<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 5, 2000
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION RHODE ISLAND 05-0341324
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VI DELAWARE 04-6861970
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VII DELAWARE 04-6861971
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VIII DELAWARE 04-6861972
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST IX DELAWARE 04-6874162
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST X DELAWARE 04-6874161
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) INCORPORATION OR IDENTIFICATION NO.)
ORGANIZATION)
</TABLE>
------------------------
ONE FEDERAL STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110
(617) 346-4000
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
WILLIAM C. MUTTERPERL, ESQ. GARY A. SPIESS, ESQ.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY SENIOR DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY
ONE FEDERAL STREET FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110 100 FEDERAL STREET
(617) 346-4000 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110
(617) 434-2870
</TABLE>
(NAMES, ADDRESSES, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS, INCLUDING AREA
CODE, OF AGENTS FOR SERVICE)
------------------------
COPIES TO:
JANICE B. LIVA, ESQ.
DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
100 FEDERAL STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110
(617) 434-8630
------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by
market conditions.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registrations statement
for the same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [X]
------------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
(See next page)
------------------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed maximum Proposed maximum
Title of each class Amount to be offering price aggregate offering Amount of
of securities to be registered registered(1) per unit(2) price(3) registration fee
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Debt Securities(4).......................... (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per
share(6)(7)............................... (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depositary Shares(7)........................ (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share(8).................................. (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warrants(9)................................. (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Securities of Fleet Capital Trust
VI(10).................................... (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Securities of Fleet Capital Trust
VII(10)................................... (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Securities of Fleet Capital Trust
VIII(10).................................. (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Securities of Fleet Capital Trust
IX(10).................................... (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Securities of Fleet Capital Trust
X(10)..................................... (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guarantees by FleetBoston Financial
Corporation of the above-reference
preferred securities(11).................. (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Junior Subordinated Debentures of
FleetBoston Financial Corporation(10)..... (5) (5) (5) (5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................... 100% $3,000,000,000(12) $3,000,000,000(12) $792,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) This Registration Statement also registers, where required, an
indeterminate amount of securities to be sold by affiliates of FleetBoston
Financial Corporation ("FleetBoston") in market-making transactions.
(2) The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined from time
to time by FleetBoston in connection with the issuance by FleetBoston of
the securities registered hereunder.
(3) The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated solely for
the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o)
under the Securities Act of 1933.
(4) Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered hereunder an
indeterminate principal amount of Debt Securities as may be sold, from time
to time, by the Registrant.
(5) Not applicable pursuant to General Instructions II.D. of Form S-3.
(6) Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered hereunder an
indeterminate number of shares of Preferred Stock as may be sold, from time
to time, by the Registrant.
(7) Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered hereunder an
indeterminate number of Depositary Shares to be evidenced by Depositary
Receipts issued pursuant to a Deposit Agreement. In the event FleetBoston
elects to offer to the public fractional interests in shares of Preferred
Stock registered hereunder, Depositary Receipts will be distributed to
those persons purchasing such fractional interests and the shares of
Preferred Stock will be issued to the Depositary under the Deposit
Agreement.
(8) Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered hereunder an
indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be sold, from time to
time, by FleetBoston. There are also being registered hereunder an
indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as shall be issuable upon
conversion or redemption of Preferred Stock or Debt Securities registered
hereunder. Such Common Stock includes preferred share purchase rights.
(9) Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered hereunder an
indeterminate amount and number of Warrants, representing rights to
purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock registered
hereunder.
(10) Subject to note (12) below, there is being registered hereunder an
indeterminate number of Preferred Securities of Fleet Capital Trust VI,
Fleet Capital Trust VII, Fleet Capital Trust VIII, Fleet Capital Trust IX
and Fleet Capital Trust X (collectively, the "Trusts") and an indeterminate
principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures of FleetBoston. A like
amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures may be issued and sold by
FleetBoston to any of the Trusts, in which event such Junior Subordinated
Debentures may later be distributed for no additional consideration to the
holders of the Preferred Securities of such Trust upon a dissolution of
such Trust and the distribution of the assets thereof.
(11) Includes the rights of holders of the Preferred Securities under the
Guarantee and certain back-up undertakings, comprised of the obligations of
FleetBoston under the Declaration of Trust of each Trust as borrower under
the Junior Subordinated Debentures, to provide certain indemnities in
respect of, and pay and be responsible for certain costs, expenses, debts
and liabilities of, each Trust (other than with respect to the Preferred
Securities) and such obligations of FleetBoston as set forth in the
Declaration of Trust of each Trust and the Subordinated Indenture, in each
case as amended from time to time and as further described in the
Registration Statement. The Guarantee, when taken together with
FleetBoston's obligations under the Junior Subordinated Securities, the
Indenture and the Declaration of Trust, will provide a full and
unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by FleetBoston of payments
due on the Preferred Securities. No separate consideration will be received
for any Guarantees or such back-up obligations.
(12) In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of all securities
issued from time to time pursuant to this Registration Statement exceed
$3,000,000,000 or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies,
foreign currency units, or composite currencies. If Debt Securities are
issued at original issue discount, FleetBoston may issue such higher
principal amount as may be sold for an initial public offering price of up
to $3,000,000,000 (less the dollar amount of any securities previously
issued hereunder), or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign
currencies, foreign currency units, or composite currencies. The aggregate
amount of Common Stock registered hereunder is further limited to that
which is permissible under Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933.
The securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with
other securities registered hereunder.
------------------------
<PAGE> 3
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement contains three forms of Prospectus: (a) one to
be used in connection with the offering and sale of Debt Securities, and
Warrants to purchase Debt Securities, including any Preferred Stock, Depositary
Shares and Common Stock into which the Debt Securities may be convertible; (b)
one to be used in connection with the offering and sale of Preferred Stock,
Depositary Shares and Common Stock, and Warrants to purchase such Securities,
including any such shares into which the Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares
may be convertible; and (c) one to be used in connection with the offering and
sale of Preferred Securities issued by Delaware statutory business trusts, the
common securities of which are owned by FleetBoston.
This Registration Statement also contains a form of Prospectus Supplement
to be used in connection with the offering and sale of Preferred Securities.
<PAGE> 4
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE
MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT
AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY
THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 5, 2000
PROSPECTUS
[FLEET BOSTON LOGO]
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FleetBoston Financial Corporation may offer and sell --
- -- Debt Securities
- -- Warrants
We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this
prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before
you invest.
A security is not a deposit and the securities are not insured or guaranteed by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
This prospectus may be used to offer and sell securities only if accompanied by
the prospectus supplement for those securities.
NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED THESE
SECURITIES OR DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is , 2000.
<PAGE> 5
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
We may provide information to you about the securities we are offering in
three separate documents that progressively provide more detail:
- This prospectus, which provides general information, some of which may
not apply to your securities;
- the accompanying prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of the
securities, some of which may not apply to your securities; and
- if necessary, a pricing supplement, which describes the specific terms of
your securities.
IF THE TERMS OF YOUR SECURITIES VARY BETWEEN THE PRICING SUPPLEMENT, THE
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, YOU SHOULD RELY ON THE
INFORMATION IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER OF PRIORITY:
- THE PRICING SUPPLEMENT, IF ANY;
- THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT; AND
- THE PROSPECTUS.
We include cross-references in this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement to captions in these materials where you can find further
related discussions. The following Table of Contents and the Table of Contents
included in the accompanying prospectus supplement provide the pages on which
these captions are located.
------------------------
Unless indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, neither we nor
the underwriters have taken any action that would permit us to publicly sell
these securities in any jurisdiction outside the United States. If you are an
investor outside the United States, you should inform yourself about and comply
with any restrictions as to the offering of the securities and the distribution
of this prospectus.
<PAGE> 6
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
About This Prospectus.............. 2
Where You Can Find More
Information...................... 2
Forward-looking Statements......... 4
FleetBoston Financial
Corporation...................... 5
Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to
Fixed Charges.................... 5
Use of Proceeds.................... 6
Regulation and Supervision......... 6
Recent Legislation............... 7
Future Legislation............... 7
Description of Debt Securities..... 7
General.......................... 8
Registration and Transfer........ 9
Payment and Place of Payment..... 9
Global Securities................ 10
Events of Default................ 10
Modification and Waiver.......... 11
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of
Assets........................ 12
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Regarding the Trustee............ 12
International Offering........... 13
Senior Debt Securities............. 13
Restrictive Covenants............ 13
Defeasance....................... 14
Subordinated Debt Securities....... 15
Subordination.................... 15
Restrictive Covenants............ 16
Description of Warrants............ 17
Offered Warrants................. 17
Further Information in Prospectus
Supplement.................... 17
Significant Provisions of the
Warrant Agreements............ 18
Plan of Distribution............... 20
Experts............................ 21
Legal Opinions..................... 21
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 7
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the "SEC," utilizing a "shelf" registration
process. Under this shelf process, we may from time to time sell any combination
of the debt securities or warrants described in this prospectus in one or more
offerings up to a total dollar amount of $3,000,000,000. We may also sell other
securities under the registration statement that will reduce the total dollar
amount of securities that we may sell under this prospectus. This prospectus
provides you with a general description of the debt securities or warrants we
may offer. Each time we sell debt securities or warrants, we will provide a
prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of
that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change
information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus
and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described
under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all
references in this prospectus to "FLEETBOSTON," "WE," "US," "OUR" or similar
references mean FleetBoston Financial Corporation.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities
Act of 1933 that registers, among other securities, the offer and sale of the
securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the
attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about
us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit certain information
included in the registration statement from this prospectus.
In addition, we file reports, proxy statements and other information with
the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy this
information at the following locations of the SEC:
Public Reference Room
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Room 1024
Washington, D.C. 20549
Northeast Regional Office
7 World Trade Center
Suite 1300
New York, New York 10048
Midwest Regional Office
500 West Madison Street
Suite 1400
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511
You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington,
D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
The SEC also maintains an internet world wide web site that contains
reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, who file
electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is:
http://www.sec.gov.
You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about
us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005 and the Boston Stock Exchange, 100 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110.
The SEC allows us to "INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE" information into this
prospectus. This 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 considered to be a part of this prospectus, except
for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly
in this document or in a more recent incorporated document.
2
<PAGE> 8
This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that
we have previously filed with the SEC. They contain important information about
us and our financial condition.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEC FILINGS PERIOD
----------- ------
<S> <C>
Annual Report on Form 10-K.......................... Year ended December 31, 1999, as filed on
March 9, 2000
The description of FleetBoston common stock set
forth in the FleetBoston registration statement
filed by Industrial National Corporation
(predecessor to FleetBoston) on Form 8-B dated May
29, 1970, and any amendment or report filed for
the purpose of updating that description; and
Current Reports on Form 8-K......................... Filed:
-January 12, 2000
-February 2, 2000, as amended by a Form 8-K/A
filed March 9, 2000
-March 9, 2000
-April 20, 2000
</TABLE>
We incorporate by reference additional documents that we may file with the
SEC between the date of this prospectus and the date we sell all of the debt
securities. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on
Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as
well as proxy statements.
You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this
document through us, or from the SEC through the SEC's Internet world wide web
site at the address described above. Documents incorporated by reference are
available from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents,
unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in
this prospectus. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the
following address:
Investor Relations Department
FleetBoston Financial Corporation
P.O. Box 2016, MA DE 10020B
Boston, Massachusetts 02106-2106
(617) 434-7858
We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any
representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, those
contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have
incorporated into this prospectus. If anyone does give you information of this
sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to
sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this
document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct
these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not
extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the
date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another
date applies.
3
<PAGE> 9
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including information included or incorporated by
reference, contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to our
financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future
performance and business, including, without limitation, statements preceded by,
followed by or that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates,"
"estimates" or similar expressions.
These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking
statements due to many factors, including:
- general political and economic conditions, either domestically or
internationally or in the states in which we are doing business, may be
less favorable than expected;
- interest rate and currency fluctuations, equity and bond market
fluctuations and perceptions, the level of personal and corporate
customers' bankruptcies, and inflation, may be greater than expected;
- competitive product and pricing pressures among financial services
organizations may increase significantly;
- legislative or regulatory developments, including changes in laws
concerning taxes, banking, securities, insurance and other aspects of the
financial services industry, may adversely affect our business;
- technological changes, including the impact of the Internet on our
business, may be more difficult or expensive than anticipated;
- expected cost savings and revenue enhancements from mergers and
acquisitions, including our merger with BankBoston Corporation, may not
be fully realized or may not be realized within the expected time frame;
- the level of costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired
businesses, including our merger with BankBoston, may be greater than
expected; and
- the negative impact of the divestitures completed or to be completed in
connection with our merger with BankBoston may be greater than expected.
4
<PAGE> 10
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
We are a diversified financial services company offering a comprehensive
array of innovative financial solutions to approximately 20 million customers in
more than 20 countries. Among our key lines of business are:
- Global Banking and Financial Services -- includes investment services,
corporate and investment banking, international banking, principal
investing, retail brokerage and investment banking;
- Commercial and Retail Banking -- includes domestic retail banking to
consumer and small business customers, community development banking, and
domestic commercial banking operations, including middle market and
asset-based lending, leasing, cash management, trade finance and
government banking services; and
- National Consumer Group -- includes mortgage banking, credit card
services and student loan processing.
On October 1, 1999, we completed the merger of BankBoston into us. In
connection with obtaining regulatory approvals for the merger, the Federal
Reserve Board and the United States Department of Justice required us to agree
to divest approximately $13 billion of deposits and $9 billion of loans from the
combined company, which is expected to result in an annualized reduction of net
income of approximately $160 million. On March 24, 2000, we completed the first
phase of these divestitures, involving approximately $4 billion of deposits and
approximately $3.6 billion of loans located primarily in Rhode Island and
Connecticut. We expect to complete the remaining phases of the divestitures
later in 2000.
All financial information set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement has been restated for all periods to give effect to the
BankBoston merger. Because the divestitures will not be significant to us, the
financial information has not been adjusted to show the effects of the
divestitures.
At December 31, 1999, our total assets on a consolidated basis were $190.7
billion, our consolidated total deposits were $114.9 billion and our
consolidated total stockholders' equity was $15.3 billion. Based on total
assets, we are the eighth largest financial holding company in the United
States.
Our principal office is located at One Federal Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, telephone number (617) 346-4000.
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges were as follows for
the five most recent fiscal years:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:
Excluding Interest on Deposits.................... 2.18x 2.62x 3.00x 2.79x 1.91x
Including Interest on Deposits.................... 1.53 1.62 1.72 1.61 1.39
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
"EARNINGS" consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges, excluding
capitalized interest. "FIXED CHARGES" consist of interest on short-term debt and
long-term debt, including interest related to capitalized leases and capitalized
interest, and one-third of rent expense, which approximates the interest
component of that expense. In addition, where indicated, fixed charges include
interest on deposits.
5
<PAGE> 11
USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for
general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus
supplement, pricing supplement or term sheet relating to a specific issue of
securities. Our general corporate purposes may include extending credit to, or
funding investments in, our subsidiaries. The precise amounts and the timing of
our use of the net proceeds will depend upon our subsidiaries' funding
requirements and the availability of other funds. Until we use the net proceeds
from the sale of any of our securities for general corporate purposes, we will
use the net proceeds to reduce our short-term indebtedness or for temporary
investments. We expect that we will, on a recurrent basis, engage in additional
financings as the need arises to finance our growth, through acquisitions or
otherwise, or to fund our subsidiaries.
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
As a financial holding company, we are subject to inspection, examination
and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act
of 1956, as amended by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the "GLB Act"), which is
discussed below under "-- Recent Legislation." Our banking subsidiaries are
subject to extensive supervision, examination and regulation by various bank
regulatory authorities and other governmental agencies in the states and
countries where we and our subsidiaries operate. Because we are a holding
company, our rights and the rights of our creditors, including the holders of
the debt securities we are offering under this prospectus, to participate in the
assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiary's liquidation or
reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary's creditors
except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims
against the subsidiary. In addition, there are various statutory and regulatory
limitations on the extent to which our banking subsidiaries can finance or
otherwise transfer funds to us or to our nonbanking subsidiaries, whether in the
form of loans, extensions of credit, investments or asset purchases. Such
transfers by any subsidiary bank to us or a nonbanking subsidiary are limited in
amount to 10% of the bank's capital and surplus and, with respect to us and all
such nonbanking subsidiaries, to an aggregate of 20% of each such bank's capital
and surplus. Furthermore, loans and extensions of credit are required to be
secured in specified amounts and are required to be on terms and conditions
consistent with safe and sound banking practices.
In addition, there are regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends
directly or indirectly to us from our banking subsidiaries. Under applicable
banking statutes, at December 31, 1999, our banking subsidiaries could have
declared additional dividends of approximately $1.4 billion without prior
regulatory approval. Federal and state regulatory agencies also have the
authority to limit further our banking subsidiaries' payment of dividends based
on other factors, such as the maintenance of adequate capital for such
subsidiary bank.
Under the policy of the Federal Reserve Board, we are expected to act as a
source of financial strength to each subsidiary bank and to commit resources to
support such subsidiary bank in circumstances where we might not do so absent
such policy. In addition, any subordinated loans by us to any of our subsidiary
banks would also be subordinate in right of payment to depositors and
obligations to other creditors of such subsidiary bank. Further the Crime
Control Act of 1990 amended the federal bankruptcy laws to provide that in the
event of our bankruptcy any commitment by us to our regulators to maintain the
capital of a banking subsidiary will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and
entitled to a priority of payment.
For a discussion of the material elements of the regulatory framework
applicable to financial holding companies, bank holding companies and their
subsidiaries, and specific information
6
<PAGE> 12
relevant to us, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1999 and any other subsequent reports filed by us with the SEC,
which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This regulatory
framework is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the deposit
insurance funds that insure deposits of banks, rather than for the protection of
security holders. A change in the statutes, regulations or regulatory policies
applicable to us or our subsidiaries may have a material effect on our business.
RECENT LEGISLATION
The GLB Act, enacted in 1999, eliminates many of the restrictions placed on
the activities of certain qualified bank holding companies. A bank holding
company that qualifies as a "financial holding company" can expand into a wide
variety of financial services, including securities activities, insurance, and
merchant banking without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board. Our
election to become a "financial holding company," which we filed with the
Federal Reserve Board, became effective on March 13, 2000.
Banks are also authorized by the GLB Act to engage, through "financial
subsidiaries," in certain activities that are permissible for a financial
holding company and other activities that its applicable regulators deem to be
financial in nature or incidental to any such financial activity. The authority
of a bank to invest in a financial subsidiary is subject to a number of
conditions.
The GLB Act also contains a number of other provisions that will affect our
operations and the operations of all financial institutions. At this time we are
unable to predict the impact the GLB Act may have upon our or our subsidiaries'
financial condition or results of operations.
FUTURE LEGISLATION
Changes to the laws and regulations in the states and countries where we
and our subsidiaries do business can affect the operating environment of
financial holding companies and their subsidiaries in substantial and
unpredictable ways. We cannot accurately predict whether legislation will
ultimately be enacted, and, if enacted, the ultimate effect that it, or
implementing regulations, would have upon our or our subsidiaries' financial
condition or results of operations.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We will issue the senior debt securities under an indenture dated as of
December 6, 1999, the "SENIOR INDENTURE," between us and The Bank of New York as
senior trustee. We will issue the subordinated debt securities under an
indenture dated as of December 6, 1999, the "SUBORDINATED INDENTURE," between us
and The Bank of New York as subordinated trustee. A copy of each of the
indentures are exhibits to the registration statement which contains this
prospectus.
In the following summaries, we describe the general terms and provisions of
the debt securities to be offered by any 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 so offered, will be described in the prospectus supplement relating
to those offered securities. The following summaries of all material terms of
the indentures are not complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the respective indentures,
including the definitions of terms.
The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all
of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated debt
securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated to all of our existing and
future senior indebtedness and other financial obligations, as described under
"Subordinated Debt Securities -- Subordination" beginning on page 15.
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GENERAL
We may issue the debt securities from time to time, without limitation as
to aggregate principal amount and in one or more series. We expect from time to
time to incur additional indebtedness which may be senior to the debt
securities. Neither the indentures nor the debt securities will limit or
otherwise restrict the amount of other indebtedness which we may incur or other
securities which we or our subsidiaries may issue, including indebtedness which
may rank senior to the debt securities. The debt securities will not be secured.
We may issue debt securities upon the satisfaction of conditions contained
in the indentures, including the delivery to the applicable trustee of a
resolution of our board of directors and a certificate of an authorized officer
that fixes or establishes the terms of the debt securities being issued. Any
resolution or officer's certificate approving the issuance of any issue of debt
securities will include the terms of that issue of debt securities, including:
- the title and series designation;
- the aggregate principal amount and the limit, if any, on the aggregate
principal amount or initial public offering price of the debt securities
which may be issued under the applicable indenture;
- the principal amount payable, whether at maturity or upon earlier
acceleration, whether the principal amount will be determined with
reference to an index, formula or other method which may be calculated,
without limitation, with reference to the value of currencies, securities
or baskets of securities, commodities, indices or other measurements to
which any such amount payable is linked, and whether the debt securities
will be issued as original issue discount securities (as defined below);
- the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities is
payable;
- any fixed or variable interest rate or rates per annum or the method or
formula for determining an interest rate;
- the date from which any interest will accrue;
- any interest payment dates;
- whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated, and if
subordinated, the terms of the subordination if different from that
summarized in this prospectus;
- the price or prices at which the debt securities will be issued, which
may be expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of
those debt securities;
- the stated maturity date;
- whether the debt securities are to be issued in global form;
- any sinking fund requirements;
- any provisions for redemption, the redemption price and any remarketing
arrangements;
- the minimum denominations;
- whether the debt securities are denominated or payable in United States
dollars or a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies;
- the form in which we will issue the debt securities, whether registered,
bearer or both, and any restrictions applicable to the exchange of one
form for another and to the offer, sale and delivery of the debt
securities in either form;
- information with respect to book-entry procedures;
- the place or places where payments or deliveries on the debt securities
will be made and the debt securities may be presented for registration of
transfer or exchange;
- whether any of the debt securities will be subject to defeasance in
advance of the date for redemption or the stated maturity date;
- whether, and the terms and conditions relating to when, we may satisfy
all or part of our obligations with regard to
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payment upon maturity, or any redemption or required repurchase or in
connection with any exchange provisions, or any interest payment, by
delivering to the holders of the debt securities, other securities, which
may or may not be issued by us, or a combination of cash, securities
and/or property, "MATURITY CONSIDERATION";
- the terms, if any, upon which the debt securities are convertible into
other securities of ours or another issuer and the terms and conditions
upon which any conversion will be effected, including the initial
conversion price or rate, the conversion period and any other provisions
in addition to or instead of those described in this prospectus; and
- any other terms of the debt securities which are not inconsistent with
the provisions of the applicable indenture.
Please see the accompanying prospectus supplement, pricing supplement or
the terms sheet you have received or will receive for the terms of the specific
debt securities we are offering. We may deliver this prospectus before or
concurrently with the delivery of a terms sheet. We may issue debt securities
under the indentures upon the exercise of warrants to purchase debt securities.
See "Description of Warrants." Nothing in the indentures or in the terms of the
debt securities will prohibit the issuance of securities representing
subordinated indebtedness that is senior or junior to the subordinated debt
securities.
Prospective purchasers of debt securities should be aware that special U.S.
Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to
instruments such as the debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to
an issue of debt securities will describe these considerations, if they apply.
Debt securities may be issued as "ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT SECURITIES" which
bear no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below
market rates and which will be sold at a substantial discount below their
principal amount. In the event that the maturity of any original issue discount
security is accelerated, the amount payable to the holder of the original issue
discount security upon acceleration will be determined in accordance with the
applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the security and the relevant
indenture, but will be an amount less than the amount payable at the maturity of
the principal of that original issue discount security. Special federal income
tax and other considerations relating to original issue discount securities will
be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will
issue each series of debt securities in registered form only, without coupons.
The indentures, however, provide that we may also issue debt securities in
bearer form only, or in both registered and bearer form. If debt securities are
issued in bearer form, the prospectus supplement will contain additional
provisions that apply to those debt securities.
Holders may present debt securities in registered form for transfer or
exchange for other debt securities of the same series at the offices of the
trustee according to the terms of the applicable indenture. In no event,
however, will debt securities in registered form be exchangeable for debt
securities in bearer form.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
debt securities issued in fully registered form will be issued without coupons
and in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000.
No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the debt
securities but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
other governmental charge payable in connection with any transfer or exchange.
PAYMENT AND PLACE OF PAYMENT
We will pay or deliver principal, maturity consideration and any premium
and interest in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set
forth in the applicable indenture,
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the debt securities and the applicable prospectus supplement. However, at our
option, we may pay any interest by check mailed to the holders of registered
debt securities at their registered addresses.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
Each indenture provides that we may issue debt securities in global form.
If any series of debt securities is issued in global form, the prospectus
supplement will describe any circumstances under which beneficial owners of
interests in any of those global debt securities may exchange their interests
for debt securities of that series and of like tenor and principal amount in any
authorized form and denomination.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The following are events of default under the indentures with respect to
debt securities of any series:
- default in the payment of any principal or premium on debt securities of
that series when due;
- default in the payment of any interest on debt securities of that series
when due, which continues for 30 days;
- default in the delivery or payment of the maturity consideration on debt
securities of that series when due;
- default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment on debt securities of
that series when due;
- default in the performance of any other obligation contained in the
applicable indenture for the benefit of that series or in the debt
securities of that series, which continues for 60 days after written
notice;
- specified events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and
- any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of
that series.
If an event of default occurs and is continuing for any series of senior
debt securities, the senior trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount or issue price of the outstanding securities of that series may
declare all amounts, or any lesser amount provided for in the debt securities of
that series, to be due and payable or deliverable immediately.
The subordinated trustee and the holders of subordinated debt securities
will not be entitled to accelerate the maturity of the subordinated debt
securities upon the occurrence of any of the events of default described above
except in the case of certain events relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization. There is no right of acceleration in the case of a default in
the performance of any covenant with respect to the subordinated debt
securities, including the payment of interest and principal or the delivery of
the maturity consideration.
At any time after the trustee or the holders have accelerated a series of
debt securities, but before the senior trustee has obtained a judgment or decree
for payment of money due or delivery of the maturity consideration, the holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount or issue price of outstanding debt
securities of that series may rescind and annul that acceleration and its
consequences, provided that all payments and/or deliveries due, other than those
due as a result of acceleration, have been made and all events of default have
been remedied or waived.
The holders of a majority in principal amount or aggregate issue price of
the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any default with respect
to that series, except a default:
- in the payment of any amounts due and payable or deliverable under the
debt securities of that series; or
- in an obligation contained in, or a provision of, an indenture which
cannot be modified under the terms of that indenture without the consent
of each holder of each series of debt securities affected.
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The holders of a majority in principal amount or issue price of the
outstanding debt securities of a series may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to debt
securities of that series, provided that any direction is not in conflict with
any rule of law or the indenture. Subject to the provisions of the indenture
relating to the duties of the trustee, before proceeding to exercise any right
or power under the indenture at the direction of the holders, the trustee is
entitled to receive from those holders reasonable security or indemnity against
the costs, expenses and liabilities which it might incur in complying with any
direction.
Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any series
of debt securities issued under any indenture will not have the benefit of any
cross-default provisions with any of our other indebtedness.
A holder of any debt security of any series will have the right to
institute a proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy under the
indenture, if:
- that holder previously gives to the trustee written notice of a
continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that
series;
- the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount or issue
price of the outstanding debt securities of that series also will have
made written request and offered the trustee indemnity satisfactory to
the trustee to institute that proceeding as trustee;
- the trustee will not have received from the holders of a majority in
principal amount or issue price of the outstanding debt securities of
that series a direction inconsistent with the request; and
- the trustee will have failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.
However, any holder of a debt security has the absolute right to institute
suit for any defaulted payment after the due dates for payment under that debt
security.
We are required to furnish to the trustees annually a statement as to the
performance of our obligations under the indentures and as to any default in
that performance.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
We and the applicable trustee may amend and modify each indenture with the
consent of holders of at least 66 2/3% in principal amount or issue price of
each series of debt securities issued under that indenture affected. However,
without the consent of each holder of any debt security issued under the
applicable indenture, we may not amend or modify that indenture to:
- change the stated maturity date of the principal or maturity
consideration of, or any installment of principal or interest on, any
debt security issued under that indenture;
- reduce the principal amount or maturity consideration of, the rate of
interest on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt
security issued under that indenture;
- reduce the amount of principal or maturity consideration of an original
issue discount security issued under that indenture payable upon
acceleration of its maturity;
- change the place or currency of payment of principal or maturity
consideration of, or any premium or interest on, any debt security issued
under that indenture;
- impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or
delivery on or with respect to any debt security issued under that
indenture;
- reduce the percentage in principal amount or issue price of debt
securities of any series issued under that indenture, the consent of
whose holders is required to modify or amend the indenture or to waive
compliance with certain provisions of the indenture; or
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- reduce the percentage in principal amount or issue price of debt
securities of any series issued under that indenture, the consent of
whose holders is required to waive any past default.
The holders of at least a majority in principal amount or issue price of
the outstanding debt securities of any series issued under that indenture may,
with respect to that series, waive past defaults under the indenture, except as
described under "-- Events of Default" beginning on page 10.
We and the trustee may also amend and modify each indenture without the
consent of any holder for any of the following purposes:
- to evidence the succession of another person to us;
- to add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any
series of securities;
- to add events of default;
- to add or change any provisions of the indentures to facilitate the
issuance of bearer securities;
- to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture,
so long as any such change or elimination will become effective only when
there is no outstanding security of any series which is entitled to the
benefit of that provision;
- to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series;
- to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor
trustee;
- to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in the
applicable indenture, or to make any other provisions with respect to
matters or questions arising under that indenture, so long as the
interests of holders of debt securities of any series are not adversely
affected in any material respect under that indenture;
- to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with
the trustee; or
- to provide for conversion rights of the holders of the debt securities of
any series to enable those holders to convert those securities into other
securities.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may
consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation, and we may sell, lease
or convey all or substantially all of our assets to any corporation, provided
that:
- the resulting corporation, if other than us, is a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any U.S.
state and assumes all of our obligations to:
- pay or deliver the principal or maturity consideration of, and any
premium, or interest on, the debt securities; and
- perform and observe all of our other obligations under the
indentures, and
- we are not, or any successor corporation, as the case may be, is not,
immediately after any consolidation or merger, in default under the
indentures.
Neither of the indentures provides for any right of acceleration in the
event of a consolidation, merger, sale of all or substantially all of the
assets, recapitalization or change in our stock ownership. In addition, the
indentures do not contain any provision which would protect the holders of debt
securities against a sudden and dramatic decline in credit quality resulting
from takeovers, recapitalizations or similar restructurings.
REGARDING THE TRUSTEE
We maintain banking relations with the trustee. In addition, our banking
subsidiaries maintain deposit accounts and correspondent banking relations with
the trustee.
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The occurrence of any default under either the senior indenture, the
subordinated indenture or the indenture between us and the trustee relating to
our junior subordinated debentures, which may also be issued under the
registration statement, could create a conflicting interest for the trustee
under the Trust Indenture Act. If such default has not been cured or waived
within 90 days after the trustee has or acquired a conflicting interest, the
trustee would generally be required by the Trust Indenture Act to eliminate such
conflicting interest or resign as trustee with respect to the debt securities
issued under the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture, or with respect
to the junior subordinated debentures issued to certain Delaware statutory
business trusts of ours under a separate indenture. In the event of the
trustee's resignation, we are required to promptly appoint a successor trustee
with respect to the affected securities.
The Trust Indenture Act also imposes certain limitations on the right of
the trustee, as a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases,
or to realize on certain property received in respect to any cash claim or
otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with
us, provided that if it acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of
Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act, it must generally either eliminate such
conflict or resign.
INTERNATIONAL OFFERING
If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue debt
securities outside the United States. Those debt securities may be issued in
bearer form and will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In
connection with any offering outside the United States, we will designate paying
agents, registrars or other agents with respect to the debt securities, as
specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement whether our debt
securities issued outside the United States (1) may be subject to certain
selling restrictions, (2) may be listed on one or more foreign stock exchanges
and (3) may have special United States tax and other considerations applicable
to an offering outside the United States.
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
The senior debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and
will rank pari passu with all of our other outstanding senior indebtedness.
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
DISPOSITION OF VOTING STOCK OF CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES. We may not sell or
otherwise dispose of, or permit the issuance of, any voting stock or any
security convertible or exercisable into voting stock of a "principal
constituent bank" of ours or any subsidiary of ours which owns a controlling
interest in a principal constituent bank. A "PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENT BANK" is
defined in the senior indenture as Fleet National Bank and any other of our
majority-owned banking subsidiaries designated as a principal constituent bank.
Any designation of a banking subsidiary as a principal constituent bank with
respect to senior debt securities of any series will remain effective until the
senior debt securities of that series have been repaid. As of the date of this
prospectus, no banking subsidiaries other than Fleet National Bank have been
designated as principal constituent banks with respect to any series of debt
securities.
This restriction does not apply to dispositions made by us or any
subsidiary:
- acting in a fiduciary capacity for any person other than us or any
subsidiary;
- to us or any of our wholly-owned subsidiaries;
- if required by law for the qualification of directors;
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- to comply with an order of a court or regulatory authority;
- in connection with a merger of, or consolidation of, a principal
constituent bank with or into a wholly-owned subsidiary or a
majority-owned banking subsidiary, as long as we hold, directly or
indirectly, in the entity surviving that merger or consolidation, not
less than the percentage of voting stock we held in the principal
constituent bank prior to that action;
- if that disposition or issuance is for fair market value as determined by
our board of directors, and, if after giving effect to that disposition
or issuance and any potential dilution, we and our wholly-owned
subsidiaries will own directly not less than 80% of the voting stock of
that principal constituent bank or any subsidiary which owns a principal
constituent bank;
- if a principal constituent bank sells additional shares of voting stock
to its stockholders at any price, if, after that sale, we hold directly
or indirectly not less than the percentage of voting stock of that
principal constituent bank we owned prior to that sale; or
- if we or a subsidiary pledges or creates a lien on the voting stock of a
principal constituent bank to secure a loan or other extension of credit
by a majority-owned banking subsidiary subject to Section 23A of the
Federal Reserve Act.
LIMITATION UPON LIENS ON CERTAIN CAPITAL STOCK. We may not at any time,
directly or indirectly, create, assume, incur or permit to exist any mortgage,
pledge, encumbrance or lien or charge of any kind upon:
- any shares of capital stock of any principal constituent bank, other than
directors' qualifying shares; or
- any shares of capital stock of a subsidiary which owns capital stock of
any principal constituent bank.
This restriction does not apply to:
- liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies
which are not yet due or are payable without penalty or which we are
contesting in good faith by appropriate proceedings so long as we have
set aside on our books adequate reserves to cover the contested amount;
or
- the lien of any judgment, if that judgment is discharged, or stayed on
appeal or otherwise, within 60 days.
DEFEASANCE
We may terminate or "defease" our obligations under the senior indenture
with respect to the senior debt securities of any series by taking the following
steps:
- depositing irrevocably with the senior trustee an amount which through
the payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, will provide an
amount sufficient to pay the entire amount of the senior debt securities:
- in the case of senior debt securities denominated in U.S.
dollars, U.S. dollars or U.S. government obligations;
- in the case of senior debt securities denominated in a foreign
currency, money in that foreign currency or foreign government
obligations of the foreign government or governments issuing
that foreign currency; or
- a combination of money and U.S. government obligations or
foreign government obligations;
- delivering:
- an opinion of independent counsel that the holders of the
senior debt securities of that series will have no federal
income tax consequences as a result of that deposit and
termination;
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- if the senior debt securities of that series are then listed on
the New York Stock Exchange, an opinion of counsel that those
senior debt securities will not be delisted as a result of the
exercise of this defeasance option;
- an opinion of counsel as to certain other matters; and
- officers' certificates certifying as to compliance with the
senior indenture and other matters;
- no event of default under the senior indenture may exist or be caused by
the defeasance;
- the defeasance will not cause an event of default under any of our other
agreements or instruments; and
- we will have paid all other amounts due and owing under the senior
indenture.
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
The subordinated debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
subordinated debt securities will rank equal with all of our outstanding
subordinated indebtedness that is not specifically stated to be junior to the
subordinated debt securities.
SUBORDINATION
The subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment
to all "senior indebtedness," as defined below. In certain events of insolvency,
payments on the subordinated debt securities will also be effectively
subordinated in right of payment to all "other financial obligations," as
defined below. In certain circumstances relating to our liquidation,
dissolution, winding up, reorganization, insolvency or similar proceedings, the
holders of all senior indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in
full before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to
receive any payment on the subordinated debt securities. If, after all payments
have been made to the holders of senior indebtedness, (A) there are amounts
available for payment on the subordinated debt securities and (B) any person
entitled to payment according to the terms of our other financial obligations,
as defined on page 16, has not received full payment, then amounts available for
payments on the subordinated debt securities will first be used to pay in full
those other financial obligations before we may make any payment on the
subordinated debt securities. This obligation to pay over these excess amounts
does not exist for any of our "EXISTING SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS" issued prior
to November 30, 1992.
In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any debt securities, we
will have to repay all senior indebtedness and other financial obligations
before we can make any payment on the subordinated debt securities.
In addition, we may make no payment on the subordinated debt securities in
the event:
- there is a default in any payment or delivery with respect to any senior
indebtedness; or
- there is an event of default with respect to any senior indebtedness
which permits the holders of that senior indebtedness to accelerate the
maturity of the senior indebtedness.
By reason of this subordination in favor of the holders of senior
indebtedness, in the event of an insolvency, our creditors who are not holders
of senior indebtedness or the subordinated debt securities may recover less,
proportionately, than holders of senior indebtedness and may recover more,
proportionately, than holders of the subordinated debt securities. By reason of
the obligation of the holders of subordinated debt securities to pay over any
amount remaining after payment of senior indebtedness to persons in respect of
our other
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financial obligations, in the event of insolvency, holders of our existing
subordinated indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of
subordinated debt securities.
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the
particular series of subordinated debt securities, "SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" is
defined in the subordinated indenture as:
- the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all of our
"indebtedness for money borrowed," as defined below, except (A) existing
subordinated indebtedness and other subordinated debt securities issued
under the subordinated indenture, (B) any indebtedness which is expressly
stated to be junior in right of payment to the subordinated debt
securities and (C) indebtedness which is expressly stated to rank equal
with the subordinated debt securities; and
- any deferrals, renewals or extensions of any senior indebtedness.
The term "INDEBTEDNESS FOR MONEY BORROWED" means:
- any of our obligations or any obligation we have guaranteed for the
repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other written instruments; and
- any of our deferred payment obligations or any such obligation we have
guaranteed for the payment of the purchase price of property or assets
evidenced by a note or similar instrument.
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the
particular series of subordinated debt securities offered by that prospectus
supplement, "OTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS" means all of our obligations to make
payment pursuant to the terms of financial instruments, such as:
- securities contracts and foreign currency exchange contracts;
- derivative instruments, such as swap agreements, including interest rate
and foreign exchange rate swap agreements, cap agreements, floor
agreements, collar agreements, interest rate agreements, foreign exchange
rate agreements, options, commodity futures contracts, commodity option
contracts; and
- similar financial instruments, other than obligations on account of
senior indebtedness and obligations on account of indebtedness for money
borrowed ranking equal with or subordinate to the subordinated debt
securities.
As of December 31, 1999, we had an aggregate of $4.3 billion in
subordinated debt outstanding at the parent company level, of which $868 million
is subordinated to our senior indebtedness and $3.4 billion is subordinated to
our senior indebtedness and other financial obligations.
The subordinated indenture does not limit or prohibit the incurrence of
additional senior indebtedness or other financial obligations, which may include
indebtedness that is senior to the subordinated debt securities, but subordinate
to our other obligations. Any prospectus supplement relating to a particular
series of subordinated debt securities will set forth the aggregate amount of
our indebtedness senior to the subordinated debt securities as of a recent
practicable date.
The subordinated debt securities will rank equal in right of payment with
each other and with the existing subordinated indebtedness, subject to the
obligations of the holders of subordinated debt securities to pay over amounts
remaining after payment of senior indebtedness to persons in respect of other
financial obligations.
The prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any,
which may apply to the subordination of the subordinated debt securities of a
particular series.
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
The subordinated indenture does not contain any significant restrictive
covenants. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of
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subordinated debt securities may describe certain restrictive covenants, if any,
to which we may be bound under the subordinated indenture.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
OFFERED WARRANTS
We may issue warrants that are debt warrants or universal warrants. We may
offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants or
debt securities or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as
described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part
of a unit, the accompanying prospectus supplement will specify whether those
warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the
warrants' expiration date. Universal warrants issued in the United States may
not be so separated prior to the 91st day after the issuance of the unit, unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Debt Warrants. We may issue, together with debt securities or separately,
warrants for the purchase of debt securities on terms to be determined at the
time of sale. We refer to this type of warrant as a "DEBT WARRANT."
Universal Warrants. We may also issue warrants to purchase or sell, on
terms to be determined at the time of sale:
- securities of an entity not affiliated with us, a basket of those
securities, an index or indices of those securities or any combination of
the above;
- currencies; or
- commodities.
We refer to the property in the above clauses as "WARRANT PROPERTY." We
refer to this type of warrant as a "UNIVERSAL WARRANT." We may satisfy our
obligations, if any, with respect to any universal warrants by delivering the
warrant property or, in the case of warrants to purchase or sell securities or
commodities, the cash value of the securities or commodities, as described in
the applicable prospectus supplement.
FURTHER INFORMATION IN PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
General Terms of Warrants. The applicable prospectus supplement will
contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating
to the warrants:
- the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which
we will issue, the warrants;
- the currency with which the warrants may be purchased;
- the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the
date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously
exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates
on which you may exercise the warrants;
- whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer
form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms,
although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will
correspond to the form of the unit and of any debt security included in
that unit;
- any applicable material United States federal income tax consequences;
- the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other
depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars,
determination, or other agents;
- the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities
purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;
- if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be
exercised at any one time;
17
<PAGE> 23
- information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
- the antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any;
- any redemption or call provisions;
- whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities
as part of units; and
- any other terms of the warrants.
Additional Terms of Debt Warrants. The prospectus supplement will contain,
where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to any
debt warrants:
- the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency and terms of the
debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the debt warrants;
- if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities with
which the debt warrants are issued and the number of the debt warrants
issued with each of the debt securities;
- if applicable, the date on and after which the debt warrants and the
related debt securities will be separately transferable; and
- the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of each
debt warrant, the price at which and the currency in which the debt
securities may be purchased and the method of exercise.
Additional Terms of Universal Warrants. The applicable prospectus
supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other
information relating to any universal warrants:
- whether the universal warrants are put warrants or call warrants and
whether you or we will be entitled to exercise the warrants;
- the specific warrant property, and the amount or the method for
determining the amount of the warrant property, purchasable or saleable
upon exercise of each universal warrant;
- the price at which and the currency with which the underlying securities,
currencies or commodities may be purchased or sold upon the exercise of
each universal warrant, or the method of determining that price;
- whether the exercise price may be paid in cash, by the exchange of any
other security offered with the universal warrants or both and the method
of exercising the universal warrants; and
- whether the exercise of the universal warrants is to be settled in cash
or by delivery of the underlying securities, commodities, or both.
SIGNIFICANT PROVISIONS OF THE WARRANT AGREEMENTS
We will issue the warrants under one or more warrant agreements to be
entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, in one or
more series, which will be described in the prospectus supplement for the
warrants. The forms of warrant agreements are filed as exhibits to the
registration statement. The following summaries of significant provisions of the
warrant agreements and the warrants are not intended to be comprehensive and
holders of warrants should review the detailed provisions of the relevant
warrant agreement for a full description and for other information regarding the
warrants.
Modifications without Consent of Warrantholders. We and the warrant agent
may amend the terms of the warrants and the warrant certificates without the
consent of the holders to:
- cure any ambiguity;
- cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision; or
- amend the terms in any other manner which we may deem necessary or
desirable and which will not adversely affect the interests of the
affected holders in any material respect.
18
<PAGE> 24
Enforceability of Rights of Warrantholders. The warrant agents will act
solely as our agents in connection with the warrant certificates and will not
assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders
of warrant certificates or beneficial owners of warrants. Any holder of warrant
certificates and any beneficial owner of warrants may, without the consent of
any other person, enforce by appropriate legal action, on its own behalf, its
right to exercise the warrants evidenced by the warrant certificates in the
manner provided for in that series of warrants or pursuant to the applicable
warrant agreement. No holder of any warrant certificate or beneficial owner of
any warrants will be entitled to any of the rights of a holder of the debt
securities or any other warrant property, if any, purchasable upon exercise of
the warrants, including, without limitation, the right to receive the payments
on those debt securities or other warrant property or to enforce any of the
covenants or rights in the relevant indenture or any other similar agreement.
Registration and Transfer of Warrants. Subject to the terms of the
applicable warrant agreement, warrants in registered, definitive form may be
presented for exchange and for registration of transfer at the corporate trust
office of the warrant agent for that series of warrants, or at any other office
indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of warrants,
without service charge. However, the holder will be required to pay any taxes
and other governmental charges as described in the warrant agreement. The
transfer or exchange will be effected only if the warrant agent for the series
of warrants is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person
making the request.
New York Law to Govern. The warrants and each warrant agreement will be
governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New
York.
19
<PAGE> 25
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
FleetBoston may sell securities:
- to the public through a group of underwriters managed or co-managed by
one or more underwriters, which may include FleetBoston Robertson
Stephens Inc. ("FRS"), Fleet Securities Inc. ("FSI"), or other
affiliates;
- through one or more agents, which may include FRS, FSI or other
affiliates; or
- directly to purchasers.
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions:
- at a fixed price, or prices, which may be changed from time to time;
- at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
- at prices related to those prevailing market prices; or
- at negotiated prices.
Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the
securities and any applicable restrictions.
The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular
series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the
following:
- the name of the agent or the name or names of any underwriters;
- the public offering or purchase price;
- any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or
underwriters;
- all other items constituting underwriting compensation;
- any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and
- any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.
We may agree to enter into an agreement to indemnify the agents and the
several underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act or to contribute to payments the agents or the
underwriters may be required to make.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize
underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase debt securities or warrants from us pursuant to delayed
delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the
prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and
the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to those contracts will be
equal to, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement.
Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include
commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment
companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but
will in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will
not be subject to any conditions except that:
- the purchase by an institution of the debt securities or warrants covered
under that contract will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under
the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and
- if the debt securities or warrants are also being sold to underwriters
acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters will have
purchased those debt securities or warrants not sold for delayed
delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will
not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of
delayed delivery contracts.
Certain of the underwriters and their associates and affiliates may be
customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions
with, and/or perform services, including investment banking services, for, us or
one or more of our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
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<PAGE> 26
FRS and FSI are our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Accordingly, the
distribution of securities by FRS and/or FSI will conform to the requirements
set forth in Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. In accordance with Rule 2720, no member of the NASD
participating in an underwriting will be permitted to confirm sales to accounts
over which it exercises discretionary authority without prior specific approval
of the customer.
Certain of the underwriters may use this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement for offers and sales related to market-making transactions
in the securities. These underwriters may act as principal or agent in these
transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market
prices at the time of sale.
EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by
reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999
have been so incorporated by reference in this document in reliance on the
report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given upon the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by
Edwards & Angell, LLP, 101 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1800. V.
Duncan Johnson, a partner of Edwards & Angell, LLP, is a director of Fleet Bank
(RI), National Association, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and
beneficially owns 9,856 shares of our common stock. Unless otherwise specified
in the applicable prospectus supplement, Brown & Wood LLP, One World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048-0557, will pass upon certain matters for the
underwriters.
21
<PAGE> 27
FLEETBOSTON LOGO
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
$
DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS
-------------------------
PROSPECTUS
, 2000
-------------------------
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 information.
We are not offering the debt securities in any state where the offer is not
permitted.
We do not claim the accuracy of the information in this prospectus as of
any date other than the dates stated on the cover.
<PAGE> 28
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE
MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS
NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO
BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 5, 2000
PROSPECTUS
[FLEET BOSTON LOGO]
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FleetBoston Financial Corporation may offer and sell --
- -- Common Stock
- -- Preferred Stock
- -- Warrants
We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this
prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before
you invest.
A security is not a deposit and the securities are not insured or guaranteed by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
This prospectus may be used to offer and sell securities only if accompanied by
the prospectus supplement for those securities.
NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED THESE
SECURITIES OR DETERMINED THAT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS IS
TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is , 2000.
<PAGE> 29
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
We provide information to you about the securities in two separate
documents that progressively provide more detail:
- this prospectus, which provides general information, some of which may
not apply to your securities; and
- the accompanying prospectus supplement, which describes the specific and
final terms of your securities.
IF THE TERMS OF YOUR SECURITIES VARY BETWEEN THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND
THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, YOU SHOULD RELY ON THE INFORMATION IN THE FOLLOWING
ORDER OF PRIORITY:
- THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT; AND
- THE PROSPECTUS.
We include cross-references in this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement to captions in these materials where you can find further
related discussions. The following Table of Contents and the Table of Contents
included in the accompanying prospectus supplement provide the pages on which
these captions are located.
------------------------
Unless indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, neither we nor
the underwriters have taken any action that would permit us to publicly sell
these securities in any jurisdiction outside the United States. If you are an
investor outside the United States, you should inform yourself about and comply
with any restrictions as to the offering of the securities and the distribution
of this prospectus.
<PAGE> 30
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
About This Prospectus............... 2
Where You Can Find More
Information....................... 2
Forward-looking Statements.......... 4
FleetBoston Financial Corporation... 5
Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to
Fixed Charges and Dividends on
Preferred Stock................... 5
Use of Proceeds..................... 6
Regulation and Supervision.......... 6
Recent Legislation................ 7
Future Legislation................ 7
Description of Preferred Stock...... 7
General........................... 8
Dividends......................... 9
Rights Upon Liquidation........... 10
Redemption........................ 10
Voting Rights..................... 10
Conversion Rights................. 11
Description of Depositary Shares.... 12
General........................... 12
Dividends and Other
Distributions.................. 12
Withdrawal of Stock............... 12
Redemption of Depositary Shares... 12
Voting the Preferred Stock........ 13
Amendment and Termination of the
Deposit Agreement.............. 13
Charges of Depositary............. 13
Resignation and Removal of
Depositary..................... 13
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Notices........................... 14
Limitation of Liability........... 14
Inspection of Books............... 14
Description of Existing Preferred
Stock............................. 14
General........................... 14
Series V 7.25% Perpetual Preferred
Stock.......................... 14
Series VI 6.75% Perpetual
Preferred Stock................ 14
Series VII Fixed/Adjustable Rate
Cumulative Preferred Stock..... 15
Series VIII Fixed/Adjustable Rate
Noncumulative Preferred
Stock.......................... 16
Junior Preferred Stock............ 16
Description of Common Stock......... 17
General........................... 17
Transfer Agent and Registrar...... 17
Restrictions on Ownership......... 17
Preferred Share Purchase Rights... 17
Selected Provisions in Our Articles
of Incorporation.................. 18
Business Combinations with Related
Persons........................ 18
Directors......................... 19
Description of Warrants............. 21
Plan of Distribution................ 21
Experts............................. 23
Legal Opinions...................... 23
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 31
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the "SEC," utilizing a "shelf" registration
process. Under this shelf process, we may from time to time sell any combination
of common stock, preferred stock or warrants described in this prospectus in one
or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $3,000,000,000. We may also
sell other securities under the registration statement that will reduce the
total dollar amount of securities that we may sell under this prospectus. This
prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may
offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement
that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The
prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in
this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus
supplement together with the additional information described under the heading
"Where You Can Find More Information."
Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all
references in this prospectus to "FLEETBOSTON," "WE," "US," "OUR" or similar
references mean FleetBoston Financial Corporation.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities
Act of 1933 that registers, among other securities, the offer and sale of the
securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the
attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about
us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit certain information
included in the registration statement from this prospectus.
In addition, we file reports, proxy statements and other information with
the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy this
information at the following locations of the SEC:
Public Reference Room
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Room 1024
Washington, D.C. 20549
Northeast Regional Office
7 World Trade Center
Suite 1300
New York, New York 10048
Midwest Regional Office
500 West Madison Street
Suite 1400
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511
You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington,
D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
The SEC also maintains an internet world wide web site that contains
reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, who file
electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is:
http://www.sec.gov.
You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about
us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005 and the Boston Stock Exchange, 100 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110.
The SEC allows us to "INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE" information into this
prospectus. This 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 considered to be a part of this prospectus, except
for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly
in this document or in a more recent incorporated document.
2
<PAGE> 32
This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that
we have previously filed with the SEC. They contain important information about
us and our financial condition.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEC FILINGS PERIOD
- ----------- ------
<S> <C>
Annual Report on Form 10-K.............................. Year ended December 31, 1999, as
filed on March 9, 2000
The description of FleetBoston common stock set forth in
the FleetBoston registration statement filed by
Industrial National Corporation (predecessor to
FleetBoston) on Form 8-B dated May 29, 1970, and any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating
that description; and
Current Reports on Form 8-K............................. Filed:
-January 12, 2000
-February 2, 2000, as amended by a
Form 8-K/A filed March 9, 2000
-March 9, 2000
-April 20, 2000
</TABLE>
We incorporate by reference additional documents that we may file with the
SEC between the date of this prospectus and the date we sell all of the
securities. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on
Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as
well as proxy statements.
You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this
document through us, or from the SEC through the SEC's Internet world wide web
site at the address described above. Documents incorporated by reference are
available from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents,
unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in
this prospectus. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the
following address:
Investor Relations Department
FleetBoston Financial Corporation
P.O. Box 2016, MA DE 10020B
Boston, Massachusetts 02106-2106
(617) 434-7858
We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any
representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, those
contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have
incorporated into this prospectus. If anyone does give you information of this
sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to
sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this
document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct
these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not
extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the
date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another
date applies.
3
<PAGE> 33
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including information included or incorporated by
reference, contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to our
financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future
performance and business, including, without limitation statements preceded by,
followed by or that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates,"
"estimates" or similar expressions.
These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties.
Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the
forward-looking statements due to many factors, including:
- general political and economic conditions, either domestically or
internationally or in the states in which we are doing business, may be
less favorable than expected;
- interest rate and currency fluctuations, equity and bond market
fluctuations and perceptions, the level of personal and corporate
customers' bankruptcies, and inflation, may be greater than expected;
- competitive product and pricing pressures among financial services
organizations may increase significantly;
- legislative or regulatory developments, including changes in laws
concerning taxes, banking, securities, insurance and other aspects of the
financial services industry, may adversely affect our business;
- technological changes, including the impact of the Internet on our
business, may be more difficult or expensive than anticipated;
- expected cost savings and revenue enhancements from mergers and
acquisitions, including our merger with BankBoston Corporation, may not
be fully realized or may not be realized within the expected time frame;
- the level of costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired
businesses, including our merger with BankBoston, may be greater than
expected; and
- the negative impact of the divestitures completed or to be completed in
connection with our merger with BankBoston may be greater than expected.
4
<PAGE> 34
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
We are a diversified financial services company offering a comprehensive
array of innovative financial solutions to approximately 20 million customers in
more than 20 countries. Among our key lines of business are:
- Global Banking and Financial Services -- includes investment services,
corporate and investment banking, international banking, principal
investing, retail brokerage and investment banking;
- Commercial and Retail Banking -- includes domestic retail banking to
consumer and small business customers, community development banking, and
domestic commercial banking operations, including middle market and
asset-based lending, leasing, cash management, trade finance and
government banking services; and
- National Consumer Group -- includes mortgage banking, credit card
services and student loan processing.
On October 1, 1999, we completed the merger of BankBoston into us. In
connection with obtaining regulatory approvals for the merger, the Federal
Reserve Board and the United States Department of Justice required us to agree
to divest approximately $13 billion of deposits and $9 billion of loans from the
combined company, which is expected to result in an annualized reduction of net
income of approximately $160 million. On March 24, 2000, we completed the first
phase of these divestitures, involving approximately $4 billion of deposits and
approximately $3.4 billion of loans located primarily in Rhode Island and
Connecticut. We expect to complete the remaining phases of the divestitures
later in 2000.
All financial information set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement has been restated for all periods to give effect to the
merger. Because the divestitures will not be significant to us, the financial
information has not been adjusted to show the effects of the divestitures.
At December 31, 1999, our total assets on a consolidated basis were $190.7
billion, our consolidated total deposits were $114.9 billion and our
consolidated total stockholders' equity was $15.3 billion. Based on total
assets, we are the eighth largest financial holding company in the United
States.
Our principal office is located at One Federal Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, telephone number (617) 346-4000.
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND
DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK
Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges and dividends on
preferred stock were as follows for the five most recent fiscal years:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Dividends on
Preferred Stock:
Excluding Interest on Deposits................. 2.15x 2.55x 2.85x 2.62x 1.87x
Including Interest on Deposits................. 1.53 1.62 1.70 1.59 1.38
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
dividends on preferred stock, "EARNINGS" consist of income before income taxes
plus fixed charges, excluding capitalized
5
<PAGE> 35
interest, and the pretax equivalent of dividends on preferred stock. "FIXED
CHARGES" consist of interest on short-term debt and long-term debt, including
interest related to capitalized leases and capitalized interest, and one-third
of rent expense, which approximates the interest component of that expense. In
addition, where indicated, fixed charges include interest on deposits.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for
general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus
supplement, pricing supplement or term sheet relating to a specific issue of
securities. Our general corporate purposes may include extending credit to, or
funding investments in, our subsidiaries. The precise amounts and the timing of
our use of the net proceeds will depend upon our subsidiaries' funding
requirements and the availability of other funds. Until we use the net proceeds
from the sale of any of our securities for general corporate purposes, we will
use the net proceeds to reduce our short-term indebtedness or for temporary
investments. We expect that we will, on a recurrent basis, engage in additional
financings as the need arises to finance our growth, through acquisitions or
otherwise, or to fund our subsidiaries.
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
As a financial holding company, we are subject to inspection, examination
and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act
of 1956, as amended by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the "GLB Act"), which is
discussed below under "-- Recent Legislation." Our banking subsidiaries are
subject to extensive supervision, examination and regulation by various bank
regulatory authorities and other governmental agencies in the states and
countries where we and our subsidiaries operate. Because we are a holding
company, our rights and the rights of our creditors and of our stockholders,
including the holders of the securities we are offering under this prospectus,
to participate in the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiary's
liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the
subsidiary's creditors except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor
with recognized claims against the subsidiary. In addition, there are various
statutory and regulatory limitations on the extent to which our banking
subsidiaries can finance or otherwise transfer funds to us or to our nonbanking
subsidiaries, whether in the form of loans, extensions of credit, investments or
asset purchases. Such transfers by any subsidiary bank to us or a nonbanking
subsidiary are limited in amount to 10% of the bank's capital and surplus and,
with respect to us and all such nonbanking subsidiaries, to an aggregate of 20%
of each such bank's capital and surplus. Furthermore, loans and extensions of
credit are required to be secured in specified amounts and are required to be on
terms and conditions consistent with safe and sound banking practices.
In addition, there are regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends
directly or indirectly to us from our banking subsidiaries. Under applicable
banking statutes, at December 31, 1999, our banking subsidiaries could have
declared additional dividends of approximately $1.4 billion without prior
regulatory approval. Federal and state regulatory agencies also have the
authority to limit further our banking subsidiaries' payment of dividends based
on other factors, such as the maintenance of adequate capital for such
subsidiary bank.
Under the policy of the Federal Reserve Board, we are expected to act as a
source of financial strength to each subsidiary bank and to commit resources to
support such subsidiary bank in circumstances where we might not do so absent
such policy. In addition, any subordinated loans by us to any of our subsidiary
banks
6
<PAGE> 36
would also be subordinate in right of payment to depositors and obligations to
other creditors of such subsidiary bank. Further the Crime Control Act of 1990
amended the federal bankruptcy laws to provide that in the event of our
bankruptcy any commitment by us to our regulators to maintain the capital of a
banking subsidiary will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a
priority of payment.
For a discussion of the material elements of the regulatory framework
applicable to financial holding companies, bank holding companies and their
subsidiaries, and specific information relevant to us, refer to our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and any other
subsequent reports filed by us with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference
in this prospectus. This regulatory framework is intended primarily for the
protection of depositors and the deposit insurance funds that insure deposits of
banks, rather than for the protection of security holders. A change in the
statutes, regulations or regulatory policies applicable to us or our
subsidiaries may have a material effect on our business.
RECENT LEGISLATION
The GLB Act, enacted in 1999, eliminates many of the restrictions placed on
the activities of certain qualified bank holding companies. A bank holding
company that qualifies as a "financial holding company" can expand into a wide
variety of financial services, including securities activities, insurance, and
merchant banking without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board. Our
election to become a "financial holding company," which we filed with the
Federal Reserve Board, became effective on March 13, 2000.
Banks are also authorized by the GLB Act to engage, through "financial
subsidiaries," in certain activities that are permissible for a financial
holding company and other activities that its applicable regulators deem to be
financial in nature or incidental to any such financial activity. The authority
of a bank to invest in a financial subsidiary is subject to a number of
conditions.
The GLB Act also contains a number of other provisions that will affect our
operations and the operations of all financial institutions. At this time we are
unable to predict the impact the GLB Act may have upon our or our subsidiaries'
financial condition or results of operations.
FUTURE LEGISLATION
Changes to the laws and regulations in the states and countries where we
and our subsidiaries do business can affect the operating environment of
financial holding companies and their subsidiaries in substantial and
unpredictable ways. We cannot accurately predict whether legislation will
ultimately be enacted, and, if enacted, the ultimate effect that it, or
implementing regulations, would have upon our or our subsidiaries' financial
condition or results of operations.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
The following summary contains a description of the general terms of the
preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, the "PREFERRED STOCK," that we may
issue. We will describe other terms of any series of preferred stock in the
prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The terms of
any series of preferred stock may differ from the terms described below. Certain
provisions of the preferred stock described below and in any prospectus
supplement are not complete. You should refer to our Restated Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, "ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION," and the certificate of
designation which will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of
the series of preferred stock.
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GENERAL
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize our board of directors to provide
for the issuance of preferred stock in one or more series, without stockholder
action. The board of directors can determine the rights, preferences and
limitations of each series. Under our Articles of Incorporation, 16,000,000
shares of our capital stock are authorized for issuance as preferred stock.
Prior to the issuance of each series of preferred stock, our board of directors
will adopt resolutions creating and designating the series as a series of
preferred stock. As of March 31, 2000, we had outstanding five series of
preferred stock as follows:
- 1,265,000 shares of series V 7.25% perpetual preferred stock, having a
liquidation value of $250 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends,
were designated and 765,010 shares were issued and outstanding;
- 690,000 shares of series VI 6.75% perpetual preferred stock, having a
liquidation value of $250 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends,
were designated and 600,000 shares were issued and outstanding;
- 805,000 shares of series VII fixed/adjustable rate cumulative preferred
stock, having a liquidation value of $250 per share, plus accrued and
unpaid dividends, were designated and 700,000 shares were issued and
outstanding; and
- 200,000 shares of series VIII fixed/adjustable rate noncumulative
preferred stock, having a liquidation value of $250 per share, plus
accrued and unpaid dividends, were designated and 200,000 shares were
issued and outstanding.
In addition, our board of directors has established a series of 6,000,000
shares of cumulative participating junior preferred stock, the "JUNIOR PREFERRED
STOCK," issuable upon exercise of our preferred share purchase rights described
below, of which no shares were issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2000. Each
such outstanding series is described below under "Description of Existing
Preferred Stock."
The preferred stock has the terms described below, unless otherwise
provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of the
preferred stock. You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the
particular series of the preferred stock being offered for specific terms,
including:
- the title of the preferred stock and the number of shares offered;
- the amount of liquidation preference per share;
- the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;
- the dividend rate, or method of calculation, the dates on which dividends
will be payable, whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative
and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will commence to
accumulate;
- any redemption or sinking fund provisions;
- any conversion provisions;
- whether we have elected to offer depositary shares as described under
"Description of Depositary Shares"; and
- any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions
on the preferred stock.
The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable.
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of the
preferred stock will rank equally as to dividends and liquidation rights in all
respects with each other series of preferred stock, except for the junior
preferred stock, and will rank senior in all respects to any outstanding shares
of our junior preferred stock and common stock.
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The preferred stock will have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any
additional securities which we may issue.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
depositary, transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption
agent for shares of the preferred stock will be First Chicago Trust Company, a
division of EquiServe LP.
As described under "Description of Depositary Shares," we may, at our
option, with respect to any series of the preferred stock, elect to offer
fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, and provide for the issuance
of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, each of which will
represent a fractional interest in a share of that series of the preferred
stock. The fractional interest will be specified in the prospectus supplement
relating to a particular series of the preferred stock.
Any series of the preferred stock will, with respect to the priority of the
payment of dividends and the priority of payments upon liquidation, winding up
and dissolution, rank:
- senior to all classes of common stock and all equity securities issued by
us the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities
will rank junior to the preferred stock, the "JUNIOR SECURITIES";
- equally with all equity securities issued by us the terms of which
specifically provide that the equity securities will rank equally with
the preferred stock, the "PARITY SECURITIES"; and
- junior to all equity securities issued by us the terms of which
specifically provide that the equity securities will rank senior to the
preferred stock.
DIVIDENDS
Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by our board of directors, cash dividends at the rates
and on the dates described in the prospectus supplement. Different series of
preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different rates or based on
different methods of calculation. The dividend rate may be fixed or variable or
both. If variable, we will describe the formula or other method used for
determining the applicable dividend rate for each dividend period in the
applicable prospectus supplement. If fixed, dividends will be calculated on the
basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
Dividends on any series of the preferred stock may be cumulative or
noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our
board of directors does not declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment
date on any series of noncumulative preferred stock, then the holders of that
noncumulative preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that
dividend payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend
accrued for that period, whether or not dividends on that series are declared
payable on any future dividend payment dates.
We may not declare or pay full dividends or set funds apart for the payment
of any dividends on any parity securities unless we have paid or set apart for
payment dividends on the preferred stock. If we do not pay full dividends, the
preferred stock will share dividends pro rata with the parity securities. We may
not declare or pay dividends or set funds apart for the payment of dividends on
any junior securities unless we have (1) paid full cumulative dividends for all
dividend periods terminating on or before the date of the declaration or payment
or (2) declared those dividends and set apart a sum sufficient for the payment
on the preferred stock.
Our ability to pay dividends on our preferred stock is subject to policies
established by the Federal Reserve Board. See the "Supervision and
Regulation -- Dividend Restrictions" section of our annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1999, which is incorporated by reference in this
prospectus.
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RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION
If we dissolve, liquidate or wind up our affairs, either voluntarily or
involuntarily, the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to
receive, before any payment or distribution of assets is made to holders of
junior securities, liquidating distributions in the amount described in the
prospectus supplement relating to that series of the preferred stock, plus an
amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and, if the series of the preferred
stock is cumulative, for all dividend periods prior to that point in time. If we
do not pay in full the amounts payable with respect to the preferred stock of
any series and any other parity securities, the holders of the preferred stock
of that series and of the parity securities will share proportionately in the
distribution of our assets in proportion to the full liquidation preferences to
which they are entitled. After we pay in full the holders of preferred stock and
the parity securities, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining
assets.
Because we are a financial holding company, our rights, the rights of our
creditors and of our stockholders, including the holders of the preferred stock
offered by this prospectus, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon
the subsidiary's liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to the prior
claims of the subsidiary's creditors, except to the extent that we may ourselves
be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.
REDEMPTION
A series of the preferred stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at
our option or the option of the holder. In addition, a series of preferred stock
may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise.
We will describe in the prospectus supplement the redemption provisions that may
apply to a series of preferred stock, including the redemption dates and the
redemption prices for that series.
In the event of partial redemptions of preferred stock, whether by
mandatory or optional redemption, our board of directors will determine the
method for selecting the shares to be redeemed, which may be by lot or pro rata
or by any other method determined to be equitable.
On or after a redemption date, unless we default in the payment of the
redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue on shares of preferred stock
called for redemption. In addition, all rights of holders of the shares will
terminate, except for the right to receive the redemption price.
Under current regulations, bank holding companies may exercise an option to
redeem shares of preferred stock included as Tier 1 capital, or exchange the
preferred stock for debt securities, without the prior approval of the Federal
Reserve Board, if the bank holding company will remain well capitalized, well-
managed and is not the subject of any unresolved supervisory issues.
VOTING RIGHTS
Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders
of the preferred stock will have no voting rights except as set forth below or
as otherwise required by law.
Whenever dividends payable on the preferred stock are in arrears for a
number of dividend periods, whether or not consecutive, which in the aggregate
is equivalent to six calendar quarters, the holders of outstanding shares of the
preferred stock, voting as a class with holders of shares of all other series of
preferred stock ranking equally with the preferred stock either as to dividends
or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and
upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will be
entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors on the terms set
forth below. These voting rights will continue, in the case of any series of
cumulative preferred stock, until we have paid in full all past dividends
accumulated on shares of cumulative preferred stock. Upon payment in full of
these dividends,
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the voting rights will terminate, except as expressly provided by law. These
voting rights are subject to re-vesting in the event of each subsequent default
in the payment of dividends. Holders of all series of preferred stock which are
granted these voting rights and which rank equally with the preferred stock will
vote as a class, and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, each holder of shares of the preferred stock will have one vote for
each share of stock held and each other series will have the number of votes, if
any, for each share of stock held as may be granted to them. In the event that
the holders of shares of the preferred stock are entitled to vote as described
in this paragraph, our board of directors will be increased by two directors,
and the holders of the preferred stock will have the exclusive right as members
of that class, as outlined above, to elect two directors at the next annual
meeting of stockholders.
Upon termination of the right of the holders of the preferred stock to vote
for directors as discussed in the preceding paragraph, the term of office of all
directors then in office elected by those holders will terminate immediately.
Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by those holders ends and
the related special voting rights expire, the number of directors will
automatically be decreased to the number of directors as would otherwise
prevail.
So long as any shares of preferred stock remain outstanding, we will not,
without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of
the shares of the preferred stock outstanding at the time, voting as a class
with all other series of preferred stock ranking equally with the preferred
stock either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred
and are exercisable, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a
meeting:
- issue, authorize or increase the authorized amount of, any class or
series of stock ranking senior to the preferred stock with respect to
payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of us; or
- amend, alter or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise,
the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation or the certificate of
designations of the preferred stock so as to adversely affect any powers,
preferences, privileges or rights of the preferred stock.
However, any increase in the amount of authorized preferred stock or the
creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of
other series of preferred stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized
shares of preferred stock, in each case ranking equally with or junior to the
preferred stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of
assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up will not be deemed to
adversely affect these powers, preferences, privileges or rights.
Under regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, if the holders of
any series of the preferred stock are or become entitled to vote for the
election of directors because dividends on the series are in arrears, the series
may then be deemed a "class of voting securities" and a holder of 25% or more of
that series, or a holder of 5% or more if it otherwise exercises a "controlling
influence" over us, may then be subject to regulation as a bank holding company
in accordance with the Bank Holding Company Act. In addition, whenever a series
is deemed a class of voting securities, (a) any other bank holding company may
be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire or
retain 5% or more of that series and (b) any person other than a bank holding
company may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board to
acquire or retain 10% or more of that series.
CONVERSION RIGHTS
The prospectus supplement relating to any series of the preferred stock
that is convertible will state the terms on which shares of that series are
convertible into our other securities.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
GENERAL
We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock,
"DEPOSITARY SHARES," rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we
will issue to the public receipts, called "DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS," for depositary
shares, each of which will represent a fraction, to be described in the
prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.
The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary
shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement, the "DEPOSIT AGREEMENT,"
between us and the depositary named in the prospectus supplement, the
"DEPOSITARY." Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a
depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional
interest in a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to
all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the
depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion
and liquidation rights.
The following summary of certain provisions of the deposit agreement is not
complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to,
all the provisions of the deposit agreement. Whenever particular sections of the
deposit agreement are referred to, it is intended that the sections will be
incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read copies of the
forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipt filed as exhibits to the
registration statement which contains this prospectus.
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash
distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders
of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by
those holders.
If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will
distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares,
unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the
distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the
property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.
WITHDRAWAL OF STOCK
Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for
redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the office of the
depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery, at
the office of the depositary to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole
shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the
depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a
number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares
representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the
depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt
evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the
depositary deliver fractional shares of preferred stock upon surrender of
depositary receipts.
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the
depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary
shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, so long as we
have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock
to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on
the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per
depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per
share payable on the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of
preferred stock represented by one depositary
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share. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary
shares to be redeemed will be selected by the lot or pro rata as may be
determined by the depositary.
After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for
redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the
holders of depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the moneys
payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of
the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the
depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.
VOTING THE PREFERRED STOCK
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred
stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained
in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts
relating to that preferred stock. The record date for the depositary receipts
relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the
preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date
will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting
rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that
holder's depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as
practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the
depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to
take all action which it deems necessary in order for it to do so. The
depositary will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent it
receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares
representing that number of shares of 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 existing holders of depositary receipts will
not be effective unless it has been approved by the holders of at least a
majority of the depositary shares then outstanding.
We or the depositary may terminate the deposit agreement only if:
- all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or
- there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in
connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and the
distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.
CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising
solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of
the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and
any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay
other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges
as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF DEPOSITARY
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its
election to do so, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation
or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our appointment of a
successor depositary and its acceptance of that appointment. The 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.
NOTICES
The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices,
reports and other
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communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, which
are delivered to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the
holders of the preferred stock.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented
or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our
obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the
depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good
faith of our and their duties under that agreement. We and the depositary will
not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any
depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished.
We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, on
information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders
of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on
documents believed to be genuine.
INSPECTION OF BOOKS
Any record holder of depositary shares who has been a holder for at least
six months or who holds at least five percent of our outstanding shares of
capital stock will be entitled to inspect the transfer books relating to the
depositary shares and the list of record holders of depositary shares upon
certification to the depositary that the holder is acting in good faith and that
the inspection is for a proper purpose.
DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING PREFERRED STOCK
GENERAL
The following summary of the outstanding series of our preferred stock does
not purport to be complete, and is subject in all respects to the applicable
provisions of the Rhode Island Business Corporation Act, our Articles of
Incorporation and our bylaws.
SERIES V 7.25% PERPETUAL PREFERRED STOCK
The holders of Series V preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends
at the rate of 7.25% per annum, payable quarterly, before we may declare or pay
any dividend on our common stock or any junior securities. The dividends on the
Series V preferred stock are cumulative. We may redeem the Series V preferred
stock, in whole or in part, at our option, on and after April 15, 2001, at $250
per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any. However, so long as any
shares of the Series V preferred stock are outstanding, we may not redeem any
shares of our common stock or any other junior securities or parity securities,
unless we have paid full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of the
Series V preferred stock for all past dividend payment periods.
If any dividends on the Series V preferred stock are in arrears, we may not
redeem any shares of the Series V preferred stock, unless we simultaneously
redeem all outstanding shares of the Series V preferred stock, except pursuant
to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all
outstanding shares of the Series V preferred stock.
Holders of the Series V preferred stock have no voting rights except as
described above under "Description of Preferred Stock -- Voting Rights."
SERIES VI 6.75% PERPETUAL PREFERRED STOCK
The holders of Series VI preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends
at the rate of 6.75% per annum, payable quarterly, before we may declare or pay
any dividend on our common stock or any junior securities. The dividends on the
Series VI preferred stock are cumulative. We will increase the amount of
dividends payable in respect of the Series VI preferred stock in the event the
Internal
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Revenue Code is amended to reduce the "DIVIDENDS RECEIVED DEDUCTION," i.e., the
percentage of the dividend payable on the Series VI preferred stock which may be
deducted by corporate holders.
We may redeem the Series VI preferred stock, in whole or in part, at our
option, on and after April 15, 2006, at $250 per share, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends, if any. We may also redeem the Series VI preferred stock prior to
April 15, 2006, in whole, at our option, in the event the Internal Revenue Code
is amended to reduce the dividends received deduction.
So long as any shares of the Series VI preferred stock are outstanding, we
may not redeem any shares of our common stock or any other junior securities or
parity securities unless we have paid full cumulative dividends on all
outstanding shares of the Series VI preferred stock for all past dividend
payment periods. Further, if any dividends on the Series VI preferred stock are
in arrears, we may not redeem any shares of the Series VI preferred stock unless
we simultaneously redeem all outstanding shares of the Series VI preferred
stock, except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to
holders of all outstanding shares of the Series VI preferred stock.
Holders of the Series VI preferred stock have no voting rights except as
described above under "Description of Preferred Stock -- Voting Rights."
SERIES VII FIXED/ADJUSTABLE RATE
CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK
Through April 1, 2006, the holders of the Series VII preferred are entitled
to receive dividends at the rate of 6.60% per annum computed on the basis of the
issue price of the Series VII preferred stock of $250 per share, payable
quarterly, before we may declare or pay any dividend upon our common stock or
any junior securities. Thereafter, the dividend rate on the Series VII preferred
stock will be a rate per annum equal to .50% plus the highest of the Treasury
Bill Rate, the Ten Year Constant Maturity Rate and the Thirty Year Constant
Maturity Rate, as each term is defined in the Certificate of Designation
establishing the Series VII preferred stock. The applicable rate per annum for
any dividend period beginning on or after April 1, 2006 will not be less than
7.0% nor greater than 13.0%.
Dividends on the Series VII preferred stock are cumulative. We will
increase the amount of dividends that will be payable in respect of the Series
VII preferred stock in the event the Internal Revenue Code is amended to reduce
the dividends received deduction.
We may redeem the Series VII preferred stock, in whole or in part, at our
option, on and after April 1, 2006, at $250 per share, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends, if any. We may also redeem the Series VII preferred stock prior to
April 1, 2006, in whole, at our option, in the event the Internal Revenue Code
is amended to reduce the dividends received deduction.
So long as any shares of the Series VII preferred stock are outstanding, we
may not redeem any shares of our common stock or any junior securities or parity
securities, unless we have paid full cumulative dividends on all outstanding
shares of Series VII preferred stock for all past dividend payment periods.
Further, if any dividends on the Series VII preferred stock are in arrears, we
may not redeem any shares of the Series VII preferred stock, unless we
simultaneously redeem all outstanding shares of the Series VII preferred stock,
except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to
holders of all outstanding shares of the Series VII preferred stock.
Holders of the Series VII preferred stock have no voting rights except as
described above under "Description of Preferred Stock -- Voting Rights."
SERIES VIII FIXED/ADJUSTABLE RATE NONCUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK
Through October 1, 2001, the holders of the Series VIII preferred stock are
entitled to receive dividends at the rate of 6.59% per annum, payable quarterly,
before we may
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declare or pay any dividend on our common stock or any junior securities.
Thereafter, the dividend rate on the Series VIII preferred stock will be a rate
per annum equal to .45% plus the highest of the Treasury Bill Rate, the Ten Year
Constant Maturity Rate and the Thirty Year Constant Maturity Rate, as each term
is defined in the Certificate of Designations establishing the Series VIII
preferred stock. The applicable rate per annum for any dividend period beginning
on or after October 1, 2001 will not be less than 7.0% nor greater than 13.0%.
The dividends on the Series VIII preferred stock are noncumulative. We will
increase the amount of dividends payable in respect of the Series VIII preferred
stock in the event the Internal Revenue Code is amended to reduce the dividends
received deduction.
We may redeem the Series VIII preferred stock, in whole or in part, at our
option on and after October 1, 2001, at $250 per share, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends, if any, for the then-current dividend period, without accumulation of
accrued and unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods. We may also redeem the
Series VIII preferred stock prior to October 1, 2001, in whole, at our option,
in the event the Internal Revenue Code is amended to reduce the dividends
received deduction.
So long as any shares of the Series VIII preferred stock are outstanding,
we may not redeem any shares of our common stock or any junior securities or
parity securities, unless we have paid all dividends on all outstanding shares
of Series VIII preferred stock for the then-current dividend period. Further, if
we have not paid dividends on the Series VIII preferred stock for the
then-current dividend period, we may not redeem any shares of the Series VIII
preferred stock, unless we simultaneously redeem all outstanding shares of that
class, except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to
holders of all outstanding shares of the Series VIII preferred stock.
Holders of the Series VIII preferred stock have no voting rights except as
described above under "Description of Preferred Stock -- Voting Rights."
JUNIOR PREFERRED STOCK
As of the date of this prospectus, there were six million shares of junior
preferred stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of our preferred share
purchase rights. See "-- Description of Common Stock -- Preferred Share Purchase
Rights." Shares of junior preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of our
preferred share purchase rights will rank junior to the preferred stock and will
not be redeemable. Each share of junior preferred stock will, subject to the
rights of our senior securities, be entitled to a preferential cumulative
quarterly dividend payment equal to the greater of $1.00 per share or, subject
to certain adjustments, 100 times the dividend declared per share of our common
stock. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of junior
preferred stock will, subject to the rights of those senior securities, be
entitled to a preferential liquidation payment equal to the greater of $1.00 per
share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, or 100 times the amount received
per share of our common stock. Finally, in the event of any merger,
consolidation or other transaction in which shares of our common stock are
exchanged, each share of junior preferred stock will, subject to the rights of
those senior securities, be entitled to receive 100 times the amount received
per share of our common stock. Each share of junior preferred stock will have
100 votes, voting together with our common stock. The rights of junior preferred
stock are protected by customary antidilution provisions.
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<PAGE> 46
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
GENERAL
We have two billion shares of common stock authorized, of which 902,913,280
shares were outstanding as of March 31, 2000.
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and
if declared by our board of directors out of any funds legally available for
dividends. Holders of our common stock are also entitled, upon our liquidation,
and after claims of creditors and preferences of preferred stock, and any other
class or series of preferred stock outstanding at the time of liquidation, to
receive pro rata our net assets. We pay dividends on our common stock only if we
have paid or provided for all dividends on our outstanding series of preferred
stock, for the then-current period and, in the case of any cumulative preferred
stock, all prior periods.
Our preferred stock has, or upon issuance will have, preference over our
common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of
assets in the event of our liquidation or dissolution. Our preferred stock also
has such other preferences as may be fixed by our board of directors.
Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share that
they hold and are vested with all of the voting power except as our board of
directors has provided, or may provide in the future, with respect to preferred
stock or any other class or series of preferred stock that the board of
directors may authorize in the future. See "Description of Preferred Stock" and
"Description of Existing Preferred Stock." Shares of our common stock are not
redeemable, and have no subscription, conversion or preemptive rights.
The affirmative vote of not less than 80% of our outstanding voting stock,
voting separately as a class, is required for certain business combinations
between us and/or our subsidiaries and persons owning 10% or more of our voting
stock. See "Selected Provisions in Our Articles of Incorporation -- Business
Combinations With Related Persons."
Our common stock is listed on the New York and Boston Stock Exchanges. When
we issue shares of common stock, the shares will be fully paid and
non-assessable. There is a provision of Rhode Island law (G.L. 1956 sec.
7-1.1-43) that relates to distributions by us to our stockholders. If our board
of directors approves, and we make, a distribution when we are insolvent, or
that renders us insolvent, and any of our directors is found liable for the
distribution, then our stockholders may be required to pay back to us the amount
of the distribution made to our stockholders (or the portion of the distribution
that caused us to become insolvent).
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is First Chicago
Trust Company, a division of EquiServe LP.
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP
The Bank Holding Company Act requires any "bank holding company," as
defined in the Bank Holding Company Act, to obtain the approval of the Federal
Reserve Board prior to the acquisition of 5% or more of our common stock. Any
person, other than a bank holding company, is required to obtain prior approval
of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire 10% or more of our common stock under
the Change in Bank Control Act. Any holder of 25% or more of our common stock,
or a holder of 5% or more if the holder otherwise exercises a "controlling
influence" over us, is subject to regulation as a bank holding company under the
Bank Holding Company Act. See the "Supervision and Regulation -- Control
Acquisitions" section of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1999, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
PREFERRED SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS
On November 21, 1990, our board of directors declared a dividend of one
preferred
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<PAGE> 47
share purchase right, a "FLEETBOSTON RIGHT," for each outstanding share of our
common stock. This was adjusted to one-half of a right per share upon our
two-for-one common stock split that was effective October 7, 1998. We paid the
dividend on December 4, 1990, to the stockholders of record on that date. Each
FleetBoston right, when exercisable and prior to adjustment, will entitle the
registered holder to purchase from us one one-hundredth of a share of junior
preferred stock at an exercise price of $50 per one one-hundredth of a share of
junior preferred stock, subject to certain adjustments. Until the earlier of the
"Distribution Date" and the "Expiration Date," each as defined in the
FleetBoston rights agreement, we will issue one-half of a FleetBoston right with
each share of our common stock.
The FleetBoston rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The FleetBoston
rights may cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to
acquire us on terms not approved by our board of directors, except pursuant to
an offer conditioned on a substantial number of FleetBoston rights being
acquired. The FleetBoston rights should not interfere with any merger or other
business combination approved by our board of directors prior to the time that
there is an "acquiring person," as defined in the FleetBoston rights agreement,
at which time holders of the FleetBoston rights become entitled to exercise
their FleetBoston rights for shares of our common stock at one-half the market
price of our common stock. Until there is an acquiring person, however, our
board of directors generally may redeem the FleetBoston rights at $.005 per
FleetBoston right.
SELECTED PROVISIONS IN OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
The following discussion sets forth material provisions of our Articles of
Incorporation.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Our Articles of Incorporation provide that neither we nor any of our
subsidiaries may engage in business transactions known as "business
combinations" with persons known as "related persons" unless the transaction:
- was approved by an 80% vote of our board of directors prior to the time
the related person became a related person;
- is approved by a vote of 80% of the continuing directors and a majority
of our entire board of directors and the transaction complies with
certain conditions related to price and procedure; or
- if there is not full compliance with the preceding two bullet points, the
transaction is approved by a vote of 80% of the outstanding shares of our
capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
voting as a single class.
A "BUSINESS COMBINATION" includes:
- any merger or consolidation of us or any of our subsidiaries with a
related person or any of its affiliates or associates;
- any sale, exchange, lease, transfer or other disposition to a related
person of all, substantially all or any substantial part of our assets or
any of our subsidiaries; "Substantial part" is defined as assets having a
value of more than 5% of our total consolidated assets;
- any purchase, exchange, lease or other acquisition by us or any of our
subsidiaries of all or any substantial part of the assets or business of
a related person or any of its affiliates or associates;
- any reclassification of securities, recapitalization or other transaction
that has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the
proportionate amount of our voting shares or any subsidiary which
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<PAGE> 48
are beneficially owned by a related person; and
- the acquisition by a related person of beneficial ownership of voting
securities, securities convertible into voting securities or any rights,
warrants or options to acquire voting securities of any of our
subsidiaries.
A "RELATED PERSON" includes any person who is the beneficial owner of 10%
or more of our voting shares prior to the consummation of a business combination
or any person who is our affiliate and was the beneficial owner of 10% or more
of our voting shares at any time within the five years preceding the date on
which our board of directors authorizes a binding agreement providing for a
business combination.
"CONTINUING DIRECTORS" are those individuals who were members of our board
of directors prior to the time a related person became the beneficial owner of
10% or more of our voting stock or those individuals designated as continuing
directors (prior to their initial election as directors) by a majority of the
then-continuing directors.
To amend these provisions, a supermajority vote (80%) of our board of
directors, a majority vote of the continuing directors and a supermajority vote
(80%) of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote on the
matter is required. If the amendment is recommended to the stockholders by a
majority of our board of directors and not less than 80% of the continuing
directors, only the vote provided under the Rhode Island Business Corporation
Act is required.
DIRECTORS
Our Articles of Incorporation contain a number of additional provisions
that are intended to delay an outside party's ability to take control of our
board of directors, even after the outside party has obtained majority ownership
of our common stock. Our Articles of Incorporation provide for a classified
board of directors, consisting of three classes of directors serving staggered
three-year terms.
Our directors may only be removed for cause and only by a vote of:
- the holders of 80% of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote on
the election of directors, voting separately as a class at a meeting
called for that purpose; or
- a majority of the continuing directors and a majority of our board of
directors as it exists at that time.
Vacancies on our board of directors, regardless of the reason, may only be
filled by our board of directors, acting by a vote of 80% of the directors then
in office.
Our Articles of Incorporation provide that our board of directors is to
consist of 13 members, unless otherwise determined by resolution adopted by a
supermajority vote (80%) of our board of directors and a majority of the
continuing directors. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution fixing the
number of directors at 24. In connection with our merger with BankBoston, our
by-laws were amended to provide for a ratio of 13 directors selected by our
board of directors prior to the merger and 11 directors selected by the board of
directors of BankBoston. The amended by-laws include procedures for maintaining
this ratio for a specified period. These by-law provisions may only be amended
by a vote of at least 75% of our board of directors then in office at a meeting
at which at least 66 2/3% of our directors then in office are in attendance.
In the event that quarterly dividends are not paid on our non-voting
preferred stock, the holders of that preferred stock, voting separately as a
class, will be entitled to elect additional directors.
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<PAGE> 49
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants to purchase preferred stock or common stock. Warrants
may be issued independently or together with preferred stock or common stock and
may be attached to or separate from any preferred stock or common stock. We will
issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered
into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our
agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or
relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of
warrants. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the
warrants that we may offer. We will describe the particular terms of the
warrants and the applicable warrant agreement in the prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants will
describe the terms of the warrants, which may include the following:
- the title of the warrants;
- the offering price for the warrants, if any;
- the aggregate number of the warrants;
- the designation and terms of the preferred stock or common stock
purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;
- if applicable, the designation and terms of the preferred stock or common
stock with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants
issued with each security;
- if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the related
preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;
- the number of shares of preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon
exercise of a warrant and the price at which those shares may be
purchased;
- the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the
date on which that right will expire;
- if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be
exercised at any one time;
- information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
- the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and
the exercise price are payable;
- if applicable, a discussion of material United States Federal income tax
considerations;
- the antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any;
- any redemption or call provisions; and
- any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and
limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.
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<PAGE> 50
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
FleetBoston may sell securities:
- to the public through a group of underwriters managed or co-managed by
one or more underwriters, which may include FleetBoston Robertson
Stephens Inc. ("FRS"), Fleet Securities Inc. ("FSI") or other affiliates;
- through one or more agents, which may include FRS, FSI or other
affiliates; or
- directly to purchasers.
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions:
- at a fixed price, or prices, which may be changed from time to time;
- at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
- at prices related to those prevailing market prices; or
- at negotiated prices.
Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the
securities and any applicable restrictions.
The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular
series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the
following:
- the name of the agent or the name or names of any underwriters;
- the public offering or purchase price;
- any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or
underwriters;
- all other items constituting underwriting compensation;
- any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and
- any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.
Only the agents or underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be
agents or underwriters in connection with the securities being offered.
We may agree to enter into an agreement to indemnify the agents and the
several underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act or to contribute to payments the agents or the
underwriters may be required to make.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize
underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase securities or warrants from us pursuant to delayed
delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the
prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and
the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to those contracts will be
equal to, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement.
Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include
commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment
companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but
will in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will
not be subject to any conditions except that:
- the purchase by an institution of the securities or warrants covered
under that contract will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under
the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and
- if the securities or warrants are also being sold to underwriters acting
as principals for their own account, the underwriters will have purchased
those securities or warrants not sold for delayed delivery. The
underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will
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<PAGE> 51
not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of
delayed delivery contracts.
Certain of the underwriters and their associates and affiliates may be
customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions
with, and/or perform services, including investment banking services, for, us or
one or more of our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
FRS and FSI are our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Accordingly, the
distribution of securities by FRS and/or FSI will conform to the requirements
set forth in Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. In accordance with Rule 2720, no member of the NASD
participating in an underwriting will be permitted to confirm sales to accounts
over which it exercises discretionary authority without prior specific approval
of the customer.
Certain of the underwriters may use this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement for offers and sales related to market-making transactions
in the securities. These underwriters may act as principal or agent in these
transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market
prices at the time of sale.
EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by
reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999
have been so incorporated by reference in this document in reliance on the
report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given upon the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by
Edwards & Angell, LLP, 101 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1800. V.
Duncan Johnson, a partner of Edwards & Angell, LLP, is a director of Fleet Bank
(RI), National Association, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and
beneficially owns 9,856 shares of our common stock. Unless otherwise specified
in the applicable prospectus supplement, Brown & Wood LLP, One World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048-0557, will pass upon certain matters for the
underwriters.
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<PAGE> 52
FLEET BOSTON LOGO
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
$
PREFERRED STOCK
COMMON STOCK
WARRANTS
-------------------------
PROSPECTUS
, 2000
-------------------------
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 information.
We are not offering the securities in any state where the offer is not
permitted.
We do not claim the accuracy of the information in this prospectus as of
any date other than the dates stated on the cover.
<PAGE> 53
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE
MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS
NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO
BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 5, 2000
PROSPECTUS
FLEET BOSTON LOGO
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VI
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VII
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VIII
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST IX
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST X
PREFERRED SECURITIES
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE
ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, BY
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
THE TRUSTS:
The trusts are Delaware business trusts. Each trust may from time to time:
-- sell preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in
the trust to the public.
-- sell common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the
trust to FleetBoston Financial Corporation.
-- use the proceeds from these sales to buy an equal principal amount of
junior subordinated debentures of FleetBoston Financial Corporation.
-- distribute the cash payments it receives on the junior subordinated
debentures it owns to the holders of the preferred and common securities.
DISTRIBUTIONS:
-- For each preferred security that you own, you will receive cumulative cash
distributions at a rate set forth in the accompanying prospectus
supplement on the liquidation amount of the preferred security. The
liquidation amount per preferred security will be set forth in the
accompanying prospectus supplement.
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION:
-- FleetBoston Financial Corporation will fully and unconditionally guarantee
the payment by the trust of the preferred securities based on obligations
discussed in this prospectus. This is called the preferred securities
guarantee.
We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this
prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before
you invest.
A security is not a deposit and the securities are not insured or guaranteed by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
This prospectus may be used to offer and sell securities only if accompanied by
the prospectus supplement for those securities.
NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is , 2000
<PAGE> 54
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
We provide information to you about the securities we are offering in two
separate documents that progressively provide more detail:
- this prospectus, which provides general information, some of which may
not apply to your securities; and
- the accompanying prospectus supplement, which describes the specific and
final terms of your securities.
IF THE TERMS OF YOUR SECURITIES VARY BETWEEN THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND
THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, YOU SHOULD RELY ON THE INFORMATION IN THE FOLLOWING
ORDER OF PRIORITY:
- THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT; AND
- THE PROSPECTUS.
We include cross-references in this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement to captions in these materials where you can find further
related discussions. The Table of Contents included in the accompanying
prospectus supplement provide the pages on which these captions are located.
------------------------
Unless indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, neither we nor
the underwriters have taken any action that would permit us to publicly sell
these securities in any jurisdiction outside the United States. If you are an
investor outside the United States, you should inform yourself about and comply
with any restrictions as to the offering of the securities and the distribution
of this prospectus.
<PAGE> 55
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the "SEC," utilizing a "shelf" registration
process. Under this shelf process, we may from time to time sell any combination
of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a
total dollar amount of $3,000,000,000. We may also sell other securities under
the registration statement that will reduce the total dollar amount of
securities that we may sell under this prospectus. This prospectus provides you
with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell
securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific
information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also
add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read
both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional
information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all
references in this prospectus to "FLEETBOSTON," "WE," "US," "OUR" or similar
references mean FleetBoston Financial Corporation.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities
Act of 1933 that registers, among other securities, the offer and sale of the
securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the
attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about
us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit certain information
included in the registration statement from this prospectus.
In addition, we file reports, proxy statements and other information with
the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy this
information at the following locations of the SEC:
Public Reference Room
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Room 1024
Washington, D.C. 20549
Northeast Regional Office
7 World Trade Center
Suite 1300
New York, New York 10048
Midwest Regional Office
500 West Madison Street
Suite 1400
Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511
You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington,
D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
The SEC also maintains an internet world wide web site that contains
reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, who file
electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is:
http://www.sec.gov.
You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about
us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005 and the Boston Stock Exchange, 100 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110.
The SEC allows us to "INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE" information into this
prospectus. This 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 considered to be a part of this prospectus, except
for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly
in this document or in a more recent incorporated document.
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<PAGE> 56
This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that
we have previously filed with the SEC. They contain important information about
us and our financial condition.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEC FILINGS PERIOD
- ----------- ------
<S> <C>
Annual Report on Form 10-K.............................. Year ended December 31, 1999, as
filed on March 9, 2000
The description of FleetBoston common stock set forth in
the FleetBoston registration statement filed by
Industrial National Corporation (predecessor to
FleetBoston) on Form 8-B dated May 29, 1970, and any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating
that description; and
Current Reports on Form 8-K............................. Filed:
-January 12, 2000
-February 2, 2000, as amended by a
Form 8-K/A filed March 9, 2000
-March 9, 2000
-April 20, 2000
</TABLE>
We incorporate by reference additional documents that we may file with the
SEC between the date of this prospectus and the date we sell all of the
securities. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on
Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as
well as proxy statements.
You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this
document through us, or from the SEC through the SEC's Internet world wide web
site at the address described above. Documents incorporated by reference are
available from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents,
unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in
this prospectus. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the
following address:
Investor Relations Department
FleetBoston Financial Corporation
P.O. Box 2016, MA DE 10020B
Boston, Massachusetts 02106-2106
(617) 434-7858
We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any
representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, those
contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have
incorporated into this prospectus. If anyone does give you information of this
sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to
sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this
document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct
these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not
extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the
date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another
date applies.
We have not included separate financial statements of the trusts in this
prospectus. FleetBoston does not believe that holders of the preferred
securities would find these financial statements helpful because:
- all of the voting securities of each of the trusts will be owned,
directly or indirectly, by FleetBoston, a reporting company under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
- each of the trusts has no independent operations and exists for the sole
purpose of issuing the preferred securities and investing the proceeds in
junior subordinated debentures issued by FleetBoston; and
- FleetBoston's obligations described in this prospectus and in any
accompanying prospectus supplement constitute a full and unconditional
guarantee of payments due on the preferred securities.
The trusts do not file reports with the SEC.
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<PAGE> 57
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including information included or incorporated by
reference, contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to
FleetBoston's financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives,
future performance and business, including, without limitation statements
preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believes," "expects,"
"anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions.
These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties.
Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the
forward-looking statements due to many factors, including:
- general political and economic conditions, either domestically or
internationally or in the states in which we are doing business, may be
less favorable than expected;
- interest rate and currency fluctuations, equity and bond market
fluctuations and perceptions, the level of personal and corporate
customer's bankruptcies, and inflation, may be greater than expected;
- competitive product and pricing pressures among financial services
organizations may increase significantly;
- legislative or regulatory developments, including changes in laws
concerning taxes, banking, securities, insurance and other aspects of the
financial services industry, may adversely affect our business;
- technological changes, including the impact of the Internet on our
business, may be more difficult or expensive than anticipated;
- expected cost savings and revenue enhancements from mergers and
acquisitions, including our merger with BankBoston Corporation, may not
be fully realized or may not be realized within the expected time frame;
- the level of costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired
businesses, including our merger with BankBoston, may be greater than
expected; and
- the negative impact of the divestitures completed or to be completed in
connection with our merger with BankBoston may be greater than expected.
4
<PAGE> 58
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
We are a diversified financial services company offering a comprehensive
array of innovative financial solutions to approximately 20 million customers in
more than 20 countries. Among our key lines of business are:
- Global Banking and Financial Services -- includes investment services,
corporate and investment banking, international banking, principal
investing, retail brokerage and investment banking;
- Commercial and Retail Banking -- includes domestic retail banking to
consumer and small business customers, community development banking, and
domestic commercial banking operations, including middle market and
asset-based lending, leasing, cash management, trade finance and
government banking services; and
- National Consumer Group -- includes mortgage banking, credit card
services and student loan processing.
On October 1, 1999, we completed the merger of BankBoston into us. In
connection with obtaining regulatory approvals for the merger, the Federal
Reserve Board and the United States Department of Justice required us to agree
to divest approximately $13 billion of deposits and $9 billion of loans from the
combined company, which is expected to result in an annualized reduction of net
income of approximately $160 million. On March 24, 2000, we completed the first
phase of these divestitures, involving approximately $4 billion of deposits and
approximately $3.6 billion of loans located primarily in Rhode Island and
Connecticut. We expect to complete the remaining phases of the divestitures
later in 2000.
All financial information set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement has been restated for all periods to give effect to the
merger. Because the divestitures will not be significant to us, the financial
information has not been adjusted to show the effects of the divestitures.
At December 31, 1999, our total assets on a consolidated basis were $190.7
billion, our consolidated total deposits were $114.9 billion and our
consolidated total stockholders' equity was $15.3 billion. Based on total
assets, we are the eighth largest financial holding company in the United
States.
FleetBoston's principal office is located at One Federal Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, telephone number (617) 346-4000.
THE TRUSTS
Each of the trusts is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law
pursuant to a declaration of trust, each a "DECLARATION," executed by
FleetBoston, as sponsor for the trust and the Fleet Capital trustees, as defined
below, for the trust and the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware
Secretary of State.
Each trust exists for the exclusive purposes of:
- issuing the preferred securities and common securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trust;
- investing the gross proceeds of the preferred securities and the common
securities, together the "TRUST SECURITIES," in junior subordinated
debentures; and
- engaging in only those other activities necessary or incidental to the
activities described in the previous two bullets.
All of the common securities will be directly or indirectly owned by
FleetBoston. The common securities of each trust will rank equally, and payments
will be made pro rata with the preferred securities of that trust, except that
upon an event of default under the declaration, the rights of the holders of the
common securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated
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to the rights of the holders of the preferred
securities. FleetBoston will, directly or indirectly, acquire common securities
of each trust in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least three percent
of the total capital of each trust.
Each trust's business and affairs will be conducted by the trustees, the
"FLEET CAPITAL TRUSTEES," appointed by FleetBoston, as the direct or indirect
holder of all the common securities. The holder of the common securities will be
entitled to appoint, remove or replace any of, or increase or reduce the number
of, the Fleet Capital trustees of a trust. The duties and obligations of the
Fleet Capital trustees will be governed by the declaration of that Fleet Capital
trust. One or more of the Fleet Capital trustees for each trust will be persons
who are employees or officers of or affiliated with FleetBoston, the "REGULAR
TRUSTEES." One Fleet Capital trustee of each trust will be a financial
institution which will be unaffiliated with FleetBoston and which will act as
institutional trustee under the declaration and as indenture trustee for
purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the "TRUST INDENTURE
ACT," pursuant to the terms set forth in a prospectus supplement. In addition,
unless the institutional trustee maintains a principal place of business in the
State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, one
Fleet Capital trustee of each trust will have its principal place of business or
reside in the State of Delaware.
Each Fleet Capital trust has a term of approximately 55 years, but may
terminate earlier as provided in the applicable declaration.
FleetBoston will pay all fees and expenses related to the Fleet Capital
trusts and the offering of trust securities.
The office of the Delaware trustee for each trust in the State of Delaware,
and its principal place of business is, The Bank of New York (Delaware), White
Clay Center, Route 273, Newark, Delaware 19711. The principal place of business
of each trust will be c/o FleetBoston Financial Corporation, One Federal Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110, telephone number (617) 346-4000.
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
FleetBoston's consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges were as
follows for the five most recent fiscal years:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:
Excluding Interest on Deposits.................... 2.18x 2.62x 3.00x 2.79x 1.91x
Including Interest on Deposits.................... 1.53 1.62 1.72 1.61 1.39
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
"EARNINGS" consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges, excluding
capitalized interest. "FIXED CHARGES" consist of interest on short-term debt and
long-term debt, including interest related to capitalized leases and capitalized
interest, and one-third of rent expense, which approximates the interest
component of that expense. In addition, where indicated, fixed charges include
interest on deposits.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Each trust will use the proceeds of the sale of the trust securities to
acquire junior subordinated debentures from FleetBoston. FleetBoston intends to
use the net proceeds from the sale of the junior subordinated debentures for
general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus
supplement. FleetBoston's general corporate purposes may include extending
credit to, or funding investments in, its subsidiaries. The precise amounts and
the timing of FleetBoston's use of the net proceeds will depend upon its
subsidiaries' funding requirements and the availability of other funds. Until
FleetBoston uses the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, it will use
the net proceeds to reduce its short-term indebtedness or for temporary
investments. FleetBoston expects that it will, on a recurrent basis, engage in
additional financings as the need arises to finance its growth, through
acquisitions or otherwise, or to fund its subsidiaries.
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
As a financial holding company, FleetBoston is subject to inspection,
examination and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the "GLB Act"),
which is discussed below under "-- Recent Legislation." FleetBoston's banking
subsidiaries are subject to extensive supervision, examination and regulation by
various bank regulatory authorities and other governmental agencies in the
states and countries where FleetBoston and its subsidiaries operate. Because
FleetBoston is a holding company, its rights and the rights of its creditors,
including Fleet Capital, as the holder of the junior subordinated debentures, as
well as any other holders of the securities FleetBoston is offering under this
prospectus, to participate in the assets of any of its subsidiaries upon the
subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims
of the subsidiary's creditors except to the extent that FleetBoston may itself
be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. In addition,
dividends, loans and advances from certain of FleetBoston's banking subsidiaries
to FleetBoston and its non-banking subsidiaries are restricted by federal and
state statutes and regulations. In addition, there are various statutory and
regulatory limitations on the extent to which FleetBoston's banking subsidiaries
can finance or otherwise transfer funds to FleetBoston or to its nonbanking
subsidiaries, whether in the form of loans, extensions of credit, investments or
asset purchases. Such transfers by any subsidiary bank to FleetBoston or a
nonbanking subsidiary are limited in amount to 10% of the bank's capital and
surplus and, with respect to FleetBoston and all such nonbanking subsidiaries,
to an aggregate of 20% of each such bank's capital and surplus. Furthermore,
loans and extensions of credit are required to be secured in specified amounts
and are required to be on terms and conditions consistent with safe and sound
banking practices.
In addition, there are regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends
directly or indirectly to FleetBoston from its banking subsidiaries. Under
applicable banking statutes, at December 31, 1999, FleetBoston's banking
subsidiaries could have declared additional dividends of approximately $1.4
billion without prior regulatory approval. Federal and state regulatory agencies
also have the authority to limit further FleetBoston's banking subsidiaries'
payment of dividends based on other factors, such as the maintenance of adequate
capital for such subsidiary bank.
Under the policy of the Federal Reserve Board, FleetBoston is expected to
act as a source of financial strength to each subsidiary bank and to commit
resources to support such subsidiary bank in circumstances where it might not do
so absent such policy. In addition, any subordinated loans by FleetBoston to any
of its subsidiary banks would also be subordinate in right of payment to
depositors and obligations
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to other creditors of such subsidiary bank. Further the Crime Control Act of
1990 amended the federal bankruptcy laws to provide that in the event of
FleetBoston's bankruptcy any commitment by it to its regulators to maintain the
capital of a banking subsidiary will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and
entitled to a priority of payment.
For a discussion of the material elements of the regulatory framework
applicable to financial holding companies, bank holding companies and their
subsidiaries, and specific information relevant to FleetBoston, refer to its
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and any other
subsequent reports filed by FleetBoston with the SEC, which are incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. This regulatory framework is intended primarily
for the protection of depositors and the deposit insurance funds that insure
deposits of banks, rather than for the protection of security holders. A change
in the statutes, regulations or regulatory policies applicable to FleetBoston or
its subsidiaries may have a material effect on its business.
RECENT LEGISLATION
The GLB Act, enacted in 1999, eliminates many of the restrictions placed on
the activities of certain qualified bank holding companies. A bank holding
company that qualifies as a "financial holding company" can expand into a wide
variety of financial services, including securities activities, insurance, and
merchant banking without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board.
FleetBoston's election to become a "financial holding company," which was filed
with the Federal Reserve Board, became effective on March 13, 2000.
Banks are also authorized by the GLB Act to engage, through "financial
subsidiaries," in certain activities that are permissible for a financial
holding company and other activities that its applicable regulators deem to be
financial in nature or incidental to any such financial activity. The authority
of a bank to invest in a financial subsidiary is subject to a number of
conditions.
The GLB Act also contains a number of other provisions that will affect
FleetBoston's operations and the operations of all financial institutions. At
this time FleetBoston is unable to predict the impact the GLB Act may have upon
it or its subsidiaries' financial condition or results of operations.
FUTURE LEGISLATION
Changes to the laws and regulations in the states and countries where
FleetBoston and its subsidiaries do business can affect the operating
environment of financial holding companies and their subsidiaries in substantial
and unpredictable ways. FleetBoston cannot accurately predict whether
legislation will ultimately be enacted, and, if enacted, the ultimate effect
that it, or implementing regulations, would have upon it or its subsidiaries'
financial condition or results of operations.
DESCRIPTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
FleetBoston may issue junior subordinated debentures from time to time in
one or more series under a base indenture, between FleetBoston and The Bank of
New York, as trustee, the "DEBT TRUSTEE," as supplemented by a supplemental
indenture or a resolution of FleetBoston's board of directors or a special
committee appointed by the board of directors. The base indenture, as
supplemented by the supplemental indenture is called the "INDENTURE." The terms
of the junior subordinated debentures will include those stated in the indenture
and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act.
Set forth below is a description of the general terms of the junior
subordinated debentures in which the trusts will invest the proceeds from the
issuance and sale of the trust securities. The particular terms of the junior
subordi-
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nated debentures will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the
particular preferred securities being offered. The following description is not
intended to be complete and is qualified by the indenture, the form of which is
filed as an exhibit to the registration statement which contains this
prospectus, and by the Trust Indenture Act.
GENERAL
The junior subordinated debentures will be issued as unsecured debt of
FleetBoston. The junior subordinated debentures will be fully subordinated as
described in the accompanying prospectus supplement under "Subordination." The
indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated
debentures which may be issued and provides that the junior subordinated
debentures may be issued from time to time in one or more series.
The prospectus supplement relating to the particular junior subordinated
debentures being offered will describe the terms of those securities, which may
include:
- the designation of the junior subordinated debentures;
- the aggregate principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures;
- the percentage of their principal amount at which the junior subordinated
debentures will be issued;
- the date or dates on which the junior subordinated debentures will mature
and the right, if any, to shorten or extend the maturity date or dates;
- the rate or rates, if any, per annum, at which the junior subordinated
debentures will bear interest, or the method of determination of the
interest rate or rates;
- the date or dates from which interest will accrue and the interest
payment and record dates;
- the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the
duration of that extension;
- provisions, if any, for a sinking purchase or other analogous fund;
- any provisions for redemption; and
- any other specific terms of the junior subordinated debentures.
If a prospectus supplement specifies that the junior subordinated
debentures will be denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United
States dollars, the prospectus supplement will also specify the denomination in
which the junior subordinated debentures will be issued and the coin or currency
in which the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the junior
subordinated debentures will be payable, which may be United States dollars
based upon the exchange rate for that other currency or currency unit existing
on or about the time a payment is due.
ADDITIONAL INTEREST
If, at any time a trust is required to pay any taxes, duties, assessments
or governmental charges of whatever nature, other than withholding taxes,
imposed by the United States, or any other taxing authority, then FleetBoston
will be required to pay additional interest on the junior subordinated
debentures. The amount of any additional interest will be an amount sufficient
so that the net amounts received and retained by the trust after paying any such
taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges will be not less than
the amounts that the trust would have received had no such taxes, duties,
assessments or other governmental charges been imposed. This means that the
trust will be in the same position it would have been in if it did not have to
pay those taxes, duties, assessments or other charges.
FORM, EXCHANGE, REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND PAYMENT
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement,
FleetBoston will
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issue the junior subordinated debentures in registered form only, without
coupons and in denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000. No service
charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the junior subordinated
debentures. However, FleetBoston or the debt trustee may require a holder to pay
an amount sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection with a transfer or exchange.
FleetBoston will pay or deliver principal and any premium and interest in
the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the
indenture and the prospectus supplement. However, at FleetBoston's option, it
may pay any interest by check mailed to the holders of registered junior
subordinated debentures at their registered addresses.
GLOBAL JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The indenture provides that FleetBoston may issue junior subordinated
debentures in global form. If any series of junior subordinated debentures is
issued in global form, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the
circumstances, if any, under which beneficial owners of interests in any of
those global junior subordinated debentures may exchange their interest for
junior subordinated debentures of that series and of like tenor and principal
amount in any authorized form and denomination.
SUBORDINATION
The junior subordinated debentures will be subordinated and junior in right
of payment to certain other indebtedness of FleetBoston to the extent set forth
in the applicable prospectus supplement.
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF FLEETBOSTON
If junior subordinated debentures are issued to a trust or a trustee of a
trust in connection with the issuance of trust securities by a trust and:
- an event of default has occurred and is continuing;
- FleetBoston is in default relating to its payment of any obligations
under the guarantee; or
- FleetBoston has given notice of its election to defer payments of
interest on the junior subordinated debentures by extending the interest
payment period and that period, or any extension of that period, is
continuing;
then
- FleetBoston will not declare or pay any dividend on, make any
distributions relating to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment relating to, any of its capital stock or make any
guarantee payment with respect to it other than:
(1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of
capital stock of FleetBoston in connection with any employee
benefit plans or any other contractual obligation of FleetBoston,
other than a contractual obligation ranking equally with or junior
to the junior subordinated debentures;
(2) as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of
FleetBoston's capital stock for any other class or series of
FleetBoston's capital stock; or
(3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of FleetBoston's
capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of
that FleetBoston capital stock or the security being converted or
exchanged; and
- FleetBoston will not make any payment of interest, principal or premium,
if any,
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on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by
FleetBoston which rank equally with or junior to the junior subordinated
debentures.
So long as the junior subordinated debentures remain outstanding, FleetBoston
will covenant to:
- directly or indirectly maintain 100 percent ownership of the common
securities of the trust, unless a permitted successor of FleetBoston
succeeds to its ownership of the common securities;
- use its reasonable efforts to cause the trust to
(1) remain a statutory business trust, except in connection with the
distribution of junior subordinated debentures to the holders of
trust securities in liquidation of the trust, the redemption of
all of the trust securities of the trust, or mergers,
consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the
declaration which established the trust; and
(2) otherwise continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes; and
- use its reasonable efforts to cause each holder of trust securities to be
treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the junior
subordinated debentures.
LIMITATION ON MERGERS AND SALES OF ASSETS
The indenture provides that FleetBoston may not consolidate with, or merge
into, any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety unless:
- the successor entity is a corporation organized in the United States and
expressly assumes the obligations of FleetBoston under the indenture; and
- after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default and no event
which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of
default, has occurred and is continuing under the indenture.
The covenants contained in the indenture would not necessarily afford
protection to holders of the junior subordinated debentures in the event of a
decline in credit quality resulting from takeovers, recapitalizations or similar
restructurings.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, WAIVER AND NOTICE
The indenture provides that the following are events of default relating to
the junior subordinated debentures:
- default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, any
junior subordinated debenture at its maturity;
- default for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on any
junior subordinated debenture;
- default for 90 days after written notice in the performance of any other
covenant in respect of the junior subordinated debenture;
- specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court
appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of FleetBoston or, with
certain exceptions, the trust; and
- any other event of default provided in the applicable resolution of the
board of directors or supplemental indenture under which the junior
subordinated debentures are issued.
If an indenture event of default occurs and is continuing, either the debt
trustee or the holders of not less than 25 percent in aggregate principal amount
of the junior subordinated debentures of that series then outstanding may
declare the principal of all junior subordinated debentures of that series to be
due and payable immediately.
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The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of that
series of junior subordinated debentures may annul the declaration and waive the
default if the default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest and principal due other than by acceleration has been
deposited with the debt trustee. The majority holders may not waive a payment
default on the junior subordinated debentures which has become due solely by
acceleration.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the junior subordinated
debentures of any series affected will have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debt
trustee under the indenture, so long as the holders of the junior subordinated
debentures have offered to the debt trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against
expenses and liabilities.
The indenture requires the annual filing by FleetBoston with the debt
trustee of a certificate as to the absence of certain defaults under the
indenture.
The debt trustee may withhold notice of any event of default from the
holders of the junior subordinated debentures, except in the payment of
principal, interest or premium, if the trustee considers it in the interest of
those holders to do so.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
Under circumstances discussed more fully in the prospectus supplement
involving the dissolution of a trust, provided that any required regulatory
approval is obtained, junior subordinated debentures will be distributed to the
holders of the trust securities in liquidation of that trust. See "Description
of the Preferred Securities -- Distribution of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures" in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
If the junior subordinated debentures are distributed to the holders of the
preferred securities, FleetBoston will use its best efforts to have the junior
subordinated debentures listed on the NYSE or on such other national securities
exchange or similar organization on which the preferred securities are then
listed or quoted.
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
Modifications and amendments to the indenture may be made by FleetBoston
and the debt trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the junior subordinated debentures at the time outstanding. However,
no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each
junior subordinated debenture affected:
- modify the payment terms of the junior subordinated debentures;
- reduce the percentage of holders of junior subordinated debentures
necessary to modify or amend the indenture or waive compliance by
FleetBoston with any covenant or past default; or
- otherwise materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of any
series of junior subordinated debentures.
If the junior subordinated debentures are held by a trust or a trustee of a
trust, the supplemental indenture will not be effective until the holders of a
majority in liquidation preference of trust securities of that trust have
consented to the supplemental indenture.
If the consent of the holder of each outstanding junior subordinated
debenture is required, the supplemental indenture will not be effective until
each holder of the trust securities of that trust have consented to the
supplemental indenture.
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
The indenture provides that FleetBoston, at its option:
(a) will be discharged from all obligations in respect of the junior
subordinated debentures of a series, except for obligations to register
the transfer or
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exchange of junior subordinated debentures, replace stolen, lost or
mutilated junior subordinated debentures, maintain paying agencies and
hold moneys for payment in trust; or
(b) need not comply with specified restrictive covenants of the indenture;
in each case if FleetBoston deposits, in trust, money or U.S. government
obligations in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of, and interest
and premium, if any, on, the junior subordinated debentures when those payments
are due.
To exercise any such option, FleetBoston is required to deliver an opinion
of counsel that:
- the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the
junior subordinated debentures of that series to recognize income, gain
or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, in the case of a
discharge pursuant to clause (a) above, the opinion will be accompanied
by a private letter ruling to that effect received by FleetBoston from
the United States Internal Revenue Service or a revenue ruling pertaining
to a comparable form of transaction to that effect published by the
United States Internal Revenue Service; and
- if listed on any national securities exchange, the junior subordinated
debentures would not be delisted from that exchange as a result of the
exercise of the defeasance option.
GOVERNING LAW
The indenture and the junior subordinated debentures will be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
THE DEBT TRUSTEE
FleetBoston or its affiliates maintain certain accounts and other banking
relationships with the debt trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of
business.
The occurrence of any default under either of the indenture or the senior
or subordinated indentures between FleetBoston and the debt trustee relating to
FleetBoston's senior and subordinated debt securities which may also be issued
under the registration statement could create a conflicting interest for the
trustee under the Trust Indenture Act. If that default has not been cured or
waived within 90 days after the trustee has acquired a conflicting interest, the
trustee would generally be required by the Trust Indenture Act to eliminate the
conflicting interest or resign as trustee with respect to the debt securities
issued under the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture or with respect
to the junior subordinated debentures issued under the indenture. In the event
of the trustee's resignation, FleetBoston is required to promptly appoint a
successor trustee with respect to the affected securities.
The Trust Indenture Act also imposes certain limitations on the right of
the trustee, as a creditor of FleetBoston, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any cash
clam or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions
with FleetBoston, provided that if it acquires a conflicting interest within the
meaning of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act, it must generally either
eliminate that conflict or resign.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES
Each trust may issue, from time to time, only one series of preferred
securities having terms described in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
Each series of preferred securities will be issued pursuant to the terms of an
amended and restated declaration of trust, a "DECLARATION." Each declaration
will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Bank of New
York will act as trustee under the declaration for purposes of compli-
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ance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.
The preferred securities will have those terms, including distributions,
redemption, voting, liquidation rights and such other preferred, deferred or
other special rights or such restrictions as will be set forth in the
declaration or made part of the declaration by the Trust Indenture Act and which
will mirror the terms of the junior subordinated debentures held by the trust
and described in the accompanying prospectus supplement. Those terms may
include:
- the distinctive designation of the preferred securities;
- the number of preferred securities issuable by the trust;
- the annual distribution rate, or method of determining that rate, for
preferred securities and the date or dates upon which those distributions
will be payable;
- whether distributions on preferred securities will be cumulative, and, if
so, the date or dates or method of determining the date or dates from
which distributions on preferred securities will be cumulative;
- the amount or amounts which will be paid out of the assets of the trust
to the holders of preferred securities upon voluntary or involuntary
dissolution, winding-up or termination of the trust;
- the obligation, if any, of the trust to purchase or redeem preferred
securities issued by the trust and the price or prices at which, the
period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which,
preferred securities issued by the trust will be purchased or redeemed,
in whole or in part, pursuant to that obligation;
- the voting rights, if any, of holders of preferred securities in addition
to those required by law or described in this prospectus supplement,
including the number of votes per preferred security and any requirement
for the approval by the holders of preferred securities, or of preferred
securities issued by one or more other trusts, or of both, as a condition
to specified action or amendments to the declaration of the trust;
- the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the junior subordinated
debentures owned by the trust may be distributed to holders of preferred
securities;
- if applicable, any securities exchange upon which the preferred
securities will be listed; and
- any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or
restrictions of preferred securities not inconsistent with the
declaration or with applicable law.
All preferred securities will be guaranteed by FleetBoston to the extent
set forth below under "Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees."
Certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to any
offering of preferred securities will be described in the prospectus supplement
relating to the offering.
VOTING RIGHTS
Except as described in this prospectus, under the Delaware Business Trust
Act, the Trust Indenture Act, under "Description of the Preferred Securities
Guarantees -- Modification of the Preferred Securities Guarantees; Assignment"
in this prospectus, and under any prospectus supplement relating to the issuance
of a series of preferred securities, and as otherwise required by law and the
declarations, the holders of the preferred securities will have no voting
rights.
The holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the preferred
securities have the right to direct any proceeding for any remedy available to
the institutional trustee so long as the institutional trustee receives the tax
opinion discussed below. The holders also have
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the right to direct the institutional trustee under the declaration to:
(1) direct any proceeding for any remedy available to the debt trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the debt trustee;
(2) waive any past indenture event of default that is waivable under the
indenture;
(3) exercise any right to rescind or annul an acceleration of the maturity
of the junior subordinated debentures; or
(4) consent to any amendment, modification or termination where that
consent is required.
If there is an event of default on the preferred securities, and that
default is a result of a payment default under the junior subordinated
debentures, the holders of the preferred securities may also sue FleetBoston
directly, a "DIRECT ACTION," to enforce payment of the principal of or interest
on the junior subordinated debentures having a principal amount equal to the
aggregate liquidation amount of the preferred securities of the holder on or
after the due date specified in the junior subordinated debentures.
Where a consent or action under the indenture would require the consent or
act of holders of more than a majority in principal amount of the junior
subordinated debentures, or a "SUPER MAJORITY," then only a super majority may
direct the institutional trustee to give that consent or take that action. Where
a consent or action under the indenture would require the consent or act of
individual holders of the junior subordinated debentures, then only those
individual holders may direct the institutional trustee to give that consent or
take that action. If the institutional trustee fails to enforce its rights under
the junior subordinated debentures, any record holder of preferred securities
may directly sue FleetBoston to enforce the institutional trustee's rights under
the junior subordinated debentures. The record holder does not have to sue the
institutional trustee or any other person or entity before enforcing his or her
rights.
The institutional trustee is required to notify all holders of the
preferred securities of any notice of default received from the indenture
trustee. The notice is required to state that the event of default also
constitutes a declaration event of default. Except for directing the time,
method and place of conducting a proceeding for a remedy available to the
institutional trustee, the institutional trustee will not take any of the
actions described in clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4) above unless the institutional
trustee receives an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel.
The opinion must state that, as a result of that action, the trust will not fail
to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes.
If the consent of the institutional trustee is required under the indenture
for any amendment, modification or termination of the indenture, the
institutional trustee is required to request the written direction of the
holders of the trust securities. In that case, the institutional trustee will
vote as directed by a majority in liquidation amount of the trust securities
voting together as a single class. Where any amendment, modification or
termination under the indenture would require the consent of a super majority or
an individual holder, however, the institutional trustee may only give that
consent at the direction of the holders of the same super majority of the
holders of the trust securities or that individual holder, as applicable. The
institutional trustee is not required to take any such action in accordance with
the directions of the holders of the trust securities unless the institutional
trustee has obtained a tax opinion to the effect described above.
A waiver of an indenture event of default by the institutional trustee at
the direction of the holders of the preferred securities will constitute a
waiver of the corresponding declaration event of default.
Holders of the preferred securities may give any required approval or
direction at a separate meeting of holders of preferred securi-
15
<PAGE> 69
ties convened for that purpose, at a meeting of all of the holders of trust
securities or by written consent. The regular trustees will mail to each holder
of record of preferred securities a notice of any meeting at which those holders
are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of
those holders is to be taken. Each such notice will include a statement setting
forth the following information:
- the date of the meeting or the date by which the action is to be taken;
- a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at the meeting on
which those holders are entitled to vote or of the matter upon which
written consent is sought; and
- instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents.
No vote or consent of the holders of preferred securities will be required
for a trust to redeem and cancel preferred securities or distribute junior
subordinated debentures in accordance with the declaration.
Despite the fact that holders of preferred securities are entitled to vote
or consent under the circumstances described above, any of the preferred
securities that are owned at the time by FleetBoston or any entity directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with, FleetBoston, will not be entitled to vote or consent. Instead,
these preferred securities will be treated as if they were not outstanding.
Holders of the preferred securities generally will have no rights to
appoint or remove the regular trustees. Instead, the trustees may be appointed,
removed or replaced solely by FleetBoston as the indirect or direct holder of
all of the common securities.
COMMON SECURITIES
In connection with the issuance of preferred securities, each trust will
issue one series of common securities having the terms including distributions,
redemption, voting, liquidation rights or such restrictions as will be set forth
in the prospectus supplement. Except for voting rights, the terms of the common
securities will be substantially identical to the terms of the preferred
securities. The common securities will rank equally, and payments will be made
on the common securities pro rata, with the preferred securities, except that,
upon an event of default, the rights of the holders of the common securities to
payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption
and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the preferred
securities. Except in limited circumstances, the common securities of a trust
carry the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace any of the trustees of
that trust. All of the common securities of each trust will be directly or
indirectly owned by FleetBoston.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES
Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the preferred
securities guarantees which will be executed and delivered by FleetBoston for
the benefit of the holders from time to time of preferred securities. Each
preferred securities guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act. The Bank of New York will act as the guarantee trustee for
purposes of the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of each preferred securities
guarantee will be those set forth in the preferred securities guarantee and
those made part of the preferred securities guarantee by the Trust Indenture
Act. The summary of the material terms of the preferred securities guarantees is
not intended to be complete and is qualified in all respects by the provisions
of the form of preferred securities guarantee which is filed as an exhibit to
the registration statement which contains this prospectus, and the Trust
Indenture Act. Each preferred securities guarantee will be held by the guarantee
trustee for
16
<PAGE> 70
the benefit of the holders of the preferred securities of the applicable trust.
GENERAL
Pursuant to and to the extent set forth in the preferred securities
guarantee, FleetBoston will irrevocably and unconditionally agree to pay in full
to the holders of the preferred securities, except to the extent paid by the
trust, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim which the trust may have or assert, the following payments, which
are referred to as "GUARANTEE PAYMENTS," without duplication:
- any accrued and unpaid distributions that are required to be paid on the
preferred securities, to the extent the trust has funds available for
distributions;
- the redemption price, plus all accrued and unpaid distributions, to the
extent the trust has funds available for redemptions, relating to any
preferred securities called for redemption by the trust; and
- upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of
the trust, other than in connection with the distribution of junior
subordinated debentures to the holders of preferred securities or the
redemption of all of the preferred securities, the lesser of:
- the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid
distributions on the preferred securities to the date of payment; or
- the amount of assets of the trust remaining for distribution to holders
of the preferred securities in liquidation of the trust.
The redemption price and liquidation amount will be fixed at the time the
preferred securities are issued.
FleetBoston's obligation to make a guarantee payment may be satisfied by
direct payment of the required amounts by FleetBoston to the holders of
preferred securities or by causing the trust to pay those amounts to those
holders.
The preferred securities guarantees will not apply to any payment of
distributions except to the extent a trust will have funds available for those
payments. If FleetBoston does not make interest payments on the junior
subordinated debentures purchased by a trust, the trust will not pay
distributions on the preferred securities and will not have funds available for
those payments.
The preferred securities guarantees, when taken together with FleetBoston's
obligations under the junior subordinated debentures, the indentures and the
declarations, including its obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and
liabilities of the trusts, other than those relating to trust securities, will
provide a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by
FleetBoston of payments due on the preferred securities.
FleetBoston has also agreed separately to irrevocably and unconditionally
guarantee the obligations of the trusts with respect to the common securities to
the same extent as the preferred securities guarantees, except that upon an
event of default under the indenture, holders of preferred securities will have
priority over holders of common securities with respect to distributions and
payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise.
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF FLEETBOSTON
In each preferred securities guarantee, FleetBoston will covenant that, so
long as any preferred securities remain outstanding, if any event occurs that
would constitute an event of default under the preferred securities guarantee or
the indenture of the trust, or if FleetBoston has exercised its option to defer
interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures by extending the
interest payment period and that period or extension of that period is
continuing, then:
- FleetBoston will not declare or pay any dividend on, make any
distributions relating to, or redeem, purchase, acquire
17
<PAGE> 71
or make a liquidation payment relating to, any of its capital stock or
make any guarantee payment with respect thereto other than:
(1) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of
capital stock of FleetBoston in connection with any employee
benefit plans or any other contractual obligation of FleetBoston,
other than a contractual obligation ranking equally with or junior
to the junior subordinated debentures;
(2) as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of
FleetBoston's capital stock for any other class or series of
FleetBoston's capital stock; or
(3) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of FleetBoston's
capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of
that FleetBoston capital stock or the security being converted or
exchanged; and
- FleetBoston will not make any payment of interest, principal or premium,
if any, on, or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by
FleetBoston which rank equally with or junior to the junior subordinated
debentures.
MODIFICATION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES; ASSIGNMENT
The preferred securities guarantee may be amended only with the prior
approval of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate liquidation
amount of the outstanding preferred securities. No vote will be required,
however, for any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of holders of
preferred securities. All guarantees and agreements contained in the preferred
securities guarantee will bind the successors, assignees, receivers, trustees
and representatives of FleetBoston and will be for the benefit of the holders of
the preferred securities then outstanding.
TERMINATION
Each preferred securities guarantee will terminate upon full payment of the
redemption price of all preferred securities, upon distribution of the junior
subordinated debentures to the holders of the trust securities or upon full
payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the declaration upon
liquidation of that trust. Each preferred securities guarantee will continue to
be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any
holder of preferred securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the
preferred securities or the preferred securities guarantee.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An event of default under a preferred securities guarantee will occur upon
the failure of FleetBoston to perform any of its payment or other obligations
under the preferred securities guarantee.
The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the preferred securities
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the guarantee trustee in respect of the preferred
securities guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred
upon the guarantee trustee under the preferred securities guarantee. Any holder
of preferred securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against
FleetBoston to enforce the guarantee trustee's rights and the obligations of
FleetBoston under the preferred securities guarantee, without first instituting
a legal proceeding against the relevant trust, the guarantee trustee or any
other person or entity.
18
<PAGE> 72
STATUS OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES
The preferred securities guarantees will constitute unsecured obligations
of FleetBoston and will rank
- subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of
FleetBoston, except those made equal or subordinate by their terms;
- equally with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or
hereafter issued by FleetBoston and with any guarantee now or hereafter
entered into by FleetBoston in respect of any preferred or preference
stock of any affiliate of FleetBoston; and
- senior to FleetBoston common stock.
The terms of the preferred securities provide that each holder of preferred
securities by acceptance of those securities agrees to the subordination
provisions and other terms of the preferred securities guarantee.
The preferred securities guarantees will constitute a guarantee of payment
and not of collection. This means that the guaranteed party may sue the
guarantor to enforce its rights under the guarantee without suing any other
person or entity.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
Prior to the occurrence of a default relating to a preferred securities
guarantee, the guarantee trustee undertakes to perform only those duties as are
specifically set forth in the preferred securities guarantee. After default, the
guarantee trustee will exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual
would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Provided that the
foregoing requirements have been met, the guarantee trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by a preferred securities
guarantee at the request of any holder of preferred securities, unless offered
indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which
might be incurred thereby.
FleetBoston or its affiliates maintain certain accounts and other banking
relationships with the guarantee trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary
course of business.
GOVERNING LAW
The preferred securities guarantees will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
EFFECT OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES AND THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES
As set forth in the declaration, the sole purpose of the trusts are to
issue the trust securities and to invest the proceeds from that issuance and
sale in the junior subordinated debentures.
As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the
junior subordinated debentures, those payments will be sufficient to cover the
distributions and payments due on the trust securities. This is due to the
following factors:
- the aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated debentures will be
equal to the sum of the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the trust
securities;
- the interest rate and the interest and other payment dates on the junior
subordinated debentures will match the distribution rate and distribution
and other payment dates for the trust securities;
19
<PAGE> 73
- under the indenture, FleetBoston will pay, and the trusts will not be
obligated to pay, directly or indirectly, all costs, expenses, debts and
obligations of the trusts, other than those relating to the trust
securities; and
- the declaration further provides that the FleetBoston trustees may not
cause or permit the trusts to engage in any activity that is not
consistent with the purposes of the trusts.
Payments of distributions, to the extent there are available funds, and
other payments due on the preferred securities, to the extent there are
available funds, are guaranteed by FleetBoston to the extent described in this
prospectus. If FleetBoston does not make interest payments on the junior
subordinated debentures, the trust will not have sufficient funds to pay
distributions on the preferred securities. Each preferred securities guarantee
is a subordinated guarantee in relation to the preferred securities. The
preferred securities guarantee does not apply to any payment of distributions
unless the trust has sufficient funds for the payment of those distributions.
See "Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees."
The preferred securities guarantees cover the payment of distributions and
other payments on the preferred securities only if and to the extent that
FleetBoston has made a payment of interest or principal or other payments on the
junior subordinated debentures. The preferred securities guarantees, when taken
together with FleetBoston's obligations under the junior subordinated debentures
and the indenture and its obligations under the declaration, will provide a full
and unconditional guarantee of distributions, redemption payments and
liquidation payments on the preferred securities.
If FleetBoston fails to make interest or other payments on the junior
subordinated debentures when due, taking account of any extension period, the
declaration allows the holders of the preferred securities to direct the
institutional trustee to enforce its rights under the junior subordinated
debentures. If the institutional trustee fails to enforce these rights, any
holder of preferred securities may directly sue FleetBoston to enforce these
rights without first suing the institutional trustee or any other person or
entity. See "Description of the Preferred Securities -- Book Entry Only
Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" and "-- Voting Rights" in the
accompanying prospectus supplement.
A holder of preferred securities may institute a direct action if a
declaration event of default has occurred and is continuing and that event is
attributable to the failure of FleetBoston to pay interest or principal on the
junior subordinated debentures on the date the interest or principal is
otherwise payable. A direct action may be brought without first (1) directing
the institutional trustee to enforce the terms of the junior subordinated
debentures or (2) suing FleetBoston to enforce the institutional trustee's
rights under the junior subordinated debentures. In connection with that direct
action, FleetBoston will be subrogated to the rights of the holder of preferred
securities under the declaration to the extent of any payment made by
FleetBoston to that holder of preferred securities. Consequently, FleetBoston
will be entitled to payment of amounts that a holder of preferred securities
receives in respect of an unpaid distribution to the extent that the holder
receives or has already received full payment relating to that unpaid
distribution from a trust.
FleetBoston acknowledges that the guarantee trustee will enforce the
preferred securities guarantees on behalf of the holders of the preferred
securities. If FleetBoston fails to make payments under the preferred securities
guarantees, the preferred securities guarantees allow the holders of the
preferred securities to direct the guarantee trustee to enforce its rights
thereunder. If the guarantee trustee fails to enforce the preferred securities
guarantees, any holder of preferred securities may directly sue FleetBoston to
enforce the guarantee trustee's rights under the preferred securities
guarantees. The holder need not first sue the trust, the guarantee trustee, or
any other person or entity. A holder of preferred securities may also
20
<PAGE> 74
directly sue FleetBoston to enforce the holder's right to receive payment under
the preferred securities guarantees. The holder need not first (1) direct the
guarantee trustee to enforce the terms of the preferred securities guarantee or
(2) sue the trust or any other person or entity.
FleetBoston and the trusts believe that the above mechanisms and
obligations, taken together, are equivalent to a full and unconditional
guarantee by FleetBoston of payments due on the preferred securities. See
"Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees -- General."
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
FleetBoston may sell the junior subordinated debentures and any trust may
sell preferred securities in any of, or any combination of, the following ways:
- directly to purchasers;
- through agents, which may include FleetBoston Robertson Stephens Inc.
("FRS"), Fleet Securities Inc. ("FSI") or other affiliates and
- through underwriters or dealers, which may include FRS, FSI or other
affiliates.
Offers or sales of those securities may include secondary market
transactions by affiliates of FleetBoston.
Offers to purchase preferred securities may be solicited directly by
FleetBoston and/or any trust, as the case may be, or by agents designated by
FleetBoston and/or any trust, as the case may be, from time to time. Any such
agent, who may be deemed to be an underwriter as that term is defined in the
Securities Act of 1933, involved in the offer or sale of the preferred
securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and
any commissions payable by FleetBoston to that agent will be set forth, in the
prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement,
any such agency will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its
appointment which is ordinarily five business days or less. Agents, dealers and
underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform
services for FleetBoston in the ordinary course of business.
If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale, FleetBoston
will execute an underwriting agreement with those underwriters at the time of
sale to them and the names of the underwriters and the terms of the transaction
will be set forth in the prospectus supplement, which will be used by the
underwriters to make releases of the preferred securities in respect of which
this prospectus is delivered to the public.
If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the preferred securities in respect
of which this prospectus is delivered, FleetBoston and/or any trust, as the case
may be, will sell those preferred securities to the dealer, as principal. The
dealer may then resell those preferred securities to the public at varying
prices to be determined by that dealer at the time of resale. The name of the
dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus
supplement. Agents, underwriters, and dealers may be entitled under the relevant
agreements to indemnification by FleetBoston and/or any trust, as the case may
be, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act
of 1933.
The participation of FRS and/or FSI in the offer and sale of the preferred
securities will comply with the requirements of Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. In accordance with Rule
2720, no member of the NASD participating in an underwriting will be permitted
to confirm sales to accounts over which it exercises discretionary authority
without prior specific approval of the customer.
21
<PAGE> 75
Underwriters, agents or their controlling persons may engage in
transactions with and perform services for FleetBoston in the ordinary course of
business.
Certain of the underwriters may use this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement for offers and sales related to market-making transactions
in the securities. These underwriters may act as principal or agent in these
transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market
prices at the time of sale.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the preferred
securities will be passed upon on behalf of each of the trusts by Richards,
Layton & Finger, P.A., One Rodney Square, Wilmington, Delaware 19899, special
Delaware counsel to the trusts. The validity of the junior subordinated
debentures and the preferred securities guarantee and certain matters relating
thereto will be passed upon for FleetBoston and certain United States federal
income taxation matters will be passed upon for FleetBoston and the trusts by
Edwards & Angell, LLP, One BankBoston Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island 02903. V.
Duncan Johnson, a partner of Edwards & Angell, LLP, is a director of Fleet Bank
(RI), National Association and beneficially owns 9,856 shares of FleetBoston
Common Stock. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, Brown & Wood LLP, One World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-
0557, will pass upon certain matters for the underwriters.
EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by
reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999
have been so incorporated by reference in this document in reliance on the
report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given upon the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
22
<PAGE> 76
FLEET BOSTON LOGO
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VI
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VII
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VIII
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST IX
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST X
PREFERRED SECURITIES
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE
ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, BY
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
-------------------------
PROSPECTUS
-------------------------
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 information.
We are not offering the securities in any state where the offer is not
permitted.
We do not claim the accuracy of the information in this prospectus as of
any date other than the dates stated on the cover.
, 2000
<PAGE> 77
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN
OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED , 2000
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED , 2000)
[FLEET BOSTON LOGO]
$
PREFERRED SECURITIES
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VI
% PREFERRED SECURITIES
(LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $ PER PREFERRED SECURITY)
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, BY
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
THE TRUST:
Fleet Capital Trust VI is a Delaware business trust. The trust will:
-- sell preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in
the trust to the public.
-- sell common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the
trust to FleetBoston Financial Corporation.
-- use the proceeds from these sales to buy an equal principal amount of
junior subordinated debentures due of FleetBoston Financial
Corporation.
-- distribute the cash payments it receives on the junior subordinated
debentures it owns to the holders of the preferred and common securities.
QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTIONS:
-- For each preferred security that you own, you will receive cumulative cash
distributions at an annual rate equal to % on the liquidation amount of
$ per preferred security, on , ,
and of each year, beginning .
-- FleetBoston Financial Corporation can defer interest payments on the
junior subordinated debentures at any time for up to 20 consecutive
quarterly periods. If FleetBoston Financial Corporation does defer
interest payments, the trust will also defer payment of distributions on
the preferred and common securities. However, deferred distributions will
themselves accrue interest at an annual rate equal to %, compounded
quarterly, to the extent permitted by law.
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION:
-- FleetBoston Financial Corporation will fully and unconditionally guarantee
the payment by the trust of the preferred securities based on obligations
discussed in the accompanying prospectus.
The trust will apply to have the preferred securities listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol " ." If approved for listing, trading is
expected to commence within 30 days after the preferred securities are first
issued.
INVESTING IN THE PREFERRED SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS WHICH ARE DESCRIBED IN
THE "RISK FACTORS" SECTION BEGINNING ON PAGE S-6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
-------------------------
NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE
PROSPECTUS TO WHICH IT RELATES IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER
PREFERRED
SECURITY TOTAL
--------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Public offering price....................................... $ $
Underwriting commission to be paid by FleetBoston Financial
Corporation............................................... $ $
Proceeds to the trust....................................... $ $
</TABLE>
The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional preferred
securities at the public offering price within 30 days from the date of this
prospectus supplement to cover over-allotments.
-------------------------
The date of this prospectus supplement is 2000.
<PAGE> 78
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT RELATING TO
PREFERRED SECURITIES OF FLEET
CAPITAL TRUST VI
Summary Information -- Q&A.......... S-2
Risk Factors........................ S-6
Fleet Capital....................... S-9
Selected Consolidated Financial
Data -- FleetBoston Financial
Corporation....................... S-11
Capitalization...................... S-14
Accounting Treatment................ S-17
Description of the Preferred
Securities........................ S-17
Description of the Guarantee........ S-28
Description of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures........... S-28
Effect of Obligations under the
Junior Subordinated Debentures and
the Guarantee..................... S-36
United States Federal Income
Taxation.......................... S-37
ERISA Considerations................ S-41
Underwriting........................ S-44
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS RELATING TO PREFERRED
SECURITIES OF FLEET CAPITAL TRUST
VI
About This Prospectus............... 2
Where You Can Find More
Information....................... 2
Forward-looking Statements.......... 4
FleetBoston Financial Corporation... 5
The Trusts.......................... 5
Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to
Fixed Charges..................... 6
Use of Proceeds..................... 7
Regulation and Supervision.......... 7
Description of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures........... 8
Description of the Preferred
Securities........................ 13
Description of the Preferred
Securities Guarantees............. 16
Effect of Obligations Under the
Junior Subordinated Debentures and
the Preferred Securities
Guarantees........................ 19
Plan of Distribution................ 21
Legal Matters....................... 22
Experts............................. 22
</TABLE>
-------------------------
You should rely only on the information contained in this document or that
we have referred you to. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any
other information.
The trust may sell preferred securities after the date of this prospectus
supplement, and this prospectus supplement and the prospectus may be delivered
to you after the date of this prospectus supplement. However, you should realize
that the affairs of FleetBoston Financial Corporation or the trust may have
changed since the date of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement
will not reflect those changes.
You should not consider this prospectus supplement or the prospectus to be
an offer or solicitation relating to the preferred securities in any
jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized.
Furthermore, you should not consider this prospectus supplement or the
prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the preferred securities
if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or if
it is unlawful for you to receive such an offer or solicitation.
<PAGE> 79
SUMMARY INFORMATION -- Q&A
The following information supplements, and should be read together with,
the information contained in other parts of this prospectus supplement and in
the accompanying prospectus. This summary highlights selected information from
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to help you
understand the preferred securities. You should carefully read this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus to understand fully the terms of the
preferred securities, as well as the tax and other considerations that are
important to you in making a decision about whether to invest in the preferred
securities. You should pay special attention to the "Risk Factors" section
beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement to determine whether an
investment in the preferred securities is appropriate for you. The preferred
securities are one of the series of preferred securities referred to in the
accompanying prospectus.
For your convenience, we make reference to specific page numbers in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for more detailed
information on some of the terms and concepts used throughout this prospectus
supplement.
WHAT ARE THE PREFERRED SECURITIES?
Each preferred security represents an undivided beneficial interest in the
assets of Fleet Capital Trust VI, "FLEET CAPITAL." Each preferred security will
entitle the holder to receive quarterly cash distributions as described in this
prospectus supplement. The underwriters are offering preferred securities at a
price of $ for each preferred security.
WHO IS FLEET CAPITAL?
Fleet Capital Trust VI is a Delaware business trust.
Fleet Capital will sell its preferred securities to the public and its
common securities to FleetBoston Financial Corporation, "FLEETBOSTON." The
preferred securities and the common securities together are referred to in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as the "TRUST SECURITIES."
Fleet Capital will use the proceeds from these sales to buy a series of Junior
Subordinated Debentures due from FleetBoston with the same financial terms as
the preferred securities. FleetBoston will, on a subordinated basis, fully and
unconditionally guarantee the payment by Fleet Capital of the preferred
securities, the "GUARANTEE."
There are five trustees of Fleet Capital. Three of Fleet Capital trustees
are officers of FleetBoston, the "REGULAR TRUSTEES." The Bank of New York will
act as the institutional trustee of Fleet Capital and one of its affiliates will
act as the Delaware trustee.
WHO IS FLEETBOSTON?
FleetBoston is a diversified financial services company offering a
comprehensive array of innovative financial solutions to approximately 20
million customers in more than 20 countries. Among FleetBoston's key lines of
business are:
- Global Banking and Financial Services -- includes investment services,
corporate and investment banking, international banking, principal
investing, retail brokerage and investment banking;
- Commercial and Retail Banking -- includes domestic retail banking to
consumer and small business customers, community development banking, and
domestic commercial banking operations, including middle market and
asset-based lending, leasing, cash management, trade finance and
government banking services; and
- National Consumer Group -- includes mortgage banking, credit card
services and student loan processing.
On October 1, 1999, FleetBoston completed the merger of BankBoston into
FleetBoston. In connection with obtaining regu-
S-2
<PAGE> 80
latory approvals for the merger, the Federal Reserve Board and the United States
Department of Justice required FleetBoston to agree to divest approximately $13
billion of deposits and $9 billion of loans from the combined company, which is
expected to result in an annualized reduction of net income of approximately
$160 million. On March 24, 2000, FleetBoston completed the first phase of these
divestitures, involving approximately $4 billion of deposits and approximately
$3.6 billion of loans located primarily in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
FleetBoston expects to complete the remaining phases of the divestitures later
in 2000.
All financial information set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement has been restated for all periods to give effect to the
merger. Because the divestitures will not be significant to FleetBoston, the
financial information has not been adjusted to show the effects of the
divestitures.
At December 31, 1999, FleetBoston's total assets on a consolidated basis
were $190.7 billion, its consolidated total deposits were $114.9 billion and its
consolidated total stockholders' equity was $15.3 billion. Based on total
assets, FleetBoston is the eighth largest financial holding company in the
United States.
FleetBoston's principal office is located at One Federal Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, telephone number (617) 346-4000.
WHEN WILL YOU RECEIVE QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTIONS?
If you purchase the preferred securities, you are entitled to receive
cumulative cash distributions at an annual rate of % of the liquidation
amount of $ per preferred security. Distributions will accumulate from the
date Fleet Capital issues the preferred securities and will be paid quarterly in
arrears on , , , and
of each year, beginning .
WHEN CAN PAYMENT OF YOUR DISTRIBUTIONS BE DEFERRED?
FleetBoston can, on one or more occasions, defer interest payments on the
junior subordinated debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods unless
an event of default under the junior subordinated debentures has occurred and is
continuing (see page S-32). A deferral of interest payments cannot extend,
however, beyond the maturity date of the junior subordinated debentures, which
is .
If FleetBoston defers interest payments on the junior subordinated
debentures, Fleet Capital will also defer distributions on the preferred
securities. During this deferral period, distributions will continue to accrue
on the preferred securities at an annual rate of % of the liquidation
amount of $ per preferred security. Also, the deferred distributions will
themselves accrue interest (to the extent permitted by law) at an annual rate of
%, compounded quarterly. Once FleetBoston makes all interest payments on
the junior subordinated debentures, with accrued interest, it can again postpone
interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures if no event of default
under the junior subordinated debentures has occurred and is continuing.
During any period in which FleetBoston defers interest payments on the
junior subordinated debentures, FleetBoston will not be permitted to:
- declare or pay a dividend or make any other payment or distribution on
its capital stock;
- redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment on any of its capital
stock;
- make an interest, principal or premium payment on, or repurchase or
redeem, any of its debt securities that rank equal with or junior to the
junior subordinated debentures; or
- make any guarantee payments relating to any of the above.
S-3
<PAGE> 81
- There are limited exceptions to these restrictions which are described on
page S-32.
If FleetBoston defers the payment of interest on the junior subordinated
debentures, the preferred securities will be treated as being reissued with
original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes. This
means that, beginning at the time of deferral, you will be required to recognize
interest income with respect to distributions even during the period those
distributions are deferred and include those amounts in your gross income for
United States federal income tax purposes before you receive any cash
distributions relating to those interest payments. See "United States Federal
Income Taxation" beginning on page S-37.
WHEN CAN FLEET CAPITAL REDEEM THE PREFERRED SECURITIES?
Fleet Capital will redeem all of the outstanding preferred securities when
the junior subordinated debentures are paid at maturity on . In
addition, if FleetBoston redeems any junior subordinated debentures before their
maturity, Fleet Capital will use the cash it receives on the redemption of the
junior subordinated debentures to redeem, on a pro rata basis, preferred
securities and common securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to
the aggregate principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures redeemed.
FleetBoston can redeem some or all of the junior subordinated debentures
before their maturity at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to
the date of redemption:
- on one or more occasions any time on or after ; and
- before , if specified changes in tax or regulatory law
occur (each of which is a "SPECIAL EVENT" and each of which is more fully
described on page S-31), and within 90 days of the occurrence of the
Special Event.
Any redemption of the junior subordinated debentures may require approval
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
WHAT IS FLEETBOSTON'S GUARANTEE OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES?
FleetBoston will fully and unconditionally guarantee the preferred
securities based on:
- its obligations under the guarantee; and
- its obligations under the declaration of trust which governs the terms of
the preferred securities (see page S-17); and
- its obligations under the indenture which governs the terms of the junior
subordinated debentures (see page S-28).
If FleetBoston does not make a payment on the junior subordinated
debentures, Fleet Capital will not have sufficient funds to make payments on the
preferred securities. The guarantee does not cover payments when Fleet Capital
does not have sufficient funds to make payments on the preferred securities.
FleetBoston's obligations under the guarantee are subordinate to its obligations
to make payments on all of its other liabilities except its obligations under
similar guarantees.
WHEN COULD THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES BE DISTRIBUTED TO YOU?
FleetBoston has the right to terminate Fleet Capital at any time. If
FleetBoston decides to exercise its right to terminate Fleet Capital, Fleet
Capital will redeem the preferred securities by distributing the junior
subordinated debentures to holders of the preferred securities and the common
securities on a pro rata basis.
Any distribution of the junior subordinated debentures may require approval
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
WILL THE PREFERRED SECURITIES BE LISTED ON A STOCK EXCHANGE?
The trust has applied to have the preferred securities listed on the NYSE
under the symbol
S-4
<PAGE> 82
" ". If approved for listing, trading is expected to commence within 30
days after the preferred securities are first issued. You should be aware that
the listing of the preferred securities will not necessarily assure that a
liquid trading market will be available for the preferred securities. If the
trust distributes the junior subordinated debentures, FleetBoston will use its
best efforts to list the junior subordinated debentures on the NYSE or any other
exchange or other organization on which the preferred securities are then
listed.
WHAT HAPPENS IF FLEET CAPITAL IS TERMINATED AND THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES ARE NOT DISTRIBUTED?
Fleet Capital may also terminate in circumstances where the junior
subordinated debentures will not be distributed. In those situations, Fleet
Capital will pay the liquidation amount of for each preferred
security plus unpaid distributions to the date the payment is made. Fleet
Capital will be able to make this distribution of cash only if the junior
subordinated debentures are redeemed by FleetBoston.
IN WHAT FORM WILL THE PREFERRED SECURITIES BE ISSUED?
The preferred securities will be represented by one or more global
securities that will be deposited with and registered in the name of The
Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, "DTC," or its nominee. This means
that you will not receive a certificate for your preferred securities. Fleet
Capital expects that the preferred securities will be ready for delivery through
DTC on or about , .
S-5
<PAGE> 83
RISK FACTORS
Your investment in the preferred securities will involve some risks. You
should carefully consider the following discussion of risks, and the other
information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus,
before deciding whether an investment in the preferred securities is suitable
for you.
FLEETBOSTON'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GUARANTEE AND THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES ARE SUBORDINATED.
FleetBoston's obligations under the guarantee are unsecured and will rank
in priority of payment:
- junior to all of FleetBoston's other liabilities, except those
liabilities made equal or junior to the guarantee by their terms;
- equal with all of FleetBoston's senior most preferred and preference
stock now or in the future issued by it, and with any guarantee now or in
the future issued by it in respect of any preferred or preference stock
of any of its affiliates, including FleetBoston's guarantee of the
outstanding preferred or capital securities of Fleet Capital Trust I,
Fleet Capital Trust II, Fleet Capital Trust III, Fleet Capital Trust IV
and Fleet Capital Trust V and of BankBoston Capital Trust I, BankBoston
Capital Trust II, BankBoston Capital Trust III and BankBoston Capital
Trust IV; and
- senior to FleetBoston's common stock.
This means that FleetBoston cannot make any payments on the guarantee if it
defaults on a payment of any of its other liabilities, except those liabilities
made equal or junior to the guarantee by their terms. In the event of the
bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of FleetBoston, its assets would be
available to pay obligations under the guarantee only after all payments had
been made on its other liabilities, except those liabilities made equal or
junior to the guarantee by their terms.
FleetBoston's obligations under the junior subordinated debentures are
unsecured and will rank junior in priority of payment to FleetBoston's "SENIOR
INDEBTEDNESS" and "OTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS" (see pages S-29 and S-30 for
definitions of these terms). This means that FleetBoston cannot make any
payments of principal, including redemption payments, or interest on the junior
subordinated debentures if it defaults on a payment on its senior indebtedness
or other financial obligations. This also means that in the event of the
bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of FleetBoston, its assets would be
available to pay obligations under the junior subordinated debentures only after
all payments had been made on its senior indebtedness and other financial
obligations. As of December 31, 1999, senior indebtedness and other financial
obligations of FleetBoston aggregated approximately $9.1 billion (holding
company only). In addition, because FleetBoston is a financial holding company,
the junior subordinated debentures are effectively subordinated to all existing
and future liabilities of FleetBoston's subsidiaries, including depositors.
The preferred securities, the guarantee and the junior subordinated
debentures do not limit the ability of FleetBoston and its subsidiaries to incur
additional indebtedness, including indebtedness that ranks senior in priority of
payment to the junior subordinated debentures and the guarantee.
For more information please refer to "Description of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Subordination" beginning on page S-29 and
"Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees" beginning on page 16 of the
accompanying prospectus.
GUARANTEE ONLY COVERS PAYMENTS IF FLEET CAPITAL HAS CASH AVAILABLE
The ability of Fleet Capital to pay scheduled distributions on the
preferred securities, the redemption price of the preferred securities and the
liquidation amount of each preferred
S-6
<PAGE> 84
security is solely dependent upon FleetBoston making the related payments on the
junior subordinated debentures when due.
If FleetBoston defaults on its obligation to pay principal or interest on
the junior subordinated debentures, Fleet Capital will not have sufficient funds
to pay distributions, the redemption price or the liquidation amount of each
preferred security. In those circumstances, you will not be able to rely upon
the guarantee for payment of these amounts.
Instead, you:
- may directly sue FleetBoston or seek other remedies to collect your pro
rata share of payments owed; or
- rely on the institutional trustee to enforce Fleet Capital's rights under
the junior subordinated debentures.
FLEET CAPITAL'S ABILITY TO DEFER DISTRIBUTIONS WILL CAUSE CASH PAYMENTS TO
CEASE, WILL HAVE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR YOU AND MAY AFFECT THE
TRADING PRICE OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES
If no event of default under the junior subordinated debentures has
occurred and is continuing, FleetBoston can, on one or more occasions, defer
interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures for up to 20 consecutive
quarterly periods. If FleetBoston defers interest payments on the junior
subordinated debentures, Fleet Capital will defer distributions on the preferred
securities during any deferral period. However, distributions would still
accumulate and those deferred distributions will themselves accrue interest at
an annual rate of %, to the extent permitted by law.
If FleetBoston defers the payment of interest on the junior subordinated
debentures, you will be required to recognize interest income for United States
federal income tax purposes in respect of your pro rata share of the interest on
the junior subordinated debentures held by Fleet Capital before you receive any
cash distributions relating to those interest payments. In addition, if you sell
the preferred securities before the end of any deferral period or before the
record date relating to distributions which are paid, you will not receive the
cash distributions relating to any accrued and unpaid interest even though you
will be required to recognize that interest in income for United States federal
income tax purposes.
FleetBoston has no current intention of deferring interest payments on the
junior subordinated debentures. However, if FleetBoston exercises its right in
the future, the preferred securities may trade at a price that does not fully
reflect the value of accrued but unpaid interest on the junior subordinated
debentures. If you sell the preferred securities during an interest deferral
period, you may not receive the same return on your investment as someone who
continues to hold the preferred securities. In addition, the existence of
FleetBoston's right to defer payments of interest on the junior subordinated
debentures may mean that the market price for the preferred securities, which
represent an undivided beneficial interest in the junior subordinated
debentures, may be more volatile than other securities that do not have these
rights.
See "United States Federal Income Taxation" beginning on page S-37 for more
information regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of
purchasing, holding and selling the preferred securities.
PREFERRED SECURITIES MAY BE REDEEMED BEFORE IF A SPECIAL EVENT
OCCURS
If a Special Event occurs and is continuing, FleetBoston has the right to
redeem all of the junior subordinated debentures. The "Special Events" are
defined on page S-31. If such a redemption happens, Fleet Capital will use the
cash it receives on the redemption of the junior subordinated debentures to
redeem all of the preferred and common securities within 90 days of the event.
Please see "Description of the Preferred Securities -- Redemption
Procedures" on page S-20 and "Description of the Junior
S-7
<PAGE> 85
Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Redemption" beginning on page S-31 for more
information.
DISTRIBUTION OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES MAY HAVE A POSSIBLE ADVERSE
EFFECT ON TRADING PRICE
FleetBoston has the right to terminate Fleet Capital at any time. If
FleetBoston decides to exercise its right to terminate Fleet Capital, Fleet
Capital will redeem the preferred and common securities by distributing the
junior subordinated debentures to holders of the preferred securities and common
securities on a pro rata basis. Any distribution of the junior subordinated
debentures may require approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.
Under current United States federal income tax laws, a distribution of
junior subordinated debentures to you on the dissolution of Fleet Capital should
not be a taxable event to you. However, if Fleet Capital is characterized for
United States federal income tax purposes as an association taxable as a
corporation or there is a change in law at the time Fleet Capital is dissolved,
the distribution of junior subordinated debentures to you may be a taxable event
to you.
FleetBoston has no current intention of causing the termination of Fleet
Capital and the distribution of the junior subordinated debentures. FleetBoston
anticipates that it would consider exercising this right in the event that
expenses associated with maintaining Fleet Capital were substantially greater
than currently expected, such as if a Special Event occurred. FleetBoston cannot
predict the other circumstances under which this right would be exercised.
FleetBoston cannot predict the market prices for the junior subordinated
debentures that may be distributed. Accordingly, the junior subordinated
debentures that you receive on a distribution, or the preferred securities you
hold pending such a distribution, may trade at a discount to the price that you
paid to purchase the preferred securities.
Because you may receive junior subordinated debentures, you should make an
investment decision with regard to the junior subordinated debentures, in
addition to the preferred securities. You should carefully review all the
information regarding the junior subordinated debentures contained in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS
You will have limited voting rights. In particular, only FleetBoston can
elect or remove any of Fleet Capital's trustees.
See "Fleet Capital" on page S-9 and "Description of the Preferred
Securities -- Voting Rights" beginning on page 14 in the accompanying
prospectus.
TRADING PRICE OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES MAY NOT REFLECT THE VALUE OF ACCRUED
BUT UNPAID INTEREST
If you use the accrual method of accounting for tax purposes and dispose of
your preferred securities between quarterly distributions, you will be required
to:
- include accrued but unpaid interest as ordinary income for United States
federal tax purposes; and
- add the accrued but unpaid income to your adjusted tax basis in the
preferred securities disposed of.
If you sell the preferred securities for less than your adjusted tax basis
in the preferred securities, you will recognize a loss which generally may not
be used to offset ordinary income for United States federal tax purposes. See
"United States Federal Income Taxation" beginning on page S-37.
S-8
<PAGE> 86
THERE IS NOT AN ESTABLISHED TRADING MARKET FOR THE PREFERRED SECURITIES
The preferred securities are a new issue of securities of Fleet Capital
with no established trading market. Fleet Capital cannot assure you that an
active trading market for the preferred securities will develop or be sustained
in the future. While the underwriters have indicated to FleetBoston and Fleet
Capital their intention to create a market for the preferred securities, they
are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market-making at any time without
notice. As a result, you may have difficulty selling or otherwise disposing of
the preferred securities.
NO PROTECTION IN HIGHLY LEVERAGED TRANSACTIONS
Under the indenture which governs the terms of the junior subordinated
debentures, you will not be protected from a highly leveraged transaction,
including a change of control of FleetBoston or other similar transaction. Such
a transaction may have the effect of increasing FleetBoston's liabilities that
are senior to the junior subordinated debentures.
FLEET CAPITAL
This section supplements, and to the extent inconsistent with, replaces the
section entitled "The Trusts" in the accompanying Prospectus.
Fleet Capital is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law
pursuant to:
- a declaration of trust, dated as of March 16, 1998, as amended, executed
by FleetBoston, as sponsor, and the trustees of Fleet Capital, the "FLEET
CAPITAL TRUSTEES"; and
- the filing of a certificate of trust with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on March 16, 1998, as amended.
The declaration will be amended and restated in its entirety, as so amended
and restated, the "DECLARATION," substantially in the form filed as an exhibit
to the registration statement which contains this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus. The declaration will be qualified as an indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the "TRUST INDENTURE ACT."
Fleet Capital exists for the exclusive purposes of:
(1) issuing the trust securities representing undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of Fleet Capital;
(2) investing the gross proceeds of the trust securities in the junior
subordinated debentures; and
(3) engaging only in other necessary or incidental activities.
Upon issuance of the preferred securities, the purchasers will own all of
the preferred securities. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company."
FleetBoston will directly or indirectly acquire common securities in an
aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3 percent of the total capital of
Fleet Capital.
Pursuant to the declaration, the number of Fleet Capital trustees will
initially be five. FleetBoston, as the direct or indirect holder of all the
common securities, will have the right to appoint, remove or replace any Fleet
Capital trustee and to increase or decrease the number of Fleet Capital
trustees. Three of the Fleet Capital trustees, the "REGULAR TRUSTEES," will be
persons who are employees or officers of, or who are affiliated with,
FleetBoston. The fourth trustee will be a financial institution that is
unaffiliated with FleetBoston which will serve as institutional trustee under
the declaration and as indenture trustee for the purposes of compliance with the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, the "INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE." Initially,
The
S-9
<PAGE> 87
Bank of New York will be the institutional trustee until removed or replaced by
the holder of the common securities. For purposes of compliance with the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, The Bank of New York will act as trustee
under the guarantee, the "GUARANTEE TRUSTEE," and as trustee under the indenture
which governs the junior subordinated debentures, the "DEBT TRUSTEE." The fifth
trustee will be an entity that maintains its principal place of business in the
state of Delaware. Initially, The Bank of New York (Delaware), an affiliate of
the institutional trustee, will act as Delaware trustee.
The institutional trustee will hold title to the junior subordinated
debentures for the benefit of the holders of the trust securities and will have
the power to exercise all rights, powers and privileges under the indenture as
the holder of the junior subordinated debentures. In addition, the institutional
trustee will maintain exclusive control of a segregated non-interest bearing
bank account to hold all payments made in respect of the junior subordinated
debentures for the benefit of the holders of the trust securities. The
institutional trustee will make payments of distributions and payments on
liquidation, redemption and otherwise to the holders of the trust securities out
of funds from that account.
The guarantee trustee will hold the guarantee for the benefit of the
holders of the preferred securities.
FleetBoston will pay all fees and expenses related to Fleet Capital and the
offering of the trust securities. See "Description of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Miscellaneous" beginning on page S-35.
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<PAGE> 88
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following summary sets forth unaudited consolidated selected financial
data for FleetBoston and its subsidiaries for each of the years in the five-year
period ending December 31, 1999. The following summary should be read in
conjunction with the financial information incorporated herein by reference to
other documents. See "Where You Can Find More Information" in the accompanying
prospectus. All data has been restated to reflect the BankBoston merger,
accounted for as a pooling of interests. Certain amounts in prior periods have
been reclassified to conform to current-year presentation. All per common share
amounts and associated ratios have been adjusted to reflect FleetBoston's
two-for-one common stock split during 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Interest income (fully taxable
equivalent)....................... $ 13,109 $ 12,400 $ 11,319 $ 10,977 $ 11,398
Interest expense.................... 6,310 5,946 5,127 5,119 6,009
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income (fully taxable
equivalent)....................... 6,799 6,454 6,192 5,858 5,389
Provision for credit losses......... 933 850 522 444 376
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income after provision
for credit losses (fully taxable
equivalent)....................... 5,866 5,604 5,670 5,414 5,013
Noninterest income.................. 6,974 5,281 4,206 3,658 3,237
Noninterest expense................. 9,357 7,050 6,050 5,831 5,831
Net income.......................... $ 2,038(a) $ 2,324(b) $ 2,246 $ 1,860(c) $ 1,351(d)
PER COMMON SHARE(E):
Basic earnings per share............ $ 2.16(a) $ 2.47(b) $ 2.39 $ 1.88(c) $ 1.25(d)
Diluted earnings per share.......... 2.10(a) 2.41(b) 2.33 1.84(c) 1.19(d)
Weighted average basic shares
outstanding (in thousands)........ 919,347 916,123 902,442 932,575 895,370
Weighted average diluted shares
outstanding (in thousands)........ 943,528 939,136 924,021 949,824 943,344
Book value.......................... $ 15.96 $ 14.70 $ 13.23 $ 12.08 $ 11.15
Cash dividends declared............. 1.11 1.00 .92 .87 .82
Common dividend payout ratio........ 51.51% 40.15% 35.55% 40.71% 50.76%
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
CHARGES(F):
Excluding interest on deposits...... 2.18x 2.62x 3.00x 2.79x 1.91x
Including interest on deposits...... 1.53 1.62 1.72 1.61 1.39
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 89
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEET -- AVERAGE BALANCES:
Total assets........................ $188,779 $170,228 $151,886 $146,108 $141,543
Securities held to maturity......... 1,641 1,874 2,000 1,852 11,777
Securities available for sale....... 22,877 19,853 16,321 17,525 16,244
Loans and leases, net of unearned
income............................ 117,528 111,039 102,369 97,598 90,447
Due from brokers/dealers............ 3,239 3,765 2,884 2,179 1,926
Interest bearing deposit
liabilities....................... 90,687 88,634 82,437 81,824 74,828
Short-term borrowings............... 23,109 21,669 17,127 15,099 23,919
Due to brokers/dealers.............. 4,145 4,501 3,463 2,645 2,341
Long-term debt(g)................... 22,290 10,962 7,993 8,158 8,741
Stockholders' equity................ 14,767 13,674 12,188 12,139 10,885
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS:
Net interest margin (fully taxable
equivalent)....................... 4.23% 4.40% 4.68% 4.57% 4.24%
Return on average assets............ 1.08(a) 1.37(b) 1.48 1.27(c) .95(d)
Return on average common
stockholders' equity.............. 14.12(a) 17.64(b) 19.71 16.31(c) 13.16(d)
Average stockholders' equity to
average assets.................... 7.82 8.03 8.02 8.31 7.69
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio..... 6.82 7.11 7.55 8.30 7.97
Total risk-based capital ratio...... 11.50 11.51 11.31 12.18 11.91
Period-end reserve for credit losses
to period-end loans and leases,
net of unearned income............ 2.08 2.06 2.01 2.35 2.42
Net charge-offs to average loans and
leases, net of unearned income.... .76 .75 .64 .61 .55
Period-end nonperforming assets to
period-end loans and leases, net
of unearned income and other real
estate owned(h)................... .70 .61 .72 1.16 1.03
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(a) Includes impact of merger- and restructuring-related charges and other costs
($1.1 billion pre-tax, $760 million post-tax)recorded in 1999.
(b) Includes impact of merger- and restructuring-related charges and other costs
($218 million pre-tax, $135 million post-tax) recorded in 1998.
(c) Includes impact of merger-related charges ($180 million pre-tax, $117
million post-tax) recorded in 1996.
(d) Includes impact of the loss on assets held for sale by accelerated
disposition ($175 million pre-tax, $112 million post-tax) and merger-related
charges ($490 million pre-tax, $317 million post-tax) recorded in 1995.
(e) All per share and average share information has been adjusted to reflect
FleetBoston's two-for-one common stock split during 1998.
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<PAGE> 90
(f) For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
"EARNINGS" consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges,
excluding capitalized interest. "FIXED CHARGES" consist of interest on
short-term debt and long-term debt, including interest related to
capitalized leases and capitalized interest, and one-third of rent expense,
which approximates the interest component of such expense. In addition,
where indicated, fixed charges include interest on deposits.
(g) Amounts include guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in FleetBoston's
junior subordinated debentures.
(h) Excludes $237 million, $46 million, $214 million, $265 million and $317
million of nonperforming assets classified as held for sale by accelerated
disposition at December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Including such amounts the ratios would have been .90%, .65%, .92%, 1.43%
and 1.37% at December 31, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
S-13
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the actual consolidated capitalization of
FleetBoston and its subsidiaries at December 31, 1999, and FleetBoston's
capitalization as of that date as adjusted to (1) reflect the sale since
December 31, 1999 of $2.9 billion of senior notes; (2) reflect the redemption
since December 31, 1999 of all of the outstanding shares of FleetBoston's 9.35%
cumulative preferred stock at its aggregate carrying value of $125 million; and
(3) reflect the sale of the preferred securities offered hereby. The table
should be read in conjunction with FleetBoston's consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto included in the documents incorporated by reference
herein. All data has been restated to give effect to the BankBoston merger. See
"Where You Can Find More Information" in the accompanying prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT DECEMBER 31, 1999
----------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
------- -----------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C>
Senior and subordinated debt(11)............................ $23,500 $26,400
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of Fleet Capital Trust I(1).................... 84 84
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities
of Fleet Capital Trust II(2).............................. 250 250
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of Fleet Capital Trust III(3).................. 120 120
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of Fleet Capital Trust IV(4)................... 150 150
Company-obligated mandatory redeemable capital securities of
Fleet Capital Trust V(5).................................. 250 250
Company-obligated mandatory redeemable preferred securities
of Fleet Capital Trust VI(6).............................. --
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of BankBoston Capital Trust I(7)............... 250 250
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of BankBoston Capital Trust II(8).............. 250 250
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of BankBoston Capital Trust III(9)............. 248 248
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred
securities of BankBoston Capital Trust IV(10)............. 247 247
------- -------
Total long-term debt........................................ 25,349
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value............................ 691 566
Common stock, $.01 par value................................ 9 9
Common surplus.............................................. 4,150 4,150
Retained earnings........................................... 10,129 10,129
Accumulated other comprehensive income...................... 387 387
Treasury stock.............................................. (59) (59)
------- -------
Total stockholders' equity.................................. 15,307 15,182
------- -------
Total long-term debt and stockholders' equity............... $40,656
======= =======
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 92
- -------------------------
(1) Issued on February 4, 1997. The sole assets of Fleet Capital Trust I are
8.00% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2027 with a
principal amount of approximately $86.3 million. Those debentures mature on
February 15, 2027, which may be (i) shortened to a date not earlier than
April 15, 2001 or (ii) extended to a date not later than February 15, 2046.
FleetBoston owns all of the common securities of this trust. Upon
redemption of the debentures, the preferred securities are mandatorily
redeemable.
(2) Issued on December 11, 1996. The sole assets of Fleet Capital Trust II are
7.92% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2026 with a
principal amount of approximately $257.7 million. Those debentures mature
on December 11, 2026. FleetBoston owns all of the common securities of this
trust. Upon redemption of the debentures, the capital securities are
mandatorily redeemable.
(3) Issued on January 29, 1998. The sole assets of Fleet Capital Trust III are
7.05% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2028 with a
principal amount of approximately $123.7 million. Those debentures mature
on March 31, 2028. FleetBoston owns all of the common securities of this
trust. Upon redemption of the debentures, the preferred securities are
mandatorily redeemable.
(4) Issued on April 28, 1998. The sole assets of Fleet Capital Trust IV are
7.17% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures with a principal
amount of approximately $154.6 million. Those debentures mature on March
31, 2028. FleetBoston owns all of the Common Securities of this trust. Upon
redemption of the debentures, the preferred securities are mandatorily
redeemable.
(5) Issued on December 18, 1998. The sole assets of Fleet Capital Trust V are
Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2028
with a principal amount of approximately $257.7 million. Those debentures
mature on December 18, 2028. FleetBoston owns all of the common securities
of this trust. Upon redemption of the debentures, the preferred securities
are mandatorily redeemable.
(6) As described in this prospectus supplement, the sole assets of Fleet
Capital will be the junior subordinated debentures with a principal amount
of approximately $ million. The junior subordinated debentures
will bear interest at an annual rate equal to % on the liquidation
amount of $ per preferred security and will mature on .
FleetBoston owns all of the common securities of Fleet Capital. Upon
redemption of the junior subordinated debentures, the preferred securities
will be mandatorily redeemable.
(7) Issued on November 26, 1996. The sole assets of BankBoston Capital Trust I
are 8.25% Series A Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due
December 15, 2026 with a principal amount of approximately $257.7 million.
FleetBoston owns all of the common securities of this trust. Upon
redemption of the debentures, the preferred securities are mandatorily
redeemable.
(8) Issued on December 10, 1996. The sole assets of BankBoston Capital Trust II
are 7.75% Series A Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due
December 15, 2026 with a principal amount of approximately $257.7 million.
FleetBoston owns all of the common securities of this trust. Upon
redemption of the debentures, the preferred securities are mandatorily
redeemable.
(9) Issued on June 4, 1997. The sole assets of BankBoston Capital Trust III are
Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due June
15, 2027 with a principal amount
S-15
<PAGE> 93
of approximately $255.2 million. FleetBoston owns all of the common securities
of this trust. Upon redemption of the debentures, the preferred securities are
mandatorily redeemable.
(10) Issued on June 8, 1998. The sole assets of BankBoston Capital Trust IV are
Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due June
8, 2028 with a principal amount of approximately $255.2 million.
FleetBoston owns all of the common securities of this trust. Upon
redemption of the debentures, the preferred securities are mandatorily
redeemable.
(11) In April 2000, FleetBoston called for redemption approximately $186 million
of its floating rate subordinated notes due 2001. FleetBoston will redeem
those notes on May 31, 2000. This redemption is not reflected in the table
above.
S-16
<PAGE> 94
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The financial statements of Fleet Capital will be consolidated into
FleetBoston's consolidated financial statements, with the preferred securities
classified as a component of long-term debt of FleetBoston. The financial
statement footnotes of FleetBoston will reflect that the sole asset of Fleet
Capital will be $ million principal amount of the junior subordinated
debentures, bearing interest at an annual rate equal to and maturing
on . All future reports filed by FleetBoston under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 will present information regarding Fleet Capital and other
similar FleetBoston trusts in the manner described above. In addition, a
footnote to FleetBoston's audited financial statements will reflect that:
(1) Fleet Capital and such other trusts are wholly-owned by FleetBoston;
(2) the sole assets of Fleet Capital are the junior subordinated debentures
and the sole assets of those other trusts will be junior subordinated
debentures, in each case specifying as to each trust the principal
amount, interest rate and maturity date of the junior subordinated
debentures held; and
(3) the guarantee, when taken together with FleetBoston's obligations under
the junior subordinated debentures and the indenture and its
obligations under the declaration, including its obligations to pay
costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of Fleet Capital, other than
with respect to the trust securities, and the corresponding obligations
of FleetBoston with respect to those other trusts, provide a full and
unconditional guarantee of amounts on the preferred securities and the
preferred securities issued by those other trusts.
See "Capitalization."
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES
The preferred securities will be issued pursuant to the terms of an amended
and restated declaration of trust. The declaration will be qualified as an
indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The institutional trustee, The Bank of
New York, will act as trustee for the preferred securities under the declaration
for purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The
terms of the preferred securities will include those stated in the declaration
and those made part of the declaration by the Trust Indenture Act.
Set forth below is a summary of the material terms and provisions of the
preferred securities. This summary supplements, and to the extent inconsistent,
replaces, the description set forth under the caption "Description of the
Preferred Securities" in the accompanying prospectus. This summary, which
describes the material provisions of the preferred securities, is not intended
to be complete and is qualified by the declaration, the form of which is filed
as an exhibit to the registration statement which contains this prospectus
supplement, by the Delaware Business Trust Act and by the Trust Indenture Act.
GENERAL
The declaration authorizes the regular trustees to issue the trust
securities on behalf of Fleet Capital. The trust securities represent undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of Fleet Capital. All of the common
securities will be owned, directly or indirectly, by FleetBoston. The common
securities rank equally, and payments will be made on a pro rata basis, with the
preferred securities. However, if a "DECLARATION EVENT OF DEFAULT" as defined
under "Declaration Events of Default" on page S-22, occurs and is continuing,
the rights of the holders of the common securities to receive payments will be
subordinated to the rights of the holders of the preferred securities.
S-17
<PAGE> 95
The declaration does not permit Fleet Capital to issue any securities other
than the trust securities or to incur any indebtedness. Under the declaration,
the institutional trustee will own the junior subordinated debentures purchased
by Fleet Capital for the benefit of the holders of the trust securities.
Payments on the preferred securities are guaranteed by FleetBoston to the
extent described under "Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees" in
the accompanying prospectus. The guarantee will be held by The Bank of New York,
as guarantee trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the preferred
securities. The guarantee does not cover payment of distributions when Fleet
Capital does not have sufficient available funds to pay those distributions. In
that event, the remedy of a holder of preferred securities is to vote to direct
the institutional trustee to enforce the institutional trustee's rights under
the junior subordinated debentures or, if there is a default in the payment of
distributions, including when Fleet Capital does not have sufficient available
funds to pay those distributions, the holder may take "DIRECT ACTION," as
defined in the accompanying prospectus on page 15. See "Voting Rights" and
"Declaration Events of Default" below and "Description of the Preferred
Securities -- Voting Rights" in the accompanying prospectus beginning on page
14.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions on the preferred securities will be fixed at an annual rate
equal to % on the liquidation amount of $ per preferred
security. Distributions which are unpaid for more than one quarter will
accumulate additional distributions at that same rate, compounded quarterly. The
term "distribution" as used in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus includes any interest payable on unpaid distributions unless
otherwise stated.
The amount of distributions payable for any period will be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of distributions
payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly period will be computed on
the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month. If any
distribution payment date is not a business day, then the distribution will be
made on the next succeeding day that is a business day and without any interest
or other payment in respect of the delay. However, if the next business day is
in the next calendar year, payment of distributions will be made on the
preceding business day.
Distributions on the preferred securities:
(1) will be cumulative;
(2) will accrue from ; and
(3) except as otherwise described below, will be payable quarterly in
arrears on , , and
of each year, commencing .
As long as FleetBoston is not in default in the payment of interest on the
junior subordinated debentures, FleetBoston may defer payments of interest on
the junior subordinated debentures by extending the interest payment period from
time to time on the junior subordinated debentures, an "EXTENSION PERIOD." If
FleetBoston exercises this extension option, quarterly distributions on the
preferred securities would also be deferred during any such extension period.
Because interest would continue to accrue on the junior subordinated debentures,
any deferred distributions would also continue to accrue with interest at an
annual rate equal to % percent per annum compounded quarterly. This right
to extend the interest payment period for the junior subordinated debentures is
limited to a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters, and may not extend
beyond , the "STATED MATURITY" of the junior subordinated
debentures. Upon the termination of any extension period and the payment of all
amounts then due, FleetBoston may select a new extension period, subject to the
above requirements. See "Description of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Interest" and "-- Option to Extend Interest Payment Period."
S-18
<PAGE> 96
If FleetBoston exercises this deferral right, then during any extension
period:
(1) FleetBoston will not declare or pay any dividend on, make any
distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment relating to, any of its capital stock other than:
- repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of capital
stock of FleetBoston in connection with any employee benefit plans
or any other contractual obligation of FleetBoston, other than a
contractual obligation ranking equally with or junior to the junior
subordinated debentures;
- as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of
FleetBoston's capital stock for any other class or series of
FleetBoston's capital stock; or
- the purchase of fractional interests in shares of FleetBoston's
capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of
that FleetBoston capital stock or the security being converted or
exchanged;
(2) FleetBoston will not make any payment of interest, principal or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities
issued by FleetBoston which rank equally with or junior to the junior
subordinated debentures; and
(3) FleetBoston will not make any guarantee payments with respect to the
foregoing, other than pursuant to the guarantee.
If distributions are deferred, the deferred distributions and accumulated
but unpaid distributions will be paid to holders of the preferred securities as
they appear on the books and records of Fleet Capital on the record date next
following the termination of that extension period.
Distributions on the preferred securities must be paid on the dates payable
to the extent that Fleet Capital has funds available for the payment of those
distributions. Fleet Capital's funds available for distribution to the holders
of the preferred securities will be limited to payments received from
FleetBoston on the junior subordinated debentures. See "Description of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures." The payment of distributions out of moneys held
by Fleet Capital is guaranteed by FleetBoston to the extent set forth under
"Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees" beginning on page 16 in the
accompanying prospectus.
PAYMENT AND RECORD DATES
Distributions will be payable to the holders of the preferred securities as
they appear on the books and records of Fleet Capital on the relevant record
dates. As long as the preferred securities are in book-entry form, the record
date will be one business day prior to the relevant payment date. A "BUSINESS
DAY" is any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking
institutions in New York City (in the State of New York) are permitted or
required by any applicable law to close. If the preferred securities are not in
book-entry form, the record date will be the 15th day of the month in which the
relevant payment date occurs. The record dates and payment dates for the
preferred securities are the same as the record dates and payment dates for the
junior subordinated debentures.
If Fleet Capital does not pay a distribution because FleetBoston fails to
make the corresponding interest payment on the junior subordinated debentures,
that defaulted distribution will be payable to the person in whose name the
preferred security is registered on the special record date established by the
regular trustees, which record date will correspond to the special record date
or other specified date determined in accordance with the indenture. This means
that the defaulted distribution will not be paid to the person in whose name the
preferred security is registered on the original record date. However,
distributions will not be considered
S-19
<PAGE> 97
payable on any distribution payment date falling within an extension period
unless FleetBoston has elected to make a full or partial payment of interest
accrued on the junior subordinated debentures on that distribution payment date.
Distributions on the preferred securities will be paid through the
institutional trustee, who will hold amounts received on the junior subordinated
debentures for the benefit of the holders of the trust securities. Subject to
any applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of the declaration, each
payment of distributions will be made as described under "Book-Entry Only
Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" below.
If any date on which distributions are to be made on the preferred
securities is not a business day, then payment will be made on the next
succeeding day which is a business day and without any interest or other payment
in respect of the delay. However, if the next business day is in the next
calendar year, payment of distributions will be made on the preceding business
day.
REDEMPTION
The stated maturity of the junior subordinated debentures is
. The junior subordinated debentures will be redeemable prior to
the stated maturity at the option of FleetBoston at a redemption price equal to
100% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest to the date of redemption:
(1) in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after ; or
(2) at any time prior to , in whole but not in part, upon
the occurrence and continuation of a special event as defined under
"Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Optional
Redemption" on page S-31.
The proceeds from any repayment or redemption of the junior subordinated
debentures will simultaneously be used to redeem trust securities having an
aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
junior subordinated debentures so repaid or redeemed, the "REDEMPTION PRICE."
Holders of trust securities must be given not less than 30 nor more than 60
days' notice of any early redemption. See "Description of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Optional Prepayment." In the event that fewer than
all of the outstanding preferred securities are to be redeemed, the preferred
securities will be redeemed pro rata as described under "Book-Entry Only
Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" beginning on page S-25. Any early
redemption may require prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board if approval
is then required under applicable law, rules, guidelines or policies.
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
Fleet Capital may not redeem fewer than all of the outstanding preferred
securities unless all accrued and unpaid distributions have been paid on all
preferred securities for all quarterly distribution periods terminating on or
prior to the date of redemption.
If Fleet Capital gives a notice of redemption of the preferred securities
and FleetBoston has paid to Fleet Capital a sufficient amount of cash in
connection with the related redemption or maturity of the junior subordinated
debentures, then immediately prior to the close of business on the redemption
date:
(1) distributions will cease to accrue on the preferred securities called
for redemption;
(2) the preferred securities called for redemption will no longer be deemed
to be outstanding; and
(3) all rights of holders of the preferred securities called for redemption
will cease, except the right of the holders of those preferred
securities to receive the redemption price, but without interest.
Any notice of redemption will be irrevocable. If any date fixed for
redemption of
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<PAGE> 98
preferred securities is not a business day, then the redemption date will be
postponed to the next succeeding day that is a business day.
If FleetBoston fails to repay junior subordinated debentures on maturity or
on the date fixed for a redemption or if payment of the redemption price is
improperly withheld or refused and not paid by Fleet Capital or by FleetBoston
under its guarantee, distributions on those preferred securities will continue
to accrue to the date of payment, in which case the actual payment date will be
considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the
redemption price.
Fleet Capital will not be required to:
(1) issue, or register the transfer or exchange of, any trust securities
during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the
mailing of a notice of redemption of trust securities and ending at the
close of business on the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of
redemption; and
(2) register the transfer or exchange of any trust securities so selected
for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of
any trust securities being redeemed in part.
Subject to the foregoing and applicable law, including, without limitation,
United States federal securities laws and the regulations of the Federal Reserve
Board, FleetBoston or its subsidiaries may at any time, and from time to time,
purchase outstanding preferred securities by tender, in the open market or by
private agreement.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
FleetBoston will have the right at any time to liquidate Fleet Capital and
cause the junior subordinated debentures to be distributed to the holders of the
trust securities. This may require the prior approval of the Federal Reserve
Board if approval is then required under applicable law, rules, guidelines or
policies. If the junior subordinated debentures are distributed to the holders
of the preferred securities, FleetBoston will use its best efforts to cause the
junior subordinated debentures to be listed on any exchange as the preferred
securities are then listed.
On the date for any distribution of junior subordinated debentures upon
dissolution of Fleet Capital:
(1) the trust securities will no longer deemed to be outstanding;
(2) DTC, as defined herein under "Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The
Depository Trust Company" on page S-25, or its nominee, as the record
holder of the trust securities, will receive a registered global
certificate or certificates representing the junior subordinated
debentures to be delivered upon that distribution; and
(3) any certificates representing trust securities not held by the
depositary or its nominee until those certificates are presented to
FleetBoston or its agent for transfer or reissuance will be deemed to
represent junior subordinated debentures having:
- an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated
liquidation amount of the trust securities;
- an interest rate identical to the distribution rate of the trust
securities; and
- accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid
distributions on, the trust securities.
FleetBoston and Fleet Capital cannot assure you as to the market prices for
either the preferred securities or the junior subordinated debentures that may
be distributed in exchange for the preferred securities if Fleet Capital were to
dissolve and liquidate. Accordingly, the preferred securities or the junior
subordinated debentures may trade at a discount to the price
S-21
<PAGE> 99
paid to purchase the preferred securities offered by this prospectus supplement.
LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION
If Fleet Capital liquidates, dissolves, winds-up or terminates, each a
"LIQUIDATION," holders of the preferred securities will be entitled to receive
out of the assets of Fleet Capital, after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors, distributions in an amount equal to the aggregate of the stated
liquidation amount of $ per preferred security plus accrued and unpaid
distributions to the date of payment, the "LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION." These
distributions will not be paid if, in connection with a liquidation, junior
subordinated debentures with terms that match the preferred securities have been
distributed on a pro rata basis to the holders of the preferred securities.
If, upon any liquidation, the liquidation distribution can be paid only in
part because Fleet Capital does not have sufficient assets to pay in full the
entire liquidation distribution, then the amounts payable directly by Fleet
Capital on the preferred securities will be paid on a pro rata basis.
The holders of the common securities will be entitled to receive
distributions upon any liquidation pro rata with the holders of the preferred
securities. However, if a declaration event of default has occurred and is
continuing, the preferred securities will have a preference over the common
securities with regard to those distributions.
Pursuant to the declaration, Fleet Capital will terminate:
(1) on , the expiration of the term of Fleet Capital;
(2) upon the bankruptcy of FleetBoston or Fleet Capital;
(3) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with
respect to FleetBoston;
(4) upon the filing of a certificate of cancellation for Fleet Capital
after obtaining the consent of the holders of at least a majority in
liquidation amount of the trust securities, voting together as a single
class to file the certificate of cancellation;
(5) upon the revocation of FleetBoston's charter and the expiration of 90
days after the date of revocation without the charter being reinstated;
(6) upon the distribution of junior subordinated debentures to the holders
of the trust securities;
(7) upon the entry of a decree of a judicial dissolution of FleetBoston or
Fleet Capital; or
(8) upon the redemption of all the trust securities.
DECLARATION EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An "INDENTURE EVENT OF DEFAULT" is an event of default under the indenture
and also constitutes a "DECLARATION EVENT OF DEFAULT," which is an event of
default under the declaration relating to the trust securities. See "Description
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Events of Default, Waiver and Notice"
in the accompanying prospectus on page 11 for a description of indenture events
of default.
Under the declaration, the holder of the common securities will be deemed
to have waived any declaration event of default relating to the common
securities until all declaration events of default relating to the preferred
securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until all
declaration events of default relating to the preferred securities have been
cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the institutional trustee will be acting
solely on behalf of the holders of the preferred securities. Only the holders of
the preferred securities will have the right to direct the institutional trustee
with respect to certain matters under the declaration, and therefore the
indenture. If a declaration event of default relating to the preferred
securities is waived by the holders of the preferred securities, the holders of
the
S-22
<PAGE> 100
common securities have agreed that the waiver also constitutes a waiver of the
declaration event of default relating to the common securities for all purposes
under the declaration without any further act, vote or consent of the holders of
the common securities.
If the institutional trustee fails to enforce its rights under the junior
subordinated debentures after a holder of preferred securities has made a
written request, the holder of preferred securities may directly institute a
legal proceeding against FleetBoston to enforce these rights without first suing
the institutional trustee or any other person or entity. If a declaration event
of default has occurred and is continuing and the event is attributable to the
failure of FleetBoston to pay interest or principal on the junior subordinated
debentures on the date the interest or principal is otherwise payable, or in the
case of redemption, the redemption date, then a holder of preferred securities
may also bring a direct action. This means that a holder may directly sue
FleetBoston to enforce payment of the principal or interest on the junior
subordinated debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
liquidation amount of the preferred securities of the holder on or after the
respective due date specified in the junior subordinated debentures. The holder
need not first (1) direct the institutional trustee to enforce the terms of the
junior subordinated debentures or (2) sue FleetBoston to enforce the
institutional trustee's rights under the junior subordinated debentures.
In connection with the direct action, FleetBoston will be subrogated to the
rights of the holder of preferred securities under the declaration to the extent
of any payment made by FleetBoston to that holder of preferred securities in the
direct action. This means that FleetBoston will be entitled to payment of
amounts that a holder of preferred securities receives in respect of an unpaid
distribution that resulted in the bringing of a direct action to the extent that
the holder receives or has already received full payment relating to the unpaid
distribution from Fleet Capital. The holders of preferred securities will not be
able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the
junior subordinated debentures.
Upon the occurrence of an indenture event of default, the institutional
trustee as the sole holder of the junior subordinated debentures will have the
right under the indenture to declare the principal of and interest on the junior
subordinated debentures to be immediately due and payable. FleetBoston and Fleet
Capital are each required to file annually with the institutional trustee an
officer's certificate as to its compliance with all conditions and covenants
under the declaration.
VOTING RIGHTS
Except as described in the accompanying prospectus under "Description of
the Preferred Securities -- Voting Rights" beginning on page 14, under the
Delaware Business Trust Act, under the Trust Indenture Act and under
"Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees -- Modification of the
Preferred Securities Guarantees; Assignment" on page 18 in the accompanying
prospectus, and as otherwise required by law and the declaration, the holders of
the preferred securities will have no voting rights.
MODIFICATION OF THE DECLARATION
The declaration may be modified and amended if approved by the regular
trustees, and in certain circumstances, the institutional trustee. However, if
any proposed amendment provides for, or the regular trustees otherwise propose
to effect:
(1) any action that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or
special rights of the trust securities, whether by way of amendment to
the declaration or otherwise; or
(2) the dissolution, winding-up or termination of Fleet Capital other than
pursuant to the terms of the declaration,
then the holders of the trust securities voting together as a single class will
be entitled to vote
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on the amendment or proposal. That amendment or proposal will not be effective
except with the approval of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the
trust securities affected thereby. If, however, any amendment or proposal
referred to in clause (1) above would adversely affect only the preferred
securities or the common securities, then only holders of the affected class
will be entitled to vote on the amendment or proposal. The amendment or proposal
will not be effective except with the approval of a majority in liquidation
amount of that class of trust securities.
Despite the foregoing, no amendment or modification may be made to the
declaration if the amendment or modification would:
(1) cause Fleet Capital to be classified for United States federal income
taxation purposes as other than a grantor trust;
(2) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the institutional
trustee; or
(3) cause Fleet Capital to be deemed an "investment company" which is
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act.
MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS OR AMALGAMATIONS
Fleet Capital may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety, to any corporation or other body, except as
described below. Fleet Capital may, with the consent of the regular trustees and
without the consent of the holders of the trust securities, the institutional
trustee or the Delaware trustee, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or
be replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any State of the
United States; provided, that:
(1) if Fleet Capital is not the survivor, the successor entity either:
(a) expressly assumes all of the obligations of Fleet Capital under
the trust securities; or
(b) substitutes for the trust securities other securities having
substantially the same terms as the trust securities, so long as
the successor securities rank the same as the trust securities
rank regarding distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise;
(2) FleetBoston expressly acknowledges a trustee of the successor entity
possessing the same powers and duties as the institutional trustee, in
its capacity as the holder of the junior subordinated debentures;
(3) the preferred securities or any successor securities are listed, or any
successor securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on
any national securities exchange or with another organization on which
the preferred securities are then listed or quoted;
(4) the merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not cause
the preferred securities, including any successor securities, to be
downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating
organization;
(5) the merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not
adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders
of the trust securities, including any successor securities, in any
material respect, other than with respect to any dilution of the
holders' interest in the new entity;
(6) the successor entity has a purpose identical to that of Fleet Capital;
(7) prior to the merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, Fleet
Capital has received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent
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counsel to Fleet Capital experienced in those matters that:
(a) the merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not
adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the
holders of the trust securities, including any successor
securities, in any material respect, other than with respect to
any dilution of the holders' interest in the new entity;
(b) following the merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement,
neither Fleet Capital nor the successor entity will be required to
register as an investment company under the 1940 Act; and
(c) following the merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement,
Fleet Capital (or the successor entity) will be treated as a
grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes; and
(8) FleetBoston guarantees the obligations of the successor entity under
the successor securities at least to the extent provided by the
guarantee.
Despite the foregoing, Fleet Capital will not, except with the consent of
holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the trust securities, consolidate,
amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity or permit any
other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it, if
the consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause Fleet Capital
or the successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes.
BOOK-ENTRY ONLY ISSUANCE -- THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
The preferred securities will be book-entry securities. Upon issuance, all
book-entry securities will be represented by one or more fully registered global
preferred securities, without distribution coupons. Each global preferred
security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company,
"DTC," a securities depository, and will be registered in the name of DTC or a
nominee of DTC. DTC will thus be the only registered holder of the preferred
securities and will be considered the sole owner of the preferred securities for
purposes of the declaration.
Purchasers of preferred securities may only hold interests in the global
notes through DTC if they are a participant in the DTC system. Purchasers may
also hold interests through a securities intermediary -- banks, brokerage houses
and other institutions that maintain securities accounts for customers -- that
has an account with DTC or its nominee. DTC will maintain accounts showing the
preferred security holdings of its participants, and these participants will in
turn maintain accounts showing the preferred security holdings of their
customers. Some of these customers may themselves be securities intermediaries
holding preferred securities for their customers. Thus, each beneficial owner of
a book-entry preferred security will hold that preferred security indirectly
through a hierarchy of intermediaries, with DTC at the "top" and the beneficial
owner's own securities intermediary at the "bottom."
The preferred securities of each beneficial owner of a book-entry security
will be evidenced solely by entries on the books of the beneficial owner's
securities intermediary. The actual purchaser of the preferred securities will
generally not be entitled to have the preferred securities represented by the
global securities registered in its name and will not be considered the owner
under the declaration. In most cases, a beneficial owner will also not be able
to obtain a paper certificate evidencing the holder's ownership of preferred
securities. The book-entry system for holding preferred securities eliminates
the need for physical movement of certificates and is the system through which
most publicly traded common stock is held in the United States. However, the
laws of some jurisdictions require some purchasers of securi-
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ties to take physical delivery of their securities in definitive form. These
laws may impair the ability to transfer book-entry securities.
A beneficial owner of book-entry securities represented by a global
preferred security may exchange the securities for definitive (paper) preferred
securities only if:
(1) DTC is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global
preferred security and FleetBoston is unable to find a qualified
replacement for DTC within 90 days;
(2) at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or
(3) FleetBoston in its sole discretion decides to allow some or all book-
entry securities to be exchangeable for definitive preferred securities
in registered form.
Any global preferred security that is exchangeable will be exchangeable in
whole for definitive preferred securities in registered form, with the same
terms and of an equal aggregate principal amount, in denominations of
$ and whole multiples of $ . Definitive preferred securities
will be registered in the name or names of the person or persons specified by
DTC in a written instruction to the registrar of the securities. DTC may base
its written instruction upon directions it receives from its participants.
In this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, for book-entry
preferred securities, references to actions taken by preferred security holders
will mean actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and
references to payments and notices of redemption to preferred security holders
will mean payments and notices of redemption to DTC as the registered holder of
the preferred securities for distribution to participants in accordance with
DTC's procedures.
DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized
under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System,
a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial
Code and a "clearing agency" registered under section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on
file with the SEC.
FleetBoston and the trustees will not have any responsibility or liability
for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of,
beneficial ownership interests in the book-entry securities or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership
interests.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with
respect to the preferred securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to
Fleet Capital. Under those circumstances, in the event that a successor
securities depositary is not obtained, preferred securities certificates are
required to be printed and delivered. Additionally, the regular trustees, with
the consent of FleetBoston, may decide to discontinue use of the system of
book-entry transfers through DTC or any successor depositary with respect to the
preferred securities. In that event, certificates for the preferred securities
will be printed and delivered.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that FleetBoston and Fleet Capital believe to be
reliable, but neither FleetBoston nor Fleet Capital takes responsibility for the
accuracy of that information.
PAYMENT
Payments on the preferred securities represented by the global certificates
will be made to DTC, which will credit the relevant accounts at DTC on the
applicable distribution dates. In the case of certificated securities, payments
will be made by check mailed to the address of the holder as that address
appears on the records of FleetBoston's registrar and transfer agent.
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REGISTRAR, TRANSFER AGENT AND PAYING AGENT
In the event that the preferred securities do not remain in book-entry only
form, the following provisions will apply:
(1) the institutional trustee will act as paying agent and may designate an
additional or substitute paying agent at any time;
(2) registration of transfers of preferred securities will be effected
without charge by or on behalf of Fleet Capital, but upon payment, with
the giving of such indemnity as Fleet Capital or FleetBoston may
require, in respect of any tax or other government charges that may be
imposed in relation to it; and
(3) Fleet Capital will not be required to register or cause to be
registered the transfer of preferred securities after those preferred
securities have been called for redemption.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE
Prior to the occurrence of a default with respect to the trust securities
and after the curing of any defaults that may have occurred, the institutional
trustee undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in
the declaration. After such a default, the institutional trustee will exercise
the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of
his or her own affairs. The institutional trustee is under no obligation to
exercise any of the powers vested in it by the declaration at the request of any
holder of preferred securities, unless offered indemnity satisfactory to it by
the holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities that the institutional
trustee might incur by exercising those powers. The holders of preferred
securities will not be required to offer that indemnity in the event the
holders, by exercising their voting rights, direct the institutional trustee to
take any action following a declaration event of default. The institutional
trustee also serves as trustee under the guarantee and the indenture.
FleetBoston and certain of its subsidiaries conduct certain banking transactions
with the institutional trustee in the ordinary course of their business.
GOVERNING LAW
The declaration and the preferred securities will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware.
MISCELLANEOUS
The regular trustees are authorized and directed to operate Fleet Capital
in such a way so that Fleet Capital will not be required to register as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act or characterized as other
than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes. FleetBoston
is authorized and directed to conduct its affairs so that the junior
subordinated debentures will be treated as indebtedness of FleetBoston for
United States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, FleetBoston and
the regular trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with
applicable law, the certificate of trust of Fleet Capital or the Restated
Articles of Incorporation of FleetBoston, that each of FleetBoston and the
regular trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable to
achieve that end, as long as that action does not adversely affect the interests
of the holders of the preferred securities or vary the terms of the preferred
securities.
Holders of the preferred securities have no preemptive rights.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEE
FleetBoston will agree, to the extent set forth in the guarantee, to pay in
full to the holders of the preferred securities the guarantee payments, as
defined in the accompanying prospectus, except to the extent paid by Fleet
Capital, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of setoff or
counterclaim which Fleet Capital may have or assert. FleetBoston's obligation to
make a payment under the guarantee may be satisfied by direct payment of the
required amounts by FleetBoston to the holders of preferred securities or by
causing Fleet Capital to pay those amounts to those holders.
The guarantee, when taken together with FleetBoston's obligations under the
junior subordinated debentures and the indenture and its obligations under the
declaration, including its obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and
liabilities of Fleet Capital, other than with respect to the trust securities,
provides a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by
FleetBoston of payments due on the preferred securities.
The guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture
Act. The Bank of New York will act as guarantee trustee. The terms of the
guarantee will be those set forth in that guarantee and those made part of the
guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act. The guarantee will be held by the
Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the preferred securities. A
summary description of the guarantee appears beginning on page 16 in the
accompanying prospectus under the caption "Description of the Preferred
Securities Guarantees."
DESCRIPTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
Set forth below is a description of the specific terms of the junior
subordinated debentures in which Fleet Capital will invest the proceeds from the
issuance and sale of the trust securities. This description supplements the
description of the general terms and provisions of the junior subordinated
debentures set forth on page 8 in the accompanying prospectus under the caption
"Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures." While the following
description is not intended to be complete and is qualified by the indenture,
dated as of , between FleetBoston and The Bank of New York
as trustee, the "DEBT TRUSTEE," as supplemented by a supplemental indenture,
dated as of , as so supplemented, the "INDENTURE," all
material terms of the junior subordinated debentures are set forth in this
prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus. The forms of the base
and supplemental indentures are filed as exhibits to the registration statement
which contains this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
GENERAL
The junior subordinated debentures will be issued as unsecured debt of
FleetBoston under the indenture. The junior subordinated debentures will
initially be limited in aggregate principal amount to $ (or $
if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full). This amount is
the sum of the aggregate stated liquidation value of the trust securities.
The junior subordinated debentures are not subject to any sinking fund
provision. The entire principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures
will mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid
interest on the junior subordinated debentures, including compound interest, as
defined on page S-32 under "Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" and
additional interest, as defined on page S-33 under "Additional Interest", if
any, on , .
If junior subordinated debentures are distributed to holders of preferred
securities in liquidation of the holders' interests in Fleet
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<PAGE> 106
Capital, those junior subordinated debentures will initially be issued as a
global security. As described in this prospectus supplement, under limited
circumstances junior subordinated debentures may be issued in certificated form
in exchange for a global security. See "Book-Entry and Settlement" below. If
junior subordinated debentures are issued in certificated form, those junior
subordinated debentures will be in denominations of $ and integral
multiples of $ and may be transferred or exchanged at the offices
described below. Payments on junior subordinated debentures issued as a global
security will be made to DTC, to a successor depositary or, in the event that no
depositary is used, to a paying agent for the junior subordinated debentures. In
the event junior subordinated debentures are issued in certificated form,
principal and interest will be payable, the transfer of the junior subordinated
debentures will be registrable and junior subordinated debentures will be
exchangeable for junior subordinated debentures of other denominations of a like
aggregate principal amount, at the corporate trust office of the institutional
trustee in New York, New York. At its option, FleetBoston may make payment of
interest by check mailed to the address of the holder entitled to that payment
or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the holder
entitled to that payment.
FleetBoston does not intend to issue and sell the junior subordinated debt
securities to any purchasers other than Fleet Capital.
There are no covenants or provisions in the indenture that would afford the
holders of the junior subordinated debentures protection in the event of a
highly leveraged transaction or other similar transaction involving FleetBoston
that may adversely affect those holders.
SUBORDINATION
The indenture provides that the junior subordinated debentures are
subordinated and junior in right of payment to all present and future senior
indebtedness and other financial obligations of FleetBoston (each as defined
below) and rank equal with and are equivalent to creditor obligations of those
holding general unsecured claims not entitled to statutory priority under the
United States Bankruptcy Code or otherwise. This means that no payment may be
made of principal, including redemption payments, premium, if any, or interest
on the junior subordinated debentures if:
(1) there is a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any,
interest on or otherwise in respect of any senior indebtedness or other
financial obligations, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for
prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or
(2) any event of default with respect to any senior indebtedness or other
financial obligations has occurred and is continuing, or would occur as
a result of that payment on the junior subordinated debentures, if the
event of default would permit the holders of that senior indebtedness
or other financial obligations, or a trustee on behalf of those
holders, to accelerate the maturity of the senior indebtedness or other
financial obligations.
Upon any distribution of assets of FleetBoston to creditors upon any
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or
involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings,
all of the principal of, and interest on, all senior indebtedness and other
financial obligations of FleetBoston must be paid in full before the holders of
the junior subordinated debentures are entitled to receive or retain any
payment.
The term "SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to FleetBoston:
(1) the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of:
(a) indebtedness of FleetBoston for money borrowed; and
(b) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds or other
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similar instruments issued by FleetBoston;
(2) all capital lease obligations of FleetBoston;
(3) all obligations of FleetBoston issued or assumed as the deferred
purchased price of property, all conditional sale obligations of
FleetBoston and all obligations of FleetBoston under any title
retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in
the ordinary course of business);
(4) all obligations of FleetBoston for the reimbursement of any letter of
credit, banker's acceptance, security purchase facility or similar
credit transaction;
(5) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (4)
above of other persons for the payment of which FleetBoston is
responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and
(6) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5)
above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of
FleetBoston, whether or not the obligation is assumed by FleetBoston,
except that senior indebtedness will not include:
(a) any such indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated to or
ranks equally with the junior subordinated debentures; and
(b) any indebtedness between and among FleetBoston or its affiliates,
including all other debt securities and guarantees in respect to
those debt securities, issued to:
- any other Fleet capital trust or a trustee of that Fleet
capital trust; and
- any other trust, or a trustee of that trust, partnership or
other entity affiliated with FleetBoston that is a financing
vehicle of FleetBoston in connection with the issuance by that
financing vehicle of preferred securities or other securities
that rank equal with, or junior to, the preferred securities.
The term "OTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS" means all obligations of FleetBoston
to make payment pursuant to the terms of financial instruments, such as:
(1) securities contracts and foreign currency exchange contracts;
(2) derivative instruments, such as swap agreements (including interest
rate and foreign exchange rate swap agreements), cap agreements, floor
agreements, collar agreements, interest rate agreements, foreign
exchange rate agreements, options, commodity futures contracts,
commodity option contracts; and
(3) in the case of both (1) and (2) above, similar financial instruments,
other than:
(a) obligations on account of senior indebtedness; and
(b) obligations on account of indebtedness for money borrowed ranking
equally with or subordinate to the junior subordinated debentures.
Upon satisfaction of all claims of all senior indebtedness and other
financial obligations, the rights of the holders of the junior subordinated
debentures will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of senior
indebtedness and other financial obligations of FleetBoston to receive payments
or distributions applicable to senior indebtedness and other financial
obligations until all amounts owing on the junior subordinated debentures are
paid in full. That senior indebtedness and other financial obligations will
continue to be senior indebtedness and other financial obligations and be
entitled to the
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benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment,
modification or waiver of any term of that senior indebtedness or other
financial obligations.
The indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of senior indebtedness or
other financial obligations that may be issued or entered into by FleetBoston.
As of , , restated to give effect to the BankBoston
merger, senior indebtedness and other financial obligations of FleetBoston
aggregated approximately $ billion (holding company only). In addition,
because FleetBoston is a holding company, the junior subordinated debentures are
effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of FleetBoston's
subsidiaries, including depositors.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
FleetBoston will have the right to redeem the junior subordinated
debentures prior to their stated maturity:
(1) in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after ; or
(2) at any time prior to , in whole but not in part, upon
the occurrence and continuation of a special event, as defined below;
in either case, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice. The
redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed,
plus accrued interest to the date of redemption. The redemption may require
prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board if approval is then required under
applicable law, rules, guidelines or policies.
A "SPECIAL EVENT" means a tax event or a regulatory capital event, each as
defined below.
A "TAX EVENT" means that the regular trustees will have received an opinion
of nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in those matters
that, as a result of:
(1) any amendment to, or change, including any announced prospective
change, in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States
or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the United
States; or
(2) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision
interpreting or applying those laws or regulations, which amendment or
change is effective or the pronouncement or decision is announced on or
after the date of original issuance of the junior subordinated
debentures,
there is more than an insubstantial risk that:
(1) Fleet Capital is, or will be within 90 days of the date of the opinion,
subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income
received or accrued on the junior subordinated debentures;
(2) interest payable by FleetBoston on the junior subordinated debentures
is not, or within 90 days of the date of the opinion will not be,
deductible by FleetBoston, in whole or in part, for United States
federal income tax purposes; or
(3) Fleet Capital is, or will be within 90 days of the date of the opinion,
subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or
other governmental charges.
A "REGULATORY CAPITAL EVENT" means that FleetBoston will have received an
opinion of independent bank regulatory counsel experienced in those matters
that, as a result of:
(1) any amendment to or change, including any announced prospective change,
in the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any
rules, guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve Board; or
(2) any official amendment or change is effective or that pronouncement or
decision is announced on or after the
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date of original issuance of the preferred securities,
there is more than an insubstantial risk that the preferred securities will no
longer constitute, or within 90 days of the date of either of those events, will
not constitute, Tier 1 capital or its then equivalent for regulatory capital
purposes.
INTEREST
The Junior Subordinated Debentures will bear interest at an annual rate of
% from the original date of issuance, payable quarterly in arrears on
, , and of each year,
commencing . Each date on which interest is payable is called an
"INTEREST PAYMENT DATE."
Interest will be paid to the person in whose name the junior subordinated
debenture is registered on the relevant record date. If the junior subordinated
debentures remain in book-entry form, the record dates for the junior
subordinated debentures will be one business day prior to the relevant interest
payment date. If the junior subordinated debentures are not in book-entry form,
the record dates for the junior subordinated debentures will be the 15th day of
the month in which the relevant interest payment date occurs.
The period beginning on and including and ending on but
excluding the first interest payment date and each successive period beginning
on and including an interest payment date and ending on but excluding the next
succeeding interest payment date is called an "INTEREST PERIOD."
The amount of interest payable for any interest period will be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest
payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly period will be computed on
the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month. If any interest
payment date is not a business day, then the interest payment will be made on
the next succeeding day that is a business day and without any interest or other
payment in respect of the delay. However, if the next business day is in the
next calendar year, payment of interest will be made on the preceding business
day.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
FleetBoston can defer interest payments by extending the interest payment
period for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly periods. However, no
extension period may extend beyond the maturity of the junior subordinated
debentures. At the end of that extension period, FleetBoston will pay all
interest then accrued and unpaid, including any additional interest as described
under "Additional Interest" below, together with interest thereon compounded at
the rate specified for the junior subordinated debentures to the extent
permitted by applicable law, "COMPOUND INTEREST."
During any such extension period:
(1) FleetBoston will not declare or pay any dividend on, make any
distribution relating to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment relating to any of its capital stock, other than:
(a) purchases or acquisitions of shares of FleetBoston common stock in
connection with any employee benefit plans or any other
contractual obligation of FleetBoston, other than a contractual
obligation ranking pari passu with or junior to the junior
subordinated debentures;
(b) as a result of the exchange or conversion of one class or series
of FleetBoston's capital stock for another class or series of
FleetBoston's capital stock; or
(c) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of FleetBoston's
capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of
that FleetBoston capital stock
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or the security being converted or exchanged;
(2) FleetBoston will not make any payment of interest, principal or
premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities
issued by FleetBoston that rank equally with or junior to the junior
subordinated debentures; and
(3) FleetBoston will not make any guarantee payments with respect to the
foregoing, other than pursuant to the guarantee.
Prior to the termination of any such extension period, FleetBoston may
further defer payments of interest by extending that extension period. However,
the extension period, including all such previous and further extensions, may
not exceed 20 consecutive quarters. No extension period, however, may extend
beyond the stated maturity of the junior subordinated debentures. Upon the
termination of any extension period and the payment of all amounts then due,
FleetBoston may commence a new extension period, subject to the terms set forth
in this section. No interest during an extension period, except at the end of
that extension period, will be due and payable.
FleetBoston has no present intention of exercising its right to defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period on the junior
subordinated debentures. If the institutional trustee is the sole holder of the
junior subordinated debentures, FleetBoston will give the regular trustees, the
institutional trustee and the debt trustee notice of its selection of the
extension period one business day prior to the earlier of:
(1) the date distributions on the preferred securities are payable; or
(2) if the junior subordinated debentures are then listed, the date the
regular trustees are required to give notice to the NYSE or any other
applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of the preferred
securities of the record date or the date the distribution is payable.
The institutional trustee will give notice of FleetBoston's selection of
the extension period to the holders of the preferred securities. If the
institutional trustee is not the sole holder of the junior subordinated
debentures, FleetBoston will give the holders of the junior subordinated
debentures notice of its selection of the extension period at least ten business
days prior to the earlier of:
(1) the interest payment date; or
(2) if the junior subordinated debentures are then listed, the date upon
which FleetBoston is required to give notice to any applicable
self-regulatory organization or to holders of the junior subordinated
debentures of the record or payment date of the related interest
payment.
ADDITIONAL INTEREST
If, at any time Fleet Capital or the institutional trustee will be required
to pay any taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever
nature, other than withholding taxes, imposed by the United States, or any other
taxing authority, then FleetBoston will be required to pay additional interest
on the junior subordinated debentures. "ADDITIONAL INTEREST" will be an amount
sufficient so that the net amounts received and retained by Fleet Capital and by
the institutional trustee after paying any such taxes, duties, assessments or
other governmental charges will be equal to the amounts Fleet Capital and the
institutional trustee would have received had no such taxes, duties, assessments
or other governmental charges been imposed. This means that Fleet Capital will
be in the same position it would have been if it did not have to pay such taxes,
duties, assessments or other charges.
INDENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The indenture events of default are described on page 11 of the
accompanying prospectus under "Description of the Junior
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Subordinated Debentures -- Events of Default, Waiver and Notice."
If any indenture event of default occurs and is continuing, the
institutional trustee, as the holder of the junior subordinated debentures, will
have the right to declare the principal of and the interest on the junior
subordinated debentures, including any compound interest and additional
interest, if any, and any other amounts payable under the indenture to be
immediately due and payable. The institutional trustee may also enforce its
other rights as a creditor relating to the junior subordinated debentures. An
indenture event of default also constitutes a declaration event of default. The
holders of preferred securities in certain circumstances have the right to
direct the institutional trustee to exercise its rights as the holder of the
junior subordinated debentures. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities -- Declaration Events of Default" beginning on page S-22 and
"-- Voting Rights" beginning on page 14 of the accompanying prospectus.
If the institutional trustee fails to enforce its rights under the junior
subordinated debentures after a holder of the preferred securities has made a
written request, the holder of the preferred securities may institute a legal
proceeding directly against FleetBoston to enforce the institutional trustee's
rights under the junior subordinated debentures without first instituting any
legal proceeding against the institutional trustee or any other person or
entity.
Despite the foregoing, if a declaration event of default has occurred and
is continuing and that event is attributable to the failure of FleetBoston to
pay interest or principal on the junior subordinated debentures when that
interest or principal is otherwise payable, FleetBoston acknowledges that, in
that event, a holder of preferred securities may sue for payment on or after the
respective due date specified in the junior subordinated debentures. Despite any
payments made to the holder of preferred securities by FleetBoston in connection
with a direct action, FleetBoston will remain obligated to pay the principal of
or interest on the junior subordinated debentures held by Fleet Capital or the
institutional trustee. FleetBoston will be subrogated to the rights of the
holder of those preferred securities relating to payments on the preferred
securities to the extent of any payments made by FleetBoston to that holder in
any direct action.
Except as provided in the preceding paragraph and in the guarantee, the
holders of preferred securities will not be able to exercise directly any other
remedy available to the holders of the junior subordinated debentures.
BOOK-ENTRY AND SETTLEMENT
If distributed to holders of preferred securities in connection with the
involuntary or voluntary dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of Fleet
Capital, the junior subordinated debentures will be issued in the form of one or
more global certificates, each a "GLOBAL SECURITY," registered in the name of
the depositary. Except under the limited circumstances described below, junior
subordinated debentures represented by the global security will not be
exchangeable for, and will not otherwise be issuable as, junior subordinated
debentures in definitive form. The global securities described above may not be
transferred except by the depositary to a nominee of the depositary or by a
nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary
or to a successor depositary or its nominee.
The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of those securities in definitive form. These
laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in such a global
security.
Except as provided on page S-35 under "Discontinuance of the Depositary's
Services," owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be
entitled to receive physical delivery of junior subordinated debentures in
definitive form and will not be considered the holders, as defined in the
indenture, of the global security for any purpose under the indenture. A global
security representing junior subordinated debentures is only exchangeable for
another global
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security of like denomination and tenor to be registered in the name of the
depositary or its nominee or to a successor depositary or its nominee. This
means that each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of the depositary,
or if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant
through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder
under the indenture.
THE DEPOSITARY
If junior subordinated debentures are distributed to holders of preferred
securities in liquidation of those holders' interests in Fleet Capital, DTC will
act as the depositary for the junior subordinated debentures. As of the date of
this prospectus supplement, the description in this prospectus supplement of
DTC's book-entry system and DTC's practices as they relate to purchases,
transfers, notices and payments with respect to the preferred securities apply
in all material respects to any debt obligations represented by one or more
global securities held by DTC. FleetBoston may appoint a successor to DTC or any
successor depositary in the event DTC or the successor depositary is unable or
unwilling to continue as a depositary for the global securities. For a
description of DTC and the specific terms of the depositary arrangements, see
"Description of the Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The
Depository Trust Company" beginning on page S-25.
None of FleetBoston, Fleet Capital, the institutional trustee, any paying
agent and any other agent of FleetBoston, or the debt trustee will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security
for those junior subordinated debentures or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.
DISCONTINUANCE OF THE DEPOSITARY'S SERVICES
A global security will be exchangeable for junior subordinated debentures
registered in the names of persons other than the depositary or its nominee only
if:
(1) the depositary notifies FleetBoston that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as a depositary for that global security and no successor
depositary is appointed;
(2) the depositary, at any time, ceases to be a clearing agency registered
under the Exchange Act when the depositary is required to be so
registered to act as depositary and no successor depositary is
appointed;
(3) FleetBoston, in its sole discretion, determines that the global
security will be so exchangeable; or
(4) an indenture event of default occurs with respect to those junior
subordinated debentures.
Any global security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence
will be exchangeable for junior subordinated debentures registered in such names
as the depositary directs. It is expected that those instructions will be based
upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to
ownership of beneficial interests in the global security.
GOVERNING LAW
The indenture and the junior subordinated debentures will be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
MISCELLANEOUS
The indenture will provide that FleetBoston will pay all fees and expenses
related to;
(1) the offering of the trust securities and the junior subordinated
debentures;
(2) the organization, maintenance and dissolution of Fleet Capital;
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(3) the retention of the regular trustees; and
(4) the enforcement by the institutional trustee of the rights of the
holders of the preferred securities.
FleetBoston will have the right at all times to assign any of its
respective rights or obligations under the indenture to a direct or indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of FleetBoston. If that occurs, FleetBoston will remain
liable for all of their respective obligations. Subject to the foregoing, the
indenture will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties to the
indenture and their respective successors and assigns. The indenture provides
that it may not otherwise be assigned by the parties to the indenture.
EFFECT OF OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
AND THE GUARANTEE
As set forth in the declaration, the sole purpose of Fleet Capital is to
issue the trust securities and to invest the proceeds from the issuance and sale
in the junior subordinated debentures.
As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the
junior subordinated debentures, those payments will be sufficient to cover
distributions and payments due on the trust securities. This is due to the
following factors:
(1) the aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated debentures will
be equal to the sum of the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the
trust securities;
(2) the interest rate and the interest and other payment dates on the
junior subordinated debentures will match the distribution rate and
distribution and other payment dates for the trust securities;
(3) FleetBoston will pay, and Fleet Capital will not be obligated to pay,
directly or indirectly, all costs, expenses, debt, and obligations of
Fleet Capital, other than with respect to the trust securities; and
(4) the declaration further provides that the regular trustees may not
cause or permit Fleet Capital to engage in any activity that is not
consistent with the purposes of Fleet Capital.
Payments of distributions, to the extent there are available funds, and
other payments due on the preferred securities, to the extent there are
available funds, are guaranteed by FleetBoston to the extent described under
"Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees" on page 16 in the
accompanying prospectus. If FleetBoston does not make interest payments on the
junior subordinated debentures, Fleet Capital will not have sufficient funds to
pay distributions on the preferred securities. The guarantee does not apply to
any payment of distributions unless and until Fleet Capital has sufficient funds
for the payment of those distributions. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities Guarantees" on page 16 in the accompanying prospectus.
The guarantee covers the payment of distributions and other payments on the
preferred securities only if and to the extent that FleetBoston has made a
payment of interest or principal on the junior subordinated debentures. The
guarantee, when taken together with FleetBoston's obligations under the junior
subordinated debentures and the indenture and its obligations under the
declaration will provide a full and unconditional guarantee of amounts payable
on the preferred securities.
If FleetBoston fails to make interest or other payments on the junior
subordinated debentures when due, taking account of any extension period, the
declaration allows the holders of the preferred securities to direct the
institutional trustee to enforce its rights under the junior subordinated
debentures. If the insti-
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tutional trustee fails to enforce these rights, any holder of preferred
securities may directly sue FleetBoston to enforce the institutional trustee's
rights without first suing the institutional trustee or any other person or
entity. See "Description of the Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only
Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" on page S-25 and "-- Voting Rights,"
beginning on page 14 of the accompanying prospectus. A holder of preferred
securities may institute a direct action if a declaration event of default has
occurred and is continuing and that event is attributable to the failure of
FleetBoston to pay interest or principal on the junior subordinated debentures
on the date the interest or principal is otherwise payable. A direct action may
be brought without first (1) directing the institutional trustee to enforce the
terms of the junior subordinated debentures or (2) suing FleetBoston to enforce
the institutional trustee's rights under the junior subordinated debentures. In
connection with the direct action, FleetBoston will be subrogated to the rights
of the holder of preferred securities under the declaration to the extent of any
payment made by FleetBoston to that holder of preferred securities in the direct
action. Consequently, FleetBoston will be entitled to payment of amounts that a
holder of preferred securities receives in respect of an unpaid distribution to
the extent that the holder receives or has already received full payment
relating to that unpaid distribution from Fleet Capital.
FleetBoston acknowledges that the guarantee trustee will enforce the
guarantee on behalf of the holders of the preferred securities. If FleetBoston
fails to make payments under the guarantee, the guarantee allows the holders of
preferred securities to direct the guarantee trustee to enforce its rights
thereunder. If the guarantee trustee fails to enforce the guarantee, any holder
of preferred securities may directly sue FleetBoston to enforce the guarantee
trustee's rights under the guarantee. The holder need not first sue Fleet
Capital, the guarantee trustee, or any other person or entity. A holder of
preferred securities may also directly sue FleetBoston to enforce the holder's
right to receive payment under the guarantee. The holder need not first (1)
direct the guarantee trustees to enforce the terms of the guarantee or (2) sue
Fleet Capital or any other person or entity.
FleetBoston and Fleet Capital believe that the above mechanisms and
obligations, taken together, are equivalent to a full and unconditional
guarantee by FleetBoston of payments due on the preferred securities. See
"Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees -- General" in the
accompanying prospectus.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
GENERAL
In the opinion of Edwards & Angell, LLP, counsel to FleetBoston and Fleet
Capital ("TAX COUNSEL"), the following is a summary of certain of the material
United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of preferred securities held as capital assets by a holder who
purchases those preferred securities upon initial issuance. It does not deal
with special classes of holders such as banks, thrifts, real estate investment
trusts, regulated investment companies, insurance companies, dealers in
securities or currencies, tax-exempt investors, United States Alien Holders (as
defined below) to the extent that the ownership of those preferred securities
are held in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States or persons that will hold the preferred securities as a position in a
"straddle," as part of a "synthetic security" or "hedge," as part of a
"conversion transaction" or other integrated investment or as other than a
capital asset. This summary also does not address the tax consequences to
persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar or the tax
consequences to shareholders, partners or beneficiaries of a holder of preferred
securities. Further, it does not include any description of any alternative
minimum tax
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consequences or the tax laws of any state or local government or of any foreign
government that may be applicable to the preferred securities. This summary is
based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the "CODE," Treasury
regulations under the code, the "REGULATIONS," and administrative and judicial
interpretations of the code and the regulations, as of the date of this
prospectus supplement, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a
retroactive basis.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
In connection with the issuance of the junior subordinated debentures, tax
counsel will render its opinion generally that under then current law and
assuming full compliance with the terms of the indenture and certain other
documents, and based on certain facts and assumptions contained in that opinion,
the junior subordinated debentures will be classified for United States federal
income tax purposes as indebtedness of FleetBoston.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE TRUST
In connection with the issuance of the preferred securities, tax counsel
will render its opinion generally that, under then current law and assuming full
compliance with the terms of the declaration and the indenture and certain other
documents, and based on certain facts and assumptions contained in that opinion,
Fleet Capital will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes
as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation.
Accordingly, for United States federal income tax purposes, each holder of
preferred securities generally will be considered the owner of a pro rata
undivided interest in the junior subordinated debentures, and each holder will
be required to include in its gross income any interest, or original issue
discount, "OID," paid or accrued with respect to its allocable share of those
junior subordinated debentures.
INTEREST INCOME AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
Under Regulations promulgated under the OID provisions of the Code, a
"remote" contingency that stated interest will not be timely paid will be
ignored in determining whether a debt instrument is issued with OID. FleetBoston
believes that the likelihood of its exercising its option to defer payments of
interest on the junior subordinated debentures is "remote" since exercising that
option would prevent FleetBoston from, among other things, declaring dividends
on any class of its equity securities. Accordingly, FleetBoston intends to take
the position, based on the advice of tax counsel, that the junior subordinated
debentures will not be considered to be issued with OID and, accordingly, stated
interest on the junior subordinated debentures generally will be taxable to a
holder as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with
the holder's method of accounting.
Under the Regulations, if FleetBoston were to exercise its option to defer
payments of interest on the junior subordinated debentures, the junior
subordinated debentures would at that time be treated as reissued with OID, and
all stated interest on the junior subordinated debentures would thereafter be
treated as OID as long as the junior subordinated debentures remain outstanding.
In that event, all of a holder's taxable interest income with respect to the
junior subordinated debentures would thereafter be accounted for on an economic
accrual basis regardless of the holder's method of tax accounting, and actual
cash distributions of stated interest would not be reported as taxable income.
Consequently, a holder of preferred securities would be required to include in
gross income OID even if FleetBoston does not make actual cash payments during
an extension period.
The Regulations have not yet been addressed in any rulings or other
interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service, and it is possible that the IRS
could take a position contrary to tax counsel's interpretation.
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Because income on the preferred securities will constitute interest or OID,
corporate holders of the preferred securities will not be entitled to a
dividends-received deduction with respect to any income recognized with respect
to the preferred securities.
RECEIPT OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF FLEET
CAPITAL
FleetBoston will have the right at any time to liquidate Fleet Capital and
cause the junior subordinated debentures to be distributed to the holders of the
trust securities. Under current law, such a distribution, for United States
federal income tax purposes, would be treated as a nontaxable event to each
holder, and each holder would receive an aggregate tax basis in the junior
subordinated debentures received equal to the holder's aggregate tax basis in
its preferred securities. A holder's holding period in the junior subordinated
debentures so received in liquidation of Fleet Capital would include the period
during which the preferred securities were held by the holder. If, however,
Fleet Capital is characterized for United States federal income tax purposes as
an association taxable as a corporation at the time of its dissolution, the
distribution of the junior subordinated debentures may constitute a taxable
event to holders of preferred securities.
Under certain circumstances described in this prospectus supplement under
"Description of the Preferred Securities," the junior subordinated debentures
may be redeemed for cash and the proceeds of that redemption distributed to
holders in redemption of their preferred securities. Under current law, such a
redemption would, for United States federal income tax purposes, constitute a
taxable disposition of the redeemed preferred securities, and a holder could
recognize gain or loss as if it sold those redeemed capital securities for cash.
See "Sales of Preferred Securities" below.
SALES OF PREFERRED SECURITIES
A holder that sells preferred securities, including a redemption of the
preferred securities by Fleet Capital, will recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between its adjusted tax basis in the preferred securities and the
amount realized on the sale of those preferred securities (other than with
respect to accrued and unpaid interest which has not yet been included in
income, which will be treated as ordinary income). A holder's adjusted tax basis
in the preferred securities generally will be its initial purchase price
increased by OID (if any) previously includable in the holder's gross income to
the date of disposition and decreased by payments received on the preferred
securities in respect of OID (if any). The gain or loss generally will be a
capital gain or loss and generally will be a long-term capital gain or loss if
the preferred securities have been held for more than one year.
The preferred securities may trade at a price that does not accurately
reflect the value of accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the underlying
junior subordinated debentures. A holder who uses the accrual method of
accounting for tax purposes, and a cash method holder, if the junior
subordinated debentures are deemed to have been issued with OID, and who
disposes of his or her preferred securities between record dates for payments of
distributions thereon will be required to include accrued but unpaid interest on
the junior subordinated debentures through the date of disposition in income as
ordinary income (i.e., interest or, possibly, OID), and to add that amount to
his or her adjusted tax basis in his or her pro rata share of the underlying
junior subordinated debentures deemed disposed of. To the extent the selling
price is less than the holder's adjusted tax basis (which will include all
accrued but unpaid interest) a holder will recognize a capital loss. Subject to
certain limited exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary
income for United States federal income tax purposes.
UNITED STATES ALIEN HOLDERS
For purposes of this discussion, a "UNITED STATES ALIEN HOLDER" is any
corporation, individual, partnership, estate or trust that is not a
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U.S. Holder for United States federal income tax purposes.
A "U.S. HOLDER" is a beneficial owner of preferred securities who or which
is:
(1) a citizen or individual resident (or is treated as a citizen or
individual resident) of the United States for federal income tax
purposes;
(2) a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws
of the United States or any state of the United States, including the
District of Columbia;
(3) an estate the income of which is includable in its gross income for
federal income tax purposes without regard to its source; or
(4) a trust if, and only if, (a) a court within the United States is able
to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust
and (b) one or more United States persons have the authority to control
all substantial decisions of the trust.
Under present United States federal income tax law:
(1) payments by Fleet Capital or any of its paying agents to any holder of
a preferred security who or which is a United States Alien Holder
generally will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax,
so long as
(a) the beneficial owner of the preferred security does not actually
or constructively own 10 percent or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of FleetBoston entitled to
vote;
(b) the beneficial owner of the preferred security is not a controlled
foreign corporation that is related to FleetBoston through stock
ownership; and
(c) either (A) the beneficial owner of the preferred security
certifies to Fleet Capital or its agent, under penalties of
perjury, that it is not a U.S. Holder and provides its name and
address or (B) a securities clearing organization, bank or other
financial institution that holds customers' securities in the
ordinary course of its trade or business, a "FINANCIAL
INSTITUTION," and holds the preferred security in that capacity,
certifies to Fleet Capital or its agent, under penalties of
perjury, that the statement has been received from the beneficial
owner by it or by a financial institution between it and the
beneficial owner and furnishes Fleet Capital or its agent with a
copy of the statement; and
(2) a United States Alien Holder of a preferred security generally will not
be subject to United States federal withholding tax on any gain
realized upon the sale or other disposition of a preferred security.
INFORMATION REPORTING TO HOLDERS
Generally, income on the preferred securities will be reported to holders
on Forms 1099, which forms should be mailed to holders of preferred securities
by January 31 following each calendar year.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payments made on, and proceeds from the sale of, the preferred securities
may be subject to a "backup" withholding tax of 31 percent unless the holder
complies with certain identification requirements. Any withheld amounts will be
allowed as a credit against the holder's United States federal income tax,
provided the required information is provided to the IRS.
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CHANGES TO INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING RULES
Final Treasury Regulations, the "FINAL WITHHOLDING REGULATIONS," make a
number of important changes to the procedures for income tax withholding and
certification of eligibility for the portfolio interest exemption or for a
reduced rate of income tax withholding based on an applicable income tax treaty.
In general, the final withholding regulations do not significantly alter
substantive withholding requirements, but unify certification procedures and
clarify reliance standards. The final withholding regulations are scheduled to
be effective for payments made on or after January 1, 2001, subject to certain
transition rules. The final withholding regulations are quite complex. United
States Alien Holders are strongly urged to consult their tax advisors regarding
the potential application of the final withholding regulations to payments on
the preferred securities in light of their particular circumstances.
THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S
PARTICULAR SITUATION. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO
THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE
PREFERRED SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL
AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN
UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan,
a "PLAN," subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, "ERISA," should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the
context of the plan's particular circumstances before authorizing an investment
in the preferred securities. Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary
should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and
diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents
and instruments governing the plan, and whether the investment would involve a
prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit plans, as well
as individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans subject to Section 4975 of the
Code, also "PLANS," from engaging in certain transactions involving "plan
assets" with persons who are "parties in interest" under ERISA or "disqualified
persons" under the Code, "PARTIES IN INTEREST," with respect to the plan or
account. A violation of these "prohibited transaction" rules may result in civil
penalty or other liabilities under ERISA and/or an excise tax under Section 4975
of the Code for those persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an
applicable statutory or administrative exemption. Employee benefit plans that
are governmental plans (as defined in section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church
plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) and foreign plans (as described in
Section 4(b)(4)of ERISA) are not subject to the requirements of ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code. However, governmental plans may be subject to similar
provisions under applicable state laws.
Under a regulation, the "PLAN ASSETS REGULATION," issued by the U.S.
Department of Labor, the assets of Fleet Capital would be deemed to be "plan
assets" of a plan for purposes of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code if a plan
were to acquire an equity interest in Fleet Capital and no exception was
applicable under the Plan Assets Regulation. An "EQUITY INTEREST" is defined
under the Plan Assets Regulation as any interest in an entity other than an
instrument which is treated as indebtedness under applicable law and which has
no substantial equity features and specifically includes a beneficial interest
in a trust.
Pursuant to the Plan Assets Regulation, the assets of Fleet Capital would
not be deemed
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to be "plan assets" of investing plans if, among other exceptions, at all times,
less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interests in Fleet Capital
were held by plans, other employee benefit plans not subject to ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code, such as governmental, church and foreign plans, and entities
holding assets deemed to be "plan assets" of any plan, collectively, "BENEFIT
PLAN INVESTORS," or if the preferred securities were "publicly-offered
securities" for purpose of the Plan Assets Regulation. No assurance can be given
that the preferred securities held by benefit plan investors will be less than
25% of the total value of those preferred securities at the completion of the
initial offering or thereafter, and no monitoring or other measures will be
taken with respect to the satisfaction of the conditions to this exception. In
addition, no assurance can be given that the preferred securities would be
considered to be "publicly-offered securities" under the Plan Assets Regulation.
FleetBoston, the obligor with respect to the junior subordinated debentures
held by Fleet Capital, and its affiliates and the institutional trustee may be
considered parties in interest with respect to many plans and, as a result of
this transaction, may become parties in interest to plans that purchase the
preferred securities. Accordingly, the purchase and/or holding of preferred
securities by a plan with respect to which FleetBoston, the institutional
trustee or any affiliate is or becomes a party in interest may constitute or
result in a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code,
unless those preferred securities are acquired pursuant to and in accordance
with an applicable exemption.
The Department of Labor has issued five prohibited transaction class
exemptions, "PTCES," that may provide exemptive relief if required for direct or
indirect prohibited transactions that may arise from the purchase or holding of
the preferred securities if assets of Fleet Capital were deemed to be "plan
assets." These exemptions are:
(1) PTCE 84-14, an exemption for certain transactions determined by
independent qualified professional asset managers;
(2) PTCE 90-1, an exemption for certain transactions involving insurance
company pooled separate accounts;
(3) PTCE 91-38, an exemption for certain transactions involving bank
collective investment funds;
(4) PTCE 95-60, an exemption for transactions involving certain insurance
company general accounts; or
(5) PTCE 96-23, an exemption for plan asset transactions managed by in-
house asset managers.
Because the preferred securities may be deemed to be equity interests in
Fleet Capital for purposes of applying ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, the
preferred securities may not be purchased or held by (1) any plan, (2) any
entity whose underlying assets include "plan assets" by reason of any plan's
investment in the entity, a "PLAN ASSET ENTITY," or (3) any person investing
"plan assets" of any plan, unless in each case the purchaser or holder is
eligible for the exemptive relief available under any of the PTCEs listed above
or another applicable exemption. Any purchaser or holder of the preferred
securities or any interest in the preferred securities will be deemed to have
represented by its purchase and holding of the preferred securities that it
either,
(1) is not a plan or a plan asset entity and is not purchasing those
securities on behalf of or with "plan assets" of any plan; or
(2) is eligible for the exemptive relief available under any of the PTCEs
listed above or another applicable exemption with respect to the
purchase or holding.
If a purchaser or holder of the preferred securities that is a plan or a
plan asset entity elects to rely on an exemption other than one of the PTCEs
listed above, FleetBoston and Fleet Capital may require a satisfactory opinion
of
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counsel or other evidence with respect to the availability of that exemption for
the purchase and holding.
Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed
upon persons involved in non-exempt transactions, it is important that
fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the preferred securities on
behalf of or with "plan assets" of any plan consult with its ERISA counsel
regarding the potential consequences if the assets of Fleet Capital were deemed
to be "plan assets" and the availability of exemptive relief under any of the
PTCEs listed above or any other applicable exemption.
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UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement,
Fleet Capital has agreed to sell to each of the underwriters named below, and
each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, the number of
preferred securities set forth opposite its name below. In the underwriting
agreement, the several underwriters have agreed, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, to purchase all the
preferred securities offered hereby if any of the preferred securities are
purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that,
in certain circumstances, the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting
underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
PREFERRED
UNDERWRITERS SECURITIES
- ------------ ----------
<S> <C>
-------
Total..................................................
=======
</TABLE>
The underwriters propose to offer the preferred securities, in part,
directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this prospectus supplement, and, in part, to selected securities
dealers at that price less a concession of $ per preferred security. The
underwriters may allow, and those dealers may reallow, a concession not in
excess of $ per preferred security to selected brokers and dealers. After
the preferred securities are released for sale to the public, the offering price
and other selling terms may be changed.
In view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the preferred
securities will ultimately be used to purchase the junior subordinated
debentures of FleetBoston, the underwriting agreement provides that FleetBoston
will pay as compensation to the underwriters arranging the investment therein of
those proceeds, an amount in immediately available funds of $ per preferred
security, or $ in the aggregate, for the accounts of the several
underwriters.
The following table shows the per preferred security and total public
offering price, underwriting commission to be paid by FleetBoston and the
proceeds to Fleet Capital. This information is presented assuming either no
exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER
PREFERRED WITHOUT WITH
SECURITY OPTION OPTION
--------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Public offering price..................................
Underwriting commission to be paid by FleetBoston......
Proceeds to Fleet Capital..............................
</TABLE>
During a period of days from the date of the prospectus supplement,
neither Fleet Capital nor FleetBoston will, without the prior written consent of
the underwriters, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to sell, grant any option
for sale of, or otherwise dispose of, any preferred securities, any security
convertible into or exchangeable into or exercisable for preferred securities or
junior subordinated debentures or any debt securities substantially similar to
the junior subordinated debentures or equity securities substantially similar to
the preferred securities.
S-44
<PAGE> 122
The preferred securities constitute a new issue of securities of Fleet
Capital with no established trading market. Although the underwriters have
indicated to FleetBoston and Fleet Capital that they intend to make a market in
the preferred securities, as permitted by applicable laws and regulations, they
are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any such market-making at any
time without notice. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity
of, or trading markets for, the preferred securities.
Fleet Capital and FleetBoston have agreed to indemnify the underwriters
against, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make
in respect of, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
Until the distribution of the preferred securities is completed, rules of
the Securities and Exchange Commission may limit the ability of the underwriters
and any selling group members to bid for and purchase the preferred securities.
As an exception to these rules, the underwriters are permitted to engage in some
transactions that stabilize the price of the preferred securities. Those
transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purposes of pegging, fixing or
maintaining the price of the preferred securities.
If the underwriters create a short position in the preferred securities in
connection with the offering, i.e., if they sell more preferred securities than
are set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters
may reduce the short position by purchasing preferred securities in the open
market.
The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid on certain selling group
members. This means that if the underwriters purchase preferred securities in
the open market to reduce the underwriters' short position or to stabilize the
price of the preferred securities, they may reclaim the amount of the selling
concession from the selling group members who sold those preferred securities as
part of the offering.
In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to
reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than
it might be in the absence of those purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid
might also have an effect on the price of a security to the extent that it were
to discourage resales of the security.
None of FleetBoston, Fleet Capital nor any of the underwriters makes any
representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that
the transactions described above may have on the price of the preferred
securities. In addition, none of FleetBoston, Fleet Capital nor any of the
underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in those
transactions or that those transactions, once commenced, will not be
discontinued without notice.
Some of the underwriters or their affiliates engage in transactions with,
and, from time to time, have performed services for, FleetBoston and its
subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
Certain of the underwriters may use this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement for offers and sales related to market-making transactions
in the securities. These underwriters may act as principal or agent in these
transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market
prices at the time of sale.
S-45
<PAGE> 123
$
LOGO
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VI
% PREFERRED SECURITIES
FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, BY
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
-------------------------------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
-------------------------------------------
, 2000
<PAGE> 124
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of
the securities being registered, other than underwriting compensation, are:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Filing Fee for Registration Statement....................... $ 792,000
NASD Fee.................................................... 30,500
Legal Fees and Expenses..................................... 10,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................ 225,000
Printing and Engraving Fees................................. 60,000
Trustee's expenses.......................................... 20,000
Fees of rating agencies..................................... 600,000
Miscellaneous............................................... 2,500
----------
Total....................................................... $1,740,000
</TABLE>
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
FleetBoston's By-laws provide for indemnification to the extent permitted
by Section 7-1.1-4.1 of the Rhode Island Business Corporation Law. Such section,
as adopted by the By-laws, requires FleetBoston to indemnify directors,
officers, employees or agents against judgments, fines, reasonable costs,
expenses and counsel fees paid or incurred in connection with any proceeding to
which such director, officer, employee or agent or his legal representative may
be a party (or for testifying when not a party) by reason of his being a
director, officer, employee or agent, provided that such director, officer,
employee or agent will have acted in good faith and will have reasonably
believed (a) if he was acting in his official capacity that his conduct was in
FleetBoston's best interests, (b) in all other cases that his conduct was at
least not opposed to its best interests, and (c) in the case of any criminal
proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
FleetBoston's By-laws provide that such rights to indemnification are contract
rights and that the expenses incurred by an indemnified person will be paid in
advance of a final disposition of any proceeding, provided, however, that if
required under applicable law, such person must deliver a written affirmation
that he has met the standards of care required under such provisions to be
entitled to indemnification and provides an undertaking by or on behalf of such
person to repay all amounts advanced if it is ultimately determined that such
person is not entitled to indemnification. With respect to possible
indemnification of directors, officers and controlling persons of FleetBoston,
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") pursuant to
such provisions, FleetBoston is aware that the Securities and Exchange
Commission has publicly taken the position that such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
The Declaration of each Trust limits the liability to the Trust and certain
other persons, and provides for the indemnification by the Trust or FleetBoston
of Trustees, their officers, directors and employees and certain other persons.
II-1
<PAGE> 125
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS
--------
<C> <C> <S>
1(a) -- Proposed form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) of Registration
Statement No. 33-63631).
1(b) -- Proposed form of Underwriting Agreement for Preferred Stock
and Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b)
of Registration Statement No. 33-63631).
1(c) -- Proposed form of Selling Agency Agreement for Debt
Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) of
Registration Statement No. 33-45137).
1(d) -- Form of Underwriting Agreement for offering of Preferred
Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of
Registration Statement No. 333-15435).
4(a) -- Senior Indenture dated as of December 6, 1999 between
FleetBoston and The Bank of New York, as Trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of Registration
Statement No. 333-86829).
4(b) -- Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants attached to Debt
Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) of
Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(c) -- Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants not attached to Debt
Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c) of
Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(d) -- Form of Warrant Agreement for Universal Warrants
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(d) of Registration
Statement No. 333-86829).
4(e) -- Form of Put Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4(d) of Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(f) -- Form of Call Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4(d) of Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(g) -- Form of Note for Senior Debt Securities (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(g) of Registration Statement No.
333-86829).
4(h) -- Subordinated Indenture dated as of December 6, 1999 between
FleetBoston and The Bank of New York, as Trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(h) of Registration
Statement No. 333-86829).
4(i) -- Form of Note for Subordinated Debt Securities (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4(i) of Registration Statement No.
333-86829).
4(j) -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of FleetBoston, as
amended through November 5, 1999 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3 of FleetBoston's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1999).
*4(k) -- Articles of Amendment dated April 18, 2000 to the
FleetBoston Restated Articles of Incorporation.
4(l) -- Bylaws of FleetBoston (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4(l) of Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(m) -- Form of Deposit Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(b) of Registration Statement No. 33-40967).
4(n) -- Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants attached to Common
Stock or Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(j) of Registration Statement No. 33-55555).
</TABLE>
II-2
<PAGE> 126
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS
--------
<C> <C> <S>
4(o) -- Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants not attached to
Common Stock or Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4(k) of Registration Statement No. 33-55555).
4(p) -- Rights Agreement dated as of November 21, 1990 between
FleetBoston and Fleet National Bank, as amended by a First
Amendment thereto dated as of March 28, 1991, a Second
Amendment thereto dated as of July 12, 1991, a Third
Amendment thereto dated as of February 20, 1995 and a Fourth
Amendment thereto dated as of March 14, 1999 (incorporated
by reference to FleetBoston's Registration Statement on Form
8-A dated November 29, 1990, FleetBoston's Form 8 Amendment
to Application or Report dated September 6, 1991 and
FleetBoston's Forms 8-A/A dated March 17, 1995 and May 5,
1999).
4(q)(i) -- Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VI, as amended
by First Amendment to Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VI (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(vi) of
Registration No. 333-48043 and Exhibit 4(t)(i) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(q)(ii) -- Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VII, as amended
by First Amendment to Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VII (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(vii) of
Registration Statement No. 333-48043 and Exhibit 4(t)(ii) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(q)(iii) -- Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VIII, as amended
by First Amendment to Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VIII (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(viii)
of Registration Statement No. 333-48043 and Exhibit
4(t)(iii) of Registration No. 333-86829).
4(q)(iv) -- Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust IX, as amended
by First Amendment to Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust IX (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(q)(ix) of
Registration Statement No. 333-62905 and Exhibit 4(t)(iv) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(q)(v) -- Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust X, as amended by
First Amendment to Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust X (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(q)(x) of
Registration Statement No. 333-62905 and Exhibit 4(t)(v) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(r)(i) -- Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VI , as amended
by First Amendment to Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VI (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(vi) of
Registration Statement No. 333-48043 and Exhibit 4(u)(i) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(r)(ii) -- Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VII, as amended
by First Amendment to Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VII (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(vii) of
Registration Statement No. 333-48043 and Exhibit 4(u)(ii) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(r)(iii) -- Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VIII, as amended
by First Amendment to Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VIII (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(viii)
of Registration Statement No. 333-48043 and Exhibit
4(u)(iii) of Registration No. 333-86829).
</TABLE>
II-3
<PAGE> 127
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS
--------
<C> <C> <S>
4(r)(iv) -- Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust IX, as amended
by First Amendment to Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust IX (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(r)(ix) of
Registration Statement No. 333-62905 and Exhibit 4(u)(iv) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(r)(v) -- Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust X, as amended by
First Amendment to Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust X (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(r)(x) of
Registration Statement No. 333-62905 and Exhibit 4(u)(v) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(s) -- Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust to be used
in connection with the issuance of the Preferred Securities
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(v) of Registration
Statement No. 333-86829).
4(t) -- Form of Indenture relating to Junior Subordinated Debentures
between FleetBoston and The Bank of New York, as Trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(w) of Registration
Statement No. 333-86829).
4(u) -- Form of Supplemental Indenture to be used in connection with
the issuance of the Junior Subordinated Debentures and
Preferred Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4(x) of Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(v) -- Form of Preferred Security (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(v) of Registration No. 333-86829).
4(w) -- Form of Junior Subordinated Debenture (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(x) of Registration No. 333-86829).
4(x) -- Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (4aa) of Registration Statement No.
333-86829).
*5(a) -- Opinion of Edwards & Angell, LLP as to legality of Debt
Securities, Junior Subordinated Debentures, Preferred Stock
and Common Stock.
*5(b) -- Opinion of Edwards & Angell, LLP to be used in connection
with the issuance of Junior Subordinated Debentures and
Preferred Securities.
*5(c) -- Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. to be used in
connection with the issuance of the Preferred Securities.
*8 -- Tax Opinion of Edwards & Angell, LLP to be used in
connection with the issuance of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures and Preferred Securities.
12 -- Computation of Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges and Preferred Dividends and Computation of
Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12 of FleetBoston's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999).
*23(a) -- Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23(b) -- Consent of Edwards & Angell, LLP (included in Exhibits 5(a)
and 5(b)).
23(c) -- Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (included in
Exhibit 5(c)).
24(a) -- Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of
FleetBoston (included on signature pages).
*25(a) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Senior
Trustee.
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE> 128
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS
--------
<C> <C> <S>
*25(b) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as
Subordinated Trustee.
*25(c) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Junior Subordinated Debenture Indenture relating
to Fleet Capital Trust VI, Fleet Capital Trust VII, Fleet
Capital Trust VIII, Fleet Capital Trust IX and Fleet Capital
Trust X.
*25(d) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fleet
Capital Trust VI.
*25(e) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fleet
Capital Trust VII.
*25(f) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fleet
Capital Trust VIII.
*25(g) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fleet
Capital Trust IX.
*25(h) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fleet
Capital Trust X.
*25(i) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to Fleet
Capital Trust VI.
*25(j) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to Fleet
Capital Trust VII.
*25(k) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to Fleet
Capital Trust VIII.
*25(l) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to Fleet
Capital Trust IX.
*25(m) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to Fleet
Capital Trust X.
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* To be filed by amendment.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement; (i) to
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act
of 1933; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or
II-5
<PAGE> 129
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% 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 (1)(i)
and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those items is contained in periodic reports
filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this
registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
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.
(b) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in 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 of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in said
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a registrant
of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
such 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, such 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 policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
(d) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
a form of prospectus file by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
(4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part
of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
II-6
<PAGE> 130
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
prospectus 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.
II-7
<PAGE> 131
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Form S-3
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized in the City of Boston, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on
May 5, 2000.
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ TERRENCE MURRAY
----------------------------------
TERRENCE MURRAY
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints
the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the President and Chief Operating
Officer, the Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the
Secretary or the Senior Deputy General Counsel, or any of them, acting alone, as
his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority to
execute in the name, place and stead of each such person in any and all
capacities and to file, an amendment or amendments to the Registration Statement
(and all exhibits thereto) and any documents relating thereto, which amendments
may make such changes in the Registration Statement as said officer or officers
so acting deem(s) advisable.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Form S-3
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on May 5, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
<S> <C>
/s/ TERRENCE MURRAY Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
- ----------------------------------------------------- Director
TERRENCE MURRAY
/s/ CHARLES K. GIFFORD President, Chief Operating Officer and
- ----------------------------------------------------- Director
CHARLES K. GIFFORD
/s/ ROBERT J. HIGGINS President of Commercial and Retail Banking
- ----------------------------------------------------- and Director
ROBERT J. HIGGINS
/s/ HENRIQUE C. MEIRELLES President of Global Banking and Financial
- ----------------------------------------------------- Services and Director
HENRIQUE C. MEIRELLES
/s/ EUGENE M. MCQUADE Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer
- -----------------------------------------------------
EUGENE M. MCQUADE
/s/ ERICH SCHUMANN Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting
- ----------------------------------------------------- Officer
ERICH SCHUMANN
</TABLE>
II-8
<PAGE> 132
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
<S> <C>
/s/ JOEL B. ALVORD Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
JOEL B. ALVORD
/s/ WILLIAM BARNET, III Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
WILLIAM BARNET, III
/s/ DANIEL P. BURNHAM Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
DANIEL P. BURNHAM
/s/ PAUL J. CHOQUETTE, JR. Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
PAUL J. CHOQUETTE, JR.
/s/ JOHN T. COLLINS Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
JOHN T. COLLINS
/s/ WILLIAM F. CONNELL Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
WILLIAM F. CONNELL
/s/ GARY L. COUNTRYMAN Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
GARY L. COUNTRYMAN
/s/ ALICE F. EMERSON Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
ALICE F. EMERSON
/s/ JAMES F. HARDYMON Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
JAMES F. HARDYMON
/s/ MARIAN L. HEARD Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
MARIAN L. HEARD
/s/ ROBERT M. KAVNER Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
ROBERT M. KAVNER
/s/ THOMAS J. MAY Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
THOMAS J. MAY
/s/ DONALD F. MCHENRY Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
DONALD F. MCHENRY
/s/ MICHAEL B. PICOTTE Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
MICHAEL B. PICOTTE
/s/ THOMAS R. PIPER Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
THOMAS R. PIPER
/s/ THOMAS C. QUICK Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
THOMAS C. QUICK
</TABLE>
II-9
<PAGE> 133
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
<S> <C>
/s/ FRANCENE S. RODGERS Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
FRANCENE S. RODGERS
/s/ JOHN W. ROWE Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
JOHN W. ROWE
/s/ THOMAS M. RYAN Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
THOMAS M. RYAN
/s/ PAUL R. TREGURTHA Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
PAUL R. TREGURTHA
</TABLE>
II-10
<PAGE> 134
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Trust has
duly caused this Form S-3 Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Boston, and the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on May 5, 2000.
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VI
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VII
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST VIII
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST IX
FLEET CAPITAL TRUST X
By: /s/ JOHN R. RODEHORST
----------------------------------
JOHN R. RODEHORST
TRUSTEE
II-11
<PAGE> 135
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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1(a) -- Proposed form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) of Registration
Statement No. 33-63631).
1(b) -- Proposed form of Underwriting Agreement for Preferred Stock
and Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b)
of Registration Statement No. 33-63631).
1(c) -- Proposed form of Selling Agency Agreement for Debt
Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) of
Registration Statement No. 33-45137).
1(d) -- Form of Underwriting Agreement for offering of Preferred
Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of
Registration Statement No. 333-15435).
4(a) -- Senior Indenture dated as of December 6, 1999 between
FleetBoston and The Bank of New York, as Trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of Registration
Statement No. 333-86829).
4(b) -- Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants attached to Debt
Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) of
Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(c) -- Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants not attached to Debt
Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c) of
Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(d) -- Form of Warrant Agreement for Universal Warrants
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(d) of Registration
Statement No. 333-86829).
4(e) -- Form of Put Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4(d) of Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(f) -- Form of Call Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4(d) of Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(g) -- Form of Note for Senior Debt Securities (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(g) of Registration Statement No.
333-86829).
4(h) -- Subordinated Indenture dated as of December 6, 1999 between
FleetBoston and The Bank of New York, as Trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(h) of Registration
Statement No. 333-86829).
4(i) -- Form of Note for Subordinated Debt Securities (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4(i) of Registration Statement No.
333-86829).
4(j) -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of FleetBoston, as
amended through November 5, 1999 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3 of FleetBoston's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1999).
*4(k) -- Articles of Amendment dated April 18, 2000 to the
FleetBoston Restated Articles of Incorporation.
4(l) -- Bylaws of FleetBoston (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4(l) of Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(m) -- Form of Deposit Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(b) of Registration Statement No. 33-40967).
4(n) -- Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants attached to Common
Stock or Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(j) of Registration Statement No. 33-55555).
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4(o) -- Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants not attached to
Common Stock or Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4(k) of Registration Statement No. 33-55555).
4(p) -- Rights Agreement dated as of November 21, 1990 between
FleetBoston and Fleet National Bank, as amended by a First
Amendment thereto dated as of March 28, 1991, a Second
Amendment thereto dated as of July 12, 1991, a Third
Amendment thereto dated as of February 20, 1995 and a Fourth
Amendment thereto dated as of March 14, 1999 (incorporated
by reference to FleetBoston's Registration Statement on Form
8-A dated November 29, 1990, FleetBoston's Form 8 Amendment
to Application or Report dated September 6, 1991 and
FleetBoston's Forms 8-A/A dated March 17, 1995 and May 5,
1999).
4(q)(i) -- Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VI, as amended
by First Amendment to Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VI (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(vi) of
Registration No. 333-48043 and Exhibit 4(t)(i) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(q)(ii) -- Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VII, as amended
by First Amendment to Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VII (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(vii) of
Registration Statement No. 333-48043 and Exhibit 4(t)(ii) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(q)(iii) -- Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VIII, as amended
by First Amendment to Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VIII (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(viii)
of Registration Statement No. 333-48043 and Exhibit
4(t)(iii) of Registration No. 333-86829).
4(q)(iv) -- Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust IX, as amended
by First Amendment to Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust IX (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(q)(ix) of
Registration Statement No. 333-62905 and Exhibit 4(t)(iv) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(q)(v) -- Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust X, as amended by
First Amendment to Certificate of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust X (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(q)(x) of
Registration Statement No. 333-62905 and Exhibit 4(t)(v) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(r)(i) -- Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VI , as amended
by First Amendment to Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VI (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(vi) of
Registration Statement No. 333-48043 and Exhibit 4(u)(i) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(r)(ii) -- Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VII, as amended
by First Amendment to Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VII (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(vii) of
Registration Statement No. 333-48043 and Exhibit 4(u)(ii) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(r)(iii) -- Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust VIII, as amended
by First Amendment to Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust VIII (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(viii)
of Registration Statement No. 333-48043 and Exhibit
4(u)(iii) of Registration No. 333-86829).
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4(r)(iv) -- Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust IX, as amended
by First Amendment to Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust IX (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(r)(ix) of
Registration Statement No. 333-62905 and Exhibit 4(u)(iv) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(r)(v) -- Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital Trust X, as amended by
First Amendment to Declaration of Trust of Fleet Capital
Trust X (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(r)(x) of
Registration Statement No. 333-62905 and Exhibit 4(u)(v) of
Registration No. 333-86829).
4(s) -- Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust to be used
in connection with the issuance of the Preferred Securities
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(v) of Registration
Statement No. 333-86829).
4(t) -- Form of Indenture relating to Junior Subordinated Debentures
between FleetBoston and The Bank of New York, as Trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(w) of Registration
Statement No. 333-86829).
4(u) -- Form of Supplemental Indenture to be used in connection with
the issuance of the Junior Subordinated Debentures and
Preferred Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4(x) of Registration Statement No. 333-86829).
4(v) -- Form of Preferred Security (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(v) of Registration No. 333-86829).
4(w) -- Form of Junior Subordinated Debenture (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(x) of Registration No. 333-86829).
4(x) -- Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (4aa) of Registration Statement No.
333-86829).
*5(a) -- Opinion of Edwards & Angell, LLP as to legality of Debt
Securities, Junior Subordinated Debentures, Preferred Stock
and Common Stock.
*5(b) -- Opinion of Edwards & Angell, LLP to be used in connection
with the issuance of Junior Subordinated Debentures and
Preferred Securities.
*5(c) -- Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. to be used in
connection with the issuance of the Preferred Securities.
*8 -- Tax Opinion of Edwards & Angell, LLP to be used in
connection with the issuance of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures and Preferred Securities.
12 -- Computation of Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges and Preferred Dividends and Computation of
Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12 of FleetBoston's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999).
*23(a) -- Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23(b) -- Consent of Edwards & Angell, LLP (included in Exhibits 5(a)
and 5(b)).
23(c) -- Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (included in
Exhibit 5(c)).
24(a) -- Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of
FleetBoston (included on signature pages).
*25(a) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Senior
Trustee.
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*25(b) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as
Subordinated Trustee.
*25(c) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Junior Subordinated Debenture Indenture relating
to Fleet Capital Trust VI, Fleet Capital Trust VII, Fleet
Capital Trust VIII, Fleet Capital Trust IX and Fleet Capital
Trust X.
*25(d) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fleet
Capital Trust VI.
*25(e) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fleet
Capital Trust VII.
*25(f) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fleet
Capital Trust VIII.
*25(g) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fleet
Capital Trust IX.
*25(h) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fleet
Capital Trust X.
*25(i) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to Fleet
Capital Trust VI.
*25(j) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to Fleet
Capital Trust VII.
*25(k) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to Fleet
Capital Trust VIII.
*25(l) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to Fleet
Capital Trust IX.
*25(m) -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to Fleet
Capital Trust X.
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* To be filed by amendment.
