Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October    , 2008

Registration Statement No. 333-            

 

 

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION

UNION CAPITAL STATUTORY TRUST III

(Exact name of co-registrants as specified in their charters)

 

 

 

Virginia   54-1598552
Delaware   38-6865406

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (I.R.S. Employer ID No.)

211 North Main Street, Post Office Box 446

Bowling Green, Virginia 22427

(804) 633-5031

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of co-registrant’s principal executive offices)

Janis Orfe

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Union Bankshares Corporation

211 North Main Street, Post Office Box 446

Bowling Green, Virginia 22427

(804) 633-5031

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service of each registrant)

 

 

Copy to:

George P. Whitley, Esq.

LeClairRyan, A Professional Corporation

Riverfront Plaza, East Tower

951 East Byrd Street, 8th Floor

Richmond, Virginia 23219

(804) 343-4089


Table of Contents

 

Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨

      Accelerated filer  x
 

Non-accelerated filer     ¨

      Smaller reporting company  ¨
 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 
     Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)
 

Amount of

Registration

Fee(2)

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered:

       

Common Stock of Union Bankshares Corporation (3)

  —     —  

Preferred Stock of Union Bankshares Corporation (3)

  —     —  

Debt Securities of Union Bankshares Corporation (3)

  —     —  

Purchase Contracts of Union Bankshares Corporation (4)

  —     —  

Units of Union Bankshares Corporation and/or Union Capital Statutory Trust III (5)

  —     —  

Warrants of Union Bankshares Corporation (6)

  —     —  

Depositary Shares of Union Bankshares Corporation (3)

  —     —  

Junior Subordinated Debt Securities of Union Bankshares Corporation (3) (7)

  —     —  

Capital Securities of Union Capital Statutory Trust III (7)

  —     —  

Guarantees of Capital Securities of Union Capital Statutory Trust III (7)

  —     —  

TOTAL

  $50,000,000   $1,965
 
 

Footnotes continued on next page


Table of Contents
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act, and exclusive of accrued interest, distributions and dividends, if any. Subject to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, the aggregate public offering price of all securities registered hereby will not exceed $50,000,000. Such amount represents the issue price rather than the principal amount of any debt securities issued at an original issue discount.

 

(2) Not specified as to each class of securities to be registered hereunder pursuant to General Instruction II(D) to Form S-3 under the Securities Act.

 

(3) Such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock as may, from time to time, be issued (i) at indeterminate prices or (ii) upon conversion, redemption, exercise or exchange of securities registered hereunder, to the extent any such securities are, by their terms, convertible into or exchangeable for other securities registered hereunder. In the event registrant elects to offer to the public fractional interests in its shares of preferred stock registered hereunder, depositary shares, evidenced by depository receipts issued pursuant to a deposit agreement, will be distributed to those persons purchasing fractional interests and the shares of preferred stock will be issued to the depository under any such agreement.

 

(4) Such indeterminate number of purchase contracts as may, from time to time, be issued at indeterminate prices obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and obligating us to sell or purchase from the holders, a specific number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or depositary shares of Union Bankshares Corporation or trust preferred securities of Union Capital Statutory Trust III at a future date or dates.

 

(5) Such indeterminate number of units as may, from time to time, be issued at indeterminate prices, each representing ownership of one or more of the securities described herein.

 

(6) Warrants may be sold separately or together with debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or depositary shares of Union Bankshares Corporation or trust preferred securities of Union Capital Statutory Trust III. Includes an indeterminate number of debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock or depositary shares of Union Bankshares Corporation or trust preferred securities of Union Capital Statutory Trust III to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants for such securities.

 

(7) Such indeterminate amount of trust preferred securities issued by Union Capital Statutory Trust III and guarantees issued by Union Bankshares Corporation as may, from time to time, be issued (i) at indeterminate prices or (ii) upon conversion or exchange of securities registered hereunder, to the extent any such securities are, by their terms, convertible into or exchangeable for other securities registered hereunder. In the event registrant elects to offer to the public fractional interests in its shares of trust preferred securities registered hereunder, depository shares, evidenced by depository receipts issued pursuant to a deposit agreement, will be distributed to those persons purchasing fractional interests and the shares of trust preferred securities will be issued to the depository under any such agreement. Pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act, no additional registration fee is due for guarantees.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Explanatory Note

This registration statement contains two forms of prospectuses to be used in connection with offerings of the following securities in aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000.

 

   

common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and units of Union Bankshares Corporation; and

 

   

preferred securities of Union Capital Statutory Trust III, junior subordinated debt securities of Union Bankshares Corporation, and guarantees by Union Bankshares Corporation of the preferred securities of Union Capital Statutory Trust III.

Each offering of securities made under this registration statement will be made pursuant to one of these two prospectuses, with the specific terms of the securities offered thereby set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement.


Table of Contents

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus is included in a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED             , 2008

Prospectus

$50,000,000

Union Bankshares Corporation

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Debt Securities

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

We may offer from time to time debt securities (which may be senior or subordinated debt securities), preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, warrants, purchase contracts or units. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer the securities.

The aggregate initial offering price of all securities we sell under this prospectus will not exceed $50,000,000.

The specific terms of any securities we offer will be included in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before you invest.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “UBSH.”

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the section entitled “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus and in the documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated in this prospectus by reference for certain risks and uncertainties you should consider.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved our securities or determined that this prospectus is truthful or complete. It is illegal for anyone to tell you otherwise.

These securities will not be savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Deposit Insurance Fund or any other governmental agency or instrumentality.

The date of this prospectus is             , 2008.


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

     Page

About This Prospectus

   2

Where You Can Find More Information

   3

Documents Incorporated by Reference

   4

Note of Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

   5

Prospectus Summary

   5

Risk Factors

   7

Union Bankshares Corporation

   7

Use of Proceeds

   8

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   9

Regulatory Considerations

   9

Description of Capital Stock

   10

Description of Common Stock

   10

Description of Preferred Stock

   14

Description of Debt Securities

   20

Description of Purchase Contracts

   24

Description of Units

   24

Description of Warrants

   25

Description of Global Securities

   27

Book-Entry Issuance

   29

Plan of Distribution

   31

Validity of Securities

   33

Experts

   33

About This Prospectus

Unless the context requires otherwise, in this prospectus, we use the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Union” and the “Company” to refer to Union Bankshares Corporation and its subsidiaries. The terms “banks” and “Community Banks” refer to our community bank subsidiaries.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, using this prospectus, together with a prospectus supplement, we may sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in a dollar amount that does not exceed $50,000,000, in the aggregate.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus before making an investment in our securities. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for more information. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

 

2


Table of Contents

Our SEC registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be read at the SEC’s web site or at the SEC’s offices. The SEC’s web site and street addresses are provided under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or a supplement to this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This document may be used only in jurisdictions where offers and sales of these securities are permitted. You should not assume that information contained in this prospectus, in any supplement to this prospectus, or in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of the document that contains the information, regardless of when this prospectus is delivered or when any sale of our securities occurs.

We may sell our securities to underwriters who will in turn sell the securities to the public on terms fixed at the time of sale. In addition, the securities may be sold by us directly or through dealers or agents which we may designate from time to time. If we, directly or through agents, solicit offers to purchase the securities, we reserve the sole right to accept and, together with our agents, to reject, in whole or in part, any of those offers.

A prospectus supplement will contain the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, together with the terms of offering, the compensation of those underwriters and the net proceeds to be received by Union. Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the offering may be deemed “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.

Where You Can Find More Information

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits to the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. Our SEC filings are also available at no cost on our web site, http://www.ubsh.com, through the Investor Relations link, as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such documents with the SEC. Except for those SEC filings, none of the other information on our web site is part of this prospectus. Our SEC filings are also available at the office of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. For further information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the NASDAQ Global Select Market, you should call (212) 656-5060 or visit the NASDAQ Global Select Market website http://www.nasdaq.com. Our commission file number is 000-20293.

 

3


Table of Contents

Documents Incorporated by Reference

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus.

Some information contained in this prospectus updates and supersedes the information incorporated by reference and some information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below (except Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K listed below, unless otherwise indicated in the Form 8-K):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC since December 31, 2007; and

 

   

the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statements filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time (the “Exchange Act”).

We also incorporate by reference any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the initial filing of the registration statement that contains this prospectus and before the time that all of the securities offered by this prospectus are sold; provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference any information furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K (unless otherwise indicated). Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, or in any other document filed later which is also incorporated in this prospectus by reference, modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus except as so modified or superseded. The information contained in this prospectus should be read together with the information in the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference.

You may obtain any of these incorporated documents from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to these documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in such document, by requesting them from us in writing or by telephone at the following address:

Mr. D. Anthony Peay

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Union Bankshares Corporation

211 North Main Street, Post Office Box 446

Bowling Green, VA 22427

(804) 633-5031

These incorporated documents may also be available on our web site at www.ubsh.com. Except for incorporated documents, information contained on our web site is not a prospectus and does not constitute part of this prospectus.

 

4


Table of Contents

Note of Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

We make certain forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus that are based upon our current expectations and projections about current events. You should not rely on forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or the documents incorporated by reference. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we are including this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. You can identify these statements from our use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to the financial condition, expected or anticipated revenue, results of operations and business of the Company that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulations; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, pricing, products and services.

You should also consider carefully the statements under “Risk Factors” and other sections of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference, which address additional facts that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. We caution investors not to place significant reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference.

Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results, performance or achievements, or industry results, may be materially different from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, our past results of operations do not necessarily indicate our future results. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. We do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future, unless we are obligated to do so under the federal securities laws. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

Prospectus Summary

This summary highlights selected information about Union and a general description of the securities we may offer. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a more complete understanding of us and the terms of the securities we will offer, you should read carefully this entire prospectus, including the “Risk Factors” section, the applicable prospectus supplement for the securities and the other documents we refer to and incorporate by reference. In particular, we incorporate important business and financial information into this prospectus by reference.

The Securities We May Offer

We may use this prospectus to offer securities in an aggregate amount of up to $50,000,000 in one or more offerings. A prospectus supplement, which we will provide each time we offer securities, will describe the amounts, prices and detailed terms of the securities and may describe risks associated with an investment in the securities in addition to those described in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus. We will also include in the prospectus supplement, where applicable, information about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities. Terms used in this prospectus will have the meanings described in this prospectus unless otherwise specified.

 

5


Table of Contents

We may sell the securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. We, as well as any agents acting on our behalf, reserve the sole right to accept or to reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of our securities. Each prospectus supplement will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of our securities described in that prospectus supplement and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them.

Common Stock

We may sell our common stock, with a par value of $1.33 per share. In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the aggregate number of shares offered and the offering price or prices of the shares.

Preferred Stock; Depositary Shares

We may sell shares of our preferred stock in one or more series. In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the specific designation, the aggregate number of shares offered, the dividend rate or manner of calculating the dividend rate, the dividend periods or manner of calculating the dividend periods, the ranking of the shares of the series with respect to dividends, liquidation and dissolution, the stated value of the shares of the series, the voting rights of the shares of the series, if any, whether and on what terms the shares of the series will be convertible or exchangeable, whether and on what terms we can redeem the shares of the series, whether we will offer depositary shares representing shares of the series and if so, the fraction or multiple of a share of preferred stock represented by each depositary share, whether we will list the preferred stock or depositary shares on a securities exchange and any other specific terms of the series of preferred stock.

Debt Securities

Our debt securities may be senior or subordinated in priority of payment. We will provide a prospectus supplement that describes the ranking, whether senior or subordinated, the specific designation, the aggregate principal amount, the purchase price, the maturity, the redemption terms, the interest rate or manner of calculating the interest rate, the time of payment of interest, if any, the terms for any conversion or exchange, including the terms relating to the adjustment of any conversion or exchange mechanism, the listing, if any, on a securities exchange and any other specific terms of the debt securities.

Purchase Contracts

We may issue purchase contracts, including purchase contracts issued as part of a unit with one or more other securities, for the purchase or sale of our debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. The price of our debt securities or price per share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, as applicable, may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula contained in the purchase contracts. We may issue purchase contracts in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish.

Units

We may sell any combination of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus, together as units. In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the particular combination of securities constituting any units and any other specific terms of the units.

 

6


Table of Contents

Warrants

We may sell warrants to purchase our debt securities, shares of preferred stock or shares of our common stock. In a prospectus supplement, we will inform you of the exercise price and other specific terms of the warrants, including whether our or your obligations, if any, under any warrants may be satisfied by delivering or purchasing the underlying securities or their cash value.

Risk Factors

Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our updates to those risk factors in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, together with all of the other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. In addition to those risk factors, there may be additional risks and uncertainties of which management is not aware or focused on or that management deems immaterial. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Union Bankshares Corporation

Our Company

We are a multi-bank holding company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. We are headquartered in Bowling Green, Virginia, and we are committed to the delivery of financial services through our four Community Banks and three non-bank financial services affiliates. Our Community Banks and non-bank financial services affiliates are:

Community Banks

 

Union Bank and Trust Company    Bowling Green, Virginia
Northern Neck State Bank    Warsaw, Virginia
Rappahannock National Bank    Washington, Virginia
Bay Community Bank    Newport News, Virginia

Financial Services Affiliates

 

Union Mortgage Group, Inc.    Annandale, Virginia
Union Investment Services, Inc.    Ashland, Virginia
Union Insurance Group, LLC    Bowling Green, Virginia

Each of the Community Banks is a full service retail commercial bank offering consumers and businesses a wide range of banking and related financial services, including checking, savings, certificates of deposit and other depository services, as well as loans for commercial, industrial, residential mortgage and consumer purposes throughout the Northern, Central, Rappahannock, Tidewater and Northern Neck regions of Virginia. Each bank is independently operated by local management and boards of directors to ensure community responsiveness and maintain a customer service focus.

 

7


Table of Contents

We provide other financial services through our non-bank affiliates – Union Investment Services, Inc., Union Mortgage Group, Inc. (“Union Mortgage”) (formerly Mortgage Capital Investors, Inc.) and Union Insurance Group, LLC (“Union Insurance”). In addition, Bay Community Bank owns a non-controlling interest in Johnson Mortgage Company, LLC.

Union Investment Services, Inc. provides securities, brokerage and investment advisory services and is a full service investment company handling all aspects of wealth management including stocks, bonds, annuities, mutual funds and financial planning. Union Mortgage is a mortgage loan brokerage company headquartered in Annandale, Virginia, that has fourteen offices in the following locations: Virginia (nine), Maryland (four) and South Carolina (one). Union Mortgage is also licensed to do business in selected states throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, as well as Washington, D.C. It provides a variety of mortgage products to customers in those areas. The mortgage loans originated by Union Mortgage are generally sold in the secondary market through purchase agreements with institutional investors. Union Insurance operates in a joint venture with Bankers Insurance, LLC, a large insurance agency owned by community banks across Virginia and managed by the Virginia Bankers Association. Union Insurance generates revenue through sales of various insurance products, including long-term care insurance and business owner policies.

In May 2008, we announced that our affiliate Bay Community Bank will merge into our largest affiliate, Union Bank and Trust Company. The projected completion date of the merger is October 31, 2008. In addition, effective March 14, 2008, we completed our previously announced merger of our Prosperity Bank & Trust Company affiliate into Union Bank and Trust Company.

Use of Proceeds

We expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities for general corporate purposes, which may include:

 

   

investing in, or extending credit to, our operating subsidiaries;

 

   

investments at the holding company level;

 

   

reducing or refinancing existing debt;

 

   

possible acquisitions;

 

   

stock repurchases; and

 

   

other purposes as described in any prospectus supplement.

Pending such use, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds of any offering. The precise amounts and timing of the application of proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability of other funds. Except as indicated in a prospectus supplement, allocations of the proceeds to specific purposes will not have been made at the date of that prospectus supplement.

We continually evaluate possible business combination opportunities. As a result, future business combinations involving cash, debt or equity securities may occur. Any future business combination or series of business combinations that we might undertake may be material, in terms of assets acquired, liabilities assumed or otherwise, to our financial condition.

 

8


Table of Contents

Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented:

 

     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
   For the Years Ended December 31,
     
     2008    2007    2007    2006    2005    2004    2003

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges:(1)

                    

Including deposit interest

   1.37    1.47    1.40    1.69    2.07    1.97    1.96

Excluding deposit interest

   2.57    2.97    2.54    3.83    6.02    5.41    6.68

 

For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, fixed charges are the sum of:

 

   

interest cost, including interest on deposits; and

 

   

that portion of rent expense estimated to be representative of the interest factor.

 

(1) Currently, we have no shares of preferred stock outstanding and have not paid any dividends on preferred stock in the periods presented. Therefore, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is not different from the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

Regulatory Considerations

We are extensively regulated under both federal and state law. As a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, we are subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). We are also registered under the bank holding company laws of Virginia. Accordingly, the Company and our banks, other than Rappahannock National Bank, which is regulated and supervised by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), are subject to regulation and supervision by the State Corporation Commission of Virginia (the “SCC”) and the Federal Reserve. Our banks have deposit insurance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation through the Deposit Insurance Fund. For a discussion of the material elements of the regulatory framework applicable to bank holding companies and their subsidiaries and specific information relevant to us, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and any subsequent reports we file with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

This regulatory framework is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the federal deposit insurance funds and not for the protection of security holders. As a result of this regulatory framework, our earnings are affected by actions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), which insures the deposits of our banking subsidiaries within certain limits, the state banking regulators in Virginia and the Federal Reserve Board, which regulate us and our bank subsidiaries, and the SEC.

Our earnings are also affected by general economic conditions, our management policies and legislative action. In addition, there are numerous governmental requirements and regulations that affect our business activities. A change in applicable statutes, regulations or regulatory policy may have a material effect on our business.

 

9


Table of Contents

Depository institutions, like our bank subsidiaries, are also affected by various federal and state laws, including those relating to consumer protection and similar matters. We also have other subsidiaries regulated, supervised and examined by the Federal Reserve Board, as well as other relevant state and federal regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations. Our non-bank subsidiaries may be subject to other laws and regulations of the federal government or the various states in which they do business.

Description of Capital Stock

The following summary description of the material features of the capital stock of Union is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of Virginia law and by Union’s Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles”) and bylaws.

The authorized capital stock of Union consists of 36,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, par value $1.33 per share, and 500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share, which may be issued in series with such powers, designations and rights as may be established from time to time by our Board of Directors. As of June 30, 2008, there were 13,503,852 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. As of such date, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

Description of Common Stock

General

Each share of our common stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects to, each other share of our common stock. Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “UBSH.” All of the outstanding shares of common stock are, and any common stock issued and sold under this prospectus will be, fully paid and nonassessable.

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Registrar and Transfer Company, 10 Commerce Drive, Cranford, New Jersey 07016.

Dividends

The holders of Union common stock are entitled to share ratably in dividends when and as declared by the Board of Directors out of legally available funds therefor. Union’s Articles permit the Board of Directors to issue preferred stock with terms set by the Board, which terms may include the right to receive dividends ahead of the holders of common stock. Union has no shares of preferred stock presently outstanding.

The payment of dividends by us will be subject to the restrictions of Virginia law applicable to the declaration of dividends by a business corporation. Under such provisions, cash dividends may not be paid if a corporation will not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business after making such cash dividend distribution or the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy certain liquidation preferential rights. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board generally prohibits holding companies from paying dividends except out of operating earnings, and the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the holding company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition.

 

10


Table of Contents

Liquidation Rights

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of Union, the holders of shares of Union common stock will be entitled to receive, after payment of all debts and liabilities of Union and after satisfaction of all liquidation preferences applicable to the preferred stock, all remaining assets of Union available for distribution in cash or in kind.

Voting Rights

The holders of Union common stock have one vote for each share held on any matter presented for consideration at a shareholder meeting. The holders of Union common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Directors and Classes of Directors

Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, apportioned as evenly as possible, with directors serving staggered three-year terms. Currently, the Union Board consists of ten directors. Under the Articles, directors may be removed only for cause and with affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

No Preemptive Rights; Redemption and Assessment

Holders of shares of our common stock will not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued. Our common stock is not subject to redemption or any sinking fund and the outstanding shares are fully paid and non-assessable.

Securities Are Not Insured by the FDIC

Investments in the common stock or any of our equity or debt securities will not qualify as deposits or savings accounts and will not be insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other governmental agency and are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Virginia Law

General. Our Articles and Bylaws and the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (the “Virginia SCA”) contain certain provisions designed to enhance the ability of our Board of Directors to deal with attempts to acquire control of the Company. These provisions and the ability to set the voting rights, preferences and other terms of any series of preferred stock that may be issued, may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may discourage takeovers (which certain stockholders may deem to be in their best interest). To the extent that such takeover attempts are discouraged, temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock resulting from actual or rumored takeover attempts may be inhibited. These provisions also could discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, even though such transaction may be favorable to the interests of stockholders, and could potentially adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

The following briefly summarizes protective provisions that are contained in our Articles and Bylaws and provided by the Virginia SCA. This summary is necessarily general and is not intended to be a complete description of all the features and consequences of those provisions, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Articles and Bylaws and the statutory provisions contained in the Virginia SCA.

 

11


Table of Contents

Supermajority Provision. The Virginia SCA provides that, unless a corporation’s articles of incorporation provide for a higher or lower vote, certain significant corporate actions must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of more than two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Corporate actions requiring a two-thirds vote include:

 

   

adoption of plans of merger or exchange;

 

   

sales of all or substantially all of a corporation’s assets other than in the ordinary course of business; and

 

   

adoption of plans of dissolution.

The Virginia SCA provides that a corporation’s articles of incorporation may either increase the vote required to approve those actions or may decrease the required vote to not less than a majority of the votes entitled to be cast.

Our Articles provide that the actions set out above must be approved by a vote of a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on such transactions by each voting group entitled to vote on the transaction, provided that the transaction has been approved and recommended by at least two-thirds of the directors in office at the time of such approval and recommendation. If the transaction is not so approved and recommended, then the transaction must be approved by the vote of 80% or more of all votes entitled to be cast on such transactions by each voting group entitled to vote on the transaction.

The provisions of our Articles and the Virginia SCA could tend to make the acquisition of Union more difficult to accomplish without the cooperation or favorable recommendation of the Union Board of Directors.

Staggered Board Terms. Our Articles provide that our Board of Directors be divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible, with one class to be elected annually for a term of three years and until their successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies occurring in the Board of Directors by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by the Board of Directors, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next election of directors by the stockholders. Any other vacancy in the Board of Directors, whether by reason of death, resignation, removal or otherwise, may be filled by the remaining directors and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such directors shall have been chosen and until their successors are elected and qualified. Pursuant to our Articles, directors may be removed only for cause and only by a vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

State Anti-Takeover Statutes. The Virginia SCA includes two anti-takeover statutes, the Affiliated Transactions Statute and the Control Shares Acquisitions Statute. These statutes would be available to us, if at the time of the transaction, we have 300 or more shareholders of record, as described below.

The Affiliated Transactions Statute restricts certain transactions (the “affiliated transactions”) between a Virginia corporation having more than 300 shareholders of record and a beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of voting stock (an “interested shareholder”). An “affiliated transaction” is defined in the Virginia SCA as any of the following transactions with or proposed by an interested shareholder: a merger; a share exchange; certain dispositions of assets or guaranties of indebtedness other than in the ordinary course of business; certain significant securities issuances; dissolution of the corporation; or reclassification of the corporation’s securities. Under the statute, an affiliated transaction

 

12


Table of Contents

generally requires the approval of a majority of disinterested directors and two-thirds of the voting shares of the corporation other than shares owned by an interested shareholder during a three-year period commencing as of the date the interested shareholder crosses the 10% threshold. This special voting provision does not apply if a majority of disinterested directors approved the acquisition of the more than 10% interest in advance. After the expiration of the three-year moratorium, an interested shareholder may engage in an affiliated transaction only if it is approved by a majority of disinterested directors and by two-thirds of the outstanding shares held by disinterested shareholders, or if the transaction complies with certain fair price provisions. This special voting rule is in addition to, and not in lieu of, other voting provisions contained in the Virginia SCA and our Articles.

The Control Share Acquisitions Statute provides that, with respect to Virginia corporations having 300 or more shareholders of record, shares acquired in a transaction that would cause the acquiring person’s aggregate share ownership to meet or exceed any of three thresholds (20%, 33-1/3% or 50%) have no voting rights unless such rights are granted by a majority vote of the shares not owned by the acquiring person or any officer or employee-director of the corporation. The statute sets out a procedure whereby the acquiring person may call a special shareholder’s meeting for the purpose of considering whether voting rights should be conferred. Acquisitions pursuant to a tender or exchange offer arising out of an agreement to which the corporation is a party are exempt from the statute.

Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors. The Virginia SCA provides that in any proceeding brought by or in the right of a corporation or brought by or on behalf of shareholders of the corporation, the damages assessed against an officer or director arising out of a single transaction, occurrence or course of conduct may not exceed the lesser of (a) the monetary amount, including the elimination of liability, specified in the articles of incorporation or, if approved by the shareholders, in the bylaws as a limitation on or elimination of the liability of the officer or director, or (b) the greater of (1) $100,000 or (2) the amount of cash compensation received by the officer or director from the corporation during the twelve months immediately preceding the act or omission for which liability was imposed. The liability of an officer or director is not limited under the Virginia SCA or a corporation’s articles of incorporation and bylaws if the officer or director engaged in willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the criminal law or of any federal or state securities law.

Our Articles provide that to the full extent that the Virginia SCA permits the limitation or elimination of the liability of directors or officers, a director or officer of Union is not liable to Union or its shareholders for monetary damages.

Our Articles provide that to the full extent permitted by the Virginia SCA and any other applicable law, Union is required to indemnify a director or officer of Union who is or was a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was such a director or officer or is or was serving at the request of or on behalf of Union as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.

The Union Board of Directors is empowered, by majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors, to contract in advance to indemnify any director or officer as set forth above.

Dissenters Rights in Mergers and Other Reorganizations. Under the Virginia SCA, and subject to certain limitations, a dissenting stockholder of a corporation participating in certain transactions may, under varying circumstances and subject to specified procedural requirements, receive cash in the amount of fair market value of his or her shares in lieu of the consideration he or she would otherwise receive under the terms of the transaction. These transactions include a merger, consolidation or share exchange, certain amendments to the corporation’s articles of organization or bylaws, or a sale of substantially all of the corporation’s property.

 

13


Table of Contents

Increasing the Number of Directors. Under Virginia law, a board of directors may amend or repeal bylaws unless articles of incorporation or other provisions of Virginia law reserve such power exclusively in the shareholders or the shareholders, in adopting or amending particular bylaws, expressly prohibit the board of directors from amending or repealing that bylaw. Our Articles do not reserve the power to amend the bylaws to increase or decrease the number of directors exclusively to the shareholders and no bylaw, and no amendment thereto, expressly prohibits the Board of Directors from amending the bylaws to increase or decrease the number of directors. According to Virginia law, our Board of Directors may amend our bylaws at any time to increase or decrease the number of directors by up to 30% of the number of directors of all classes immediately following the most recent election of directors by the shareholders. In addition, the newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of authorized directors shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. As a result, if faced with an attempt to take control of our Board of Directors, the Board may increase the size of the Board and install directors opposed to the hostile takeover attempt.

Inability of Shareholders to Call Special Meetings. Pursuant to our Bylaws, special meetings of shareholders may be called only by our President, the Chairman of our Board of Directors or by a majority of the Board of Directors. As a result, shareholders are not able to act on matters other than at annual shareholders meetings unless they are able to persuade the President, the Chairman or a majority of the Board of Directors to call a special meeting.

Advance Notification Requirements. Our Bylaws also require a shareholder who desires to nominate a candidate for election to the Board of Directors or to raise new business at an annual shareholders meeting to provide us advance notice not later than 90 days before the scheduled date of the annual meeting. Our bylaws further condition the presentation of shareholder nominations for director or proposals for business on compliance with a number of conditions.

Description of Preferred Stock

General

As of the date of this prospectus, 500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share, are authorized, of which none are issued and outstanding. Our Board of Directors may (or may direct a board committee to) authorize the issuance of one or more additional series of preferred stock and may establish and designate series and the number of shares and the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the respective series of the preferred stock offered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. The shares of preferred stock, when issued and sold, will be fully paid and nonassessable.

The number of shares and all of the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the respective future series of preferred stock authorized by the Board of Directors (or a committee established by the Board of Directors) will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of particular series of preferred stock may differ, among other things, in:

 

   

designation;

 

   

number of shares that constitute the series;

 

   

dividends (which may be cumulative or noncumulative), the dividend rate, or the method of calculating the dividend rate;

 

   

dividend periods, or the method of calculating the dividend periods;

 

14


Table of Contents
   

redemption provisions, including whether, on what terms and at what prices the shares will be subject to redemption at our option and whether a sinking fund will be established;

 

   

voting rights;

 

   

preferences and rights upon liquidation or winding up;

 

   

whether and on what terms the shares will be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of any other class, series or security of ours or any other corporation or any other property (including whether the conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or our option, the period during which conversion or exchange may occur, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted);

 

   

for preferred stock convertible into our common stock, the number of shares of common stock to be reserved in connection with, and issued upon conversion of, the preferred stock (including whether the conversion or exchange is mandatory, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common stock issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted) at the option of the holder or our option and the period during which conversion or exchange may occur;

 

   

whether depositary shares representing the preferred stock will be offered and, if so, the fraction or multiple of a share that each depositary share will represent; and

 

   

the other rights and privileges and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of those rights or privileges.

Each series of preferred stock will rank, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up:

 

   

junior to any series of our capital stock expressly stated to be senior to that series of preferred stock; and

 

   

senior to our common stock and any class of our capital stock expressly stated to be junior to that series of preferred stock.

Dividends

Dividends will be payable as they are declared by our Board of Directors at such time or times as it elects, and no holder of preferred stock will have any right to receive any dividend unless and until that dividend has been declared by the Board of Directors. The stated annual dividend may be declared and paid in increments during each calendar year. In connection with each dividend payment, the Board of Directors may set a record date in advance of the payment date for the purpose of determining the holders of shares preferred stock who are entitled to receive that dividend.

If described in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may pay cumulative cash dividends to the holders of preferred stock, when and as declared by the Board of Directors or the committee, out of funds legally available for payment. The prospectus supplement will detail, as applicable, the annual rate of dividends or the method or formula for determining or calculating them, and the payment dates and payment periods for dividends. In the event that dividends are declared on the preferred stock, the Board of Directors or the committee will fix a record date for any such payment of dividends, which will be paid on the preferred stock to the holders of record on that record date.

 

15


Table of Contents

We will not declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividends on any preferred stock ranking on a parity as to payment of dividends with the preferred stock unless we declare, pay or set aside for payment dividends on all the outstanding shares of preferred stock for all dividend payment periods ending on or before the dividend payment date for that parity stock.

Unless we have paid in full all unpaid cumulative dividends, if any, on the outstanding shares of preferred stock, we may not take any of the following actions with respect to our common stock or any other preferred stock of Union ranking junior or on parity with the preferred stock as to dividend payments (unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement):

 

   

declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividends, other than dividends payable in our common stock;

 

   

make other distributions;

 

   

redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire our common stock or junior preferred stock for any consideration; or

 

   

make any payment to or available for a sinking fund for the redemption of our common stock or junior preferred stock.

Conversion and Exchange

The prospectus supplement will indicate whether and on what terms the shares of any future series of preferred stock will be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of any other class, series or security of Union or any other corporation or any other property (including whether the conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or our option, the period during which conversion or exchange may occur, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted). It will also indicate for preferred stock convertible into common stock, the number of shares of common stock to be reserved in connection with, and issued upon conversion of, the preferred stock (including whether the conversion or exchange is mandatory, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common stock issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted) at the option of the holder or our option and the period during which conversion or exchange may occur.

Redemption

The prospectus supplement will indicate whether, and on what terms, shares of any future series of preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or a sinking fund provision. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether, and on what terms, including the date on or after which redemption may occur, we may redeem shares of a series of the preferred stock.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Union, the holders of shares of preferred stock, will be entitled to receive, out of the assets of Union available for distribution to shareholders, liquidating distributions in an amount equal to the stated value per share of preferred stock, as described in the Articles and/or the applicable prospectus supplement, plus accrued and accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, to the date of final distribution, before any distribution is made to holders of:

 

16


Table of Contents
   

any class or series of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock as to rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up; or

 

   

our common stock.

However, holders of the shares of preferred stock will not be entitled to receive the liquidation price of their shares until we have paid or set aside an amount sufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference of any class or series of our capital stock ranking senior as to rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, neither a consolidation or merger of Union with or into another corporation nor a merger of another corporation with or into Union nor a sale or transfer of all or part of Union’s assets for cash or securities will be considered a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Union.

If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Union, assets of Union then distributable are insufficient to pay in full the amounts payable with respect to the preferred stock and any other preferred stock ranking on parity with the preferred stock as to rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of the preferred stock and of that other preferred stock will share ratably in any distribution in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After we have paid the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of the preferred stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by Union.

Voting Rights

Unless otherwise determined by our Board of Directors and indicated in the prospectus supplement, holders of the preferred stock will not have any voting rights except as from time to time required by law.

So long as any shares of the preferred stock remain outstanding, we will not, without the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, voting together as one class with all other series of preferred stock having similar voting rights that have been conferred and are exercisable:

 

   

issue or increase the authorized amount of any class or series of stock ranking senior to the outstanding preferred stock as to dividends or upon liquidation or dissolution; or

 

   

amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our Articles, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any power, preference or special right of the outstanding preferred stock or its holders.

Depositary Shares

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares or some multiple of shares of preferred stock, rather than individual shares of preferred stock. If we choose to do so, we will issue depositary receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction or a multiple of a share of a particular series of preferred stock as described below.

The following statements concerning depositary shares, depositary receipts, and the deposit agreement are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the forms of these documents, which we have filed or will file as exhibits to the registration statement. Each investor should refer to the detailed provisions of those documents.

 

17


Table of Contents

General. The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement among Union, a bank or trust company we select, with its principal executive office in the United States, as depository, which we refer to as the preferred stock depository, and the holders from time to time of depositary receipts issued under the agreement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the fraction or multiple of a share of preferred stock represented by that depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by that depositary share, including dividend, voting and liquidation rights.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional or multiple shares of the related series of preferred stock. Immediately following the issuance of shares of any future series of preferred stock, we will deposit those shares with the preferred stock depository, which will then issue and deliver the depositary receipts to the purchasers. Depositary receipts will only be issued evidencing whole depositary shares. A depositary receipt may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.

Dividends and Other Distributions. The preferred stock depository will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received on the related series of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts relating to those series in proportion to the number of the depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts those holders own.

If we make a distribution other than in cash, the preferred stock depository will distribute the property it receives to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts those holders own, unless the preferred stock depository determines that the distribution cannot be made proportionately among those holders or that it is not feasible to make the distribution. In that event, the preferred stock depository may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds to the holders in proportion to the number of depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts they own.

The amount distributed to holders of depositary shares will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by Union or the preferred stock depository on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

Conversion and Exchange. If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to conversion or exchange, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the rights or obligations of each record holder of depositary receipts to convert or exchange the depositary shares.

Voting the Preferred Stock. Upon receiving notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the preferred stock depository will mail the information contained in the notice of the meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts relating to that series of preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary receipts on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the related series of preferred stock, may instruct the preferred stock depositary how to exercise his or her voting rights. The preferred stock depository will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the maximum number of whole shares of the preferred stock represented by those depositary shares in accordance with those instructions received sufficiently in advance of the meeting, and we will agree to take all reasonable action that may be deemed necessary by the preferred stock depository in order to enable the preferred stock depository to do so. The preferred stock depository will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock for which it does not receive specific instructions from the holder of the depositary shares representing them.

 

18


Table of Contents

Redemption of Depositary Shares. Depositary shares will be redeemed from any proceeds received by the preferred stock depository resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of the series of the preferred stock represented by those depositary shares. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction or multiple of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the series of the preferred stock. If we redeem shares of a series of preferred stock held by the preferred stock depository, the preferred stock depository will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock that we redeem. If less than all the depositary shares will be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or substantially equivalent method determined by the preferred stock depository.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable and any other property to which the holders were entitled upon the redemption upon surrender to the preferred stock depository of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares. Any funds deposited by us with the preferred stock depository for any depositary shares that the holders fail to redeem will be returned to us after a period of two years from the date the funds are deposited.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement. We may amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement at any time and from time to time by agreement with the preferred stock depository. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts will not be effective unless it has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement will automatically terminate after there has been a final distribution on the related series of preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Union and that distribution has been made to the holders of depositary shares or all of the depository shares have been redeemed.

Charges of Preferred Stock Depository. We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay all charges of the preferred stock depository in connection with the initial deposit of the related series of preferred stock, the initial issuance of the depositary shares, all withdrawals of shares of the related series of preferred stock by holders of depositary shares and the registration of transfers of title to any depositary shares. However, holders of depositary shares will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and the other charges expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

Corporate Trust Office of Preferred Stock Depository. The preferred stock depository’s corporate trust office will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary shares. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock depository will act as transfer agent and registrar for depositary receipts, and, if shares of a series of preferred stock are redeemable, the preferred stock depository will act as redemption agent for the corresponding depositary receipts.

Resignation and Removal of Preferred Stock Depository. The preferred stock depository may resign at any time by delivering to us written notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the preferred stock depository. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor preferred stock depository. A successor must be appointed by us within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States.

 

19


Table of Contents

Reports to Holders. We will deliver all required reports and communications to holders of the preferred stock to the preferred stock depository, and it will forward those reports and communications to the holders of depositary shares.

Limitation on Liability. Neither we nor the preferred stock depository will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our respective obligations under the deposit argument. Our obligations and those of the depository will be limited to performance of our respective duties under the deposit agreement without, in our case, negligence or bad faith or, in the case of the depository, negligence or willful misconduct. We and the depository may rely upon advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting the underlying preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed by us in good faith to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

Inspection by Holders. Upon request, the preferred stock depository will provide for inspection to the holders of depositary shares the transfer books of the depository and the list of holders of receipts; provided that any requesting holder certifies to the preferred stock depository that such inspection is for a proper purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as an owner of depositary shares evidenced by the receipts.

Description of Debt Securities

Debt may be Senior or Subordinated

We may issue senior or subordinated debt securities. The senior debt securities and, in the case of debt securities in bearer form, any coupons to these securities, will constitute part of our senior debt and, except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities and any coupons will constitute part of our subordinated debt and will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our “senior indebtedness” (as defined herein). If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with a series of subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the information we incorporate in this prospectus by reference will indicate the approximate amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter. If issued, there will be one indenture for senior debt securities and one for subordinated debt securities.

Payments

We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. The provisions of each indenture may allow us to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that issue. The debt securities may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars.

Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate, which, in either case, may be zero, or at a rate that varies during the lifetime of the debt security. Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such debt securities.

Terms Specified in Prospectus Supplement

The prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to any offered debt securities:

 

20


Table of Contents
   

classification as senior or subordinated debt securities and the specific designation;

 

   

aggregate principal amount, purchase price and denomination;

 

   

currency in which the debt securities are denominated and/or in which principal, and premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, is payable;

 

   

date of maturity;

 

   

the interest rate or rates or the method by which the interest rate or rates will be determined, if any;

 

   

the interest payment dates, if any;

 

   

the place or places for payment of the principal of and any premium and/or interest on the debt securities;

 

   

any repayment, redemption, prepayment or sinking fund provisions, including any redemption notice provisions;

 

   

whether we will issue the debt securities in registered form or bearer form or both and, if we are offering debt securities in bearer form, any restrictions applicable to the exchange of one form for another and to the offer, sale and delivery of those debt securities in bearer form;

 

   

whether we will issue the debt securities in definitive form and under what terms and conditions;

 

   

the terms on which holders of the debt securities may convert or exchange these securities into or for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours offered hereby, into or for common or preferred stock or other securities of an entity affiliated with us or debt or equity or other securities of an entity not affiliated with us, or for the cash value of our stock or any of the above securities, the terms on which conversion or exchange may occur, including whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the period during which conversion or exchange may occur, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted;

 

   

information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date and/or the currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the amount payable on that date is linked;

 

   

any agents for the debt securities, including trustees, depositories, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars;

 

   

the depository for global certificated securities, if any; and

 

   

any other specific terms of the debt securities, including any additional events of default or covenants, and any terms required by or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

Registration and Transfer of Debt Securities

Holders may present debt securities for exchange, and holders of registered debt securities may present these securities for transfer, in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions stated in the debt securities and described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will provide these services without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with these services and subject to any limitations provided in the applicable indenture.

If any of the securities are to be held in global form, the procedures for transfer of interests in those securities will depend upon the procedures of the depositary for those global securities. See “Global Securities.”

 

21


Table of Contents

Subordination Provisions

The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities will describe the specific subordination provisions. However, unless otherwise noted in the prospectus supplement, subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our senior indebtedness, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the subordinated indenture. The indenture for any subordinated debt securities will define the applicable “senior indebtedness.” Senior indebtedness shall continue to be senior indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such senior indebtedness.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the circumstances under which we may withhold payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any subordinated debt securities. In such event, any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities, whether in cash, securities or other property, which would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of the subordinated debt securities, will be paid or delivered directly to the holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives or trustees in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders as calculated by us until all senior indebtedness has been paid in full. If any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities is received by the trustee of any subordinated debt securities in contravention of any of the terms of the subordinated indenture and before all the senior indebtedness has been paid in full, such payment or distribution will be received in trust for the benefit of, and paid over or delivered to, the holders of the senior indebtedness or their representatives or trustees at the time outstanding in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders as calculated by us for application to the payment of all senior indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such senior indebtedness in full.

Covenants

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following information about any senior debt securities issued under it:

 

   

the terms and conditions of any restrictions on our ability to create, assume, incur or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money that is secured by a pledge, lien or other encumbrance; and

 

   

the terms and conditions of any restrictions on our ability to merge or consolidate with any other person or to sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to any other person.

Events of Default

The indenture for any senior debt securities will provide holders of the securities with the terms of remedies if we fail to perform specific obligations, such as making payments on the debt securities or other indebtedness, or if we become bankrupt. Holders should review these provisions and understand which of our actions trigger an event of default and which actions do not. The indenture may provide for the issuance of debt securities in one or more series and whether an event of default has occurred may be determined on a series by series basis. The events of default will be defined under the indenture and described in the prospectus supplement.

 

22


Table of Contents

The prospectus supplement will contain:

 

   

the terms and conditions, if any, by which the securities holders may declare the principal of all debt securities of each affected series and interest accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately; and

 

   

the terms and conditions, if any, under which all of the principal of all debt securities and interest accrued thereon shall be immediately due and payable.

The prospectus supplement will also contain a description of the method by which the holders of the outstanding debt securities may annul past declarations of acceleration of, or waive past defaults of, the debt securities.

The indenture will contain a provision entitling the trustee, subject to the duty of the trustee during a default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the holders of debt securities issued under the indenture before proceeding to exercise any trust or power at the request of holders. The prospectus supplement will contain a description of the method by which the holders of outstanding debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.

The indenture will provide that no individual holder of debt securities may institute any action against us under the indenture, except actions for payment of overdue principal and interest. The prospectus supplement will contain a description of the circumstances under which a holder may exercise this right.

The indenture will contain a covenant that we will file annually with the trustee a certificate of no default or a certificate specifying any default that exists.

Discharge

The prospectus supplement will contain a description of our ability to eliminate most or all of our obligations on any series of debt securities prior to maturity provided we comply with the provisions described in the prospectus supplement.

We will also have the ability to discharge all of our obligations, other than as to transfers and exchanges, under any series of debt securities at any time, which we refer to as “defeasance.” We may be released with respect to any outstanding series of debt securities from the obligations imposed by any covenants limiting liens and consolidations, mergers, and asset sales, and elect not to comply with those sections without creating an event of default. Discharge under those procedures is called “covenant defeasance.” The conditions we must satisfy to exercise covenant defeasance with respect to a series of debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Modification of the Indenture

The prospectus supplement will contain a description of our ability and the terms and conditions under which, with the applicable trustee, we may enter into supplemental indentures which make certain changes that do not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the holders of any series without the consent of the holders of debt securities issued under a particular indenture.

The prospectus supplement will contain a description of the method by which we and the applicable trustee, with the consent of the holders of outstanding debt securities, may add any provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any of the provisions of, the applicable indenture or modify in

 

23


Table of Contents

any manner the rights of the holders of those debt securities. The prospectus supplement will also describe the circumstances under which we may not exercise on this right without the consent of each holder that would be affected by such change.

We may not amend a supplemental indenture relating to subordinated debt securities to alter the subordination of any outstanding subordinated debt securities without the written consent of each potentially adversely affected holder of subordinated and senior indebtedness then outstanding.

Description of Purchase Contracts

We may issue purchase contracts, including purchase contracts issued as part of a unit with one or more other securities, for the purchase or sale of our debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. The price of our debt securities or price per share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, as applicable, may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula contained in the purchase contracts. We may issue purchase contracts in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish.

The applicable prospectus supplement may contain, where applicable, the following information about the purchase contracts issued under it:

 

   

whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder to purchase or sell, or both, our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, as applicable, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or method of determining those amounts;

 

   

whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not;

 

   

whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of our common stock or preferred stock;

 

   

any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts;

 

   

United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the purchase contracts; and

 

   

whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered global form.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts. The preceding description and any description of purchase contracts in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the purchase contract agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such purchase contracts.

Description of Units

Units will consist of any combination of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus and may include trust preferred securities issued by Union Capital Statutory Trust III. The applicable prospectus supplement or supplements will also describe:

 

   

the designation and the terms of the units and of any combination of the securities constituting the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or traded separately;

 

   

any additional terms of the agreement governing the units;

 

24


Table of Contents
   

any additional provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities constituting the units;

 

   

any applicable United States federal income tax consequences; and

 

   

whether the units will be issued in fully registered form.

The terms and conditions described under “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants,” “Description of Preferred Stock” and “Description of Common Stock” will apply to each unit that includes such securities and to the securities included in each unit, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If applicable, the terms and conditions of any trust preferred securities described in a prospectus or prospectus supplement delivered by Union Capital Statutory Trust III will apply to units that include trust preferred securities.

We will issue the units under one or more unit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as unit agent. We may issue units in one or more series, which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Description of Warrants

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, or shares of preferred stock or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any debt securities, shares of preferred stock or common stock offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from the debt securities, shares of preferred stock or common stock. The warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between Union and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as is named in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of warrants. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of Union in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants.

This section is a summary of the material terms of the warrant agreement; it does not describe every aspect of the warrants. We urge you to read the form of warrant agreement attached as an exhibit to the registration statement because it, and not this description, will define your rights as a warrant holder.

General

If warrants are offered, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:

 

   

the offering price;

 

   

the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants and the price at which such debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

   

the designation, number of shares and terms of the preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the preferred stock warrants and the price at which such shares of preferred stock may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

   

the designation, number of shares and terms of the common stock purchasable upon exercise of the common stock warrants and the price at which such shares of common stock may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

25


Table of Contents
   

if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities, preferred stock or common stock with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such debt security or share of preferred stock or common stock;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

   

whether the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;

 

   

a discussion of certain federal income tax, accounting and other special considerations, procedures and limitations relating to the warrants; and

 

   

any other terms of the warrants.

Warrants may be exchanged for new warrants of different denominations.

If in registered form, warrants may be presented for registration of transfer, and may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive payments of principal of, any premium on, or any interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise or to enforce the covenants in the indenture or to receive payments of dividends, if any, on the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon such exercise or to exercise any applicable right to vote.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase such principal amount of debt securities or such number of shares of preferred stock or common stock at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or can be calculated according to information contained in, the prospectus supplement relating to the warrant. Warrants may be exercised at such times as are set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants. After the close of business on the expiration date of the warrants, or such later date to which such expiration date may be extended by Union, unexercised warrants will become void.

Subject to any restrictions and additional requirements that may be set forth in the prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised by delivery to the warrant agent of the certificate evidencing such warrants properly completed and duly executed and of payment as provided in the prospectus supplement of the amount required to purchase the debt securities or shares of preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon such exercise. The exercise price will be the price applicable on the date of payment in full, as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. Upon receipt of such payment and the certificate representing the warrants to be exercised, properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the debt securities or shares of preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by such certificate are exercised, a new certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of warrants.

Additional Provisions

The exercise price payable and the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of each stock warrant will be subject to adjustment in certain events, including:

 

26


Table of Contents
   

the issuance of the stock dividend to holders of common stock or preferred stock, respectively;

 

   

a combination, subdivision or reclassification of common stock or preferred stock, respectively; or

 

   

any other event described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

In lieu of adjusting the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of each stock warrant, we may elect to adjust the number of stock warrants. No adjustment in the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of the stock warrants will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% thereof. We may, at our option, reduce the exercise price at any time. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of stock warrants, but we will pay the cash value of any fractional shares otherwise issuable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case of any consolidation, merger, or sale or conveyance of the property of Union as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, the holder of each outstanding stock warrant shall have the right upon the exercise thereof to the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property, including cash, receivable by a holder of the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock into which such stock warrants were exercisable immediately prior thereto.

No Rights as Stockholders

Holders of stock warrants will not be entitled, by virtue of being such holders, to vote, to consent, to receive dividends, to receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the election of directors of Union or any other matter, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as shareholders of Union.

Description of Global Securities

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue the securities other than common stock in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depository or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depository or its nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depository for the registered global security, the nominees of the depository or any successors of the depository or those nominees.

If not described below, any specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depository arrangements.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depository or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depository will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited.

 

27


Table of Contents

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depository, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

So long as the depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depository for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take, the depository for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

Payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to warrants, units, or preferred stock, represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of Union, the trustees, the warrant agents, the unit agents or any other agent of Union, agent of the trustees or agent of the warrant agents or unit agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depository for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depository. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.

If the depository for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depository registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depository. In addition, under the terms of the indenture, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have any of the securities represented by one or more registered global securities. We understand, however, that, under current industry practices, the depository would notify its participants of our request, but will only withdraw beneficial interests from a

 

28


Table of Contents

global security at the request of each participant. We would issue definitive certificates in exchange for any such interests withdrawn. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depository gives to the applicable trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depository’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depository from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depository.

Book-Entry Issuance

General

The Depository Trust Company (the “DTC”) may act as securities depository for all of the debt securities unless otherwise referred to in the prospectus supplement relating to an offering of debt securities. The debt securities may be issued only as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s nominee). One or more fully-registered global certificates will be issued for the debt securities, representing in the aggregate the total amount of the debt securities, and will be deposited with DTC.

DTC, the world’s largest depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations.

DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (the “DTCC”). DTCC, in turn, is owned by a number of its direct participants and members of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, Government Securities Clearing Corporation, MBS Clearing Corporation and Emerging Markets Clearing Corporation, as well as by the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Access to the DTC system is also available to indirect participants, such as securities brokers and dealers, and banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain custodial relationships with direct participants, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of debt securities within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each debt security, as beneficial owner, is in turn to be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owners purchased debt securities. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interest in debt securities except if use of the book-entry-only system for the debt securities is discontinued.

 

29


Table of Contents

The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC will have no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we assume no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. We do not have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants of their respective obligations as described in this prospectus or under the rules and procedures governing their respective operations.

Notices and Voting

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to Cede & Co. as the registered holder of the debt securities. If less than all of the debt securities are being redeemed, DTC’s current practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant to be redeemed.

Although voting with respect to the debt securities is limited to the holders of record of the debt securities, in those instances in which a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with respect to the debt securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to the relevant trustee as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date.

Distribution of Funds

The relevant trustee will make distribution payments on the debt securities to DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on the payment date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the participant and not of DTC, the relevant trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the responsibility of the relevant trustee, disbursement of the payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursements of the payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

Successor Depositaries and Termination of Book-Entry System

DTC may discontinue providing its services with respect to any of the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the relevant trustee or us. If no successor securities depositary is obtained, definitive certificates representing the debt securities are required to be printed and delivered. We also have the option to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor depositary). After an event of default under the indenture, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of debt securities may determine to discontinue the system of book-entry transfers through DTC. In these events, definitive certificates for the debt securities will be printed and delivered.

 

30


Table of Contents

Plan of Distribution

General

We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

   

through agents to the public or to investors;

 

   

to underwriters for resale to the public or to investors;

 

   

directly to investors; or

 

   

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of that particular offering of securities, including:

 

   

the name or names of any agents or underwriters;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

 

   

any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

   

any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

   

any initial public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or re allowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchanges or markets on which such securities may be listed.

Agents

We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases of our securities for a period of their appointment or to sell our securities on a continuing basis.

Underwriters

If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the shares for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The underwriters may sell the securities directly or through underwriting syndicates by managing underwriters. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the shares will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the shares if they purchase any of the shares. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or reallow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe the nature of any such relationship in any prospectus supplement naming any such underwriter.

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions they receive may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation.

 

31


Table of Contents

We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against various civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute payments that the agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be required to make as a result of those civil liabilities. Underwriters, dealers and agents and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us or our subsidiary companies in the ordinary course of their businesses. In connection with the distribution of the securities, we may enter into swap or other hedging transactions with, or arranged by, underwriters or agents or their affiliates. These underwriters or agents or their affiliates may receive compensation, trading gain or other benefits from these transactions.

Direct Sales

We may also sell shares directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.

Stabilization Activities

Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of these activities at any time.

Passive Market Making

Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on the NASDAQ Global Select Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on the NASDAQ Global Select Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security. If all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded.

Trading Markets and Listing of Securities

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Any shares of common stock hereunder will be listed in the NASDAQ Global Select Market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any additional exchange or market, but we are not obligated to do so unless stated otherwise in a prospectus supplement. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

 

32


Table of Contents

General Information

The securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and terms of its agreement, if any, with us, and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, in connection with the securities remarketed thereby.

Validity of Securities

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, some legal matters will be passed upon for us by LeClairRyan, A Professional Corporation, our counsel, and for any underwriters and agents by counsel selected by such underwriters or agents.

Experts

Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, included in our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2007, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 have been audited by Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports appearing therein and herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

33


Table of Contents

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus is included in a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED             , 2008

Prospectus

$50,000,000

Junior Subordinated Debt Securities

Union Capital Statutory Trust III

Capital Securities

Fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a junior subordinated basis

by Union Bankshares Corporation, as described in this prospectus

We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement and a pricing supplement, if any.

The aggregate initial offering price of all securities we sell under this prospectus will not exceed $50,000,000.

The specific terms of any securities we offer will be included in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before you invest.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “UBSH.”

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the section entitled “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 6 of this prospectus and in the documents we file with the SEC that are incorporated in this prospectus by reference for certain risks and uncertainties you should consider.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved our securities or determined that this prospectus is truthful or complete. It is illegal for anyone to tell you otherwise.

These securities will not be savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Deposit Insurance Fund or any other governmental agency or instrumentality.

The date of this prospectus is             , 2008.


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

     Page

About this Prospectus

   2

Where You Can Find More Information

   4

Documents Incorporated by Reference

   4

Note of Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

   5

Risk Factors

   6

Union Bankshares Corporation

   6

Use of Proceeds

   8

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   8

Regulatory Considerations

   8

About the Trust

   9

Description of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities

   10

Description of Capital Securities

   22

Description of the Guarantees

   34

Relationship among the Capital Securities, the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt and the Guarantees

   36

Book-Entry Issuance

   38

Plan of Distribution

   40

Glossary

   42

Validity of Securities

   43

Experts

   44

About this Prospectus

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we, along with the Union Capital Statutory Trust III, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, using this prospectus, together with a prospectus supplement, we may sell junior subordinated debt securities to the trust and the trust will:

 

   

sell capital securities (representing undivided beneficial interests in the trust) to the public; and

 

   

sell common securities to us.

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the capital securities may be converted into shares of our common or preferred stock. These may be sold in one or more offerings.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trust will use the proceeds from sales of capital securities to buy a series of our junior subordinated debt securities with terms that correspond to the terms of the capital securities.

We:

 

   

will pay principal and interest on our junior subordinated debt securities, subject to the payment of our more senior debt;

 

2


Table of Contents
   

may choose to distribute our junior subordinated debt securities pro rata to the holders of the related capital securities and common securities if we dissolve the related capital trust; and

 

   

will fully and unconditionally guarantee payments and other distributions due on the capital securities of each trust, on a junior subordinated basis, to the extent such trust has funds available therefor from payments on the junior subordinated debt securities held by such trust, which, together with our junior subordinated debt securities, will constitute our unconditional guarantee of the capital securities.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the junior subordinated debt securities, capital securities, and the guarantees. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

Unless the context requires otherwise, in this prospectus, we use the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Union” and the “Company” to refer to Union Bankshares Corporation and its subsidiaries. The term “trust” refers to Union Capital Statutory Trust III. The terms “banks” and “Community Banks” refer to our community bank subsidiaries.

Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus before making an investment in our securities. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for more information.

Our SEC registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be read at the SEC’s web site or at the SEC’s offices. The SEC’s web site and street addresses are provided under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or a supplement to this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This document may be used only in jurisdictions where offers and sales of these securities are permitted. You should not assume that information contained in this prospectus, in any supplement to this prospectus, or in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of the document that contains the information, regardless of when this prospectus is delivered or when any sale of our securities occurs.

We may sell our securities to underwriters who will in turn sell the securities to the public on terms fixed at the time of sale. In addition, the securities may be sold by us directly or through dealers or agents which we may designate from time to time. If we, directly or through agents, solicit offers to purchase the securities, we reserve the sole right to accept and, together with our agents, to reject, in whole or in part, any of those offers.

A prospectus supplement will contain the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, together with the terms of offering, the compensation of those underwriters and the net proceeds to be received by Union. Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the offering may be deemed “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

3


Table of Contents

Where You Can Find More Information

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits to the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. Our SEC filings are also available at no cost on our web site, http://www.ubsh.com, through the Investor Relations link, as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such documents with the SEC. Except for those SEC filings, none of the other information on our web site is part of this prospectus. Our SEC filings are also available at the office of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. For further information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the NASDAQ Global Select Market, you should call (212) 656-5060 or visit the NASDAQ Global Select Market website http://www.nasdaq.com. Our commission file number is 000-20293.

No separate financial statements of the trust have been included in this prospectus. We do not consider that these financial statements would be material to holders of the capital securities because:

 

   

all of the voting securities of the trust will be owned by us, a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act;

 

   

the trust has no independent operations other than issuing securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trust and investing the proceeds thereof in junior subordinated debt securities issued by us; and

 

   

our obligations to provide certain indemnities in respect of and be responsible for certain costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the trust under the indenture and pursuant to the trust agreement, the guarantee, the junior subordinated debt securities and the expense agreement, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee of payments due on the capital securities.

The trust is not currently subject to the information reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act and we do not expect that the trust will file reports, proxy statements or other information under the Securities Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus.

Some information contained in this prospectus updates and supersedes the information incorporated by reference and some information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below (except

 

4


Table of Contents

Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K listed below, unless otherwise indicated in the Form 8-K):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC since December 31, 2007; and

 

   

the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statements filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time (the “Exchange Act”).

We also incorporate by reference any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the initial filing of the registration statement that contains this prospectus and before the time that all of the securities offered by this prospectus are sold; provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference any information furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K (unless otherwise indicated). Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, or in any other document filed later which is also incorporated in this prospectus by reference, modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus except as so modified or superseded. The information contained in this prospectus should be read together with the information in the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference.

You may obtain any of these incorporated documents from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to these documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in such document, by requesting them from us in writing or by telephone at the following address:

Mr. D. Anthony Peay

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Union Bankshares Corporation

211 North Main Street, Post Office Box 446

Bowling Green, VA 22427

(804) 633-5031

These incorporated documents may also be available on our web site at www.ubsh.com. Except for incorporated documents, information contained on our web site is not a prospectus and does not constitute part of this prospectus.

Note of Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

We make certain forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus that are based upon our current expectations and projections about current events. You should not rely on forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or the documents incorporated by reference. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we are including this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. You can identify these statements from our use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements

 

5


Table of Contents

include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to the financial condition, expected or anticipated revenue, results of operations and business of the Company that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulations; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, pricing, products and services.

You should also consider carefully the statements under “Risk Factors” and other sections of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference, which address additional facts that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. We caution investors not to place significant reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the documents we incorporate by reference.

Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results, performance or achievements, or industry results, may be materially different from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, our past results of operations do not necessarily indicate our future results. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, which speak only as of the date they were made. We do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future, unless we are obligated to do so under the federal securities laws. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

Risk Factors

Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our updates to those Risk Factors in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, together with all of the other information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, in light of your particular investment objectives and financial circumstances. In addition to those risk factors, there may be additional risks and uncertainties of which management is not aware or focused on or that management deems immaterial. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Union Bankshares Corporation

Our Company

We are a multi-bank holding company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. We are headquartered in Bowling Green, Virginia, and we are committed to the delivery of financial services through our four Community Banks and three non-bank financial services affiliates. Our Community Banks and non-bank financial services affiliates are:

 

6


Table of Contents

Community Banks

 

Union Bank and Trust Company

   Bowling Green, Virginia

Northern Neck State Bank

   Warsaw, Virginia

Rappahannock National Bank

   Washington, Virginia

Bay Community Bank

   Newport News, Virginia

Financial Services Affiliates

 

Union Mortgage Group, Inc.

   Annandale, Virginia

Union Investment Services, Inc.

   Ashland, Virginia

Union Insurance Group, LLC

   Bowling Green, Virginia

Each of the Community Banks is a full service retail commercial bank offering consumers and businesses a wide range of banking and related financial services, including checking, savings, certificates of deposit and other depository services, as well as loans for commercial, industrial, residential mortgage and consumer purposes throughout the Northern, Central, Rappahannock, Tidewater and Northern Neck regions of Virginia. Each bank is independently operated by local management and boards of directors to ensure community responsiveness and maintain a customer service focus.

We provide other financial services through our non-bank affiliates—Union Investment Services, Inc., Union Mortgage Group, Inc. (“Union Mortgage”) (formerly Mortgage Capital Investors, Inc.) and Union Insurance Group, LLC (“Union Insurance”). In addition, Bay Community Bank owns a non-controlling interest in Johnson Mortgage Company, LLC.

Union Investment Services, Inc. provides securities, brokerage and investment advisory services and is a full service investment company handling all aspects of wealth management including stocks, bonds, annuities, mutual funds and financial planning. Union Mortgage is a mortgage loan brokerage company headquartered in Annandale, Virginia, that has fourteen offices in the following locations: Virginia (nine), Maryland (four) and South Carolina (one). Union Mortgage is also licensed to do business in selected states throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, as well as Washington, D.C. It provides a variety of mortgage products to customers in those areas. The mortgage loans originated by Union Mortgage are generally sold in the secondary market through purchase agreements with institutional investors. Union Insurance operates in a joint venture with Bankers Insurance, LLC, a large insurance agency owned by community banks across Virginia and managed by the Virginia Bankers Association. Union Insurance generates revenue through sales of various insurance products, including long-term care insurance and business owner policies.

In May 2008, we announced that our affiliate Bay Community Bank will merge into our largest affiliate, Union Bank and Trust Company. The projected completion date of the merger is October 31, 2008. In addition, effective March 14, 2008, we completed our previously announced merger of our Prosperity Bank & Trust Company affiliate into Union Bank and Trust Company.

 

7


Table of Contents

Use of Proceeds

We expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities for general corporate purposes, which may include:

 

   

investing in, or extending credit to, our operating subsidiaries;

 

   

investments at the holding company level;

 

   

reducing or refinancing existing debt;

 

   

possible acquisitions;

 

   

stock repurchases; and

 

   

other purposes as described in any prospectus supplement.

Pending such use, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds of any offering. The precise amounts and timing of the application of proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability of other funds. Except as indicated in a prospectus supplement, allocations of the proceeds to specific purposes will not have been made at the date of that prospectus supplement.

We continually evaluate possible business combination opportunities. As a result, future business combinations involving cash, debt or equity securities may occur. Any future business combination or series of business combinations that we might undertake may be material, in terms of assets acquired, liabilities assumed or otherwise, to our financial condition.

Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented:

 

     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
   For the Years Ended December 31,
   2008    2007    2007    2006    2005    2004    2003

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges:(1)

                    

Including deposit interest

   1.37    1.47    1.40    1.69    2.07    1.97    1.96

Excluding deposit interest

   2.57    2.97    2.54    3.83    6.02    5.41    6.68

 

For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, fixed charges are the sum of:

 

   

interest cost, including interest on deposits; and

 

   

that portion of rent expense estimated to be representative of the interest factor.

 

(1) Currently, we have no shares of preferred stock outstanding and have not paid any dividends on preferred stock in the periods presented. Therefore, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is not different from the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

Regulatory Considerations

We are extensively regulated under both federal and state law. As a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, we are subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). We are

 

8


Table of Contents

also registered under the bank holding company laws of Virginia. Accordingly, the Company and our banks, other than Rappahannock National Bank, which is regulated and supervised by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), are subject to regulation and supervision by the State Corporation Commission of Virginia (the “SCC”) and the Federal Reserve. Our banks have deposit insurance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation through the Deposit Insurance Fund. For a discussion of the material elements of the regulatory framework applicable to bank holding companies and their subsidiaries and specific information relevant to us, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and any subsequent reports we file with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

This regulatory framework is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the federal deposit insurance funds and not for the protection of security holders. As a result of this regulatory framework, our earnings are affected by actions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), which insures the deposits of our banking subsidiaries within certain limits, the state banking regulators in Virginia and the Federal Reserve Board, which regulate us and our bank subsidiaries, and the SEC.

Our earnings are also affected by general economic conditions, our management policies and legislative action. In addition, there are numerous governmental requirements and regulations that affect our business activities. A change in applicable statutes, regulations or regulatory policy may have a material effect on our business.

Depository institutions, like our bank subsidiaries, are also affected by various federal and state laws, including those relating to consumer protection and similar matters. We also have other subsidiaries regulated, supervised and examined by the Federal Reserve Board, as well as other relevant state and federal regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations. Our non-bank subsidiaries may be subject to other laws and regulations of the federal government or the various states in which they do business.

About the Trust

We have created a statutory trust under Delaware law under a trust agreement established for the trust. A trust is a fiduciary relationship where one person known as the trustee, holds some property for the benefit of another person, in this case, the purchasers of the securities. For the securities being sold, the trustee and we will enter into an amended and restated trust agreement that will be essentially in the form filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, which will state the terms and conditions for each trust to issue and sell the specific capital securities and common securities.

The trust exists solely to:

 

   

issue and sell capital securities and common securities;

 

   

use the gross proceeds from the sale of the capital securities and common securities to purchase a corresponding series of our junior subordinated debt securities;

 

   

maintain their status as grantor trusts for federal income tax purposes; and

 

   

engage in other activities that are necessary or incidental to these purposes.

We will purchase all of the common securities of the trust.

 

9


Table of Contents

The common securities will have terms substantially identical to, and will rank equal in priority of payment with, the capital securities. If we default on the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, then distributions on the common securities will be subordinate to the capital securities in priority of payment.

For the trust, as the direct or indirect holder of the common securities, we will appoint five trustees. One of the trustees will be a U.S. banking institution serving as the property trustee and one will be a U.S. banking institution which will serve as the Delaware trustee. The other three trustees will serve as administrative trustees (who are employees or officers of or affiliated with Union) to conduct the trust’s business and affairs. As holder of the common securities, we (except in some circumstances) have the power to:

 

   

appoint the trustees;

 

   

replace or remove the trustees; and

 

   

increase or decrease the number of trustees.

This means that if you are dissatisfied with a trustee you will not be able to remove the trustee without our assistance. Similarly, if we are dissatisfied with a trustee we can remove the trustee even if you are satisfied with the trustee.

The property trustee will act as sole trustee under the trust agreement for purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act and as trustee under the guarantees and junior subordinated debentures. See “Description of the Guarantees” and “Description of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities.”

The capital securities will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us as described under “Description of the Guarantees.”

The principal executive office of the trust is c/o Union Bankshares Corporation, 211 North Main Street, Post Office Box 446, Bowling Green, Virginia 22427.

Description of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the junior subordinated debt securities that are offered by this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series of junior subordinated debt securities offered under that prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those junior subordinated debt securities.

The junior subordinated debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and an unaffiliated bank as trustee. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. The junior subordinated indenture will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement relating to this prospectus. Each series of junior subordinated debt securities will be governed by the junior subordinated indenture and a series supplement thereto.

This section summarizes the material terms and provisions of the junior subordinated indenture and the junior subordinated debt securities. Because this is a summary, it does not contain all of the details found in the full text of the junior subordinated indenture and the junior subordinated debt securities. If you would like additional information, you should read the form of junior subordinated indenture and the form of junior subordinated debt securities to be filed with the SEC.

 

10


Table of Contents

General

We can issue the junior subordinated debt securities in one or more series. A series of junior subordinated debt securities initially will be issued to the trust in connection with a capital securities offering.

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement regarding any offered junior subordinated debt securities, the junior subordinated debt securities will rank equally with all other series of junior subordinated debt securities, will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to all of our Senior Debt as described below under “Subordination.”

The indenture does not limit the amount of junior subordinated debt securities which we may issue, nor does it limit our issuance of any other secured or unsecured Debt. Because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors, including the holder of the junior subordinated debentures, to participate in the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.

We can issue the junior subordinated debt securities under a supplemental indenture, an officers’ certificate or a resolution of our Board of Directors.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the junior subordinated debt securities:

 

   

the title;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount that may be issued;

 

   

the date(s) on which the principal is payable or the method of determining that date;

 

   

the interest rate, if any, the interest payment dates, any rights we may have to defer or extend an interest payment date, and the regular record date for any interest payment or the method by which any of the foregoing will be determined;

 

   

the place(s) where payments shall be payable and where the junior subordinated debt securities can be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, and the place(s) where notices and demands to or on us can be made;

 

   

any period(s) within which or date(s) on which, price(s) at which and the terms and conditions on which the junior subordinated debt securities can be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option or at the option of a holder of the junior subordinated debt securities;

 

   

our or any holder’s obligation or right, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay the junior subordinated debt securities and other related terms and provisions;

 

   

the minimum denominations in which any junior subordinated debt securities will be issued;

 

   

if other than in U.S. dollars, the currency in which the principal, premium and interest, if any, that the junior subordinated debt securities will be payable or denominated;

 

   

any provisions that restrict us, directly or indirectly, from redeeming or purchasing any of our outstanding securities, making any payments of principal, interest or dividends thereon, or making any payments pursuant to any guarantee of any securities issued by a subsidiary;

 

   

the circumstances constituting events of default or covenants, and any additions, modifications or deletions in the events of default or covenants specified in the indenture;

 

11


Table of Contents
   

the portion of the principal amount that will be payable at declaration of acceleration of the maturity;

 

   

any additions or changes to the indenture as will be necessary to facilitate the issuance of a series of junior subordinated debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable for the principal, and with or without interest coupons;

 

   

the index or indices used to determine the amount of payments of interest, principal, and premium (if any), on any junior subordinated debt securities and how these amounts will be determined;

 

   

the terms and conditions under which temporary global securities are exchanged for definitive junior subordinated debt securities of the same series;

 

   

whether the junior subordinated debt securities will be issued in global form and, in that case, the terms and the depositary for these global securities;

 

   

the paying agent;

 

   

the terms on which holders of the debt securities may convert or exchange these securities into or for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours, into or for common or preferred stock or other securities of an entity affiliated with us or debt or equity or other securities of an entity not affiliated with us, or for the cash value of our stock or any of the above securities, the terms on which conversion or exchange may occur, including whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the period during which conversion or exchange may occur, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted;

 

   

the form of trust agreement and guarantee agreement;

 

   

the relative degree, if any, to which the junior subordinated debt securities shall be senior or subordinated to other junior subordinated debt securities or any of our other indebtedness in right of payment; and

 

   

any other terms of the junior subordinated debt securities consistent with the provisions of the indenture.

Junior subordinated debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. Material U.S. federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to the junior subordinated debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the restrictions, elections, material U.S. federal income tax consequences, and specific terms and other information related to the junior subordinated debt securities if the purchase price, principal, premium, or interest of any of the junior subordinated debt securities is payable or denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units.

If any index is used to determine the amount of payments of interest on any series of junior subordinated debt securities, special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to the junior subordinated debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Option to Extend Interest Payment Dates

To the extent specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and if the junior subordinated debt securities are not in default, we shall have the right at any time and from time to time during the term

 

12


Table of Contents

of any series of junior subordinated debt securities to defer payment of interest for up to five consecutive years or such longer period as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement (an “extension period,” which we also sometimes refer to as a “deferral period”). No deferral period will extend past the maturity date of the junior subordinated debt securities.

During any such extension period, we will not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions relating to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment relating to, any of our capital stock or make any guarantee payment with respect thereto other than:

 

   

repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of our capital stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors or consultants;

 

   

repurchases of shares of Union common stock pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy stock existing prior to the commencement of the extension period, including under a contractually binding stock repurchase plan;

 

   

as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of Union’s capital stock for any other class or series of our capital stock;

 

   

the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Union’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged;

 

   

purchase of Union’s capital stock in connection with the distribution thereof;

 

   

any declaration of a dividend in connection with any rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto; or

 

   

any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks equally with or junior to such stock.

Except as described in any prospectus supplement, we will not make any payment of interest, principal or premium on, or repay, repurchase or redeem, any debt securities or guarantees issued by Union that rank equally with or junior to the junior subordinated debt securities.

The foregoing, however, will not apply to any stock dividends paid by Union where the dividend stock is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid. Union may pay current interest at any time with cash from any source.

Some U.S. federal income tax consequences and considerations applicable to any junior subordinated debt securities that permit extension periods will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption

Except as otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, junior subordinated debt securities will not be subject to any sinking fund.

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, we may, at our option and subject to the receipt of prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board, if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies, redeem the junior subordinated debt securities of any series:

 

13


Table of Contents
   

in whole at any time or in part from time to time; or

 

   

upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Regulatory Capital Event, as each is defined below, in whole (but not in part) at any time within 90 days of the occurrence of the Tax Event, the Investment Company Event or Regulatory Capital Event.

If the junior subordinated debt securities of any series are redeemable only on or after a specified date or by the satisfaction of additional conditions, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify the date or describe these conditions.

Junior subordinated debt securities shall be redeemable in the denominations specified in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, junior subordinated debt securities will be redeemed at the redemption price.

A Tax Event means that either we or the trust will have received an opinion of counsel (which may be our counsel or counsel of an affiliate but not an employee and which must be reasonably acceptable to the property trustee) experienced in tax matters stating that, as a result of any:

 

   

amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations under those laws) of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority affecting taxation; or

 

   

interpretation or application of the laws enumerated in the preceding bullet point or regulations, by any court, governmental agency or regulatory authority;

there is more than an insubstantial risk that:

 

   

the trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of the opinion of counsel, subject to U.S. federal income tax on interest received on the junior subordinated debt securities;

 

   

interest payable by us to the trust on the junior subordinated debt securities is not, or will not be within 90 days of the date of the opinion of counsel, deductible, in whole or in part, for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or

 

   

the trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of the opinion of counsel, subject to more than a minimal amount of other taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges.

An Investment Company Event means the receipt by us and the trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in matters relating to investment companies to the effect that, as a result of any:

 

   

change (including any announced prospective change) in law or regulation; or

 

   

change (including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority,

the trust is or will be considered an investment company that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, which change becomes effective on or after the original issuance of the capital securities.

 

14


Table of Contents

A Regulatory Capital Event means the reasonable determination by us that, as a result of any:

 

   

amendment to, or change (including any prospective change) in, laws or any applicable regulation of the United States and any political subdivision; or

 

   

as a result of any official or administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision interpreting or applying the laws or regulations, which amendment is effective or announced on or after the date of issuance of the capital securities,

there is more than an insubstantial risk of impairment of our ability to treat the capital securities (or any substantial portion) as Tier 1 capital (or its equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve Board, in effect and applicable to us.

Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of redeemable junior subordinated debt securities, at its registered address. Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, on or after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the junior subordinated debt securities or portions called for redemption.

Restrictions on Some Payments

Each prospectus supplement will describe any restrictions imposed by the junior subordinated debentures or the capital securities on payments by us or our subsidiaries, including dividends and distributions on, or redemptions and acquisitions of, our securities.

However, at any time, including during an extension period, we will be permitted to:

 

   

pay dividends or distributions in additional shares of capital stock;

 

   

make payments under the guarantee of the series of the capital securities and the common securities;

 

   

declare or pay a dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or issue stock under such a plan or repurchase such rights; and

 

   

purchase common stock for issuance pursuant to any employee benefit plans.

Modification of Indenture

We may and the trustee may change the indenture without your consent for specified purposes, including:

 

   

To evidence the succession of another person to Union;

 

   

to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the debenture trustee or surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the junior subordinated indenture;

 

   

to add to the covenants of Union for the benefit of other holders of all or any series of securities;

 

   

to add any additional events of default for the benefit of other holders of all or any series of securities;

 

   

to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the junior subordinated indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall not apply to any outstanding securities, or shall become effective only when there is no security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision;

 

15


Table of Contents
   

to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, provided that the change does not materially adversely affect the interest of any holder of any series of junior subordinated debt securities or, in the case of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, the interest of a holder of any related capital securities so long as they remain outstanding; and

 

   

to qualify or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

In addition, under the indenture, we and the trustee may modify the indenture to affect the rights of the holders of the series of the junior subordinated debt securities, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding series of junior subordinated debt securities that are affected. However, neither we nor the trustee may take the following actions without the consent of each holder of the outstanding junior subordinated debt securities affected:

 

   

change the maturity date of any series of junior subordinated debt securities (except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement), or reduce the principal amount, rate of interest, or extend the time of payment of interest;

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of junior subordinated debt securities of any series necessary to modify the indenture;

 

   

modify some provisions of the indenture relating to modification or waiver, except to increase the required percentage; or

 

   

modify the provisions of the indenture relating to the subordination of the junior subordinated debt securities of any series in a manner adverse to the holders.

In the case of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, as long as any of the related capital securities are outstanding, no modification will be made that adversely affects the holders of these capital securities in any material respect. Also the indenture cannot be terminated, and a waiver of any event of default or compliance with any covenant under the indenture cannot be effective, without the prior consent of the holders of a majority of the liquidation preference of the related capital securities unless and until the principal of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities and all accrued and unpaid interest have been paid in full and some other conditions are satisfied.

In addition, we and the trustee may execute any supplemental indenture to create any new series of junior subordinated debt securities without the consent of any holders.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the following are events of default as to any particular series of junior subordinated debt securities under the indenture:

 

   

default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any junior subordinated debt securities;

 

   

the default in the payment of interest on a junior subordinated debt security of that series in full for a period of 30 days after the conclusion of a period consisting of up to five consecutive years, or such longer period as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, commencing with the earliest quarter for which interest (including deferred payments) has not been paid in full;

 

   

the trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily dissolved, wound-up its business or otherwise terminated its existence, except in connection with (i) the distribution of the junior subordinated debt securities of that series to holders of the capital securities, (ii) the redemption of all of the related outstanding capital securities or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations;

 

16


Table of Contents
   

certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization regarding us or our banking subsidiaries; or

 

   

any other event of default that may be specified for the junior subordinated debt securities of that series when that series is created.

The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of any series of junior subordinated debt securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee. If an event of default (other than certain events of bankruptcy) under the indenture of any series occurs and is continuing, the junior subordinated trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding junior subordinated debt securities can declare the unpaid principal and accrued interest, if any, to the date of acceleration on all the outstanding junior subordinated debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. Similarly, in the case of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, if the trustee or holders of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities fail to make this declaration, the holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation preference of the related capital securities will have that right.

If an event of default consisting of certain events of bankruptcy occurs under the indenture of any series, the principal amount of all the outstanding junior subordinated debt securities of that series will automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder, become immediately due and payable.

The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of any series of junior subordinated debt securities can rescind a declaration of acceleration and waive the default if the default (other than the non-payment of principal which has become due solely by acceleration) has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all principal and interest due (other than by acceleration) has been deposited with the trustee. In the case of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, if the holders of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities fail to rescind a declaration and waive the default, the holders of a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the related capital securities will have that right.

The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the junior subordinated debt securities of any affected series may, on behalf of holders of all of the junior subordinated debt securities, waive any past default, except:

 

   

a default in the payment of principal or interest (unless the default has been cured or a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of principal and interest has been deposited with the trustee); or

 

   

a default in a covenant or provision of the indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each outstanding junior subordinated debt securities.

In the case of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, if the holders of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities fail to rescind a declaration and waive the default, the holders of a majority in liquidation preference of the related capital securities will have that right.

We are required to file annually, with the trustee, a certificate stating whether or not we are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to us under the junior subordinated indenture.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing on a series of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, the property trustee will have the right to declare the principal of, and the interest on, the

 

17


Table of Contents

corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, and any amounts payable under the indenture, to be immediately due and payable, and to enforce its other rights as a creditor for these corresponding junior subordinated debt securities.

Enforcement of Some Rights by Holders of Capital Securities

If an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing, and this event can be attributable to our failure to pay interest or principal on the related junior subordinated debt securities when due, you may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce the payment of the principal of or interest on those subordinated debt securities having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of your related capital securities. We cannot amend the indenture to remove the right to bring a direct action, without the written consent of holders of all capital securities. If the right to bring a direct action is removed, the applicable trust may become subject to reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

You would not be able to exercise directly any remedy other than those stated in the preceding paragraph which are available to the holders of the junior subordinated debt securities unless there has been an event of default under the trust agreement. See “Description of Capital Securities—Events of Default.”

Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other Transactions

We cannot consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, and no person will consolidate with or merge into us or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to us, unless:

 

   

the successor is organized under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes all of our obligations under the indenture;

 

   

immediately after the 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;

 

   

this transaction is permitted under the related trust agreement and the related guarantee and does not give rise to any breach or violation of the related trust agreement or the related guarantee; and

 

   

other conditions prescribed in the indenture are met.

The general provisions of the indenture do not afford protection to the holders of the junior subordinated debt securities in the event of a highly leveraged or other transaction involving us that may adversely affect the holders.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The indenture provides that when all junior subordinated debt securities not previously delivered to the trustee for cancellation:

 

   

have become due and payable; or

 

   

will become due and payable within one year, and

 

   

we deposit with the trustee money sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the junior subordinated debt securities;

 

18


Table of Contents
   

we deliver to the trustee officers’ certificates and opinions of counsel; and

 

   

we comply with some other requirements under the indenture,

then the indenture will cease to be of further effect and we will be considered to have satisfied and discharged the indenture.

Conversion or Exchange

If indicated in the prospectus supplement, the junior subordinated debt securities of any series may be convertible or exchangeable into other securities, including shares of our common or preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms on which holders of the junior subordinated debt securities may convert or exchange these securities into or for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours, into or for common or preferred stock or other securities of an entity affiliated with us or debt or equity or other securities of an entity not affiliated with us, or for the cash value of our stock or any of the above securities, the terms on which conversion or exchange may occur, including whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the period during which conversion or exchange may occur, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted.

Subordination

The indenture will provide that any junior subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt, as described in any prospectus supplement.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon our liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings, the holders of Senior Debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal, premium, or interest due before the holders of junior subordinated debt securities or, in the case of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, the property trustee, on behalf of the holders, will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution.

In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any junior subordinated debt securities, the holders of all Senior Debt outstanding at the time of the acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the Senior Debt (including any amounts due upon acceleration) before the holders of junior subordinated debt securities.

No payment, by or on our behalf, of principal, premium, if any, or interest, on the junior subordinated debt securities shall be made if at the time of the payment, there exists:

 

   

a default in any payment on any Senior Debt, or any other default under which the maturity of any Senior Debt has been accelerated; and

 

   

any judicial proceeding relating to the defaults which shall be pending.

We are a bank holding company separate and distinct from our banking and non-banking subsidiaries. Most of our operating assets are owned by our subsidiaries. We rely primarily on dividends from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations to pay the principal of and interest on our outstanding debt obligations and corporate expenses, and to pay dividends on our common stock. Our principal sources of income are dividends, interest and fees from our banking and non-banking subsidiaries. In addition,

 

19


Table of Contents

payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to us are subject to ongoing review by banking regulators and to various statutory limitations and in some circumstances may require prior approval by banking regulatory authorities.

Because we are a holding company, our right to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon the liquidation or reorganization or otherwise of our subsidiary is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, unless we can be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the junior subordinated debt securities will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, including depositors of our depository institution subsidiaries, and holders of junior subordinated debt securities should look only to Union’s assets for payments on the junior subordinated debt securities.

The bank is subject to restrictions imposed by federal law on any extensions of credit to, and some other transactions with, us and our other affiliates, and on investments in stock or other securities. These restrictions prevent us and our other affiliates from borrowing from the bank unless the loans are secured by various types of collateral. Further, these secured loans, other transactions and investments by the bank are generally limited in amount for us and each of our other affiliates to 10% of the bank’s capital and surplus, and as to us and all of our other affiliates to an aggregate of 20% of the bank’s capital and surplus.

The indenture will place no limitation on the amount of Senior Debt, or other debt, that we may incur. We expect to incur from time to time additional indebtedness, including Senior Debt.

The indenture will provide that these subordination provisions, as they relate to any particular issue of junior subordinated debt securities, may be changed before the issuance. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any of these changes.

Denominations, Registration and Transfer

Unless the prospectus supplement specifies otherwise, we will issue the junior subordinated debt securities in registered form only, without coupons and in the denominations specified in the prospectus supplement. Holders can exchange junior subordinated debt securities of any series for other junior subordinated debt securities:

 

   

of the same issue and series;

 

   

in any authorized denominations;

 

   

in a like principal amount;

 

   

of the same date of issuance and maturity; and

 

   

bearing the same interest rate.

Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities as may be stated in the prospectus supplement, junior subordinated debt securities will be presented for exchange or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer duly endorsed, or a satisfactory written instrument of transfer, duly executed) at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for that purpose.

Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, no service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges. We have appointed the trustee as security registrar for the junior subordinated debt securities. Any transfer agent (in addition to the security registrar) initially designated by us for any junior

 

20


Table of Contents

subordinated debt securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the junior subordinated debt securities of each series.

If the junior subordinated debt securities of any series are to be redeemed, neither the trustee nor us will be required to:

 

   

issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any junior subordinated debt securities of any series during a period beginning on the business day that is 15 days before the day of mailing of notice of redemption of any junior subordinated debt securities that is selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice; or

 

   

transfer or exchange any junior subordinated debt securities selected for redemption, except, the unredeemed portion of any junior subordinated debt securities being redeemed in part.

Global Junior Subordinated Debt Securities

We may issue, in whole or in part, the junior subordinated debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global junior subordinated debt securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to those series. The specific terms of the depositary arrangements for a series of junior subordinated debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement. See “Book-Entry Issuance.”

Payment and Paying Agents

Payment of principal of and any premium and interest on junior subordinated debt securities will be made at the office of the trustee as specified in the prospectus supplement or at the office of the paying agent(s) designated by us, from time to time, in the prospectus supplement. However, we may make interest payments by:

 

   

check mailed to the address of the person entitled to it at the address appearing in the securities register (except in the case of global junior subordinated debt securities); or

 

   

transfer to an account maintained by the person entitled to it as specified in the securities register, so long as we receive proper transfer instructions by the regular record date.

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, payment of the interest on junior subordinated debt securities on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name the junior subordinated debt securities are registered at the close of business on the regular record date relating to the interest payment date, except in the case of defaulted interest.

We may at any time designate additional paying agents or cancel the designation of any paying agent. We will at all times be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for each series of junior subordinated debt securities.

Any money deposited with the trustee or any paying agent, or held by us in trust for the payment of the principal of and any premium or interest on any junior subordinated debt securities that remains unclaimed for two years after the principal, any premium or interest has become due and payable will, at our request, be repaid to us and the holder of the junior subordinated debt securities can then only look to us for payment.

 

21


Table of Contents

Information about the Trustee

The Trust Indenture Act describes the duties and responsibilities of the trustee. Subject to the provisions under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee has no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the indenture, at the request of any holder of junior subordinated debt securities, unless the holder offers reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that are incurred. The trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of its duties if it reasonably believes that repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it.

Description of Capital Securities

General

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the capital securities that are offered by this prospectus. A prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series of the capital securities offered under the prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those capital securities.

The capital securities will be issued under the trust agreement. The trust agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The forms of trust agreement and capital securities have been or will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.

The capital securities will have the terms described in the trust agreement or made part of the trust agreement by the Trust Indenture Act or the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. The terms of the capital securities will mirror the terms of the junior subordinated debt securities held by the trust.

This section summarizes the material terms and provisions of the trust agreement and the capital securities. Because this is only a summary, it does not contain all of the details found in the full text of the trust agreement and the capital securities. If you would like additional information you should read the form of trust agreement and the form of capital securities.

The trust agreement authorizes the trust to issue on behalf of the trust one series of capital securities and one series of common securities containing the terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The proceeds from the sale of the capital securities and common securities will be used by the trust to purchase a series of junior subordinated debt securities from us. The junior subordinated debt securities will be held in trust by the property trustee for your benefit and the benefit of the holder of the common securities.

Under the guarantee, we will agree to make payments of distributions and payments on redemption or liquidation of the capital securities, to the extent that the related trust holds funds available for this purpose and has not made such payments. See “Description of the Guarantees.”

The assets of the trust available for distribution to you will be limited to payments received from us under the junior subordinated debt securities. If we fail to make a payment on the junior subordinated debt securities, the property trustee will not have sufficient funds to make related payments, including distributions, on the capital securities.

 

22


Table of Contents

Each guarantee, when taken together with our obligations under the junior subordinated debt securities and the indenture, the trust agreement and the expense agreement, will provide a full and unconditional guarantee of amounts due on the capital securities issued by the trust.

The trust will redeem an amount of capital securities equal to the amount of the junior subordinated debt securities redeemed.

Specific terms relating to the capital securities will be described in the prospectus supplement, including:

 

   

the name of the capital securities;

 

   

the dollar amount and number of capital securities issued;

 

   

the annual distribution rate(s) (or method of determining this rate(s)), the payment date(s) and the record dates used to determine the holders who are to receive distributions;

 

   

the date from which distributions shall be cumulative;

 

   

the optional redemption provisions, if any, including the prices, time periods and other terms and conditions for which the capital securities shall be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part;

 

   

the terms and conditions of any right to convert or exchange the capital securities into or for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours, into or for common or preferred stock or other securities of an entity affiliated with us or debt or equity or other securities of an entity not affiliated with us, or for the cash value of our stock or any of the above securities, the terms on which conversion or exchange may occur, including whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the period during which conversion or exchange may occur, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted;

 

   

the terms and conditions, if any, under which the junior subordinated debt securities are distributed to you by the trust;

 

   

any securities exchange on which the capital securities are listed;

 

   

whether the capital securities are to be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global certificates, and if so, the depositary for the global certificates and the specific terms of the depositary arrangements; and

 

   

any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of the capital securities.

The prospectus supplement will also describe some U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of capital securities.

Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt Securities

The junior subordinated debt securities are issued in one or more series of junior subordinated debt securities under the indenture with terms corresponding to the terms of a series of related capital securities. Concurrently with the issuance of the trust’s capital securities, the trust will invest the proceeds and the consideration paid by us for the related common securities in a series of junior subordinated debt securities. Each series of junior subordinated debt securities will be in the principal amount equal to the aggregate stated Liquidation Amount of the related capital securities and the common securities of the trust and will rank equally with all other series of junior subordinated debt securities. As a holder of the related capital securities for a series of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities,

 

23


Table of Contents

you will have rights in connection with modifications to the indenture or at the occurrence of events of default under the indenture described under “Description of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities—Modification of Indenture” and “Description of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities—Events of Default,” unless provided otherwise in the prospectus supplement for these related capital securities.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, if a Tax Event relating to a trust of related capital securities occurs and is continuing, we have the option, and subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board (if required at the time under applicable capital guidelines or policies), to redeem the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities at any time within 90 days of the occurrence of the Tax Event, in whole but not in part, at the redemption price. As long as the trust is the holder of all outstanding series of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, the trust will use the proceeds of the redemption to redeem the capital securities and common securities in accordance with their terms. We may not redeem the junior subordinated debt securities in part, unless all accrued and unpaid interest has been paid in full on all outstanding corresponding junior subordinated debt securities of the applicable series.

We will covenant in the indenture that if and as long as:

 

   

the trust of the related series of capital securities and common securities is the holder of all the junior subordinated debt securities;

 

   

a Tax Event related to the trust has occurred and is continuing; and

 

   

we have elected, and have not revoked our election to pay Additional Sums for the capital securities and common securities,

we will pay to the trust the Additional Sums.

We will also covenant in the indenture, as to the junior subordinated debt securities:

 

   

To maintain directly or indirectly 100% ownership of the common securities of the trust to which the junior subordinated debt securities have been issued, provided that some successors which are permitted under the indenture, may succeed to our ownership of the common securities;

 

   

not to voluntarily terminate, wind-up or liquidate any trust, except:

 

   

with prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board if then so required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve Board; or

 

   

in connection with a distribution of the junior subordinated debt securities to the holders of the capital securities in liquidation of a trust, or in connection with some mergers, consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the related trust agreement; and

 

   

to use our reasonable efforts, consistent with the terms and provisions of the related trust agreement, to cause the trust to remain classified as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.

To the extent specified in the prospectus supplement and if the junior subordinated debt securities are not in default, we shall have the right at any time and from time to time during the term of any series of junior subordinated debt securities to defer payment of interest for up to five consecutive years or such longer period as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement (an “extension period,” which we also sometimes refer to as a “deferral period”). No deferral period will extend past the maturity date of the junior subordinated debt securities.

 

24


Table of Contents

During any such extension period, we will not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions relating to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment relating to, any of our capital stock or make any guarantee payment with respect thereto other than:

 

   

repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of our capital stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors or consultants;

 

   

repurchases of shares of Union common stock pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy stock existing prior to the commencement of the extension period, including under a contractually binding stock repurchase plan;

 

   

as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of Union’s capital stock for any other class or series of our capital stock;

 

   

the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Union’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged;

 

   

purchase of Union’s capital stock in connection with the distribution thereof;

 

   

any declaration of a dividend in connection with any rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto; or

 

   

any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks equally with or junior to such stock.

Except as described in any prospectus supplement, we will not make any payment of interest, principal or premium on, or repay, repurchase or redeem, any debt securities or guarantees issued by Union that rank equally with or junior to the junior subordinated debt securities.

The foregoing, however, will not apply to any stock dividends paid by Union where the dividend stock is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid. Union may pay current interest at any time with cash from any source.

Some U.S. federal income tax consequences and considerations applicable to any junior subordinated debt securities that permit extension periods will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption, Exchange or Conversion

Mandatory Redemption. If the junior subordinated debt securities are repaid or redeemed in whole or in part, whether at maturity or upon earlier redemption, the property trustee will use the proceeds from this repayment or redemption to redeem a Like Amount of the capital securities and common securities. The property trustee will give you at least 30 days’ notice, but not more than 60 days’ notice, before the date of redemption. The capital securities and (unless there is a default under the junior subordinated debt securities) the common securities will be redeemed at the redemption price at the concurrent redemption of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities. See “Description of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities—Redemption.”

 

25


Table of Contents

If less than all of any series of the junior subordinated debt securities are to be repaid or redeemed on a date of redemption, then the proceeds from the repayment or redemption shall be allocated, pro rata, to the redemption of the related capital securities and the common securities.

We may redeem any series of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities:

 

   

on or after the date as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in whole at any time or in part, from time to time;

 

   

at any time, in whole (but not in part), upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, an Investment Company Event or a Capital Treatment; or

 

   

as is otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Tax Event, Investment Company Event Redemption or Regulatory Capital Event. If a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Regulatory Capital Event relating to a series of capital securities and common securities shall occur and be continuing, we may redeem the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities in whole, but not in part. This will cause a mandatory redemption of all of the related capital securities and common securities at the redemption price within 90 days following the occurrence of the Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Regulatory Capital Event.

If a Tax Event, Investment Company Event or Regulatory Capital Event relating to a series of capital securities and common securities occurs and is continuing and we elect not to redeem the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities or to dissolve the related trust and cause the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities to be distributed to holders of the capital securities and common securities as described above, those capital securities and common securities will remain outstanding and Additional Sums may be payable on the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities.

“Like Amount” means:

 

   

for a redemption of any series of capital securities and common securities, capital securities and common securities of the series having a Liquidation Amount equal to that portion of the principal amount of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities to be contemporaneously redeemed. The Like Amount will be allocated to the common securities and to the capital securities based upon their relative Liquidation Amounts. The proceeds will be used to pay the redemption price of the capital securities and common securities; and

 

   

for a distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities to holders of any series of capital securities and common securities, corresponding junior subordinated debt securities having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the related capital securities and common securities.

“Liquidation Amount” means:

 

   

unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, $1,000 per capital security and common security.

Distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt Securities. We may at any time dissolve any trust and, after satisfaction of the liabilities of creditors of the trust as provided by applicable law, cause the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities relating to the capital securities and common securities issued by the trust to be distributed to you and the holders of the common securities in liquidation of the trust.

 

26


Table of Contents

Once the liquidation date is fixed for any distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities for any series of capital securities:

 

   

the series of capital securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding;

 

   

DTC, or its nominee, as the record holder of the series of capital securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities to be delivered upon the distribution; and

 

   

certificates representing the series of capital securities not held by DTC or its nominee will be deemed to represent the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities. Those certificates will bear accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid distributions on the series of capital securities until the certificates are presented to the administrative trustees of the applicable trust or their agent for transfer or reissuance.

We cannot assure you of the market prices for the capital securities or the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities. Accordingly, the capital securities that you may purchase, or the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities that you may receive on dissolution and liquidation of the trust, may trade at a discount of the price that you paid for the capital securities.

Conversion or Exchange. The prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the capital securities: the terms on which the holders of the capital securities may convert or exchange these securities into or for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours, into or for common or preferred stock or other securities of an entity affiliated with us or debt or equity or other securities of an entity not affiliated with us, or for the cash value of our stock or any of the above securities, the terms on which conversion or exchange may occur, including whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the period during which conversion or exchange may occur, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion or exchange may be adjusted.

Redemption Procedures

Capital securities redeemed on a date of redemption shall be:

 

   

redeemed at the redemption price with the applicable proceeds from the contemporaneous redemption of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities; and

 

   

payable on each date of redemption only to the extent that the related trust has funds on hand available for the payment of the redemption price.

If notice of redemption is given, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of redemption, to the extent funds are available, the property trustee will deposit irrevocably with DTC funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price and will give DTC irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to you. See “Book-Entry Issuance.” If the capital securities are no longer in book-entry form, the property trustee, to the extent funds are available, will irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for the capital securities, funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price and will give the paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to you when you surrender your certificates evidencing the capital securities.

 

27


Table of Contents

Distributions payable on or before the date of redemption for any capital securities called for redemption shall be payable to the holders on the relevant record dates for the related distribution dates.

If notice of redemption is given and funds deposited as required, all of your rights will cease, except your right to receive the redemption price, and the capital securities will cease to be outstanding.

If a date of redemption is not a business day, then payment of the redemption price payable on the date of redemption will be made on the next succeeding day which is a business day (and without any interest or other payment for any delay). However, if the business day falls in the next calendar year, then payment will be made on the immediately preceding business day.

If payment of the redemption price of the capital securities called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the trust or by us under the guarantee, then distributions on the capital securities will continue to accrue at the then applicable rate from the date of redemption to the date that the redemption price is actually paid. In this case the actual payment date will be the date of redemption for purposes of calculating the redemption price.

Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, federal securities law), our subsidiaries or us may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding capital securities by tender offer, in the open market or by private agreement.

Payment of the redemption price on the capital securities and any distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities to holders of capital securities shall be payable to the holders on the relevant record date as they appear on the register of capital securities. The record date shall be one business day before the relevant date of redemption or liquidation date as applicable. However, if the capital securities are not in book-entry form, the relevant record date for the capital securities shall be at least 15 days before the date of redemption or liquidation date.

If less than all of the capital securities and common securities issued by the trust are to be redeemed on a redemption date, then the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the capital securities and common securities to be redeemed shall be allocated pro rata to the capital securities and the common securities based upon the relative Liquidation Amounts of such classes. The property trustee will select the capital securities to be redeemed on a pro rata basis not more than 60 days before the date of redemption, by a method deemed fair and appropriate by it. The property trustee will promptly notify the registrar in writing of the capital securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any capital securities selected for partial redemption, the Liquidation Amount to be redeemed.

You will receive notice of any redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption at your registered address. Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price on the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, on and after the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on the junior subordinated debt securities or portions of the junior subordinated debt securities (and distributions will cease to accrue on the related capital securities or portions of the capital securities) called for redemption.

Subordination of Common Securities

Payment of distributions on, and the redemption price of, the trust’s capital securities and common securities, will be made pro rata based on the Liquidation Amount of the capital securities and common securities. However, if an event of default under the indenture shall have occurred and is continuing, no payment may be made on any of the trust’s common securities, unless all unpaid amounts on each of the trust’s outstanding capital securities shall have been made or provided for in full.

 

28


Table of Contents

If an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing, we, as holder of the trust’s common securities, will be deemed to have waived any right to act on the event of default under the applicable trust agreement until the effect of all events of default relating to the capital securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until the events of default under the applicable trust agreement relating to the capital securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the property trustee will act solely on your behalf and not on our behalf as holder of the trust’s common securities, and only you and the other holders of capital securities will have the right to direct the property trustee to act on your behalf.

Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution

The trust agreement states that the trust shall be automatically dissolved upon the expiration of the term of the trust and shall also be dissolved upon the first to occur of:

 

   

our bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation;

 

   

our decision to dissolve the trust and to cause the distribution of a Like Amount of the junior subordinated debt securities directly to the holders of the capital securities and common securities. For this distribution, we must, if required, receive the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board and an

 

   

opinion of independent counsel that the distribution of the junior debt securities will not be taxable to the holders;

 

   

the redemption of all of the capital securities and common securities of a trust; and

 

   

a court order for the dissolution of a trust is entered.

If dissolution of the trust occurs as described in the first, second and fourth bullets above, the trustee shall liquidate the trust as quickly as possible. After paying all amounts owed to creditors, the trustee will distribute to the holders of the capital securities and the common securities either:

 

   

a Like Amount of junior subordinated debt securities; or

 

   

if the distribution of the junior subordinated debt securities is determined by the property trustee not to be practical, cash assets equal to the aggregate Liquidation Amount per capital security and common security specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, plus accumulated and unpaid distributions from that date to the date of payment.

If the trust cannot pay the full amount due on its capital securities and common securities because insufficient assets are available for payment, then the amounts payable by the trust on its capital securities and common securities shall be paid pro rata. However, if an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing, the total amounts due on the capital securities shall be paid before any distribution on the common securities.

Trust Enforcement Event

An event of default under the indenture constitutes an event of default under the amended and restated trust agreement. We refer to such an event as a “Trust Enforcement Event.” For more information on events of default under the indenture, see “Description of the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities—Events of Default.” Upon the occurrence and continuance of a Trust Enforcement Event, the property trustee, as the sole holder of the junior subordinated debt securities, will have the right under the indenture to declare the principal amount of the junior subordinated debt securities due and payable.

 

29


Table of Contents

The amended and restated trust agreement may provide for other events of default as may be specified in the agreement.

If the property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the junior subordinated debt securities, any holder of capital securities may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, institute a legal proceeding against us to enforce the property trustee’s rights under the junior subordinated debt securities and the indenture without first instituting legal proceedings against the property trustee or any other person. In addition, if a Trust Enforcement Event is due to our failure to pay interest or principal on the junior subordinated debt securities when due, then the registered holder of capital securities may institute a direct action on or after the due date directly against us for enforcement of payment to that holder of the principal of or interest on the junior subordinated debt securities having a principal amount equal to the total Liquidation Amount of that holder’s capital securities. In connection with such a direct action, we will have the right under the indenture to set off any payment made to that holder by us. The holders of capital securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the junior subordinated debt securities.

Pursuant to the amended and restated trust agreement, the holder of the common securities will be deemed to have waived any Trust Enforcement Event regarding the common securities until all Trust Enforcement Events regarding the capital securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until all Trust Enforcement Events regarding the capital securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the property trustee will act solely on behalf of the holders of the capital securities and only the holders of the capital securities will have the right to direct the enforcement actions of the property trustee.

Removal of Trustees

Unless an event of default under a trust agreement has occurred and is continuing, we can remove and replace the trustee at any time. If an event of default under a trust agreement has occurred and is continuing, the property trustee and the Delaware trustee may be removed or replaced by the holders of at least a majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding capital securities. We are the only one that has the right to remove or replace the administrative trustees. No resignation or removal of any of the trustees and no appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as described in the applicable trust agreement.

Co-Trustees and Separate Property Trustee

Unless an event of default under a trust agreement has occurred and is continuing, we, as the holder of the common securities, and the administrative trustees shall have the power:

 

   

To appoint one or more persons approved by the property trustee either to act as co-trustee, jointly with the property trustee, of all or any part of the trust property, or to act as a separate trustee of any trust property, in either case with the powers as provided in the instrument of appointment; and

 

   

To vest in the person(s) any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the provisions of the applicable trust agreement.

If an event of default under a trust agreement has occurred and is continuing, only the property trustee may appoint a co-trustee or separate property trustee.

 

30


Table of Contents

Merger or Consolidation of Trustees

If any of the trustees merge, convert, or consolidate with or into another entity or sells its trust operations to another entity, the new entity shall be the successor of the trustee under the trust agreement, provided that the corporation or other entity shall be qualified and eligible to be a trustee.

Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the Trust

The trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by or transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any other entity (a merger event), except as described below or as described in “Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution” above. The trust may, at our request, with the consent of the administrative trustees and without your consent, merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate or be replaced by another trust provided that:

 

   

the successor entity either:

 

   

expressly assumes all of the obligations of the trust relating to the capital securities; or

 

   

substitutes for the capital securities other securities with terms substantially similar to the capital securities (successor securities) so long as the successor securities have the same rank as the capital securities for distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise;

 

   

we expressly appoint a trustee of the successor entity who has the same powers and duties as the property trustee of the trust as it relates to the junior subordinated debt securities;

 

   

the successor securities are listed or will be listed on the same national securities exchange or other organization that the capital securities are listed on;

 

   

the merger event does not cause the capital securities or successor securities to be downgraded by any national statistical rating organization;

 

   

the merger event does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the capital securities or successor securities in any material way;

 

   

the successor entity has a purpose substantially similar to that of the trust; and

 

   

before the merger event, we have received an opinion of counsel stating that:

 

   

the merger event does not adversely affect the rights of the holders of the capital securities or any successor securities in any material way;

 

   

following the merger event, neither the trust nor the successor entity will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act; and

 

   

we own all of the common securities of the successor entity and guarantee the successor entity’s obligations under the successor securities in the same manner provided by the related guarantee.

The trust and any successor entity must always be classified as grantor trusts for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless all of the holders of the capital securities approve otherwise.

Voting Rights; Amendment of the Trust Agreement

You have no voting rights except as discussed under “Description of the Capital Securities—Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the Trust” and “Description of the Guarantee—Amendments and Assignment,” and as otherwise required by law and the trust agreement. The property trustee, the administrative trustees and we may amend the trust agreement without your consent:

 

31


Table of Contents
   

to fix any ambiguity or inconsistency; or

 

   

to modify, eliminate or add provisions to the trust agreement as shall be necessary to ensure that each trust shall at all times be classified as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The administrative trustees and we may amend the trust agreement for any other reason as long as the holders of at least a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the capital securities agree, and the trustees receive an opinion of counsel which states that the amendment will not affect the trust status as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or its exemption from regulation as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, except to:

 

   

change the amount and/or timing or otherwise adversely affect the method of payment of any distribution or Liquidation Amount on the capital securities or common securities;

 

   

restrict your right or the right of the common security holder to institute suit for enforcement of any distribution or Liquidation Amount on the capital securities or common securities.

The changes described in the two bullet points above require the approval of each holder of the capital securities affected.

So long as the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities of the trust are held by the property trustee of the trust, the trustees shall not, without obtaining the prior approval of the holders of at least a majority in the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all outstanding related capital securities:

 

   

direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or executing any trust or power conferred on the trustee relating to the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities;

 

   

waive any past default as provided in the indenture;

 

   

cancel an acceleration of the principal of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities; or

 

   

agree to any change in the indenture or the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities.

However, if the indenture requires the consent of each holder of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities that are affected, then the property trustee must get approval of all holders of capital securities.

The trustees cannot change anything previously approved by you without your approval to make the change. The property trustee shall notify you of any notice of default relating to the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities.

In addition, before taking any of the actions described above, the trustees must obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in these matters, stating that the trust will continue to be classified as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

As described in each trust agreement, the property trustee may hold a meeting so that you may vote on a change or request that you approve the change by written consent.

 

32


Table of Contents

Your vote or consent is not required for the trust to redeem and cancel its capital securities under the trust agreement.

If your vote is taken or a consent is obtained, any capital securities that are owned by us, the trustees or any affiliate of either of us shall, for purposes of the vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.

Global Capital Securities

The capital securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement.

The specific terms of the depositary arrangements for a series of capital securities will be described in the prospectus supplement. See “Book-Entry Issuance.”

Payment and Paying Agents

Payments regarding the capital securities shall be made to a depositary, which shall credit the relevant accounts at the depositary on the applicable distribution dates or, if any trusts’ capital securities are not held by a depositary, the payments shall be made by check mailed to the address of the holder entitled to it at the address listed in the register.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the paying agent shall initially be the property trustee. The paying agent shall be permitted to resign as paying agent with 30 days’ written notice to the property trustee and to us. If the property trustee shall no longer be the paying agent, the administrative trustees shall appoint a successor (which shall be a bank or trust company acceptable to the administrative trustees and to us) to act as paying agent.

Registrar and Transfer Agent

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the property trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the capital securities.

Registration of transfers of capital securities will be effected without charge by or on behalf of each trust, after payment of any tax or other governmental charges that are imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange. No transfers of capital securities called for redemption will be registered.

Information about the Property Trustee

The property trustee will perform only those duties that are specifically stated in the trust agreement. If an event of default arises or certain defaults occur and continue under a trust agreement, the property trustee must use the same degree of care and skill in the exercise of its duties as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The property trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the trust agreement at your request unless it is offered reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

If no event of default under the trust agreement has occurred and is continuing, and the property trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action, construe ambiguous provisions in the trust agreement or is unsure of the application of any provisions of the trust agreement, and the matter is not one on which you are entitled to vote, then the property trustee shall:

 

33


Table of Contents
   

take some action as directed by us; and

 

   

if not so directed, take whatever action the property trustee deems advisable and in your best interests, and in the best interests of the holders of the capital securities and common securities of the applicable trust and will have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.

Miscellaneous

The administrative trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of and to operate the trust in the manner that:

 

   

the trust will not be deemed to be an investment company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act or to fail to be classified as a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

   

the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities will be treated as our indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In this connection, the administrative trustees and we are authorized to take any action, consistent with applicable law or the certificate of trust of the trust or the trust agreement, that we each determine in our discretion to be necessary or desirable for these purposes.

You have no preemptive or similar rights. The trust may not borrow money, issue Debt or mortgages, or pledge any of its assets.

Description of the Guarantees

General

We will execute a guarantee, for your benefit at the same time that the trust issues the capital securities. An unaffiliated bank will act as the guarantee trustee for the benefit of holders of the capital securities. The guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The form of guarantee will be included in the exhibits to the registration statement.

This section summarizes the material terms and provisions of the guarantee. Because this is only a summary, it does not contain all of the details found in the full text of the guarantee. If you would like additional information you should read the form of guarantee agreement.

We will irrevocably guarantee payment in full of amounts due under the capital securities on a junior subordinated basis and to the extent the issuer capital trust has funds available for payment of those amounts. We refer to this obligation as the “guarantee.” However, the guarantee does not cover payments if the capital trust does not have sufficient funds to make the distribution payments, including, for example, if we have failed to pay to the issuer amounts due under the junior subordinated debt securities.

The following payments, to the extent not paid by the trust, will be subject to the guarantee:

 

   

any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to be paid on the capital securities, to the extent that the trust has applicable funds available to make the payment;

 

34


Table of Contents
   

the redemption price and all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption on the capital securities called for redemption, to the extent that the trust has funds available to make the payment; or

 

   

in the event of a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the trust (other than in connection with a distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities to you or the redemption of all the related capital securities), the lesser of:

 

   

the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for each capital security plus all accrued and unpaid distributions on the capital securities to the date of payment; and

 

   

the amount of assets of the trust remaining available for distribution to you.

We can satisfy our obligation to make a guarantee payment by direct payment to you of the required amounts or by causing the trust to pay those amounts to the holders.

Each guarantee will be an irrevocable guarantee on a subordinated basis of the trust’s obligations under the capital securities, but will apply only to the extent that the trust has funds sufficient to make the payments, and is not a guarantee of collection.

No single document executed by us that is related to the issuance of the capital securities will provide for its full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the capital securities. It is only the combined operation of the applicable guarantee, the trust agreement, the indenture and the expense agreement that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the trust’s obligations under its capital securities.

As issuer of the junior subordinated debt securities, we are also obligated to pay the expenses and other obligations of the issuer, other than its obligations to make payments on the capital securities.

Status of Guarantees

The guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of ours and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our Senior Debt to the same extent as each of the related junior subordinated debt securities. The guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection (in other words you may sue us, or seek other remedies, to enforce your rights under the guarantee without first suing any other person or entity). The guarantee will be held for your benefit and will not be discharged except by payment of the payments in full to the extent not previously paid by the trust or upon distribution to you of the corresponding series of junior subordinated debt securities. The guarantee does not place a limitation on the amount of additional indebtedness that we may incur. We expect to incur from time to time additional indebtedness, including indebtedness constituting Senior Debt.

Amendments and Assignment

Except regarding any changes which do not adversely affect your rights in any material respect (in which case your consent will not be required), the guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the outstanding capital securities. A description of the manner in which approval may be obtained is described under “Description of the Capital Securities—Voting Rights; Amendment of the Trust Agreement.” All guarantees and agreements contained in the guarantee will be binding on our successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the related capital securities then outstanding.

 

35


Table of Contents

Events of Default

An event of default under the guarantee occurs if we fail to make any of our required payments or perform our obligations under the guarantee. The holders of at least a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the capital securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the guarantee trustee relating to the guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power given to the guarantee trustee under the guarantee.

You may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce your rights under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the trust, the guarantee trustee or any other person or entity.

As guarantor, we are required to file annually with the guarantee trustee a certificate stating whether or not we are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to us under the guarantee.

Information about the Guarantee Trustee

The guarantee trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default by us in the performance of any guarantee, will only perform the duties that are specifically described in the guarantee. After an event of default on any guarantee, the guarantee trustee will exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the guarantee trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its powers as described in the guarantee at your request unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Termination of Capital Securities Guarantees

The guarantee will terminate once the related capital securities are paid in full or upon distribution of the corresponding series of junior subordinated debt securities to you. Each guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated if at any time you are required to restore payment of any sums paid under the capital securities or the guarantee.

Relationship among the Capital Securities,

the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt and the Guarantees

Full and Unconditional Guarantee

Payments of distributions and other amounts due on the capital securities (to the extent the trust has funds available for the payments that are received from payments by us on our junior subordinated debt securities) will be irrevocably guaranteed by us to the extent described under “Description of the Guarantee.” No single document executed by us in connection with the issuance of the capital securities will provide for its full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the capital securities. It is only the combined operation of our obligations under the guarantee, the trust agreement, the junior subordinated debt securities and the indenture that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the trust’s obligations under the related series of capital securities.

If we do not make payments on any series of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, the related trust will not pay distributions or other amounts on the related capital securities. The guarantee does not cover payments of distributions when the related trust does not have sufficient funds to pay such distributions. If that occurs, your remedy is to sue us or seek other remedies, to enforce your rights under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the guarantee trustee.

 

36


Table of Contents

Sufficiency of Payments

As long as we make payments of interest and other payments when due on the junior subordinated debt securities, the payments will be sufficient to cover the payment of distributions and other payments due on the related capital securities, primarily because:

 

   

the aggregate principal amount of each series of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities will be equal to the sum of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the related capital securities and common securities;

 

   

the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on each series of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities will match the distribution rate and distribution and other payment dates for the related capital securities;

 

   

we shall pay for any and all costs, expenses and liabilities of operating the trust except the trust’s obligations to holders of its capital securities under the capital securities; and

 

   

the trust agreement provides that the trust will not engage in any activity that is inconsistent with the limited purposes of the trust.

We have the right to set-off any payment we are otherwise required to make under the indenture with and to the extent we have made, or are concurrently on the date of the payment making, a payment under the related guarantee.

Enforcement Rights of Holders of Capital Securities

You may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce your rights under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the guarantee trustee, the related trust or any other person or entity.

A default or event of default under any of our Senior Debt would not constitute a default or event of default under the trust agreement. However, in the event of payment defaults under, or acceleration of, any of our Senior Debt, the subordination provisions of the indenture will provide that no payments will be made regarding the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities until the Senior Debt has been paid in full or any payment default on it has been cured or waived. Failure to make required payments on any series of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities would constitute an event of default under the trust agreement.

Limited Purpose of the Trust

The trust’s capital securities evidence a beneficial interest in the trust, and the trust exists for the sole purpose of issuing its capital securities and common securities and investing the proceeds in corresponding junior subordinated debt securities. A principal difference between the rights of a holder of a capital security and a holder of a corresponding junior subordinated debt security is that a holder of a corresponding junior subordinated debt security is entitled to receive from us the principal amount of and interest accrued on corresponding junior subordinated debt securities held, while a holder of capital securities is entitled to receive distributions from the trust (or from us under the applicable guarantee) if and to the extent the trust has funds available for the payment of distributions.

 

37


Table of Contents

Rights upon Dissolution

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution of the trust involving a liquidation of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities held by the trust, you will be entitled to receive, out of assets held by that trust, the liquidation distribution in cash. See “Description of the Capital Securities—Liquidation Distribution upon Dissolution.” In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy, the property trustee, as holder of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities, would be a subordinated creditor of ours, subordinated in right of payment to all senior debt, but entitled to receive payment in full of principal, premium, if any, and interest, before any of our common stockholders receive payments or distributions. Since we are the guarantor under the guarantee and have agreed to pay for all costs, expenses and liabilities of the trust (other than the trust’s obligations to you), your position and the position of a holder of the corresponding junior subordinated debt securities relative to other creditors and to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation or bankruptcy are expected to be substantially the same.

Book-Entry Issuance

General

The Depository Trust Company (the “DTC”) may act as securities depository for all of the debt securities unless otherwise referred to in the prospectus supplement relating to an offering of debt securities. The debt securities may be issued only as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s nominee). One or more fully-registered global certificates will be issued for the debt securities, representing in the aggregate the total amount of the debt securities, and will be deposited with DTC.

DTC, the world’s largest depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations.

DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (the “DTCC”). DTCC, in turn, is owned by a number of its direct participants and members of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, Government Securities Clearing Corporation, MBS Clearing Corporation and Emerging Markets Clearing Corporation, as well as by the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Access to the DTC system is also available to indirect participants, such as securities brokers and dealers, and banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain custodial relationships with direct participants, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of debt securities within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each debt security, as beneficial owner, is in turn to be recorded on the direct

 

38


Table of Contents

and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owners purchased debt securities. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interest in debt securities except if use of the book-entry-only system for the debt securities is discontinued.

The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC will have no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we assume no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. We do not have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants of their respective obligations as described in this prospectus or under the rules and procedures governing their respective operations.

Notices and Voting

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to Cede & Co. as the registered holder of the debt securities. If less than all of the debt securities are being redeemed, DTC’s current practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant to be redeemed.

Although voting with respect to the debt securities is limited to the holders of record of the debt securities, in those instances in which a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with respect to the debt securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to the relevant trustee as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date.

Distribution of Funds

The relevant trustee will make distribution payments on the debt securities to DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on the payment date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the participant and not of DTC, the relevant trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the responsibility of the relevant trustee, disbursement of the payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursements of the payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

 

39


Table of Contents

Successor Depositaries and Termination of Book-Entry System

DTC may discontinue providing its services with respect to any of the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the relevant trustee or us. If no successor securities depositary is obtained, definitive certificates representing the debt securities are required to be printed and delivered. We also have the option to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor depositary). After an event of default under the indenture, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of debt securities may determine to discontinue the system of book-entry transfers through DTC. In these events, definitive certificates for the debt securities will be printed and delivered.

Plan of Distribution

General

We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

   

through agents to the public or to investors;

 

   

to underwriters for resale to the public or to investors;

 

   

directly to investors; or

 

   

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of that particular offering of securities, including:

 

   

the name or names of any agents or underwriters;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

 

   

any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

   

any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

   

any initial public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchanges or markets on which such securities may be listed.

Agents

We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases of our securities for a period of their appointment or to sell our securities on a continuing basis.

Underwriters

If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the shares for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The underwriters may sell the securities directly or through underwriting syndicates by managing underwriters. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the shares will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the

 

40


Table of Contents

shares if they purchase any of the shares. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or reallow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe the nature of any such relationship in any prospectus supplement naming any such underwriter.

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions they receive may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation.

We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against various civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute payments that the agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be required to make as a result of those civil liabilities. Underwriters, dealers and agents and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us or our subsidiary companies in the ordinary course of their businesses. In connection with the distribution of the securities, we may enter into swap or other hedging transactions with, or arranged by, underwriters or agents or their affiliates. These underwriters or agents or their affiliates may receive compensation, trading gain or other benefits from these transactions.

Direct Sales

We may also sell shares directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.

Stabilization Activities

Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of these activities at any time.

Passive Market Making

Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on The NASDAQ Global Select Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on The NASDAQ Global Select Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security. If all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded.

 

41


Table of Contents

Trading Markets and Listing of Securities

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Any shares of common stock hereunder will be listed in the NASDAQ Global Select Market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any additional exchange or market, but we are not obligated to do so unless stated otherwise in a prospectus supplement. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

General Information

The securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and terms of its agreement, if any, with us, and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, in connection with the securities remarketed thereby.

Glossary

Below are abbreviated definitions of capitalized terms used in this prospectus and in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may contain a more complete definition of some of the terms defined here and reference should be made to the prospectus supplement for a more complete definition of these terms.

“Additional Sums” refers to the additional amounts required to be paid so that the amount of distributions due and payable by the trust on outstanding capital securities and common securities shall not be reduced because of any additional taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which a trustee is subject because of a Tax Event.

“Debt” means, for any person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of the person and whether or not contingent:

 

   

every obligation of the person for money borrowed;

 

   

every obligation of the person evidenced by bonds, debt securities, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses;

 

   

every reimbursement obligation of the person regarding letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of the person;

 

   

every obligation of the person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business);

 

   

every capital lease obligation of the person;

 

   

all indebtedness of the person whether incurred on, before, or after the date of the indenture, for claims relating to derivative products, including interest rate, foreign

 

42


Table of Contents

exchange rate and commodity-forward contracts, options and swaps and similar arrangements; and

 

   

every obligation of the type referred to in the first through the sixth bullet points above of another person and all dividends of another person the payment of which, in either case, the person has guaranteed or is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise.

“Guarantee Payments” refers to the following payments, to the extent not paid by the trust, which will be subject to the guarantee:

 

   

any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to be paid on the capital securities, to the extent that the trust has applicable funds available to make the payment;

 

   

the redemption price and all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption with respect to capital securities called for redemption, to the extent that the trust has funds available to make the payment; or

 

   

in the event of a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the trust (other than in connection with a distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debt securities to you or the redemption of all the related capital securities), the lesser of:

 

   

the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount specified in the prospectus supplement for each capital security plus all accrued and unpaid distributions on the capital securities to the date of payment; and

 

   

the amount of assets of the trust remaining available for distribution to you.

“Omnibus Proxy” refers to the omnibus proxy that DTC would mail under its usual procedures to the relevant trustee as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to Direct Participants for whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date.

“Senior Debt” means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to us whether or not the claim for post-petition interest is allowed in the proceeding) on, our Debt whether incurred on, before or subsequent to the date of the indenture, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the Debt or under which the Debt is outstanding, it is provided that the obligations are not superior in right of payment to the junior subordinated debt securities.

“Tier 1 Capital” refers to the sum of core capital elements, less goodwill, other intangible assets, interest-only strip receivables, deferred tax assets, nonfinancial equity investments and certain other items. The core capital elements include: common stockholders’ equity, qualifying noncumulative perpetual preferred stock (including related surplus), Class A minority interest and restricted core capital elements. The restricted core capital elements may not exceed 25% of the sum of all core capital elements and include qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock (including related surplus), Class B minority interest, Class C minority interest and qualifying capital securities.

Validity of Securities

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, some legal matters will be passed upon for us by LeClairRyan, A Professional Corporation, our counsel, and for any underwriters and agents by counsel selected by such underwriters or agents.

 

43


Table of Contents

Experts

Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, included in our Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2007, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 have been audited by Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports appearing therein and herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

44


Table of Contents

Part II

Information Not Required In Prospectus

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated fees and expenses (all but the SEC fees are estimates) payable by the registrant in connection with the filing of this Form S-3 Registration Statement:

 

SEC Registration Fee

   $  1,965

Printing Costs

     *

Listing Fee

     *

Transfer & Disbursing Agent Fees

     *

Legal Fees and Expenses

     *

Accounting Fees and Expenses

     *

Miscellaneous Expenses

     *

Total

   $ 1,965

 

* To be filed by amendment or in a current report on Form 8-K

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia pursuant to which Union Bankshares Corporation (the “Company”) is incorporated permit it to indemnify its officers and directors against certain liabilities with the approval of its shareholders. The Articles of Incorporation of the Company, which have been approved by its shareholders, provide for the indemnification of each director and officer (including former directors and officers and each person who may have served at the request of the Company as a director or officer of any other legal entity and, in all such cases, his or her heirs, executors and administrators) against liabilities (including expenses) reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding to which he or she may be made party by reason of his or her being or having been a director or officer of the Company, except in relation to any action, suit or proceeding in which he or she has been adjudged liable because of willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the criminal law.

The Company has purchased officers’ and directors’ liability insurance policies. Within the limits of their coverage, the policies insure (1) the directors and officers of the Company against certain losses resulting from claims against them in their capacities as directors and officers to the extent that such losses are not indemnified by the Company and (2) the Company to the extent that it indemnifies such directors and officers for losses as permitted under the laws of Virginia.

 

Item 16. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement of equity securities*
1.2    Form of Underwriting Agreement for debt securities*
1.3    Form of Underwriting Agreement for capital securities*
4.1    Certificate of Trust of Union Capital Statutory Trust III

 

II-1


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  4.2    Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for Union Capital Statutory Trust III*
  4.3    Form of Capital Security for Union Capital Statutory Trust III*
  4.4    Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to the capital securities of Union Capital Statutory Trust III*
  4.5    Form of Senior Debt Securities Indenture*
  4.6    Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture*
  4.7    Form of Senior Debt Security*
  4.8    Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.2)*
  4.9    Form of Depositary Agreement*
  4.10    Form of Purchase Contract Agreement*
  4.11    Form of Pledge Agreement*
  4.12    Form of Warrant Agreement*
  4.13    Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Indenture*
  5.1    Opinion of LeClairRyan, A Professional Corporation
  5.3    Opinion of Delaware counsel*
  5.4    Opinion of counsel as to certain federal income tax matters*
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1    Consent of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.
23.2    Consent of LeClairRyan, A Professional Corporation (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
23.3    Consent of Delaware Counsel to the Trust*
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)
25.1    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of the trustee under the Indenture for the Debt Securities.*
25.2    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of the trustee under the Junior Subordinated Indenture.*
25.3    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of the trustee under the Certificate of Trust of Union Capital Statutory Trust III.*
25.4    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of the trustee under the Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of holders of the capital securities of Union Capital Statutory Trust III

 

* To be filed under a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 17. Undertakings

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post- effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any

 

II-2


Table of Contents

increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

II-3


Table of Contents

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

II-4


Table of Contents

(2) For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

II-5


Table of Contents

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Bowling Green, Commonwealth of Virginia on this 17th day of October, 2008.

 

Union Bankshares Corporation

By:

 

/s/ G. William Beale

 

President and

Chief Executive Officer

Power Of Attorney

Each individual whose signature appears below hereby designates and appoints G. William Beale, D. Anthony Peay, and Janis Orfe, and each of them, any one of whom may act without joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent (the “Attorneys-in-Fact”) with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and to sign any and all additional registration statements relating to the same offering of securities as this registration statement that are filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, which amendments may make such changes in this registration statement as any Attorney-in-Fact deems appropriate, and requests to accelerate the effectiveness of this registration statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such Attorneys-in-Fact and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such Attorneys-in-Fact or either of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

II-6


Table of Contents

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

   

/s/ G. William Beale

G. William Beale

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

(principal executive officer)

  October 17, 2008

/s/ Douglas E. Caton

Douglas E. Caton

   Director   October 17, 2008

/s/ Daniel I. Hansen

Daniel I. Hansen

   Director   October 17, 2008

/s/ Ronald L. Hicks

Ronald L. Hicks

   Chairman of the Board of Directors   October 17, 2008

/s/ Patrick J. McCann

Patrick J. McCann

   Director   October 17, 2008

/s/ Hullihen W. Moore

Hullihen W. Moore

   Director   October 17, 2008

/s/ R. Hunter Morin

R. Hunter Morin

   Director   October 17, 2008

/s/ W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr.

W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr.

   Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors   October 17, 2008

/s/ D. Anthony Peay

D. Anthony Peay

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)   October 17, 2008

/s/ Ronald L. Tillett

Ronald L. Tillett

   Director   October 17, 2008

/s/ A. D. Whittaker

A. D. Whittaker

   Director   October 17, 2008

 

II-7


Table of Contents

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3, and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Bowling Green, Commonwealth of Virginia, on the 24th day of October, 2008.

 

Union Capital Statutory Trust III
By:  

/s/ G. William Beale

  G. William Beale, Trustee
By:  

/s/ D. Anthony Peay

  D. Anthony Peay, Trustee
By:  

/s/ Janis Orfe

Janis Orfe, Trustee

 

II-8


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement of equity securities*
  1.2    Form of Underwriting Agreement for debt securities*
  1.3    Form of Underwriting Agreement for capital securities*
  4.1    Certificate of Trust of Union Capital Statutory Trust III
  4.2    Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for Union Capital Statutory Trust III*
  4.3    Form of Capital Security for Union Capital Statutory Trust III*
  4.4    Form of Guarantee Agreement with respect to the capital securities of Union Capital Statutory Trust III*
  4.5    Form of Senior Debt Securities Indenture*
  4.6    Form of Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture*
  4.7    Form of Senior Debt Security*
  4.8    Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.2)*
  4.9    Form of Depositary Agreement*
  4.10    Form of Purchase Contract Agreement*
  4.11    Form of Pledge Agreement*
  4.12    Form of Warrant Agreement*
  4.13    Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Indenture*
  5.1    Opinion of LeClairRyan, A Professional Corporation
  5.3    Opinion of Delaware counsel*
  5.4    Opinion of counsel as to certain federal income tax matters*
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1    Consent of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.
23.2    Consent of LeClairRyan, A Professional Corporation (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
23.3    Consent of Delaware Counsel to the Trust*
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)
25.1    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of the trustee under the Indenture for the Debt Securities.*
25.2    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of the trustee under the Junior Subordinated Indenture.*
25.3    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of the trustee under the Certificate of Trust of Union Capital Statutory Trust III.*
25.4    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of the trustee under the Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of holders of the capital securities of Union Capital Statutory Trust III.*

 

* To be filed under a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

II-9