EX-4.2 3 d256232dex42.htm EX-4.2 EX-4.2

Exhibit 4.2

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

U.S. Bancorp (“USB”) has registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), (1) its common stock, (2) depositary shares representing shares of Series A preferred stock, (3) depositary shares representing shares of Series B preferred stock, (4) depositary shares representing shares of Series F preferred stock, (5) depositary shares representing shares of Series K preferred stock, (6) depositary shares representing shares of Series L preferred stock, (7) depositary shares representing shares of Series M preferred stock and (8) its 0.850% Medium-Term Notes, Series X (Senior), due June 7, 2024.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of the capital stock of USB and certain other matters does not purport to be complete and is subject, in all respects, to applicable Delaware law and to the provisions of the restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of USB. The following description is qualified by reference to the Certificate of Incorporation, the certificate of designations for each series of preferred stock of USB and the Bylaws, copies of which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to USB’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Authorized Capital Stock

The authorized capital stock of USB consists of 4,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (“Preferred Stock”). As of December 31, 2021, there were 2,125,725,742 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and 269,510 shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, of which:

 

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12,510 represent shares of Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”);

 

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40,000 represent shares of Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”);

 

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44,000 represent shares of Series F Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock”);

 

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40,000 represent shares of Series J Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series J Preferred Stock”);

 

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23,000 represent shares of Series K Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series K Preferred Stock”);

 

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20,000 represent shares of Series L Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series L Preferred Stock”);


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30,000 represent shares of Series M Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series M Preferred Stock”); and

 

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60,000 represent shares of Series N Fixed Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series N Preferred Stock”).

All outstanding shares of USB’s capital stock are fully paid and non-assessable. On January 15, 2022, USB redeemed all 44,000 issued and outstanding shares of the Series F Preferred Stock and all issued and outstanding depositary shares representing the shares of the Series F Preferred Stock.

Common Stock

Holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. Unless a greater number of affirmative votes is required by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is traded, or as otherwise required by law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to USB, if a quorum exists at any meeting of stockholders, stockholders may take action on all matters, other than the election of directors, by a majority of the voting power of the stock present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. A nominee for director will be elected if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election; provided, however, that if USB’s board of directors determines that the number of nominees for director exceeds the number of directors to be elected at such meeting by the date that is 10 days prior to the date that USB first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting to the stockholders, each of the directors to be elected at such meeting will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at such meeting assuming a quorum is present. Holders of shares of Common Stock do not have the right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

Subject to the prior or equal rights, if any, of any series of Preferred Stock outstanding, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to such dividends as may from time to time be declared by USB’s board of directors from any funds legally available for dividends. USB is subject to various general regulatory policies and requirements relating to the payment of dividends on its capital stock, including requirements to maintain adequate capital above regulatory minimums. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) is authorized to determine, under certain circumstances relating to the financial condition of a bank holding company, such as USB, that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit payment thereof. In addition, USB is subject to Delaware state laws relating to the payment of dividends.

Holders of shares of Common Stock do not have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional securities of USB.

In the event of liquidation of USB, after the payment or provision for payment of all debts and liabilities and subject to the prior or equal rights, if any, of the Preferred Stock of any and all outstanding series, the holders of Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably in the remaining assets of USB. Shares of USB Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

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The Common Stock has no conversion rights.

The transfer agent and registrar for USB common stock is Computershare, Inc. USB’s Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “USB.”

Preferred Stock

General

USB’s board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof has the authority, without further action by USB’s stockholders, unless action is required by applicable laws or regulations or by the terms of any Preferred Stock, to provide for the issuance of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix the voting rights, designations, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, by adopting a resolution or resolutions creating and designating such series.

The rights of holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any Preferred Stock. Any issuance of Preferred Stock may adversely affect the interests of holders of the Common Stock by limiting the control which such holders may exert by exercise of their voting rights, by subordinating their rights in liquidation to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock, and otherwise.

As of December 31, 2021, USB has authorized the following securities, which have been registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:

 

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20,010 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, of which 12,510 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were outstanding, with 5,746.22 shares of Series A Preferred Stock evidenced by 574,622 depositary shares, all of which are issued and outstanding;

 

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40,000,000 depositary shares representing, in the aggregate, 40,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, all of which were issued and outstanding;

 

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44,000,000 depositary shares representing, in the aggregate, 44,000 shares of Series F Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, all of which were issued and outstanding;

 

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23,000,000 depositary shares representing, in the aggregate, 23,000 shares of Series K Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, all of which were issued and outstanding;

 

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20,000,000 depositary shares representing, in the aggregate, 20,000 shares of Series L Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, all of which were issued and outstanding; and

 

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30,000,000 depositary shares representing, in the aggregate, 30,000 shares of Series M Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, all of which are issued and outstanding.

 

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The Series J Preferred Stock and the Series N Preferred Stock described herein have not been registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. On January 15, 2022, USB redeemed all 44,000 issued and outstanding shares of the Series F Preferred Stock and all 44,000,000 issued and outstanding depositary shares representing the shares of the Series F Preferred Stock. On February 9, 2022, USB issued 18,000,000 depositary shares, representing, in the aggregate, 18,000 shares of Series O Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series O Preferred Stock”), which is described herein. Such depositary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PrS”.

Series A Preferred Stock

General — The depositary is the sole holder of the Series A Preferred Stock, as described below under the section entitled “—Description of Depositary Shares,” and all references herein to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock mean the depositary. However, the holders of depositary shares will be entitled, through the depositary, to exercise the rights and preferences of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, as described below under “—Description of Depositary Shares.” The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have no preemptive rights with respect to any shares of USB’s capital stock or any of its other securities convertible into or carrying rights or options to purchase any such capital stock.

The holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends when, as and if declared out of assets legally available for payment of dividends. In the event USB does not declare dividends or does not pay dividends in full on the Series A Preferred Stock on any date on which dividends are due, then such unpaid dividends will not cumulate and will no longer accrue and be payable.

The Series A Preferred Stock is perpetual and will not be convertible into shares of USB’s Common Stock or any other class or series of USB’s capital stock, and will not be subject to any sinking fund or other obligation for their repurchase or retirement.

Rank — With respect to the payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, the Series A Preferred Stock ranks equally with the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series F Preferred Stock, the Series J Preferred Stock, the Series K Preferred Stock, the Series L Preferred Stock, the Series M Preferred Stock and the Series N Preferred Stock and with any future class or series of USB’s capital stock that ranks on a par with the Series A Preferred Stock in the payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets on USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Such capital stock is referred to as “Parity Stock.” With respect to the payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, the Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to USB’s Common Stock and any other future class or series of USB’s capital stock over which the Series A Preferred Stock has preference or priority in the payment of dividends or in the distribution of assets on USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up. USB’s Common Stock and any such capital stock are referred to as “Junior Stock.” USB may not issue any class or series of capital stock having a preference or priority in the payment of dividends or in the distribution of assets on USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up over the Series A Preferred Stock without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of all of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and all other Parity Stock, at the time outstanding, voting as a single class without regard to series.

 

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In particular, during a dividend period (as defined below) and subject to certain exceptions, no dividend will be paid or declared and no distribution will be made on any Junior Stock, other than a dividend payable solely in Junior Stock, no shares of Junior Stock may be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by USB, directly or indirectly (other than as a result of reclassification of Junior Stock for or into Junior Stock, or the exchange or conversion of one share of Junior Stock for or into another share of Junior Stock, and other than through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Stock), nor will any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by USB, and no shares of Parity Stock may be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by USB otherwise than pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase all, or a pro rata portion, of the Series A Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock except by conversion into or exchange for Junior Stock, unless full dividends for such dividend period on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside.

Dividends — Dividends on shares of the Series A Preferred Stock will not be mandatory. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, if, when and as declared by USB’s board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board, out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends under Delaware law, non-cumulative cash dividends payable quarterly in arrears on each January 15, April 15, July 15 or October 15 (or, if such day is not a business day, the next business day). The period from and including the date of issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock or any dividend payment date to but excluding the next dividend payment date is referred to as a “dividend period.” Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference amount of $100,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) three-month LIBOR (computed as provided below) plus 1.02% or (ii) 3.50%. In the case that any date on which dividends are payable on the Series A Preferred Stock is not a business day, then payment of the dividend payable on that date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day. However, no interest or other payment will be paid in respect of the delay. The record date for payment of dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will be the last day of the immediately preceding calendar month during which the dividend payment date falls. The amount of dividends payable for any dividend period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed. For purposes of the Series A Preferred Stock, a “business day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday on which banking institutions in Minneapolis, Minnesota, New York, New York or Wilmington, Delaware are not authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

For any dividend period, three-month LIBOR will be determined by the calculation agent on the second London Banking Day immediately preceding the first day of such dividend period in the following manner:

 

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Three-month LIBOR will be the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period commencing on the first day of a dividend period that appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the second London Banking Day preceding the first day of that dividend period.

 

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If the rate described above does not appear on Reuters Screen LIBOR01, three-month LIBOR will be determined on the basis of the rates at which deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period commencing on the first day of that dividend period and in a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000 are offered to prime banks in the London interbank market by four major banks in the London interbank market selected by USB, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the second London Banking Day preceding the first day of that dividend period. U.S. Bank National Association, as Calculation Agent for the Series A Preferred Stock, will request the principal London office of each of such banks to provide a quotation of its rate. If at least two such quotations are provided, three-month LIBOR with respect to that dividend period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest .00001 of 1%) of such quotations.

 

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If fewer than two quotations are provided, three-month LIBOR with respect to that dividend period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest .00001 of 1%) of the rates quoted by three major banks in New York, New York, selected by the Calculation Agent, at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the first day of that dividend period for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three-month period commencing on the first day of that dividend period and in a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000.

 

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If the banks selected by the Calculation Agent to provide quotations are not quoting as described above, three-month LIBOR for that dividend period will be the same as three-month LIBOR as determined for the previous dividend period.

The calculation agent’s establishment of three-month LIBOR and calculation of the amount of dividends for each dividend period will be on file at USB’s principal offices, will be made available to any holder of Series A Preferred Stock upon request and will be final and binding in the absence of manifest error.

“London Banking Day” means any day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars) in London.

“Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page” means the display designated on the Reuters 3000 Xtra (or such other page as may replace that page on that service or such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits).

The right of holders of the Series A Preferred Stock to receive dividends is non-cumulative. If USB’s board of directors does not declare a dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock or declares less than a full dividend in respect of any dividend period, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have no right to receive any dividend or a full dividend, as the case may be, for that dividend period, and USB will have no obligation to pay a dividend or to pay

 

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full dividends for that dividend period, whether or not dividends are declared and paid for any future dividend period with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, Parity Stock, Junior Stock or any other class or series of USB’s authorized Preferred Stock.

When dividends are not paid in full upon the Series A Preferred Stock and any other Parity Stock, dividends upon that stock will be declared on a proportional basis so that the amount of dividends declared per share will bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends for the current dividend period per share on the Series A Preferred Stock, and accrued dividends, including any accumulations, on such Parity Stock, bear to each other. No interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment on the Series A Preferred Stock that may be in arrears.

Redemption — The Series A Preferred Stock is not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions.

So long as full dividends on all outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock for the then-current dividend period have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set aside, and subject to receipt of the regulatory approvals discussed below, USB may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock in whole or in part at any time, at a redemption price equal to $100,000 per share plus dividends that have been declared but not paid plus accrued and unpaid dividends for the then current dividend period to the redemption date.

If shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption will be given by first class mail to the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed, mailed not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption thereof (provided that, if the depositary shares representing the Series A Preferred Stock are held in book-entry form through DTC, USB may give such notice in any manner permitted by the DTC). Each notice of redemption will include a statement setting forth: (i) the redemption date, (ii) the number of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if less than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder, (iii) the redemption price, (iv) the place or places where the certificates evidencing shares of Series A Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price and (v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the redemption date. If notice of redemption of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock has been duly given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by USB for the benefit of the holders of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then, on and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, such shares of Series A Preferred Stock will no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.

In case of any redemption of only part of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed will be selected either pro rata or in such other manner as USB may determine to be fair and equitable.

 

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Under the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital guidelines applicable to bank holding companies, any redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock is subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board.

Rights Upon Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up — In the event of USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding will be entitled to receive a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, plus any authorized, declared and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to the date of liquidation, out of USB’s assets legally available for distribution to USB’s stockholders, before any distribution is made to holders of USB’s Common Stock or any Junior Stock and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of securities ranking senior to or on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of USB’s depositors and other creditors.

If the amounts available for distribution upon USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up are not sufficient to satisfy the full liquidation rights of all the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and all stock ranking equal to the Series A Preferred Stock, then the holders of each series of Preferred Stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amount to which they are entitled. After the full amount of the liquidation preference is paid, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of USB’s assets.

For such purposes, USB’s consolidation or merger with or into any other entity, the consolidation or merger of any other entity with or into USB, or the sale of all or substantially all of USB’s property or business will not be deemed to constitute USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Voting Rights — Except as provided below, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have no voting rights.

Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock or any other class or series of Parity Stock have not been declared and paid for an amount equal to six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether consecutive or not (a “Nonpayment”), the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock (together with holders of any and all other classes of USB’s authorized Preferred Stock having equivalent voting rights, whether or not the holders of such Preferred Stock would be entitled to vote for the election of directors if such default in dividends did not exist) will be entitled to vote as a single class for the election of a total of two additional members of USB’s board of directors (the “Preferred Directors”), provided that the election of any such directors will not cause USB to violate the corporate governance requirement of the New York Stock Exchange (or any other exchange on which USB’s securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors and provided further that USB’s board of directors will at no time include more than two Preferred Directors. In that event, the number of directors on USB’s board of directors will automatically increase by two and, at the request of any holder of Series A Preferred Stock, a special meeting of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and any other class or series of Preferred Stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends and for which dividends have not been paid,

 

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will be called for the election of the two directors (unless such request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders, in which event such election will be held at such next annual or special meeting of stockholders), followed by such election at each subsequent annual meeting. These voting rights will continue until full dividends have been paid regularly on the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other class or series of Preferred Stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends for at least four consecutive dividend periods following the Nonpayment.

If and when full dividends have been regularly paid for at least four consecutive dividend periods following a Nonpayment on the Series A Preferred Stock and any other class or series of Parity Stock, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be divested of the foregoing voting rights (subject to revesting in the event of each subsequent Nonpayment) and the term of office of each Preferred Director so elected will terminate and the number of directors on USB’s board of directors will automatically decrease by two. Any Preferred Director may be removed at any time without cause by the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock (together with holders of any and all other classes of USB’s authorized Preferred Stock having equivalent voting rights, whether or not the holders of such Preferred Stock would be entitled to vote for the election of directors if such default in dividends did not exist) when they have the voting rights described above. So long as a Nonpayment continues, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Director (other than prior to the initial election of the Preferred Directors) may be filled by the written consent of the Preferred Director remaining in office, or if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock (together with holders of any and all other class of USB’s authorized Preferred Stock having equivalent voting rights, whether or not the holders of such Preferred Stock would be entitled to vote for the election of directors if such default in dividends did not exist) to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders. The Preferred Directors will each be entitled to one vote per director on any matter.

If the holders of Series A Preferred Stock become entitled to vote for the election of directors, the Series A Preferred Stock may be considered a class of voting securities under interpretations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board. As a result, certain holders of the Series A Preferred Stock may become subject to regulations under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Bank Holding Company Act”) and/or certain acquisitions of the Series A Preferred Stock may be subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board.

So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding:

 

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the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of all of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and all other Parity Stock at the time outstanding, voting as a single class without regard to series, will be required to issue, authorize or increase the authorized amount of, or to issue or authorize any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock and all other Parity Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and

 

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the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of all of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, voting separately as a class, will be required to amend the provisions of USB’s Certificate of Incorporation or the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Preferred Stock or any other series of Preferred Stock so as to materially and adversely affect the powers, preferences, privileges or rights of the Series A Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of the authorized or issued Series A Preferred Stock or authorized Preferred Stock or the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of other series of Preferred Stock and/or Junior Stock will not be deemed to adversely affect the powers, preferences, privileges or rights of the Series A Preferred Stock.

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required will be effected, all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds have been set aside by USB for the benefit of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock to effect such redemption.

Series B Preferred Stock

General — The depositary is the sole holder of the Series B Preferred Stock, as described below under the section entitled “—Description of Depositary Shares,” and all references herein to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock mean the depositary. However, the holders of depositary shares will be entitled, through the depositary, to exercise the rights and preferences of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, as described below under “—Description of Depositary Shares.” The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock have no preemptive rights with respect to any shares of USB’s capital stock or any of its other securities convertible into or carrying rights or options to purchase any such capital stock.

The holders of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends when, as and if declared out of assets legally available for payment of dividends. In the event USB does not declare dividends or does not pay dividends in full on the Series B Preferred Stock on any date on which dividends are due, then such unpaid dividends will not cumulate and will no longer accrue and be payable.

The Series B Preferred Stock is perpetual and will not be convertible into shares of USB’s Common Stock or any other class or series of USB’s capital stock, and will not be subject to any sinking fund or other obligation for their repurchase or retirement.

Rank — With respect to the payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, the Series B Preferred Stock ranks equally with the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series F Preferred Stock, the Series J Preferred Stock, the Series K Preferred Stock, the Series L Preferred Stock, the Series M Preferred Stock and the Series N Preferred Stock and with any future class or series of USB’s capital stock that ranks on a par with the Series B Preferred Stock in the payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets on USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up. With respect to the payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, the Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior to USB’s Common Stock and any other future class or series of USB’s capital stock

 

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over which the Series B Preferred Stock has preference or priority in the payment of dividends or in the distribution of assets on USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up. USB may not issue any class of series of capital stock having a preference or priority in the payment of dividends or in the distribution of assets on USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up over the Series B Preferred Stock without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of all of the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock and all other Parity Stock, at the time outstanding, voting as a single class without regard to series.

In particular, during a dividend period and subject to certain exceptions, no dividend will be paid or declared and no distribution will be made on any Junior Stock, other than a dividend payable solely in Junior Stock, no shares of Junior Stock may be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by USB, directly or indirectly (other than as a result of reclassification of Junior Stock for or into Junior Stock, or the exchange or conversion of one share of Junior Stock for or into another share of Junior Stock, and other than through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Stock), nor will any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by USB, and no shares of Parity Stock may be purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by USB otherwise than pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase all, or a pro rata portion, of the Series B Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock except by conversion into or exchange for Junior Stock, unless full dividends for such dividend period on all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside.

Dividends — Dividends on shares of the Series B Preferred Stock will not be mandatory. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by USB’s board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board, out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends under Delaware law, non-cumulative cash dividends payable quarterly in arrears on each January 15, April 15, July 15 or October 15 (or, if such day is not a business day, the next business day). Dividends on each share of Series B Preferred Stock will accrue on the liquidation preference amount of $25,000 per share at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (1) three-month LIBOR (computed as provided below) plus 0.60% or (2) 3.50%. In the case that any date on which dividends are payable on the Series B Preferred Stock is not a business day, then payment of the dividend payable on that date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day. However, no interest or other payment will be paid in respect of the delay. The record date for payment of dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock will be the last day of the immediately preceding calendar month during which the dividend payment date falls. The amount of dividends payable for any dividend period will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed. For purposes of the Series B Preferred Stock, the term “business day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday on which banking institutions are not authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close in New York, New York.

For any dividend period, three-month LIBOR will be determined by the calculation agent on the second London Banking Day immediately preceding the first day of such dividend period in the following manner:

 

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Three-month LIBOR will be the offered rate per annum for three-month deposits in U.S. dollars, beginning on the first day of such period, as that rate appears on Moneyline Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on the second London Banking Day immediately preceding the first day of such dividend period.

 

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If the rate described above does not appear on Moneyline Telerate page 3750, three-month LIBOR will be determined on the basis of the rates, at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on the second London Banking Day immediately preceding the first day of such dividend period, at which deposits of the following kind are offered to prime banks in the London interbank market by four major banks in that market selected by USB: three-month deposits in U.S. dollars, beginning on the first day of such dividend period, and in a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000. The calculation agent will request the principal London office of each of these banks to provide a quotation of its rate. If at least two quotations are provided, three-month LIBOR for the second London Banking Day immediately preceding the first day of such dividend period will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations.

 

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If fewer than two quotations are provided as described above, three-month LIBOR for the second London Banking Day immediately preceding the first day of such dividend period will be the arithmetic mean of the rates for loans of the following kind to leading European banks quoted, at approximately 11:00 A.M. New York City time on the second London Banking Day immediately preceding the first day of such dividend period, by three major banks in New York City selected by USB: three-month loans of U.S. dollars, beginning on the first day of such dividend period, and in a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000.

 

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If fewer than three banks selected by USB are quoting as described above, three-month LIBOR for the new dividend period will be three-month LIBOR in effect for the prior dividend period.

The calculation agent’s establishment of three-month LIBOR and calculation of the amount of dividends for each dividend period will be on file at USB’s principal offices, will be made available to any holder of Series B Preferred Stock upon request and will be final and binding in the absence of manifest error.

The term “Moneyline Telerate Page” means the display on Moneyline Telerate, Inc., or any successor service, on the page or pages referred to above or any replacement page or pages on that service.

The right of holders of the Series B Preferred Stock to receive dividends is non-cumulative. If USB’s board of directors does not declare a dividend on the Series B Preferred Stock or declares less than a full dividend in respect of any dividend period, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will have no right to receive any dividend or a full dividend, as the case may be, for that dividend period, and USB will have no obligation to pay a dividend or to pay full dividends for that dividend period, whether or not dividends are declared and paid for any future dividend period with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock, Parity Stock, Junior Stock or any other class or series of USB’s authorized Preferred Stock.

 

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When dividends are not paid in full upon the Series B Preferred Stock and any other Parity Stock, dividends upon that stock will be declared on a proportional basis so that the amount of dividends declared per share will bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends for the current dividend period per share on the Series B Preferred Stock, and accrued dividends, including any accumulations, on such Parity Stock, bear to each other. No interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment on the Series B Preferred Stock that may be in arrears.

Redemption —The Series B Preferred Stock is not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions.

The Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at USB’s option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends.

If shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption will be given by first class mail to the holders of record of the Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed, mailed not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption thereof (provided that, if the depositary shares representing the Series B Preferred Stock are held in book-entry form through DTC, USB may give such notice in any manner permitted by the DTC). Each notice of redemption will include a statement setting forth: (i) the redemption date, (ii) the number of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if less than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder, (iii) the redemption price, (iv) the place or places where the certificates evidencing shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price and (v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the redemption date. If notice of redemption of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock has been duly given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by USB for the benefit of the holders of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then, on and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on such shares of Series B Preferred Stock, such shares of Series B Preferred Stock will no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.

In case of any redemption of only part of the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed will be selected either pro rata or in such other manner as USB may determine to be fair and equitable.

Under the Federal Reserve Board’s risk-based capital guidelines applicable to bank holding companies, any redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock is subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board.

 

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Additionally, the Series B Preferred Stock is subject to a “Replacement Capital Covenant,” which will limit USB’s right to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock. In the Replacement Capital Covenant, USB covenants to redeem or repurchase shares of Series B Preferred Stock only if and to the extent that (a) the total redemption or repurchase price is equal to or less than the sum, as of the date of redemption or repurchase, of (i) 133.33% of the aggregate net cash proceeds USB or its subsidiaries have received during the 180 days prior to such date from the issuance and sale of Common Stock plus (ii) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds USB or its subsidiaries have received during the 180 days prior to such date from the issuance of certain other specified securities that (A) have equity-like characteristics that satisfy the requirements of the Replacement Capital Covenant, which means generally that such other securities have characteristics that are the same as, or more equity-like than, the applicable characteristics of the Series B Preferred Stock at that time, and (B) qualify as tier 1 capital of USB under the risk-based capital guidelines of the Federal Reserve Board; and (b) USB has obtained the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board, if such approval is then required by the Federal Reserve Board.

Rights Upon Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up — In the event of USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding will be entitled to receive a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus any authorized, declared and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period to the date of liquidation, out of USB’s assets legally available for distribution to USB’s stockholders, before any distribution is made to holders of USB’s Common Stock or any Junior Stock and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of securities ranking senior to or on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock upon liquidation and the rights of USB’s depositors and other creditors.

If the amounts available for distribution upon USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up are not sufficient to satisfy the full liquidation rights of all the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock and all stock ranking equal to the Series B Preferred Stock, then the holders of each series of Preferred Stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amount to which they are entitled. After the full amount of the liquidation preference is paid, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of USB’s assets.

For such purposes, USB’s consolidation or merger with or into any other entity, the consolidation or merger of any other entity with or into USB, or the sale of all or substantially all of USB’s property or business will not be deemed to constitute USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Voting Rights — Except as provided below, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will have no voting rights.

Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series B Preferred Stock or any other class or series of Parity Stock have not been declared and paid for an amount equal to six or more quarterly dividend periods, whether consecutive or not, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock (together with holders of any and all other classes of USB’s authorized Preferred Stock

 

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having equivalent voting rights, whether or not the holders of such Preferred Stock would be entitled to vote for the election of directors if such default in dividends did not exist) will be entitled to vote as a single class for the election of a total of two additional members of USB’s board of directors, provided that the election of any such directors will not cause USB to violate the corporate governance requirement of the New York Stock Exchange (or any other exchange on which USB’s securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors and provided further that USB’s board of directors will at no time include more than two Preferred Directors. In that event, the number of directors on USB’s board of directors will automatically increase by two and, at the request of any holder of Series B Preferred Stock, a special meeting of the holders of Series B Preferred Stock and any other class or series of Preferred Stock that ranks on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends and for which dividends have not been paid, will be called for the election of the two directors (unless such request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders, in which event such election will be held at such next annual or special meeting of stockholders), followed by such election at each subsequent annual meeting. These voting rights will continue until full dividends have been paid regularly on the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock and any other class or series of Preferred Stock that ranks on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends for at least four consecutive dividend periods following the Nonpayment.

If and when full dividends have been regularly paid for at least four consecutive dividend periods following a Nonpayment on the Series B Preferred Stock and any other class or series of Parity Stock, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will be divested of the foregoing voting rights (subject to revesting in the event of each subsequent Nonpayment) and the term of office of each Preferred Director so elected will terminate and the number of directors on USB’s board of directors will automatically decrease by two. Any Preferred Director may be removed at any time without cause by the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock (together with holders of any and all other classes of USB’s authorized Preferred Stock having equivalent voting rights, whether or not the holders of such Preferred Stock would be entitled to vote for the election of directors if such default in dividends did not exist) when they have the voting rights described above. So long as a Nonpayment continues, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Director (other than prior to the initial election of the Preferred Directors) may be filled by the written consent of the Preferred Director remaining in office, or if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock (together with holders of any and all other class of USB’s authorized Preferred Stock having equivalent voting rights, whether or not the holders of such Preferred Stock would be entitled to vote for the election of directors if such default in dividends did not exist) to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders. The Preferred Directors will each be entitled to one vote per director on any matter.

If the holders of Series B Preferred Stock become entitled to vote for the election of directors, the Series B Preferred Stock may be considered a class of voting securities under interpretations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board. As a result, certain holders of the Series B Preferred Stock may become subject to regulations under the Bank Holding Company Act and/or certain acquisitions of the Series B Preferred Stock may be subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board.

 

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So long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding:

 

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the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of all of the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock and all other Parity Stock at the time outstanding, voting as a single class without regard to series, will be required to issue, authorize or increase the authorized amount of, or to issue or authorize any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Stock and all other Parity Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon USB’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and

 

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the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of all of the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, voting separately as a class, will be required to amend the provisions of USB’s Certificate of Incorporation or the Certificate of Designations of the Series B Preferred Stock or any other series of Preferred Stock so as to materially and adversely affect the powers, preferences, privileges or rights of the Series B Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of the authorized or issued Series B Preferred Stock or authorized Preferred Stock or the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of other series of Preferred Stock and/or Junior Stock will not be deemed to adversely affect the powers, preferences, privileges or rights of the Series B Preferred Stock.

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required will be effected, all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds have been set aside by USB for the benefit of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock to effect such redemption.

Series F Preferred Stock

On January 15, 2022, USB redeemed all 44,000 issued and outstanding shares of the Series F Preferred Stock and all 44,000,000 issued and outstanding depositary shares representing the shares of the Series F Preferred Stock.

General — The depositary is the sole holder of the Series F Preferred Stock, as described below under the section entitled “—Description of Depositary Shares,” and all references herein to the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock mean the depositary. However, the holders of depositary shares will be entitled, through the depositary, to exercise the rights and preferences of the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock, as described below under “—Description of Depositary Shares.” The holders of the Series F Preferred Stock have no preemptive rights with respect to any shares of USB’s capital stock or any of its other securities convertible into or carrying rights or options to purchase any such capital stock.

The holders of Series F Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive non-cumulative cash dividends when, as and if declared out of assets legally available for payment of dividends. In the event USB does not declare dividends or does not pay dividends in full on the Series F Preferred Stock on any date on which dividends are due, then such unpaid dividends will not cumulate and will no longer accrue and be payable.

 

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The Series F Preferred Stock is perpetual and will not be convertible into shares of USB’s Common Stock or any other class or series of USB’s capital stock, and will not be subject to any sinking fund or other obligation for their repurchase or retirement.

Rank — With respect to the payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, the Series F Preferred Stock ranks equally with the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series J Preferred Stock, the Series K Preferred Stock, the Series L Preferred Stock, the Series M Preferred Stock and t