<PAGE> 1
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
(To prospectus dated October 7, 1999) Registration No. 333-87793
[CFC LOGO]
$3,169,257,000
National Rural Utilities
Cooperative Finance Corporation
Medium-Term Notes, Series C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation may offer from time to
time up to $3,169,257,000 of its Medium-Term Notes, Series C. Each note will
mature on a date nine months or more from its date of original issuance. Unless
specified otherwise in the applicable pricing supplement to this prospectus
supplement, interest on fixed rate notes will be paid on each January 15 and
July 15 and at maturity. Interest on floating rate notes will be paid on the
dates specified in the applicable pricing supplement. Generally, there will not
be a sinking fund. Notes may contain optional redemption provisions or may
obligate us to repay at the option of the holder. The pricing supplement will
describe the specific terms of each note.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PER NOTE TOTAL
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<S> <C> <C>
Public Offering Price.............................. 100.000% $ 3,169,257,000
Agents' Discounts and Commissions.................. 0.125% to 0.625% $ 3,961,571 to 19,807,856
Proceeds to National Rural Utilities
Cooperative Finance Corporation.................. 99.875% to 99.375% $3,165,295,429 to 3,149,449,144
</TABLE>
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if the
prospectus supplement or attached prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The notes are being offered on a continuing basis through Lehman Brothers Inc.,
Banc of America Securities LLC, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., which are acting as
agents. Each agent has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit
offers to purchase the notes. The notes may be sold at or above par or at a
discount to any agent, acting as principal, for a commission as set forth in the
table above or as otherwise mutually agreed. We may also sell the notes directly
to investors. No discount or commission will be paid to any agent for a direct
sale of notes by us. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
You cannot be assured that the notes offered by this prospectus supplement will
be sold or that there will be a secondary market for the notes.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEHMAN BROTHERS
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
J.P. MORGAN & CO.
October 8, 1999
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT PAGE
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<S> <C>
About This Prospectus Supplement; Pricing Supplements....... S- 2
Description of the Medium-Term Notes........................ S- 3
Plan of Distribution........................................ S-18
PROSPECTUS
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Where You Can Find More Information About National Rural
Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation................. 2
CFC......................................................... 3
Use of Proceeds............................................. 4
Description of Debt Securities.............................. 4
Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities................ 12
United States Taxation...................................... 12
Plan of Distribution........................................ 18
Legal Opinions.............................................. 20
Experts..................................................... 20
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</TABLE>
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement, the attached prospectus or any attached
pricing supplement. We have authorized no one to provide you with different
information. You should not assume that the information contained in this
prospectus supplement, the attached prospectus or any attached pricing
supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of
the document. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where
the offer is not permitted.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT; PRICING SUPPLEMENTS
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation ("CFC") may use
this prospectus supplement, together with the attached prospectus and an
attached pricing supplement, to offer CFC's Medium-Term Notes, Series C, at
various times. The total initial public offering price of notes that may be
offered by use of this prospectus supplement is $3,169,257,000 (or the
equivalent in foreign or composite currencies).
This prospectus supplement sets forth certain terms of the notes that CFC
may offer. It supplements the description of the debt securities contained in
the attached prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement is
inconsistent with the prospectus, this prospectus supplement will apply and will
supersede that information in the prospectus.
Each time CFC issues notes CFC will attach a pricing supplement to this
prospectus supplement. The pricing supplement will contain the specific
description of the notes being offered and the terms of the offering. The
pricing supplement may also add, update or change information in this prospectus
supplement or the attached prospectus. Any information in the pricing
supplement, including any changes in the method of calculating interest on any
note, that is inconsistent with this prospectus supplement will apply and will
supersede that information in this prospectus supplement.
It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in
this prospectus supplement and the attached prospectus and pricing supplement in
making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the
information in the documents CFC has referred you to in "Where You Can Find More
Information About National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation" on
page 2 of the attached prospectus.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDIUM-TERM NOTES
The Medium-Term Notes, Series C are to be issued under an indenture dated
as of December 15, 1987, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture dated
as of October 1, 1990, with Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as successor trustee.
CFC has initially designated Harris Trust Company of New York as its paying
agent and security registrar for the notes.
GENERAL
The following summary of certain terms of the notes is not complete. You
should refer to the indenture, a copy of which is incorporated as an exhibit to
the registration statement. A number of terms used but not defined in this
prospectus supplement have the same meanings as in the indenture.
The notes will constitute a single series of securities under the
indenture, unlimited in aggregate principal amount. See "Plan of Distribution".
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement, currency amounts in
this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any pricing
supplement are stated in United States dollars.
Each note will mature one year or more from the date of issue, as selected
by the initial purchaser and agreed to by CFC and as specified in the applicable
supplement, and may be subject to redemption at the option of CFC or repurchased
at the option of the holder prior to stated maturity as set forth below under
"Redemption and Repayment".
The notes will be issued in fully registered form. Notes will be
denominated in U.S. dollars, in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples
of $1,000. Notes denominated in other currencies will be sold in denominations
specified in the prospectus supplement.
The supplement relating to a note will describe the following terms:
- the foreign currency or currency unit (a "specified currency") of the
note;
- whether the note bears interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate note;
- if other than 100%, the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate
principal amount of the note) at which the note will be issued;
- the date on which the note will be issued;
- the date on which the note will mature;
- if the note is a fixed rate note, the interest rate per annum at which
the note will bear interest;
- if the note is a floating rate note, the base rate, the Initial Interest
Rate, the interest payment dates, the reset period, the index maturity,
any maximum interest rate and minimum interest rate and any spread and/or
spread multiplier and any other terms relating to the particular method
of calculating the interest rate or rates for the note;
- whether the note may be redeemed or repaid prior to maturity, and if so,
the provisions relating to the redemption or repayment;
- whether the note will be issued initially as a book-entry note or a
certificated note; and
- any other terms of the note not inconsistent with the provisions of the
indenture.
Each note will be issued initially as either a book-entry note or a
certificated note. The depositary for the book-entry notes will initially be the
Depository Trust Company in the City of New York (the "DTC"). See "Book-Entry
Notes".
An original issue discount note is a note issued at a price lower than the
principal amount and provides that upon redemption or acceleration of the note
an amount less than the principal amount shall become due and payable. In the
event of redemption or acceleration of an original issue discount note, the
amount payable to the holder of the note will be determined in accordance with
the terms of the note. For information
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respecting "original issue discount" for United States federal income tax
purposes, see "United States Taxation--U.S. Holders--Original Issue Discount" in
the prospectus.
Unless specified otherwise in the applicable supplement, the notes will be
denominated in U.S. dollars and payments of principal, premium and any interest
on the notes will be made in U.S. dollars. If any of the notes are denominated
in a foreign currency (a currency other than U.S. dollars) or currency unit, or
if the principal, premium and any interest on any of the notes is payable at the
option of the holder or CFC in a currency, including a currency unit, other than
that in which the note is denominated, the applicable supplement will provide
additional information, including applicable exchange rate information,
pertaining to the terms of those notes and other matters of interest to the
holders.
Payments on book-entry notes will be made through the paying agent to the
DTC. See "Book-Entry Notes".
Payments of principal, premium and any interest on certificated notes
payable at maturity or upon redemption will be made in immediately available
funds at the office of the paying agent in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of
New York. Payments in immediately available funds will be made only if the
certificated notes are presented to the paying agent in time for the paying
agent to make payments in immediately available funds in accordance with its
normal procedures. CFC has initially designated Harris Trust Company of New
York, acting through its office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New
York, as its paying agent for the notes. Interest on certificated notes (other
than interest payable at maturity or upon redemption) will be paid by check
mailed to the address of the person entitled to the interest. A holder of
$10,000,000 or more in aggregate principal amount of certificated notes of like
tenor and terms will be entitled to receive payment of interest by wire transfer
in immediately available funds, but only if appropriate instructions have been
received in writing by the paying agent on or prior to the applicable regular
record date for the payment of interest.
Certificated notes may be presented for registration of transfer or
exchange at the office of Harris Trust Company of New York in the Borough of
Manhattan, the City of New York. Book-entry notes may be transferred or
exchanged through a participating member of the DTC. See "Book-Entry Notes".
The notes will be direct, unsecured obligations of CFC.
For a description of the rights attaching to different series of securities
under the indenture, see "Description of Debt Securities" in the prospectus.
INTEREST AND INTEREST RATES
Each note will bear interest from the date of issue or from the most recent
interest payment date to which interest on that note has been paid or duly
provided for at the fixed rate per annum, or at the rate per annum determined by
the interest rate formula, stated in the note and in the applicable supplement
until the principal of the note is paid or made available for payment. Interest
will be payable on each interest payment date and at maturity or upon earlier
redemption or repayment. See "Description of Debt Securities--Payment and Paying
Agents" in the prospectus. Interest will be payable to the registered holder at
the close of business on the regular record date; provided, however, that
interest payable at maturity will be payable to the person to whom principal
shall be payable. Unless specified otherwise in the applicable supplement, the
first payment of interest on any note originally issued between a regular record
date and an interest payment date will be made on the interest payment date
following the next succeeding regular record date to the registered holder on
that next succeeding regular record date.
CFC may change interest rates, or interest rate formulas, from time to
time, but no such change will affect any note already issued or for which CFC
has accepted an offer to purchase. Interest rates on notes offered by CFC may
differ depending upon, among other things, the aggregate principal amount of
notes purchased in any transaction. Notes with similar variable terms but
different interest rates may be offered concurrently at any time. CFC may also
concurrently offer notes having different variable terms (as are described in
this prospectus supplement or in any other prospectus supplement or applicable
supplement). Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement, the
interest payment dates and the regular record
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dates for fixed rate notes will be as described below under "Fixed Rate Notes".
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable supplement, the interest payment
dates for floating rate notes will be as described below under "Floating Rate
Notes." Each regular record date for a floating rate note will be the fifteenth
calendar day (whether or not a business day) next preceding each interest
payment date. If an interest payment date for any floating rate note would
otherwise fall on a day that is not a business day with respect to that note,
such interest payment date will be postponed to the following day that is a
business day with respect to the note. In the case of a LIBOR note, if the
postponement date would fall in the next calendar month, such interest payment
date will be the preceding day that is a business day with respect to the LIBOR
note. If the maturity of a floating rate note falls on a day that is not a
business day, the payment of principal, any premium and interest will be made on
the next succeeding business day as if made on the date the payment was due, and
no interest on the payment will accrue for the period from and after the
maturity.
Each note will bear interest at either
- a fixed rate or rates or
- a variable rate determined by reference to an interest rate formula,
which may be based upon an index maturity.
"Index maturity" means the period to maturity of the instrument or
obligation on which the interest rate formula is based, as specified in the
applicable supplement.
A floating rate note may also have either or both of the following:
- a maximum numerical interest rate limitation, or ceiling, on the rate of
interest which may accrue during any interest period; and
- a minimum numerical interest rate limitation, or floor, on the rate of
interest which may accrue during any interest period.
FIXED RATE NOTES
Each fixed rate note will bear interest from its date of issue at the
annual rate stated in the applicable supplement. The interest payment dates for
the fixed rate notes will be January 15 and July 15 of each year and the regular
record dates will be January 1 and July 1 of each year. Interest on fixed rate
notes will be computed and paid on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months. Interest payments on fixed rate notes will equal the amount of interest
accrued from and including the prior interest payment date or from and including
the date of issue, but excluding the related interest payment date or maturity.
If any interest payment date or the maturity of a fixed rate note falls on a day
that is not a business day, the related payment of principal, any premium or
interest will be made on the next business day as if made on the date the
payment was due, and no interest will accrue on the amount payable for the
period from and after that interest payment date or maturity.
FLOATING RATE NOTES
The interest rate on each floating rate note will equal the interest rate
calculated by reference to the specified interest rate formula in the applicable
supplement plus or minus any spread and/or multiplied by any spread multiplier.
The "spread" is the number of basis points specified in the applicable
supplement as applying to the interest rate for the note and the "spread
multiplier" is the percentage specified in the applicable supplement as applying
to the interest rate for the note.
The applicable supplement relating to a floating rate note will designate
one or more interest rate bases for the floating rate note. The basis or bases
will be determined by reference to:
- the commercial paper rate, in which case the note will be a commercial
paper rate note,
- the prime rate, in which case the note will be a prime rate note,
- LIBOR, in which case the note will be a LIBOR note,
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- the treasury rate, in which case the note will be a treasury rate note,
- the Federal Funds Effective Rate, in which case the note will be a fed
funds note,
- the CD rate, in which case the note will be a CD rate note, or
- such other interest rate basis or formula as is set forth in such
supplement.
The applicable supplement for a floating rate note also will specify any
spread and/or spread multiplier and any maximum or minimum interest rate
limitation applicable to each note. In addition, the supplement may define or
specify for each note the following terms, if applicable: calculation date,
initial interest rate, interest payment dates, regular record dates, index
maturity, interest determination dates and interest reset dates with respect to
such note.
The rate of interest on each floating rate note will be reset daily,
weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually as specified in the
applicable supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable supplement,
the interest reset date will be:
- in the case of floating rate notes that reset daily, each business day;
- in the case of floating rate notes (other than treasury rate notes) which
reset weekly, the Wednesday of each week;
- in the case of treasury rate notes which reset weekly, except as set
forth below, the Tuesday of each week;
- in the case of floating rate notes which reset monthly, the third
Wednesday of each month;
- in the case of floating rate notes which reset quarterly, the third
Wednesday of March, June, September and December;
- in the case of floating rate notes which reset semi-annually, the third
Wednesday of two months of each year, as specified in the applicable
supplement; and
- in the case of floating rate notes which reset annually, the third
Wednesday of one month of each year, as specified in the applicable
supplement.
However, (a) the interest rate in effect from the date of issue to the first
interest reset date with respect to a floating rate note will be the initial
interest rate (as set forth in the applicable supplement) and (b) unless
otherwise specified in an applicable supplement, the interest rate in effect for
the ten calendar days immediately prior to maturity, if applicable, will be that
in effect on the tenth calendar day preceding maturity. If any interest reset
date for any floating rate note would otherwise be a day that is not a business
day for that floating rate note, the interest reset date for that floating rate
note will be postponed to the next day that is a business day for such floating
rate note. In the case of a LIBOR note, if the postponement date is in the next
succeeding calendar month, the interest reset date will be the immediately
preceding business day. "Business day" means
- with respect to any note, any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday and
that, in the City of New York, is not a day on which banking institutions
generally are authorized or obligated by or pursuant to law, regulation
or executive order to close, and
- with respect to LIBOR notes only, any day on which dealings in deposits
in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.
The interest determination date pertaining to an interest reset date for a
commercial paper rate note, a prime rate note, a Fed Funds note and a CD rate
note will be the second business day prior to the interest reset date with
respect to the applicable note. The interest determination date pertaining to an
interest reset date for a LIBOR note will be the second London business day
prior to that interest reset date. The interest determination date pertaining to
an interest reset date for a treasury rate note will be the day of the week in
which that interest reset date falls on which treasury bills would normally be
auctioned. Treasury bills are usually sold at auction on Monday of each week. If
that day is a legal holiday, the auction is usually held on
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the following Tuesday, but may be held on the preceding Friday. If the auction
is so held on the preceding Friday, that Friday will be the treasury interest
determination date pertaining to the interest reset date occurring in the next
succeeding week. If an auction date for treasury bills falls on any interest
reset date for a treasury rate note, then the interest reset date will instead
be the first business day immediately following that auction date.
The interest rate on the floating rate notes will in no event be higher
than the maximum rate permitted by applicable law. Under present New York law,
subject to certain exceptions, the maximum rate of interest for any loan in an
amount less than $250,000 is 16% per annum, and for any loan in the amount of
$250,000 or more but less than $2,500,000 is 25% per annum on a simple interest
basis. The limit may not apply to floating rate notes in which $2,500,000 or
more has been invested.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement and except as
provided below, interest will be payable:
- in the case of floating rate notes which reset daily, weekly or monthly,
on the third Wednesday of each month or on the third Wednesday of March,
June, September and December of each year;
- in the case of floating rate notes which reset quarterly, on the third
Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year;
- in the case of floating rate notes which reset semi-annually, on the
third Wednesday of the two months of each year specified in the
applicable supplement; and
- in the case of floating rate notes which reset annually, on the third
Wednesday of the month specified in the applicable supplement, and in
each case, at maturity.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement, interest payments
for floating rate notes will be the amount of interest accrued from and
including the date of issue or the most recent date for which interest has been
paid or provided to but excluding the interest payment date or maturity date.
However, if the interest reset dates with respect to any floating rate note are
daily or weekly, interest payable on any interest payment date, other than
interest payable on any date on which principal on any such note is payable,
will include interest accrued from but excluding the most recent regular record
date for which interest has been paid or provided, or from and including the
date of issue, to and including the next preceding regular record date. However,
interest payments on floating rate notes made at maturity will include interest
accrued to but excluding the date of maturity. Accrued interest from the date of
issue or from the last date to which interest has been paid is calculated by
multiplying the face amount of a floating rate note by an accrued interest
factor. The accrued interest factor is computed by adding the interest factors
calculated for each day in the period for which accrued interest is being
calculated. The interest factor for each such day is computed by dividing the
interest rate applicable to such date by 360, in the case of commercial paper
rate notes, prime rate notes, LIBOR notes, Fed Funds notes or CD rate notes, or
by the actual number of days in the year, in the case of Treasury Rate notes.
Upon the request of the holder of any floating rate note, the calculation
agent will provide the interest rate then in effect. If it has been determined,
the calculation agent will also provide the interest rate which will become
effective as a result of a determination made on the most recent interest
determination date with respect to that floating rate note. Unless otherwise
provided in the applicable supplement, Lehman Brothers Inc., will be the
calculation agent with respect to the floating rate notes. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable pricing supplement, the calculation date, if
applicable, pertaining to any interest determination date will be the earlier of
(i) the tenth calendar day after such interest determination date, or, if such
day is not a business day, the next succeeding business day or (ii) the business
day preceding the applicable interest payment date or maturity, as the case may
be.
All percentages resulting from any calculation on floating rate notes will
be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with
five one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards (e.g., 9.876545% (or
.09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655)), and all dollar amounts
used in or resulting from this calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent
or, in the case of notes
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denominated other than in United States dollars, the nearest unit (with one-half
cent or unit being rounded upward).
Commercial Paper Rate
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement, "commercial paper
rate" means, for any commercial paper interest determination date, the money
market yield of the rate on that date for commercial paper having the index
maturity designated in the applicable supplement as published by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System in "Statistical Release H.15(519),
Selected Interest Rates" or any successor publication selected by the
calculation agent of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
("H.15(519)") under the caption "Commercial Paper -- Nonfinancial". The
following procedures will be followed if the commercial paper rate described
above is not published by 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the calculation date
pertaining to that commercial paper interest determination date:
- the commercial paper rate will be the money market yield of the rate on
that commercial paper interest determination date for commercial paper
having the index maturity designated in the applicable supplement as
published in H.15 Daily Update under the heading "Commercial
Paper--Nonfinancial";
- if that rate is not yet published by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the calculation date pertaining to the commercial paper interest
determination date, then the commercial paper rate for the commercial
paper interest determination date will be calculated by the calculation
agent and will be the money market yield of the arithmetic mean of the
offered rates as of 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such commercial
paper interest determination date of three leading dealers of commercial
paper in New York City selected by the calculation agent for commercial
paper having the index maturity designated in the applicable supplement
placed for an industrial issuer whose bond rating is "AA", or the
equivalent, from a nationally recognized rating agency;
- if the dealers selected by the calculation agent are not quoting as
mentioned above, the commercial paper rate will be the commercial paper
rate in effect on that commercial paper interest determination date.
"Money market yield" means a yield (expressed as a percentage rounded, if
necessary, to the next higher one hundred thousandth of a percentage point)
calculated in accordance with the following formula:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
D X 360
Money market yield = -------------- X 100
360 - (D X M)
</TABLE>
where "D" refers to the per annum rate for the commercial paper, quoted on a
bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and "M" refers to the actual
number of days in the interest period for which interest is being calculated.
LIBOR
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement, "LIBOR" will be
determined by the calculation agent in accordance with the following provisions:
- On each LIBOR interest determination date, LIBOR will be, as specified in
the applicable supplement, either:
- the arithmetic mean of the offered rates for deposits in U.S. dollars
having the index maturity designated in the applicable supplement,
commencing on the second London business day immediately following
such LIBOR interest determination date, that appear on the Reuters
Screen LIBO page as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on such LIBOR interest
determination date, if at least two such offered rates appear on the
Reuters Screen LIBO page ("LIBOR Reuters"), or
- the rate for deposits in U.S. dollars having the index maturity
designated in the applicable supplement, commencing on the second
London Business Day immediately following such LIBOR interest
determination date, that appears on Telerate page 3750 as of 11:00
a.m., London time, on
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such LIBOR interest determination date ("LIBOR Telerate"). "Reuters
Screen LIBO page" means the display designated as page "LIBO" on the
Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace
page LIBO on that service for the purpose of displaying London
interbank offered rates of major banks).
"Telerate page 3750" means the display designated as page "3750" on the
Telerate Service (or such other page as may replace the 3750 page on that
service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British
Bankers' Association for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered
rates for U.S. dollar deposits). If neither LIBOR Reuters nor LIBOR Telerate is
specified in the applicable supplement, LIBOR will be determined as if LIBOR
Telerate had been specified. If fewer than two offered rates appear on the
Reuters Screen LIBO page, or if no rate appears on Telerate page 3750, as
applicable, LIBOR in respect of such LIBOR interest determination date will be
determined as if the parties had specified the rate described below:
- for a LIBOR interest determination date on which fewer than two offered
rates appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO page, as specified above, or on
which no rate appears on Telerate page 3750, as specified above, as
applicable, LIBOR will be determined on the basis of the rates at which
deposits in U.S. dollars having the index maturity designated in the
applicable supplement are offered at approximately 11:00 a.m., London
time, on that LIBOR interest determination date by four major banks in
the London interbank market selected by the calculation agent to prime
banks in the London interbank market, commencing on the second London
business day immediately following such LIBOR interest determination date
and in a principal amount equal to the amount of not less than $1,000,000
that is representative for a single transaction in such market at such
time. The calculation agent will request the principal London office of
each of the reference banks to provide a quotation of its rate. If at
least two such quotations are provided, LIBOR for that LIBOR interest
determination date will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations;
- if fewer than two quotations are provided as mentioned above, LIBOR for
that LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the
rates quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on that
LIBOR interest determination date by three major banks in the City of New
York selected by the calculation agent for loans in U.S. dollars to
leading european banks having the index maturity designated in the
pricing supplement, commencing on the second London business day
immediately following that LIBOR interest determination date and in a
principal amount equal to an amount of not less than $1,000,000 that is
representative for a single transaction in that market at that time; or
- if the banks selected by the calculation agent are not quoting as
mentioned above, LIBOR for that LIBOR interest determination date will be
the interest rate otherwise in effect on that LIBOR interest
determination date.
Prime Rate
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement, "prime rate"
means, for any prime interest determination date, the rate set forth in
H.15(519) for that date opposite the caption "bank prime loan," or, if not so
published by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the calculation date pertaining
to the prime interest determination date, the prime rate will be calculated by
the calculation agent and will be:
- the arithmetic mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by each
bank named on the Reuters Screen USPRIME I as that bank's prime rate or
base lending rate as in effect for that prime interest determination date
as quoted on the Reuters Screen USPRIME I on that prime interest
determination date;
- if fewer than four such rates appear on the Reuters Screen USPRIME I for
the prime interest determination date, the rate shall be the arithmetic
mean of the prime rates quoted on the basis of the actual number of days
in the year divided by 360 as of the close of business on that prime
interest
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determination date by at least two of the three major money center banks
in the City of New York selected by the calculation agent from which
quotations are requested;
- if fewer than two quotations are quoted as mentioned above, the prime
rate for that prime interest determination date shall be calculated by
the calculation agent and shall be the arithmetic means of the prime
rates quoted in the City of New York on that date by the appropriate
number of substitute banks or trust companies organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States, or any state thereof,
having total equity capital of at least $500 million and being subject to
supervision or examination by a federal or state authority, selected by
the calculation agent to quote that rate or rates; or
- if the prime rate is not published in H.15(519) and the banks or trust
companies selected as described above are not quoting as mentioned above,
the prime rate with respect to that prime interest determination date
will be the interest rate otherwise in effect on that prime interest
determination date.
"Reuters Screen USPRIME I" means the display designated as page "USPRIME I"
on the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or other page as may replace page
USPRIME I on that service for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base
lending rates of major United States banks).
Treasury Rate
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement, "treasury rate"
means, for any Treasury interest determination date, the rate for the most
recent auction of direct obligations of the United States ("Treasury bills")
having the index maturity designated in the applicable supplement as published
in H.15(519) under the heading "U.S. Government Securities--Treasury
Bills--Auction Average (Investment)". If not published by 9:00 a.m., New York
City time, on the calculation date pertaining to that Treasury interest
determination date, the Treasury rate will be:
- the auction average rate expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a
year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis as
otherwise announced by the United States Department of the Treasury;
- if the results of the auction of Treasury bills having the index maturity
designated in the applicable supplement are not published or announced as
provided above by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the calculation date
or if no auction is held in a particular week, then the Treasury rate
will be calculated by the calculation agent and will be a yield to
maturity, expressed as a bond equivalent determined as described above of
the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as of
approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the Treasury interest
determination date, of three leading primary United States government
securities dealers selected by the calculation agent, for the issue of
Treasury bills with a remaining maturity closest to the index maturity
designated in the applicable supplement; or
- if the dealers selected as described above by the calculation agent are
not quoting as mentioned above, the Treasury rate with respect to the
Treasury interest determination date will be the Treasury rate then in
effect on that Treasury interest determination date.
Fed Funds Rate
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement, "Fed Funds rate"
means, for any Fed Funds interest determination date, the rate on that date for
Federal Funds as shall be published in H.15(519) under the heading "Federal
Funds (Effective)". If not so published by 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
calculation date pertaining to that Fed Funds interest determination date, the
Fed Funds rate will be:
- the rate on that Fed Funds interest determination date as published in
H.15 Daily Update under the heading "Federal Funds (Effective)";
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- if the rate described above is not published by 3:00 p.m., New York City
time, on that calculation date, then the Fed Funds rate on that Fed Funds
interest determination date will be calculated by the calculation agent
and will be the arithmetic mean of the rates as of 9:00 a.m., New York
City time, on that Fed Funds interest determination date for the last
transaction in overnight Federal Funds arranged by three leading brokers
of Federal Funds transactions in the City of New York selected by the
calculation agent; or
- if the brokers selected as described above by the calculation agent are
not quoting as mentioned above, the Fed Funds rate with respect to that
Fed Funds interest determination date will be the Fed Funds rate in
effect on that Fed Funds interest determination date.
CD Rate
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement, "CD rate" means,
for any CD interest determination date, the rate on that date for negotiable
certificates of deposit having the index maturity designated in the applicable
supplement as published in H.15(519) under the heading "CDs (Secondary Market)".
If not so published by 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the calculation date
pertaining to that CD interest determination date, the CD rate will be:
- the rate on that CD interest determination date for negotiable
certificates of deposit of the index maturity designated in the
applicable supplement as published in H.15 Daily Update under the heading
"CDs (secondary Market)";
- if that rate is not published by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
calculation date, then the CD rate on that CD interest determination date
will be calculated by the calculation agent and will be the arithmetic
mean of the secondary market offered rates as of 10:00 a.m., New York
City time, on that CD interest determination date, of three leading
nonbank dealers in negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit in the
City of New York selected by the calculation agent for negotiable
certificates of deposit of major United States money market banks (in the
market for negotiable certificates of deposit) with a remaining maturity
closest to the index maturity designated in the applicable supplement in
a denomination of $5,000,000 or, if greater, an amount that is
representative for a single transaction in the relevant market at the
time; or
- if the dealers selected as described above by the calculation agent are
not quoting as mentioned above, the CD rate with respect to that CD
interest determination date will be the CD rate in effect on that CD
interest determination date.
INDEXED NOTES
Notes may be issued as indexed notes, the principal amounts payable at
maturity and/or the interest rate to be paid thereon to be determined by
reference to the relationship between two or more currencies, to the price of
one or more specified securities or commodities, to one or more securities or
commodities exchange indices or other indices or by other similar methods or
formulas. The supplement relating to an indexed note will describe, as
applicable, the method by which the amount of interest payable on any interest
payment date and the amount of principal payable at maturity in respect of the
indexed note will be determined, certain special tax consequences of the
purchase, ownership or disposition of the indexed notes, certain risks
associated with an investment in the indexed notes and other information
relating to the indexed notes.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable supplement, the maximum
principal amount payable at maturity in respect of any indexed note will be an
amount equal to twice the face amount thereof and the minimum principal amount
so payable will be zero.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable supplement, (i) for purposes
of determining whether holders of the requisite principal amount of securities
outstanding under the indenture have made a demand or given a notice or waiver
or taken any other action, the outstanding principal amount of indexed notes
will be deemed to be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the original
issue date of that indexed note, of that principal and (ii) if the payment of
principal of and interest on any indexed note is accelerated in accordance with
the
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provisions described under "Description of Securities--Events of Default, Notice
and Waiver" in the prospectus, then CFC shall pay to the holder of that indexed
note on the date of acceleration the principal amount determined by reference to
the formula by which the principal amount of such indexed note would be
determined on the stated maturity thereof, as if the date of acceleration were
the stated maturity.
An investment in indexed notes entails significant risks, including wide
fluctuations in market value as well as in the amounts of payments due
thereunder, that are not associated with a similar investment in a conventional
debt security. Those risks depend on a number of factors including supply and
demand for the particular commodity and economic and political events over which
CFC has no control. Fluctuations in the price of any particular security or
commodity, in the rates of exchange between particular currencies or in
particular indices that have occurred in the past are not necessarily
indicative, however, of fluctuations in the price of rates of exchange that may
occur during the term of any indexed notes. Accordingly, you should consult your
own financial and legal advisors as to the risks entailed by an investment in
indexed notes. Indexed notes are not an appropriate investment for investors who
are unsophisticated with respect to securities, commodities and/or foreign
currency transactions.
AMORTIZING NOTES
CFC may from time to time offer amortizing notes. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable supplement, interest on each amortizing note will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Payments with
respect to amortizing notes will be applied first to interest due and payable
thereon and then to the reduction of the unpaid principal amount thereof.
Further information concerning additional terms and conditions of any issue of
amortizing notes will be provided in the applicable supplement. A table setting
forth repayment information in respect of each amortizing note will be included
in the applicable supplement and set forth on such notes.
INTEREST RATE RESET
If CFC has the option with respect to any note to reset the interest rate,
in the case of a fixed rate note, or to reset the spread and/or spread
multiplier, in the case of a floating rate note, the supplement relating to such
note will indicate that option, and, if so,
- the date or dates on which the interest rate or spread and/or spread
multiplier may be reset (each an "optional reset date") and
- any basis or formula for such resetting.
CFC may exercise its option with respect to a note by notifying the paying
agent of that exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to an
optional reset date for that note. Not later than 40 days prior to that optional
reset date, the paying agent will mail to the holder of the note a notice (the
"reset notice"), first class, postage prepaid, setting forth
- the election of CFC to reset the interest rate, in the case of a fixed
rate note, or the spread and/or spread multiplier, in the case of a
floating rate note,
- the new interest rate or new spread and/or spread multiplier and
- any provisions for redemption during the period from the optional reset
date to the next optional reset date or, if there is no next optional
reset date, to the stated maturity of the note (each such period a
"subsequent interest period"), including the date or dates on which or
the period or periods during which and the price or prices at which the
redemption may occur during the subsequent interest period.
Not later than 20 days prior to an optional reset date for a note, CFC may,
at its option, revoke the interest rate, in the case of a fixed rate note, or
the spread and/or spread multiplier, in the case of a floating rate note, in
either case provided for in the reset notice and establish a higher interest
rate, in the case of a fixed rate note, or a higher spread and/or spread
multiplier, in the case of a floating rate note, for the subsequent interest
period commencing on the optional reset date by mailing or causing the paying
agent to
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mail notice of the higher interest rate or higher spread and/or spread
multiplier, as the case may be, first class, postage prepaid, to the holder of
the note. Notice will be irrevocable. All notes with respect to which the
interest rate or spread and/or spread multiplier is reset on an optional reset
date will bear the higher interest rate, in the case of a fixed rate note, or
higher spread and/or spread multiplier, in the case of a floating rate note.
If CFC elects to reset the interest rate or the spread and/or spread
multiplier of a note, the holder of that note will have the option to elect
repayment of the note by CFC on any optional reset date at a price equal to the
principal amount thereof plus any accrued interest to the optional reset date.
In order for a note to be so repaid on an optional reset date, the holder
thereof must follow the procedures set forth below under "redemption and
repayment" for optional repayment, except that:
- the period for delivery of that note or notification to the paying agent
will be a least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the optional reset
date and
- a holder who has tendered a note for repayment pursuant to a reset notice
may by written notice to the paying agent revoke its tender for repayment
until the close of business on the tenth day prior to the optional reset
date.
EXTENSION OF MATURITY
If CFC has the option to extend the stated maturity of any note for one or
more periods (each an "extension period") up to but not beyond the date (the
"final maturity date") set forth in the supplement relating to that note, that
supplement will indicate the option and any basis or formula for setting the
interest rate, in the case of a fixed rate note, or the spread and/or spread
multiplier, in the case of a floating rate note, applicable to any such
extension period.
CFC may exercise its option with respect to a note by notifying the paying
agent of its exercise at least 45 but not more than 60 days prior to the stated
maturity of that note in effect prior to the exercise of such option. No later
than 40 days prior to the original stated maturity, the paying agent will mail
to the holder of that note a notice relating to the extension period, first
class, postage prepaid, setting forth
- the election of CFC to extend the stated maturity of the note,
- the new stated maturity,
- in the case of a fixed rate note, the interest rate applicable to the
extension period or, in the case of a floating rate note, the spread
and/or spread multiplier applicable to the extension period, and
- any provisions for redemption during the extension period, including the
date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the
price or prices at which redemption may occur during the extension
period.
Upon the mailing by the paying agent of an extension notice to the holder
of a note, the stated maturity of that note will be extended automatically as
set forth in the extension notice, and, except as modified by the extension
notice and as described in the next paragraph, the note will have the same terms
as prior to the mailing of the extension notice.
Not later than 20 days prior to the original stated maturity for a note,
CFC may, at its option, revoke the interest rate, in the case of a fixed rate
note, or the spread and/or spread multiplier, in the case of a floating rate
note, provided for in the extension notice and establish a higher interest rate,
in the case of a fixed rate note, or a higher spread and/or spread multiplier,
in the case of a floating rate note, for the extension period by mailing or
causing the paying agent to mail notice of the higher interest rate or higher
spread and/or spread multiplier, as the case may be, first class, postage
prepaid, to the holder of that note. Notice will be irrevocable. All notes with
respect to which the stated maturity is extended will bear the higher interest
rate, in the case of a fixed rate note, or higher spread and/or spread
multiplier, in the case of a floating rate note, for the extension period.
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If CFC elects to extend the stated maturity of a note, the holder of that
note will have the option to elect repayment of that note by CFC at the original
stated maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus any
accrued interest to that date. In order for a note to be so repaid on the
original stated maturity, the holder thereof must follow the procedures set
forth below under "redemption and repayment" for optional repayment, except
that:
- the period for delivery of the note or notification to the paying agent
will be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the original
stated maturity and
- a holder who has tendered a note for repayment pursuant to an extension
notice may by written notice to the paying agent revoke its tender for
repayment until the close of business on the tenth day prior to the
original stated maturity.
RENEWABLE NOTES
CFC may from time to time offer notes which will mature on an interest
payment date specified in the applicable pricing supplement occurring in or
prior to the twelfth month following the original issue date of such notes
unless the term of all or any portion of any note (a "renewable note") is
renewed in accordance with the procedures described below.
On the interest payment date occurring in the sixth month (unless a
different interval (the "special election interval") is specified in the
applicable supplement) prior to the initial maturity date of a renewable note
(the "initial renewal date") and on the interest payment date occurring in each
sixth month (or in the last month of each special election interval) after the
initial renewal date (each, together with the initial renewal date, a "renewal
date"), the term of the renewable note may be extended to the interest payment
date occurring in the twelfth month (or, if a special election interval is
specified in the applicable supplement, the last month in a period equal to
twice the special election interval) after the renewal date, if the holder of
such renewable note elects to extend the term of such renewable note or any
portion thereof as described below. If a holder does not elect to extend the
term of any portion of the principal amount of a renewable note during the
specified period prior to any renewal date, that portion will become due and
payable on the interest payment date occurring in the sixth month (or the last
month in the special election interval) after the renewal date (the "new
maturity date").
A holder of a renewable note may elect to renew the term of the renewable
note, or if so specified in the applicable supplement, any portion thereof, by
delivering a notice to the trustee (or any duly appointed paying agent) at the
corporate trust office not less than 15 nor more than 30 days prior to the
renewal date (unless another period is specified in the applicable supplement as
the "special election period"). Election will be irrevocable and will be binding
upon each subsequent holder of such renewable note. An election to renew the
term of a renewable note may be exercised with respect to less than the entire
principal amount of the renewable note only if so specified in the applicable
supplement and only in such principal amount, or any integral multiple in excess
thereof, as is specified in the applicable supplement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the term of the renewable notes may not be extended beyond the stated
maturity specified for the renewable notes in the applicable supplement.
If the holder does not elect to renew the term, the renewable note must be
presented to the trustee (or any duly appointed paying agent) simultaneously
with notice of election (or, in the event notice of election, together with a
guarantee of delivery within five business days, is transmitted on behalf of a
holder from a member of a national securities exchange, the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or a commercial bank or trust company
in the United States, within five business days of the date of that notice).
With respect to a renewable note that is a certificated note, as soon as
practicable following receipt of the renewable note the trustee (or any duly
appointed paying agent) will issue in exchange therefor in the name of that
holder:
- a note, in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of the
exchanged renewable note for which the election to renew the term thereof
was exercised, with terms identical to those specified on such
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renewable note (except for the original issue date and the initial
interest rate and except that such note will have a fixed, nonrenewable
stated maturity on the new maturity date) and
- if such election is made with respect to less than the full principal
amount of the holder's renewable note, a replacement renewable note, in a
principal amount equal to the principal amount of the exchanged renewable
note for which the election was made, with terms identical to the
exchanged renewable notes.
COMBINATION OF PROVISIONS
If so specified in the applicable supplement, any note may be subject to
all of the provisions, or any combination of the provisions, described above
under "Interest Rate Reset," "Extension of Maturity" and "Renewable Notes".
REDEMPTION AND REPAYMENT
Unless one or more redemption dates are specified in the applicable
supplement, the notes will not be redeemable prior to their stated maturity. If
one or more redemption dates are specified with respect to any note, the
applicable supplement will also specify one or more redemption prices expressed
as a percentage of the principal amount of the note and the redemption period or
periods during which the redemption prices shall apply. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable supplement, any such note will be redeemable at the
option of CFC at the specified redemption price applicable to the redemption
period during which that note is to be redeemed, together with interest accrued
to the redemption date. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable supplement,
the notes will not be subject to any sinking fund. CFC may redeem any of the
notes that are redeemable and remain outstanding either in whole or from time to
time in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable supplement, notes cannot be
repaid prior to stated maturity. If a note is repayable at the option of the
holder on a date or dates specified prior to stated maturity, the applicable
supplement will set forth the price or prices of such repayment, together with
accrued interest to the date of repayment.
In order for a note that is repayable at the option of the holder to be
repaid, the paying agent must receive at least 30 days but not more than 60 days
prior to the repayment date
- appropriate wire instructions and
- either
- the note with the form entitled attached to the note duly completed or
- a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter from a member of a
national securities exchange or the NASD or a commercial bank or trust
company in the United States setting forth the name of the holder of
the note, the principal amount of the note, the portion of the
principal amount of the note to be repaid, the certificate number or a
description of the tenor and terms of the note, a statement that the
option to elect repayment is being exercised thereby and a guarantee
that the note to be repaid with the form entitled "Option to Elect
Repayment" attached to the note duly completed will be received by the
paying agent not later than five business days after the date of the
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter and the note and
form duly completed must be received by the paying agent by that fifth
business day.
Exercise of the repayment option by the holder of a note will be
irrevocable, except as otherwise described above under "Interest Rate Reset" and
"Extension of Maturity." The repayment option may be exercised by the holder of
a note for less than the entire principal amount of the note provided that the
principal amount of the note remaining outstanding after repayment is an
authorized denomination. No transfer or exchange of any note or, in the event
that any note is to be repaid in part, the portion of the note to be repaid will
be permitted after exercise of a repayment option. All questions as to the
validity, eligibility,
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including time of receipt, and acceptance of any note for repayment will be
determined by the trustee, whose determination will be final, binding and
non-appealable.
If a note is represented by a book-entry note, the DTC's nominee will be
the holder of that note and will be the only entity that can exercise a right to
repayment. In order to ensure that the DTC's nominee will timely exercise a
right to repayment with respect to a particular note, the beneficial owner of
that note must instruct the broker or other direct or indirect participant
through which it holds an interest in that note to notify the DTC of its desire
to exercise a right to repayment. Different firms have different cut-off times
for accepting instructions from their customers and, accordingly, each
beneficial owner should consult the broker or other direct or indirect
participant through which it holds an interest in a note in order to ascertain
the cut-off time by which an instruction must be given in order for timely
notice to be delivered to the DTC.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable supplement, if a note is an
original issue discount note, the amount payable on that note in the event of
redemption or repayment prior to its stated maturity will be the amortized face
amount of that note, as specified in the applicable supplement, as of the
redemption date or the date of repayment, as the case may be.
BOOK-ENTRY NOTES
The DTC will act as securities depositary for book-entry notes. The
book-entry notes will be issued as fully-registered securities registered in the
name of Cede & Co., the Depositary's partnership nominee. One fully-registered
global security will be issued for each issue of the notes, each in the
aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with the DTC.
If, however, the aggregate principal amount of any issue exceeds $200 million,
one global security will be issued with respect to each $200 million of
principal amount and an additional global security will be issued with respect
to any remaining principal amount of such issue.
The DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York
Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking
Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. The DTC holds securities that its participants deposit
with the DTC. The DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of
securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities
through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants' accounts,
thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates.
Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. The DTC is
owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the NASD. Access to the DTC's
system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks
and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with
a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to the
DTC and its participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Purchases of book-entry notes under the DTC's system must be made by or
through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the book-entry
notes on the DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of
each book-entry note ("beneficial owner") is in turn to be recorded on the
direct and indirect participants' records. Beneficial owners will not receive
written confirmation from the DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are
expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction,
as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect
participant through which the beneficial owner entered into the transaction.
Transfers of ownership interests in the book-entry notes are to be accomplished
by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial
owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their
ownership interests in book-entry notes, except in the event that use of the
book-entry system for one or more book-entry notes is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by
participants with the DTC are registered in the name of the DTC's partnership
nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of global securities with the DTC and their
registration in the name of Cede & Co. effects no change in beneficial
ownership. The DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the
book-entry notes; the DTC's records reflect
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only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts such book-entry
notes are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The
participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on
behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by the DTC to direct
participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct
participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as
may be in effect from time to time.
Redemption notices will be sent to Cede & Co. If less than all of the
book-entry notes are being redeemed, and unless otherwise notified by either CFC
or the trustee, the DTC's practice is to determine by lot the amount of the
interest of each direct participant in such issue to be redeemed.
Neither the DTC nor Cede & Co. will consent or vote with respect to
book-entry notes. Under its usual procedures, the DTC will mail an Omnibus Proxy
to CFC as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede
& Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose
accounts the book-entry notes are credited on the record date (identified in a
listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
Principal and interest payments on the book-entry notes will be made to the
DTC. The DTC's practice is to credit direct participants' accounts on the
payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on the DTC's
records unless the DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on
the payable date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed
by standing instructions and customary practices as is the case with securities
held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name"
and will be the responsibility of such participant and not of the DTC, any
agents, or CFC, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in
effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest to the DTC is the
responsibility of CFC or agents, disbursement of such payments to direct
participants will be the responsibility of the DTC, and disbursement of such
payments to the beneficial owners will be the responsibility of direct and
indirect participants.
A beneficial owner must give notice to elect to have its book-entry notes
purchased or tendered, through its participant, to the paying agent, and must
effect delivery of such book-entry notes by causing the direct participant to
transfer the participant's interest in the book-entry notes, on the DTC's
records, to the paying agent. The requirement for physical delivery of
book-entry notes in connection with a demand for purchase or a mandatory
purchase will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the book-entry
notes are transferred by direct participants on the DTC's records.
The DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary
with respect to the book-entry notes at any time by giving reasonable notice to
CFC or the agents. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor
securities depositary is not obtained, certificated notes are required to be
printed and delivered in exchange for the book-entry notes represented by the
global securities held by the DTC.
DTC management is aware that some computer applications, systems, and the
like for processing data that are dependent upon calendar dates, including dates
before, on, and after January 1, 2000, may encounter Year 2000 problems. The DTC
has informed its participants and other members of the financial community that
it has developed and is implementing a program so that its systems, as the same
relate to the timely payment of distributions (including principal and income
payments) to securityholders, book-entry deliveries, and settlement of trades
within the DTC, continue to function appropriately. This program includes a
technical assessment and a remediation plan, each of which is complete.
Additionally, the DTC's plan includes a testing phase, which is expected to be
completed within appropriate time frames.
However, the DTC's ability to perform properly its services is also
dependent upon other parties, including but not limited to issuers and their
agents, as well as third party vendors from whom the DTC licenses software and
hardware, and third party vendors on whom the DTC relies for information of the
provision of services, including telecommunication and electrical utility
service providers, among others. The DTC has informed the industry that it is
contacting (and will continue to contact) third party vendors from whom the DTC
acquires services to: (i) impress upon them the importance of such services
being Year 2000
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compliant; and (ii) determine the extent of their efforts for Year 2000
remediation (and, as appropriate, testing) of their services. In addition, the
DTC is in the process of developing such contingency plans as it deems
appropriate.
According to the DTC, the foregoing information with respect to DTC has
been provided to the Industry for informational purposes only and is not
intended to serve as a representation, warranty, or contract modification of any
kind.
CFC may decide to discontinue use of system of book-entry transfers through
the DTC (or a successor securities depositary). In that event, certificated
notes will be printed and delivered in exchange for the book-entry notes
represented by the global securities held by the DTC.
The information in this section concerning the DTC and the DTC's book-entry
system has been obtained from sources that CFC believes to be reliable, but CFC
takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
Neither CFC, the trustee, any paying agent nor the registrar for the notes
will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating
to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interest in a global
security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
such beneficial ownership interests.
REPURCHASE
CFC may at any time purchase notes at any price or prices in the open
market or otherwise. Notes so purchased by CFC may be held or resold or, at the
discretion of CFC, surrendered to the trustee for cancellation.
OTHER PROVISIONS
Any provisions with respect to the determination of an interest rate basis,
the specifications of interest rate basis, calculation of the interest rate
applicable to, or the principal payable at maturity on, any note, its interest
payment dates or any other matter relating thereto may be modified by the terms
as specified under "Other Provisions" on the face of the note, or in an annex
relating thereto if specified on the face of the note, and in the applicable
pricing supplement.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Under the terms of an agency agreement dated June 8, 1999, as amended by
the Amendment dated October 8, 1999, the notes are offered on a continuing basis
by CFC through the agents, which have agreed to use their reasonable best
efforts to solicit purchases of the notes. CFC will pay each agent a commission
of from .125% to .625% of the principal amount of each note, depending on its
stated maturity, or such other fee as is mutually agreed upon by CFC and the
agent. CFC will have the sole right to accept offers to purchase notes and may
reject any offer, in whole or in part. Each agent will have the right, in its
discretion reasonably exercised, without notice to CFC, to reject any offer to
purchase notes received by it, in whole or in part. CFC also may sell notes to
each agent, acting as principal, at or above par or at a discount to be agreed
upon at the time of sale, for resale to one or more investors or to one or more
broker-dealers (acting as principal for purposes of resale) at varying prices
related to prevailing market prices at the time of such resale, as determined by
such agent or, if so agreed, at a fixed public offering price. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable supplement, any note sold to an agent as principal
will be purchased by that agent at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount
thereof less a percentage equal to the commission applicable to an agency sale
of a note of identical maturity. CFC has reserved the right to sell notes
directly on its own behalf.
An agent may sell notes it has purchased from CFC as principal to other
dealers for resale to investors and other purchasers, and may allow any portion
of the discount received in connection with the purchase from CFC to those
dealers. After the initial public offering of notes, the public offering price
(in the case of notes to be resold at a fixed public offering price), the
concession and the discount may be changed.
S-18
<PAGE> 19
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable supplement, payment of the
purchase price of notes will be required to be made in funds immediately
available in New York City.
The agents may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. CFC has agreed to indemnify the agents
against and contribute toward certain liabilities, including liabilities under
such Act. CFC has agreed to reimburse the agents for certain expenses.
CFC also may sell notes or other medium-term notes on its own behalf
directly to its members. Any notes so sold by CFC to its members will reduce the
remaining principal amount of notes which may be offered by this prospectus
supplement and the prospectus.
The agents and/or certain of their affiliates engage in transactions with
and perform services for CFC and certain of its affiliates in the ordinary
course of business.
In connection with the offering made hereby, the agents may purchase and
sell the notes in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment
and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover short positions created by
the agents in connection with the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of
certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline
in the market price of the notes, and short positions created by the agents
involve the sale by the agents of a greater aggregate principal amount of notes
than they are required to purchase from CFC. The agents also may impose a
penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to broker-dealers in respect of
the notes sold in the offering may be reclaimed by the agents if such notes are
repurchased by the agents in stabilizing or covering transactions. These
activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the
notes, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the
open market; and these activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any
time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or
otherwise.
S-19
<PAGE> 20
[COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION LOGO]
National Rural Utilities
Cooperative Finance Corporation
$3,169,257,000
Debt Securities
------------------------
We plan to issue from time to time up to $3,169,257,000 of debt securities. We
will provide the specific terms of these debt securities in supplements to this
prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully.
------------------------
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved these debt securities, or determined if
this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
------------------------
This prospectus may not be used to consummate the sale of debt securities unless
accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
------------------------
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS OCTOBER 7, 1999
<PAGE> 21
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation ("CFC") files
annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC. You may read and copy any document CFC files at the SEC's public
reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois.
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public
reference rooms. CFC's SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC's
web site at http://www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows the incorporation by reference of information filed in other
documents into this prospectus, which means that CFC can disclose information
important to you by referring you to those documents. The information
incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and
later information filed with the SEC will update and supersede this information.
CFC incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings
made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 until this offering is completed:
(a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 1999;
(b) Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 10, 1999.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing to or
telephoning us at the following address:
Steven L. Lilly
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation
Woodland Park, 2201 Cooperative Way
Herndon, VA 20171-3025
(703) 709-6700
---------------------
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. WE HAVE AUTHORIZED NO
ONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS
ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT COVER OF THE DOCUMENT.
WE ARE NOT MAKING AN OFFER OF THESE DEBT SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER
IS NOT PERMITTED.
2
<PAGE> 22
CFC
CFC was incorporated as a private, not-for-profit cooperative association
under the laws of the District of Columbia in 1969. CFC's principal purpose is
to provide its members with a source of financing to supplement the loan program
of the Rural Utilities Service ("RUS") (formerly the Rural Electrification
Administration) of the United States Department of Agriculture. CFC makes loans
primarily to its rural utility system members to enable them to acquire,
construct and operate electric distribution, generation, transmission and
related facilities. CFC also makes loans to service organization members to
finance office buildings, equipment, related facilities and services provided by
them to the rural utility systems. CFC has also provided guarantees for
tax-exempt financing of pollution control facilities and other properties
constructed or acquired by its members, and in addition has provided loans or
guarantees through National Cooperative Services Corporation in connection with
certain lease transactions of its members. Also, through Rural Telephone Finance
Cooperative, a controlled affiliate of CFC established in 1987, CFC provides
financing to rural telephone and telecommunications companies and their
affiliates. In addition, through Guaranty Funding Cooperative, a controlled
affiliate of CFC established in 1991, CFC provides financing for members to
refinance their debt to the Federal Financing Bank of the United States
Treasury. CFC's offices are located at Woodland Park, 2201 Cooperative Way,
Herndon, VA 20171-3025 and its telephone number is (703) 709-6700.
CFC's 1,057 members as of May 31, 1999 included 908 rural utility system
members, virtually all of which are consumer-owned cooperatives, 76 service
organization members and 73 associate members. The rural utility system members
included 838 distribution systems and 70 generation and transmission systems
operating in 48 states and U.S. territories.
CFC's long-term loans to rural utility system members generally have
35-year maturities. Loans are made directly to members or in conjunction with
concurrent RUS loans. Loans made to members that do not also have RUS loans are
generally secured by a mortgage or substantially all the rural utility system
member's property (including revenues). Loans made to members that also have RUS
loans are generally secured ratably with RUS's loans by a common mortgage on
substantially all the rural utility system member's property (including
revenues). Interest rates on these loans are either fixed or variable. Fixed
rates are offered weekly based on the overall cost of long-term funds and may be
obtained for any period from one to 35 years. Variable rates are adjusted
monthly in line with changes in the cost of short-term funds.
CFC makes short-term line-of-credit loans and intermediate-term loans with
up to five-year maturities. These loans are made on either a secured or an
unsecured basis. Rates on these loans may be adjusted semi-monthly in line with
changes in the short-term cost of funds. The intermediate-term loans are
generally made to power supply systems in connection with the planning and
construction of new generating plants and transmission facilities.
CFC also makes loans to telecommunication systems through Rural Telephone
Finance Cooperative. These loans are long-term fixed or variable rate loans with
maturities not exceeding 15 years and short-term loans.
At May 31, 1999, CFC had a total of $13,703.4 million of loans outstanding
and $1,684.5 million of guarantees outstanding.
CFC's guarantees are senior obligations ranking on a par with its other
senior debt. Even if the system defaults in payment of the guaranteed
obligations, the debt cannot be accelerated as long as CFC pays the debt service
under its guarantee as due. The system is generally required to reimburse CFC on
demand for amounts paid on the guarantee, and this obligation is usually secured
by a mortgage (often joint with RUS) on the system's property or, in the case of
a lease transaction, on the leased property. Holders of $947.3 million of the
guaranteed pollution control debt (at May 31, 1999) had the right at certain
times to tender their bonds for remarketing, and, if they cannot otherwise be
remarketed, CFC has committed to purchase bonds so tendered.
By policy, CFC maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level believed
to be adequate in relation to the quality and size of its loans and guarantees
outstanding. At May 31, 1999, the allowance was $212.2 million. At May 31, 1999,
CFC's ten largest borrowers had outstanding loans totaling $2,241.5 million,
which
3
<PAGE> 23
represented approximately 16.4% of CFC's total loans outstanding. As of May 31,
1999, outstanding guarantees for these same ten largest borrowers totaled $702.7
million, which represented 41.7% of CFC's total guarantees outstanding,
including guarantees of the maximum amounts of lease obligations at such date.
On that date, no member had loans and guarantees outstanding in excess of 10% of
the aggregate amount of CFC's outstanding loans and guarantees; however, one of
the ten largest borrowers, Deseret Generation & Transmission Co-operative
("Deseret"), was operating under a restructuring agreement. At May 31, 1999,
loans outstanding to Deseret accounted for 4.2% of total loans outstanding.
Guarantees outstanding for Deseret accounted for 4.0% of total guarantees
outstanding.
CFC's fixed charge coverage ratio was as follows for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED MAY 31,
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.13
</TABLE>
Margins used to compute the fixed charge coverage ratio represent net
margins before extraordinary loss resulting from redemption premiums on bonds
plus fixed charges. The fixed charges used in the computation of the fixed
charge coverage ratio consist of interest and amortization of bond discount and
bond issuance expenses.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, CFC will add the net
proceeds from the sale of the debt securities to the general funds, which will
be used to make loans to members, repay short-term borrowings, refinance
existing long-term debt and for other corporate purposes. CFC expects to incur
additional indebtedness from time to time, the amount and terms of which will
depend upon the volume of its business, general market conditions and other
factors.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description summarizes the general terms and provisions that
may apply to the debt securities. Each prospectus supplement will state the
particular terms of the debt securities and the extent, if any, to which the
general provisions may apply to the debt securities included in the supplement.
The debt securities will be issued under an Indenture dated as of December
15, 1987, as supplemented by a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October
1, 1990 between CFC and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as successor Trustee (as
so supplemented, the "Indenture"). The Indenture does not limit the aggregate
principal amount of securities which may be issued thereunder.
The following summary of certain provisions of the Indenture is not
complete. You should refer to the applicable provisions of the following
documents for more detailed information:
- the Indenture, which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 33-34927, filed with the
SEC on October 12, 1990, and
- the First Supplemental Indenture, which is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement No. 33-58445, filed with the SEC on
April 5, 1995.
Some of the capitalized terms used in the following discussion are defined in
the Indenture, and their definitions are incorporated by reference into this
prospectus. Section references below are to the sections in the Indenture.
GENERAL
The debt securities will be issued in fully registered form without coupons
unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides for an issuance to be in a
form registered as to principal only with or without coupons or in bearer form
with or without coupons or any combination thereof. Debt securities may also be
issued in temporary or definitive global bearer form. Unless specified otherwise
in the prospectus supplement all debt securities will be denominated in U.S.
dollars, registered debt securities will be issued in
4
<PAGE> 24
denominations of $1,000 or multiples of $1,000 and bearer securities will be
issued in denominations of $5,000 or multiples of $5,000.
The debt securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of CFC.
If any of the debt securities are offered for any foreign currency or
currency unit or if principal of, any premium or any interest on any of the debt
securities is payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, the applicable
prospectus supplement will describe the restrictions, elections, tax
consequences, specific terms and other information relative to those debt
securities.
CFC may issue securities in one or more series with the same or various
maturities at or above par or with an original issue discount. Original issue
discount securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time
of issuance is below market rates will be sold at a discount (which may be
substantial) below their stated principal amount. See "United States
Taxation--U.S. Holders--Original Issue Discount" for a discussion of certain
Federal income tax considerations with respect to any original issue discount
securities.
The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt
securities being offered will specify the amounts, prices and terms of those
securities. These terms may include:
- the title and the limit on the aggregate principal amount of debt
securities;
- the percentage of their principal amount at which the debt securities
will be sold;
- the date or dates on which the debt securities will mature;
- the annual rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) or the method
of determining any rate or rates at which the debt securities will bear
interest;
- the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue and the date or
dates at which interest will be payable;
- the place where payments may be made on the debt securities;
- any redemption or sinking fund terms;
- the principal amount of original issue discount debt securities payable
upon acceleration;
- the means of satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to
the debt securities;
- any changes to the events of default or covenants described in this
prospectus;
- the currency, currencies or currency unit or units for which the debt
securities may be purchased and the currency, currencies or currency unit
or units in which the payment of principal of (and premium) and interest
on such securities will be made;
- either CFC or the holders of debt securities may elect payment in a
currency, currencies or currency unit or units other than that in which
the debt securities are stated to be payable, then the period or periods
within which, and the terms upon which, the election may be made and, if
the amount of those payments may be determined with reference to an index
based on a currency, currencies or currency unit or units, other than
that in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, then the
manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
- whether the debt securities will be issued as registered securities, in a
form registered as to principal only with or without coupons, or as
bearer securities including temporary and definitive global form, or any
combination thereof and applicable exchange provisions;
- whether CFC will pay additional amounts to any holder of debt securities
who is not a United States person (as defined under "United States
Taxation") in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge
required to be withheld or deducted and whether CFC will have the option
to redeem the applicable debt securities rather than pay additional
amounts;
5
<PAGE> 25
- whether the covenants described below under "Restriction on Indebtedness"
will apply to the debt securities; and
- any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the
Indenture. (Section 301)
EXCHANGE, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement,
registered debt securities of any series that are not global debt securities
will be exchangeable for other registered debt securities of the same series and
of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor of different authorized
denominations. In addition, if debt securities of any series are issuable as
both registered debt securities and bearer debt securities, the holder may
choose, upon written request and subject to the terms of the Indenture, to
exchange bearer debt securities and the appropriate related coupons of that
series into registered debt securities of the same series of any authorized
denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. Bearer debt
securities with attached coupons surrendered in exchange for registered debt
securities between a regular record date or a special record date and the
relevant date for payment of interest must be surrendered without the coupon
relating to the interest payment date. Interest will not be payable in respect
of the registered debt security issued in exchange for that bearer debt
security. The interest will be payable only to the holder of that coupon when
due in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. Bearer debt securities will
not be issued in exchange for registered debt securities. No service charge will
be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but
CFC may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any applicable tax.
(Section 305)
You may present debt securities for exchange as provided above. In
addition, you may present registered debt securities for registration of
transfer together with the duly executed form of transfer at the office of the
security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by CFC for
that purpose with respect to any series of debt securities and referred to in an
applicable prospectus supplement. The security registrar or the transfer agent
will effect the transfer or exchange upon being satisfied with the documents of
title and identity of the person making the request. CFC has appointed Harris
Trust Company of New York as security registrar. (Section 305) If a prospectus
supplement refers to any transfer agents (in addition to the security registrar)
initially designated by CFC with respect to any series of debt securities, CFC
may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a
change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts. However, if
debt securities of a series are issuable solely as registered securities, CFC
will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for such
series and, if securities of a series are issuable as bearer securities, CFC
will be required to maintain (in addition to the security registrar) a transfer
agent in a place of payment for such series. CFC may at any time designate
additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.
(Section 1002)
In the event of any redemption in part, CFC will not be required to:
- issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series
during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any
selection of debt securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at
the close of business on:
- if debt securities of the series are issuable only as registered debt
securities, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption;
- if debt securities of the series are issuable only as bearer debt
securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of
redemption; or
- if debt securities of the series are also issuable as registered debt
securities and bearer securities and there is no publication of the
relevant notice of redemption, the day of mailing of the relevant
notice of redemption;
- register the transfer of or exchange any registered debt security, or
portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion
of any registered debt security being redeemed in part; or
6
<PAGE> 26
- exchange any bearer debt security called for redemption, except to
exchange such bearer debt security for a registered debt security of
that series and like tenor which is simultaneously surrendered for
redemption. (Section 305)
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, payment
of principal of, any premium and any interest on registered debt securities will
be made at the office of the paying agent or paying agents that CFC may
designate at various times. However, CFC may also make interest payments by
check mailed to the address, as it appears in the security register, of the
person entitled to the payments. (Section 301) Unless otherwise specified in an
applicable prospectus supplement, CFC will make payment of any installment of
interest on registered debt securities to the person in whose name that
registered debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular
record date for such interest. (Section 307)
Unless otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, the
office of Harris Trust Company of New York in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
of New York will be designated as sole paying agent for payments with respect to
securities that are issuable solely as registered debt securities and as CFC's
paying agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, for payments
with respect to debt securities. Any paying agents outside the United States and
any other paying agents in the United States initially designated by CFC for the
securities will be named in an applicable prospectus supplement. CFC may at any
time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying
agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.
However, unless otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, if
debt securities of a series are issuable solely as registered debt securities,
CFC will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for
such series. If debt securities of a series are issuable as bearer debt
securities, CFC will be required to maintain (i) a paying agent in the Borough
of Manhattan, The City of New York, for payments with respect to any registered
debt securities of the series and for payments with respect to bearer debt
securities of the series in certain circumstances and (ii) a paying agent in a
place of payment located outside the United States where bearer debt securities
of such series and any coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment.
(Section 1002)
All moneys paid by CFC to a paying agent for the payment of principal,
premium, or interest on any debt security or coupon that remains unclaimed at
the end of two years after becoming due and payable will be repaid to CFC. After
that time, the holder of the debt security or coupon will, as an unsecured
general creditor, look only to CFC for payment out of those repaid amounts.
(Section 1003)
RESTRICTION ON INDEBTEDNESS
CFC may not incur any superior indebtedness or make any optional prepayment
on any capital term certificate if, as a result, the principal amount of
superior indebtedness outstanding, less the principal amount of government or
government insured obligations held by CFC, on any future date would exceed 20
times the sum of the members' equity in CFC at the time of determination plus
the principal amount of capital term certificates outstanding at the time of
determination or at the given future date. The principal amounts of superior
indebtedness and capital term certificates to be outstanding on any future given
date will be computed after giving effect to maturities and sinking fund
requirements. (Section 1007) "Superior indebtedness" means all indebtedness of
CFC (including all guarantees by CFC of indebtedness of others) except capital
term certificates. A "capital term certificate" is defined as a note of CFC
substantially in the form of the capital term certificates of CFC outstanding on
the date of the Indenture and any other indebtedness having substantially
similar provisions as to subordination. As of May 31, 1999, CFC had $13,544.0
million outstanding of superior indebtedness. Within the restrictions of the
Indenture, CFC was permitted to have outstanding an additional $25,151.4 million
of superior indebtedness.
7
<PAGE> 27
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
CFC may not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or
transfer its assets substantially as an entirety to any person unless:
- the successor is a corporation organized under the laws of any domestic
jurisdiction;
- the successor corporation assumes CFC's obligations under the Indenture
and the debt securities issued under the Indenture;
- immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default
and no event that, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become
an event of default, has occurred and is continuing; and
- certain other conditions are met. (Section 801)
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
Any actions that CFC or the Trustee may take toward adding to CFC's
covenants, adding additional events of default, establishing the form or terms
of debt securities of any series, changing or eliminating any restriction on the
manner or place of payment of principal of or interest on bearer debt securities
will not require the approval of any holder of debt securities. In addition, CFC
or the Trustee may cure ambiguities or inconsistencies in the Indenture or make
other provisions as long as no holders' interests are materially and adversely
affected. (Section 901)
Under the Indenture, CFC's rights and obligations and the rights of the
holders may be modified with the consent of the holders of at least a majority
in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of all affected
series. None of the following modifications, however, is effective against any
holders without the consent of the holders of all the affected outstanding debt
securities:
- changing the maturity, installment or interest rate of any of the debt
securities;
- reducing the principal amount, any premium or the interest rate of any of
the debt securities;
- reducing the amount of the principal of original issue discount debt
securities payable on any acceleration of maturity;
- changing the currency, currencies or currency unit or units in which any
principal, premium or interest of any of the debt securities is payable;
- changing any of CFC's obligations to maintain an office or agency in the
places and for the purposes required by the Indenture;
- impairing any right to take legal action for an overdue payment;
- reducing the percentage required for modifications to or waivers of
compliance with the Indenture; or
- with certain exceptions, modifying the provisions for the waivers of
certain covenants and defaults and any of the foregoing provisions.
(Section 902)
WAIVER OF CERTAIN COVENANTS
Under the Indenture CFC will not be required to comply with certain
restrictive covenants (including that described above under "Restriction on
Indebtedness") if the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all
series of outstanding debt securities affected waive compliance with the
restrictive covenants. (Section 1009)
8
<PAGE> 28
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
An event of default in respect of any series of debt securities (unless it
is either inapplicable to a particular series or has been modified or deleted
with respect to any particular series) is defined in the Indenture to be:
- failure to pay interest on any debt security for 30 days after the
security becomes due;
- failure to pay the principal of or any premium on any of the debt
securities when due;
- failure to deposit any sinking fund payment when the payment becomes due;
- failure to perform or breach of the covenant described above under
"Restrictions on Indebtedness" that continues for 60 days after the
default becomes known to an officer of CFC;
- failure to perform or breach of any other covenants or warranties in the
Indenture that continues for 60 days after notice from the Trustee or the
holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of the series;
- certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of CFC; and
- such other events as may be specified for each series. (Section 501)
The Indenture provides that if an event of default has happened and is
continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may declare the
principal (or, if the debt securities are original issue discount debt
securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified by the
terms of such debt securities) of all of the outstanding debt securities of that
series to be immediately due and payable. (Section 502)
The Indenture provides that the holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect
to the debt securities of that series. The Trustee may act in any way that is
consistent with these directions and may decline to act if any such direction is
contrary to law or to the Indenture or would involve the Trustee in personal
liability. (Section 507)
The Indenture provides that the holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the
holders of all of the outstanding debt securities of the series waive any past
default with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:
- in the payment of the principal of or any premium or any interest on any
of the debt securities of the series or;
- in respect of a covenant or provision which, under the terms of the
Indenture, cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
holders of all of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected.
(Section 508)
The Indenture contains provisions entitling the Trustee, subject to the
duty during an event of default in respect of any series of debt securities to
act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the holders of the
debt securities of the relevant series before proceeding to exercise any right
or power at the request of those holders. (Sections 601 and 603)
The Indenture provides that the Trustee will, within 90 days after the
occurrence of a default in respect of any series of debt securities, give to the
holders of the debt securities of that series notice of all uncured and unwaived
defaults known to it. However, except in the case of a default in the payment of
the principal of or any premium or any interest on, or any sinking fund or
purchase fund installment with respect to, any of the debt securities of that
series, the Trustee will be protected in withholding this notice if it in good
faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of those
holders. The above notice shall not be given until at least 60 days after the
occurrence of an event of default regarding the performance or breach of any
covenant or warranty other than for the payment of the principal of or premium
or any interest on, or
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any sinking fund installment with respect to, any of the debt securities of such
series. The term default for the purpose of this provision only means any event
that is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an event of
default with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 602)
The Indenture requires CFC to file annually with the Trustee a certificate,
executed by two officers of CFC, indicating whether CFC is in default under the
Indenture. (Section 1008)
MEETINGS
The Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of
debt securities of a series if debt securities of that series are issuable as
bearer debt securities. (Section 1201) A meeting may be called at any time by
the Trustee, and also, upon request, by CFC or the holders of at least 10% in
principal amount of the outstanding securities of such series, upon notice given
in accordance with "Notices" below. (Section 1202) Persons entitled to vote a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of a series shall
constitute a quorum at a meeting of holders of debt securities of the series.
However, that in the absence of a quorum, a meeting, called by CFC or the
Trustee shall be adjourned for a period of at least 10 days, and in the absence
of a quorum at the adjourned meeting, the meeting shall be further adjourned for
a period of at least 10 days, at which further adjourned meeting persons
entitled to vote 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities
of that series shall constitute a quorum. Except for any consent which must be
given by the holder of each outstanding security affected thereby, as described
above under "Modification of the Indenture", and subject to the provisions
described in the last sentence under this subheading, any resolution presented
at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present
may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the lesser of (i) the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series
and (ii) 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of
such series represented and voting at the meeting. However, any resolution with
respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action which may be made, given or taken by the holders of a
specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of
outstanding debt securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned
meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of
the lesser of (i) the holders of such specified percentage in principal amount
of the outstanding debt securities of that series and (ii) a majority in
principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series represented and
voting at the meeting. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of
holders of debt securities of any series duly held in accordance with the
Indenture will be binding on all holders of debt securities of that series and
the related coupons. With respect to any consent, waiver or other action which
the Indenture expressly provides may be given by the holders of a specified
percentage of outstanding debt securities of all series affected (acting as one
class), only the principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series
represented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum
is present as described above and voting in favor of such action shall be
counted for purposes of calculating the aggregate principal amount of
outstanding debt securities of all series affected favoring such action.
(Section 1204)
NOTICES
Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, notices to holders of bearer
debt securities will be given by publication at least once in a daily newspaper
in The City of New York and London and in such other city or cities as may be
specified in the bearer debt securities and will be mailed to the persons whose
names and addresses were previously filed with the Trustee, within the time
prescribed for the giving of such notice. Notices to holders of registered debt
securities will be given by mail to the address of those holders as they appear
in the security register. (Section 106)
TITLE
Title to any bearer debt security (including any bearer debt security in
temporary or definitive global bearer form) and any coupons will pass by
delivery. CFC, the Trustee and any agent of CFC or the Trustee may treat the
bearer of any bearer debt security and the bearer of any coupon and the
registered owner of any registered debt security as the absolute owner thereof
(whether or not such debt security or coupon is
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overdue and notwithstanding any notice to the contrary) for the purpose of
making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308)
REPLACEMENT OF DEBT SECURITIES AND COUPONS
CFC will replace any mutilated debt security and any debt security with a
mutilated coupon at the expense of the holder upon surrender of such mutilated
debt security or debt security with a mutilated coupon to the Trustee. CFC will
replace debt securities or coupons that become destroyed, stolen or lost at the
expense of the holder upon delivery to the Trustee of evidence of the
destruction, loss or theft thereof satisfactory to CFC and the Trustee. In the
case of any coupon which becomes destroyed, stolen or lost, that coupon will be
replaced upon surrender to the Trustee of the debt security with all related
coupons not destroyed, stolen or lost by issuance of a new debt security in
exchange for the debt security to which such coupon relates. In the case of a
destroyed, lost or stolen debt security or coupon an indemnity satisfactory to
the Trustee and CFC may be required at the expense of the holder of such debt
security or coupon before a replacement debt security will be issued. (Section
306)
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
At CFC's request, the Indenture will cease to be in effect as to CFC
(except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt
securities and hold moneys for payment in trust) with respect to the debt
securities when:
- all the debt securities have been cancelled by the Trustee, or;
- in the case of debt securities and coupons not delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation; the debt securities or coupons have become due and
payable, will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one
year, or are to be called for redemption within one year, and, in each
case, CFC has deposited with the Trustee, in trust, money, and, in the
case of debt securities and coupons denominated in U.S. dollars, U.S.
government obligations or, in the case of debt securities and coupons
denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government debt securities,
which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with
their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay in the
currency, currencies or currency units or units in which the offered debt
securities are payable all the principal of, and interest on, the offered
debt securities on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the
terms of the offered debt securities, or;
- the debt securities or coupons are deemed paid and discharged in the
manner described in the next paragraph. (Section 401)
Unless the prospectus supplement relating to the offered debt securities
provides otherwise, CFC at its option:
- will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the offered
debt securities (except for certain obligations to register the transfer
or exchange of debt securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt
securities and coupons, maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for
payment in trust) or;
- need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture
(including those described above under "Restriction on Indebtedness"), in
each case after CFC deposits with the Trustee, in trust, money, and, in
the case of debt securities and coupons denominated in U.S. dollars, U.S.
government obligations or, in the case of debt securities and coupons
denominated in a foreign currency, foreign government debt securities,
which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with
their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay in the
currency, currencies or currency unit or units in which the offered debt
securities are payable all the principal of, and interest on, the offered
debt securities on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the
terms of the offered debt securities.
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Among the conditions to CFC's exercising any such option, CFC is required
to deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the deposit
and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the offered debt
securities to recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income
tax purposes and that the holders will be subject to United States federal
income tax in the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if the deposit and related defeasance has not occurred.
(Section 403)
At CFC's request, the Trustee will deliver or pay to CFC any U.S.
government obligations, foreign government securities or money deposited, for
the purposes described in the preceding two paragraphs, with the Trustee by CFC
and which, in the opinion of a nationally-recognized firm of independent public
accountants, are in excess of the amount which would then have been required to
be deposited for such purposes. In addition, the Trustee, in exchange for,
simultaneously, other U.S. government obligations, foreign government securities
or money, will deliver or pay to CFC, at CFC's request, U.S. government
obligations, foreign government securities or money deposited with the Trustee
for the purposes described in the preceding two paragraphs, if, in the opinion
of a nationally-recognized firm of independent public accountants, immediately
after such exchange the obligations, securities or money then held by the
Trustee will be in the amount then required to be deposited with the Trustee for
such purposes. (Section 403)
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture, the debt securities and the coupons will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. (Section 113)
THE TRUSTEE
Harris Trust and Savings Bank, Chicago, Illinois is the Trustee under the
Indenture.
LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER SECURITIES
Under U.S. federal tax laws, certain limitations on offers, sales and
delivery apply to bearer debt securities. CFC will set forth these limitations,
as well as additional information regarding the U.S. federal income tax
consequences in respect of a bearer debt security, in any prospectus supplement
providing for the issuance of bearer debt securities.
UNITED STATES TAXATION
The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of registered debt
securities. The summary reflects present law, which is subject to prospective
and retroactive changes. It is not intended as tax advice, and it does not
describe all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a prospective
purchaser. The summary addresses only original purchasers of the debt securities
that hold the debt securities as capital assets. It does not address U.S.
federal income tax issues relevant to purchasers subject to special rules, such
as banks, securities dealers, life insurance companies, controlled foreign
corporations, persons holding securities in connection with a hedge or as a
position in a "straddle" or persons having a functional currency other than the
U.S. dollar. The summary does not consider the tax consequences of securities
with terms other than those described in this prospectus. PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS
ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISERS ABOUT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN
INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER
JURISDICTIONS WHERE PURCHASERS ARE SUBJECT TO TAXATION.
For the purposes of this discussion, "U.S. holder" means (i) a beneficial
owner of the debt securities that is a citizen or resident of the United States,
a corporation organized in or under the laws of the United States or any
political subdivision thereof, a trust subject to the control of a United States
person and the primary supervision of a United States Court, or an estate the
income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its
source or (ii) any other beneficial owner as to which income from the debt
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securities is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business
within the United States. The term "Non-U.S. holder" refers to any beneficial
owner of the debt securities other than a U.S. holder.
U.S. HOLDERS
Payments of Interest
Interest on a debt security generally will be taxable to a U.S. holder as
ordinary interest income at the time of receipt or accrual in accordance with
the U.S. holder's method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Special rules for the interest on securities with original issue discount are
described below.
Original Issue Discount
The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to
U.S. holders of the purchase, ownership and disposition of debt securities
issued with original issue discount ("OID"). The following summary is based on
sections 1271 through 1273 and section 1275 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), and on certain final regulations of the U.S.
Department of Treasury (the "OID Regulations") interpreting these provisions.
General. A U.S. holder of a debt security issued at a discount with a
maturity of more than one year after the date of issue must include OID in
income over the term of the debt security. The U.S. holder generally must
include in gross income for the taxable year the sum of the daily portions of
OID that accrue on the debt security for each day during the year on which such
holder held the debt security. Accordingly, a U.S. holder will be required to
include amounts attributable to OID in income before receiving cash attributable
to that income.
A debt security has OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent
that the debt security's stated redemption price at maturity exceeds its issue
price. The issue price of a debt security is the initial offering price at which
a substantial amount of the debt securities is sold to the public (excluding
bond houses, brokers or similar persons). The stated redemption price of a debt
security is the total of all payments due on the debt security other than
payments of "qualified stated interest." A debt security is not treated as
issued with OID, however, if the difference between the stated redemption price
at maturity and the issue price of the debt security is less than 1/4 of 1
percent of the debt security's stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by
the number of complete years to maturity ("de minimis original issue discount").
If a debt security bears interest for any accrual period at a rate below the
rate for the remaining term of the debt security (e.g., a debt security with a
"teaser rate") the debt security's stated redemption price at maturity, for
purposes of determining whether the debt security has de minimis original issue
discount, is treated as equal to the debt security's issue price plus the
greater of the amount of foregone interest on such debt security or any "true"
discount on such debt security (i.e., the excess of the debt security's stated
principal amount over its issue price).
Qualified stated interest is interest that is payable unconditionally in
cash or in property (other than debt of the issuer) at least annually at either
(a) a single fixed rate that appropriately takes into account the length of the
interval between payments or (b) certain variable rates.
To determine the daily portions of original issue discount, original issue
discount accruing during an accrual period is divided by the number of days in
the period. Except as described below under "variable rate debt securities," the
amount of original issue discount accruing during an accrual period is
determined by using a constant yield to maturity method. The accrued amount for
any period is the excess of (i) the product of the debt security's adjusted
issue price at the beginning of the accrual period and its yield to maturity
(determined on the basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and
appropriately adjusted for the length of the accrual period) over (ii) the
amount of any qualified stated interest payments allocable to the accrual
period. The adjusted issue price of a debt security at the beginning of any
accrual period generally equals the issue price of the debt security increased
by the aggregate amount of original issue discount that accrued on that debt
security in all prior accrual periods and reduced by the amount of payments in
prior accrual periods other than payments of qualified stated interest.
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A U.S. holder of a debt security issued at a discount that purchases the
debt security for more than the security's adjusted issue price but less than or
equal to the debt security's stated redemption price at maturity may reduce the
daily portions of original issue discount includible in gross income by daily
portions of the acquisition premium paid for the debt security.
Variable Rate Debt Securities. Special rules apply to the U.S. holder of a
debt security that bears interest at certain types of variable rates (a
"variable rate debt security"). For these purposes, a variable rate debt
security is one that bears interest at the current values of (i) one or more
"qualified floating rates," (ii) a single fixed rate followed by one or more
qualified floating rates, (iii) a single "objective rate" or (iv) a single fixed
rate and an objective rate that is a qualified inverse floating rate. A
qualified floating rate is any floating rate the variations in which reasonably
can be expected to measure contemporaneous variations in the cost of
newly-borrowed funds (e.g., LIBOR). Although a multiple of a qualified floating
rate will generally not itself constitute a qualified floating rate, a variable
rate is a qualified floating rate if it is equal to either (i) the product of a
qualified floating rate and a fixed multiple rate that is greater than 0.65 but
not more than 1.35 or (ii) the product of a qualified floating rate and a fixed
multiple rate that is greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35, increased or
decreased by a fixed rate. In addition, under the OID regulations, two or more
qualified floating rates with values within 25 basis points of each other (as
determined on the variable rate debt security's issue date) will be treated as a
single qualified floating rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a variable rate
that would otherwise constitute a qualified floating rate but which is subject
to one or more restrictions such as a maximum or minimum numerical limitation
(i.e., a cap or floor) may, under certain circumstances, fail to be treated as a
qualified floating rate under the OID regulations unless such cap or floor is
fixed throughout the term of the debt security. An objective rate is a rate,
other than a qualified floating rate, that is determined using a single fixed
formula and that is based on objective financial or economic information outside
of the issuer's control. A rate will not be considered an objective rate,
however, if it is reasonably expected that the average value of the rate during
the first half of the debt security's term will be either significantly less
than or significantly greater than the average value of the rate during the
final half of the debt security's term. A qualified inverse floating rate is a
fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate whose variations can reasonably be
expected to reflect inversely contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly
borrowed funds. A fixed rate for an initial period of one year or less followed
by a qualified floating rate or an objective rate together constitute a single
qualified floating objective rate if the value of the qualified floating rate or
objective rate on the issue date is intended to approximate the fixed rate.
In general, to compute the accrual of OID on a variable rate debt security,
the OID regulations convert the variable rate debt security into a fixed rate
debt instrument and then apply the general rules discussed above to the deemed
fixed rate debt instrument. If a variable rate debt security provides for stated
interest at either a single qualified floating rate or objective rate that is
unconditionally payable at least annually, (a) all stated interest with respect
to the variable rate debt security is treated as qualified stated interest and
(b) the amount of OID, if any, is determined under the rules applicable to fixed
rate debt instruments discussed above by assuming that the variable rate is a
fixed rate equal to (i) in the case of a qualified floating rate or qualified
inverse floating rate, the value, as of the issue date of the variable rate debt
security, of the qualified floating rate or the qualified inverse floating rate,
or (ii) in the case of an objective rate (other than a qualified inverse
floating rate), a fixed rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected
for the variable rate debt security.
If the variable rate debt security does not provide for stated interest as
described in the preceding paragraph, to determine the amounts of interest and
OID accruals, an "equivalent fixed rate debt instrument" must be constructed.
The equivalent fixed rate debt instrument has terms that are identical to those
provided under the variable rate debt security, except that the equivalent fixed
rate debt instrument provides for fixed rate substitutes in lieu of the
qualified floating rates or objective rate provided under the variable rate debt
security. The fixed rate substitute (a) for each qualified floating rate is the
value of each such rate as of the issue date of the variable rate debt security
(with appropriate adjustment for any differences in intervals between interest
adjustment dates), (b) for a qualified inverse floating rate is the value of the
qualified inverse floating rate as of the issue date of the variable rate debt
security and (c) for an objective rate (other than a qualified inverse floating
rate) is a fixed rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for
the variable
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rate debt security. The amounts of qualified stated interest and OID, if any,
are determined for the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument under the rules
applicable to fixed rate debt instruments as described above and are taken into
account as if the holder of the debt security held the equivalent fixed rate
debt instrument. Qualified stated interest or OID allocable to an accrual period
is increased (or decreased) if the interest actually accrued or paid during an
accrual period exceeds (or is less than) the interest assumed to be accrued or
paid during the accrual period under the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument.
This increase or decrease is an adjustment to qualified stated interest of the
accrual period if the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument provides for
qualified stated interest and the increase or decrease is reflected in the
amount actually paid during the accrual period. Otherwise, this increase or
decrease is an adjustment to OID for the accrual period. If the variable rate
security provides for interest at a qualified floating rate or qualified inverse
floating rate and also provides for stated interest at a single fixed rate
(other than a single fixed rate for an initial period of one year or less that
is intended to approximate the value of the qualified floating or objective
rate), in constructing the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument, such a
variable rate debt security is treated as if it provided for a qualified
floating rate (or qualified inverse floating rate, as the case may be) instead
of the fixed rate, which qualified floating (or inverse floating) rate is such
that the variable rate debt security would have a fair market value as of its
issue date that is approximately the same as the fair market value of an
otherwise identical debt instrument that provides for either the qualified
floating rate or the qualified inverse floating rate rather than the fixed rate.
The foregoing rules do not apply, and a debt security is treated as a contingent
payment debt security, if its issue price exceeds the total of noncontingent
principal payments by more than the lesser of (i) the product of .015, the total
noncontingent principal payments and the number of complete years to maturity
(or a lesser amount if principal is payable in installments) and (ii) 15 percent
of the total noncontingent principal payments.
Optional Redemption. For purposes of determining the yield and maturity of
a debt security, CFC will be presumed to exercise any right to redeem a debt
security before its stated maturity or to extend the maturity of a debt security
if exercise would reduce the yield on the debt security. Likewise, the holder
will be presumed to exercise any right to require the redemption of a debt
security or to extend the maturity of the debt security if exercise would
increase the yield on the debt security. If the debt security is not actually
redeemed on the date when the option was presumed to have been exercised, the
debt security will be treated only for purposes of determining yield as having
been reissued at a price equal to that debt security's adjusted issue price on
that date.
Short-Term Debt Securities. U.S. holders that do not use the accrual
method of accounting for tax purposes generally will not be required to
recognize original issue discount on debt securities maturing within one year of
original issuance until they receive payments on the debt securities. Taxpayers
on the accrual method, regulated investment companies, common trust funds, and
certain others, however, must accrue original issue discount on such short-term
securities on a straight-line basis unless they elect to accrue the discount on
a constant yield basis with daily compounding. The original issue discount on a
short-term debt security is the amount by which the total principal and interest
payments on the security exceed its issue price. U.S. holders may elect to
include discount on such short-term debt securities into income based on
acquisition discount rather than original issue discount. Acquisition discount
is the excess of a debt security's stated redemption price at maturity over the
U.S. holder's basis in the debt security.
Gain recognized on the sale or exchange of a short-term debt security by a
U.S. holder that has not accrued discount on the debt security will be ordinary
income to the extent attributable to accrued interest and original issue
discount. Such a holder also must defer deductions for net interest expense on
any borrowing attributable to the short-term debt security to the extent that
the expense does not exceed accrued but unrecognized interest and original issue
discount (or acquisition discount) on the debt security.
Anti-Abuse Rule
The Internal Revenue Service can apply or depart from the rules contained
in the OID regulations as necessary or appropriate to achieve a reasonable
result where a principal purpose in structuring a debt security or applying the
otherwise applicable rules is to achieve a result that is unreasonable in light
of the purposes of
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the applicable statutes (which generally are intended to achieve the clear
reflection of income for both sellers and purchasers of the debt securities).
Market Discount
A U.S. holder that purchases a debt security at a market discount generally
will be required to treat payments other than qualified stated interest payments
as ordinary income to the extent of the accrued market discount and to treat
gain on the sale of the debt security as ordinary income to the extent of the
accrued market discount not previously included in income. See "Sale or Exchange
of Debt securities" below. Market discount is the amount by which the stated
redemption price at maturity (or, in the case of a debt security with OID, the
revised issue price) exceeds the purchaser's basis in the security immediately
after acquisition. A debt security is not treated as purchased at a market
discount, however, if the discount is less than 1/4 of 1 percent of the stated
redemption price at maturity (or the revised issue price) multiplied by the
number of complete years remaining to maturity ("de minimis market discount").
(The revised issue price of a debt security is its initial issue price increased
by the amount of OID includible in the gross income of previous holders.) Market
discount on a debt security will accrue, at the election of the holder, either
ratably or at a constant yield to maturity. The U.S. holder may elect to take
market discount into income as it accrues. Such election applies to all debt
instruments acquired in the tax year the election is made and thereafter, and
may not be revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service. Under
certain circumstances, the U.S. holder may be required to defer deductions for
interest expense attributable to debt incurred or continued to purchase a
security with market discount.
Premium
A U.S. holder that purchases a debt security for more than its stated
redemption price at maturity may elect to amortize the bond premium. If a U.S.
holder makes such an election, the amount of interest on the debt security
otherwise to be included in the U.S. holder's income will be reduced each year
by the amount of amortizable bond premium allocable to such year on a constant
yield to maturity basis (except to the extent regulations may provide
otherwise). Amortized bond premium will reduce the U.S. holder's basis in the
security. If the debt security may be optionally redeemed after the U.S. holder
acquires it at a price in excess of its stated redemption price at maturity,
special rules would apply which could result in a deferral of the amortization
of some premium until later in the term of the debt security. An election to
amortize bond premium will apply to certain other debt instruments that the U.S.
holder acquired at a premium, and the election may have different tax
consequences depending on when the debt instruments were issued or acquired.
Interest Election
A U.S. holder may elect, in the taxable year in which the U.S. holder
acquires a debt security, to treat all interest on any debt security as OID and
calculate the amount includible in gross income under the constant yield method
described above. For purposes of this election, interest includes stated
interest, acquisition discount, OID, de minimis OID, market discount, de minimis
market discount and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond
premium or acquisition premium. If a U.S. holder makes this election for a debt
security with market discount or amortizable bond premium, the election is
treated as an election under the market discount or amortizable bond premium
provisions, described above, and the electing U.S. holder will be required to
amortize bond premium or include market discount in income currently for all of
its other debt instruments with market discount or amortizable bond premium
acquired during such tax year and in any subsequent tax year. The election, once
made, may not be revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
U.S. holders should consult with their own tax advisers before making this
election.
Sale or Exchange of Debt Securities
Except to the extent that gain or loss is attributable to accrued but
unpaid interest or accrued market discount, a U.S. holder generally will
recognize capital gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or complete
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retirement of a debt security equal to the difference between the amount
realized and the U.S. holder's adjusted basis in the debt security. The gain or
loss generally will be long term if the debt security has been held for more
than one year. The adjusted basis of a security generally will equal its initial
cost increased by any original issue discount, market discount or acquisition
discount with respect to the debt security previously included in the U.S.
holder's gross income and reduced by the payments previously received on the
debt security, other than payments of qualified stated interest, and by any
amortized premium.
The tax consequences of the partial prepayment of a debt security will
depend upon the price at which the U.S. holder purchased the debt security. A
U.S. holder that purchased a debt security at a de minimis market discount or
that purchased a debt security for more than its revised issue price, but less
than its principal amount, will recognize capital gain equal to the difference
between the principal prepayment and the U.S. holder's adjusted basis in the
prepaid portion of the debt security. If a U.S. holder purchased a debt security
at a market discount, (i) the principal prepayment will be included in ordinary
income to the extent of the accrued market discount (and it is possible that
amounts allocable to unaccrued market discount will be recognized as capital
gain) and (ii) any principal prepayment exceeding the revised issue price
allocable to the prepaid portion of the debt security will be capital gain. If a
U.S. holder purchased a debt security for more than its stated principal amount
and has not elected to amortize bond premium, the U.S. holder will recognize a
capital loss equal to any amount by which the U.S. holder's adjusted basis in
the prepaid portion of the debt security exceeds the amount of the principal
prepayment. If the U.S. holder has elected to amortize bond premium, all or part
of such excess might be deductible as amortizable bond premium rather than as
capital loss. Any capital gain or loss will be long term if the debt security
has been held for more than one year. It is possible that capital gain realized
by holders of one or more classes of debt securities could be considered gain
realized upon the disposition of property that was part of a "conversion
transaction." A "conversion transaction" is any transaction in which
substantially all of the expected return is attributable to the time value of
the U.S. holder's net investment, if (i) the U.S. holder entered the contract to
sell the debt security substantially contemporaneously with acquiring the debt
security, (ii) the debt security is part of a straddle, (iii) the debt security
is marketed or sold as producing capital gains, or (iv) the transaction is
specified in certain Treasury regulations. If the sale or other disposition of
the security is part of a conversion transaction, all or any portion of the gain
realized upon the sale or other disposition of the debt securities would be
treated as ordinary income instead of capital gain.
Foreign Currency Debt Securities
The tax treatment of debt securities the interest or principal on which may
be determined by reference to one or more foreign currencies will depend on the
application of special rules to the particular terms of the debt securities. The
tax considerations relevant to such debt securities will be described in an
applicable prospectus supplement, and each prospective purchaser should consult
its tax adviser about such matters.
Contingent Payment Debt Securities
The OID regulations contain special rules for determining the timing and
amount of OID to be accrued in respect of debt securities providing for one or
more contingent payments ("Contingent Payment Debt Securities"). For this
purpose, a debt security is not a Contingent Payment Debt Security if it (i) is
a variable rate debt security, (ii) provides for alternate payment schedules
upon the occurrence of contingencies if certain other requirements are met or
(iii) is a foreign currency debt security. Under the OID regulations, U.S.
holders generally would be required to take contingent interest payments on
Contingent Payment Debt Securities into income on a yield to maturity basis in
accordance with a schedule of projected payments provided by CFC to U.S. holders
and would make annual adjustments to income to account for the difference
between actual payments received and projected payment amounts accrued.
Additional disclosure will be provided for in a prospectus supplement in
connection with any offering of contingent payment securities. Prospective
purchasers should consult their own tax advisers regarding the OID regulations
in connection with ownership of a debt security that provides for contingent
payments.
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NON-U.S. HOLDERS
Interest received on a debt security by a non-U.S. holder is exempt from
U.S. federal income tax unless the holder is for U.S. federal income tax
purposes a controlled foreign corporation related to the issuer through stock
ownership or is a bank receiving interest described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of
the Code. However, "contingent interest" paid to a non-U.S. holder will be
subject to a 30% tax (unless an applicable tax treaty eliminates or reduces the
rate of the tax and the non-U.S. holder complies with the requirements for
obtaining that reduction or elimination of the tax). For this purpose,
contingent interest is an amount of interest determined by reference to (i)
receipts, sales, or other cash flows of CFC or a related person, (ii) income or
profits of CFC or a related person, (iii) any change in the value of any
property of CFC or a related person, or (iv) any dividend, partnership
distribution, or similar payment made by CFC or a related person.
To qualify for the interest withholding exemption, a non-U.S. holder must
provide a statement signed under penalties of perjury certifying that the holder
is not a U.S. person for U.S. tax purposes and providing the holder's name and
address. This statement may be made on IRS Form W-8BEN or a substantially
similar form and the beneficial owner must inform the withholding agent of any
change of the information on the statement within 30 days of the change. In
addition, the Treasury Department has recently issued regulations regarding the
withholding and information reporting rules. In general, the new regulations do
not alter the substantive withholding and information reporting requirements but
unify current certification procedures and forms and clarify reliance standards.
However, the regulations would require in the case of debt securities held by a
foreign partnership that the certification requirement described above be
provided by the partners rather than by the foreign partnership unless the
partnership meets certain requirements and is authorized as a "withholding
foreign partnership" by the IRS. A look-through rule would apply in the case of
tiered partnerships. The regulations also generally require a non-U.S. holder to
provide a taxpayer identification number in order to claim a reduced rate of
withholding pursuant to a treaty. The regulations are generally effective for
payments made after December 31, 2000, subject to certain transition rules.
Gain from the sale or other disposition of a debt security by a non-U.S.
holder is not subject to U.S. federal income tax unless the non-U.S. holder is
an individual who is present in the United States for at least 183 days during
the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met.
Debt securities held by a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to the U.S.
federal estate tax unless the holder actually or constructively owns at least
10% of the total combined voting power of the issuer's stock.
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
A 31% backup withholding of federal income tax and certain information
reporting requirements may apply to certain payments made on the debt securities
and to the proceeds from the disposition of a debt security if the holder is not
a corporation, a financial institution or otherwise entitled to an exemption.
U.S. holders that provide a correct taxpayer identification number and non-U.S.
holders that provide the statement described above to establish an exemption
from withholding tax generally are exempt from backup withholding. Amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules can be claimed as a refund or taken
as a credit against the holder's U.S. federal income tax liability on a properly
filed annual income tax return.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
CFC may sell the debt securities being offered hereby (i) directly to
purchasers, (ii) through agents or (iii) through underwriters or dealers which
may include Lehman Brothers Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Goldman, Sachs
& Co., Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
CFC may sell debt securities directly or through agents designated by CFC
from time to time. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any
such agent will be acting on a reasonable best-efforts basis for the period of
its appointment.
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If underwriters are utilized in the sale, CFC will enter into an
underwriting agreement with those underwriters and the names of the underwriters
and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the supplement, which will
be used by the underwriters to make resales of the debt securities or warrants
in respect of which this prospectus is delivered to the public.
If a dealer is utilized in the sale of any of the debt securities, CFC will
sell those debt securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then
resell the debt securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by
the dealer at the time of resale.
The agents and underwriters may be deemed to be underwriters and any
discounts, commissions or concessions received by them from CFC or any profit on
the resale of offered debt securities or warrants by them may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the securities Act of 1933. Any
such person who may be deemed to be an underwriter and any such compensation
received from CFC will be described in the prospectus supplement.
Under agreements entered into with CFC, agents and underwriters who
participate in the distribution of offered debt securities may be entitled to
indemnification by CFC against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the securities Act of 1933, or to contribution with respect to payments
which the agents or underwriters may be required to make.
If indicated in the prospectus supplement, CFC will authorize agents and
underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase offered debt
securities from CFC at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus
supplement 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 unless CFC otherwise agrees the aggregate
principal amount of offered securities sold pursuant to contracts will be not
less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement.
Institutions with whom 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 CFC's approval. Contracts will not be subject to
any conditions except that the purchase by an institution of the offered debt
securities covered by its contract shall not at the time of delivery be
prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which such
institution is subject. A commission indicated in the prospectus supplement will
be granted to agents and underwriters soliciting purchases of offered debt
securities pursuant to contract accepted by CFC. Agents and underwriters will
have no responsibility in respect of the delivery or performance of contracts.
The place and time of delivery for the offered debt securities in respect
of which this prospectus is delivered are set forth in the supplement.
Each underwriter, dealer and agent participating in the distribution of any
offered debt securities which are issuable in bearer form will agree that it
will not offer, sell or deliver, directly or indirectly, offered debt securities
in bearer form in the United States or its possessions or to United States
persons (other than qualifying financial institutions) in connection with the
original issuance of the offered debt securities. See "Limitations on Issuance
of Bearer Debt Securities".
The offered debt securities may not be offered or sold directly or
indirectly in Great Britain other than to persons whose ordinary business it is
to buy or sell shares or debentures (except in circumstances which do not
constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Act of
1985), and this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or any other offering
material relating to the offered securities may not be distributed in or from
Great Britain other than to persons whose business involves the acquisition and
disposal, or the holding, of securities whether as principal or as agent.
All offered debt securities will be a new issue of debt securities with no
established trading market. Any underwriters to whom offered debt securities are
sold by CFC for public offering and sale may make a market in such offered debt
securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be
given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any offered debt securities.
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Certain of the underwriters or agents and their associates may engage in
transactions with and perform services for CFC in the ordinary course of
business.
In connection with the offering made hereby, the agents may purchase and
sell the debt securities in the open market. These transactions may include
over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover short
positions created by the agents in connection with the offering. Stabilizing
transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing
or retarding a decline in the market price of the debt securities, and short
positions created by the agents involve the sale by the agents of a greater
aggregate principal amount of debt securities than they are required to purchase
from CFC. The agents also may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions
allowed to broker-dealers in respect of the debt securities sold in the offering
may be reclaimed by the agents if such debt securities are repurchased by the
agents in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize,
maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the debt securities, which may
be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. These
activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions
may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for CFC
by Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New
York, and for the agents or underwriters, if any, by Cravath, Swaine & Moore,
Worldwide Plaza, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The audited financial statements included in CFC's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended May 31, 1999 incorporated by reference in this
prospectus have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in giving said reports.
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[CFC LOGO]
NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES
COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION
$3,169,257,000
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES
---------------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
October 8, 1999
---------------------------
LEHMAN BROTHERS
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
J.P. MORGAN & CO.
