or other investors who may be engaged in the securities business. Persons who acquire shares of our common stock through the Plan and resell them shortly after acquiring them, including coverage of short positions, under certain circumstances, may be participating in a distribution of securities that would require compliance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and may be considered to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. We will not extend to any such person any rights or privileges other than those to which they would be entitled as a participant, nor will we enter into any agreement with any such person regarding the resale or distribution by any such person of the shares of our common stock so purchased.
Our common stock may not be available under the Plan in all states or jurisdictions. We are not making an offer to sell our common stock in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
LEGAL MATTERS
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP, New York, New York will provide opinions regarding the authorization and validity of the common stock offered hereby and certain U.S. federal income tax matters.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of AGNC Investment Corp. appearing in AGNC Investment Corp.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the effectiveness of AGNC Investment Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on their reports given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to you, free of charge, on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also obtain additional information by visiting our website at http://www.AGNC.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of this prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus which has been previously filed, which means that we can 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 for any information superseded by information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have filed the documents listed below with the SEC (File No. 001-34057) under the Exchange Act and these documents are incorporated herein by reference:
i.our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed on February 26, 2021;
ii.our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2021, filed on May 7, 2021;
iii.our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on January 22, 2021, March 11, 2021, April 23, 2021 and April 28, 2021;
iv.the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on March 12, 2021;
v.the description of our common stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on May 9, 2008, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description;
vi.the description of our depositary shares representing our 7.00% Series C Preferred Stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on August 18, 2017, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description;
vii.the description of our depositary shares representing our 6.875% Series D Preferred Stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on March 6, 2019, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description;
viii.the description of our depositary shares representing our 6.50% Series E Preferred Stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on October 3, 2019, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and
ix.the description of our depositary shares representing our 6.125% Series F Preferred Stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on February 11, 2020, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents that we file (but not those that we furnish) with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus, and any previously filed document. In addition, all documents that we file (but not those that we furnish) with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of shares hereby will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any previously filed document.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus (other than the exhibits to such documents which are not specifically incorporated by reference herein); we will provide this information at no cost to the requester upon written or oral request to AGNC Investment Corp., 2 Bethesda Metro Center, 12th Floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, telephone number (301) 968-9300.
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AGNC Investment Corp. Dividend Reinvestment and
Direct Stock Purchase Plan
21,740,000 Shares
Common Stock
______________________________
P R O S P E C T U S
______________________________
Dated: June 11, 2021
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PART II .
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. | ||||
The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses expected to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the shares of common stock of AGNC Investment Corp. (the “Registrant”) being registered, all of which are being borne by the Registrant.
| SEC registration fee | * | ||||
| Printing and engraving expenses | ** | ||||
| Legal fees and expenses | ** | ||||
| Accounting fees and expenses | ** | ||||
| Miscellaneous | ** | ||||
| Total | — | ||||
* Deferred pursuant to Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act, except for the registration fees applied in accordance with Rule 415(a)(6) as described herein in footnote (5) to the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table.
** These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.
| Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers | ||||
Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of a director of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock purchase or redemption in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides, among other things, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding. The power to indemnify applies (i) if such person is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding or (ii) if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right of the corporation as well, but only to the extent of defense expenses (including attorneys’ fees but excluding amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by the indemnified person and not to any satisfaction of judgment or settlement of the claim itself, and with the further limitation that in such actions no indemnification shall be made in the event such person is adjudged liable to the corporation unless a court believes that in light of all the circumstances indemnification should apply.
Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides, among other things, that a director who willfully and negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the time may avoid liability by causing his dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time the action occurred or immediately after the absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.
Article Seventh of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our directors shall not be personally liable to us and our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of certain fiduciary duties as a director, except for liability to the extent such director has committed willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such director’s duties involved in the conduct of the office of director. Our Charter and Bylaws provide that we may indemnify any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of us to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The indemnification provisions contained in our Charter and Bylaws are not exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. We have entered into separate indemnification
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agreements with each of our directors and certain of our executive officers in addition to the indemnification provided for in our Charter and Bylaws. These indemnification agreements provide, among other things, that we will indemnify each of our directors and certain of our executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and advance certain expenses to such indemnitee.
| Item 16. | Financial Statements and Exhibits | ||||
The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement, which are incorporated herein:
| Exhibit | Description | ||||
| *1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | ||||
| **4.1 | |||||
| **4.2 | |||||
| **4.3 | |||||
| **4.4 | |||||
| **4.5 | |||||
| **4.6 | |||||
| **4.7 | |||||
| **4.8 | Deposit Agreement relating to 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, dated August 22, 2017, among AGNC Investment Corp., Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., jointly as depositary, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057), filed August 22, 2017. | ||||
| **4.9 | |||||
| **4.10 | |||||
| **4.11 | |||||
| **4.12 | |||||
| **4.13 | |||||
| **4.14 | |||||
| **4.15 | |||||
| **4.16 | |||||
| *4.17 | Form of Debt Security. | ||||
| **4.18 | |||||
| *4.19 | Form of Depositary Receipt. | ||||
| 5.1 | |||||
| 8.1 | |||||
| 23.1 | |||||
| 23.2 | |||||
| 23.3 | |||||
| 24.1 | |||||
| 25.1 | |||||
_________________
| * | To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of the Securities. | ||||
| ** | Previously filed. | ||||
| 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, or the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the 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 the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in 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 (the “Exchange Act”) that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
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(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(i) each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of the registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of 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 a Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of an 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 of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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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 Bethesda, State of Maryland, on June 11, 2021.
| AGNC INVESTMENT CORP. | |||||
| By: | /s/ Kenneth L. Pollack | ||||
| Name: | Kenneth L. Pollack | ||||
| Title: | Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and and Secretary | ||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | |||||||||
| /s/ Gary D. Kain | Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer | June 11, 2021 | |||||||||
| Gary D. Kain | (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||||
| /s/ Bernice E. Bell | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | June 11, 2021 | |||||||||
| Bernice E. Bell | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||||||||||
| * | Director | June 11, 2021 | |||||||||
| Donna J. Blank | |||||||||||
| * | Director | June 11, 2021 | |||||||||
| Morris A. Davis | |||||||||||
| * | Director | June 11, 2021 | |||||||||
| John D. Fisk | |||||||||||
| * | Director | June 11, 2021 | |||||||||
| Prue B. Larocca | |||||||||||
| * | Director | June 11, 2021 | |||||||||
| Paul E. Mullings | |||||||||||
| * | Director | June 11, 2021 | |||||||||
| Frances R. Spark | |||||||||||
| * By: | /s/ Kenneth L. Pollack | |||||||
| Attorney-in-fact | ||||||||
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Exhibit 5.1
[LETTERHEAD OF SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP]
June 11, 2021
AGNC Investment Corp.
2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Re: AGNC Investment Corp.
Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special United States counsel to AGNC Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), which may be issued in one or more series, (iii) depositary receipts (the “Receipts”) representing fractional shares of Preferred Stock, which are called depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”) and which may be issued pursuant to one or more depositary agreements (each, a “Depositary Agreement”) proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more bank or trust companies to be named in the applicable Depositary Agreement (each, a “Bank Depositary”), (iv) debt securities of the Company (“Debt Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series under an indenture between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (together with any supplement thereto establishing the terms of any series of the Debt Securities, the “Indenture”), and (v) such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be issued upon conversion of any Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (collectively, “Indeterminate Securities”). The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities and Indeterminate Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”
AGNC Investment Corp.
June 11, 2021
Page 2
This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:
(a) the Registration Statement;
(b) the form of Depositary Agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;
(c) the form of the Indenture filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;
(d) a copy of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of June 11, 2021 and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate (as defined below);
(e) a copy of the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated By-laws, as amended and in effect as of the date hereof, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;
(f) a copy of certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company, adopted on April 22, 2021, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate; and
(g) an executed copy of a certificate of Kenneth L. Pollack, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, dated the date hereof (the “Secretary’s Certificate”).
We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials, including the facts and conclusions set forth in the Secretary’s Certificate.
AGNC Investment Corp.
June 11, 2021
Page 3
We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (i) the laws of the State of New York, and (ii) the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on Law”).
As used herein, “Transaction Documents” means the Depositary Agreements, the Indenture and the supplemental indentures thereto and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement.
The opinions stated in paragraphs 1 through 4 below presume that all of the following (collectively, the “general conditions”) shall have occurred prior to the issuance of the Securities referred to therein: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement or term sheet with respect to such Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (iii) the applicable Transaction Documents shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, including, if such Securities are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement or purchase agreement with respect thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors of the Company, including any duly authorized committee thereof, shall have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and sale of such Securities and related matters and appropriate officers of the Company shall have taken all related action as directed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company; and (v) the terms of the applicable Transaction Documents and the issuance and sale of such Securities have been duly established in conformity with the certificate of incorporation of the Company so as not to violate any applicable law, the certificate of incorporation of the Company or the bylaws of the Company, or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:
1.With respect to any shares of Common Stock offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Common Stock (the “Offered Common Stock”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) if the Offered Common Stock is to be certificated, certificates in the form required under the DGCL representing the shares of Offered Common Stock are duly executed and countersigned and (c) the shares of Offered Common Stock are registered in the Company's share registry and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the shares of Offered Common Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than $0.01 per share of Common Stock.
AGNC Investment Corp.
June 11, 2021
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2.With respect to the shares of any series of Preferred Stock offered by the Company (the “Offered Preferred Stock”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Board of Directors of the Company, or a duly authorized committee thereof, has duly adopted a Certificate of Designations for the Offered Preferred Stock in accordance with the DGCL (the “Certificate”), (c) the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware has duly occurred, (d) if the Offered Preferred Stock is to be certificated, certificates in the form required under the DGCL representing the shares of Offered Preferred Stock are duly executed and countersigned and (e) the shares of Offered Preferred Stock are registered in the Company's share registry and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the shares of Offered Preferred Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than $0.01 per share of Preferred Stock.
3.With respect to any Depositary Shares offered by the Company (the “Offered Depositary Shares”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Preferred Stock relating to such Offered Depositary Shares has been duly authorized for issuance by the Company; (c) the Offered Depositary Shares have been duly executed, delivered, countersigned, issued and sold in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Depositary Agreement, and the Offered Depositary Shares have been delivered to the Bank Depositary for deposit in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement; and (d) the Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares have been duly issued against deposit of the related shares of Preferred Stock with the Bank Depositary in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement, such Depositary Agreement will constitute a legally valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
4.With respect to any series of Debt Securities offered by the Company (the “Offered Debt Securities”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Indenture has been qualified under the Truit Indenture Act of 1939, (c) the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters have been approved and established in conformity with the applicable Transaction Documents and (d) the certificates evidencing the Offered Debt Securities have been issued in a form that complies with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents and have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and any other applicable Transaction Documents and issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
The opinions stated herein are subject to the following qualifications:
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(a) we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws or governmental orders affecting creditors' rights generally, and the opinions stated herein are limited by such laws and orders and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);
(b) we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;
(c) we have assumed that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Documents, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms;
(d) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Documents relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provision purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations;
(e) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision of any Transaction Documents to the extent that such section purports to bind the Company to the exclusive jurisdiction of any particular federal court or courts;
(f) we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Documents, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Documents;
(g) we have assumed that any agent of service will have accepted appointment as agent to receive service of process and call to your attention that we do not express any opinion if and to the extent such agent shall resign such appointment. Further, we do not express any opinion with respect to the irrevocability of the designation of such agent to receive service of process;
(h) we have assumed that the choice of New York law to govern the Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto is a valid and legal provision;
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(i) we have assumed that the laws of the State of New York will be chosen to govern any Depositary Agreements and that such choice is and will be a valid and legal provision;
(j) we have assumed that the Indenture will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the trustee in substantially the form reviewed by us; and
(k) to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Documents, the opinions stated herein are subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity and constitutionality.
In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have assumed that:
1.neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities: (i) constitutes or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Company or its property is subject, (ii) contravenes or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject, or (iii) violates or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iii) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and
2.neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities, requires or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.
We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Exhibit 8.1
[LETTERHEAD OF SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP]
June 11, 2021
AGNC Investment Corp.
2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor
2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Re: Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion concerning certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to AGNC Investment Corp. (f/k/a American Capital Agency Corp.), a Delaware corporation (“AGNC”), in connection with the filing by AGNC of a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Registration Statement”). We have acted as tax counsel to AGNC in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Registration Statement and such other documentation and information provided to us by AGNC as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth herein. In addition, AGNC has provided us with, and we are relying upon, a certificate containing certain factual statements, factual representations and covenants of officers of AGNC (the “Officers’ Certificate”) relating to, among other things, the actual and proposed operations of AGNC and the entities in which it holds, or has held, a direct or indirect interest (collectively, the “Company”). Although we are not aware of any facts inconsistent with the statements, representations and covenants in the Officers’ Certificate, we have not independently verified the facts, statements, representations and covenants set forth in the Officers’ Certificate, the Registration Statement, or in any other document. In particular, we note that the Company may engage in transactions in connection with which we have not provided legal advice, and have not reviewed, and of which we may be unaware. Consequently, we have relied on AGNC’s representation that the statements, representations, and covenants presented in the Officers’ Certificate and the Registration Statement accurately and completely describe all material facts relevant to such statements, representations, and covenants. We have assumed that all such facts, statements, representations and covenants are true without regard to any qualification as to knowledge, belief, intent, materiality, or otherwise. Our opinion is conditioned on the continuing accuracy and completeness of such facts, statements, representations and covenants. Any material change or inaccuracy in the facts, statements, representations, and covenants referred to, set forth, or assumed herein or in the Officers’ Certificate may affect our conclusions set forth herein.
AGNC Investment Corp.
June 11, 2021
Page 2
In our review of certain documents in connection with our opinion as expressed below, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic, or electronic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. Where documents have been provided to us in draft form, we have assumed that the final executed versions of such documents will not differ materially from such drafts.
Our opinion is also based on the correctness of the following assumptions: (i) AGNC and each of the entities comprising the Company has been and will continue to be operated in accordance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which they were formed and in the manner described in the relevant organizational documents, (ii) there will be no changes in the applicable laws of the State of Delaware or of any other jurisdiction under the laws of which any of the entities comprising the Company have been formed, and (iii) each of the written agreements to which the Company is a party has been and will be implemented, construed and enforced in accordance with its terms.
In rendering our opinion, we have considered and relied upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder (“Regulations”), administrative rulings and other Treasury interpretations of the Code and the Regulations by the courts and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), all as they exist at the date hereof. It should be noted that the Code, Regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases for our opinion could affect our conclusions set forth herein. There can be no assurance, moreover, that our opinion will be accepted by the IRS, or, if challenged, by a court.
We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal laws of the United States. We express no opinion on any issue relating to AGNC or any investment therein, other than as expressly stated herein.
Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, commencing with AGNC’s initial taxable year that ended on December 31, 2008, AGNC has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under the Code, and its actual method of operation through the date of this letter has enabled, and its proposed method of operation will continue to enable, it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for its taxable year ending December 31, 2021 and subsequent years.
AGNC Investment Corp.
June 11, 2021
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As noted in the Registration Statement, AGNC’s qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual operating results, certain requirements relating to the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, its distribution levels and the diversity of its stock ownership, and various other qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which are not reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of AGNC’s operations for any one taxable year will satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Code.
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement. We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP under the headings “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof, or the impact of any information, document, certificate, record, statement, representation, covenant, or assumption relied upon herein that becomes incorrect or untrue.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-XXXXX) and related Prospectuses of AGNC Investment Corp. for the registration of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and depositary shares and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 26, 2021, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of AGNC Investment Corp., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of AGNC Investment Corp., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Tysons, Virginia
June 11, 2021
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned directors and officers of AGNC Investment Corp., a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby constitute and appoint Peter Federico, Kenneth Pollack and Kasey Reisman and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone), his/her true and lawful attorneys‑in‑fact and agents for him/her and on his/her behalf and in his/her name, place and stead, in all cases with full power of substitution and resubstitution, in any hand and all capacities, to sign, execute and affix his/her seal to and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any other governmental or regulatory authority) the Corporation’s Form S-3 Registration Statement, and all amendments or supplements thereto with all exhibits and any and all documents required to be filed with respect thereto, and grants to each of them full power and authority to do and to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully and to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys‑in‑fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned directors and/or officers have hereunto set his/her hand and seal, as of the date specified.
| AGNC INVESTMENT CORP. | |||||
| Dated: June 10, 2021 | /s/ Gary Kain | ||||
| Gary Kain | |||||
| Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Investment Officer | |||||
| Signature | Title | Date | ||||||
/s/ Gary D. Kain | Director, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Investment Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | June 10, 2021 | ||||||
| Gary D. Kain | ||||||||
| /s/ Donna J. Blank | Director | June 10, 2021 | ||||||
| Donna J. Blank | ||||||||
/s/ Morris A. Davis | Director | June 10, 2021 | ||||||
| Morris A. Davis | ||||||||
/s/ John D. Fisk | Director | June 10, 2021 | ||||||
| John D. Fisk | ||||||||
/s/ Prue B. Larocca | Director | June 10, 2021 | ||||||
| Prue B. Larocca | ||||||||
/s/ Paul E. Mullings | Director | June 10, 2021 | ||||||
| Paul E. Mullings | ||||||||
/s/ Frances R. Spark | Director | June 10, 2021 | ||||||
| Frances R. Spark | ||||||||
Exhibit 25.1
_____________________________________________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER
THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of
a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) 
_______________________________________________________
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)
31-0841368
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
800 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota | 55402 | ||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||
Monique L. Green
U.S. Bank National Association
1021 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 343-1566
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
AGNC Investment Corp.
(Issuer with respect to the Securities)
| Delaware | 26-1701984 | ||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||
2 Bethesda Metro Center, 12th Floor Bethesda. MD | 20814 | ||||
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||
Debt Securities
(Title of the Indenture Securities)
FORM T-1
Item 1. GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee.
a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
Comptroller of the Currency
Washington, D.C.
b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
Yes
Item 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.
None
Items 3-15 Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee's knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.
Item 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification.
1. A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee.*
2. A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2.
3. A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, attached as Exhibit 3.
4. A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee.**
5. A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable.
6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6.
7. Report of Condition of the Trustee as of March 31, 2021 published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.
* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to Amendment No. 2 to registration statement on S-4, Registration Number 333-128217 filed on November 15, 2005.
** Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to registration statement on form S-3ASR, Registration Number 333-199863 filed on November 5, 2014.
2
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the Richmond, State of Virginia on the 2nd of June, 2021.
| By: | /s/ Monique L. Green | ||||
| Name: | Monique L. Green | ||||
| Title: | Vice President | ||||
3
Exhibit 2
4
Exhibit 3
5
Exhibit 6
CONSENT
In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.
Dated: June 2, 2021
| By: | /s/ Monique L. Green | ||||
| Name: | Monique L. Green | ||||
| Title: | Vice President | ||||
6
Exhibit 7
U.S. Bank National Association
Statement of Financial Condition
As of 3/31/2021
($000’s)
3/31/2021
Assets Cash and Balances Due From $ 43,386,652
Depository Institutions
Securities 154,609,348
Federal Funds 0
Loans & Lease Financing Receivables 297,075,286
Fixed Assets 6,148,452
Intangible Assets 13,371,986
Other Assets 27,974,559
Total Assets $542,566,283Liabilities
Deposits $444,618,948
Fed Funds 1,321,015
Treasury Demand Notes 0
Trading Liabilities 1,231,176
Other Borrowed Money 27,466,875
Acceptances 0
Subordinated Notes and Debentures 3,350,000
Other Liabilities 13,255,984
Total Liabilities $491,243,998Equity
Common and Preferred Stock 18,200
Surplus 14,266,915
Undivided Profits 36,236,966
Minority Interest in Subsidiaries 800,204
Total Equity Capital $51,322,285Total Liabilities and Equity Capital $542,566,283
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