<PAGE> 1
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED DECEMBER 3, 1996)
$150,000,000
ARISTAR LOGO
6 1/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE DECEMBER 1, 2000
------------------------
Interest on the Notes is payable semiannually on June 1 and December 1 of
each year, beginning June 1, 1997. The Notes may not be redeemed prior to their
maturity.
The Notes will be represented by one or more Global Securities registered
in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary").
The Notes will be issued only in denominations of $100,000 and any larger amount
that is an integral multiple of $1,000. See "Description of Notes" herein.
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
OR THE PROSPECTUS TO WHICH IT RELATES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRICE TO UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
PUBLIC(1) DISCOUNT(2) COMPANY(1)(3)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Note..................................... 99.736% .4% 99.336%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total........................................ $149,604,000 $600,000 $149,004,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from December 6, 1996.
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
See "Underwriting" herein.
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company in connection with the
issuance of the Notes, estimated to be $170,000.
------------------------
The Notes are offered by the several Underwriters, subject to prior sale,
when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of certain
legal matters by counsel for the Underwriters and to certain other conditions.
The Underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify such offer and
to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of the Notes
will be made in book-entry form only, on or about December 6, 1996, through the
facilities of the Depositary, against payment therefor in immediately available
funds.
------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
INCORPORATED
BA SECURITIES, INC.
------------------------
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is December 3, 1996.
<PAGE> 2
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES OFFERED
HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET.
SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE.
SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
------------------------
RECENT DEVELOPMENT
Great Western Bank, a Federal Savings Bank ("GWB"), has declared a dividend
of all of the outstanding stock of Blazer Financial Corporation, its
wholly-owned subsidiary ("BFC"), payable to GWB's parent corporation, Great
Western Financial Corporation ("Great Western"), as of the close of business on
December 31, 1996. Both the Company and GWB are wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Great Western. BFC is a holding company that owns all of the stock of Great
Western Thrift and Loan, a Utah industrial loan corporation, and First Community
Industrial Bank, a Colorado industrial bank. At September 30, 1996, the book
value of the stock of BFC was approximately $33.7 million and its consolidated
assets, which are predominantly consumer finance receivables, were approximately
$254.3 million. On December 31, 1996, Great Western will transfer such stock to
the Company for a purchase price equal to its book value at that time.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds available to the Company from the sale of the Notes
offered hereby (the "Notes") will be used by the Company to purchase the stock
of BFC from Great Western (as described above), to repay approximately $69.6
million of outstanding intercompany indebtedness owed by BFC and its
subsidiaries to GWB and for general corporate purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
The Notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated general obligations of the
Company maturing on December 1, 2000, and will rank on a parity with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Notes will be
issued in fully registered form only and in denominations of $100,000 and any
larger amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000. The Notes will bear
interest at the rate per annum set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus
Supplement from December 6, 1996, payable semiannually on June 1 and December 1,
commencing June 1, 1997, to the persons in whose names the Notes are registered
at the close of business on the May 15 or November 15 next preceding the
respective interest payment date. Principal of and interest on the Notes will be
payable at the office or agency of the Company for such purpose in New York City
or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check
mailed to the registered holder. The Notes may not be redeemed prior to
maturity. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used with
the meanings ascribed thereto in the accompanying Prospectus.
The terms of the Notes as established by the Company provide that the
Company may at any time (including more than one year prior to the Stated
Maturity of the Notes) be discharged from its obligations thereon by providing
for payment when due of the principal of, and interest on, the Notes and by
satisfying certain other conditions, all as described under "Description of Debt
Securities -- Satisfaction and Discharge" in the accompanying Prospectus.
The Notes constitute a single series for purposes of the Senior Indenture
and are limited to $150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount. See "Description
of Debt Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus for a description of the
rights of all the Senior Debt Securities, including the Notes, issued under the
Senior Indenture.
The Notes will be represented by one or more Global Securities that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary. To facilitate subsequent
transfers, the Notes will be registered in the name of the
S-2
<PAGE> 3
Depositary's partnership nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of the Notes with the
Depositary and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. will effect no
change in beneficial ownership. See "Description of Debt Securities -- Global
Securities -- Book-Entry Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus.
Settlement of Notes deposited with the Depositary will be made in the
Depositary's Same-Day Funds Settlement System. The Notes will trade in such
system until maturity, and secondary market trading activity for the Notes will
therefore settle in immediately available funds. All payments of principal and
interest will be made in immediately available funds. No assurance can be given
as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on
trading activity in the Notes.
The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws
of the State of New York, 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 Depositary was created to hold
securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement
of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. The
Depositary's participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the
Underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own the Depositary.
Access to the Depositary's book-entry system is also available to others, such
as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.
The Depositary may discontinue providing its services as securities
depositary with respect to the Notes at any time by giving reasonable notice to
the Company or the Senior Trustee, or the Company may decide to discontinue use
of the system of book-entry transfers through the Depositary. Under such
circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depositary is not
obtained, certificates will be printed and delivered.
The information in this section concerning the Depositary and the
Depositary's book-entry system has been obtained from sources (including the
Depositary) that the Company believes to be reliable, but the Company takes no
responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
NONE OF THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE, ANY PAYING AGENT OR THE SECURITY
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
INTERESTS IN ANY GLOBAL SECURITY OR FOR MAINTAINING, SUPERVISING OR REVIEWING
ANY RECORDS RELATING TO SUCH BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS.
S-3
<PAGE> 4
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following table summarizes selected financial data for the Company. The
information for each of the three fiscal years during the period ended December
31, 1995 and for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 1995 and 1996 has
been derived from and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the financial
statements and other information incorporated by reference in the accompanying
Prospectus as described under "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference"
therein. The information with respect to the nine-month periods ended September
30, 1995 and 1996 is unaudited, but in the opinion of management includes all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
fair presentation of such information. Results for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be
expected for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.
On April 30, 1996, GWB transferred to the Company a portion of its consumer
finance business, hereinafter referred to as Great Western Financial Services
("GWFS"). The acquisition has been accounted for in a manner similar to a
pooling of interests. Accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
have been recorded at historical cost and prior period financial statements of
the Company have been restated for the acquisition. Eliminations have been made
for material intercompany transactions between the combined entities. GWFS was
comprised primarily of approximately $242 million in net consumer finance
receivables. The Company paid fair value (as determined by independent
appraisal) of approximately $252 million in cash, raised through the issuance of
commercial paper. The Company accounted for the approximate $10 million premium
as a dividend to Great Western. Additionally, at the purchase date, the Company
recorded a transfer to GWB of approximately $15 million, representing the
accumulated earnings of GWFS at that date.
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------------------- --------------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Loan interest and fee income............................... $313,245 $321,748 $339,380 $251,546 $258,328
Investment securities income............................... 5,854 6,018 7,744 5,637 5,705
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total interest income.................................... 319,099 327,766 347,124 257,183 264,033
Interest and debt expense.................................. 90,352 93,831 104,050 78,220 78,586
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income before provision for credit losses..... 228,747 233,935 243,074 178,963 185,447
Provision for credit losses................................ 37,408 41,532 48,306 31,238 43,142
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net interest income...................................... 191,339 192,403 194,768 147,725 142,305
Other operating income
Net insurance operations and other income................ 25,823 28,684 29,234 21,090 18,804
Other expenses
Personnel expenses....................................... 67,992 66,199 65,217 50,171 52,857
Other operating expenses................................. 64,305 61,082 59,677 45,209 37,783(1)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
132,297 127,281 124,894 95,380 90,640
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes................................. 84,865 93,806 99,108 73,435 70,469
Provision for federal and state income taxes(2)............ 30,705 34,304 39,126 29,110 27,806
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income................................................. $ 54,160 $ 59,502 $ 59,982 $ 44,325 $ 42,663
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) In May 1996, the Company filed a fidelity bond claim in the amount of $7.4
million for the recovery of fraudulently over-billed marketing costs which
had occurred over a number of years. The insurer has acknowledged coverage
of the claim subject to its final verification of the loss. The Company is
continuing to investigate the matter and may file additional claims with the
insurer for amounts not reflected herein. The $7.4 million recovery has been
reflected as a reduction of other operating expenses.
(2) The Company is included in the consolidated Federal income tax return filed
by Great Western. Currently payable Federal income taxes will be paid to
Great Western. Federal income taxes are allocated between Great Western and
its subsidiaries in proportion to the respective contribution to
consolidated income or loss. Allocations for state income taxes approximate
the amount the Company would have paid on a separate entity basis. Deferred
income taxes are provided on elements of income or expense that are
recognized in different periods for financial and tax reporting purposes.
S-4
<PAGE> 5
BALANCE SHEET DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
1994 1995 1996
------------ ------------ -------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Finance receivables, net................................ $1,752,779 $1,888,788 $ 1,832,268
Investment securities................................... 106,600 120,952 110,529
Cash and cash equivalents............................... 9,728 7,208 19,308
Other assets............................................ 115,772 96,813 108,752
---------- ---------- ----------
Total assets................................... $1,984,879 $2,113,761 $ 2,070,857
========== ========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Liabilities
Short-term debt....................................... $ 179,085 $ 312,876 $ 403,057
Long-term debt........................................ 1,092,545 1,003,809 1,198,849
---------- ---------- ----------
Total debt..................................... 1,271,630 1,316,685 1,601,906
Accounts payable and other liabilities................ 45,748 42,315 37,643
Due to affiliate...................................... 203,215 237,576 --
Federal and state income taxes........................ 421 8,883 6,980
Insurance claims and benefits reserves................ 7,792 7,900 7,580
Unearned insurance premiums and commissions........... 53,890 56,604 56,676
---------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities.............................. 1,582,696 1,669,963 1,710,785
Total stockholder's equity.............................. 402,183 443,798 360,072
---------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity..... $1,984,879 $2,113,761 $ 2,070,857
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
S-5
<PAGE> 6
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement
(the "Underwriting Agreement") among the Company and Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and BA
Securities, Inc. (the "Underwriters"), the Company has agreed to sell to the
Underwriters, and the Underwriters have severally agreed to purchase, the
respective principal amounts of the Notes set forth opposite their names below.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters are
subject to certain conditions precedent and that the Underwriters will be
obligated to purchase all of the Notes if any are purchased.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
UNDERWRITER AMOUNT
------------
<S> <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated...................................... $ 50,000,000
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.............................. 50,000,000
BA Securities, Inc............................................. 50,000,000
------------
Total............................................. $150,000,000
===========
</TABLE>
The Underwriters have advised the Company that they propose to offer the
Notes in part directly to the public at the initial public offering price set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, and in part to certain
dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of .25% of the principal
amount of the Notes. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a
discount not in excess of .125% of the principal amount of the Notes to certain
other dealers. After the initial public offering, the offering price and other
selling terms may from time to time be changed by the Underwriters.
The Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market.
The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that they intend to make a
market in the Notes, but they are not 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 the Notes.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company will indemnify the
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or contribute to payments the
Underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
Each of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated has provided, and each of the Underwriters may in the
future provide, other investment banking and other services to the Company. An
affiliate of BA Securities, Inc. is a lender under the Company's revolving
credit agreement and provides customary banking services to the Company.
S-6
<PAGE> 7
PROSPECTUS
$200,000,000
ARISTAR LOGO
DEBT SECURITIES
------------------------
Aristar, Inc. (the "Company") may offer from time to time up to
$200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its debt securities (the "Debt
Securities"). The Debt Securities may be senior Debt Securities (the
"Senior Debt Securities") or senior subordinated Debt Securities (the
"Subordinated Debt Securities"). The Debt Securities will be offered in one or
more separate series in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the
time of offering. See "Plan of Distribution."
The Debt Securities may be issued in registered form without coupons or in
bearer form with or without coupons. In addition, all or a portion of the Debt
Securities may be issued in temporary or definitive global form. Debt Securities
which are Book-Entry Securities (as defined herein) will be issued in global
registered form. Debt Securities in bearer form are subject to United States tax
law requirements, and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered, sold
or delivered within the United States or to United States persons (each as
defined herein).
The specific designation, aggregate principal amount, authorized
denominations, maturity, rate (or method of determining the same) and time of
payment of interest, if any, any redemption or repurchase terms, any listing on
a securities exchange, the initial public offering price, the names of, and the
principal amounts to be purchased by or through, underwriters, dealers or
agents, if any, the compensation of such persons and other special terms in
connection with the offering and sale of the series of Debt Securities in
respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered (the "Offered Securities")
are set forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement (the "Prospectus
Supplement").
The Senior Debt Securities, when issued, will rank on a parity with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Subordinated
Debt Securities, when issued, will be unsecured and subordinated to all present
and future Senior Debt (as defined herein) of the Company, will rank on a parity
with all other Senior Subordinated Debt (as defined herein) of the Company, and
will be senior to the Company's Junior Subordinated Debt, Capital Debt (each as
defined herein) and the Company's common stock.
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
December 3, 1996
<PAGE> 8
NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING
OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN, OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN, THIS PROSPECTUS
OR THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY
OR ANY AGENT, UNDERWRITER OR DEALER. THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY OF THE DEBT SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. THE DELIVERY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AT ANY TIME DOES NOT IMPLY THAT
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT
TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DATES.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and, in accordance therewith,
files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). Such reports and other information can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Regional Offices of the
Commission at 500 West Madison Street, 14th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and
7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such
material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. The
Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants, like the Company, that
file electronically with the Commission at the following address:
http://www.sec.gov. Certain debt securities of the Company are listed on the New
York Stock Exchange, and reports and other information concerning the Company
can be inspected at the offices of such exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York,
New York 10005. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and the exhibits thereto which
the Company has filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and to which reference is hereby made for further information.
Each of the Indentures (as defined herein) pursuant to which the Debt
Securities are being issued requires the Company to file reports under the 1934
Act. Quarterly and annual reports will be made available upon request of holders
of the Debt Securities, which annual reports will contain financial information
that has been examined and reported upon by, with an opinion expressed by, an
independent public or certified public accountant.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents, which have heretofore been filed by the Company
with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act (File No. 1-3521), are incorporated
by reference in this Prospectus and shall be deemed to be a part hereof:
(1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995;
(2) The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters
ended March 31, 1996, as amended by the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q/A filed on June 11, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September
30, 1996; and
(3) The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated June 12, 1996, July
31, 1996, August 8, 1996 and December 3, 1996.
All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering made by this Prospectus
and the accompanying Prospectus Supplement shall be deemed to be incorporated
herein by reference and shall be deemed to be a part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents (such documents, and the documents enumerated above,
being herein referred to as "Incorporated Documents"; provided, however, that
the documents enumerated above and documents subsequently filed by the Company
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act prior to the
filing with the Commission of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 shall not be Incorporated Documents or be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or be a part hereof from and after
the filing of such Annual Report on Form 10-K).
Any statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed Incorporated
2
<PAGE> 9
Document or in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person,
including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been
delivered, on the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all
of the documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated in
this Prospectus by reference, other than exhibits to such documents. Requests
for such copies should be directed to Aristar, Inc., Office of the Chief
Financial Officer, 8900 Grand Oak Circle, Tampa, Florida 33637-1050, telephone
number: (813) 632-4500.
THE COMPANY
The Company, incorporated in Delaware in 1986 as a successor to a company
incorporated in 1927, is a holding company whose subsidiaries are engaged in the
consumer finance business. All of the Company's equity securities are owned
indirectly by Great Western Financial Corporation ("Great Western"). Great
Western is the parent of a group of companies engaged primarily in mortgage
lending, retail banking and consumer finance.
The operations of the Company consist principally of a network of
approximately 500 consumer finance offices located in 23 states which generally
operate under the names Blazer Financial Services and City Finance Company.
The Company makes direct consumer installment loans and purchases retail
installment contracts from local retail establishments. These consumer credit
transactions are primarily for personal, family or household purposes.
Installment loans written in 1995 had original terms ranging from 12 to 180
months and averaged 53 months. For the year ended December 31, 1995, 82% of the
volume of all installment loans was either unsecured or secured by guarantors,
luxury consumer goods, automobiles or other personal property, with the
remaining 18% being secured by real estate. Retail installment contracts are
generally acquired without recourse to the originating merchant. These contracts
are typically written with original terms from 3 to 60 months and for 1995 had
an average original term of 25 months. The Company calculates delinquencies on
its consumer finance portfolio as the percentage of the gross amount of accounts
which are 60 days or more past due based on the accounts' original contractual
terms. At December 31, 1995, such contractual delinquencies amounted to 1.8% of
gross receivables outstanding.
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 8900 Grand
Oak Circle, Tampa, Florida 33637-1050. Its telephone number is (813) 632-4500.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as may be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds
available to the Company from the sale of the Debt Securities will be used to
reduce borrowings of the Company (including outstanding commercial paper) and
for general corporate purposes.
The precise amount and timing of sales of the Debt Securities will be
dependent on market conditions and the availability and cost of other funds to
the Company. The Company expects that additional long-term and short-term
financing will be required from time to time. Such financing may be effected
through such means as the Company deems appropriate at the time. The amount and
timing of further financing cannot now be determined.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for
the Company for each of the periods indicated. Earnings consist of income from
continuing operations before income taxes and, in 1992, before the cumulative
effect of a change in accounting principle, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges
consist of interest and debt expense and an appropriate portion of rentals.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1.75 1.85 1.91 1.97 1.92 1.91 1.88
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE> 10
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Senior Debt Securities may be issued from time to time under an Indenture
dated as of July 1, 1995 (the "Senior Indenture") between the Company and The
Bank of New York, as Trustee (the "Senior Trustee"). Subordinated Debt
Securities may be issued from time to time under an Indenture dated as of July
1, 1995 (the "Subordinated Indenture") between the Company and The Bank of New
York, as Trustee (the "Subordinated Trustee"). The Senior Indenture and the
Subordinated Indenture are sometimes referred to collectively as the
"Indentures" and individually as an "Indenture". The Senior Trustee and the
Subordinated Trustee are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Trustees"
and individually as a "Trustee". The forms of the Indentures are filed as
exhibits to the Registration Statement. Each of the Indentures incorporates the
Company's Standard Multiple-Series Indenture Provisions (the "Standard
Provisions") which are also filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
The following are brief summaries of certain provisions of each Indenture and
are subject to the detailed provisions of such Indenture, to which reference is
hereby made for a complete statement of such provisions. Capitalized terms used
herein and not otherwise defined are used with the meanings ascribed thereto in
the Standard Provisions.
GENERAL
Each Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt
Securities which may be issued thereunder and provides that Debt Securities may
be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Debt Securities will be
unsecured general obligations of the Company.
Neither Great Western, the Company's ultimate parent, nor any of Great
Western's other subsidiaries have (i) any obligation, direct or otherwise, with
respect to the Debt Securities, (ii) any obligation to maintain the net worth of
the Company or (iii) any agreement with respect to the continuation of the
present ownership of the Company.
The Debt Securities may be issued in fully registered form without coupons
("Registered Securities") or in bearer form with or without coupons ("Bearer
Securities") or in the form of one or more global securities (each a "Global
Security"). Registered Securities which are book-entry securities ("Book-Entry
Securities") will be issued as registered Global Securities. Bearer Securities
may be issued in the form of temporary or definitive Global Securities. Unless
otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will be
only Registered Securities. The Debt Securities will be issued, unless otherwise
provided in the Prospectus Supplement, in denominations of $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof for Registered Securities, and in denominations of $5,000 or an
integral multiple thereof for Bearer Securities.
The Prospectus Supplement describes the following terms of the Offered
Securities: (1) the title of the Offered Securities; (2) whether the Offered
Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities; (3) the
percentage of principal amount at which the Offered Securities will be issued;
(4) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Offered Securities; (5)
the date or dates on which the Offered Securities will mature and the amount or
amounts of any installment of principal payable on such dates; (6) the rate or
rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum at which the Offered Securities
will bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates and
the date or dates from which such interest, if any, will accrue; (7) the date or
dates on which interest, if any, on the Offered Securities will be payable and
the regular record dates for such payment dates; (8) the terms for redemption,
repurchase or early payment, if any, including any mandatory or optional sinking
fund or analogous provisions; (9) the principal amount of Offered Securities
which bear no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is
below market rates that is payable upon declaration of acceleration of the
maturity of the Offered Securities; (10) whether the Offered Securities will be
issued in registered form without coupons, in bearer form with or without
coupons, including temporary and definitive global form, or a combination
thereof and the circumstances, if any, upon which such Offered Securities may be
exchanged for Offered Securities issued in a different form; (11) whether the
Offered Securities are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or
more Global Securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary for such
Global Security or Securities; (12) whether and under what circumstances the
Company will pay additional amounts to any Holder of Offered Securities who is
not a United States person (as defined under "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer
Securities") in respect of
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any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be withheld or
deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem rather
than pay any additional amounts; (13) any additional covenants for the benefit
of the holders of the Offered Securities; and (14) certain other terms,
including the ability of the Company to satisfy and discharge its obligations
under the Indenture with respect to the Offered Securities.
No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the Debt
Securities but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Debt Securities of a single series may be issued at various times with
different maturity dates and different principal repayment provisions, may bear
interest at different rates, may be issued at or above par or with an original
issue discount, and may otherwise vary, all as provided in the Indentures.
Federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable
to any Debt Securities issued with original issue discount or above par will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
STATUS OF SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
The Senior Debt Securities will be unsecured and unsubordinated general
obligations of the Company and will rank on a parity with all other unsecured
and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on
the Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinate and junior in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt (as defined herein). At
October 31, 1996, Senior Debt aggregated approximately $1,385,000,000. The
Subordinated Indenture does not limit or restrict the Company's ability to incur
additional Senior Debt, but certain other debt instruments of the Company
contain such limitations.
In the event of any sale pursuant to any judgment or decree in any
proceeding by or on behalf of any Holder, or of any distribution, division or
application of all or any part of the assets of the Company to its creditors by
reason of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or any
receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy or similar proceeding relative to the
Company or its debts or properties, then the holders of Senior Debt shall be
preferred in the payment of their claims over the holders of the Subordinated
Debt Securities, and such Senior Debt shall be satisfied in full before any
payment or other distribution (other than securities which are subordinate and
junior in right of payment to the payment of all Senior Debt then outstanding)
shall be made upon the Subordinated Debt Securities. In the event that any
Subordinated Debt Security is declared or becomes due and payable before its
maturity because of an occurrence of an event of default (under circumstances
not described in the preceding sentence), no amount shall be paid in respect of
the Subordinated Debt Securities in excess of current interest payments, except
sinking fund payments or at maturity, unless all Senior Debt then outstanding
shall have been paid in full or payments satisfactory to the holders thereof
provided therefor. During the continuance of any default on Senior Debt, no
payments of principal, sinking fund, interest or premium shall be made with
respect to any Subordinated Debt Security if either (i) notice of default has
been given to the Company, provided judicial proceedings are commenced in
respect thereof within 120 days, or (ii) judicial proceedings shall be pending
in respect of such default. In the event that any Subordinated Debt Security is
declared or becomes due and payable before maturity, each holder of Senior Debt
shall be entitled to notice of same and shall be entitled to declare payable on
demand any Senior Debt outstanding to such holder.
"Debt" is defined in the Subordinated Indenture to include all indebtedness
of the Company or any Consolidated Subsidiary representing money borrowed,
except indebtedness owed to the Company by any Consolidated Subsidiary or owed
to any Consolidated Subsidiary by the Company or any other Consolidated
Subsidiary, and includes indebtedness of any other person for money borrowed
when such indebtedness is guaranteed by the Company or any Consolidated
Subsidiary. "Senior Debt" is defined to mean all Debt other
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than Subordinated Debt. "Senior Subordinated Debt" is defined to mean the
Company's 8.875% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 1998, the Company's 7 1/2% Senior
Subordinated Notes Due 1999 and any other Subordinated Debt which is not
subordinate and junior in right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities.
"Junior Subordinated Debt" is defined to mean any Subordinated Debt of the
Company which is not Senior Subordinated Debt or Capital Debt. "Capital Debt" is
defined to mean any Subordinated Debt which provides by its terms that such
indebtedness is subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt,
Senior Subordinated Debt and Junior Subordinated Debt. "Subordinated Debt" is
defined to mean all Debt (including Senior Subordinated Debt, Junior
Subordinated Debt and Capital Debt) which is subordinate and junior in right of
payment to any other Debt.
Subordinated Debt Securities will rank on a parity with all other Senior
Subordinated Debt. Subordinated Debt Securities are senior to the Company's
Junior Subordinated Debt, Capital Debt and the Company's common stock and will
be senior to any other class of capital stock which may be authorized.
EXCHANGE, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
Registered Securities (other than Book-Entry Securities) of any series will
be exchangeable for other Registered 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
Securities and Bearer Securities, at the option of the Holder and subject to the
terms of the Indenture, Bearer Securities (with all unmatured coupons, except as
provided below, and all matured coupons in default) of such series will be
exchangeable into Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized
denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. Bearer
Securities with coupons appertaining thereto surrendered in exchange for
Registered Securities between a Regular Record Date or a Special Record Date and
the relevant date for payment of interest shall be surrendered without the
coupon relating to such date for payment of interest and interest due on such
date will not be payable in respect of the Registered Security issued in
exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of
such coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture.
Bearer Securities will not be issued in exchange for Registered Securities.
Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided above, and
Registered Securities (other than Book-Entry Securities) may be presented for
registration of transfer (with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly
executed), at the office of the Security Registrar or at the office of any
transfer agent designated by the Company for such purpose with respect to any
series of Debt Securities and referred to in the Prospectus Supplement, without
service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as
described in the applicable Indenture. Such transfer or exchange will be
effected upon the Security Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be,
being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making
the request. The Company has appointed the Trustee under each Indenture as
Security Registrar. If a Prospectus Supplement refers to any transfer agents (in
addition to the Security Registrar) initially designated by the Company with
respect to any series of Debt Securities, the Company may at any time rescind
the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location
through which any such transfer agent acts, except that, if Debt Securities of a
series are issuable solely as Registered Securities, the Company will be
required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such series
and, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the
Company will be required to maintain (in addition to the Security Registrar) a
transfer agent in a Place of Payment for such series located in Europe. The
Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any
series of Debt Securities.
In the event of any redemption in part, the Company shall not be required
to: (i) 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 (a) if Debt Securities of the series are issuable only as
Registered Securities, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption
and (b) if Debt Securities of the series are issuable only as Bearer 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 Securities and
there is no publication, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of
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redemption; (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security,
or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any
Registered Security being redeemed in part; or (iii) exchange any Bearer
Security called for redemption, except to exchange such Bearer Security for a
Registered Security of that series and like tenor which is simultaneously
surrendered for redemption.
For a discussion of restrictions on the exchange, registration and transfer
of Global Securities, see "Global Securities".
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement, payment of
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Bearer Securities
will be payable in U.S. dollars, subject to any applicable laws and regulations,
at the offices of such Paying Agents outside the United States as the Company
may designate from time to time, and payment of interest on Bearer Securities
with coupons appertaining thereto on any Interest Payment Date will be made only
against surrender of the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date. No
payment of interest on a Bearer Security will be made unless, on the earlier of
the date of the first such payment by the Company or the delivery by the Company
of the Bearer Security in definitive form, a written certificate in the form
required by the Indenture is provided to the Trustee stating that on such date
the Bearer Security is owned by (i) a person that is not a United States person,
(ii) a United States person that (a) is a foreign branch of a United States
financial institution purchasing for its own account or for resale or (b)
acquired and holds the Bearer Security through the foreign branch of a United
States financial institution (and, in the case of either (a) or (b), such
financial institution agrees to comply with the requirements of Section
165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), and the regulations thereunder) or (iii) a financial institution
purchasing for resale during the restricted period (as defined under "Global
Securities -- Temporary and Definitive Global Securities") and, in any case, if
any such owner is a financial institution, such financial institution has not
acquired the Bearer Security for purposes of resale to United States persons or
to persons within the United States (as defined under "Limitations on Issuance
of Bearer Securities"). Presentation of coupons for payment or other demands for
payment of Bearer Securities must be made outside the United States, and no
payment with respect to any Bearer Security will be made at any office or agency
of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the
United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the
United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments of principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Bearer Securities will be made at the
office of the Company's Paying Agent in The City of New York, if (but only if)
(i) despite the appointment of Paying Agents outside the United States, payment
of the full amount thereof at the offices of all such Paying Agents is illegal
or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions,
(ii) such payment is then permitted by applicable laws and (iii) in appointing a
Paying Agent in The City of New York, the Company would not suffer any fiscal or
other sanction under applicable laws as a result of such appointment or of any
payment being made through such Paying Agent.
Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement, payment of
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Registered
Securities will be made in U.S. dollars at the office of such Paying Agent or
Paying Agents as the Company may designate from time to time, except that at the
option of the Company payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Security Register. Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement,
payment of any installment of interest on Registered Securities will be made to
the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement, the Corporate Trust
Office of each Trustee in The City of New York will be designated as the
Company's sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Offered Securities that
are issuable solely as Registered Securities and as the Company's Paying Agent
in The City of New York for payments with respect to Offered Securities (subject
to the limitations described above in the case of Bearer Securities) that are
issuable solely as Bearer Securities or as both Registered Securities and Bearer
Securities. Any Paying Agents outside the United States and any other Paying
Agents in the United States initially designated by the Company for the Offered
Securities will be named in the Prospectus Supplement. The Company 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,
except that, if Debt
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Securities of a series are issuable solely as Registered Securities, the Company
will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for such
series and, if Debt Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities,
the Company will be required to maintain (i) a Paying Agent in The City of New
York for payments with respect to any Registered Securities of the series (and
for payments with respect to Bearer Securities of the series in the
circumstances described above, but not otherwise), and (ii) a Paying Agent in a
Place of Payment located outside the United States where Debt Securities of such
series and any coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for
payment; provided that if the Debt Securities of such series are listed on The
International Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland
Limited or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located
outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company
will maintain a Paying Agent in London or Luxembourg or any other required city
located outside the United States, as the case may be, for the Debt Securities
of such series.
All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Debt Security or
coupon that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal,
premium or interest shall have become due and payable will be repaid to the
Company and the Holder of such Debt Security or coupon will thereafter look only
to the Company for payment thereof.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part as one or
more Global Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a
depositary located in the United States (a "U.S. Depositary") or a common
depositary located outside the United States (a "Common Depositary") identified
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. Global Securities may be
issued in either registered or bearer form, and in either temporary or
definitive form.
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any Debt
Securities of a series will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating
to such series. The Company anticipates that the following provisions will apply
to all depositary arrangements with a U.S. Depositary or Common Depositary.
Book-Entry Securities
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities
which are to be represented by a Global Security to be deposited with or on
behalf of a U.S. Depositary will be represented by a Global Security registered
in the name of such depositary or its nominee. Upon the issuance of a Global
Security in registered form, the U.S. Depositary for such Global Security will
credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective
principal amounts of the Debt Securities represented by such Global Security to
the accounts of institutions that have accounts with such depositary or its
nominee ("participants"). The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the
underwriters or agents of such Debt Securities or by the Company, if such Debt
Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial
interests in such Global Securities will be limited to participants or persons
that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests
in such Global Securities will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership
will be effected only through, records maintained by the U.S. Depositary or its
nominee for such Global Security or by participants or persons that hold through
participants. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such
limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in
a Global Security.
So long as the U.S. Depositary for a Global Security in registered form, or
its nominee, is the registered owner of such Global Security, such depositary or
such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of
the Debt Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under
the Indenture governing such Debt Securities. Except as set forth below, owners
of beneficial interests in such Global Securities will not be entitled to have
Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global Security registered in
their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
Debt Securities of such series in definitive form and will not be considered the
owners or holders thereof under the Indenture including, without limitation, for
purposes of consenting to any amendment thereof or supplement thereto.
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Payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Debt
Securities registered in the name of or held by a U.S. Depositary or its nominee
will be made to the U.S. Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner or the holder of the Global Security representing such Debt
Securities. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security
Registrar for such Debt Securities will have any responsibility or liability for
any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in a Global Security for such Debt Securities or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests.
The Company expects that the U.S. Depositary for Debt Securities of a
series, upon receipt of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or
interest on permanent Global Securities, will credit participants' accounts on
the date such payment is payable in accordance with their respective beneficial
interests in the principal amount of such Global Securities as shown on the
records of such Depositary. The Company also expects that payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security held
through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is now 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 participants.
Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for Debt Securities in definitive
form, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the U.S.
Depositary for such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by a
nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such
Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such
Depositary or a nominee of such successor. If a U.S. Depositary for Debt
Securities in registered form is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as
depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within
ninety days, the Company will issue Debt Securities in definitive registered
form in exchange for the Global Security or Securities representing such Debt
Securities. In addition, the Company may at any time and in its sole discretion
determine not to have any Debt Securities in registered form represented by one
or more Global Securities and, in such event, will issue Debt Securities in
definitive registered form in exchange for the Global Security or Securities
representing such Debt Securities. In any such instance, an owner of a
beneficial interest in a Global Security will be entitled to physical delivery
in definitive form of Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global
Security equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such
Debt Securities registered in the name of the owner of such beneficial interest.
Temporary and Definitive Global Securities
If so specified in the Prospectus Supplement, all or any portion of the
Debt Securities of a series that are issuable as Bearer Securities initially
will be represented by one or more temporary Global Securities, without interest
coupons, to be deposited with a Common Depositary in London for Morgan Guaranty
Trust Company of New York, Brussels Office, as operator of the Euro-clear System
("Euro-clear") and CEDEL S.A. ("CEDEL") for credit to the respective accounts of
the beneficial owners of such Debt Securities (or to such other accounts as they
may direct). On and after the exchange date determined as provided in any such
temporary Global Security and described in the Prospectus Supplement, each such
temporary Global Security will be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities in
bearer form, registered form, definitive global bearer form or any combination
thereof, as specified in the Prospectus Supplement, upon written certification
(as described under "Payment and Paying Agents") of non-United States beneficial
ownership. No Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary
Global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the
United States.
Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement, interest in respect
of any portion of a temporary Global Security payable in respect of an Interest
Payment Date occurring prior to the issuance of definitive Debt Securities will
be paid to each of Euro-clear and CEDEL with respect to the portion of the
temporary Global Security held for its account upon delivery to the Trustee of a
certificate of non-United States beneficial ownership signed by Euro-clear or
CEDEL, as the case may be, in the form required by the applicable Indenture
dated no earlier than such Interest Payment Date.
If any Debt Securities of a series are issuable in definitive global bearer
form, the Prospectus Supplement will describe the circumstances, if any, under
which beneficial owners of interests in any such definitive Global
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Security may exchange such interests for Debt Securities of such series and of
like tenor and principal amount in any authorized form and denomination. No
Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a portion of a definitive Global
Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United
States in connection with such exchange. A Person having a beneficial interest
in a definitive Global Security, except with respect to payment of principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such definitive Global Security,
will be treated as a Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Debt
Securities represented by such definitive Global Security as shall be specified
in a written statement of the Holder of such definitive Global Security or, in
the case of a definitive Global Security in bearer form, of Euro-clear or CEDEL
which is produced to the Trustee by such Person. Principal of (and premium, if
any) and interest, if any, on a definitive Global Security will be payable in
the manner described in the Prospectus Supplement.
In connection with the sale of a Bearer Security during the "restricted
period," as defined in Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7) of the United States
Treasury regulations (generally, the first 40 days after the closing date and,
with respect to unsold allotments, until sold), no Bearer Security (including a
definitive Bearer Security in global form) shall be mailed or otherwise
delivered to any location in the United States and a Bearer Security sold during
the restricted period may be delivered only if the person entitled to receive
such Bearer Security (including a definitive Bearer Security in global form)
furnishes written certification (as described under "Payment and Paying Agents")
of non-United States beneficial ownership. See "Limitations on Issuance of
Bearer Securities".
LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER SECURITIES
Generally, in compliance with United States federal tax laws and
regulations, Bearer Securities may not be offered or sold during the restricted
period (as defined under "Global Securities -- Temporary and Definitive Global
Securities") or delivered in connection with their sale during the restricted
period in the United States or to United States persons (each as defined below)
other than foreign branches of United States financial institutions that agree
in writing to comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C)
of the Code or that purchase for resale during the restricted period only to
non-United States persons outside the United States. Any underwriters, agents
and dealers participating in the offering of Debt Securities must agree that
they will not offer or sell any Bearer Securities in the United States or to
United States persons (other than the financial institutions described above) or
deliver Bearer Securities within the United States.
Bearer Securities and their interest coupons will bear a legend
substantially to the following effect: "Any United States person who holds this
obligation will be subject to limitations under the United States income tax
laws, including the limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code". The Code Sections referred to in the legend provide
that, with certain exceptions, a United States person holding a Bearer Security
or coupon will not be permitted to deduct any loss, and will not be eligible for
capital gain treatment with respect to any gain, realized on a sale, exchange or
redemption of such Bearer Security or coupon.
As used in this Prospectus, "United States person" means a citizen or
resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, or an estate or
trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation
regardless of its source and the term "United States" means the United States of
America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories,
its possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and other areas subject to its
jurisdiction.
ABSENCE OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
The Company is not restricted by either of the Indentures from paying
dividends or from incurring, assuming or becoming liable for any type of debt or
other obligations or from creating liens on its property for any purpose.
Neither of the Indentures requires the maintenance of any financial ratios or
specified levels of net worth or liquidity. Neither of the Indentures contains
provisions which afford holders of the Debt Securities protection in the event
of a highly leveraged transaction involving the Company.
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MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION
Each Indenture provides that the Company, without the consent of the
Holders of any of the Outstanding Debt Securities, may consolidate with or merge
into any other corporation or transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any Person or may permit any corporation to
merge into the Company, provided that: (i) the successor is a corporation
organized under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction; (ii) the successor, if
other than the Company, assumes the Company's obligations under such Indenture
and the Debt Securities issued thereunder; (iii) immediately after giving effect
to such transaction, no Event of Default and no event which, after notice or
lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and
be continuing; and (iv) certain other conditions are met.
Each Indenture provides that, upon any consolidation or merger or transfer
or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an
entirety in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the successor corporation
formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which
such transfer or lease is made shall be substituted for the Company with the
same effect as if such successor corporation had been named as the Company.
Thereafter, the Company shall be relieved of the performance and observance of
all obligations and covenants of such Indenture and the Senior Debt Securities
or Subordinated Debt Securities, as the case may be, including but not limited
to the obligation to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any, on all the Debt Securities then outstanding, and the Company
may thereupon or any time thereafter be liquidated and dissolved.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Unless the Prospectus Supplement provides otherwise, the Company will be
discharged from its obligations under the Outstanding Debt Securities of a
series upon satisfaction of the following conditions: (a) the Company has
irrevocably deposited with the Trustee either (i) money in an amount as will, or
(ii) U.S. Government Obligations as will, together with the predetermined and
certain income to accrue thereon without consideration of any reinvestment
thereof, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii) as will (in a written opinion
with respect to (ii) or (iii) of independent public accountants delivered to the
Trustee), be sufficient to pay and discharge the entire principal of (and
premium, if any), and interest, if any, to Stated Maturity or any redemption
date on, the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series; (b) the Company has
paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable with respect to the Outstanding
Debt Securities of such series; (c) the Trustee has received an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent
have been complied with; and (d) the Trustee has received an opinion of tax
counsel to the effect that such deposit and discharge will not cause the Holders
of the Debt Securities of such series to recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes and that the Holders will be subject to federal
income tax in the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such deposit and discharge had not occurred. Upon
such discharge, the Company will be deemed to have satisfied all the obligations
under the Indenture, except for obligations with respect to registration of
transfer and exchange of the Debt Securities of such series, and the rights of
the Holders to receive from deposited funds payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities of such series.
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
Each Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee thereunder may,
without the consent of any Holders of Debt Securities, enter into supplemental
indentures for the purposes, among other things, of adding to the Company's
covenants, adding any additional Events of Default, establishing the form or
terms of Debt Securities or curing ambiguities or inconsistencies in such
Indenture or making other provisions; provided such action shall not adversely
affect the interests of the Holders of any series of Debt Securities in any
material respect.
Each Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company, with the consent
of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of all affected series (acting as one class), to
execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing or
eliminating any of the provisions of such Indenture or modifying the rights of
the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series,
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except that no such supplemental indenture may, without the consent of the
Holders of all the Outstanding Debt Securities affected thereby, among other
things: (i) change the maturity of the principal of, or any installment of
principal of or interest on, any of the Debt Securities; (ii) reduce the
principal amount thereof (or any premium thereon) or the rate of interest, if
any, thereon; (iii) reduce the amount of the principal of Original Issue
Discount Securities payable on any acceleration of maturity; (iv) change any
obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for
the purposes required by such Indenture; (v) impair the right to institute suit
for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the applicable maturity
date; (vi) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series, the consent of the Holders of which is required for
any such supplemental indenture or for any waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of, or of certain defaults under, such Indenture; or (vii) with
certain exceptions, to modify the provisions for the waiver of certain defaults
and any of the foregoing provisions.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
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 each Indenture to be: (i) a
default for 30 days in the payment when due of any interest on such series of
Debt Securities; (ii) a default in the payment of principal of (and premium, if
any, on) such series of Debt Securities, whether payable at maturity, by call
for redemption, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise; (iii) a default for
90 days after a notice of default with respect to the performance of any other
covenant in such Indenture (other than a covenant included in such Indenture
solely for the benefit of a series of Debt Securities other than that series);
(iv) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; (v) an event of
default under any mortgage, indenture (including such Indenture) or other
instrument under which any Debt shall be outstanding which default shall have
resulted in the acceleration of such Debt in excess of $25,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount (except that such amount shall be $20,000,000 in respect of a
default on Debt Securities of another series) and such acceleration shall not
have been rescinded or such Debt discharged within a period of 30 days after
notice; and (vi) any other event of default provided for such series of Debt
Securities.
Each Indenture provides that if an Event of Default specified therein in
respect of any series of Outstanding Debt Securities issued under such Indenture
shall have happened and be continuing, either the Trustee thereunder or the
Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of such series may declare the principal (or, if such Debt Securities
are Original Issue Discount 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 such series to be immediately due and payable.
Each Indenture provides that the Holders of not less than 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 thereunder, or exercising any trust or power conferred on such
Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; provided that (i)
such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the
Indenture, (ii) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper that is not
inconsistent with such direction and (iii) the Trustee shall not determine that
the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Debt
Securities of such series not taking part in such direction.
Each Indenture provides that the Holders of not less than 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 such series waive
any past default under the applicable Indenture with respect to such series and
its consequences, except a default (i) in the payment of the principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Debt Securities of such
series or (ii) in respect of a covenant or provision of such Indenture which,
under the terms of such Indenture, cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the Holders of all of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series
affected thereby.
Each Indenture contains provisions entitling the Trustee thereunder,
subject to the duty of such Trustee during an Event of Default in respect of any
series of Debt Securities to act with the required standard of care,
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<PAGE> 19
to be indemnified by the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series before
proceeding to exercise any right or power under such Indenture at the request of
the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series.
Each Indenture provides that the Trustee thereunder 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 such series notice of all uncured
and unwaived defaults known to it; provided, however, that, except in the case
of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any
interest on, or any sinking fund installment with respect to, any of the Debt
Securities of such series, such Trustee will be protected in withholding such
notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in
the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series; and
provided, further, that such notice shall not be given until at least 30 days
after the occurrence of an Event of Default regarding the performance of any
covenant of the Company under such Indenture other than for the payment of the
principal of (or premium, if any) or any interest on, or 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 such series.
The Company will be required to furnish annually to each Trustee a
certificate as to compliance with all conditions and covenants under each of the
Indentures.
MEETINGS
Each 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 Securities. A meeting may be called at any time by the Trustee under the
applicable Indenture, and also, upon request, by the Company or the Holders of
at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such
series, in any such case upon notice given in accordance with "Notices" below.
Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Holders of Debt
Securities of such series, except that in the absence of a quorum, a meeting
called by the Company or the Trustee shall be adjourned for a period of not less
than 10 days, and in the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, the
meeting shall be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days, at
which further adjourned meeting persons entitled to vote 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall
constitute a quorum. Except for any consent which must be given by the Holder of
each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, as described above under
"Modification of the Indentures", 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; provided, however, that 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
applicable 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 applicable Indenture expressly provides may be given by the
Holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Debt Securities of all series
affected thereby (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 aforesaid 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 thereby favoring
such action.
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<PAGE> 20
NOTICES
Except as otherwise provided in each Indenture, notices to Holders of
Bearer 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 such Bearer Securities and will be mailed to such Persons
whose names and addresses were previously filed with the Trustee under the
applicable Indenture, within the time prescribed for the giving of such notice.
Notices to Holders of Registered Securities will be given by mail to the
addresses of such Holders as they appear in the Security Register.
TITLE
Title to any Bearer Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will
pass by delivery. The Company, the appropriate Trustee and any agent of the
Company or such Trustee may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the
bearer of any coupon and the registered owner of any Registered Security
(including Registered Securities in global registered form) as the absolute
owner thereof (whether or not such Debt Security or coupon shall be overdue and
notwithstanding any notice to the contrary) for the purpose of making payment
and for all other purposes.
REGARDING THE TRUSTEES
Senior Trustee
Certain affiliates of the Company each have a credit facility with the
Senior Trustee.
Subordinated Trustee
Certain affiliates of the Company each have a credit facility with the
Subordinated Trustee.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company may sell all or part of the Debt Securities to or through one
or more underwriters for public offering and sale by them, and also may sell
Debt Securities directly to investors or through one or more agents.
Any particular series of Debt Securities may be acquired by such
underwriter(s) for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one
or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public
offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. In
connection with the sale of Debt Securities, underwriters, dealers and agents
may receive compensation from the Company or from purchasers of Debt Securities
in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters, dealers and
agents who participate in the distribution of Debt Securities may be deemed to
be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them from the
Company and any profit on the resale of Debt Securities by them may be deemed to
be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. Any such underwriter, dealer or agent will be identified, and any such
compensation received from the Company will be described, in the Prospectus
Supplement. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions
allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
Under agreements which may be entered into by the Company, underwriters,
dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of Debt Securities may be
entitled to indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities,
including certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The legality of the Debt Securities will be passed upon for the Company by
Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts, New York, New York. Certain legal matters
in connection with the Debt Securities will be passed upon for any underwriters
or agents by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (a partnership which includes
professional corporations), New York, New York.
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<PAGE> 21
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995
and the other audited financial statements incorporated by reference to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996, as
amended, have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of Price
Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as
experts in auditing and accounting.
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NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR
THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
COMPANY OR BY ANY AGENT OR UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY
PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER
THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE
HEREOF.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Recent Development.................... S-2
Use of Proceeds....................... S-2
Description of Notes.................. S-2
Summary Financial Information......... S-4
Underwriting.......................... S-6
PROSPECTUS
Available Information................. 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference........................... 2
The Company........................... 3
Use of Proceeds....................... 3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.... 3
Description of Debt Securities........ 4
Plan of Distribution.................. 14
Legal Opinions........................ 14
Experts............................... 15
</TABLE>
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$150,000,000
ARISTAR LOGO
6 1/8% SENIOR NOTES
DUE DECEMBER 1, 2000
---------------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
---------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
INCORPORATED
BA SECURITIES, INC.
DECEMBER 3, 1996
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