METLIFE INC.
The information
in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and
may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an
offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities
in any jurisdiction where an offer or sale is not
permitted.
|
Subject to completion.
Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated
June 13, 2005.
Prospectus Supplement
(To Prospectus dated April 27, 2005)
72,000,000 Units
MetLife Capital Trust II
MetLife Capital Trust III
%
Common Equity
Units
This is an offering of common equity units of MetLife, Inc. Each
normal common equity unit will have a stated amount of $25 prior
to the initial stock purchase date, and a remaining stated
amount of $12.50 thereafter, and will consist of:
|
|
|
|
|
a stock purchase contract under which you will agree to
purchase, and we will agree to sell, on each of the initial
stock purchase date and the subsequent stock purchase date, a
variable number of shares of MetLife, Inc.s common stock,
par value $0.01 per share, which we refer to as the
common stock, for a purchase price of $12.50. The
initial stock purchase date is expected to be August 15,
2008, but could be deferred for quarterly periods until
February 15, 2009, and the subsequent stock purchase date
is expected to be February 15, 2009, but could be deferred
for quarterly periods until February 15, 2010; |
|
|
|
prior to the initial stock purchase date, a 1/80, or 1.25%,
undivided beneficial ownership interest in a series A trust
preferred security of MetLife Capital Trust II, which we
refer to as the series A trust, with an initial
liquidation amount of $1,000; and |
|
|
|
a 1/80, or 1.25%, undivided beneficial ownership interest in a
series B trust preferred security of MetLife Capital
Trust III, which we refer to as the series B
trust and, together with the series A trust, as the
trusts, with an initial liquidation amount of $1,000. |
We refer to the series A trust preferred securities and the
series B trust preferred securities collectively as the
trust preferred securities. We will guarantee
payments on the trust preferred securities as described in this
prospectus supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
The amount of our common stock you will receive on the initial
stock purchase date will depend on the closing price of our
common stock for each of the first 20 trading days beginning on
July 9, 2008 and the amount of our common stock that you
will receive on the subsequent stock purchase date will depend
on the closing price of our common stock for each of the first
20 trading days beginning on January 7, 2009. For each of
the 20 trading days in the applicable period, a formula will be
applied to that days closing price of our common stock to
determine a daily amount, and the sum of the 20 daily amounts
will determine the total number of shares of our common stock
that you will receive on the applicable stock purchase date. |
|
|
|
The ownership interest in the trust preferred securities
initially will be pledged to secure your obligation to purchase
our common stock on each stock purchase date under the stock
purchase contracts. You may separate the trust preferred
securities from the stock purchase contract by substituting zero
coupon treasury securities for the trust preferred securities. |
|
|
|
We will make quarterly contract payments to you under your stock
purchase contract at the annual rate
of % on the stated amount of
$25 per stock purchase contract until the initial stock
purchase date, and at the annual rate
of % on the remaining stated amount of
$12.50 per stock purchase contract thereafter. We may defer
any of these quarterly payments as described in this prospectus
supplement. |
|
|
|
The series A trust will make quarterly distributions on the
series A trust preferred securities from and including the
issue date to but excluding the initial stock purchase date at
the annual rate of %, subject to the
deferral provisions described in this prospectus supplement. |
|
|
|
The series B trust will make quarterly distributions on the
series B trust preferred securities from and including the
issue date to but excluding the subsequent stock purchase date
at the annual rate of %, subject to the
deferral provisions described in this prospectus supplement. |
|
|
|
The remarketing agent will attempt to remarket the trust
preferred securities for settlement on the applicable stock
purchase date as described in this prospectus supplement in what
we refer to as remarketings. Following a successful
remarketing, the distribution rate on the relevant series of
trust preferred securities may be reset. |
|
|
|
We may elect, in connection with a successful remarketing of
either series of trust preferred securities, to change the
stated maturity of the series of junior subordinated debt
securities underlying that series of trust preferred securities
to any date not earlier than the second anniversary of the
applicable stock purchase date and we may also elect that such
series of trust preferred securities will be redeemable at our
option at any time on or after the second anniversary of the
applicable stock purchase date. |
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol MET. The last reported sale price of our
common stock on June 10, 2005 was $43.85 per share. We will
apply to list the common equity units on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol MEU. We expect trading of
the common equity units on the New York Stock Exchange to
begin on the issue date.
See Risk Factors beginning on page S-20 of
this prospectus supplement to read about important factors you
should consider before buying any common equity units.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other
regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities
or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Common |
|
|
|
|
Equity Unit |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Initial public offering price
|
|
$ |
25.00 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Underwriting discount
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Proceeds, before expenses, to MetLife, Inc.
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
The initial public offering price set forth above does not
include accrued contract payments or accrued distributions, if
any. Contract payments on the stock purchase contracts and
distributions attributable to the applicable ownership interests
in the trust preferred securities will accrue from the issue
date, expected to
be ,
2005.
To the extent that the underwriters sell more than 72,000,000
common equity units, the underwriters have the option to
purchase, not later than 30 days after the initial issuance
of the common equity units, up to an additional 10,800,000
common equity units from MetLife, Inc. at the initial public
offering price less the applicable underwriting discount.
The underwriters expect to deliver the common equity units in
book-entry form only, through the facilities of The Depository
Trust Company, against payment on or
about ,
2005.
|
|
Banc of America Securities LLC |
Goldman, Sachs & Co. |
Citigroup Credit Suisse First Boston Lehman
Brothers Merrill
Lynch &
Co. Morgan
Stanley UBS Investment
Bank
|
|
|
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. |
Deutsche Bank Securities |
JPMorgan |
|
|
|
|
|
BNP PARIBAS |
Fox-Pitt, Kelton |
HSBC |
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods |
Wachovia Securities |
|
|
|
|
Guzman & Company |
Ramirez & Co., Inc. |
Siebert Capital Markets |
The Williams Capital Group, L.P. |
Prospectus Supplement
dated ,
2005.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
| |
Prospectus Supplement |
|
|
|
S-3 |
|
|
|
|
S-4 |
|
|
|
|
S-20 |
|
|
|
|
S-43 |
|
|
|
|
S-48 |
|
|
|
|
S-66 |
|
|
|
|
S-67 |
|
|
|
|
S-68 |
|
|
|
|
S-69 |
|
|
|
|
S-70 |
|
Accounting Treatment; Regulatory Capital
|
|
|
S-75 |
|
|
|
|
S-76 |
|
Description of the Stock Purchase Contracts
|
|
|
S-82 |
|
Certain Provisions of the Stock Purchase Contracts, the
Stock Purchase Contract Agreement and the Pledge Agreement
|
|
|
S-95 |
|
Description of the Trust Preferred Securities
|
|
|
S-99 |
|
Description of the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
|
|
|
S-106 |
|
Description of the Guarantees
|
|
|
S-112 |
|
|
|
|
S-114 |
|
|
|
|
S-116 |
|
|
|
|
S-123 |
|
|
|
|
S-125 |
|
|
|
|
S-130 |
|
|
|
|
S-130 |
|
|
Prospectus |
About This Prospectus
|
|
|
1 |
|
Where You Can Find More Information
|
|
|
1 |
|
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
|
|
|
2 |
|
MetLife, Inc.
|
|
|
3 |
|
The Trusts
|
|
|
3 |
|
Use of Proceeds
|
|
|
5 |
|
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
|
|
|
5 |
|
Description of Securities
|
|
|
5 |
|
Description of Debt Securities
|
|
|
6 |
|
Description of Capital Stock
|
|
|
15 |
|
Description of Depositary Shares
|
|
|
21 |
|
Description of Warrants
|
|
|
23 |
|
Description of Purchase Contracts
|
|
|
24 |
|
Description of Units
|
|
|
25 |
|
Description of Trust Preferred Securities
|
|
|
26 |
|
Description of Guarantees
|
|
|
28 |
|
Plan of Distribution
|
|
|
31 |
|
Legal Opinions
|
|
|
33 |
|
Experts
|
|
|
33 |
|
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus. Neither we nor the underwriters have
authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different
information. If anyone provided you with additional or different
information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the
underwriters are making an offer to sell these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You
should assume that the information contained in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents
incorporated by reference, is accurate only as of their
respective dates. MetLifes business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects may have changed since those
dates.
S-2
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
You should read this prospectus supplement along with the
accompanying prospectus carefully before you invest. Both
documents contain important information you should consider
before making your investment decision. This prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain information
about:
|
|
|
|
|
the common equity units, including both normal common equity
units and stripped common equity units; |
|
|
|
each series of trust preferred securities; |
|
|
|
our guarantees in respect of each series of trust preferred
securities; |
|
|
|
the shares of our common stock issuable upon settlement of the
stock purchase contracts and in respect of deferred contract
payments; |
|
|
|
each series of our junior subordinated debt securities; |
|
|
|
our junior subordinated notes issuable in respect of deferred
contract payments; and |
|
|
|
our junior subordinated notes issuable in respect of accrued and
unpaid distributions on each series of trust preferred
securities in the event of a final failed remarketing with
respect to such series of trust preferred securities. |
Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires,
references in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus to:
|
|
|
|
|
MetLife, we, our, or
us refer to MetLife, Inc. together with Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company (Metropolitan Life), and
their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries; |
|
|
|
MetLife, Inc. refer only to the holding company on
an unconsolidated basis; |
|
|
|
series A trust refer to MetLife Capital
Trust II; |
|
|
|
series B trust refer to MetLife Capital
Trust III; and |
|
|
|
our common stock refer to the common stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of MetLife, Inc. |
The accompanying prospectus contains information about our
securities generally, some of which does not apply to the
securities covered by this prospectus supplement. This
prospectus supplement may add, update or change information in
the accompanying prospectus. If the information in this
prospectus supplement is inconsistent with any information in
the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus
supplement will apply and will supersede the inconsistent
information in the accompanying prospectus.
S-3
SUMMARY
|
|
This summary contains basic information about us and this
offering and questions and answers that highlight selected
information from this prospectus supplement to help you
understand the common equity units and the trust preferred
securities. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of
the information that you should consider before investing in the
common equity units. You should read this entire prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including
the Description of the Common Equity Units and
Risk Factors sections, our financial statements and
the notes thereto incorporated by reference into this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making an
investment decision. Except as otherwise noted, all information
in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus
assumes no exercise of the underwriters option to purchase
additional common equity units. |
|
MetLife
We are a leading provider of insurance and other financial
services to individual and institutional customers. We offer
life insurance, annuities, automobile and homeowners insurance
and retail banking services to individuals, as well as group
insurance, reinsurance, and retirement & savings
products and services to corporations and other institutions. We
serve individuals in approximately 13 million households in
the United States and provide benefits to 37 million
employees and family members through their plan sponsors,
including 88 of the top one hundred FORTUNE® 500
companies. Outside the United States, we serve approximately
9 million customers through direct insurance operations in
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia,
Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan and Uruguay.
We are one of the largest insurance and financial services
companies in the United States. We believe that our franchises
and brand names uniquely position us to be the preeminent
provider of protection and savings and investment products in
the United States. In addition, our international operations are
focused on markets where the demand for insurance, savings and
investment products is expected to grow rapidly in the future.
We divide our business into five operating segments:
|
|
|
|
|
Institutional (41% of 2004 revenues). Our
Institutional segment offers a broad range of group insurance
and retirement & savings products and services to
corporations and other institutions. |
|
|
|
|
|
Our group insurance products and services include group life
insurance, non-medical health insurance products such as
accidental death and dismemberment, long-term care, short- and
long-term disability and dental insurance, and related
administrative services. We offer group insurance products as
employer-paid benefits or as voluntary benefits where all or a
portion of the premiums are paid by the employee. We have built
a leading position in the U.S. group insurance market
through long-standing relationships with many of the largest
corporate employers in the United States. We distribute our
group insurance products and services through a regional sales
force consisting, as of December 31, 2004, of 374 marketing
representatives. Voluntary products are sold through the same
sales channels, as well as by specialists for these products. |
|
|
|
Our institutional retirement & savings products and
services include an array of annuity and investment products, as
well as bundled administrative and investment services sold to
sponsors of small- and mid-sized 401(k) and other defined
contribution plans, guaranteed interest products and other
stable value products, accumulation and income annuities, and
separate account contracts for the investment of defined benefit
and defined contribution plan assets. We distribute
retirement & savings products and services through
dedicated sales teams and relationship managers located in 21
offices around the country, as well as through the distribution
channels in the Individual segment and in the group insurance
area, which enable us to better reach and service customers,
brokers, consultants and other intermediaries. |
|
|
|
|
|
Individual (33% of 2004 revenues). Our Individual
segment offers a wide variety of protection and asset
accumulation products aimed at serving the financial needs of
our individual customers |
S-4
|
|
|
|
|
throughout their entire life cycle. Individual segment products
include traditional, universal and variable life insurance and
variable and fixed annuities, as well as disability insurance,
long-term care insurance products, mutual funds and other
products offered by our other businesses. |
Our Individual segment products are distributed nationwide
through three main sales channels:
|
|
|
|
|
The MetLife Financial Services career agency system, which
focuses on large middle-income and affluent markets, including
multicultural markets, had 5,597 agents under contract in 126
agencies at December 31, 2004. |
|
|
|
New England Financials general agency system, which
targets high net-worth individuals, owners of small businesses
and executives of small- to medium-sized companies, and included
58 general agencies providing support to 2,383 agents and a
network of independent brokers throughout the United States at
December 31, 2004. |
|
|
|
Independent distribution, which is managed primarily by
GenAmerica Financial, a company that markets a portfolio of
individual life insurance, annuity contracts, and related
financial services to high net-worth individuals and small- to
medium-sized businesses through 1,654 independent general
agencies as of December 31, 2004. The GenAmerica
distribution system includes 380 independent general agents who
act as independent contractors and produced at least $25,000 in
first-year insurance sales in 2004. Other independent
distribution channels include independent general agents,
financial advisors, consultants, brokerage general agencies and
other independent marketing organizations. |
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance (10% of 2004 revenues). Our
Reinsurance segment is primarily comprised of our interest in
the life reinsurance business of Reinsurance Group of America,
Incorporated (RGA), a publicly traded company (New
York Stock Exchange: RGA), and our ancillary life reinsurance
business. MetLife, Inc. owned approximately 52% of RGAs
outstanding common shares at December 31, 2004. |
|
|
|
Auto & Home (8% of 2004 revenues). Our
Auto & Home segment offers personal lines property and
casualty insurance directly to employees through
employer-sponsored programs, as well as through a variety of
retail distribution channels, including the MetLife Financial
Services career agency system, independent agents, property and
casualty specialists and direct response marketing. |
|
|
|
International (7% of 2004 revenues). Our
International segment provides life insurance, accident and
health insurance, annuities and retirement & savings
products to both individuals and groups. We focus on emerging
markets primarily within the Latin America and Asia/Pacific
regions. In Latin America, we operate in Mexico and Chile (which
generated approximately 93% of our 2004 Latin America premiums
and fees), as well as Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. In the
Asia/Pacific region we operate in South Korea and Taiwan (which
generated approximately 95% of our total 2004 Asia premiums and
fees), as well as Hong Kong, Indonesia, India and China. |
Corporate & Other contains the excess capital not
allocated to the operating segments, various start-up entities,
including MetLife Bank, N.A., a national bank, and run-off
entities, as well as the elimination of all intersegment
amounts. Additionally, our asset management business, including
amounts reported as discontinued operations, is included in the
results of operations for Corporate & Other.
For the year ended December 31, 2004, we had total revenue
of $38.8 billion and net income of $2.8 billion. At
March 31, 2005, we had cash and invested assets of
$244.9 billion, total assets of $362.7 billion and
shareholders equity of $23.0 billion.
S-5
Acquisition of the Citigroup Life Insurance and Annuities
Business
On January 31, 2005, MetLife, Inc. entered into a
definitive agreement to acquire for $11.5 billion, subject
to certain closing adjustments, all of the outstanding shares of
capital stock held by Citigroup Inc. (Citigroup) and
its affiliates, of certain of the domestic and international
life insurance subsidiaries of Citigroup, referred to as the
Citigroup Life Insurance and Annuities business (Citigroup
L&A) (the Acquisition). The closing of the
Acquisition is subject to certain conditions. Although no
assurances can be given that these conditions will be timely
satisfied or waived, we expect the Acquisition to close in the
summer of 2005. In connection with the Acquisition, MetLife,
Inc. will enter into ten-year distribution agreements with
Citigroup, under which we will expand our distribution by making
products available through certain Citigroup distribution
channels, subject to appropriate suitability and other
standards, including the competitiveness of our products and the
financial strength of our providers. These channels include
CitiStreet Retirement Services, Smith Barney, Citibank branches
and Primerica Financial Services in the United States and
various Citigroup consumer businesses internationally.
Overview of Citigroup L&A
Citigroup L&A provides insurance and other financial
services to a broad spectrum of individual and institutional
customers in the United States and select international markets.
Citigroup L&As U.S. business principally operates
through The Travelers Insurance Company (TIC) based
in Hartford, Connecticut. Citigroup L&As international
business operates in several countries, which include
wholly-owned subsidiaries in Australia, Brazil, Argentina, the
United Kingdom, Belgium and Poland and a joint venture in each
of Japan and Hong Kong. Citigroup L&A also includes certain
individual life and retail annuity businesses in run-off status
since 2003.
At December 31, 2004, Citigroup L&As total assets
were $97.3 billion, approximately 96% of which was
associated with domestic operations. Citigroup L&As
net income for the year ended December 31, 2004 was
$901 million, to which domestic and international
operations contributed 91% and 9%, respectively.
|
|
|
Citigroup L&A U.S. Operations |
Citigroup L&As principal U.S. product offerings
include:
|
|
|
|
|
Retail annuity products, including fixed and variable
deferred annuities and payout annuities. Citigroup L&A
distributes its individual annuity products through Citigroup
affiliated channels ($3.9 billion of individual annuity
premium and deposits in 2004) and non-affiliated channels
($1.8 billion of individual annuity premium and deposits in
2004). The Citigroup affiliated channels include CitiStreet
Retirement Services, Smith Barney, Citibank branches and
Primerica Financial Services. Non-affiliated channels include a
nationwide network of independent financial professionals and
independent broker-dealers, including Morgan Stanley, Merrill
Lynch & Co., Fidelity, AXA and Wachovia Securities. |
|
|
|
Individual life insurance products, including term,
universal and variable life insurance. Citigroup L&As
individual life insurance products are primarily marketed by
independent financial professionals, who accounted for
$745 million of the $964 million of total life
insurance sales for 2004. |
|
|
|
Institutional annuity products, including institutional
pensions, guaranteed investment contracts (GICs),
payout annuities, group annuities sold to employer-sponsored
retirement and savings plans, structured settlements and funding
agreements. Citigroup L&As institutional annuity
products are sold through direct sales and various
intermediaries. |
|
|
|
Citigroup L&A International Operations |
Citigroup L&As international operations offer a
variety of insurance products, including credit insurance, basic
indemnity policies (such as accident and health products),
traditional term life, group life, whole life, endowment, fixed
and variable annuities, pension annuities and unit-linked
policies. Citigroup L&A distributes its products in
international markets primarily through Citigroups
consumer businesses, including its retail banking, credit card
and consumer finance franchises, as well as through
non-proprietary channels. International sales are also conducted
through direct mail and telemarketing, branch sales, wholesaling
networks, agencies and direct sales agents.
S-6
Financing of the Purchase Price
Our definitive agreement with Citigroup to acquire the Citigroup
L&A business (the Acquisition Agreement) permits
us to pay up to $3 billion of the $11.5 billion
purchase price (with the amount to be determined by us) to
Citigroup in MetLife, Inc.s common stock (or, in the
circumstances described below in Proposed Acquisition of
the Citigroup Life Insurance and Annuities Business,
non-voting convertible participating preferred stock). We
currently intend to pay $1 billion of the purchase price in
common stock. The remainder of the purchase price must be paid
in cash.
We intend to finance the cash portion of the purchase price
through a combination of dividends from our insurance
subsidiaries (which have already been paid), proceeds from the
issuance of commercial paper and proceeds from offerings of
various other forms of securities, including:
|
|
|
|
|
our Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the
series A preferred shares), which we expect to issue
on June 13, 2005; |
|
|
|
our 6.50% Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock,
Series B (the series B preferred shares),
which we expect to issue on June 16, 2005; |
|
|
|
the common equity units offered hereby; and |
|
|
|
senior debt, which we expect to issue shortly after the pricing
of this offering of common equity units. |
In the event that any of the proposed offerings of securities
cannot be completed on commercially acceptable terms, we may
borrow up to $7 billion under a bridge financing facility.
The form, manner and timing of the financing of the Acquisition
are subject to change. Please refer to Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information for further
discussion of the financing transactions.
Strategic Rationale
We believe the Acquisition will provide both immediate and
long-term increases in shareholder value through the following
strategic and financial benefits:
|
|
|
|
|
Substantially enhanced scale and market position in
individual life and annuity products. The Acquisition
significantly enhances our position in products we know well. In
particular, it increases the operating earnings of our
Individual segment and reinforces our position as a leader in
the individual life and annuity markets. As a result of the
Acquisition, as of March 31, 2005, based on data from
LIMRA, we will become the leading seller of individual life
insurance products in the United States, as measured by premium
dollars, and the second largest seller of individual annuities
in the United States, as measured by total individual annuity
sales. |
|
|
|
Highly complementary distribution channels. There
is very little overlap between our distribution systems and
those of Citigroup L&A. As part of the Acquisition, we will
enter into ten-year distribution agreements with Citigroup,
which will give us access to certain Citigroup distribution
channels. In addition, we will gain expanded distribution
capabilities to sell individual life products through
independent financial professionals, with whom we have had only
a limited presence until now. Citigroup L&A adds independent
agents, national marketing organizations, Smith Barney and
Citibank to our sales channels for life insurance products. Our
individual annuity distribution capabilities will be
significantly expanded by new distribution relationships with
Citigroup-affiliated channels, including CitiStreet Retirement
Services, Smith Barney, Citibank branches and Primerica
Financial Services, as well as by non-affiliated channels,
including a nationwide network of independent financial
professionals and independent broker-dealers. |
|
|
|
Substantially increased international presence.
The Acquisition increases our presence and adds new distribution
channels in Brazil and Hong Kong and introduces us to new
markets in Japan, Australia, Belgium, Poland and the United
Kingdom. In total, as a result of the Acquisition, we will have
a presence in 16 foreign countries. |
S-7
The Offering
What are the normal common equity units?
Each normal common equity unit will have a stated amount of $25
prior to the initial stock purchase date, and a remaining stated
amount of $12.50 thereafter, and will consist of:
|
|
|
|
|
a stock purchase contract under which: |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
you will agree to purchase, and we will agree to sell to you,
for $12.50, shares of our common stock on the initial stock
purchase date. The initial stock purchase date is expected to be
August 15, 2008, but could be deferred for quarterly
periods until February 15, 2009; |
|
|
(2) |
you will agree to purchase, and we will agree to sell to you,
for $12.50, shares of our common stock on the subsequent stock
purchase date. The subsequent stock purchase date is expected to
be February 15, 2009, but could be deferred for quarterly
periods until February 15, 2010; |
|
|
|
|
|
prior to the initial stock purchase date, a 1/80, or 1.25%,
undivided beneficial ownership interest in a series A trust
preferred security of the series A trust with an initial
liquidation amount of $1,000; and |
|
|
|
a 1/80, or 1.25%, undivided beneficial ownership interest in a
series B trust preferred security of the series B
trust with an initial liquidation amount of $1,000. |
Your ownership interest in the trust preferred securities
initially will be pledged to the collateral agent for our
benefit to secure your obligations under the stock purchase
contract. We refer to the stock purchase contracts, together
with the pledged trust preferred securities, as the normal
common equity units. At your option, you may elect to
create stripped common equity units by substituting
pledged treasury securities for the pledged ownership interests
in the trust preferred securities. Unless otherwise indicated,
the term common equity units will include both
normal common equity units and stripped common equity units.
If any applicable stock purchase date is not a business day (as
defined herein), then settlement for such applicable stock
purchase date will occur on the next succeeding business day and
references to such applicable stock purchase date in this
prospectus supplement shall include such next succeeding
business day.
What are the stock purchase contracts?
The stock purchase contract underlying a common equity unit will
obligate you to purchase, and us to sell, for $12.50, on each of
the initial stock purchase date and the subsequent stock
purchase date, a variable number of newly issued or treasury
shares of our common stock per common equity unit equal to the
applicable settlement rate. Each settlement rate will be
calculated based on the closing price of our common stock during
a specified period preceding the applicable stock purchase date,
as described below.
We will pay you quarterly contract payments on the stock
purchase contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
from and including the issue date to but excluding the initial
stock purchase date, at the annual rate
of % on the stated amount of
$25 per stock purchase contract; and |
|
|
|
from and including the initial stock purchase date to but
excluding the subsequent stock purchase date, at the annual rate
of % on the remaining stated
amount of $12.50 per stock purchase contract. |
We may defer the contract payments as described below. If we
defer any of these payments, we will accrue additional amounts
on the deferred amounts at the annual rate
of % until paid, to the extent
permitted by law.
What are the trust preferred securities?
The series A trust preferred securities and the
series B trust preferred securities represent undivided
beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the
series A trust and the series B trust, respectively.
The property trustee of each trust will hold legal title to the
assets of such trust. The series A trusts assets
consist solely of
our %
Junior Subordinated Debt Securities, Series A, due 2039,
which we refer to as the
S-8
series A junior subordinated debt securities,
and the series B trusts assets consist solely of
our %
Junior Subordinated Debt Securities, Series B, due 2040,
which we refer to as the series B junior subordinated
debt securities and, together with the series A
junior subordinated debt securities, as the junior
subordinated debt securities. Because each holder has an
undivided beneficial interest in each trusts
assets, the holder has a proportional interest in the collective
assets of each trust, rather than in any specific junior
subordinated debt security.
The junior subordinated debt securities of each series will have
terms that are substantially similar to the terms of the
corresponding series of trust preferred securities, thus
providing the relevant trust with the payment streams required
to fund the distributions on such trust preferred securities.
The series A trust will pay you quarterly cumulative cash
distributions on the series A trust preferred securities
fixed initially at an annual rate
of % on the liquidation amount of
$1,000 per trust preferred security, subject to our right
to defer these distributions. The series B trust will pay
you quarterly cumulative cash distributions on the series B
trust preferred securities fixed initially at an annual rate
of % on the liquidation amount of
$1,000 per trust preferred security, subject to our right
to defer these distributions. From and after the initial stock
purchase date for the series A trust preferred securities
and the subsequent stock purchase date for the series B
trust preferred securities, the relevant trust will not be
required to make cash distributions on such series of trust
preferred securities unless we elect, in connection with a
successful remarketing, that the related series of junior
subordinated debt securities will continue to bear cash
interest, in which case such series of trust preferred
securities will continue to bear cash distributions. Otherwise,
the liquidation amount of such series of trust preferred
securities will accrete as described below.
Upon payment of each series of junior subordinated debt
securities issued by us to the relevant trust on their maturity
date, such trust will use the cash proceeds from the repayment
to redeem the corresponding series of trust preferred securities
at their aggregate accreted liquidation amount plus any accrued
and unpaid distributions, which will be payable in cash only.
What are stripped common equity units and how can I create
stripped common equity units from normal common equity
units?
You may consider it beneficial either to hold trust preferred
securities directly or to realize proceeds from their sale.
These investment choices are facilitated by creating stripped
common equity units. At your option, you may elect to create
stripped common equity units by substituting, as pledged
securities, the zero coupon treasury securities described under
Description of the Common Equity Units
Creating Stripped Common Equity Units for the ownership
interest in the trust preferred securities pledged to secure
your obligations under the stock purchase contracts, so long as
such trust preferred securities have not been successfully
remarketed. The pledged trust preferred securities will then be
released from the pledge agreement and delivered to you. Because
the trust preferred securities of each series are issued in
integral multiples of $1,000, you may make the substitution only
in integral multiples of 80 normal common equity units.
Each stripped common equity unit so created will have a stated
amount of $25 prior to the initial stock purchase date, and a
remaining stated amount of $12.50 thereafter, and will consist
of:
|
|
|
|
|
a stock purchase contract; |
|
|
|
prior to the initial stock purchase date, a 1/80, or 1.25%,
undivided beneficial ownership interest in a zero coupon
treasury security that matures as of the applicable remarketing
settlement date for the series A trust preferred
securities, with a principal amount at maturity of
$1,000; and |
|
|
|
a 1/80, or 1.25%, undivided beneficial ownership interest in a
zero coupon treasury security that matures as of the applicable
remarketing settlement date for the series B trust
preferred securities, with a principal amount at maturity of
$1,000. |
If you hold stripped common equity units, you will receive only
the quarterly contract payments. There will be no distributions
in respect of the zero coupon treasury securities underlying
stripped common equity units. If you hold trust preferred
securities separated from the common equity units you will
receive only the
S-9
quarterly cash distributions on the trust preferred securities.
However, you will be required for United States federal income
tax purposes to recognize original issue discount in respect of
the zero coupon treasury securities on a constant yield basis or
to recognize acquisition discount on the zero coupon treasury
securities when it is paid or accrues generally in accordance
with your regular method of tax accounting.
After you have created stripped common equity units, you may
recreate normal common equity units, as described under
Description of the Common Equity Units
Recreating Normal Common Equity Units, only in integral
multiples of 80 normal common equity units, by substituting, as
pledged securities, trust preferred securities for the zero
coupon treasury securities underlying the stripped common equity
units. If you elect to create stripped common equity units, or
recreate normal common equity units, you will be responsible for
any related fees or expenses.
What is the settlement rate?
We refer to the number of newly issued or treasury shares of our
common stock per common equity unit that we are obligated to
sell, and you are obligated to purchase under a stock purchase
contract, on each of the initial stock purchase date and the
subsequent stock purchase date, as the settlement
rate. The settlement rate for the initial stock purchase
date is an amount equal to the sum of the daily
amounts calculated for each of the first 20 trading days
beginning on July 9, 2008 and the settlement rate for the
subsequent stock purchase date is an amount equal to the sum of
the daily amounts calculated for each of the first
20 trading days beginning on January 7, 2009, in each case
regardless of whether the applicable stock purchase date is
deferred. For each of those 20 trading days, a formula will be
applied to that days closing price of our common stock to
determine a daily amount, and the sum of the 20 daily amounts
will determine the total number of shares of our common stock
that you will receive on the applicable stock purchase date. The
daily amount for each trading day in the 20 trading day
period described above is equal to, subject to certain
anti-dilution adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
for each trading day on which the closing price of our common
stock is less than or equal to the reference price, a fraction
of a share of our common stock per common equity unit equal to:
1/20 times $12.50 divided by the reference price; |
|
|
|
for each trading day on which the closing price of our common
stock is greater than the reference price but less than the
threshold appreciation price, a fraction of a share of our
common stock per common equity unit equal to: 1/20 times $12.50
divided by the closing price; and |
|
|
|
for each trading day on which the closing price of our common
stock is greater than or equal to the threshold appreciation
price, a fraction of a share of our common stock per common
equity unit equal to: 1/20 times $12.50 divided by the threshold
appreciation price. |
As a result, for each of the 20 trading days you will
receive %
of the appreciation in the price of our common stock above the
threshold appreciation price, you will not share in any
appreciation in the price of our common stock between the
reference price and the threshold appreciation price and you
will bear the risk of any decline in the applicable market price
of our common stock below the reference price. The amount of our
common stock that you will receive on each stock purchase date
is subject to adjustment as set forth in Description of
the Stock Purchase Contracts Anti-Dilution
Adjustments.
The reference price is equal to
$ per
share. The threshold appreciation price is equal to
$ per
share, and represents a %
appreciation over the reference price.
S-10
What distributions or payments will be made to holders of
the normal common equity units, stripped common equity units and
trust preferred securities?
Normal common equity units. If you hold normal common
equity units, you will be entitled to receive total payments:
|
|
|
|
|
from and including the issue date to but excluding the initial
stock purchase date, at the annual rate
of % per year on the stated
amount of $25 per normal common equity unit, consisting of: |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
quarterly contract payments on the stock purchase contracts at
the annual rate of % on the stated
amount of $25 per normal common equity unit; |
|
|
(b) |
quarterly cumulative cash distributions at the annual rate
of % on your 1/80 interest in a
series A trust preferred security with a liquidation amount
of $1,000; and |
|
|
(c) |
quarterly cumulative cash distributions at the annual rate
of % on your 1/80 interest in a
series B trust preferred security with a liquidation amount
of $1,000; and |
|
|
|
|
|
from and including the initial stock purchase date to but
excluding the subsequent stock purchase date, at the annual rate
of % per year on the
remaining stated amount of $12.50 per normal common equity unit,
consisting of: |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
quarterly contract payments on the stock purchase contracts at
the annual rate of % on the
remaining stated amount of $12.50 per normal common equity
unit; and |
|
|
(b) |
quarterly cumulative cash distributions at the annual rate
of % on your 1/80 interest in a
series B trust preferred security with a liquidation amount
of $1,000. |
All of these payments are subject to the deferral provisions
described below.
Stripped common equity units. If you hold stripped common
equity units, you will receive only the quarterly contract
payments described above, at the annual rate
of % on the stated amount of
$25 per stripped common equity unit from and including the
issue date to but excluding the initial stock purchase date, and
at the annual rate of % on the
remaining stated amount of $12.50 per stripped common
equity unit from and including the initial stock purchase date
to but excluding the subsequent stock purchase date. There will
be no distributions in respect of treasury securities underlying
stripped common equity units. However, you will be required for
United States federal income tax purposes to recognize
original issue discount in respect of the zero coupon treasury
securities on a constant yield basis or to recognize acquisition
discount on the treasury securities when it is paid or accrues
generally in accordance with your regular method of tax
accounting.
Trust preferred securities. If you hold trust preferred
securities separate from the common equity units, you will
receive only the quarterly cash distributions on the trust
preferred securities described above, at the annual rate
of % on the liquidation amount of
$1,000 per series A trust preferred security from and
including the issue date to but excluding the initial stock
purchase date and % on the
liquidation amount of $1,000 per series B trust
preferred security from and including the issue date to but
excluding the subsequent stock purchase date.
From and after a successful remarketing of a series of trust
preferred securities, the relevant trust will cease to make cash
distributions on such series of trust preferred securities
unless, in connection with the remarketing of such trust
preferred securities as described below, we notify such trust
that we elect to make the interest payments on the corresponding
junior subordinated debt securities in cash. To the extent we do
not elect to make cash interest payments on the underlying
series of junior subordinated debt securities, the liquidation
amount of such series of trust preferred securities will accrete
daily at the rate determined in such remarketing.
Each trust must pay distributions on its trust preferred
securities on the payment dates to the extent that it has funds
available for distribution. Each trusts funds available
for distribution to you as a holder of the relevant trust
preferred securities will be limited to payments received from
us on the underlying series of
S-11
junior subordinated debt securities. We will guarantee the
payment of distributions on each series of trust preferred
securities out of funds held by the relevant trust to the extent
of available trust funds.
What are the contract payment dates and distribution
dates?
Subject to the deferral provisions described below, contract
payments and distributions on each series of trust preferred
securities will be paid quarterly in arrears on
February 15, May 15, August 15 and
November 15 of each year, commencing on August 15,
2005 and ending on the initial stock purchase date, in the case
of the series A trust preferred securities, and on the
subsequent stock purchase date, in the case of the series B
trust preferred securities (respectively, the applicable
stock purchase date for such series). As described above,
from and after the applicable stock purchase date, the relevant
trust will not make cash distributions on such series of trust
preferred securities unless we elect that the underlying series
of junior subordinated debt securities will continue to bear
cash interest. After the applicable stock purchase date, if we
elect to continue to pay interest on the applicable underlying
series of junior subordinated debt securities and, accordingly,
cause the relevant trust to make cash distributions on such
series of trust preferred securities, such payments will be made
semi-annually on February 15 and August 15, or
May 15 and November 15, of each year, as applicable,
with the first such semi-annual payment, if any, occurring on
the payment date that is six months after the applicable stock
purchase date.
When can we defer contract payments and
distributions?
Stock purchase contracts. We may, at our option, and will
at the direction of the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York (collectively referred to as
Federal Reserve Board), upon prior written notice to
the holders of the common equity units and the stock purchase
contract agent, defer contract payments on the stock purchase
contracts until no later than February 15, 2010. We may
elect, and will elect if so directed by the Federal Reserve
Board, to defer payments on more than one occasion, but in no
event may we defer payments beyond the subsequent stock purchase
date. Deferred contract payments will accrue additional amounts
until paid, compounded quarterly, at the annual rate
of %,
to the extent permitted by law. If we elect to defer the payment
of contract payments on the stock purchase contracts, to the
extent the stock purchase contracts have not been terminated
then we will pay the deferred contract payments in either shares
of common stock or unsecured junior subordinated notes (which
will be subordinate and rank junior in right of payment to all
of our existing and future secured and senior debt on the same
basis as the contract payments), in our sole discretion.
Trust preferred securities. We may, at our option, and
will at the direction of the Federal Reserve Board upon prior
written notice to the trustee, defer the interest payments due
on a series of junior subordinated debt securities at any time
and from time to time. We may elect and will elect, if so
directed by the Federal Reserve Board, to defer interest
payments on more than one occasion. If we defer interest
payments on a series of junior subordinated debt securities, the
trust holding such securities will defer distributions on the
trust preferred securities issued by it. Deferred distributions
to which you are entitled will accrue additional distributions,
compounded quarterly prior to the initial stock purchase date,
in the case of the series A trust preferred securities, or
the subsequent stock purchase date, in the case of the
series B trust preferred securities, and semi-annually
thereafter, from the relevant payment date for distributions
during any deferral period, at the rate borne by the applicable
series of trust preferred securities at such time, to the extent
permitted by applicable law. We may not defer interest payments
on a series of junior subordinated debt securities for any
period of time that exceeds five years with respect to any
deferral period or that extends, in the case of the
series A junior subordinated debt securities, beyond
February 15, 2039 or, in the case of the series B
junior subordinated debt securities, beyond February 15,
2040.
Restrictions resulting from a deferral. Subject to
certain exceptions as described in the accompanying prospectus,
during any period in which we defer interest payments on a
series of junior subordinated debt securities, in general we
cannot:
|
|
|
|
|
declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any shares of our capital stock; |
S-12
|
|
|
|
|
make any interest, principal or premium payment on, or repay,
repurchase or redeem, the other series of junior subordinated
debt securities or any of our other debt securities that rank
equally with or junior to such series of junior subordinated
debt securities; or |
|
|
|
make any payment under any guarantee that ranks equal or junior
to the guarantee related to a series of trust preferred
securities, including any payment on the guarantee for the other
series of trust preferred securities. |
During any deferral period, interest will continue to accrue and
holders of junior subordinated debt securities and holders of
the related trust preferred securities that are outstanding will
be required to accrue such deferred interest income on a
constant-yield basis (in the form of original issue discount)
for United States federal income tax purposes prior to the
receipt of cash attributable to such income, regardless of the
method of accounting used by the holders. For more extensive
United States federal income tax disclosure, see Certain
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences.
What is a remarketing?
If you hold normal common equity units, to provide you with the
proceeds necessary to be applied in the settlement of your stock
purchase contract obligations on each applicable stock purchase
date, the trust preferred securities of the series having an
applicable remarketing settlement date that corresponds to such
applicable stock purchase date will be remarketed, unless you
elect not to participate in that remarketing. The cash proceeds
from a successful remarketing will be used to satisfy your
obligation to purchase common stock on the applicable stock
purchase date and any remaining proceeds (net of any remarketing
fee) will be remitted to you. If you hold trust preferred
securities separately and not as part of the common equity
units, you may elect to participate in remarketings as described
below.
For each remarketing, we will enter into a remarketing agreement
with a nationally recognized investment banking firm. The
investment banking firm will agree to use its commercially
reasonable efforts as remarketing agent to sell the applicable
series of trust preferred securities included in the remarketing
at a price that results in proceeds, net of any remarketing fee,
of at least 100% of their aggregate liquidation amount, plus
accrued and unpaid distributions, if any. To obtain that price,
the remarketing agent may reset the distribution rate on the
applicable series of trust preferred securities, as described
below. The remarketing date for any series of trust preferred
securities will be the third business day immediately preceding
the applicable remarketing settlement date for that series of
trust preferred securities, subject to deferral in the event
that a remarketing is not successful. There will be a maximum of
three attempted remarketings for each series of trust preferred
securities. If a remarketing is successful, settlement for the
remarketing will occur on the applicable remarketing settlement
date. If any applicable remarketing settlement date is not a
business day (as defined herein), then settlement for such
remarketing will occur on the next succeeding business day, and
references to such remarketing settlement date in this
prospectus supplement shall include such next succeeding
business day.
You may elect not to participate in a remarketing, and to retain
the trust preferred securities of the relevant series underlying
your common equity units. To do this you must deliver cash, in
the amount of $1,000 per trust preferred security you elect
to retain, to the collateral agent on or prior to
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fourth business day
immediately preceding the applicable remarketing settlement date
as described in Description of the Stock Purchase
Contracts Notice to Settle with Cash.
In connection with an attempted remarketing of a series of trust
preferred securities, the remarketing agent may reset the rate
on such series of trust preferred securities. If the remarketing
is successful and the rate is reset, the reset rate will apply
to all outstanding trust preferred securities of that series,
whether or not the holders participated in such remarketing, and
will become effective on the settlement date of such remarketing.
Unless we have elected that the underlying series of junior
subordinated debt securities will continue to bear cash interest
following a successful remarketing, a successfully remarketed
series of trust preferred
S-13
securities will not bear cash distributions, and the liquidation
amount of such trust preferred securities will accrete daily at
the reset rate.
The reset rate on each series of trust preferred securities will
be the rate to the mandatory redemption date determined in the
relevant remarketing, whether an accretion rate or a cash
payment rate, such that the proceeds from such remarketing, net
of any remarketing fee, will be at least 100% of the liquidation
amount of the relevant series of trust preferred securities,
plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any; provided,
however, that for each of the first two attempted remarketings
of each series of trust preferred securities, the reset rate may
not exceed the reset cap. For this purpose, the reset
cap is the prevailing market yield per annum, as
determined by the remarketing agent, of the benchmark
U.S. treasury security having a remaining maturity that
most closely corresponds to the period until the mandatory
redemption date, plus 350 basis points.
The initial stock purchase date will be the remarketing
settlement date for the successful remarketing or final failed
remarketing of the series A trust preferred securities. The
subsequent stock purchase date will be the remarketing
settlement date for the successful remarketing or final failed
remarketing of the series B trust preferred securities.
What happens if a remarketing is not successful?
If the remarketing agent cannot successfully remarket a series
of trust preferred securities on the terms described above,
then, unless there has been a final failed remarketing (as
described below):
|
|
|
|
|
the distribution rate on that series of trust preferred
securities will not be reset; and |
|
|
|
the remarketing agent will thereafter attempt to establish a new
reset rate meeting the requirements described above and remarket
such trust preferred securities on subsequent remarketing dates
as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
There will be three potential remarketing dates for the
series A trust preferred securities. The first two
remarketings will be subject to the reset cap, and the last
remarketing will be uncapped. |
|
|
|
|
|
The first potential remarketing settlement date for the
series A trust preferred securities will be August 15,
2008. This remarketing will be subject to the reset cap. |
|
|
|
If that remarketing is not successful, the second potential
remarketing settlement date for the series A trust
preferred securities will be November 15, 2008. This
remarketing will be subject to the reset cap. |
|
|
|
If the second remarketing is not successful, the third and final
potential remarketing settlement date for the series A
trust preferred securities will be February 15, 2009. This
remarketing will not be subject to the reset cap. |
|
|
|
|
|
There will also be three potential remarketing dates for the
series B trust preferred securities. The first two
remarketings will be subject to the reset cap, and the last
remarketing will be uncapped. |
|
|
|
|
|
The first potential remarketing settlement date for the
series B trust preferred securities will occur six months
after the earlier of (i) the remarketing settlement date
for a successful remarketing of the series A trust
preferred securities; or (ii) February 15, 2009. This
remarketing will be subject to the reset cap. |
|
|
|
If the first remarketing of the series B trust preferred
securities is not successful, the second potential remarketing
settlement date for the series B trust preferred securities
will occur three months after the first potential remarketing
settlement date for the series B trust preferred
securities. This remarketing will be subject to the reset cap. |
|
|
|
If the second remarketing is not successful, the third and final
potential remarketing settlement date for the series B
trust preferred securities will occur three months after the |
S-14
|
|
|
|
|
second potential remarketing settlement date, for the
series B trust preferred securities. The latest date on
which the third and final potential remarketing settlement date
for the series B trust preferred securities can occur will
be February 15, 2010. This remarketing will not be subject
to the reset cap. |
As used in this prospectus supplement, applicable
remarketing settlement date means, with respect to each
series of trust preferred securities, as of any date of
determination, the next potential remarketing settlement date
for such series, unless there has previously been a successful
remarketing of such series, in which case it means the date of
the successful remarketing.
Any remarketing of trust preferred securities will settle (if
successful) on the corresponding remarketing settlement date.
Any such remarketings will be subject to the conditions and
procedures described above and under Description of the
Trust Preferred Securities Remarketing.
What happens if the final remarketing of a series of trust
preferred securities is not successful?
The remarketing agent will attempt to remarket each series of
trust preferred securities a maximum of three times. If the
remarketing agents third attempt to remarket a series of
trust preferred securities is unsuccessful, a final failed
remarketing will be deemed to have occurred with respect
to such series, and the distribution rate on the applicable
series of trust preferred securities will not be reset. In the
event of a final failed remarketing, we may shorten the stated
maturity of the underlying junior subordinated debt securities
and, accordingly, the mandatory redemption date of the relevant
trust preferred securities would be accelerated; provided,
however, that if we are deferring interest on the applicable
series of underlying junior subordinated debt securities at the
time of a remarketing, any new stated maturity date and
mandatory redemption date may not be earlier than five years
after commencement of the deferral period.
Trust preferred securities held in normal common equity
units. If a final failed remarketing for a series of trust
preferred securities occurs with respect to each normal common
equity unit, we will exercise our rights as a secured party and,
subject to applicable law, retain the applicable series of trust
preferred securities pledged as collateral under the pledge
agreement or sell them in one or more private sales and apply
the liquidation amount or proceeds from the sale of such trust
preferred securities against your obligations under the stock
purchase contract. In either case, your obligation to purchase
stock on the applicable stock purchase date under the stock
purchase contract would be satisfied in full. We will issue a
junior subordinated note (which will be subordinate and rank
junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future
secured and senior debt) to the stock purchase contract agent
for delivery to you, payable on August 15, 2010 or, if we
are deferring interest on the corresponding series of junior
subordinated debt securities, on the date that is five years
after commencement of the deferral period (whichever is later),
and bearing interest at the rate
of % per
year, in an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid distributions
(together with any interest on accrued and unpaid amounts) on
the applicable series of trust preferred securities as of the
remarketing settlement date corresponding to the final failed
remarketing of that series of trust preferred securities.
Zero coupon treasury securities held in stripped common
equity units. If a final failed remarketing for a series of
trust preferred securities occurs, with respect to each stripped
common equity unit, we will exercise our rights as a secured
party and, subject to applicable law we will retain your zero
coupon treasury securities pledged as collateral and apply the
principal amount at maturity to satisfy in full your obligation
to us under your stock purchase contracts.
Trust preferred securities not held in normal common equity
units. If a final failed remarketing for a series of trust
preferred securities occurs, you will have the right, at your
option, to require the relevant trust to redeem all or a portion
of those trust preferred securities in exchange for the initial
liquidation amount of $1,000 per trust preferred security in
cash, plus a junior subordinated note (which will be subordinate
and rank junior in right of payment to all of our existing and
future secured and senior debt), payable August 15, 2010
or, if we are deferring interest on the corresponding series of
junior subordinated debt securities, on the date that is five
years after commencement of the deferral period (whichever is
later) and bearing interest at the
S-15
rate
of % per
year, in an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid distributions
(together with any interest on accrued and unpaid amounts) as of
the remarketing settlement date corresponding to the final
failed remarketing of such series of trust preferred securities.
If I hold my trust preferred securities separately from
the common equity units, may I still participate in a
remarketing?
Holders of trust preferred securities that are not held as part
of normal common equity units may elect to have their relevant
trust preferred securities included in a remarketing and
remarketed in the same manner and at the same price as trust
preferred securities underlying normal common equity units. See
Description of the Trust Preferred Securities
Optional Remarketing of the Trust Preferred Securities Not
Included in Normal Common Equity Units.
If I do not participate in a remarketing, how can I
satisfy my related obligations under the stock purchase
contract?
You may also satisfy your obligations under the stock purchase
contract as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
if you hold stripped common equity units, the cash payments on
the zero coupon treasury security that matures on the applicable
stock purchase date automatically will be applied to satisfy in
full your obligation to purchase common stock under your stock
purchase contracts on the applicable stock purchase date and you
will not be required to deliver any additional cash to satisfy
your obligation; |
|
|
|
if you hold normal common equity units and have elected not to
participate in a remarketing, by delivering cash, in the amount
of $1,000 per trust preferred security of the series to be
remarketed in increments of 80 normal common equity units, prior
to the applicable stock purchase date, as described in
Description of the Stock Purchase Contracts
Notice to Settle with Cash; |
|
|
|
if we are involved in a merger in which at least 30% of the
consideration for our outstanding common stock consists of cash
or cash equivalents, through an early settlement of the stock
purchase contract as described in Description of the Stock
Purchase Contracts Early Settlement Upon Cash
Merger; and |
|
|
|
you may settle the stock purchase contracts early, at your
option, as described in Description of the Stock Purchase
Contracts Early Settlement. |
What happens to the stock purchase contracts in the event
of our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization?
The stock purchase contracts, our related rights and obligations
and those of the holders of the common equity units under the
stock purchase contracts, including the right and obligation to
purchase our common stock and the right to receive accrued
contract payments, automatically will terminate, without any
further action, upon the occurrence of particular events of our
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
What is the maturity of the trust preferred securities?
When must the trust preferred securities be redeemed?
The trust preferred securities of each series have no stated
maturity but must be redeemed upon the maturity of the
corresponding series of junior subordinated debt securities or
their earlier redemption. The series A junior subordinated
debt securities are scheduled to mature on February 15,
2039 and the series B junior subordinated debt securities
are scheduled to mature on February 15, 2040. However, we
may elect, in our sole discretion, in connection with a
remarketing, to change the stated maturity of the series of
junior subordinated debt securities underlying the trust
preferred securities of the series being remarketed to any date
not earlier than the second anniversary of the applicable stock
purchase date and not later than February 15, 2039 for the
series A junior subordinated debt securities or later than
February 15, 2040 for the series B junior subordinated
debt securities and to specify a date, not earlier than the
second anniversary of the applicable stock purchase date, on and
after which such series of junior subordinated debt securities
will be redeemable at our option; provided, however, that if we
are deferring interest on such series of junior subordinated debt
S-16
securities at the time of such remarketing, we may not elect a
maturity date or specify an optional redemption date that is
earlier than five years after commencement of the deferral
period. The redemption price per trust preferred security will
equal the total accreted liquidation amount per trust preferred
security plus accumulated and unpaid distributions, if any, to,
but excluding, the redemption date and any additional amount we
may agree to pay upon redemption (although we are under no
obligation to agree to pay any such additional amounts). The
redemption price of each such junior subordinated debt security
will be the accreted principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date plus,
if we have agreed, at the time of the remarketing of the related
series of trust preferred securities, to pay additional amounts
upon redemption, an amount equal to such additional amounts. We
will give not less than 30 days nor more than
60 days notice of redemption by mail to holders of
the junior subordinated debt securities.
We may not redeem the junior subordinated debt securities in
part if the accreted principal amount has been accelerated and
such acceleration has not been rescinded, or unless all accrued
and unpaid interest has been paid in full on all outstanding
junior subordinated debt securities for all interest periods
terminating on or before the redemption date.
What is the ranking of my claims against MetLife, either
for payment of the quarterly contract payments under the stock
purchase contracts or, through the trust preferred securities,
for interest or principal on the junior subordinated debt
securities, if MetLife were to become insolvent?
Your claims against MetLife directly for quarterly contract
payments or indirectly through the trust preferred securities
for payments of principal and interest on the junior
subordinated debt securities, are junior subordinated claims as
described under Description of the Junior Subordinated
Debt Securities Subordination. In addition, as
mentioned above, your right to receive accrued contract payments
will terminate automatically upon the occurrence of particular
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events involving
MetLife, Inc.
We may elect at any time, effective on or after the applicable
stock purchase date, including in connection with a remarketing,
that our obligations under the applicable series of junior
subordinated debt securities and under the guarantee of the
applicable series of trust preferred securities shall be senior
obligations instead of subordinated obligations.
When may we dissolve the trusts?
We, as the holder of all the common securities of each trust,
have the right to dissolve each trust at any time in our sole
discretion.
If we dissolve either trust, you will receive, after
satisfaction of liabilities of creditors of such trust, the
underlying series of junior subordinated debt securities having
an accreted principal amount equal to the accreted liquidation
amount of the corresponding series of trust preferred securities
that you hold. In this case, such trust preferred securities
will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and normal common
equity units that had included 1/80 of an interest in such trust
preferred securities would thereafter include 1/80 of an
interest in a junior subordinated debt security of that series.
If your interest in the trust preferred securities is pledged at
that time to secure your obligations under your stock purchase
contracts, the interest in the junior subordinated debt
securities you receive will be pledged in substitution for your
interest in the trust preferred securities to secure those
obligations.
Following dissolution, the distributed junior subordinated debt
securities would be subject to the remarketing and other
provisions of the trust preferred securities.
What is the extent of our guarantees?
In respect of each series of trust preferred securities, we will
irrevocably guarantee, on a junior subordinated basis, the
payment in full of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to be paid on
such series of trust preferred securities, to the extent the
relevant trust has funds available to make the payment; |
S-17
|
|
|
|
|
the redemption price for any trust preferred securities of the
applicable series called for redemption, to the extent the
relevant trust has funds available to make the payment; and |
|
|
|
upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
liquidation of the applicable trust, other than in connection
with a distribution of the related series of junior subordinated
debt securities to the holders of such series of trust preferred
securities, the lesser of: |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
the aggregate of the accreted liquidation amount and all
accumulated and unpaid distributions on such series of trust
preferred securities to the date of payment, if any, to the
extent such trust has funds available to make the
payment; and |
|
|
(2) |
the amount of assets of the applicable trust remaining available
for distribution to holders of such trust preferred securities
upon liquidation of such trust. |
Our obligations under the guarantee related to a series of trust
preferred securities are unsecured, are subordinated to and
junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future
secured and senior debt (as used in this prospectus supplement,
the term senior debt shall have the meaning set
forth under Description of the Junior Subordinated Debt
Securities Subordination), and shall rank
equal in right of payment with the guarantee related to the
other series of trust preferred securities and with all other
similar guarantees issued by us.
The trust preferred securities, the guarantees and the junior
subordinated debt securities do not limit our ability or the
ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness,
including indebtedness that ranks senior to or equal in right of
payment with the junior subordinated debt securities and the
guarantees. As part of the financing of the Acquisition, we
expect to incur additional debt, including commercial paper and
senior debt. See Use of Proceeds and
Capitalization.
Each guarantee, when taken together with our obligations under
the applicable series of junior subordinated debt securities and
the applicable junior indenture (as used in this prospectus
supplement, the term junior indenture shall have the
meaning set forth under Description of the Junior
Subordinated Debt Securities) and our obligations under
the trust agreement for the applicable trust, including our
obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of
such trust, other than with respect to the applicable series of
trust preferred securities, has the effect of providing a full
and unconditional guarantee of all amounts due on such trust
preferred securities.
What are the United States federal income tax consequences
related to the normal common equity units and trust preferred
securities?
If you purchase normal common equity units in the offering, you
should be treated for United States federal income tax purposes
as having acquired an undivided interest in the trust preferred
securities and stock purchase contracts constituting those
normal common equity units. Assuming full compliance with the
terms of the relevant trust agreement, each trust will be
classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income
tax purposes and will not be classified as either an association
or a publicly traded partnership, in each case, that is taxable
as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
Accordingly, for United States federal income tax purposes, each
United States holder (as defined under Certain United
States Federal Income Tax Consequences United States
Holders) of trust preferred securities of a series will be
treated as purchasing and owning an undivided beneficial
ownership interest in the junior subordinated debt securities of
the corresponding series and will be required to take into
account its pro rata share of all items of income, gain, loss or
deduction of such trust.
Each holder of the normal common equity units must allocate the
purchase price of the normal common equity units between the
holders undivided interests in the junior subordinated
debt securities and the stock purchase contracts in proportion
to their respective fair market values, which will establish
each holders initial tax basis in the junior subordinated
debt securities and the stock purchase contracts. We expect to
treat the fair market value at the time of issuance of each
ownership interest in the series A trust preferred
securities (or more precisely in the series A junior
subordinated debt securities) as $12.50, the fair market value
at the time of issuance of each ownership interest in the
series B trust preferred securities (or more precisely in
the
S-18
series B junior subordinated debt securities) as $12.50 and
the fair market value of each stock purchase contract as $0.
This position generally will be binding on each beneficial owner
of each common equity unit but not on the Internal Revenue
Service and by purchasing the common equity units you will be
deemed to have agreed to take this position for United States
federal income tax purposes.
Generally, we expect that you will be required to include
payments of interest made on the series of junior subordinated
debt securities held by each trust in your gross income as
interest when such payments are made or accrued in accordance
with your regular method of tax accounting; however, the
Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) may disagree with
this position and may require you to recognize original issue
discount in respect of the junior subordinated debt securities
on a constant yield basis. For a more extensive discussion,
please see Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences. Additionally, even if the IRS does not
initially treat the junior subordinated debt securities as
having original issue discount upon issuance, in the event the
payments of interest on either series of junior subordinated
debt securities are deferred, interest will continue to accrue
and holders of such junior subordinated debt securities and
holders of the corresponding series of trust preferred
securities that are outstanding will be required to accrue such
deferred interest income (in the form of original issue
discount) for United States federal income tax purposes prior to
the receipt of cash attributable to such income, regardless of
the method of accounting used by the holders.
We intend to report contract payments (including deferred
contract payments) on the stock purchase contracts as income to
you; however, you should consult your own tax advisor concerning
the treatment of contract payments (including deferred contract
payments) to discuss possible alternative characterizations.
Will the common equity units be listed on a stock
exchange?
We will apply to list the normal common equity units on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol MEU. We expect
that the normal common equity units will begin trading on the
issue date.
Neither the stripped common equity units nor the trust preferred
securities initially will be listed. If enough stripped common
equity units are created so that applicable exchange listing
requirements are met, we may list the stripped common equity
units or the trust preferred securities on the same exchange as
the normal common equity units are then listed, although we are
under no obligation to do so.
What are your expected uses of proceeds from the offering
of the common equity units?
MetLife, Inc. intends to use the net proceeds from this offering
to fund a portion of the purchase price for MetLife, Inc.s
acquisition of Citigroup L&A as described elsewhere. See
Proposed Acquisition of the Citigroup Life Insurance and
Annuities Business. In the event the Acquisition is not
consummated, MetLife, Inc. will use the net proceeds from the
sale of the common equity units for general corporate purposes.
MetLife, Inc. expects to receive net proceeds from this offering
of approximately
$ ($ if
the underwriters option to purchase additional common
equity units is exercised in full), after expenses and
underwriting discounts.
S-19
RISK FACTORS
In considering whether to purchase the common equity units or
the trust preferred securities, you should carefully consider
all the information included or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus.
In particular, you should carefully consider the following risk
factors. In addition, because each common equity unit includes a
stock purchase contract to acquire shares of common stock, you
are also making an investment decision with regard to common
stock. Further, because, under certain circumstances, the common
equity units could consist of junior subordinated debt
securities and stock purchase contracts, you are also making an
investment decision with regard to the junior subordinated debt
securities. You should carefully review all the information in
this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus
about all of these securities.
Risks Relating to the Acquisition of Citigroup L&A
|
|
|
We Do Not Expect Citigroup L&As Performance in
2004 and the First Quarter of 2005 to be Indicative of Its
Future Contribution to Our Net Income |
Citigroup L&A generated net income of $901 million in
2004 and $273 million in the first quarter of 2005. We
expect Citigroup L&As results in 2005 to be lower than
the $901 million generated in 2004 due to the impact of
certain items in 2004 that are unlikely to recur in 2005 and
trends in Citigroup L&As principal businesses. We also
do not believe Citigroup L&As net income for the first
quarter of 2005 is an accurate indicator of its full year
2005 net income.
Citigroup L&As 2004 net income of
$901 million was positively affected by tax recoveries,
releases of reserves, charges and other items and negatively
affected by other items, including a change in assumptions
relating to deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC) that, taken
together, contributed a net amount of $61 million to
Citigroup L&As net income in 2004. We believe these
items are unlikely to recur in 2005. Similarly, Citigroup
L&As net income of $273 million in the first
quarter of 2005 was positively affected by unusually large
realized gains of $36 million and better than expected
results in Argentina due in part to a $16 million (after
tax) release of reserves.
We expect the following trends, which Citigroup L&A
management has reported to us, to affect the profitability of
Citigroup L&As various businesses in 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
Private Equity and Real Estate. According to Citigroup
L&A management, Citigroup L&A has experienced
significant declines in returns on its investments in arbitrage
funds in 2005. In addition, Citigroup L&As 2004 and
first quarter 2005 net income benefitted from the exceptionally
strong performance of its private equity and real estate
investments. Total private equity and real estate investment
income in 2004 was $193 million and $79 million,
respectively, which represented 6.5% and 2.7%, respectively, of
Citigroup L&As total net investment income for the
year. An adverse change in the private equity or real estate
markets or continuing poor returns on arbitrage investments
would have a negative impact on our returns from Citigroup
L&As investments. See Risks Relating to Our
Business The Performance of Our Investments Depends
on Conditions that Are Outside Our Control, and Our Net
Investment Income Can Vary from Period to Period. |
|
|
|
Institutional Annuities. According to the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed by TIC for the first quarter of
2005, institutional annuities deposits were 30% lower in the
three months ended March 31, 2005 than in the comparable
period in 2004. The decline in volume was a result of lower
sales under TICs medium-term note program and GIC
customers assessing concentration risk associated with the
Acquisition. Structured settlement production also declined in
the first quarter of 2005 as a result of initial uncertainty
following the announcement of the Acquisition. Consistent with
industry trends, Citigroup L&A has also experienced a slower
group close-out market. The close-out business is characterized
by large, infrequent transactions that contribute to volatility
of quarterly premiums, benefits and losses. |
|
|
|
Retail Annuities. Although retail annuity sales have
shown some growth from 2004, they have been below expectations
in 2005. A slowdown in new product introductions by Citigroup
L&A has hampered the ability of Citigroup L&A to respond
to new offerings by competitors, and plans to |
S-20
|
|
|
|
|
expand distribution in the financial planner market and in banks
have been cancelled. Also, uncertainty regarding long-term
integration plans has led to wholesaler turnover. |
|
|
|
Life Insurance. The life insurance industry is facing
numerous challenges that could have an impact in future periods.
Reserve requirements under NAIC Model Regulation AXXX for
universal life products with secondary guarantees are expected
to constrain capital, while higher cost and decreased
availability of life reinsurance, in addition to heightened
competition from major U.S. life insurance market
participants, are expected to pressure profitability. |
|
|
|
International. Sales may be reduced in 2005 due to a
number of factors. In Japan, Citigroup L&A has experienced a
slowdown in sales of its variable annuity contracts and
increased competition, reflecting lower overall variable annuity
sales by Citigroup L&As distributors and a loss by
Citigroup L&A of market share within these channels. Sales
also may be reduced by a slowdown in the United Kingdom due to
reduced loan origination, changes in pension regulations in
Australia, and continuing uncertainty in Argentina due in part
to economic conditions and the potential for government and
judicial action. |
|
|
|
Citigroup L&As Business is Also Subject to
Risks |
Citigroup L&As business is affected by other market
risks and other categories of risk described elsewhere in this
section, in this prospectus supplement and in the documents
incorporated by reference herein. In particular, we note that:
|
|
|
|
|
Citigroup L&A has experienced continued spread compression
in 2005, as somewhat lower new money rates in 2005 were only
partially offset by lower crediting rates on annuity products.
Declining interest rates, continued low interest rates or
rapidly rising interest rates could exacerbate this trend. See
Risks Relating to Our Business Changes in
Market Interest Rates May Significantly Affect Our
Profitability. |
|
|
|
Citigroup L&As business is significantly affected by
movements in the U.S. equity and fixed income credit
markets. See Risks Relating to Our Business A
Decline in Equity Markets or an Increase in Volatility in Equity
Markets May Adversely Affect Sales of Our Investment Products
and Our Profitability. |
|
|
|
Citigroup L&A has experienced a sustained period of
favorable credit trends in 2004. Adverse changes in the credit
quality of issuers could have a negative effect on Citigroup
L&As investment portfolio and earnings. See
Risks Relating to Our Business Defaults,
Downgrades or Other Events Impairing the Value of Our
Fixed-Income Securities Portfolio May Reduce Our Earnings. |
|
|
|
Federal and state regulators have focused on, and continue to
devote substantial attention to, the mutual fund and variable
insurance product industries. See Risks Relating to Our
Business Legal and Regulatory Investigations and
Actions Are Increasingly Common in the Insurance Business and
May Result in Financial Losses and Harm our Reputation. |
|
|
|
Following the announcement of the Acquisition, the financial
strength rating of each of TIC and its subsidiary, The Travelers
Life and Annuity Company, was lowered one notch by certain
rating agencies. While we believe the negative impact of these
downgrades on Citigroup L&As financial results was
relatively modest, future downgrades, if any, could have a more
pronounced impact. See Risks Relating to Our
Business A Downgrade or a Potential Downgrade in Our
Financial Strength or Credit Ratings Could Result in a Loss of
Business and Adversely Affect Our Financial Condition and
Results of Operations. |
|
|
|
We May Experience Difficulties in Integrating the
Citigroup L&A Business |
Our ability to achieve the benefits we anticipate from the
Acquisition will depend in large part upon whether we are able
to integrate the businesses of MetLife and Citigroup L&A in
an efficient and effective manner. We may not be able to
integrate these businesses smoothly or successfully, and the
process may take longer than expected. The integration of
certain operations following the Acquisition will require the
dedication of significant management resources, which may
distract managements attention from day-to-day business.
Integration planning, which commenced on January 31, 2005,
has already required significant
S-21
management resources. If we are unable to successfully integrate
the operations of MetLife and Citigroup L&A, we may be
unable to realize the cross-selling and other distribution
benefits, cost savings, revenue growth and other anticipated
benefits we expect to achieve as a result of the Acquisition and
our business and results of operations could be adversely
affected.
The success with which we are able to integrate the Citigroup
L&A business will depend on our ability to manage a variety
of issues, including the following:
|
|
|
|
|
Loss of key personnel or higher than expected employee attrition
rates could adversely affect the performance of the Citigroup
L&A business and our ability to integrate it successfully.
Citigroup L&A management has advised us that since the
announcement of the Acquisition, employee departures from the
Citigroup L&A business have been running at a significantly
higher rate than the historical average. |
|
|
|
Citigroup L&As customers may reduce, delay or defer
decisions concerning their use of Citigroup L&As
products and services as a result of the Acquisition or
uncertainties related to the consummation of the Acquisition. In
particular, we expect that some existing Citigroup L&A
customers that are also customers of MetLife will reduce their
purchases from Citigroup L&A and MetLife as they assess
concentration risk associated with the Acquisition. Citigroup
L&A experienced lower institutional annuities deposits in
the first quarter of 2005 following the announcement of the
Acquisition. |
|
|
|
The Citigroup L&A business relies in part upon independent
distributors to distribute its products. According to Citigroup
L&A management, financial professionals not affiliated with
Citigroup accounted for $1.8 billion of the
$5.7 billion total individual annuity premiums and
deposits, and $745 million of the $964 million total
individual life insurance sales, of the Citigroup L&A
business in 2004. Unaffiliated distributors typically distribute
products for many different financial institutions and may not
continue to generate the same volume of business for MetLife
after the Acquisition. Independent distributors may reexamine
the scope of their relationship with Citigroup L&A as a
result of the Acquisition and decide to curtail or eliminate
their distribution of Citigroup L&A products. |
|
|
|
Although we will enter into ten-year distribution arrangements
with the Citigroup-affiliated distributors at the closing of the
Acquisition, most of these distribution relationships will not
require the distributor to distribute MetLife or Citigroup
L&A products exclusively. We cannot assure you that the
volume of distribution through these channels will not decrease
after the Citigroup L&A business is no longer affiliated
with these channels. Distribution channels affiliated with
Citigroup account for significant volumes of the Citigroup
L&A business, including $3.9 billion of the
$5.7 billion total individual annuity premiums and deposits
of the Citigroup L&A business in 2004. |
|
|
|
Integrating the Citigroup L&A business with our existing
operations will require us to coordinate geographically
separated organizations, address possible differences in
corporate culture and management philosophies and combine
separate information technology platforms. |
We expect to incur significant one-time costs in connection with
the Acquisition and the related integration of approximately
$196 million, or $127 million after income taxes.
These costs have not been reflected in the accompanying
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information
because they are non-recurring. The costs and liabilities
actually incurred in connection with the Acquisition and
subsequent integration process may exceed those anticipated.
Although we expect that the realization of efficiencies related
to the Acquisition may offset additional expenses over time and
result in net cost savings, we cannot ensure that this net
benefit will be achieved soon or at all.
|
|
|
If the Citigroup L&A Business Does Not Perform Well or
We Do Not Integrate It Successfully, We May Incur Significant
Charges to Write Down the Goodwill Established in the
Acquisition |
As a result of the Acquisition, we expect to establish goodwill
of approximately $4.5 billion based upon the March 31,
2005 unaudited pro forma interim condensed consolidated balance
sheet included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. Under
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142,
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, we must
test our goodwill annually for impairment and, if we determine
that the goodwill has been impaired, we must write down the
goodwill by the amount of the impairment, with a
S-22
corresponding charge to net income. If the Citigroup L&A
business does not perform well following the Acquisition or if
we are unable to integrate it successfully into our operations,
we may incur significant charges to net income to write down the
goodwill, which could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations or financial condition.
|
|
|
We Must Obtain Many Governmental and Other Consents to
Complete the Acquisition. If These Consents Are Delayed, Not
Granted or Granted with Unacceptable Conditions, It May
Jeopardize or Postpone the Completion of the Acquisition, Result
in Additional Expenditures of Money and Resources and/or Reduce
the Anticipated Benefits of the Acquisition |
We must obtain numerous approvals and consents in a timely
manner from federal, state and foreign agencies prior to the
completion of the Acquisition. If we do not receive these
approvals, or do not receive them on terms that satisfy the
conditions set forth in the Acquisition Agreement, then we will
not be obligated to complete the Acquisition. In such case, it
is possible that we may forego or postpone acquiring all of
Citigroup L&A and, instead, acquire only certain businesses
and/or assets of Citigroup L&A for which we have obtained
appropriate approvals, thereby reducing the anticipated benefits
of the Acquisition. The governmental agencies from which we will
seek these approvals have broad discretion in administering the
governing regulations. As a condition to approval of the
Acquisition, agencies may impose requirements, limitations or
costs that could negatively affect the way we conduct, or
Citigroup L&A conducts, business. These requirements,
limitations or costs could jeopardize or delay the completion of
the Acquisition. If we agree to any material requirements,
limitations or costs in order to obtain any approvals required
to complete the Acquisition, these requirements, limitations or
additional costs could adversely affect our ability to integrate
the Citigroup L&A operations or reduce the anticipated
benefits of the Acquisition. This could result in a material
adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
In the event the Acquisition is not consummated or we do not
acquire all of Citigroup L&A, we may incur significant costs
to redeem or repurchase securities issued, or repay any
drawdowns under the bridge facility, in connection with the
financing of the Acquisition. See Use of Proceeds
for our plans to finance the Acquisition.
Risks Relating to Our Business
The Citigroup L&A business is similar to our own business in
many respects, and the Acquisition will increase our exposure to
many of the risks described below.
|
|
|
Changes in Market Interest Rates May Significantly Affect
Our Profitability |
Some of our products, principally traditional whole life
insurance, fixed annuities and guaranteed investment contracts,
expose us to the risk that changes in interest rates will reduce
our spread, or the difference between the amounts
that we are required to pay under the contracts in our general
account and the rate of return we are able to earn on general
account investments intended to support obligations under the
contracts. Our spread is a key component of our net income.
As interest rates decrease or remain at low levels, we may be
forced to reinvest proceeds from investments that have matured
or have been prepaid or sold at lower yields, reducing our
investment margin. Moreover, borrowers may prepay or redeem the
fixed-income securities, commercial mortgages and
mortgage-backed securities in our investment portfolio with
greater frequency in order to borrow at lower market rates,
which exacerbates this risk. Lowering interest crediting rates
can help offset decreases in investment margins on some
products. However, our ability to lower these rates could be
limited by competition or contractually guaranteed minimum rates
and might not match the timing or magnitude of changes in asset
yields. As a result, our spread could decrease or potentially
become negative. Our expectation for future spreads is an
important component in the amortization of DAC and significantly
lower spreads may cause us to accelerate amortization, thereby
reducing net income in the affected reporting period. In
addition, during periods of declining interest rates, life
insurance and annuity products may be relatively more attractive
investments to consumers, resulting in increased premium
payments on products with flexible premium features, repayment
S-23
of policy loans and increased persistency, or a higher
percentage of insurance policies remaining in force from year to
year, during a period when our new investments carry lower
returns. A decline in market interest rates could also reduce
our return on investments that do not support particular policy
obligations. Accordingly, declining interest rates may
materially adversely affect our results of operations and
financial condition and significantly reduce our profitability.
Increases in market interest rates could also negatively affect
our profitability. In periods of rapidly increasing interest
rates, we may not be able to replace, in a timely manner, the
assets in our general account with higher yielding assets needed
to fund the higher crediting rates necessary to keep interest
sensitive products competitive. We therefore may have to accept
a lower spread and thus lower profitability or face a decline in
sales and greater loss of existing contracts and related assets.
In addition, policy loans, surrenders and withdrawals may tend
to increase as policyholders seek investments with higher
perceived returns as interest rates rise. This process may
result in cash outflows requiring that we sell invested assets
at a time when the prices of those assets are adversely affected
by the increase in market interest rates, which may result in
realized investment losses. Unanticipated withdrawals and
terminations may cause us to accelerate the amortization of DAC,
which would increase our current expenses and reduce net income.
An increase in market interest rates could also have a material
adverse effect on the value of our investment portfolio, for
example, by decreasing the fair values of the fixed income
securities that comprise a substantial majority of our
investment portfolio.
|
|
|
A Decline in Equity Markets or an Increase in Volatility
in Equity Markets May Adversely Affect Sales of Our Investment
Products and Our Profitability |
Significant downturns and volatility in equity markets could
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations in three principal ways.
First, market downturns and volatility may discourage purchases
of separate account products, such as variable annuities,
variable life insurance and mutual funds that have returns
linked to the performance of the equity markets and may cause
some existing customers to withdraw cash values or reduce
investments in those products.
Second, downturns and volatility in equity markets can have a
material adverse effect on the revenues and returns from our
savings and investment products and services. Because these
products and services depend on fees related primarily to the
value of assets under management, a decline in the equity
markets could reduce our revenues by reducing the value of the
investment assets we manage. The retail annuity business in
particular is highly equity market sensitive, and a sustained
weakness in the markets will decrease revenues and earnings in
variable annuity products.
Third, we provide certain guarantees within some of our products
that protect policyholders against significant downturns in the
equity markets. For example, we offer variable annuity products
with guaranteed features, such as minimum death and withdrawal
benefits. These guarantees may be more costly than expected in
volatile or declining equity market conditions, causing us to
increase reserves and negatively affecting net income.
|
|
|
The Performance of Our Investments Depends on Conditions
that Are Outside Our Control, and Our Net Investment Income Can
Vary from Period to Period |
The performance of our investment portfolio depends in part upon
the level of and changes in interest rates, equity prices, real
estate values, the performance of the economy generally, the
performance of the specific obligors included in our portfolio
and other factors that are beyond our control. Changes in these
factors can affect our net investment income in any period, and
such changes can be substantial.
We invest a portion of our invested assets in pooled investment
funds that make private equity investments. The amount and
timing of income from such investment funds tend to be uneven as
a result of the performance of the underlying private equity
investments, which can be difficult to predict, as well as the
timing of distributions from the funds, which depends on
particular events relating to the underlying
S-24
investments as well as the funds schedules for making
distributions and their needs for cash. As a result, the amount
of income that we record from these investments can vary
substantially from quarter to quarter.
|
|
|
Competitive Factors May Adversely Affect Our Market Share
and Profitability |
Our business segments are subject to intense competition. We
believe that this competition is based on a number of factors,
including service, product features, scale, price, commission
structure, financial strength, claims-paying ratings, credit
ratings, business capabilities and name recognition. We compete
with a large number of other insurers, as well as non-insurance
financial services companies, such as banks, broker-dealers and
asset managers, for individual consumers, employers and other
group customers and agents and other distributors of insurance
and investment products. Some of these companies offer a broader
array of products, are regulated differently, have more
competitive pricing or, with respect to other insurers, have
higher claims paying ability ratings. Some may also have greater
financial resources with which to compete and a greater market
share. National banks, which may sell annuity products of life
insurers in some circumstances, also have pre-existing customer
bases for financial services products.
Many of our insurance products, particularly those offered by
our Institutional segment, are underwritten annually, and,
accordingly, there is a risk that group purchasers may be able
to obtain more favorable terms from competitors rather than
renewing coverage with us. The effect of competition may, as a
result, adversely affect the persistency of these and other
products, as well as our ability to sell products in the future.
In addition, the investment management and securities brokerage
businesses have relatively few barriers to entry and continually
attract new entrants. Many of our competitors in these
businesses offer a broader array of investment products and
services and are better known than we are as sellers of
annuities and other investment products.
|
|
|
We May be Unable to Attract and Retain Sales
Representatives for Our Products |
We must attract and retain productive sales representatives to
sell our insurance, annuities and investment products. Strong
competition exists among insurers for sales representatives with
demonstrated ability. We compete with other insurers for sales
representatives primarily on the basis of our financial
position, product features, the marketing and support services
we provide to the representatives and compensation. We continue
to undertake initiatives to grow our career agency force while
continuing to enhance the efficiency and production of our
existing sales force. We cannot provide assurance that these
initiatives will succeed in attracting and retaining new agents.
Sales of individual insurance, annuities and investment products
and our results of operations and financial condition could be
materially adversely affected if we are unsuccessful in
attracting and retaining productive agents.
|
|
|
Differences Between Actual Claims Experience and
Underwriting and Reserving Assumptions May Adversely Affect Our
Financial Results |
Our earnings significantly depend upon the extent to which our
actual claims experience is consistent with the assumptions we
use in setting prices for our products and establishing
reserves. Our reserves for future policy benefits and claims are
established based on estimates by actuaries of how much we will
need to pay for future benefits and claims. For life insurance
and annuity products, we calculate these reserves based on many
assumptions and estimates, including estimated premiums to be
received over the assumed life of the policy, the timing of the
event covered by the insurance policy, the amount of benefits or
claims to be paid and the investment returns on the assets we
purchase with the premiums we receive. We establish property and
casualty reserves based on assumptions and estimates of damages
and liabilities incurred. To the extent that actual claims
experience is less favorable than our underlying assumptions
used in establishing such reserves, we could be required to
increase our reserves.
Due to the nature of the underlying risks and the high degree of
uncertainty associated with the determination of reserves, we
cannot determine precisely the amounts which we will ultimately
pay to settle our liabilities. Such amounts may vary from the
estimated amounts, particularly when those payments may not
occur until well into the future. We evaluate our reserves
periodically based on changes in the assumptions
S-25
used to establish the reserves, as well as our actual
experience. We charge or credit changes in our reserves to
expenses in the period the reserves are established or
re-estimated. If the reserves originally established for future
benefit payments prove inadequate, we must increase them. Such
increases could affect our earnings negatively and have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations
and financial condition.
|
|
|
Our Risk Management Policies and Procedures May Leave Us
Exposed to Unidentified or Unanticipated Risk, Which Could
Negatively Affect Our Business |
Management of operational, legal and regulatory risks requires,
among other things, policies and procedures to record properly
and verify a large number of transactions and events. We have
devoted significant resources to develop our risk management
policies and procedures and expect to continue to do so in the
future. Nonetheless, our policies and procedures may not be
fully effective. Many of our methods for managing risk and
exposures are based upon our use of observed historical market
behavior or statistics based on historical models. As a result,
these methods may not predict future exposures, which could be
significantly greater than our historical measures indicate.
Other risk management methods depend upon the evaluation of
information regarding markets, clients, catastrophe occurrence
or other matters that is publicly available or otherwise
accessible to us. This information may not always be accurate,
complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated.
|
|
|
Catastrophes May Adversely Impact Liabilities for
Policyholder Claims and Reinsurance Availability |
Our life insurance operations are exposed to the risk of
catastrophic mortality events, such as a pandemic or other
catastrophe that causes a large number of deaths. In our group
insurance operations, a localized event that affects the
workplace of one or more of our group insurance customers could
cause a significant loss due to mortality or morbidity claims.
These events could cause a material adverse effect on our
results of operations in any period and, depending on their
severity, could also materially and adversely affect our
financial condition.
Our Auto & Home business has experienced, and will
likely in the future experience, catastrophe losses that may
have a material adverse impact on the business, results of
operations and financial condition of the Auto & Home
segment. Although Auto & Home makes every effort to minimize
its exposure to catastrophic risks through volatility management
and reinsurance programs, these efforts may not succeed.
Catastrophes can be caused by various events, including
hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hail, tornadoes,
explosions, severe winter weather (including snow, freezing
water, ice storms and blizzards), fires, as well as man-made
events such as terrorist attacks. Historically, substantially
all of our catastrophe-related claims have related to homeowners
coverages. However, catastrophes may also affect other Auto
& Home coverages. Due to their nature, we cannot predict the
incidence, timing and severity of catastrophes.
Hurricanes and earthquakes are of particular note for our
homeowners coverages. Areas of major hurricane exposure include
coastal sections of the northeastern United States (including
Long Island and the Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts
shorelines) and Florida. We also have some earthquake exposure,
primarily along the New Madrid fault line in the central United
States and in the Pacific Northwest. Losses incurred by Auto
& Home from all catastrophes, net of reinsurance but before
taxes, were $189 million, $77 million and
$55 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Terrorism is a recently emerging risk. A major terrorist attack
not only could cost lives and destroy property, but could also
have a material adverse effect on the value of investments that
we hold, which could in turn have a material adverse impact on
investment income and on fees we earn that are based on the
value of investments we manage for others. It is possible that
both the frequency and severity of man-made catastrophic events
will increase.
The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both
the total amount of insured exposure in the area affected by the
event and the severity of the event. Most catastrophes are
restricted to small geographic areas; however, hurricanes and
earthquakes may produce significant damage in larger areas,
especially those that are heavily populated. Claims resulting
from natural or man-made catastrophic events could cause
substantial volatility in our financial results for any fiscal
quarter or year and could materially reduce our
S-26
profitability or harm our financial condition. Our ability to
write new business could also be affected. It is possible that
increases in the value and geographic concentration of insured
property and the effects of inflation could increase the
severity of claims from catastrophic events in the future.
Consistent with industry practices, we establish reserves for
claim liabilities arising from a catastrophe only after
assessing the probable losses arising from the event. We cannot
be certain that the reserves we have established will be
adequate to cover actual claim liabilities. From time to time,
states have passed legislation that has the effect of limiting
the ability of insurers to manage risk, such as legislation
restricting an insurers ability to withdraw from
catastrophe-prone areas. While we attempt to limit our exposure
to acceptable levels, subject to restrictions imposed by
insurance regulatory authorities, a catastrophic event or
multiple catastrophic events could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Our ability to manage this risk and the profitability of our
property and casualty and life insurance businesses depends in
part on our ability to obtain catastrophe reinsurance, which may
not be available at commercially acceptable rates in the future.
See Risks Relating to Our Business Reinsurance
May Not Be Available, Affordable or Adequate to Protect Us
Against Losses.
|
|
|
A Downgrade or a Potential Downgrade in Our Financial
Strength or Credit Ratings Could Result in a Loss of Business
and Adversely Affect Our Financial Condition and Results of
Operations |
Financial strength ratings, which various Nationally Recognized
Statistical Rating Organizations (NRSROs) publish as
indicators of an insurance companys ability to meet
contractholder and policyholder obligations, are important to
maintaining public confidence in our products, the ability to
market our products and our competitive position. Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company, our principal life insurance subsidiary,
has a financial strength rating of A+ from A.M. Best
Company, AA from Fitch Ratings, Aa2 from Moodys Investors
Service and AA from Standard & Poors.
A downgrade in our insurance subsidiaries financial
strength ratings, or an announced potential for a downgrade,
could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition
and results of operations in many ways, including:
|
|
|
|
|
reducing new sales of insurance products, annuities and other
investment products; |
|
|
|
adversely affecting our relationships with our sales force and
independent sales intermediaries; |
|
|
|
materially increasing the number or amount of policy surrenders
and withdrawals by contractholders and policyholders; |
|
|
|
requiring us to reduce prices for many of our products and
services to remain competitive; and |
|
|
|
adversely affecting our ability to obtain reinsurance at
reasonable prices or at all. |
In addition to the financial strength ratings of our insurance
subsidiaries, NRSROs also publish credit ratings for our
company. A downgrade in our credit ratings could increase our
cost of borrowing, which could have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations.
Following the announcement of the Acquisition, a number of
NRSROs, including Moodys Investors Service, Standard &
Poors Ratings and A.M. Best Company, placed our ratings on
credit watch or changed our rating outlook from
stable to negative. Additionally,
Moodys Investors Service has placed its Baa1
rating of our series A and series B preferred shares
on negative outlook, and Standard & Poors Ratings
has placed its BBB rating of our series A and
series B preferred shares on CreditWatch with negative
implications. We do not expect these NRSROs to remove our
ratings from credit watch or return our outlook to
stable until we have established, to their
satisfaction, a successful track record in integrating the
Citigroup L&A business and we have reduced our
financial leverage and increased our interest coverage to levels
closer to those which existed prior to the Acquisition.
As a result of the additional securities that we plan to issue
to finance a portion of the purchase price for the Acquisition,
we estimate that our leverage ratio will increase moderately.
While we expect our leverage
S-27
ratio to decrease over time as a result of the accumulation of
retained earnings, there is no assurance that it will decrease
as we expect. The increased leverage will reduce our flexibility
in managing our capital.
Rating agencies assign ratings based upon several factors, some
of which relate to general economic conditions and circumstances
outside of our control. In addition, rating agencies may employ
different models and formulas to assess our financial strength,
and may alter these models from time to time in their
discretion. We cannot predict what actions rating agencies may
take, or what actions we may be required to take in response to
the actions of rating agencies, which could adversely affect our
business.
|
|
|
Defaults, Downgrades or Other Events Impairing the Value
of Our Fixed Maturity Securities Portfolio May Reduce Our
Earnings |
We are subject to the risk that the issuers of the fixed
maturity securities we own may default on principal and interest
payments they owe us. At March 31, 2005, the fixed maturity
securities of $182.7 billion in our investment portfolio
represented 74.6% of our total cash and invested assets. The
occurrence of a major economic downturn, acts of corporate
malfeasance or other events that adversely affect the issuers of
these securities could cause the value of our fixed maturities
portfolio and our net earnings to decline and the default rate
of the fixed maturity securities in our investment portfolio to
increase. A ratings downgrade affecting particular issuers or
securities could also have a similar effect. With recent
downgrades in the automotive sector, as well as economic
uncertainty and increasing interest rates, credit quality of
issuers could be adversely affected. Any event reducing the
value of these securities other than on a temporary basis could
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition.
|
|
|
Defaults on Our Mortgage and Consumer Loans May Adversely
Affect Our Profitability |
Our mortgage and consumer loan investments face default risk.
Our mortgage and consumer loans are principally collateralized
by commercial, agricultural and residential properties, as well
as automobiles. At March 31, 2005, our mortgage and
consumer loan investments of $32.0 billion represented
13.1% of our total cash and invested assets. At March 31,
2005, loans that were either delinquent or in the process of
foreclosure totaled less than 1% of our mortgage and consumer
loan investments. The performance of our mortgage and consumer
loan investments, however, may fluctuate in the future. In
addition, substantially all of our mortgage loan investments
have balloon payment maturities. An increase in the default rate
of our mortgage and consumer loan investments could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations
and financial condition.
|
|
|
Some of Our Investments Are Relatively Illiquid |
Our investments in private placement bonds, mortgage and
consumer loans, equity real estate, including real estate joint
ventures and other limited partnership interests, are relatively
illiquid. These asset classes represented 24.7% of the carrying
value of our total cash and invested assets as of March 31,
2005. If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice
in excess of our normal cash requirements, we may have
difficulty selling these investments in a timely manner, be
forced to sell them for less than we otherwise would have been
able to realize, or both.
|
|
|
Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates and
Foreign Securities Markets Could Negatively Affect Our
Profitability |
We are exposed to risks associated with fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar resulting
from our holdings of non-U.S. dollar denominated securities
and investments in foreign subsidiaries. The principal
currencies which create foreign exchange rate risk in our
investment portfolios are Canadian dollars, Euros, British
pounds, Japanese yen and Chilean pesos. If the currencies of the
non-U.S. dollar denominated securities we hold in our
investment portfolios decline against the U.S. dollar, our
investment returns, and thus our profitability, may be adversely
affected. Although we use foreign currency swaps and forward
contracts to mitigate foreign currency exchange rate risk, there
is no assurance that these methods will be effective or that our
counterparties will perform their obligations.
S-28
From time to time, various emerging market countries have
experienced severe economic and financial disruptions, including
significant devaluations of their currencies. Our exposure to
foreign exchange rate risk is exacerbated by our investments in
emerging markets.
Through our investments in foreign subsidiaries, we are
primarily exposed to the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso and
the Chilean peso. We have matched substantially all of our
foreign currency liabilities in our foreign subsidiaries with
their respective foreign currency assets, which limits the
effect of currency exchange rate fluctuation on local operating
results; however, fluctuations in such rates affect the
translation of these results into our consolidated financial
statements. Although we take certain actions to address this
risk, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation could
materially adversely affect our reported results due to unhedged
positions or the failure of our hedges to effectively offset the
impact of the foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation.
|
|
|
Our International Operations Face Political, Legal,
Operational and Other Risks That Could Negatively Affect Those
Operations or Our Profitability |
Our international operations face political, legal, operational
and other risks that we do not face in our domestic operations.
We face the risk of discriminatory regulation, nationalization
or expropriation of assets, price controls and exchange controls
or other restrictions that prevent us from transferring funds
from these operations out of the countries in which they operate
or converting local currencies we hold into U.S. dollars or
other currencies. Some of our foreign insurance operations are,
and are likely to continue to be, in emerging markets where
these risks are heightened. In addition, we rely on local sales
forces in these countries and may encounter labor problems
resulting from workers associations and trade unions in
some countries. If our business model is not successful in a
particular country, we may lose all or most of our investment in
building and training the sales force in that country.
We are currently planning to expand our international operations
in markets where we operate and in selected new markets. This
may require considerable management time, as well as start-up
expenses for market development before any significant revenues
and earnings are generated. Operations in new foreign markets
may achieve low margins or may be unprofitable, and expansion in
existing markets may be affected by local economic and market
conditions. Therefore, as we expand internationally, we may not
achieve the operating margins we expect and our results of
operations may be negatively impacted.
The Citigroup L&A business includes operations in
several foreign countries, including Australia, Brazil,
Argentina, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, Japan and
Hong Kong. Those operations, and operations in other new
markets, are subject to the risks described above, as well as
our unfamiliarity with the business, legal and regulatory
environment in any of those countries.
In recent years, the operating environment in Argentina has been
challenging. In Argentina, both we and Citigroup L&A
are principally engaged in the pension business. This business
has incurred significant losses in recent years as a result of
actions taken by the Argentinean government in response to a
sovereign debt crisis in December 2001. Further governmental or
legal actions related to pension reform could impact our
obligations to our customers and could result in future losses
in our combined Argentinean operations. The Acquisition will
increase our exposure to such potential losses. For certain
liabilities which will be established upon our acquisition of
the Citigroup L&A Argentina operations, see pro forma
adjustment 3(ff) in Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Information.
|
|
|
Reinsurance May Not Be Available, Affordable or Adequate
to Protect Us Against Losses |
As part of our overall risk and capacity management strategy, we
purchase reinsurance for certain risks underwritten by our
various business segments. For example, MetLife currently
reinsures up to 90% of the mortality risk for all new individual
life insurance policies that it writes through its various
insurance companies. Market conditions beyond our control
determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance
protection we purchase. Any decrease in the amount of our
reinsurance will increase our risk of loss and any increase in
the cost of our reinsurance will, absent a decrease in the
amount of reinsurance, reduce our earnings. Accordingly, we may
be forced to incur additional expenses for reinsurance or may
not be able to
S-29
obtain sufficient reinsurance on acceptable terms, which could
adversely affect our ability to write future business or result
in our assuming more risk with respect to those policies we
issue.
As a result of consolidation of the life reinsurance market and
other market factors, capacity in the life reinsurance market
has decreased. Further, life reinsurance is currently available
at higher prices and on less favorable terms than those
prevailing between 1997 and 2003. It is likely that this trend
will continue, although we cannot predict to what extent.
Further consolidation, regulatory developments, catastrophic
events or other significant developments affecting the pricing
and availability of reinsurance could materially harm the
reinsurance market and our ability to enter into reinsurance
contracts.
|
|
|
If the Counterparties to Our Reinsurance Arrangements or
to the Derivative Instruments We Use to Hedge Our Business Risks
Default or Fail to Perform, We May Be Exposed to Risks We Had
Sought to Mitigate, Which Could Materially Adversely Affect Our
Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
We use reinsurance and derivative instruments to mitigate our
risks in various circumstances. Reinsurance does not relieve us
of our direct liability to our policyholders, even when the
reinsurer is liable to us. Accordingly, we bear credit risk with
respect to our reinsurers. We cannot assure you that our
reinsurers will pay the reinsurance recoverables owed to us now
or in the future or that they will pay these recoverables on a
timely basis. A reinsurers insolvency, inability or
unwillingness to make payments under the terms of its
reinsurance agreement with us could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we use derivative instruments to hedge various
business risks. We enter into a variety of derivative
instruments, including options, forwards, interest rate and
currency swaps and options to enter into interest rate and
currency swaps with a number of counterparties. If our
counterparties fail or refuse to honor their obligations under
these derivative instruments, our hedges of the related risk
will be ineffective. Such failure could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
|
|
|
Our Insurance Businesses Are Heavily Regulated, and
Changes in Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and
Limit Our Growth |
Our insurance operations are subject to a wide variety of
insurance and other laws and regulations. State insurance laws
regulate most aspects of our U.S. insurance businesses, and
our insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the insurance
departments of the states in which they are domiciled and the
states in which they are licensed. Our non-U.S. insurance
operations are principally regulated by insurance regulatory
authorities in the jurisdictions in which they are domiciled and
operate.
State laws in the United States grant insurance regulatory
authorities broad administrative powers with respect to, among
other things:
|
|
|
|
|
licensing companies and agents to transact business; |
|
|
|
calculating the value of assets to determine compliance with
statutory requirements; |
|
|
|
mandating certain insurance benefits; |
|
|
|
regulating certain premium rates; |
|
|
|
reviewing and approving policy forms; |
|
|
|
regulating unfair trade and claims practices, including through
the imposition of restrictions on marketing and sales practices,
distribution arrangements and payment of inducements; |
|
|
|
regulating advertising; |
|
|
|
protecting privacy; |
|
|
|
establishing statutory capital and reserve requirements and
solvency standards; |
S-30
|
|
|
|
|
fixing maximum interest rates on insurance policy loans and
minimum rates for guaranteed crediting rates on life insurance
policies and annuity contracts; |
|
|
|
approving changes in control of insurance companies; |
|
|
|
restricting the payment of dividends and other transactions
between affiliates; and |
|
|
|
regulating the types, amounts and valuation of investments. |
State insurance guaranty associations have the right to assess
insurance companies doing business in their state for funds to
help pay the obligations of insolvent insurance companies to
policyholders and claimants. Because the amount and timing of an
assessment is beyond our control, the reserves that we have
currently established for these potential liabilities may not be
adequate.
State insurance regulators and the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC, regularly re-examine existing
laws and regulations applicable to insurance companies and their
products. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in
interpretations thereof, are often made for the benefit of the
consumer at the expense of the insurer and, thus, could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations.
The NAIC and several states have recently proposed regulations
and/or laws that would prohibit agent or broker practices that
have been the focus of recent investigations of broker
compensation in the State of New York and elsewhere. The NAIC
has adopted a Compensation Disclosure Amendment to its Producers
Licensing Model Act which, if adopted by the states, would
require disclosure by agents or brokers to customers that
insurers will compensate such agents or brokers for the
placement of insurance and documented acknowledgement of this
arrangement in cases where the customer also compensates the
agent or broker. Some larger states, including California and
New York, are considering additional provisions that would
require the disclosure of the amount of compensation and/or
require (where an agent or broker represents more than one
insurer) placement of the best coverage. We cannot
predict how many states, if any, may promulgate the NAIC
amendment or similar regulations or the extent to which these
regulations may have a material adverse impact on our business.
Currently, the U.S. federal government does not directly
regulate the business of insurance. However, federal legislation
and administrative policies in several areas can significantly
and adversely affect insurance companies. These areas include
financial services regulation, securities regulation, pension
regulation, privacy, tort reform legislation and taxation. In
addition, various forms of direct federal regulation of
insurance have been proposed. These proposals include The
State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency Act, which
would maintain state-based regulation of insurance, but would
affect state regulation of certain aspects of the business of
insurance, including rates, agent and company licensing and
market conduct examinations. We cannot predict whether this or
other proposals will be adopted, or what impact, if any, such
proposals or, if enacted, such laws, could have on our business,
financial condition or results of operations.
Our international operations are subject to regulation in the
jurisdictions in which they operate, which in many ways is
similar to that of the state regulation outlined above. Many of
our customers and independent sales intermediaries also operate
in regulated environments. Changes in the regulations that
affect their operations also may affect our business
relationships with them and their ability to purchase or
distribute our products. Accordingly, these changes could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations
is time consuming and personnel-intensive, and changes in these
laws and regulations may materially increase our direct and
indirect compliance and other expenses of doing business, thus
having a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations.
From time to time, regulators raise issues during examinations
or audits of our subsidiaries that could, if determined
adversely, have a material impact on us. We cannot predict
whether or when regulatory actions may be taken that could
adversely affect our operations. In addition, the
interpretations of regulations by regulators may change and
statutes may be enacted with retroactive impact, particularly in
areas such as accounting or reserve requirements.
S-31
|
|
|
Legal and Regulatory Investigations and Actions Are
Increasingly Common in the Insurance Business and May Result in
Financial Losses and Harm our Reputation |
We face a significant risk of litigation and regulatory
investigations and actions in the ordinary course of operating
our businesses, including the risk of class action lawsuits. Our
pending legal and regulatory actions include proceedings
specific to us and others generally applicable to business
practices in the industries in which we operate. In connection
with our insurance operations, plaintiffs lawyers may
bring or are bringing class actions and individual suits
alleging, among other things, issues relating to sales or
underwriting practices, claims payments and procedures, product
design, disclosure, administration, additional premium charges
for premiums paid on a periodic basis, denial or delay of
benefits and breaches of fiduciary or other duties to customers.
Plaintiffs in class action and other lawsuits against us may
seek very large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and
treble damages, and the damages claimed and the amount of any
probable and estimable liability, if any, may remain unknown for
substantial periods of time.
Due to the vagaries of litigation, the outcome of a litigation
matter and the amount or range of potential loss at particular
points in time may normally be inherently impossible to
ascertain with any degree of certainty. Estimates of possible
additional losses or ranges of loss for particular matters
cannot in the ordinary course be made with a reasonable degree
of certainty. Liabilities are established when it is probable
that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be
reasonably estimated. It is possible that some of the matters
could require MetLife, Inc. to pay damages or make other
expenditures or establish accruals in amounts that could not be
estimated as of a balance sheet date.
Metropolitan Life and its affiliates are currently defendants in
approximately 450 lawsuits raising allegations of improper
marketing and sales of individual life insurance policies or
annuities. These lawsuits are generally referred to as
sales practices claims. Metropolitan Life is also a
defendant in numerous lawsuits seeking compensatory and punitive
damages for personal injuries allegedly caused by exposure to
asbestos or asbestos-containing products. These lawsuits are
principally based upon allegations relating to certain research,
publication and other activities of one or more of Metropolitan
Lifes employees during the period from the 1920s
through approximately the 1950s and have alleged that
Metropolitan Life learned or should have learned of certain
health risks posed by asbestos and, among other things,
improperly publicized or failed to disclose those health risks.
Additional litigation relating to these matters may be commenced
in the future. The ability of MetLife to estimate its ultimate
asbestos exposure is subject to considerable uncertainty due to
numerous factors. The availability of data is limited and it is
difficult to predict with any certainty numerous variables that
can affect liability estimates, including the number of future
claims, the cost to resolve claims, the disease mix and severity
of disease, the jurisdiction of claims filed, tort reform
efforts and the impact of any possible future adverse verdicts
and their amounts. The number of asbestos cases that may be
brought or the aggregate amount of any liability that MetLife
may ultimately incur is uncertain. Accordingly, it is reasonably
possible that MetLifes total exposure to asbestos claims
may be greater than the liability recorded by MetLife in its
financial statements and that future charges to income may be
necessary. The potential future charges could be material in
particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are
recorded. In addition, Metropolitan Life and MetLife, Inc. have
been named as defendants in several lawsuits brought in
connection with Metropolitan Lifes demutualization in 2000.
We are also subject to various regulatory inquiries, such as
information requests, subpoenas and books and record
examinations, from state and federal regulators and other
authorities. A substantial legal liability or a significant
regulatory action against us could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations. Moreover, even if we ultimately prevail in the
litigation, regulatory action or investigation, we could suffer
significant reputational harm, which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations, including our ability to attract new customers,
retain our current customers and recruit and retain employees.
Regulatory inquiries may cause increased volatility in the price
of stocks of companies in our industry.
Recently, the insurance industry has become the focus of
increased scrutiny by regulatory and law enforcement authorities
concerning certain practices within the insurance industry. This
scrutiny includes the commencement of investigations and other
proceedings by the New York State Attorney General and other
S-32
governmental authorities relating to allegations of improper
conduct in connection with the payment of, and disclosure with
respect to, contingent commissions paid by insurance companies
to intermediaries, the solicitation and provision of fictitious
or inflated quotes, the use of inducements to brokers or
companies in the sale of insurance products and the accounting
treatment for finite insurance and reinsurance or other
non-traditional or loss mitigation insurance and reinsurance
products.
One possible result of these investigations and attendant
lawsuits is that many insurance industry practices and customs
may change, including, but not limited to, the manner in which
insurance is marketed and distributed through independent
brokers and agents. Our business strategy contemplates that we
will rely heavily on both intermediaries our internal sales
force to market and distribute insurance products. We cannot
predict how industry regulation with respect to the use of
intermediaries may change. Such changes, however, could
adversely affect our ability to implement our business strategy,
which could materially affect our growth and profitability.
Recent industry-wide inquiries also include those regarding
market timing and late trading in mutual funds and variable
annuity contracts, variable annuity sales practices/exchanges
and electronic communication document retention practices. The
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) has
commenced an investigation with respect to market timing and
late trading in a limited number of privately-placed variable
insurance contracts that were sold through our subsidiary,
General American Life Insurance Company (General
American). In May 2004, General American received a so
called Wells Notice stating that the SEC staff is
considering recommending that the SEC bring a civil action
alleging violations of the U.S. securities laws against
General American. General American has responded to the Wells
Notice, and we are fully cooperating with the SEC with regard to
this investigation. TIC has also received inquiries regarding
market timing and other matters from the SEC. In addition, new
laws and regulations have been enacted affecting the mutual fund
industry generally, and it is difficult to predict at this time
whether changes resulting from those new laws and regulations
will affect our business and, if so, to what degree.
Other recent industry-wide inquiries include those relating to
finite insurance and reinsurance. On May 23, 2005, we
received a subpoena from the Office of the Attorney General of
the State of Connecticut requesting information regarding our
participation in any finite reinsurance transactions. We have
also received information requests relating to finite insurance
or reinsurance from other regulatory and governmental entities.
We believe we have appropriately accounted for these
transactions and intend to cooperate fully with these
information requests. We believe that a number of other industry
participants have received similar requests from various
regulatory and investigative authorities. It is reasonably
possible that we may receive additional requests. We will fully
cooperate with all such requests.
The Citigroup L&A business is also subject to risk of
litigation and regulatory investigations and actions in the
ordinary course of operations similar to the risks described
above. The legal and regulatory actions pending against the
Citigroup L&A business include proceedings, including those
specified below, specific to the Citigroup L&A business and
others generally applicable to business practices in the
industries in which the Citigroup L&A business operates,
many of which are the same industries in which we operate. TIC
and certain of its affiliates are defendants in a nationwide
class action which was certified by the Connecticut Superior
Court on May 26, 2004. The class action complaint claims
that TIC and certain of its affiliates are in violation of the
Connecticut Unfair Trade Practice Statute, and asserts unjust
enrichment and civil conspiracy claims. The complaint alleges
that Travelers Property Casualty Corporation, TICs former
affiliate and also a defendant in the class action, purchased a
lower amount of structured settlement annuities from TIC than
agreed with claimants, and that commissions paid to brokers of
structured settlement annuities, including a TIC affiliate, were
paid, in part, to Travelers Property Casualty Corporation. On
June 15, 2004, TIC and certain of its affiliates appealed
the Connecticut Superior Courts May 26, 2004 class
certification order. TIC has been sued in a number of asbestos
related claims, vigorously defends itself in these matters and
seeks indemnification with respect to these claims from its
former affiliates. Other claims may be brought against TIC with
respect to its historical business operations.
We cannot assure you that current claims, litigation, unasserted
claims probable of assertion, investigations and other
proceedings against us or the Citigroup L&A business will
not have a material adverse effect
S-33
on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
It is also possible that related or unrelated claims,
litigation, unasserted claims probable of assertion,
investigations and proceedings may be commenced in the future,
and we could become subject to further investigations and have
lawsuits filed or enforcement actions initiated against us. In
addition, increased regulatory scrutiny and any resulting
investigations or proceedings could result in new legal actions
and precedents and industry-wide regulations that could
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results
of operation. For further details regarding the litigation in
which we are involved, see Note 5 to MetLifes interim
condensed consolidated financial statements included in our
Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2005,
filed on May 6, 2005, and our Form 8-K filed on
May 27, 2005, both incorporated by reference in the
accompanying prospectus. For further details regarding the
litigation in which the Citigroup L&A business is involved,
see our Form 8-K filed on May 13, 2005, which is
incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.
|
|
|
Changes in U.S. Federal and State Securities Laws May
Affect Our Operations and Our Profitability |
U.S. federal and state securities laws apply to investment
products that are also securities, including
variable annuities and variable life insurance policies. As a
result, some of our subsidiaries and the policies and contracts
they offer are subject to regulation under these federal and
state securities laws. Our insurance subsidiaries separate
accounts are registered as investment companies under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Some variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by
our insurance subsidiaries also are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities
Act). Other subsidiaries are registered as broker-dealers
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are
members of, and subject to, regulation by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. In addition, some of our
subsidiaries also are registered as investment advisers under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
Securities laws and regulations are primarily intended to ensure
the integrity of the financial markets and to protect investors
in the securities markets or investment advisory or brokerage
clients. These laws and regulations generally grant supervisory
agencies broad administrative powers, including the power to
limit or restrict the conduct of business for failure to comply
with those laws and regulations. Changes to these laws or
regulations that restrict the conduct of our business could have
a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations.
|
|
|
Changes in Tax Laws Could Make Some of Our Products Less
Attractive to Consumers |
Changes in tax laws could make some of our products less
attractive to consumers. For example, reductions in the federal
income tax that investors are required to pay on long-term
capital gains and on some dividends paid on stock may provide an
incentive for some of our customers and potential customers to
shift assets into mutual funds and away from products, including
life insurance and annuities, designed to defer taxes payable on
investment returns. Because the income taxes payable on
long-term capital gains and some dividends paid on stock have
been reduced, investors may decide that the tax-deferral
benefits of annuity contracts are less advantageous than the
potential after-tax income benefits of mutual funds or other
investment products that provide dividends and long-term capital
gains. A shift away from life insurance and annuity contracts
and other tax-deferred products would reduce our income from
sales of these products, as well as the assets upon which we
earn investment income.
We cannot predict whether any other legislation will be enacted,
what the specific terms of any such legislation will be or how,
if at all, this legislation or any other legislation could have
a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations.
|
|
|
As a Holding Company, We Depend on the Ability of Our
Subsidiaries to Transfer Funds to Us to Pay Dividends and Meet
Our Obligations |
We are a holding company for our insurance and financial
subsidiaries and do not have any significant operations of our
own. Dividends from our subsidiaries and permitted payments to
us under our tax sharing arrangements with our subsidiaries are
our principal sources of cash to pay stockholder dividends and
to meet
S-34
our obligations. If the cash we receive from our subsidiaries is
insufficient for us to fund our debt and other holding company
obligations, we may be required to raise cash through the
incurrence of debt, the issuance of additional equity or the
sale of assets.
The payment of dividends and other distributions to us by our
insurance subsidiaries is regulated by insurance laws and
regulations. In general, dividends in excess of prescribed
limits are deemed extraordinary and require
insurance regulatory approval. In addition, insurance regulators
may prohibit the payment of ordinary dividends or other payments
by our insurance subsidiaries to us if they determine that the
payment could be adverse to our policyholders or
contractholders. As a result of certain restructuring
transactions by Citigroup prior to the closing, all dividends
paid by TIC during the first year following the Acquisition
would be deemed extraordinary. It is possible that
TIC and its subsidiary, The Travelers Life and Annuity Company,
may be subject to additional restrictions imposed by Connecticut
law or the Connecticut Department of Insurance on their ability
to pay dividends to us after the Acquisition.
During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, we
received dividends from our domestic insurance subsidiaries of
$1,162 million ($300 million of which were deemed
extraordinary), $1,721 million
($844 million of which were deemed
extraordinary) and $929 million
($369 million of which were deemed
extraordinary), respectively. Based on statutory
results as of December 31, 2004, our insurance subsidiaries
could pay dividends of approximately $1,186 million to us
in 2005 without obtaining regulatory approval. Metropolitan Life
and Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company recently paid
dividends to us in the aggregate amount of $4.1 billion
(approximately $3.2 billion of which were deemed
extraordinary). As a result of these dividends, any
further dividend from Metropolitan Life during 2005 will require
prior approval from the New York Insurance Department and any
further dividend from Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company
will require prior approval from the Delaware Department of
Insurance until the end of 2005 and may require prior approval
until the end of May 2006.
Any payment of interest, dividends, distributions, loans or
advances by our subsidiaries to us could be subject to taxation
or other restrictions on dividends or repatriation of earnings
under applicable law, monetary transfer restrictions and foreign
currency exchange regulations in the jurisdiction in which our
foreign subsidiaries operate.
|
|
|
We May Need to Fund Deficiencies in Our Closed Block;
Assets Allocated to the Closed Block Benefit Only the Holders of
Closed Block Policies |
The plan of reorganization entered into in connection with
MetLifes 2000 demutualization required that we
establish and operate an accounting mechanism, known as a closed
block, to ensure that the reasonable dividend expectations of
policyholders who own certain individual insurance policies of
MetLife are met. We allocated assets to the closed block in an
amount that will produce cash flows which, together with
anticipated revenue from the policies included in the closed
block, are reasonably expected to be sufficient to support
obligations and liabilities relating to these policies,
including, but not limited to, provisions for the payment of
claims and certain expenses and taxes, and to provide for the
continuation of the policyholder dividend scales in effect for
1999, if the experience underlying such scales continues, and
for appropriate adjustments in such scales if the experience
changes. We cannot assure that the closed block assets, the cash
flows generated by the closed block assets and the anticipated
revenue from the policies included in the closed block will be
sufficient to provide for the benefits guaranteed under these
policies. If they are not sufficient, we must fund the
shortfall. Even if they are sufficient, we may choose, for
competitive reasons, to support policyholder dividend payments
with our general account funds.
The closed block assets, the cash flows generated by the closed
block assets and the anticipated revenue from the policies in
the closed block will benefit only the holders of those
policies. In addition, to the extent that these amounts are
greater than the amounts estimated at the time the closed block
was funded, dividends payable in respect of the policies
included in the closed block may be greater than they would be
in the absence of a closed block. Any excess earnings will be
available for distribution over time only to closed block
policyholders.
S-35
|
|
|
The Continued Threat of Terrorism and Ongoing Military
Actions May Adversely Affect the Level of Claim Losses We Incur
and the Value of Our Investment Portfolio |
The continued threat of terrorism, both within the United States
and abroad, ongoing military and other actions and heightened
security measures in response to these types of threats may
cause significant volatility in global financial markets and
result in loss of life, property damage, additional disruptions
to commerce and reduced economic activity. Some of the assets in
our investment portfolio may be adversely affected by declines
in the equity markets and reduced economic activity caused by
the continued threat of terrorism. We cannot predict whether,
and the extent to which, companies in which we maintain
investments may suffer losses as a result of financial,
commercial or economic disruptions, or how any such disruptions
might affect the ability of those companies to pay interest or
principal on their securities. The continued threat of terrorism
also could result in increased reinsurance prices and reduced
insurance coverage and potentially cause us to retain more risk
than we otherwise would retain if we were able to obtain
reinsurance at lower prices. Terrorist actions also could
disrupt our operations centers in the United States or abroad.
In addition, the occurrence of terrorist actions could result in
higher claims under our insurance policies than we had
anticipated.
|
|
|
The Occurrence of Events Unanticipated In Our Disaster
Recovery Systems and Management Continuity Planning Could Impair
Our Ability to Conduct Business Effectively |
In the event of a disaster such as a natural catastrophe, an
industrial accident, a blackout, a computer virus, a terrorist
attack or war, unanticipated problems with our disaster recovery
systems could have a material adverse impact on our ability to
conduct business and on our results of operations and financial
condition, particularly if those problems affect our
computer-based data processing, transmission, storage and
retrieval systems and destroy valuable data. Despite our
implementation of network security measures, our servers could
be subject to physical and electronic break-ins, and similar
disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our computer
systems. In addition, in the event that a significant number of
our managers were unavailable in the event of a disaster, our
ability to effectively conduct our business could be severely
compromised.
|
|
|
We Face Unforeseen Liabilities Arising from Other Possible
Acquisitions and Dispositions of Businesses |
We have engaged in numerous dispositions and acquisitions of
businesses in the past, and expect to continue to do so in the
future. There could be unforeseen liabilities that arise in
connection with the businesses that we may sell or the
businesses that we may acquire in the future. In addition, there
may be liabilities that we fail, or are unable, to discover in
the course of performing due diligence investigations on each
business that we have acquired or may acquire.
Risks Relating to the Common Equity Units and
Trust Preferred Securities
|
|
|
You Will Bear the Entire Risk of a Decline in the Price of
Our Common Stock |
You will have an obligation to buy shares of our common stock
pursuant to the stock purchase contract on each stock purchase
date at a fixed price. The number of shares of our common stock
that you will purchase on each stock purchase date is not fixed,
but is based on a settlement rate that will depend on the
closing price of our common stock on each day of a specified 20
trading day period for each applicable stock purchase date. The
market value of our common stock you will purchase on each stock
purchase date may be materially lower than the price that the
stock purchase contract requires you to pay. You will bear the
entire risk of a decline in the price of our common stock below
the reference price. In addition, to the extent that an
applicable stock purchase date is delayed after the amount of
our common stock to be delivered has been determined, you will
bear the risk of a decline in the value of that common stock
between the determination date and the applicable stock purchase
date.
S-36
|
|
|
You Will Receive Only a Portion of any Appreciation in Our
Common Stock Price and Only if the Appreciation of Common Stock
Exceeds a Specified Threshold |
Your opportunity for equity appreciation afforded by investing
in the common equity units will generally be less than if you
invested directly in our common stock.
In particular, on each of the 20 trading days used to calculate
the number of shares of our common stock delivered on an
applicable stock purchase date, we will apply a formula under
which you will receive none of the appreciation in the value of
our common stock between the reference price and the threshold
appreciation price as of that date and
only % of the appreciation above
the threshold appreciation price as of that date.
In addition, because the amount delivered will be based on the
market price on each of the 20 trading days during that period,
the shares of our common stock you receive may be worth less
than the shares of our common stock you would have received
under the formula had the amounts been calculated based on the
closing price on the applicable stock purchase date.
Moreover, to the extent the applicable stock purchase date is
delayed after the amount of common stock to be delivered is
determined, you will bear the risk of a decline in the value of
that common stock between the determination date and the
applicable stock purchase date.
|
|
|
If an Applicable Stock Purchase Date is Deferred, the
Value of Our Common Stock You Are Required to Purchase May
Decline Between the Determination of the Settlement Rate and the
Applicable Stock Purchase Date |
Once we have fixed the settlement rate in anticipation of a
stock purchase date, the market value of our common stock that
you are required to purchase upon settlement of the stock
purchase contract may rise or fall with changes in the price of
our common stock between the determination of the settlement
rate and the applicable stock purchase date. The settlement date
can be deferred for up to six months for the applicable stock
purchase date for the series A trust preferred securities and
can be deferred for up to twelve months for the applicable stock
purchase date for the series B trust preferred securities. Even
if the price of our common stock subsequently declines, you will
be required to purchase a number of shares of our common stock
equal to the previously fixed settlement rate.
|
|
|
The Trading Price of Our Common Stock, the General Level
of Interest Rates and Our Credit Quality Will Directly Affect
the Trading Prices for the Common Equity Units and the Trust
Preferred Securities |
The trading prices of the common equity units and the trust
preferred securities will be directly affected by, among other
things, the trading price of our common stock, interest rates
generally and our credit quality. It is impossible to predict
whether the price of our common stock or interest rates will
rise or fall. Our operating results and prospects and economic,
financial and other factors will affect trading prices of our
common stock and the common equity units and the trust preferred
securities. In addition, market conditions can affect the
capital markets generally, thereby affecting the price of our
common stock. These conditions may include the level of, and
fluctuations in, the trading prices of stocks generally.
Fluctuations in interest rates may give rise to arbitrage
opportunities based upon changes in the relative value of the
common stock underlying the stock purchase contracts and of the
other components of the common equity units and the trust
preferred securities. The arbitrage could, in turn, negatively
affect the trading prices of the common equity units, the trust
preferred securities and our common stock.
|
|
|
You May Suffer Dilution of the Common Stock Issuable Upon
Settlement of Your Stock Purchase Contract |
The number of shares of our common stock issuable upon
settlement of your stock purchase contract is subject to
adjustment only for stock splits and combinations, stock
dividends and certain other specified transactions. See
Description of the Stock Purchase Contracts
Anti-Dilution Adjustments. The number of shares of our
common stock issuable upon settlement of each stock purchase
contract is not subject to adjustment for other events,
including employee and director equity grants, regular annual
dividends not in
S-37
excess of $0.46 per share, offerings of shares for cash, or
in connection with acquisitions or other transactions which may
adversely affect the price of our common stock. The terms of the
common equity units do not restrict our ability to offer shares
of our common stock in the future or to engage in other
transactions that could dilute our common stock. We have no
obligation to consider the interests of the holders of the
common equity units in engaging in any such offering or
transaction. If we issue additional shares of our common stock,
that issuance may materially and adversely affect the price of
our common stock and, because of the relationship of the number
of shares of our common stock you are to receive on the
applicable stock purchase date to the price of our common stock,
such other events may adversely affect the trading price of the
common equity units.
|
|
|
You Will Have None of the Rights of Common Stockholders
but Will Be Subject to All Changes with Respect to Our Common
Stock |
Until you acquire shares of our common stock upon settlement of
your stock purchase contract, you will have none of the rights
of common stockholders, including voting rights, rights to
respond to tender offers and rights to receive any dividends or
other distributions on the shares of our common stock. The
declaration and payment of future dividends by us will be at the
discretion of MetLife, Inc.s board of directors and will
depend upon many factors, including our earnings, financial
condition, business needs, capital and surplus requirements of
our operating subsidiaries and contractual and regulatory
restrictions. Only holders of our common stock, not holders of
common equity units or trust preferred securities, will receive
such dividends. Upon settlement of your stock purchase contract,
you will be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of our
common stock only as to actions for which the record date occurs
after an applicable stock purchase date and only for that number
of shares of our common stock that you receive. For example, in
the event that an amendment is proposed to our amended and
restated certificate of incorporation requiring stockholder
approval and the record date for determining the stockholders of
record entitled to vote on the amendment occurs prior to
delivery of the shares of our common stock, you will not be
entitled to vote on the amendment, although you will
nevertheless be subject to any changes in the powers,
preferences or special rights of our common stock.
|
|
|
Your Pledged Securities Will Be Encumbered |
Although you will hold beneficial ownership interests in the
underlying pledged trust preferred securities or treasury
securities, you will pledge those securities with the collateral
agent to secure your obligations under the stock purchase
contracts. Therefore, for so long as your stock purchase
contracts remain in effect, you will not be allowed to withdraw
your ownership interest in the pledged trust preferred
securities or zero coupon treasury securities from this pledge
arrangement, except upon substitution of other securities as
described in this prospectus supplement.
|
|
|
The Stock Purchase Contract Agreement Will Not Be
Qualified Under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as Amended, and
the Obligations of the Stock Purchase Contract Agent will be
Limited |
The stock purchase contract agreement relating to the common
equity units will not be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended (the Trust Indenture Act). The
stock purchase contract agent under the stock purchase contract
agreement, who will act as the agent and attorney-in-fact for
the holders of the common equity units, will not be qualified as
a trustee under the Trust Indenture Act. Accordingly, you will
not have the benefits of the protections of the Trust Indenture
Act other than to the extent applicable to the trust preferred
securities included in a normal common equity unit, such as
those protections identified below or as specified in the stock
purchase contract agreement. Under the terms of the stock
purchase contract agreement, the stock purchase contract agent
will have only limited obligations to the holders of the common
equity units.
S-38
If a security is issued under an indenture qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act, you as a holder would generally have the
following additional protections:
|
|
|
|
|
the disqualification of the indenture trustee for
conflicting interests defined in the Trust Indenture
Act; |
|
|
|
provisions that prevent an indenture trustee that is also a
creditor of the issuer from improving its own credit position at
the expense of you as the security holder immediately before or
after an indenture default; and |
|
|
|
the requirement that the indenture trustee deliver reports at
least once a year with respect to the indenture trustee and the
securities issued under such indenture. |
|
|
|
The Secondary Market for the Common Equity Units and the
Trust Preferred Securities May be Illiquid |
We are unable to predict how the common equity units and the
trust preferred securities will trade in the secondary market or
whether that market will be liquid or illiquid. There is
currently no secondary market for the common equity units or the
trust preferred securities. Although we will apply to list the
normal common equity units on the New York Stock Exchange, we
have no obligation or current intention to apply for any
separate listing of the stripped common equity units or either
series of trust preferred securities on any stock exchange;
however, to the extent that either of these securities are
separately traded to a sufficient extent that applicable
exchange listing requirements are met, we may cause those
securities to be listed on the exchange on which the normal
common equity units are then listed, although we are under no
obligation to do so. We can give you no assurance as to the
liquidity of any market that may develop for the normal common
equity units, the stripped common equity units or the trust
preferred securities, your ability to sell such securities or
whether a trading market, if it develops, will continue. In
addition, in the event that sufficient numbers of normal common
equity units are converted to stripped common equity units, the
liquidity of the normal common equity units could decrease. It
is possible that the normal common equity units, and the
stripped common equity units or the trust preferred securities,
if they are ever listed, could be delisted from the New York
Stock Exchange or such other exchange on which they are then
listed or that trading in the normal common equity units,
stripped common equity units or the trust preferred securities
could be suspended as a result of elections to create stripped
common equity units or recreate normal common equity units
through the substitution of collateral that causes the number of
these securities to fall below the applicable requirements for
listing securities on the New York Stock Exchange or such other
exchange on which they are then listed.
|
|
|
Upon a Successful Remarketing of a Series of
Trust Preferred Securities, the Interest or Accretion Rate
May be Reset to a Lower Rate That Will Apply to All Trust
Preferred Securities of That Series, Even if You Elected Not to
Participate in the Remarketing |
When we attempt to remarket each series of trust preferred
securities, the remarketing agent will agree to use its
commercially reasonable efforts to sell the trust preferred
securities included in the remarketing at a price that results
in proceeds, net of any remarketing fee, of at least 100% of
their aggregate liquidation amount, plus accrued and unpaid
distributions, if any. If interest rates have fallen between the
date of this prospectus supplement and the remarketing to a rate
that is lower than the then current distribution rate, the
remarketing agent may reset the distribution rate on the
applicable series of trust preferred securities. If the
remarketing is successful, the reset rate will apply to all
trust preferred securities of that series, even if they are not
included in the remarketing. A lower distribution rate may cause
the value of your interest in such series of trust preferred
securities to decline.
|
|
|
Delivery of Securities Is Subject to Potential Delay If We
Become Subject to a Bankruptcy Proceeding |
Notwithstanding the automatic termination of the stock purchase
contracts, if we become the subject of a case under the
U.S. Bankruptcy Code, imposition of an automatic stay under
Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, if applicable, or any
court ordered stay may delay the delivery to you of your
securities being held as collateral under the pledge
arrangement, and such delay may continue until the automatic
stay or other stay
S-39
has been lifted. The automatic stay or other stay will not be
lifted until such time as the bankruptcy judge agrees to lift it
and return the collateral to you.
|
|
|
The Contract Payments and Payments on Our Junior
Subordinated Debt Securities Will be Contractually Subordinated
to Our Existing and Future Secured and Senior Debt and Will be
Effectively Subordinated to the Obligations of Our
Subsidiaries |
Our obligations with respect to contract payments and payments
on our junior subordinated debt securities will be subordinate
and junior in right of payment to our obligations under our
existing and future secured and senior debt. At March 31,
2005, our secured and senior debt totaled approximately
$5,700 million, excluding the liabilities of our
subsidiaries. We expect to issue additional commercial paper and
senior debt as a part of the financing of the Acquisition. See
Use of Proceeds.
We receive substantially all of our revenue from dividends from
our subsidiaries. Because we are a holding company, our right to
participate in any distribution of the assets of our
subsidiaries, upon a subsidiarys dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation or reorganization or otherwise, and thus your
ability to benefit indirectly from such distribution, is subject
to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to
the extent that we may be a creditor of that subsidiary and our
claims are recognized. There are legal limitations on the extent
to which some of our subsidiaries may extend credit, pay
dividends or otherwise supply funds to, or engage in
transactions with, us or some of our other subsidiaries. This
includes state laws in the United States that grant insurance
regulatory authorities broad administrative powers with respect
to, among other things, the payment of dividends and other
transactions among affiliates. See Our
Insurance Businesses Are Heavily Regulated and Changes in
Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our
Growth. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal
entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay
amounts due under the stock purchase contracts or otherwise to
make any funds available to us. Accordingly, the contract
payments and payments on our junior subordinated debt
securities, and therefore the trust preferred securities,
effectively will be subordinated to all existing and future
liabilities of our subsidiaries.
|
|
|
Dissolution of Either Trust or Both Trusts May Affect the
Market Price of the Common Equity Units |
Dissolution of either trust or both trusts may affect the market
price of the common equity units. We will have the right to
dissolve either trust or both trusts at any time.
We cannot provide assurance as to the impact on the market price
for the common equity units if we dissolve either trust or both
trusts and distribute the relevant series of junior subordinated
debt securities to holders of the corresponding series of trust
preferred securities in exchange for those trust preferred
securities. Because certain of the common equity units would
then consist of junior subordinated debt securities and stock
purchase contracts, you are also making an investment decision
with regard to the junior subordinated debt securities if you
purchase common equity units and should carefully review all the
information regarding the junior subordinated debt securities
contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus.
|
|
|
We Guarantee Distributions on Each Series of Trust
Preferred Securities Only If the Relevant Trust Has Funds
Available |
If you hold any of the trust preferred securities of either
series, we will guarantee you, on an unsecured and junior
subordinated basis, the payment of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to be paid on
such trust preferred securities, to the extent the relevant
trust has funds available to make the payment; |
|
|
|
the redemption price for any such trust preferred securities
called for redemption, to the extent the relevant trust has
funds available to make the payment; and |
|
|
|
upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
liquidation of the relevant trust, other than in connection with
a distribution of the relevant junior subordinated debt
securities to holders of the corresponding trust preferred
securities, the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the stated
liquidation amount |
S-40
|
|
|
|
|
and all accumulated and unpaid distributions on such trust
preferred securities to the date of payment, to the extent such
trust has funds available to make the payment, and (b) the
amount of assets of such trust remaining available for
distribution to holders of such trust preferred securities upon
liquidation of such trust. |
If we do not make a required payment on a series of junior
subordinated debt securities, the relevant trust will not have
sufficient funds to make the related payment on the
corresponding series of trust preferred securities. The related
guarantee does not cover payments on such series of trust
preferred securities when the relevant trust does not have
sufficient funds to make these payments. If we do not pay any
amounts on a series of junior subordinated debt securities when
due, holders of the corresponding series of trust preferred
securities will have to rely on the enforcement by the relevant
property trustee of such property trustees rights as
registered holder of such junior subordinated debt securities,
or proceed directly against us for payment of any amounts due on
such junior subordinated debt securities.
Our obligations under the guarantee related to a series of trust
preferred securities are unsecured and are subordinated to and
junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future
secured and senior debt, and rank equal in right of payment with
the guarantee related to the other series of trust preferred
securities and with all other similar guarantees issued by us.
|
|
|
We May Defer Contract Payments and Interest Payments on
Either or Both Series of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities and
This May Have an Adverse Effect on the Trading Prices of the
Common Equity Units and the Trust Preferred Securities |
We may at our option, and will if directed to do so by the
Federal Reserve Board, defer the payment of all or part of the
contract payments on the stock purchase contracts forming a part
of the common equity units through the applicable stock purchase
date. We also have the option to defer interest payments on
either or both series of junior subordinated debt securities, in
which case the relevant trust would defer distributions on the
corresponding trust preferred securities. If we elect to shorten
the maturity date of a series of junior subordinated debt
securities in connection with a remarketing and, at the time of
such remarketing, are deferring interest, we may not elect a
maturity date that is earlier than five years after commencement
of the deferral period. If we defer any contract payments until
the applicable stock purchase date, you will receive additional
shares of our common stock or unsecured junior subordinated
notes, at our sole discretion, in lieu of a cash payment.
Because the stock price used to calculate the number of shares
of our common stock you are entitled to receive in respect of
deferred contract payments may be greater than the market value
of our common stock as of the date on which the shares of our
common stock are delivered, the market value of the shares of
our common stock you may receive in lieu of deferred contract
payments may be less than the amount of those deferred contract
payments. In addition, any junior subordinated note that we
issue to you in satisfaction of deferred contract payments will
bear interest at a rate no greater than 10%, which could be less
than the then current market rate of interest for similar
instruments. If deferral occurs, you will continue to recognize
interest income for United States federal income tax purposes in
respect of the trust preferred securities or the junior
subordinated debt securities in advance of your receipt of any
corresponding cash distributions. Furthermore, if the stock
purchase contracts are terminated due to our bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization, the right to receive contract
payments and deferred contract payments, if any, will also
terminate.
|
|
|
Holders of the Trust Preferred Securities Have Limited
Rights Under the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities |
Except as described below, you, as a holder of the trust
preferred securities of a series, will not be able to exercise
directly any rights with respect to corresponding series of
junior subordinated debt securities.
If an event of default under either trust agreement were to
occur and be continuing with respect to the relevant series of
trust preferred securities, holders of such trust preferred
securities would rely on the enforcement by the relevant
property trustee of its rights as registered holder of the
corresponding series of
S-41
junior subordinated debt securities against us. In addition, the
holders of a majority in stated liquidation amount of the
affected series of trust preferred securities would have the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the relevant property
trustee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power
conferred upon such property trustee under the relevant trust
agreement, including the right to direct such property trustee
to exercise the remedies available to it as the holder of the
corresponding series of junior subordinated debt securities.
Each junior indenture provides that the trustee (as used in this
prospectus supplement, the term trustee shall have
the meaning set forth under Description of the Junior
Subordinated Debt Securities) must give holders of the
applicable series of junior subordinated debt securities notice
of any default or event of default within 30 days after it
becomes known to the trustee. However, except in the case of a
default or an event of default in payment on such series of
junior subordinated debt securities, the trustee will be
protected in withholding the notice if its responsible officers
determine that withholding the notice is in the interest of such
holders.
If the property trustee of a trust were to fail to enforce its
rights under the applicable series of junior subordinated debt
securities in respect of a junior indenture event of default
after a holder of record of the corresponding series of trust
preferred securities had made a written request, that holder of
record of such trust preferred securities could, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, institute a legal proceeding
against us to enforce such property trustees rights under
the applicable series of junior subordinated debt securities. In
addition, if we were to fail to pay interest or principal on a
series of junior subordinated debt securities on the date that
interest or principal is otherwise payable, except for deferrals
permitted by the relevant trust agreement and the applicable
junior indenture, and this failure to pay were continuing,
holders of the corresponding series of trust preferred
securities could directly institute a proceeding for enforcement
of payment of the principal of, or interest on, that series of
junior subordinated debt securities having a principal amount
equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of such trust
preferred securities (a direct action) after the respective due
dates specified in the related junior subordinated debt
securities. In connection with a direct action, we would have
the right under the applicable junior indenture to set off any
payment made to that holder by us.
|
|
|
The Property Trustee of Each Trust, as Holder of the
Applicable Series of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities, Has
Only Limited Rights of Acceleration |
The property trustee of each trust, as holder of the applicable
series of junior subordinated debt securities, may accelerate
payment of the principal of, or accrued and unpaid interest on,
such junior subordinated debt securities only upon the
occurrence and continuation of a junior indenture event of
default. A junior indenture event of default with respect to a
series of junior subordinated debt securities is generally
limited to payment defaults after giving effect to our deferral
rights, and specific events of bankruptcy, insolvency and
reorganization relating to us. There is no right of acceleration
under such series of junior subordinated debt securities upon
breaches by us of other covenants under the applicable junior
indenture or default on our payment obligations under the
applicable guarantee.
S-42
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FOR METLIFE
The following table sets forth selected historical consolidated
financial information for MetLife. The selected historical
consolidated financial information as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003 has been derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004, the selected historical consolidated financial information
as of and for the year ended December 31, 2002 has been
derived from our audited consolidated financial statements
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2002, and the selected historical
consolidated financial information as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2001 and 2000 has been derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2001. This selected consolidated financial information should be
read in conjunction with and is qualified by reference to these
financial statements and the related notes. The selected
historical consolidated financial information at and for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 has been derived
from the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial
statements included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The following
consolidated statements of income and consolidated balance sheet
data have been prepared in conformity with GAAP. Some previously
reported amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
presentation for the three months ended March 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Statements of Income Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums
|
|
$ |
6,002 |
|
|
$ |
5,386 |
|
|
$ |
22,204 |
|
|
$ |
20,576 |
|
|
$ |
19,021 |
|
|
$ |
16,963 |
|
|
$ |
15,999 |
|
|
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
|
|
|
791 |
|
|
|
663 |
|
|
|
2,868 |
|
|
|
2,496 |
|
|
|
2,147 |
|
|
|
1,889 |
|
|
|
1,820 |
|
|
Net investment income(1)
|
|
|
3,217 |
|
|
|
2,939 |
|
|
|
12,367 |
|
|
|
11,484 |
|
|
|
11,139 |
|
|
|
11,127 |
|
|
|
10,926 |
|
|
Other revenues
|
|
|
299 |
|
|
|
313 |
|
|
|
1,198 |
|
|
|
1,199 |
|
|
|
1,166 |
|
|
|
1,340 |
|
|
|
2,070 |
|
|
Net investment gains (losses)(1)(2)(3)
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
(551 |
) |
|
|
(892 |
) |
|
|
(713 |
) |
|
|
(444 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues(4)(5)(6)
|
|
|
10,294 |
|
|
|
9,417 |
|
|
|
38,812 |
|
|
|
35,204 |
|
|
|
32,581 |
|
|
|
30,606 |
|
|
|
30,371 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policyholder benefits and claims
|
|
|
5,962 |
|
|
|
5,475 |
|
|
|
22,666 |
|
|
|
20,812 |
|
|
|
19,456 |
|
|
|
18,330 |
|
|
|
16,764 |
|
|
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
|
|
|
795 |
|
|
|
738 |
|
|
|
2,998 |
|
|
|
3,035 |
|
|
|
2,950 |
|
|
|
3,084 |
|
|
|
2,935 |
|
|
Policyholder dividends
|
|
|
415 |
|
|
|
425 |
|
|
|
1,666 |
|
|
|
1,731 |
|
|
|
1,803 |
|
|
|
1,802 |
|
|
|
1,771 |
|
|
Payments to former Canadian policyholders(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
327 |
|
|
Demutualization costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
230 |
|
|
Other expenses(1)
|
|
|
1,973 |
|
|
|
1,851 |
|
|
|
7,822 |
|
|
|
7,176 |
|
|
|
6,869 |
|
|
|
6,899 |
|
|
|
7,189 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses(4)(5)(6)(7)
|
|
|
9,145 |
|
|
|
8,489 |
|
|
|
35,152 |
|
|
|
32,754 |
|
|
|
31,078 |
|
|
|
30,115 |
|
|
|
29,216 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
1,149 |
|
|
|
928 |
|
|
|
3,660 |
|
|
|
2,450 |
|
|
|
1,503 |
|
|
|
491 |
|
|
|
1,155 |
|
Provision for income taxes(1)(4)(8)
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
290 |
|
|
|
1,030 |
|
|
|
620 |
|
|
|
454 |
|
|
|
177 |
|
|
|
363 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
|
799 |
|
|
|
638 |
|
|
|
2,630 |
|
|
|
1,830 |
|
|
|
1,049 |
|
|
|
314 |
|
|
|
792 |
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes(1)(4)
|
|
|
188 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
214 |
|
|
|
413 |
|
|
|
556 |
|
|
|
159 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting
|
|
|
987 |
|
|
|
684 |
|
|
|
2,844 |
|
|
|
2,243 |
|
|
|
1,605 |
|
|
|
473 |
|
|
|
953 |
|
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting, net of income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(86 |
) |
|
|
(86 |
) |
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
987 |
|
|
$ |
598 |
|
|
$ |
2,758 |
|
|
$ |
2,217 |
|
|
$ |
1,605 |
|
|
$ |
473 |
|
|
$ |
953 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income after April 7, 2000 (date of demutualization)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,173 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S-43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At March 31, | |
|
At December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Balance Sheet Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General account assets
|
|
$ |
276,885 |
|
|
$ |
270,039 |
|
|
$ |
251,085 |
|
|
$ |
217,733 |
|
|
$ |
194,256 |
|
|
$ |
183,912 |
|
|
Separate account assets
|
|
|
85,786 |
|
|
|
86,769 |
|
|
|
75,756 |
|
|
|
59,693 |
|
|
|
62,714 |
|
|
|
70,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets(4)
|
|
$ |
362,671 |
|
|
$ |
356,808 |
|
|
$ |
326,841 |
|
|
$ |
277,426 |
|
|
$ |
256,970 |
|
|
$ |
254,162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life and health policyholder liabilities(9)
|
|
$ |
193,251 |
|
|
$ |
190,847 |
|
|
$ |
176,628 |
|
|
$ |
162,569 |
|
|
$ |
148,395 |
|
|
$ |
140,040 |
|
|
Property and casualty policyholder liabilities
|
|
|
3,192 |
|
|
|
3,180 |
|
|
|
2,943 |
|
|
|
2,673 |
|
|
|
2,610 |
|
|
|
2,559 |
|
|
Short-term debt
|
|
|
1,120 |
|
|
|
1,445 |
|
|
|
3,642 |
|
|
|
1,161 |
|
|
|
355 |
|
|
|
1,085 |
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
7,414 |
|
|
|
7,412 |
|
|
|
5,703 |
|
|
|
4,411 |
|
|
|
3,614 |
|
|
|
2,353 |
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
48,870 |
|
|
|
44,331 |
|
|
|
41,020 |
|
|
|
28,269 |
|
|
|
21,964 |
|
|
|
20,396 |
|
|
Separate account liabilities
|
|
|
85,786 |
|
|
|
86,769 |
|
|
|
75,756 |
|
|
|
59,693 |
|
|
|
62,714 |
|
|
|
70,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities(4)
|
|
|
339,633 |
|
|
|
333,984 |
|
|
|
305,692 |
|
|
|
258,776 |
|
|
|
239,652 |
|
|
|
236,683 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable securities of
subsidiary trusts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,265 |
|
|
|
1,256 |
|
|
|
1,090 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, at par value(10)
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital(10)
|
|
|
15,043 |
|
|
|
15,037 |
|
|
|
14,991 |
|
|
|
14,968 |
|
|
|
14,966 |
|
|
|
14,926 |
|
|
Retained earnings(10)
|
|
|
7,595 |
|
|
|
6,608 |
|
|
|
4,193 |
|
|
|
2,807 |
|
|
|
1,349 |
|
|
|
1,021 |
|
|
Treasury stock, at cost(10)
|
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
|
(1,785 |
) |
|
|
(835 |
) |
|
|
(2,405 |
) |
|
|
(1,934 |
) |
|
|
(613 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(10)
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
2,956 |
|
|
|
2,792 |
|
|
|
2,007 |
|
|
|
1,673 |
|
|
|
1,047 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
23,038 |
|
|
|
22,824 |
|
|
|
21,149 |
|
|
|
17,385 |
|
|
|
16,062 |
|
|
|
16,389 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$ |
362,671 |
|
|
$ |
356,808 |
|
|
$ |
326,841 |
|
|
$ |
277,426 |
|
|
$ |
256,970 |
|
|
$ |
254,162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S-44
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At or for the Three | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
At or for the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except per share data) | |
Other Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
987 |
|
|
$ |
598 |
|
|
$ |
2,758 |
|
|
$ |
2,217 |
|
|
$ |
1,605 |
|
|
$ |
473 |
|
|
$ |
953 |
|
|
Return on equity(11)
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
12.5 |
% |
|
|
11.5 |
% |
|
|
9.6 |
% |
|
|
2.9 |
% |
|
|
6.3 |
% |
|
Return on equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive
income
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
14.4 |
% |
|
|
13.1 |
% |
|
|
10.8 |
% |
|
|
3.2 |
% |
|
|
6.5 |
% |
|
Total assets under management
|
|
$ |
362,671 |
|
|
$ |
337,013 |
|
|
$ |
356,808 |
|
|
$ |
326,841 |
|
|
$ |
277,426 |
|
|
$ |
256,970 |
|
|
$ |
254,162 |
|
Income from Continuing Operations Available to Common
Shareholders Per Share(12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
|
$ |
3.51 |
|
|
$ |
2.45 |
|
|
$ |
1.49 |
|
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
|
$ |
1.39 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
1.08 |
|
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
|
$ |
3.48 |
|
|
$ |
2.42 |
|
|
$ |
1.44 |
|
|
$ |
0.41 |
|
|
$ |
1.37 |
|
Income from Discontinued Operations Per Share(12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.28 |
|
|
$ |
0.57 |
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
$ |
0.13 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.28 |
|
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
Cumulative Effect of a Change in Accounting Per Share(12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.04 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders Per Share(12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
1.34 |
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
3.68 |
|
|
$ |
2.98 |
|
|
$ |
2.28 |
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
$ |
1.52 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
1.33 |
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
3.65 |
|
|
$ |
2.94 |
|
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.62 |
|
|
$ |
1.49 |
|
Dividends Declared Per Share
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
(SFAS 144), income related to real estate sold
or classified as held-for-sale for transactions initiated on or
after January 1, 2002 is presented as discontinued
operations. The following table presents the components of
income from discontinued real estate operations (see
footnote 4): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Investment income
|
|
$ |
72 |
|
|
$ |
106 |
|
|
$ |
373 |
|
|
$ |
455 |
|
|
$ |
630 |
|
|
$ |
563 |
|
|
$ |
214 |
|
Investment expense
|
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
(207 |
) |
|
|
(253 |
) |
|
|
(351 |
) |
|
|
(338 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net investment gains (losses)
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
146 |
|
|
|
420 |
|
|
|
582 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
312 |
|
|
|
622 |
|
|
|
861 |
|
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
214 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
313 |
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
$ |
42 |
|
|
$ |
195 |
|
|
$ |
392 |
|
|
$ |
548 |
|
|
$ |
142 |
|
|
$ |
136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
Net investment gains (losses) exclude amounts related to real
estate operations reported as discontinued operations in
accordance with SFAS 144. |
S-45
|
|
|
|
(3) |
Net investment gains (losses) presented include scheduled
periodic settlement payments on derivative instruments that do
not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133,
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, as amended, of $24 million and
$14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005
and 2004, respectively, and $51 million, $84 million,
$32 million and $24 million for the years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. |
|
|
(4) |
During the third quarter of 2004, the Company entered into an
agreement to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary,
SSRM Holdings, Inc. (SSRM), to a third party,
which was sold on January 31, 2005. In accordance with
SFAS 144, the assets, liabilities and operations of SSRM
have been reclassified into discontinued operations for all
periods presented. The following tables present the operations
of SSRM: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Months | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Revenues from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
62 |
|
|
$ |
328 |
|
|
$ |
231 |
|
|
$ |
239 |
|
|
$ |
254 |
|
|
$ |
258 |
|
Expenses from discontinued operations
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
296 |
|
|
|
197 |
|
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
230 |
|
|
|
211 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
Net investment gains, net of income taxes
|
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
$ |
151 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
21 |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
General account assets
|
|
$ |
379 |
|
|
$ |
183 |
|
|
$ |
198 |
|
|
$ |
203 |
|
|
$ |
228 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
379 |
|
|
$ |
183 |
|
|
$ |
198 |
|
|
$ |
203 |
|
|
$ |
228 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term debt
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
$ |
240 |
|
|
$ |
70 |
|
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
$ |
94 |
|
|
$ |
142 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5) |
Includes the following combined financial statement data of
Conning Corporation (Conning), which was sold in
2001, and MetLifes interest in Nvest Companies, L.P.
(Nvest) and its affiliates, which was sold in 2000: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Total revenues
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
$ |
605 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
580 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As a result of these sales, investment gains of $25 million
and $663 million were recorded for the years ended
December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. |
|
|
|
|
(6) |
Included in total revenues and total expenses for the year ended
December 31, 2002 are $421 million and
$358 million, respectively, related to Aseguradora
Hidalgo S.A., which was acquired in June 2002. |
S-46
|
|
|
|
(7) |
In July 1998, Metropolitan Life sold a substantial portion
of its Canadian operations to Clarica Life Insurance Company
(Clarica Life). As part of that sale, a large
block of policies in effect with Metropolitan Life in Canada was
transferred to Clarica Life, and the holders of the transferred
Canadian policies became policyholders of Clarica Life. Those
transferred policyholders are no longer policyholders of
Metropolitan Life and, therefore, were not entitled to
compensation under the plan of reorganization. However, as a
result of a commitment made in connection with obtaining
Canadian regulatory approval of that sale and in connection with
the demutualization, Metropolitan Lifes Canadian branch
made cash payments to those who were, or were deemed to be,
holders of these transferred Canadian policies. The payments
were determined in a manner that is consistent with the
treatment of, and fair and equitable to, eligible policyholders
of Metropolitan Life. |
|
|
(8) |
Provision for income taxes includes a credit of
$145 million for surplus taxes for the year ended
December 31, 2000. Prior to its demutualization,
Metropolitan Life was subject to surplus tax imposed on mutual
life insurance companies under Section 809 of the Internal
Revenue Code. |
|
|
(9) |
Policyholder liabilities include future policy benefits and
other policyholder funds. Life and health policyholder
liabilities also include policyholder account balances,
policyholder dividends payable and the policyholder dividend
obligation. |
|
|
(10) |
For additional information regarding these items, see
Notes 1 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004. |
|
(11) |
Return on equity is defined as net income divided by average
total equity. |
|
(12) |
Based on earnings subsequent to the date of demutualization. For
additional information regarding net income per share data, see
Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004. |
S-47
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
On January 31, 2005, MetLife, Inc. and Citigroup entered
into a definitive agreement, pursuant to which MetLife, Inc.
agreed to acquire Citigroup L&A for $11.5 billion in
consideration, subject to certain closing adjustments and
financing arrangements, and receipt of regulatory approvals and
satisfaction or waiver of other closing conditions. The
Acquisition Agreement provides for Citigroups execution of
specific transactions to exclude certain assets and liabilities
prior to the closing, and these transactions have been reflected
in the Citigroup L&A historical combined financial
statements as if completed. The Citigroup L&A historical
condensed combined financial statements as of and for the three
months ended March 31, 2005 and as of and for the year
ended December 31, 2004 are included as exhibits to the
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by MetLife on
May 27, 2005 and May 13, 2005, respectively.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial information consolidates the unaudited historical
interim condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31,
2005, the unaudited historical interim condensed consolidated
statement of income for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and the historical consolidated statement of income for the
year ended December 31, 2004 of MetLife with the unaudited
historical interim condensed combined balance sheet at
March 31, 2005, the unaudited historical interim condensed
combined statement of income for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and the historical combined statement of
income for the year ended December 31, 2004 of Citigroup
L&A. Those unaudited historical interim condensed financial
statements and historical financial statements were prepared in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America (GAAP). The unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared
using the assumptions described in the notes thereto.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information below should be read in conjunction with the notes
thereto and the unaudited historical interim condensed
consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months
ended March 31, 2005 of MetLife included in its Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the historical consolidated
financial statements as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2004 of MetLife included in its Annual Report
on Form 10-K. The unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information below should also be read in
conjunction with the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by
MetLife on May 27, 2005 and May 13, 2005 which include
as exhibits: 1) the unaudited historical interim condensed
combined financial statements of Citigroup L&A as of and for
the three months ended March 31, 2005, and 2) the
audited historical combined financial statements of Citigroup
L&A as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004,
respectively.
This unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information is presented for informational purposes only and is
not necessarily indicative of the financial position or results
of operations of the consolidated company that would have
actually occurred had the Acquisition been effective during the
periods presented or of the future financial position or future
results of operations of the consolidated company. The unaudited
condensed consolidated financial information as of and for the
periods presented may have been different had the companies
actually been consolidated as of or during those periods due to,
among other factors, possible revenue enhancements, expense
efficiencies and integration costs. Additionally, as discussed
in Note 1, the actual allocation of the purchase price to
the acquired assets and liabilities may vary materially from the
assumptions used in preparing the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information.
S-48
MetLife, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
March 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citigroup | |
|
Purchase | |
|
Financing | |
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
MetLife | |
|
L&A | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Notes | |
|
Consolidated | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except per share data) | |
|
|
|
|
Increase/(decrease) | |
|
|
Assets |
Investments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value
|
|
$ |
182,519 |
|
|
$ |
44,508 |
|
|
$ |
(88 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,503 |
) |
|
|
3(a), 3(b) |
|
|
$ |
225,436 |
|
|
Equity securities, at fair value
|
|
|
2,516 |
|
|
|
391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,907 |
|
|
Mortgage and other loans
|
|
|
31,977 |
|
|
|
2,349 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(c) |
|
|
|
34,369 |
|
|
Policy loans
|
|
|
8,953 |
|
|
|
894 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(d) |
|
|
|
9,852 |
|
|
Real estate and real estate joint ventures held-for-investment
|
|
|
3,458 |
|
|
|
279 |
|
|
|
127 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(e) |
|
|
|
3,864 |
|
|
Real estate held-for-sale
|
|
|
848 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(478 |
) |
|
|
3(f), 3(g) |
|
|
|
412 |
|
|
Other limited partnership interests
|
|
|
3,051 |
|
|
|
1,326 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,377 |
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
2,551 |
|
|
|
3,364 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,915 |
|
|
Trading securities
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
1,081 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,215 |
|
|
Other invested assets
|
|
|
4,960 |
|
|
|
338 |
|
|
|
234 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(h) |
|
|
|
5,532 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments
|
|
|
240,967 |
|
|
|
54,559 |
|
|
|
334 |
|
|
|
(1,981 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
293,879 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
3,925 |
|
|
|
648 |
|
|
|
(10,623 |
) |
|
|
10,623 |
|
|
|
3(i) |
|
|
|
4,573 |
|
Common stock issuance and distribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
3(i) |
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued investment income
|
|
|
2,433 |
|
|
|
560 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,993 |
|
Premiums and other receivables
|
|
|
7,515 |
|
|
|
4,146 |
|
|
|
1,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(j) |
|
|
|
12,798 |
|
Deferred policy acquisition costs
|
|
|
13,130 |
|
|
|
3,035 |
|
|
|
(3,035 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(l) |
|
|
|
13,130 |
|
Value of business acquired
|
|
|
1,668 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
2,904 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(m), 3(n) |
|
|
|
4,662 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
611 |
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
4,292 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(o), 3(p) |
|
|
|
5,129 |
|
Other intangible assets
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
185 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(q) |
|
|
|
199 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
6,622 |
|
|
|
1,617 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
3(r), 3(ff), 3(s) |
|
|
|
8,308 |
|
Separate account assets
|
|
|
85,786 |
|
|
|
31,052 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
116,838 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
362,671 |
|
|
$ |
95,933 |
|
|
$ |
(5,805 |
) |
|
$ |
9,710 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
462,509 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future policy benefits
|
|
$ |
100,630 |
|
|
$ |
12,679 |
|
|
$ |
3,008 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
3(j), 3(ff) |
|
|
$ |
116,317 |
|
|
Policyholder account balances
|
|
|
85,802 |
|
|
|
35,633 |
|
|
|
1,831 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(k) |
|
|
|
123,266 |
|
|
Other policyholder funds
|
|
|
7,226 |
|
|
|
1,604 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,830 |
|
|
Policyholder dividends payable
|
|
|
1,048 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,048 |
|
|
Policyholder dividend obligation
|
|
|
1,737 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,737 |
|
|
Short-term debt
|
|
|
1,120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
3(t) |
|
|
|
2,120 |
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
7,414 |
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
(87 |
) |
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
3(a), 3(t) |
|
|
|
11,804 |
|
|
Shares subject to mandatory redemption
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
Current income taxes payable
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
460 |
|
|
|
3(ff), 3(g) |
|
|
|
549 |
|
|
Deferred income taxes payable
|
|
|
2,414 |
|
|
|
694 |
|
|
|
(1,709 |
) |
|
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
3(u), 3(g) |
|
|
|
1,348 |
|
|
Payables under securities loaned transactions
|
|
|
31,713 |
|
|
|
2,331 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,044 |
|
|
Trading securities sold not yet purchased
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
369 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
369 |
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
14,434 |
|
|
|
2,915 |
|
|
|
(227 |
) |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
3(v), 3(w) |
|
|
|
17,222 |
|
|
Separate account liabilities
|
|
|
85,786 |
|
|
|
31,052 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
116,838 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
339,633 |
|
|
|
87,262 |
|
|
|
2,866 |
|
|
|
6,009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
435,770 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share;
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
15,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
3(t), 3(w) |
|
|
|
15,943 |
|
|
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,043 |
|
|
|
3(t) |
|
|
|
2,043 |
|
|
Common stock of Citigroup L&A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
(131 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(x) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,138 |
|
|
|
(3,138 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(x) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
7,595 |
|
|
|
4,238 |
|
|
|
(4,238 |
) |
|
|
758 |
|
|
|
3(x), 3(g) |
|
|
|
8,353 |
|
|
Treasury stock, at cost;
|
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
1,164 |
|
|
|
(1,164 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(x) |
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
23,038 |
|
|
|
8,671 |
|
|
|
(8,671 |
) |
|
|
3,701 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,739 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$ |
362,671 |
|
|
$ |
95,933 |
|
|
$ |
(5,805 |
) |
|
$ |
9,710 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
462,509 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information.
S-49
MetLife, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement
of Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citigroup | |
|
Purchase | |
|
Financing | |
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
MetLife | |
|
L&A | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Notes |
|
Consolidated | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except per share data) | |
|
|
|
|
Increase/(decrease) | |
|
|
Revenues |
Premiums
|
|
$ |
6,002 |
|
|
$ |
267 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,269 |
|
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
|
|
|
791 |
|
|
|
232 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
3(y) |
|
|
1,022 |
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
3,217 |
|
|
|
759 |
|
|
|
(78 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
3(z), 3(aa) |
|
|
3,873 |
|
Other revenues
|
|
|
299 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
3(bb) |
|
|
330 |
|
Net investment gains (losses)
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
10,294 |
|
|
|
1,362 |
|
|
|
(98 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
|
|
11,533 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
Policyholder benefits and claims
|
|
|
5,962 |
|
|
|
320 |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
3(j) |
|
|
6,272 |
|
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
|
|
|
795 |
|
|
|
371 |
|
|
|
(62 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
3(k) |
|
|
1,104 |
|
Policyholder dividends
|
|
|
415 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
415 |
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
1,973 |
|
|
|
274 |
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
67 |
|
|
3(cc), 3(dd) |
|
|
2,275 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
9,145 |
|
|
|
965 |
|
|
|
(111 |
) |
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
|
|
10,066 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
1,149 |
|
|
|
397 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(92 |
) |
|
|
|
|
1,467 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
124 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
3(ee) |
|
|
446 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
799 |
|
|
$ |
273 |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
(60 |
) |
|
|
|
$ |
1,021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings Per Share |
Income from continuing operations available to common
stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
1.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
734.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
756.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
739.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
762.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information.
S-50
MetLife, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of
Income
For the Year Ended December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Purchase | |
|
Financing | |
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
MetLife | |
|
Citigroup L&A | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Notes | |
|
Consolidated | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except per share data) | |
|
|
|
|
Increase/(decrease) | |
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums
|
|
$ |
22,204 |
|
|
$ |
1,314 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
23,518 |
|
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
|
|
|
2,868 |
|
|
|
711 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(y) |
|
|
|
3,613 |
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
12,367 |
|
|
|
2,973 |
|
|
|
(311 |
) |
|
|
(98 |
) |
|
|
3(z), 3(aa) |
|
|
|
14,931 |
|
Other revenues
|
|
|
1,198 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
(83 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(bb) |
|
|
|
1,276 |
|
Net investment gains
|
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
189 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
38,812 |
|
|
|
5,173 |
|
|
|
(360 |
) |
|
|
(98 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,527 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policyholder benefits and claims
|
|
|
22,666 |
|
|
|
1,529 |
|
|
|
(36 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(j) |
|
|
|
24,159 |
|
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
|
|
|
2,998 |
|
|
|
1,386 |
|
|
|
(227 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(k) |
|
|
|
4,157 |
|
Policyholder dividends
|
|
|
1,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,666 |
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
7,822 |
|
|
|
1,014 |
|
|
|
(131 |
) |
|
|
268 |
|
|
|
3(cc), 3(dd) |
|
|
|
8,973 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
35,152 |
|
|
|
3,929 |
|
|
|
(394 |
) |
|
|
268 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
3,660 |
|
|
|
1,244 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
(366 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,572 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
1,030 |
|
|
|
343 |
|
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
3(ee) |
|
|
|
1,328 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
2,630 |
|
|
$ |
901 |
|
|
$ |
(49 |
) |
|
$ |
(238 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,244 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings Per Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations available to common
stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
3.51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
3.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
749.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
772.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
754.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
777.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information.
S-51
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information gives effect to the proposed acquisition as if it
had occurred at March 31, 2005 for the purposes of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet and at
January 1, 2004 for the purposes of the unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated statements of income. The unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated financial information has been
prepared by MetLifes management and is based on
MetLifes historical consolidated financial statements and
Citigroup L&As historical combined financial
statements, which have been prepared by Citigroup. Certain
amounts from Citigroup L&As historical combined
financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the
MetLife presentation. In accordance with Article 11 of
Regulation S-X, discontinued operations and cumulative
effects of changes in accounting and the related earnings per
share data have been excluded from the presentation of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income.
This unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information is prepared in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. The
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet at
March 31, 2005 and the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated statements of income for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and for the year ended December 31,
2004 have been prepared using the following information:
|
|
|
(a) Unaudited historical interim condensed consolidated
financial statements of MetLife as of and for the three months
ended March 31, 2005; |
|
|
(b) Unaudited historical interim combined financial
statements of Citigroup L&A as of and for the three months
ended March 31, 2005; |
|
|
(c) Audited historical consolidated financial statements of
MetLife as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004; |
|
|
(d) Audited historical combined financial statements of
Citigroup L&A as of and for the year ended December 31,
2004; and |
|
|
(e) Such other supplementary information as considered
necessary to reflect the Acquisition in the unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial information. |
Some previously reported amounts have been reclassified to
conform with the presentation for the three months ended
March 31, 2005.
The pro forma adjustments reflecting the Acquisition of
Citigroup L&A under the purchase method of accounting are
based on certain estimates and assumptions. The pro forma
adjustments may be revised as additional information becomes
available. The actual adjustments upon consummation of the
Acquisition and the allocation of the purchase price of
Citigroup L&A will depend on a number of factors, including
additional financial information available at such time, changes
in values and changes in Citigroup L&As operating
results between the date of preparation of this unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated financial information and the
effective date of the Acquisition. Therefore, it is likely that
the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma
adjustments and it is possible the differences may be material.
MetLifes management believes that its assumptions provide
a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects
of the transactions contemplated and that the pro forma
adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are
properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information.
The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value
of the net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible
assets, has been allocated to goodwill. The unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial information does not include
the anticipated financial benefits or expenses from such items as
S-52
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
expense efficiencies or revenue enhancements arising from the
Acquisition nor does the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information include the portion of
restructuring and integration costs to be incurred by MetLife.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information is not intended to reflect the results of operations
or the financial position that would have resulted had the
Acquisition been effected on the dates indicated, or the results
that may be obtained by the consolidated company in the future.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information should be read in conjunction with the notes thereto
and the unaudited historical interim condensed consolidated
financial statements as of and for three months ended
March 31, 2005 of MetLife included in its Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q, as well as the historical consolidated
financial statements as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2004 of MetLife included in its Annual Report
on Form 10-K. The unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information should also be read in
conjunction with the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by
MetLife on May 27, 2005 and May 13, 2005 which include
as exhibits: 1) the unaudited historical interim condensed
combined financial statements of Citigroup L&A as of and for
the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2) the
audited historical combined financial statements of Citigroup
L&A as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004,
respectively.
|
|
2. |
Purchase Price and Financing Considerations |
Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, MetLife, Inc. will pay
Citigroup $11.5 billion in consideration for all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock held by Citigroup and its
affiliates, of certain of the domestic and international
insurance subsidiaries of Citigroup, constituting the Citigroup
L&A business. The Acquisition Agreement provides for
Citigroups execution of specific transactions to exclude
certain assets and liabilities prior to the closing, and these
transactions have been reflected in the Citigroup L&A
historical combined financial statements as if completed. The
closing is expected to occur during the summer of 2005. This
purchase price is subject to certain adjustments at closing,
including adjustments based on differences between estimated and
actual equity at closing and agreed-upon minimum risk based
capital (RBC) levels. The potential purchase price
adjustments are more fully described in the Acquisition
Agreement.
Under the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, MetLife, Inc. may,
at its discretion, issue up to $3 billion of its stock to
Citigroup as part of the funding of the purchase price. The
remainder of the purchase price must be paid in cash. The
financing related to the cash portion of the purchase price will
be finalized immediately prior to the closing of the transaction
and may include the use of short-term bridge financing.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information included herein reflects managements best
estimate of the forms and amounts of financing at the time this
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information
was prepared. The actual form of financing of the Acquisition
may involve different forms of financing and/or different
amounts of the same financing vehicles. These differences in
form and amount of financing could result in materially
different pro forma adjustments than those presented in this
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information. The actual financing forms and amounts of financing
will not be determined until shortly before the closing date of
the Acquisition. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial information presented herein assumes the following:
|
|
|
(i) MetLife, Inc. will issue $1 billion,
22.7 million shares, of common stock to Citigroup in the
transaction. For purposes of computing the number of shares of
common stock to be issued to Citigroup, the price of the
MetLife, Inc.s common stock to be issued is assumed to be
$44.06 per common share, which represents the average
closing price of MetLife, Inc.s common stock on the New
York Stock Exchange for the ten-day period ending June 10,
2005. The impact on pro forma earnings per share of issuing the
maximum amount, $3 billion, of consideration in common
stock is described in Note 4. The number of shares to be
issued for purposes of that calculation was computed using the
same average closing price as described above. |
S-53
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
(ii) The remaining $10.5 billion of purchase price
will be paid to Citigroup in cash and will be funded by MetLife
in part through: |
|
|
|
a) The sale of a real estate property and fixed maturity
securities. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of income reflect the reduction in investment income
from the sale of fixed maturity securities but do not reflect a
reduction of investment income from the sale of real estate
property as such investment income is reported as discontinued
operations. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of income do not reflect the gains/(losses) on the
sale of real estate property or fixed maturity securities as
such gains/(losses) would be reported as discontinued operations
or are sales that would not be part of the normal course of
business. |
|
|
b) The issuance of commercial paper and offerings of
various forms of securities including senior debt, mandatorily
convertible common equity units, and preferred stock. The
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income
reflect the impact of these financing arrangements using
MetLifes current anticipated borrowing and dividend rates
for such types of securities. |
|
|
These assumptions are made based on the best information
available at the time the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information was prepared. Changes in
risk-free interest rates and credit spreads could change the
assumed borrowing and dividend rates for such types of
securities. |
|
|
c) Bridge financing which would be a short-term
substitution for some or all of the longer term financing
alternatives may be considered. The amount and term of the
bridge financing will depend upon the timing of the closing of
the transaction in combination with market access and market
conditions at such time. |
S-54
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
For purposes of presentation in the unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial information, the financing of
the Acquisition and allocation of purchase price is assumed to
be as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Range of | |
|
Annual | |
|
Expected Interest/ | |
|
|
Anticipated | |
|
Potential | |
|
Interest/ | |
|
Dividend(4)(5) | |
|
|
Financing | |
|
Financing | |
|
Dividend | |
|
| |
|
|
Amount | |
|
Amounts | |
|
Rate(4)(5) | |
|
Annual | |
|
Quarterly | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
|
(In millions) | |
|
(%) | |
|
(In millions) | |
|
(In millions) | |
Sources:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$ |
3,148 |
|
|
$ |
2,500 3,500 |
|
|
|
(1)(2) |
|
|
|
(1)(2) |
|
|
|
(1)(2) |
|
Debt
|
|
|
3,700 |
|
|
|
3,000 5,000 |
|
|
|
2.85 6.00% |
|
|
$ |
174 |
|
|
$ |
43 |
|
Mandatorily convertible common equity units
|
|
|
1,800 |
|
|
|
1,800 2,800 |
|
|
|
3.50 4.50% |
|
|
$ |
72 |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
Preferred stock
|
|
|
2,100 |
|
|
|
2,100 2,415 |
(6) |
|
|
4.00 6.50% |
|
|
$ |
122 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
MetLife, Inc. common stock
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 3,000 |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total sources of funds
|
|
$ |
11,748 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt and equity issuance costs See pro forma
adjustments 3(s) and 3(t) in Note 3
|
|
$ |
125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other transaction costs See pro forma
adjustment 3(i) in Note 3
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase price paid to Citigroup
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total purchase price
|
|
|
11,623 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total uses of funds
|
|
$ |
11,748 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase Price Allocation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total purchase price
|
|
$ |
11,623 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net balance sheet assets acquired at March 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying value of net balance sheet assets prior to the
Acquisition
|
|
|
8,671 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated fair value adjustments
|
|
|
(1,566 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated fair value of net balance sheet assets acquired
|
|
|
7,105 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
$ |
4,518 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
A real estate property with a carrying value of
$478 million was sold on May 4, 2005 for
$1,720 million, resulting in a gain of $758 million,
net of current income taxes payable of $460 million,
deferred income taxes of $(51) million and transaction
costs of $75 million. The real estate was sold to
facilitate the funding of the Acquisition. Net investment income
on such real estate property was $67 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 and $16 million during the
three months ended March 31, 2005. The sale of the real
estate property is reflected as a pro forma adjustment in the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet. The
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income
have not been adjusted to reflect a reduction in the related net
investment income or to reflect the gain on the |
S-55
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
sale of such real estate property as both would be reported as
discontinued operations. See pro forma adjustment 3(g). |
|
(2) |
Fixed maturities with a carrying value of $1,503 million
have been assumed sold to fund the purchase price. The net
investment income on such fixed maturities of $98 million
for the year ended December 31, 2004 was computed based
upon the average yield of fixed maturities of 6.55% during 2004.
The sale of the fixed maturities and the elimination of
one-fourth of the related annual net investment income,
$25 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005,
are reflected as pro forma adjustments in the unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated balance sheet and unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated statements of income, respectively.
Any gains/(losses) realized on the sale of such investments
would not be part of the normal course of business and, as such,
have not been reflected in the accompanying unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months
ended March 31, 2005. See pro forma adjustment 3(b).
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of
income for the year ended December 31, 2004 reflects the
reduction of investment income related to the sale of the fixed
maturity securities but does not reflect the gains/(losses) on
the sale of such fixed maturity securities as such
gains/(losses) are on sales that would not be part of the normal
course of business. |
|
(3) |
Common stock dividend rates are set annually and are not
reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial information. |
|
(4) |
Debt and preferred stock may be issued in one or more series.
Debt securities are expected to consist of a combination of
instruments with varying maturities and interest rates, which
may be fixed or floating. The preferred stock consists of
$1,500 million of fixed rate and $600 million of
floating rate issuances.
The ranges of interest and dividend rates noted above, which
have been used to calculate the impact of the financing on the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information, reflect the range associated with such potential
issuances and are based on MetLifes borrowing rates to the
date of this prospectus supplement. The actual interest and
dividend rates may differ from those estimated above.
The range of interest rates presented above relative to the
mandatorily convertible common equity units (MCCEUs)
reflects only the interest rate on the debt portion of such
securities. The rate on the MCCEUs presented above does not
reflect the contractual payment rate on the forward share
purchase contract associated with such securities, which has
been assumed to be 2%, and is reflected on a discounted basis as
a $100 million reduction in additional paid-in capital. The
discount of such contractual payments is amortized into income
over the estimated three year term of such contracts.
MetLifes borrowing rates are sensitive to changes in
risk-free rates and credit spreads. An increase or decrease in
composite interest rates of one-quarter of a percent on debt
issuances would result in a change in annual interest expense of
$14 million ($4 million quarterly). Preferred
dividends would change by $5 million ($1 million
quarterly) as a result of a one-quarter of a percent change in
dividend rates and the related impact on earnings per share
would be minor. |
|
(5) |
In addition to the financing alternatives shown above, MetLife,
Inc. entered into a $7 billion senior bridge credit
facility with Bank of America N.A. Funding under the senior
bridge credit facility, if it occurs, may occur in up to two
parts, so long as the first funding relates to the acquisition
of not less than 80% of the value of the assets contemplated to
be acquired pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement. The net cash
proceeds of certain of the financing alternatives shown above
will be used to repay or reduce the amount available under the
senior bridge credit facility. Loans under the senior bridge
credit facility may be base rate loans or eurodollar rate loans.
Base rate loans bear interest at the higher of (i) the
Federal Funds Rate plus
1/2
of 1%, and (ii) the rate of interest in effect for such day
as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America N.A.
as its prime rate. Eurodollar rate loans bear interest at LIBOR
divided by 1.00 minus the reserve percentage in effect under
regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System of the United States for
determining the maximum reserve |
S-56
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
requirement with respect to eurocurrency funding. Any amounts
borrowed under the senior bridge credit facility must be repaid
by the 364th day after the earlier of (i) the seventh
day prior to the first closing date of the Acquisition, and
(ii) June 24, 2005. As the bridge financing is
expected to be temporary in nature, it would be a substitute for
certain of the aforementioned financing alternatives, and would
bear a short-term interest rate; therefore, no additional
interest expense has been reflected in the accompanying
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information. |
|
|
(6) |
The range of potential financing amount was determined by the
aggregate face value of $600 million of series A
preferred shares to be issued on June 13, 2005 and
$1,500 million of series B preferred shares to be
issued on June 16, 2005 plus the underwriters option
to purchase additional series A preferred shares and
series B preferred shares in the aggregate amount of
$315 million. |
|
|
|
MetLife, Inc. will disclose the final amount of net proceeds in
a subsequent filing if this option is exercised. |
The purchase price is allocated to balance sheet assets acquired
(including identifiable intangible assets arising from the
Acquisition) and liabilities assumed based on their estimated
fair value. The fair value adjustments to the Citigroup L&A
historical condensed combined balance sheet in connection with
the Acquisition are described below in Note 3. The excess
of the total purchase consideration over the estimated fair
value of the net assets acquired, together with capitalized
costs, is allocated to goodwill.
As discussed above, these pro forma adjustments are based on
certain estimates and assumptions made as of the date of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information. The actual adjustments will depend on a number of
factors, including changes in the estimated fair value of net
balance sheet assets and operating results of Citigroup L&A
between the dates presented and the effective date of the
Acquisition. MetLife expects to make such adjustments at the
effective date of the Acquisition. These adjustments may be
different from the adjustments made to prepare the unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated financial information and such
differences may be material.
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Elimination of the fair value of $88 million in fixed
maturities available-for-sale held by Citigroup and issued by
MetLife, Inc. and the related historical cost of the debt
securities issued by MetLife of $87 million at
March 31, 2005. The related interest expense to MetLife,
Inc. and interest income to Citigroup L&A of $2 million
and $8 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2004,
respectively, has also been eliminated in the accompanying
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income. |
|
|
(b) |
Sale by MetLife, Inc. of fixed maturities available-for-sale
with a carrying value of $1,503 million to fund the
Acquisition of Citigroup L&A. The unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated statement of income reflects a reduction
in net investment income as a result of the assumption that the
sale of such fixed maturity securities would have occurred at
the beginning of 2004. The net investment income foregone is
computed based upon the average yield of fixed maturities of
6.55% in 2004. Net investment income of $25 million and
$98 million, respectively, has been eliminated from the
accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of income for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2004. Any
gains/losses on the sale of such investments would not be part
of the normal course of business and, as such, have not been
reflected in the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated statements of income. |
S-57
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
|
(c) |
Fair value adjustment of $43 million for the difference
between the estimated fair value and carrying value of Citigroup
L&As investment in mortgage and other loans. Related
amortization of the fair value adjustment is estimated to be
$4 million and $15 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and for the year ended December 31,
2004, respectively, in the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated statements of income. |
|
|
(d) |
Fair value adjustment of $5 million for the difference
between the estimated fair value and carrying value of Citigroup
L&As investment in policy loans. Related amortization
of the fair value adjustment is immaterial for the three months
ended March 31, 2005 and $1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004 in the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated statements of income. |
|
|
(e) |
Fair value adjustment of $127 million relates to Citigroup
L&As investment in real estate and real estate joint
ventures held-for-investment. Related amortization of the fair
value adjustment resulting in a reduction in net investment
income is estimated at $1 million and $5 million for
the three months ended March 31, 2005 and for the year
ended December 31, 2004, respectively, in the unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated statements of income. |
|
|
(f) |
Fair value adjustment of $13 million relates to Citigroup
L&As investment in real estate held-for-sale. No
related amortization of the fair value adjustment was estimated
to have occurred during the three months ended March 31,
2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004 as such
amortization was immaterial. |
|
|
(g) |
A real estate property with a carrying value of
$478 million was sold on May 4, 2005 for
$1,720 million, resulting in a gain of $758 million,
net of current income taxes payable of $460 million,
deferred income taxes of $(51) million and transaction
costs of $75 million. The real estate property was sold to
facilitate the funding of the Acquisition. The sale of the real
estate property is reflected as a pro forma adjustment in the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet;
however, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of income have not been adjusted to reflect a
reduction in the related net investment income or to reflect the
gain on the sale of such real estate property as both would be
reported as discontinued operations. The gain has been reflected
as an increase in stockholders equity in the accompanying
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet. |
|
|
(h) |
Fair value adjustment of $234 million for the difference
between the estimated fair value and carrying value of
Citigroup L&As investment in other invested
assets principally the purchase accounting
adjustment related to the elimination of the historical deferred
policy acquisition costs and the establishment of value of
business acquired (VOBA) related to certain joint
ventures acquired. Related amortization of the fair value
adjustment is estimated at $3 million and $9 million,
for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and for the year
ended December 31, 2004, respectively, and is reflected as
a reduction in other revenues in the unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated statements of income. |
|
|
(i) |
The pro forma financing adjustment represents the cash and cash
equivalent position of $10,623 million resulting from the
issuance of the commercial paper, senior debt, MCCEUs and
preferred stock, as well as the sale of real estate and fixed
maturity securities. The common stock issuance of
$1,000 million is reflected separately from the cash
financing sources in the pro forma financing adjustments column.
The remittance to Citigroup of $10,500 million of cash and
$1,000 million in common stock to acquire Citigroup
L&A, plus transaction costs to other parties, is reflected
in the pro forma purchase adjustments column.
The transaction costs of $123 million represent an
estimate of the costs that the Company expects to incur over a
two year period. These costs consist primarily of investment
banker and legal fees, |
S-58
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
severance payments, relocation costs, lease terminations, and
closing of facilities of Citigroup L&A and have been
included in the purchase price. Actual costs may vary from such
estimates. |
|
|
(j) |
The pro forma purchase adjustment of $1,137 million is
comprised of an adjustment of $1,571 million to reinsurance
recoverable representing an increase in reinsurance recoverable
for benefits ceded to reinsurers and was computed using the same
assumptions that were used to determine the purchase accounting
adjustment to the liability for future policy benefits offset by
the elimination of the reinsurance recoverable on the liability
for future policy benefits of $434 million between MetLife
and TIC, related to a reinsurance agreement between the two
entities which will become an intercompany arrangement upon
acquisition. |
|
|
|
|
|
The pro forma purchase adjustment of $3,008 million is
comprised of an adjustment to the liability for future policy
benefits of $3,222 million representing the difference
between the Citigroup L&A carrying value of such liabilities
and the purchase accounting basis of such liabilities using
current assumptions, plus an adjustment of $212 million
related to Citigroup L&As Argentinean operations as
described in pro forma adjustments 3(ff)(i) and (ii), and
offset by the elimination of reinsurance recoverable on the
liability for future policy benefits of $426 million
between MetLife and TIC.
Amortization of the adjustment to the liability for future
policy benefits resulted in a decrease in policyholder benefits
and claims of $10 million and $36 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and for the year ended
December 31, 2004, respectively. |
|
|
(k) |
The adjustment to policyholder account balances of
$1,831 million represents the adjustment of Citigroup
L&As carrying value to amounts based on expected
liability cash flows discounted at current crediting rates.
Interest credited to policyholder account balances for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and for the year ended
December 31, 2004 decreased by $62 million and
$227 million, respectively, as a result of the revaluation
of policyholder account balances. |
|
|
(l) |
Elimination of Citigroup L&As historical deferred
policy acquisition costs of $3,035 million, and related
amortization of $108 million and $394 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and the year ended
December 31, 2004, respectively. |
|
|
(m) |
Elimination of Citigroup L&As historical VOBA of
$90 million and related amortization of $2 million and
$10 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005
and for the year ended December 31, 2004, respectively. |
|
|
(n) |
The VOBA reflects the estimated fair value of in-force contracts
and represents the portion of the purchase price that is
allocated to the value of the right to receive future cash flows
from the life insurance and annuity contracts in force at the
Acquisition date. VOBA is based on actuarially determined
projections, by each block of business, of future policy and
contract charges, premiums, mortality and morbidity, separate
account performance, surrenders, operating expenses, investment
returns and other factors. Actual experience on the purchased
business may vary from these projections. An 11.5% discount rate
is used to value VOBA.
VOBA is amortized in relation to estimated gross profits or
premiums, depending on product type. If estimated gross profits
or premiums differ from expectations, the amortization of VOBA
is adjusted to reflect actual experience. At March 31,
2005, the VOBA balance is estimated at $2,994 million. The
estimated amortization for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2004 is
$73 million and $283 million, respectively. |
S-59
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
The following table provides an estimated amortization of the
pro forma consolidated VOBA from 2005 to 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
Nine months ended December 31, 2005
|
|
$ |
233 |
|
2006
|
|
$ |
307 |
|
2007
|
|
$ |
292 |
|
2008
|
|
$ |
268 |
|
2009
|
|
$ |
242 |
|
|
|
|
|
(o) |
Elimination of Citigroup L&As historical goodwill of
$226 million. |
|
|
(p) |
Represents the goodwill of $4,518 million arising from the
transaction. See computation in Note 2. |
|
|
(q) |
Represents the recognition of identifiable other intangible
assets, comprised of the Citigroup L&A distribution
agreements and customer relationships acquired as a part of the
purchase. The estimated fair value of the distribution
agreements and customer relationships are $173 million and
$12 million, respectively, for a total of
$185 million. The identifiable other intangibles will be
amortized in relation to the expected economic benefits of the
agreement. The estimated amortization for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 is immaterial and for the year ended
December 31, 2004 is $3 million. |
|
|
|
|
(r) |
Fair value adjustment of $1 million for the difference
between the estimated fair value and carrying value of Citigroup
L&As other assets of $24 million and a
recoverable from Citigroup of $25 million as described in
pro forma adjustment 3(ff)(iii).
The estimated amortization for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 is immaterial and for the year ended
December 31, 2004 is $5 million. |
|
|
|
|
(s) |
The pro forma financing adjustment represents the costs
associated with the issuance of commercial paper, senior debt
and MCCEUs of $68 million. For the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004,
approximately $5 million and $18 million of such costs
are assumed to be amortized, respectively. |
|
|
|
|
(t) |
The pro forma financing adjustment to debt represents the
issuance of $1,000 million of commercial paper,
$2,700 million of senior debt, and $1,800 million of
MCCEUs as described in Note 2. Related interest expense is
also described in Note 2. Related debt issuance costs, and
their amortization, are described in pro forma
adjustment 3(s).
The pro forma financing adjustment to equity represents the
issuance of $1,000 million of common stock to Citigroup and
$2,100 million of preferred shares as described in
Note 2. The estimated present value of the contractual
payments to be made under the variable share forward contract of
$100 million described in pro forma adjustment 3(w)
has been reflected as a reduction in the carrying value of the
common stock. Costs of $57 million associated with the
issuance of the preferred stock have been reflected as a
reduction of their carrying value. |
|
|
|
|
(u) |
Deferred income taxes are adjusted to reflect the income tax
effects of the pro forma purchase adjustments and the adjustment
of the tax basis of the assets and liabilities acquired as a
result of an election under Internal Revenue Code
Section 338. The net effect of such adjustments is
$1,709 million. The deferred income tax asset is reduced by
a valuation allowance of $115 million related to operations
in Argentina. |
S-60
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
|
(v) |
The pro forma purchase adjustment of $227 million consists
of the fair value adjustment to decrease other liabilities for
the difference between the estimated fair value and carrying
value of Citigroup L&As other liabilities. |
|
|
|
|
(w) |
The pro forma financing adjustment of $100 million records
the estimated present value of the contractual payments to be
made under the terms of the variable share forward contract
component of the MCCEUs. Also, a pro forma financing adjustment
of $1 million and $4 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31,
2004, respectively, has been made to record accretion on the
accrued balance. See Note 2 for further discussion of the
terms of the MCCEUs. |
|
|
|
|
(x) |
Elimination of Citigroup L&As historical equity
balances. |
|
|
|
|
(y) |
The pro forma purchase adjustment of $1 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 represents a
reclassification of $10 million in surrender fees from
other revenues to universal life and investment-type policy fees
offset by the elimination of $11 million in amortization of
deferred policy fees resulting from the elimination of such
deferred revenue, included within the other liabilities pro
forma adjustment 3(v). The pro forma purchase adjustment of
$34 million for the year ended December 31, 2004
represents a reclassification of $47 million in surrender
fees from other revenues to universal life and investment-type
policy fees offset by the elimination of $13 million in
amortization of deferred policy fees resulting from the
elimination of such deferred revenue. |
|
|
(z) |
Decrease in net investment income relates to pro forma purchase
adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and
the year ended December 31, 2004 as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
months ended | |
|
For the year ended | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2005 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
1)
|
|
Amortization of the increase in fair value of fixed maturity
available-for-sale |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(71 |
) |
|
$ |
(282 |
) |
2)
|
|
Amortization of the increase in fair value of mortgage loans |
|
|
3(c) |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
) |
3)
|
|
Amortization of the increase in fair value of policy loans |
|
|
3(d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
4)
|
|
Amortization of the increase in real estate held-for-investment |
|
|
3(e) |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
5)
|
|
Elimination of investment income on the MetLife securities held
by Citigroup |
|
|
3(a) |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(78 |
) |
|
$ |
(311 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(aa) |
Decrease in net investment income relating to the elimination of
the investment income on fixed maturity securities of
$25 million and $98 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and for the year ended December 31,
2004, respectively, as described in pro forma
adjustment 3(b). |
|
|
|
|
(bb) |
The pro forma purchase adjustment of $19 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 represents a
reclassification of $10 million in surrender fees from
other revenues to universal life and investment-type policy
fees, plus the elimination of $6 million in amortization of
deferred |
S-61
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
ceding commission income resulting from the elimination of such
deferred revenue, included within the other liabilities
adjustment in pro forma purchase adjustment 3(v), and the
amortization of the fair value of other invested assets of
$3 million as described in pro forma adjustment 3(h). The
pro forma purchase adjustment of $83 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 represents a reclassification of
$47 million in surrender fees from other revenues to
universal life and investment-type policy fees, plus the
elimination of $27 million in amortization of deferred
ceding commission income resulting from the elimination of such
deferred revenue, and the amortization of the fair value of
other invested assets of $9 million. |
|
|
|
|
(cc) |
Decrease in other expenses relates to pro forma purchase
adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and
the year ended December 31, 2004 is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For | |
|
For | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
the three months ended | |
|
the year ended | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2005 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
1)
|
|
Elimination of intercompany interest expense |
|
|
3(a) |
|
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
(8 |
) |
2)
|
|
Elimination of amortization on historical deferred policy
acquisition costs |
|
|
3(l) |
|
|
|
(108 |
) |
|
|
(394 |
) |
3)
|
|
Elimination of historical amortization of VOBA |
|
|
3(m) |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
4)
|
|
Amortization of VOBA |
|
|
3(n) |
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
283 |
|
5)
|
|
Amortization of other intangible assets |
|
|
3(q) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
6)
|
|
Amortization of other adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(39 |
) |
|
$ |
(131 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(dd) |
The pro forma financing adjustment of $67 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 represents interest
expense on financing of transaction of $61 million as
disclosed in Note 2, amortization of debt issuance costs of
$5 million in pro forma financing adjustment 3(s) and
$1 million in accretion on accrued contractual payments on
MCCEUs in pro forma financing adjustment 3(w). The pro forma
financing adjustment of $268 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004 represents interest expense on financing
of transaction of $246 million as disclosed in Note 2,
amortization of debt issuance costs of $18 million in pro
forma financing adjustment 3(s) and $4 million in accretion
on accrued contractual payments on MCCEUs. |
|
|
|
|
(ee) |
Represents the income tax effect of all unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated statement of income adjustments using a
tax rate of 35% for the three months ended March 31, 2005
and for the year ended December 31, 2004. The year ended
December 31, 2004 also includes an adjustment of
$71 million to eliminate certain tax items which are not
relevant to that pro forma presentation. |
|
|
|
|
(ff) |
As a part of the Acquisition, MetLife will acquire Citigroup
L&As insurance operations in Argentina. The
Argentinean economic, regulatory and legal environment,
including interpretation of laws and regulations by regulators
and courts, is uncertain. Potential legal or governmental
actions related to pension reform, fiduciary responsibilities,
performance guarantees and tax rulings could adversely affect
the results of the combined company as reflected in the
accompanying unaudited pro forma interim condensed consolidated
financial information. |
S-62
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
Upon acquisition there are certain liabilities which will be
established in purchase accounting as follows (subject to any
adjustments to reflect changes in Citigroup L&As
closing balance sheet): |
|
|
|
|
(i) |
In order to conform to MetLifes interpretation of
applicable Argentine law, death and disability liabilities will
increase by an estimated $107 million in Citigroup
L&As managed pension business in Argentina. This
increase reflects additional death and disability claims that
have occurred through March 31, 2005 but had not yet been
approved by the Argentine regulator. MetLifes policy has
been to accrue a liability for incurred claims in excess of the
claims-made amounts, reflecting managements belief that
applicable Argentine law does not relieve the managed pension
business from providing for such additional claims. The accrued
liability recorded by Citigroup L&A as of March 31,
2005 reflects Citigroups belief that the managed pension
business is only obligated under applicable Argentine law to
provide group claims-made coverage to the managed pension
business customers. |
|
|
(ii) |
An additional liability of $105 million will be established
related to litigation and an impending Supreme Court of Justice
of Argentina ruling in connection with the pesification of
certain policyholder liabilities from U.S.-dollar-denominated
insurance policies in January 2002 when the Argentina government
converted all foreign currency denominated financial contracts
to Argentinean pesos. |
|
|
|
The unaudited historical condensed combined financial statements
of Citigroup L&A reflect a liability for future policy
benefits for the affected insurance policies based on a
conversion ratio of one Argentine peso to one U.S. dollar
adjusted by CER (inflation index), which is the conversion ratio
specified by the conversion law and implementing regulations for
these policies. However, throughout the country and affecting
all insurance companies, policyholders have challenged the
legality of the conversion of their policies to pesos in various
court proceedings. When policyholders have brought similar
actions against MetLifes Argentinean insurance companies,
MetLife has accrued a liability, which it believes is both
probable and reasonably estimable, for the difference between
the value of the policy based on its original U.S. dollar
terms and current open market currency exchange rates. In
accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 141 Business
Combinations (SFAS No. 141), a
pro forma adjustment of $35 million has been recorded to
reflect MetLifes estimate of the present value of such
policy liabilities at March 31, 2005. |
|
|
The Supreme Court of Justice of Argentina is also currently
considering actions challenging the peso conversion as it was
applied to insurance policies and annuity contracts. The outcome
of the Supreme Court action is uncertain, but MetLife considers
it probable that some modification to the original peso
conversion will be required and that the most likely
modification will be to require a conversion ratio of 1.4
Argentinean pesos to one U.S. dollar, which is the
conversion ratio applied to bank deposits. MetLife has estimated
the fair value of the additional policy liability required for
Citigroup L&As insurance companies would be
approximately $70 million; accordingly, in accordance with
SFAS 141, MetLife has recorded an adjustment to record the
fair value of such liability. The maximum exposure for these
companies if the Supreme Court were to overturn entirely the
peso conversion is approximately $190 million. MetLife
considers the possibility that the Supreme Court will entirely
overturn the peso conversion as applied to insurance policies to
be remote because the Supreme Court has previously upheld the
peso conversion as applied to bank deposits at a conversion
ratio of 1.4 Argentinean pesos to one U.S. dollar. |
|
|
|
|
(iii) |
A pro forma purchase adjustment of $50 million at
March 31, 2005 has been recorded related to tax
contingencies generated upon pesification and the conversion of
Argentinean national debt obligations from U.S. dollars to pesos
at a conversion rate of 1.4 Argentinean pesos to one |
S-63
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. dollar adjusted by CER (inflation index). Based on
statements from the Argentinean Undersecretary of Public
Revenues Ministry of Economy, MetLife believes a tax liability
exists on the conversion premium and the CER; accordingly, a
liability has been established for this potential tax
contingency. A receivable of $25 million from Citigroup has
also been established as Citigroup has indemnified MetLife for
50% of such tax contingencies. |
Merger-Related Costs
MetLifes preliminary integration plan includes merger
related costs of approximately $196 million,
$127 million net of income taxes. Such costs are not
included in the purchase price allocation but are period costs
which will be charged to the statement of income as incurred
over a two year period subsequent to the closing of the
Acquisition. As these costs are not a part of the normal
operations of MetLife, they have not been reflected in the
accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of income. These costs include expenses related to
the redeployment of MetLife staff, retention bonuses for
Citigroup L&A employees, MetLife employee-related
restructuring and integration expenses, system migration,
product integration and other infrastructure costs. As
integration plans are finalized and implemented, such costs will
be more precisely quantified. Actual costs may vary materially
from these preliminary estimates.
|
|
4. |
Earnings Per Common Share |
Pro forma earnings per common share for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and for the year ended December 31,
2004 have been calculated based on the estimated weighted
average number of common shares on a pro forma basis, as
described below.
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
The historical weighted average number of common shares of
MetLife, Inc. is 734.0 million and 739.6 million,
basic and diluted, respectively, for the three months ended
March 31, 2005. The historical weighted average number of
common shares of MetLife, Inc. is 749.7 million and
754.8 million, basic and diluted, respectively, for the
year ended December 31, 2004. |
|
(b)
|
|
The pro forma weighted average number of common shares, after
giving effect to the Acquisition, is 756.7 million and
762.3 million, basic and diluted, respectively, for the
three months ended March 31, 2005. The pro forma weighted
average number of common shares reflects the issuance of
22.7 million MetLife, Inc. common shares to Citigroup in
the Acquisition. For purposes of calculating the number of
shares to be issued to Citigroup, the price of the MetLife, Inc.
common shares to be issued is assumed to be $44.06 per
common share, which represents the weighted average closing
price of MetLife, Inc.s common shares on the New York
Stock Exchange for the ten-day period ending June 10, 2005. |
|
|
|
The pro forma weighted average number of common shares, after
giving effect to the Acquisition, is 772.4 million and
777.5 million, basic and diluted, respectively, for the
year ended December 31, 2004. The pro forma weighted
average number of common shares reflects the issuance of
22.7 million MetLife, Inc. common shares to Citigroup in
the Acquisition. For purposes of calculating the number of
shares to be issued to Citigroup, the price of the MetLife, Inc.
common shares to be issued is assumed to be $44.06 per
common share, which represents the weighted average closing
price of MetLife, Inc.s common shares on the New York
Stock Exchange for the ten-day period ending June 10, 2005. |
|
(c)
|
|
Estimated dividends of $30 million and $122 million on
the series A and B preferred stock issued in connection
with the Acquisition have been deducted from income available to
common stockholders for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2004,
respectively, for purposes of the pro forma earnings per share
calculation. See Note 2 for discussion of the dividend rate
used in preparing the pro forma earnings per share. |
S-64
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
As discussed in Note 2, the value of shares to be issued to
Citigroup by MetLife, Inc. under the Acquisition Agreement may
range up to $3 billion. This unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information assumes that $1 billion
of common shares will be issued. For the three months ended
March 31, 2005, the impact of issuing an additional
$2 billion of common shares, for a total of
$3 billion, to Citigroup would increase the basic and
diluted weighted average common shares by 45.4 million
shares and reduce both the basic and diluted pro forma earnings
per share amounts by $0.05, to $1.26 and $1.25, respectively.
The increase in the number of common shares issued by
$2 billion reduces the amount of the MCCEUs by
$1,800 million and senior debt by $200 million which
results in a decrease in interest expense of $19 million,
$12 million after income taxes and $3 million,
$2 million after income taxes, respectively. Issuance costs
on the MCCEUs and senior debt would decline by $51 million,
$33 million after income taxes and $2 million,
$1 million after income taxes, respectively. The quarterly
total amortization of issuance costs and the amortization of the
accretion on accrued contractual payments related to the forward
share contract component of the MCCEUs would also decline by
$4 million, $3 million after income taxes, and
$1 million, $1 million after income taxes,
respectively. |
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31, 2004, the impact of issuing
an additional $2 billion of common shares, for a total of
$3 billion, to Citigroup would increase the basic and
diluted weighted average common shares by 45.4 million
shares and reduce both the basic and diluted pro forma earnings
per share amounts by $0.14, to $3.90 and $3.87, respectively.
The increase in the number of common shares issued by
$2 billion reduces the amount of the MCCEUs by
$1,800 million and senior debt by $200 million which
results in a decrease in interest expense of $76 million,
$50 million after income taxes and $11 million,
$7 million after income taxes, respectively. Issuance costs
on the MCCEUs and senior debt would decline by $51 million,
$33 million after income taxes and $2 million,
$1 million after income taxes, respectively. The annual
amortization of issuance costs and the amortization of the
accretion on accrued contractual payments related to the forward
share contract component of the MCCEUs would also decline by
$17 million, $11 million after income taxes, and
$4 million, $3 million after income taxes,
respectively. |
S-65
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our historical ratio of earnings
to fixed charges for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
|
|
|
2.16 |
|
|
|
2.16 |
|
|
|
2.06 |
|
|
|
1.75 |
|
|
|
1.50 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
For purposes of this computation, earnings are defined as income
before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations
and excluding undistributed income and losses from equity method
investments, minority interest and fixed charges, excluding
capitalized interest. Fixed charges are the sum of interest and
debt issue costs, interest credited to policyholder account
balances and an estimated interest component of rent expense.
S-66
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS
Our common stock is publicly traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol MET. The table below sets
forth, for the periods indicated, the quarterly high and low
closing sales prices for our common stock on the New York Stock
Exchange. MetLife Inc.s board of directors declared per
share cash dividends in 2004 of $0.46 and in 2003 of $0.23.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$ |
29.34 |
|
|
$ |
24.01 |
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$ |
29.20 |
|
|
$ |
26.61 |
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$ |
29.58 |
|
|
$ |
27.35 |
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$ |
33.92 |
|
|
$ |
28.96 |
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$ |
35.87 |
|
|
$ |
32.63 |
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$ |
36.66 |
|
|
$ |
33.21 |
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$ |
38.73 |
|
|
$ |
33.97 |
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$ |
41.18 |
|
|
$ |
33.98 |
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$ |
41.37 |
|
|
$ |
38.31 |
|
Second Quarter (through June 10, 2005)
|
|
$ |
44.71 |
|
|
$ |
37.85 |
|
On June 10, 2005, the closing sale price of our common stock on
the New York Stock Exchange was $43.85 per share.
S-67
USE OF PROCEEDS
We expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of
approximately
$ ($ if
the underwriters option to purchase additional common
equity units is exercised in full), after expenses and
underwriting discounts.
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund a
portion of the purchase price for our acquisition of Citigroup
L&A as described below. In the event the Acquisition is not
consummated, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the
common equity units for general corporate purposes.
The Acquisition Agreement permits us to pay up to $3 billion of
the $11.5 billion purchase price (with the amount to be
determined by us) to Citigroup in our common stock (or, in the
circumstances described below under Proposed Acquisition
of the Citigroup Life Insurance and Annuities Business,
non-voting convertible participating preferred stock). We
currently intend to issue $1 billion of the purchase price
in common stock. The remainder of the purchase price must be
paid in cash.
We intend to finance the cash portion of the purchase price
through a combination of dividends from our insurance
subsidiaries (which have already been paid), proceeds from the
issuance of commercial paper and proceeds from offerings of
various forms of securities including:
|
|
|
|
|
the series A preferred shares, which we expect to issue on
June 13, 2005; |
|
|
|
the series B preferred shares, which we expect to issue on
June 16, 2005; |
|
|
|
the common equity units offered hereby; and |
|
|
|
senior debt, which we expect to issue shortly after the pricing
of this offering of common equity units. |
In the event that any of the proposed offerings of securities
cannot be completed on commercially acceptable terms, MetLife,
Inc. may borrow up to $7 billion under a bridge financing
facility. The form, manner and timing of the financing of the
Acquisition is subject to change. Please refer to Note 2
and pro forma adjustment 3(t) in Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information for further
discussion of the financing transactions.
S-68
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our historical and unaudited pro
forma capitalization as of March 31, 2005, as adjusted to
give effect to (i) this offering of common equity units and
(ii) the Acquisition and related financings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At March 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted for this | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Offering of | |
|
Adjusted for the | |
|
|
|
|
Common | |
|
Acquisition and | |
|
|
Actual | |
|
Equity Units(1) | |
|
Related Financings(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Short-term debt
|
|
$ |
1,120 |
|
|
$ |
1,120 |
|
|
$ |
2,120 |
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
7,414 |
|
|
|
9,214 |
|
|
|
11,804 |
|
Shares subject to mandatory redemption
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt
|
|
|
8,812 |
|
|
|
10,612 |
|
|
|
14,202 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, at par value
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
15,043 |
|
|
|
14,943 |
|
|
|
15,943 |
|
|
Preferred stock, at par value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,043 |
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
7,595 |
|
|
|
7,595 |
|
|
|
8,353 |
|
|
Treasury stock, at cost
|
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
23,038 |
|
|
|
22,938 |
|
|
|
26,739 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
$ |
31,850 |
|
|
$ |
33,550 |
|
|
$ |
40,941 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Adjusted for this offering of common equity units, assuming
gross proceeds of $1,800 million and the $100 million
reduction in additional paid in capital related to the estimated
present value of the contractual payments to be made under the
terms of the variable share forward contract component. Related
debt issuance costs of $51 million will be capitalized and
amortized over three years. |
|
(2) |
Adjusted for the elimination of $87 million of MetLife debt
resulting from the Acquisition and the anticipated related
financing transactions. The financing transactions include this
offering of common equity units, $2,100 million of
preferred shares (which includes the issuance of
$600 million of series A preferred shares, net of
$17 million issuance costs, and $1,500 million of
series B preferred shares, net of $40 million issuance
costs), the expected issuance of $1,000 million of common
stock to Citigroup and the assumed issuance of
$1,000 million of commercial paper and $2,700 million
of senior debt. |
|
|
|
These adjustments reflect managements best estimate of the
forms and amounts of financing at the time of this offering. The
actual form of financing of the Acquisition may involve
different forms of financing and/or different amounts of the
same types of securities. Please refer to Unaudited Pro
Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information for
further discussion of the financing transactions. |
S-69
PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF THE CITIGROUP LIFE
INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES BUSINESS
In this section we discuss the terms and provisions of the
Acquisition Agreement. This discussion does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Acquisition Agreement attached as an exhibit to our Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 4,
2005, which is incorporated by reference in the accompanying
prospectus.
On January 31, 2005, MetLife, Inc. entered into the
Acquisition Agreement to acquire for $11.5 billion in
consideration, subject to certain closing adjustments, all of
the outstanding shares of Citigroup L&A. The closing of the
Acquisition is subject to certain conditions. Although no
assurances can be given that these conditions will be timely
satisfied or waived, we expect the Acquisition to close in the
summer of 2005. As a condition to closing, MetLife, Inc. will
enter into ten-year distribution agreements with Citigroup,
under which we will expand our distribution by making products
available through certain Citigroup distribution channels,
subject to appropriate suitability and other standards,
including the competitiveness of our products and the financial
strength of our providers. These channels include CitiStreet
Retirement Services, Smith Barney, Citibank branches and
Primerica Financial Services in the United States and various
Citigroup consumer businesses internationally.
Up to $3 billion (with the amount to be determined by us,
which we currently expect to be $1 billion) of the purchase
price will be paid in our common stock (or, in the circumstances
described below, non-voting convertible participating preferred
stock) with the remainder paid in cash. The amount of common
stock that we issue at the closing will be determined based on
the average daily closing price of our common stock for the 10
trading days prior to the closing date. If the common stock that
we issue at closing, taken together with existing shares of our
capital stock owned by Citigroup and its affiliates, would
exceed 4.9% of our outstanding capital stock, Citigroup may
require us to issue to Citigroup, in lieu of the shares of
common stock in excess of 4.9% of our outstanding capital stock,
shares of our non-voting convertible participating preferred
stock. Any such preferred stock, if issued as part of the
Acquisition, will rank junior to the series B preferred
shares. Under the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, in no
event may the common stock and any preferred stock we provide as
consideration exceed 9.4% of our issued and outstanding capital
stock. We intend to finance the cash portion of the purchase
price through dividends from our insurance subsidiaries (which
have already been paid), proceeds from the issuance of
commercial paper and proceeds from offerings of various other
forms of securities, including the series A preferred
shares, the series B preferred shares, the mandatorily
convertible equity units offered hereby and senior debt. In the
event that any of the proposed offerings of securities cannot be
completed on commercially acceptable terms, we may borrow up to
$7 billion under a bridge financing facility. See Use
of Proceeds, Capitalization and the notes to
our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
statements included herein.
Overview of Citigroup L&A
Citigroup L&A provides insurance and other financial
services to a broad spectrum of individual and institutional
customers in the United States and select international markets.
Citigroup L&As U.S. business principally operates
through TIC, based in Hartford, Connecticut. Citigroup
L&As international business operates in several
countries with wholly owned subsidiaries in Australia, Brazil,
Argentina, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Poland and a joint
venture in each of Japan and Hong Kong. Citigroup L&A also
includes certain individual life and retail annuity business in
run-off status since 2003.
At December 31, 2004, Citigroup L&As total assets
were $97.3 billion, approximately 96% of which was
associated with domestic operations. Citigroup L&As
net income for the year ended December 31, 2004 was
$901 million, to which domestic and international
operations contributed 91% and 9%, respectively.
S-70
|
|
|
Citigroup L&A U.S. Operations |
Citigroup L&As principal U.S. product offerings
include:
|
|
|
|
|
Retail annuity products, including fixed and variable
deferred annuities and payout annuities. Citigroup L&A
distributes its individual annuity products through Citigroup
affiliated channels ($3.9 billion of individual retail
annuity premium and deposits in 2004) and non-affiliated
channels ($1.8 billion of individual annuity premium and
deposits in 2004). The Citigroup affiliated channels include
CitiStreet Retirement Services, Smith Barney, Primerica
Financial Services and Citibank branches. Non-affiliated
channels include a nationwide network of independent financial
professionals and independent broker-dealers, including Morgan
Stanley, Merrill Lynch & Co., Fidelity, AXA and
Wachovia Securities. |
|
|
|
Individual life insurance products, including term,
universal and variable life insurance. Citigroup L&As
individual life insurance products are primarily marketed by
independent financial professionals, who accounted for
$745 million of the $964 million total life insurance
sales for 2004. |
|
|
|
Institutional annuity products, including institutional
pensions, GICs, payout annuities, group annuities sold to
employer-sponsored retirement and savings plans, structured
settlements and funding agreements. Citigroup L&As
institutional annuity products are sold through direct sales and
various intermediaries. |
|
|
|
Citigroup L&A International Operations |
Citigroup L&As international operations offer a
variety of insurance products, including credit insurance, basic
indemnity policies (such as accident and health products),
traditional term life, group life, whole life, endowment, fixed
and variable annuities, pension annuities and unit-linked
policies. Citigroup L&A distributes its products in
international markets primarily through Citigroups
consumer businesses, including its retail banking, credit card
and consumer finance franchises, as well as through
non-proprietary channels. International sales are also conducted
through direct mail and telemarketing, branch sales, wholesaling
networks, agencies and direct sales agents.
Non-Competition Covenant
For a period of seven years (or, in the case of Argentina, two
years) following the closing date, Citigroup and its affiliates
are prohibited under the Acquisition Agreement from issuing or
reinsuring life insurance and annuity contracts in the United
States and internationally (with the exception of Mexico) and
from issuing or reinsuring accident and health insurance in
Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Poland and
the United Kingdom, subject to a number of exceptions, including
without limitation: (i) the issuance and distribution of
term life insurance products by Primerica Life Insurance Company
and its subsidiaries in specified countries, including the
United States, (ii) the issuance by certain of
Citigroups affiliates of a limited number of insurance
products that are bundled and sold with Citigroup affiliated
consumer credit products through Citigroup bank distribution
channels in the United States and Canada, (iii) for certain
other insurance company affiliates of Citigroup not acquired as
part of the Acquisition, issuing, distributing or administering
any insurance products, which business in the aggregate, for all
such insurance companies, may account for no more than
$80 million in net revenues on an annual basis in the
United States and $20 million in net revenues on an annual
basis outside the United States and (iv) acquiring
companies with life insurance, annuity and accident and health
insurance operations whose net revenues and net earnings derived
from these operations do not exceed certain contractually
specified thresholds.
Distribution Agreements
As a condition to closing, MetLife, Inc. and Citigroup will
enter into ten-year distribution agreements pursuant to which
Citigroup will provide MetLife with access to certain Citigroup
distribution channels, subject to appropriate suitability and
other standards, including the competitiveness of MetLifes
products and the financial strength of its providers. MetLife
will have rights to continue the existing distribution
S-71
arrangements between the life insurance companies acquired by
MetLife under the Acquisition Agreement and distributors
affiliated with Citigroup with respect to the acquired life
insurers existing products, and in certain circumstances,
to substitute MetLife products for the acquired life
insurers products. In addition, for the first seven years
of the distribution agreements, MetLife will have the right to
have its bid considered in the event that distributors
affiliated with Citigroup seek to distribute new
Citigroup-branded life insurance products (other than term life
insurance). This right does not apply to cases where
distributors are approached on an unsolicited basis with
proposals for Citigroup-branded life insurance products.
Investor Rights Agreement
In connection with the issuance of MetLife, Inc.s common
stock to Citigroup as part of the Acquisition purchase price, we
will enter into an investor rights agreement with Citigroup.
Under the investor rights agreement, at Citigroups request
we will use our best efforts to promptly file a shelf
registration statement providing for the resale of such number
of shares of MetLife, Inc.s common stock held by Citigroup
as Citigroup requests on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant
to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Citigroup will be
entitled to effect between two and four fully marketed
underwritten takedowns (but in any event no more than two fully
marketed underwritten takedowns in any 12 month period)
under the shelf registration statement depending on the amount
of MetLife, Inc.s common stock issued to Citigroup as part
of the Acquisition purchase price. Citigroup may also demand
that MetLife, Inc. file registration statements with the SEC
providing for one-off offerings of all or a portion
of MetLife, Inc.s common stock issued to Citigroup as part
of the Acquisition purchase price. Citigroup will be permitted
to effect between two and four demand registrations less any
underwritten takedowns previously completed off of the shelf
registration statement described above. Citigroup may transfer
all or a portion of its then-remaining demand registration
rights to a third party who acquires at least 20% of the total
amount of stock consideration paid to Citigroup as part of the
Acquisition purchase price, provided that such third party
agrees to be bound by the terms of the investor rights
agreement. Subject to customary exceptions, Citigroup may not
(i) transfer more than 5% of MetLife, Inc.s
outstanding common stock to a competitor of MetLife, Inc.; or
(ii) transfer more than $1 billion in the aggregate of
MetLife, Inc.s stock consideration paid to Citigroup as
part of the Acquisition purchase price to any one person. These
restrictions on transfer will not apply to any transfer pursuant
to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or offerings made
under a shelf registration statement, demand registrations or
piggyback registrations.
If we issue stock consideration to Citigroup in connection with
the Acquisition for $1 billion or less of the purchase
price, Citigroup may not sell any of the stock consideration for
12 months following the closing of the Acquisition. If we
issue stock consideration to Citigroup for more than
$1 billion of the purchase price, Citigroup may not sell
$1 billion of the stock consideration for 12 months
following the closing of the Acquisition and any additional
amount in excess of $1 billion for six months
following the closing of the Acquisition. These restrictions
will not restrict sales of the stock consideration by Citigroup
(i) as nominee of customers in the ordinary course of
business, (ii) in private offerings that do not require
registration under the Securities Act at any time after six
months following the closing if the transferee agrees to be
bound by the terms of the investor rights agreement or
(iii) to MetLife, Inc.
Citigroup has also agreed that until such time as it holds less
than 5% of MetLife, Inc.s outstanding common stock, it
will agree to a number of standstill provisions, including
(i) not to propose to acquire, or to acquire any securities
or other property of MetLife, Inc. or make any statement about
any merger or other corporate transaction of MetLife, Inc.,
(ii) not to seek representation on
MetLife, Inc.s board of directors or the removal of
any directors from MetLife, Inc.s board of directors,
(iii) not to make any solicitation of proxies to vote
MetLife, Inc.s securities, (iv) not to form or
join a group with respect to any of
MetLife, Inc.s voting securities, (v) not to
seek to control MetLife, Inc.s management or
MetLife, Inc.s board of directors, (vi) not to
deposit any of MetLife, Inc.s securities in a voting
trust and (vii) not to make a public request, or advise or
otherwise assist others, to do any of the foregoing.
S-72
Other Ancillary Agreements
In addition to the distribution agreements and the investor
rights agreement described above, we will also enter into
several other agreements with Citigroup in connection with the
Acquisition. These agreements include investment management
agreements, pursuant to which affiliates of Citigroup will
continue to provide certain management and advisory services to
Citigroup L&A, and Citigroup L&A will continue to
include funds advised or sub-advised by Citigroup affiliates as
investment alternatives under variable life insurance policies
and variable annuity contracts, following the closing of the
Acquisition, a license agreement governing the use of certain
intellectual property rights of Citigroup and its affiliates and
MetLife, Inc. and its affiliates and a transition services
agreement, pursuant to which Citigroup L&A and Citigroup,
following the closing of the Acquisition, will continue to
provide each other services that they provided to each other
prior to the closing, in each case for a specified term.
Conditions to Closing
The respective obligations of each of MetLife and Citigroup to
effect the Acquisition are conditioned upon the satisfaction of
the following conditions:
|
|
|
|
|
expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended; |
|
|
|
completion of required filings with, and receipt of required
authorizations, consents and approvals of, insurance regulatory
authorities; |
|
|
|
completion of required filings with, and receipt of required
authorizations, consents and approvals of other governmental or
regulatory bodies, agencies, court or authorities, except to the
extent that the failure to make or obtain such filings,
authorizations, consents and approvals would not, individually
or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise),
business or operating results of MetLife or the Citigroup
L&A business, a material adverse effect on Citigroup, or a
material adverse change or effect on the ability of Citigroup or
MetLife to timely perform their obligations under the
Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated
thereunder; |
|
|
|
absence of legal or regulatory conditions, restrictions,
undertakings or limitations with respect to any authorizations,
consents or approvals by insurance regulatory authorities or any
other governmental or regulatory body, agency, court or
authority in connection with the Acquisition which would,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or
otherwise), business or operating results of MetLife or the
Citigroup L&A business, a material adverse effect on
Citigroup, or a material adverse change or effect on the ability
of Citigroup or MetLife to timely perform their obligations
under the Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated
thereunder; and |
|
|
|
absence of any statute, rule, regulation, judgment or order
being in effect by any governmental or regulatory body, agency,
court or authority that restrains, enjoins or otherwise
prohibits the consummation of the Acquisition or that makes the
consummation of the Acquisition illegal. |
MetLifes obligation to effect the Acquisition is also
subject to, among other things, the satisfaction or waiver by
MetLife, at or prior to the closing of the Acquisition, of the
following conditions:
|
|
|
|
|
the representations and warranties of Citigroup set forth in the
Acquisition Agreement are true and correct as of the date of
execution of the Acquisition Agreement and as of the closing
date of the Acquisition (subject to certain exceptions), except
where any failure of the representations and warranties to be
true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on
the condition (financial or otherwise), business or operating
results of the Citigroup L&A business or a material adverse
change or effect on the ability of Citigroup to perform timely
its obligations under the Acquisition Agreement or the
transactions contemplated thereunder; and |
S-73
|
|
|
|
|
Citigroup has performed in all material respects all obligations
required to be performed by it under the Acquisition Agreement. |
Citigroups obligation to effect the Acquisition is also
subject to, among other things, the satisfaction or waiver by
Citigroup, at or prior to the closing of the Acquisition, of the
following conditions:
|
|
|
|
|
the representations and warranties of MetLife set forth in the
Acquisition Agreement are true and correct as of the date of
execution of the Acquisition Agreement and as of the closing
date of the Acquisition (subject to certain exceptions), except
where any failure of the representations and warranties to be
true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on
the condition (financial or otherwise), business or operating
results of MetLife or a material adverse change or effect on the
ability of MetLife to perform timely its obligations under the
Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated
thereunder; |
|
|
|
MetLife has performed in all material respects all requirements
required to be performed by it under the Acquisition
Agreement; and |
|
|
|
approval for the listing on the New York Stock Exchange of the
MetLife, Inc. common stock issued to Citigroup in the
Acquisition (including any shares issuable upon conversion of
any non-voting convertible participating preferred stock issued
to Citigroup in the Acquisition). |
The closing of the Acquisition is also subject to the execution
and delivery of the various ancillary agreements described above
and certain other deliverables.
The closing of the Acquisition will take place on the first
business day of the month following the date on which the last
of the conditions to closing under the Acquisition Agreement is
either satisfied or waived, unless the closing is delayed.
MetLife, Inc., for example, may delay closing for a period not
to exceed three months following the date on which the SEC has
confirmed that it is not undertaking a review of a registration
statement of MetLife, Inc. to be used to offer and sell
securities as part of the financing by MetLife, Inc. of the
Acquisition purchase price. We received confirmation on
May 12, 2005 that our registration statement on
Form S-3 (File No. 333-124358) would not be reviewed
by the SEC.
Termination
MetLife and Citigroup may terminate the Acquisition Agreement by
mutual consent. Also, either party may terminate the Acquisition
Agreement if:
|
|
|
|
|
the Acquisition has not been consummated before January 31,
2006, unless the party seeking to terminate the Acquisition
Agreement has materially breached any representation, warranty,
covenant or obligation under the Acquisition Agreement and the
failure of the Acquisition to occur on or before that date has
arisen out of, or resulted from, the material breach; or |
|
|
|
the other party breaches any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or obligations in the Acquisition Agreement, which
breach would prevent satisfaction of a closing condition and the
breach is incapable of being cured, or is not cured, within
60 days after receipt of written notice of the breach. |
For further information on the pro forma effect of the
Acquisition on MetLifes financial statements, see
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
Information.
S-74
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT; REGULATORY CAPITAL
General
The proceeds from the sale of the common equity units will be
allocated between the stock purchase contracts and the trust
preferred securities in proportion to the fair market value of
each at the date of the offering.
We will recognize the present value of the quarterly contract
payments on the stock purchase contracts as a liability with an
offsetting reduction in stockholders equity. This
liability increases over the life of the stock purchase
contracts by interest charges to the consolidated statements of
income based on a constant effective rate calculation. Contract
payments made on the stock purchase contracts will reduce this
liability.
The stock purchase contracts are forward transactions in common
stock. Upon settlement of a stock purchase contract on each of
the initial stock purchase date and the subsequent stock
purchase date, we will receive $12.50 on that stock purchase
contract and will issue the requisite number of shares of common
stock. The $12.50 we receive on each stock purchase date will be
credited to stockholders equity and allocated between
common stock and additional paid-in capital accounts.
Neither trust will be consolidated on our balance sheet in
accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board,
FASB, Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation
of Variable Interest Entities. Accordingly, we will
recognize the aggregate principal amount of the series of junior
subordinated debt securities we issued to the relevant trust,
net of our common interest in such trust, as a liability on our
balance sheet in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 150, Accounting for Certain
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities
and Equity. The interest paid on each series of junior
subordinated debt securities will be recorded as interest
expense on our income statement.
Fees and expenses incurred in connection with this offering will
be allocated between the trust preferred securities and the
stock purchase contracts in proportion to the fair market value
of each as of the date of the offering. The amount allocated to
the trust preferred securities will be amortized and recognized
as interest expense over the term of the trust preferred
securities. The amount allocated to the stock purchase contracts
will be charged to shareholders equity.
Earnings Per Share
Before the issuance of our common stock upon settlement of the
stock purchase contracts, the stock purchase contracts will be
reflected in our diluted earnings per share calculations using
the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of
shares of our common stock used in calculating diluted earnings
per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of
the number of shares that would be issued upon settlement of the
stock purchase contracts less the number of shares that could be
purchased by us in the market using the proceeds receivable upon
settlement. Consequently, we anticipate that there will be some
dilutive effect on our earnings per share for periods when the
market price of our common stock is above the threshold
appreciation price.
Other Matters
Both the FASB and its Emerging Issues Task Force continue to
study the accounting for financial and derivative instruments,
including instruments such as the common equity units and the
trust preferred securities. It is possible that our accounting
for the stock purchase contracts and the trust preferred
securities could be affected by any new accounting rules that
might be issued by these groups.
Regulatory Capital Treatment
We expect that the Federal Reserve Board will treat the common
equity units as tier 1 capital in an amount equal to the total
initial net proceeds of this offering for purposes of its
capital guidelines applicable to bank holding companies such as
MetLife, Inc.
S-75
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON EQUITY UNITS
The following description of the particular terms of the
common equity units supplements the description of the general
terms and provisions of such securities set forth under
Description of Units beginning on page 25 in
the accompanying prospectus. This summary, together with the
summary of some of the provisions of the related documents
described below, contains a description of the material terms of
the common equity units but is not necessarily complete. We
refer you to the copies of those documents that have been or
will be filed and incorporated by reference in the registration
statement of which this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus form a part. See Where You Can
Find More Information in the accompanying prospectus. In
addition, to the extent that the following description is not
consistent with the descriptions contained in the accompanying
prospectus, you should rely on the following description.
We will issue the common equity units under the stock purchase
contract agreement between us and J.P. Morgan Trust Company,
National Association, which we refer to as the stock
purchase contract agent. The common equity units may be
either normal common equity units or stripped common equity
units. Unless indicated otherwise, common equity
units will include both normal common equity units and
stripped common equity units. The common equity units initially
will consist of 72,000,000 normal common equity units (or
82,800,000 normal common equity units if the underwriters
exercise their option to purchase additional common equity units
in full), each with a stated amount of $25 up to but excluding
the initial stock purchase date, and a remaining stated amount
of $12.50 thereafter.
Normal Common Equity Units
Each normal common equity unit will have a stated amount of $25
prior to the initial stock purchase date, and a remaining stated
amount of $12.50 thereafter, and will consist of:
|
|
|
(a) a stock purchase contract under which: |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
you will agree to purchase from us, and we will agree to sell to
you, on the initial stock purchase date, for $12.50 in cash, a
variable number of newly issued or treasury shares of our common
stock per common equity unit equal to the settlement rate
described under Description of the Stock Purchase
Contracts Purchase of Common Stock, subject to
anti-dilution adjustments. The initial stock purchase date is
expected to be August 15, 2008, but could be deferred for
quarterly periods until February 15, 2009; |
|
|
(2) |
you will agree to purchase from us, and we will agree to sell to
you, on the subsequent stock purchase date, for $12.50 in cash,
a variable number of newly issued or treasury shares of our
common stock per common equity unit equal to the settlement rate
described under Description of the Stock Purchase
Contracts Purchase of Common Stock, subject to
anti-dilution adjustments. The subsequent stock purchase date is
expected to be February 15, 2009, but could be deferred for
quarterly periods until February 15, 2010; and |
|
|
(3) |
we will pay you quarterly contract payments: |
|
|
|
|
|
from and including the issue date to but excluding the initial
stock purchase date, at an annual rate
of % on the stated amount of $25,
subject to our right to defer these payments; and |
|
|
|
from and including the initial stock purchase date to but
excluding the subsequent stock purchase date, at an annual rate
of %
on the remaining stated amount of $12.50, subject to our right
to defer these payments; |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
prior to the initial stock purchase date, a 1/80, or 1.25%,
undivided beneficial ownership interest in a series A trust
preferred security issued by the series A trust with an
initial liquidation amount of $1,000; and |
|
|
(c) |
a 1/80, or 1.25%, undivided beneficial ownership interest in a
series B trust preferred security issued by the
series B trust with an initial liquidation amount of $1,000. |
S-76
Each trust preferred security represents an undivided beneficial
ownership interest in the assets of the relevant trust. The
property trustee of each trust will hold legal title to the
assets of such trust. Each trusts assets consist solely of
a series of our junior subordinated debt securities.
From and including the issue date to but excluding the initial
stock purchase date, we will make quarterly interest payments on
the series A junior subordinated debt securities at an
annual rate of %, and the
series A trust will pass through such interest payments
when received as distributions on the series A trust
preferred securities. From and including the initial stock
purchase date, interest on the series A junior subordinated
debt securities and distributions on the series A trust
preferred securities will accrete or accrue at a reset rate as
described below and, unless we elect to make such payments in
cash on the series A junior subordinated debt securities,
will accrete and be payable only upon maturity or redemption of
the series A trust preferred securities.
From and including the issue date to but excluding the
subsequent stock purchase date, we will make quarterly interest
payments on the series B junior subordinated debt
securities at an annual rate of %,
and the series B trust will pass through such interest
payments when received as distributions on the series B
trust preferred securities. From and including the subsequent
stock purchase date, interest on the series B junior
subordinated debt securities and distributions on the
series B trust preferred securities will accrete or accrue
at a reset rate as described below and, unless we elect to make
such payments in cash on the series B junior subordinated
debt securities, will accrete and be payable only upon maturity
or redemption of the series B trust preferred securities.
The purchase price of each normal common equity unit will be
allocated between the stock purchase contract and the related
ownership interest in the trust preferred securities in
proportion to their respective fair market values at the time of
issuance. We expect that, at the time of issuance, the fair
market value of each ownership interest in the series A
trust preferred securities (or more precisely in the
series A junior subordinated debt securities) will be
$12.50, the fair market value of each ownership interest in the
series B trust preferred securities (or more precisely in
the series B junior subordinated debt securities) will be
$12.50 and the fair market value of the stock purchase contract
will be $0. This position generally will be binding on each
beneficial owner of each common equity unit but not on the
Internal Revenue Service and by purchasing the common equity
units you will be deemed to have agreed to take this position
for United States federal income tax purposes.
As long as a common equity unit is in the form of a normal
common equity unit, your applicable ownership interest in the
trust preferred securities forming a part of the normal common
equity unit will be pledged to us through the collateral agent
to secure your obligation to purchase common stock under your
stock purchase contracts.
Creating Stripped Common Equity Units
You will have the right, other than during the seven business
day period immediately preceding an applicable remarketing
settlement date (as defined below) for either series of trust
preferred securities, in accordance with the procedures
described below, to create stripped common equity units by
substituting for the trust preferred securities of each series
held by the collateral agent zero coupon treasury securities (as
described below) that mature on the applicable remarketing
settlement date for such series of trust preferred securities,
in a total principal amount at maturity equal to the aggregate
liquidation amount of such trust preferred securities for which
substitution is being made. Because the trust preferred
securities of each series are issued in integral multiples of
$1,000, you may make this substitution only in integral
multiples of 80 normal common equity units. Each of these
substitutions will create stripped common equity units, and the
ownership interest in the trust preferred securities will be
released to you and be separately tradeable from the stripped
common equity units.
You must substitute zero coupon treasury securities for each
series of trust preferred securities then underlying the normal
common equity units that are being made into stripped common
equity units. The zero coupon treasury securities substituted
for the trust preferred securities of each series must be
purchased in the open market at your expense unless otherwise
owned by you. If you elect to substitute zero coupon treasury
S-77
securities for your trust preferred securities, thereby creating
stripped common equity units, you will be responsible for any
fees or expenses payable in connection with the substitution.
The following table sets forth the CUSIP numbers of the zero
coupon treasury securities maturing on the dates indicated.
|
|
|
Zero Coupon Treasury Security Maturity Dates |
|
CUSIP No. |
|
|
|
August 15, 2008 |
|
912833CU2 |
November 15, 2008 |
|
912833GD6 |
February 15, 2009 |
|
912833CV0 |
May 15, 2009 |
|
912833GE4 |
August 15, 2009 |
|
912833CW8 |
November 15, 2009 |
|
912833GF1 |
February 15, 2010 |
|
912833CX6 |
Each stripped common equity unit will have a stated amount of
$25 prior to the initial stock purchase date, and a remaining
stated amount of $12.50 thereafter, and will consist of:
|
|
|
(a) a stock purchase contract under which: |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
you will agree to purchase from us, and we will agree to sell to
you, no later than the initial stock purchase date, for $12.50
in cash, a variable number of newly issued or treasury shares of
our common stock per common equity unit equal to the applicable
settlement rate described under Description of the Stock
Purchase Contracts Purchase of Common Stock,
subject to anti-dilution adjustments; |
|
|
(2) |
you will agree to purchase from us, and we will agree to sell to
you, no later than the subsequent stock purchase date, for
$12.50 in cash, a variable number of newly issued or treasury
shares of our common stock per common equity unit equal to the
applicable settlement rate described under Description of
the Stock Purchase Contracts Purchase of Common
Stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustments; and |
|
|
|
(3) we will pay you quarterly contract payments: |
|
|
|
|
|
from and including the issue date to but excluding the initial
stock purchase date, at an annual rate
of % on the stated amount of
$25, subject to our right to defer these payments; and |
|
|
|
from and including the initial stock purchase date to but
excluding the subsequent stock purchase date, at an annual rate
of % on the remaining stated
amount of $12.50, subject to our right to defer these payments; |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
prior to the initial stock purchase date, a 1/80, or 1.25%,
undivided beneficial ownership interest in a zero coupon
treasury security that matures as of the applicable remarketing
settlement date for the series A trust preferred
securities, with a principal amount at maturity of
$1,000; and |
|
|
(c) |
a 1/80, or 1.25%, undivided beneficial ownership interest in a
zero coupon treasury security that matures as of the applicable
remarketing settlement date for the series B trust
preferred securities, with a principal amount at maturity of
$1,000. |
The applicable remarketing settlement date means,
with respect to each series of trust preferred securities, as of
any date of determination, the next potential remarketing date
for such series following such date of determination, unless
there has previously been a successful remarketing of such
series, in which case the term means, with respect to such
series, the date of such remarketing. For a description of the
potential remarketing settlement dates for the series A
trust preferred securities and the series B trust preferred
securities, see Description of the Stock Purchase
Contracts Remarketing.
S-78
To create 80 stripped common equity units, you must:
|
|
|
|
|
if creating a stripped common equity unit prior to the initial
stock purchase date, deposit with the collateral agent a zero
coupon treasury security that has a principal amount at maturity
of $1,000 payable on the applicable remarketing settlement date
for the series A trust preferred securities; |
|
|
|
deposit with the collateral agent a zero coupon treasury
security that has a principal amount at maturity of $1,000
payable on the applicable remarketing settlement date for the
series B trust preferred securities; and |
|
|
|
transfer 80 normal common equity units to the stock purchase
contract agent accompanied by a notice stating that you have
deposited the required number of zero coupon treasury securities
with the collateral agent and requesting the release to you of
the trust preferred securities relating to the 80 normal common
equity units. |
Upon such deposit and receipt of an instruction from the stock
purchase contract agent, the collateral agent will release the
related trust preferred securities from the pledge under the
pledge agreement, free and clear of our security interest, to
the stock purchase contract agent. The stock purchase contract
agent then will:
|
|
|
|
|
cancel the 80 normal common equity units; |
|
|
|
transfer the related series A trust preferred securities
(if applicable) and series B trust preferred securities to
you; and |
|
|
|
deliver 80 stripped common equity units to you. |
The zero coupon treasury securities will be substituted for the
trust preferred securities and will be pledged to us through the
collateral agent to secure your obligation to purchase common
stock under your stock purchase contracts. The related trust
preferred securities released to you thereafter will trade
separately from the resulting stripped common equity units.
Recreating Normal Common Equity Units
You will have the right, at any time other than during the seven
business day period immediately preceding an applicable
remarketing settlement date for either series of trust preferred
securities in accordance with the procedures described below, to
recreate a normal common equity unit from a stripped common
equity unit by substituting the series A trust preferred
securities (if applicable) and the series B trust preferred
securities for the applicable zero coupon treasury securities
then held by the collateral agent. To recreate a normal common
equity unit, you must substitute trust preferred securities for
each zero coupon treasury security then part of the stripped
common equity unit. No common equity units may be recreated
during the seven business days immediately preceding any
applicable remarketing settlement date and ending on that
applicable remarketing settlement date. Because zero coupon
treasury securities and the trust preferred securities of each
series are issued in integral multiples of $1,000, you may
recreate normal common equity units only in integral multiples
of 80 units. The series A trust preferred securities (if
applicable) and series B trust preferred securities
substituted for zero coupon treasury securities must be
purchased in the open market at your expense unless otherwise
owned by you. If you elect to substitute trust preferred
securities for your zero coupon treasury securities, thereby
recreating normal common equity units, you will be responsible
for any fees or expenses payable in connection with the
substitution.
Thus, if you hold stripped common equity units, you will have
the right at any time, other than during the seven business day
blackout period described above:
|
|
|
|
|
to substitute, for the zero coupon treasury securities pledged
in respect of series A trust preferred securities (if any)
and held by the collateral agent, series A trust preferred
securities having a liquidation amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount at stated maturity of the zero coupon treasury
securities for which substitution is being made; and |
|
|
|
to substitute, for the zero coupon treasury securities pledged
in respect of series B trust preferred securities and held
by the collateral agent, series B trust preferred
securities having a liquidation amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount at stated maturity of the zero coupon treasury
securities for which substitution is being made. |
S-79
Each of these substitutions will recreate normal common equity
units, and the applicable zero coupon treasury securities will
be released to the holder and be separately tradeable from the
normal common equity units.
To create 80 normal common equity units, you must:
|
|
|
|
|
if recreating normal common equity units prior to the initial
stock purchase date, deposit with the collateral agent a
series A trust preferred security with a $1,000 liquidation
amount; |
|
|
|
deposit with the collateral agent a series B trust
preferred security with a $1,000 liquidation amount; and |
|
|
|
transfer 80 stripped common equity units to the stock purchase
contract agent accompanied by a notice stating that you have
deposited the required number of trust preferred securities with
the collateral agent and requesting the release to you of the
pledged zero coupon treasury securities relating to the stripped
common equity units. |
Upon such deposit and receipt of an instruction from the stock
purchase contract agent, the collateral agent will release the
related zero coupon treasury securities from the pledge under
the pledge agreement, free and clear of our security interest,
to the stock purchase contract agent. The stock purchase
contract agent will then:
|
|
|
|
|
cancel the 80 stripped common equity units; |
|
|
|
transfer the related zero coupon treasury securities to
you; and |
|
|
|
deliver 80 normal common equity units to you. |
The substituted applicable ownership interest in the trust
preferred securities will be pledged to us through the
collateral agent to secure your obligation to purchase common
stock under the stock purchase contracts.
Current Payments
Holders of normal common equity units will be entitled to
receive quarterly cash distributions consisting of:
|
|
|
|
|
from and including the issue date to but excluding the initial
stock purchase date: |
|
|
|
|
|
cumulative distributions calculated at the annual rate
of % per year on your 1/80
interest in a series A trust preferred security with a
liquidation amount of $1,000; |
|
|
|
cumulative distributions calculated at the annual rate
of % per year on your 1/80
interest in a series B trust preferred security with a
liquidation amount of $1,000; and |
|
|
|
contract payments on the stock purchase contracts payable by us
at an annual rate of % per
year on the stated amount of $25 per normal common equity
unit; and |
|
|
|
|
|
from and including the initial stock purchase date to but
excluding the subsequent stock purchase date: |
|
|
|
|
|
cumulative distributions calculated at an annual rate
of % per year on your 1/80
interest in a series B trust preferred security with a
liquidation amount of $1,000; and |
|
|
|
contract payments on the stock purchase contracts payable by us
at an annual rate of % per
year on the remaining stated amount of $12.50 per normal
common equity unit. |
Holders of stripped common equity units will be entitled to
receive only the quarterly contract payments payable by us at an
annual rate of % on the initial
stated amount of $25 per stripped common equity unit from
and including the issue date to but excluding the initial stock
purchase date, and at an annual rate
of % on the remaining stated
amount of $12.50 per stripped common equity unit from and
including the initial stock purchase date to but excluding the
subsequent stock purchase date. If an early settlement date due
to a cash merger early settlement occurs as described in
Description of the Stock Purchase Contracts
Early Settlement Upon Cash Merger, cash payments will
cease to accrue on the early settlement date. If any other early
settlement of the stock purchase contracts occurs (in the case
of an early settlement other than upon a cash merger as
described in Description of the Stock Purchase
Contracts Early Settlement), cash payments
will cease to accrue on the most recent quarterly payment date
on or before such other early
S-80
settlement. There will be no distributions in respect of the
zero coupon treasury securities that are a component of the
stripped common equity units, but the holders of the stripped
common equity units will continue to receive the scheduled
quarterly distributions on the trust preferred securities that
were released to them when the stripped common equity units were
created for as long as they hold the trust preferred securities,
subject to our right to defer those distributions.
We may defer the contract payments until no later than
February 15, 2010, as described below under
Description of the Stock Purchase Contracts
Option to Defer Contract Payments. Any such deferred
payments will accrue additional amounts, compounded quarterly,
at the annual rate of % until
paid, to the extent permitted by law. We may also defer cash
payments of interest on each series of junior subordinated debt
securities, resulting in a corresponding deferral of cash
distributions on the corresponding series of trust preferred
securities, in which case we will accrue additional interest or,
as applicable, accrue distributions on the deferred amounts at
the applicable rate then borne by such series of trust preferred
securities, to the extent permitted by law. We may not defer
interest payments on a series of junior subordinated debt
securities for any period of time that exceeds five years with
respect to any deferral period or that extends, in the case of
the series A junior subordinated debt securities, beyond
February 15, 2039 or, in the case of the series B
junior subordinated debt securities, beyond February 15,
2040. During any period that we are deferring contract payments
or interest on either series of junior subordinated debt
securities (and, accordingly, distributions on the corresponding
trust preferred securities are deferred), we will be restricted
from making certain payments, including declaring or paying any
dividends or making any distributions on, or redeeming,
purchasing, acquiring or making a liquidation payment with
respect to, shares of our capital stock as described under
Description of the Junior Subordinated Debt
Securities Restrictions on Certain Payments,
Including on Deferral of Interest.
Our obligation to pay contract payments will be subordinate and
junior in right of payment to all our existing and future
secured and senior debt, as described in the accompanying
prospectus under Description of Debt
Securities Subordination and in this
prospectus supplement under Description of the Junior
Subordinated Debt Securities Subordination. In
addition, your right to receive accrued contract payments will
terminate automatically upon the occurrence of specified
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events involving
MetLife, Inc. The ability of each trust to make the
distributions on its trust preferred securities is dependent
entirely upon the receipt of corresponding payments from us on
the related series of junior subordinated debt securities. Our
obligations under the junior subordinated debt securities are
similarly subordinate and junior in right of payment to all our
existing and future secured and senior debt.
Absence of Voting and Certain Other Rights
Holders of the stock purchase contracts forming part of the
normal common equity units or stripped common equity units, in
their capacities as such, will have no voting or other rights in
respect of our common stock.
Listing of the Securities
We will apply to list the normal common equity units on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol MEU. We expect
trading of the normal common equity units on the New York Stock
Exchange to begin on the issue date. Unless and until
substitution has been made as described in
Creating Stripped Common Equity Units,
neither series of trust preferred securities will trade
separately from the normal common equity units. The trust
preferred securities will trade as a unit with the stock
purchase contract component of the normal common equity units.
If the stripped common equity units or the trust preferred
securities are separately traded to a sufficient extent that
applicable exchange listing requirements are met, we may at our
option list the stripped common equity units or the trust
preferred securities on the same exchange on which the normal
common equity units are then listed, although we are under no
obligation to do so.
Miscellaneous
We or our affiliates may from time to time purchase any of the
securities offered by this prospectus supplement that are then
outstanding by tender, in the open market or by private
agreement.
S-81
DESCRIPTION OF THE STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
This section summarizes some of the terms of the stock
purchase contract agreement, the stock purchase contracts and
the pledge agreement. This summary should be read together with
those agreements, forms of which have been or will be filed and
incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus form a part. See Where You Can
Find More Information in the accompanying prospectus.
Purchase of Common Stock
The stock purchase contract underlying each common equity unit,
unless earlier terminated or earlier settled at your option or
upon a cash merger, will obligate you to purchase, and us to
sell, for an amount in cash equal to $12.50, on each of the
initial stock purchase date and the subsequent stock purchase
date, a variable number of newly issued or treasury shares of
our common stock per common equity unit equal to the applicable
settlement rate. The settlement rate for the initial stock
purchase date is an amount equal to the sum of the daily
amounts calculated for each of the first 20 trading days
beginning on July 9, 2008 and the settlement rate for the
subsequent stock purchase date is an amount equal to the sum of
the daily amounts calculated for each of the first
20 trading days beginning on January 7, 2009.
The daily amount is equal to, for each trading day in the 20
trading day period described above, subject to adjustment under
certain circumstances as described under
Anti-dilution Adjustments below:
|
|
|
|
|
for each of those 20 trading days on which the closing price of
our common stock is less than or equal to the reference price, a
fraction of a share of our common stock per common equity unit
equal to: 1/20 times $12.50 divided by the reference price; |
|
|
|
for each of those 20 trading days on which the closing price of
our common stock is greater than the reference price but less
than the threshold appreciation price, a fraction of a share of
our common stock per common equity unit equal to: 1/20 times
$12.50 divided by the closing price; and |
|
|
|
for each of those 20 trading days on which the closing price of
our common stock is greater than or equal to the threshold
appreciation price, a fraction of a share of our common stock
per common equity unit equal to: 1/20 times $12.50 divided by
the threshold appreciation price. |
As a result, on the applicable stock purchase date you will
receive a total of
between of
one share
and of
one share of our common stock for each common equity unit you
own. We refer to the number of shares of our common stock per
common equity unit specified in each of the three bullet points
above as the share components.
The reference price is equal to
$ per
share. The threshold appreciation price is equal to
$ per
share, and represents
a %
appreciation over the reference price.
No fractional shares of our common stock will be issued by
MetLife, Inc. pursuant to the stock purchase contracts. In lieu
of fractional shares otherwise issuable, you will be entitled to
receive an amount in cash equal to the fraction of a share of
our common stock, calculated on an aggregate basis in respect of
the stock purchase contracts you are settling, multiplied by the
closing price of our common stock on the trading day immediately
preceding the applicable stock purchase date.
For purposes of determining the settlement rate, the
closing price of our common stock on any date of
determination means the closing sale price or, if no closing
sale price is reported, the last reported sale price of our
common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on that date. If our
common stock is not listed for trading on the New York Stock
Exchange on any date of determination, the closing price of our
common stock on such date of determination means the closing
sale price as reported in the composite transactions for the
principal U.S. securities exchange on which our common
stock is listed, or if our common stock is not so listed on a
U.S. securities exchange, as reported by the Nasdaq Stock
Market, or, if our common stock is not so reported, the last
quoted bid price for our common stock in the over-the-counter
market as reported by PinkSheets LLC (formerly known as the
National Quotation Bureau) or similar organization, or, if that
bid
S-82
price is not available, the market value of our common stock on
that date as determined by a nationally recognized independent
investment banking firm retained by MetLife, Inc. for this
purpose.
A trading day means, for purposes of determining a
closing price, a business day on which the relevant exchange or
quotation system is scheduled to be open for business and a day
on which there has not occurred or does not exist a market
disruption event. A market disruption event is
defined as any of the following events that we in our reasonable
discretion determine has occurred and is material:
|
|
|
|
|
any suspension of, or limitation imposed on, trading by the
relevant exchange or quotation system during the one-hour period
prior to the close of trading for the regular trading session on
the exchange or quotation system and whether by reason of
movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant
exchange or quotation system or otherwise relating to our common
stock or in futures or option contracts relating to our common
stock on the relevant exchange or quotation system; |
|
|
|
any event (other than a failure to open or a closure as
described below) that disrupts or impairs the ability of market
participants during the one-hour period prior to the close of
trading for the regular trading session on the exchange or
quotation system in general to effect transactions in, or obtain
market values for, our common stock on the relevant exchange or
quotation system or futures or options contracts relating to our
common stock on any relevant exchange or quotation
system; or |
|
|
|
the failure to open of the exchange or quotation system on which
futures or options contracts relating to our common stock are
traded or the closure of such, exchange or quotation system
prior to its respective scheduled closing time for the regular
trading session on such day (without regard to after hours or
other trading outside the regular trading session hours) unless
such earlier closing time is announced by such exchange or
quotation system at least one hour prior to the earlier of the
actual closing time for the regular trading session on such day
and the submission deadline for orders to be entered into such,
exchange or quotation system for execution at the actual closing
time on such day. |
We will give notice to investors if a market disruption event
occurs during a day that would otherwise constitute one of the
20 trading days for determining the daily amounts.
If 20 trading days for our common stock have not occurred
prior to the third business day immediately prior to the
applicable stock purchase date, all remaining trading days will
be deemed to occur on that third business day and the closing
price for each of the remaining trading days will be the closing
price per share of our common stock on such third business day
or if such day is not a trading day, the closing price as
determined in its reasonable discretion by a nationally
recognized independent investment banking firm retained by
MetLife, Inc. for this purpose.
|
|
|
Settlement on a Stock Purchase Date |
On the applicable stock purchase date in connection with a
successful remarketing, unless:
|
|
|
|
|
you have settled the stock purchase contracts prior to the
applicable stock purchase date through the early delivery of
cash to the stock purchase contract agent in the manner
described under Early Settlement or
Early Settlement upon Cash
Merger; or |
|
|
|
an event described under Termination has
occurred, |
then the settlement of the stock purchase contracts will occur
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
On the initial stock purchase date: |
|
|
|
|
|
if you hold normal common equity units and there has been a
successful remarketing of your series A trust preferred
securities, a portion of the proceeds from such remarketing
equal to your pro rata share of the initial liquidation amount
of the series A trust preferred securities remarketed will
automatically be applied to satisfy in full your obligation to
purchase common stock on the initial stock purchase date under
your stock purchase contracts; |
S-83
|
|
|
|
|
if you hold normal common equity units and you elected not to
participate in the remarketing, as described below, the cash you
deposited will be applied to satisfy in full your obligation to
purchase common stock on the initial stock purchase date under
your stock purchase contracts; |
|
|
|
if you hold stripped common equity units, the cash proceeds,
when paid at maturity, of your ownership interest in the zero
coupon treasury securities you substituted for the series A
trust preferred securities will automatically be applied to
satisfy in full your obligation to purchase common stock on the
initial stock purchase date under your stock purchase
contracts; and |
|
|
|
if you hold normal common equity units in which the related
series A trust preferred securities remain a part of the
normal common equity units because of a final failed
remarketing, we will exercise our rights as a secured party in
accordance with applicable law, including, without limitation,
disposition of the series A trust preferred securities or
applying the series A trust preferred securities against
your obligation to purchase common stock on the initial stock
purchase date under your stock purchase contracts. |
|
|
|
|
|
On the subsequent stock purchase date: |
|
|
|
|
|
if you hold normal common equity units and there has been a
successful remarketing of your series B trust preferred
securities, a portion of the proceeds from such remarketing
equal to your pro rata share of the initial liquidation amount
of the series B trust preferred securities remarketed will
automatically be applied to satisfy in full your obligation to
purchase common stock on the subsequent stock purchase date
under your stock purchase contracts; |
|
|
|
if you hold normal common equity units and you elected not to
participate in the remarketing, as described below, the cash you
deposited will be applied to satisfy in full your obligation to
purchase common stock on the subsequent stock purchase date
under your stock purchase contracts; |
|
|
|
if you hold stripped common equity units, the cash proceeds,
when paid at maturity, of your ownership interest in the zero
coupon treasury securities you substituted for the series B
trust preferred securities will automatically be applied to
satisfy in full your obligation to purchase common stock on the
subsequent stock purchase date under your stock purchase
contracts; and |
|
|
|
if you hold normal common equity units in which the related
series B trust preferred securities remain a part of the
normal common equity units because of a final failed
remarketing, we will exercise our rights as a secured party in
accordance with applicable law, including, without limitation,
disposition of the series B trust preferred securities or
applying the series B trust preferred securities against
your obligation to purchase common stock on the subsequent stock
purchase date under your stock purchase contracts. |
In any event, common stock will then be issued and delivered to
you or your designee, upon presentation and (on or after the
subsequent stock purchase date) surrender of the certificate
evidencing the common equity units and payment by you of any
transfer or similar taxes payable in connection with the
issuance of common stock to any person other than you.
By acceptance of the common equity units, you will be deemed to
have:
|
|
|
|
|
irrevocably agreed to be bound by the terms and provisions of
the stock purchase contracts and the pledge agreement and to
have agreed to perform your obligations thereunder for so long
as you remain a holder of the common equity units; and |
|
|
|
duly appointed the stock purchase contract agent as your
attorney-in-fact to enter into and perform the stock purchase
contracts and pledge agreement on your behalf and in your name. |
In addition, as a beneficial owner of the common equity units,
by acceptance of the beneficial interest therein, you will be
deemed to have agreed to treat for all United States federal
income tax purposes:
|
|
|
|
|
yourself as the owner of the stock purchase contracts and the
related ownership interest in the trust preferred securities or
the zero coupon treasury securities, as the case may be; |
S-84
|
|
|
|
|
the junior subordinated debt securities as our indebtedness; |
|
|
|
each trust as a grantor trust; and |
|
|
|
as of the time of issuance, the fair market value of each
ownership interest in the series A trust preferred
securities (or more precisely in the series A junior
subordinated debt securities) as $12.50, the fair market value
of each ownership interest in the series B trust preferred
securities (or more precisely in the series B junior
subordinated debt securities) as $12.50 and the fair market
value of the stock purchase contract as $0. |
Remarketing
The remarketing agent will attempt to remarket the trust
preferred securities underlying the normal common equity units
in remarketings, unless you elect not to participate in such
remarketings by following the procedures described below under
Notice to Settle with Cash. If you
participate in a successful remarketing, the cash proceeds from
that remarketing will be used to satisfy your obligation to
purchase common stock on each applicable stock purchase date and
any remaining proceeds, net of any remarketing fee, will be
remitted to you.
The remarketing date for any series of trust
preferred securities will be the third business day immediately
preceding the applicable remarketing settlement date for that
series of trust preferred securities, in each case, subject to
deferral in the event that a remarketing is not successful, with
a maximum of three remarketings per series of trust preferred
securities.
The remarketing agent will use its commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain a price for the trust preferred securities to
be remarketed which results in proceeds, net of any remarketing
fee, of at least 100% of their aggregate liquidation amount,
plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any, on the trust
preferred securities to be remarketed.
To obtain that price, the remarketing agent may reset the
distribution rate on the trust preferred securities, as
described below and under Description of the Trust
Preferred Securities Remarketing. If the
remarketing is successful and the rate is reset, the reset rate
will apply to all outstanding trust preferred securities of the
series being remarketed, whether or not you participated in the
remarketing, and will become effective on the settlement date of
such remarketing. The interest rate on the series of junior
subordinated debt securities underlying such series of trust
preferred securities automatically will be reset to equal the
distribution rate on such trust preferred securities as and when
the distribution rate on such trust preferred securities is
reset. In addition, the interest payment dates on such junior
subordinated debt securities may be changed, and the maturity of
such junior subordinated debt securities may be shortened, in
connection with the remarketing, in which case the distribution
payment dates and final redemption date of the related trust
preferred securities will automatically change as well. Any such
changes will be announced as described below prior to the
remarketing. If we elect to shorten the maturity date of a
series of junior subordinated debt securities in connection with
a remarketing and, at the time of such remarketing, are
deferring interest, we may not elect a maturity date that is
earlier than five years after commencement of the deferral
period.
If the remarketing agent cannot successfully remarket a series
of trust preferred securities on a remarketing date at a price
that results in proceeds, net of any remarketing fee, equal to
at least 100% of the aggregate liquidation amount, plus accrued
and unpaid distributions, if any, on the trust preferred
securities to be remarketed, then, unless there has been a final
failed remarketing (as described below),
|
|
|
|
|
the applicable stock purchase date will be deferred until the
next applicable remarketing settlement date for that series of
trust preferred securities as described below; |
|
|
|
the proceeds received upon maturity of the treasury securities
pledged as collateral for any stripped common equity units will
be reinvested in treasury securities maturing on the next
remarketing settlement date for that series of trust preferred
securities (as described under Description of the Common
Equity Units Creating Stripped Common Equity
Units), and any remaining cash proceeds will be remitted
to the holders of the stripped common equity units; |
S-85
|
|
|
|
|
the distribution rate on that series of trust preferred
securities will not be reset; and |
|
|
|
the remarketing agent will thereafter attempt to establish a new
reset rate meeting the requirements described above and remarket
that series of trust preferred securities on subsequent
remarketing dates, as described below. |
|
|
|
|
|
There will be three potential remarketing dates for the
series A trust preferred securities. The first two
remarketings will be subject to the reset cap, and the last
remarketing will be uncapped. |
|
|
|
|
|
The first potential remarketing settlement date for the
series A trust preferred securities will be August 15,
2008. This remarketing will be subject to the reset cap. |
|
|
|
If the first remarketing is not successful, the second potential
remarketing settlement date for the series A trust
preferred securities will be November 15, 2008. This
remarketing will be subject to the reset cap. |
|
|
|
If the second remarketing is not successful, the third and final
potential remarketing settlement date for the series A
trust preferred securities will be February 15, 2009. This
remarketing will not be subject to the reset cap. |
|
|
|
|
|
There will also be three potential remarketing dates for the
series B trust preferred securities. The first two
remarketings will be subject to the reset cap, and the last
remarketing will be uncapped. |
|
|
|
|
|
The first potential remarketing settlement date for the
series B trust preferred securities will occur six months
after the earlier of (i) the remarketing settlement date
for a successful remarketing of the series A trust
preferred securities; or (ii) February 15, 2009. This
remarketing will be subject to the reset cap. |
|
|
|
If the first remarketing of the series B trust preferred
securities is not successful, the second potential remarketing
settlement date for the series B trust preferred securities
will occur three months after the first potential remarketing
settlement date for the series B trust preferred
securities. This remarketing will be subject to the reset cap. |
|
|
|
If the second remarketing is not successful, the third and final
potential remarketing settlement date for the series B
trust preferred securities will occur three months after the
second potential remarketing settlement date for the
series B trust preferred securities. The latest date on
which the third and final potential remarketing settlement date
for the series B trust preferred securities will be
February 15, 2010. This remarketing will not be subject to
the reset cap. |
As used in this prospectus supplement, applicable
remarketing settlement date means, with respect to each
series of trust preferred securities, as of any date of
determination, the next potential remarketing settlement date
following such date of determination for such series, unless
there has previously been a successful remarketing of such
series, in which case the term means, with respect to such
series, the date of such remarketing.
Any remarketing of trust preferred securities will settle (if
successful) on the corresponding remarketing settlement date.
Any such remarketings will be subject to the conditions and
procedures described above and under Description of the
Trust Preferred Securities Remarketing, and
you will have the right to elect not to participate in any
subsequent remarketings.
The remarketing agent will attempt to remarket each series of
trust preferred securities a maximum of three times. If the
remarketing agents third attempt to remarket a series of
trust preferred securities is unsuccessful, a final failed
remarketing will be deemed to have occurred with respect
to such series. In that case:
|
|
|
|
|
the distribution rate on the applicable series of trust
preferred securities will not be reset. |
|
|
|
if you hold normal common equity units, we will exercise our
rights as a secured party and, subject to applicable law, retain
your trust preferred securities of the applicable series pledged
as collateral under the relevant pledge agreement or sell them
in one or more private sales and apply the liquidation |
S-86
|
|
|
|
|
amount or proceeds from the sale of such trust preferred
securities against your obligations under the stock purchase
contract. In either case, your obligations under your stock
purchase contracts would be satisfied in full. We will issue a
junior subordinated note (which will be subordinate and rank
junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future
secured and senior debt) to the stock purchase contract agent
for delivery to you, payable on August 15, 2010 or, if we
are deferring interest on the corresponding series of junior
subordinated debt securities, on the date that is five years
after commencement of the deferral period (whichever is later),
and bearing interest at the rate
of % per
year, in the amount of any accrued and unpaid distributions on
those trust preferred securities as of the remarketing
settlement date corresponding to the final failed remarketing of
that series of trust preferred securities. |
|
|
|
if you hold stripped common equity units, we will exercise our
rights as a secured party and, subject to applicable law, retain
your zero coupon treasury securities pledged as collateral under
the pledge agreement and apply the principal amount paid at
maturity to satisfy in full your obligation to us under your
stock purchase contracts. |
|
|
|
if you hold trust preferred securities that are not a part of
normal common equity units and you elected to participate in the
remarketing, your trust preferred securities will be returned to
you, and you will have the right, at your option, to require the
relevant trust to purchase all or a portion of those trust
preferred securities in exchange for the initial liquidation
amount of $1,000 per trust preferred security in cash, plus
a junior subordinated note (which will be subordinate and rank
junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future
secured and senior debt), payable on August 15, 2010 or, if
we are deferring interest on the corresponding series of junior
subordinated debt securities, on the date that is five years
after commencement of the deferral period (whichever is later)
and bearing interest at an annual rate
of %,
in an amount equal to any distributions that are accrued and
unpaid as of the remarketing settlement date corresponding to
the final failed remarketing of such series of trust preferred
securities. |
We will cause notice of any unsuccessful remarketings and of any
final failed remarketings to be published in a press release and
on Bloomberg Business News.
We will appoint a nationally recognized investment banking firm
as remarketing agent and enter into a remarketing agreement with
that firm at least 30 calendar days prior to any applicable
remarketing date. We will covenant in the stock purchase
contract agreement to use our commercially reasonable efforts to
effect remarketing of each series of trust preferred securities
as described in this prospectus supplement. If in the judgment
of our counsel or counsel to the remarketing agent a
registration statement is required to effect remarketing of a
series of trust preferred securities, we will use our
commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that a registration
statement covering the full accreted liquidation amount of the
trust preferred securities to be remarketed will be effective in
a form that will enable the remarketing agent to rely on it in
connection with the remarketing process or we will effect such
remarketing pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act
or any other available exemption from applicable registration
requirements under the Securities Act. The registration
statement of which the accompanying prospectus forms a part may
be used for any such remarketings.
For additional terms and conditions of the remarketing, see
Description of the Trust Preferred
Securities Remarketing.
Early Settlement
Subject to the conditions described below, other than during the
five business days immediately preceding an applicable
remarketing settlement date for either series of trust preferred
securities, you may settle your stock purchase contracts in
their entirety in cash by presenting and surrendering the
certificate representing your related common equity units, if in
certificated form, at the offices of the stock purchase contract
agent with the form of Election to Settle Early on
the reverse side of the certificate completed and executed as
S-87
indicated. You may settle early only in integral multiples of 80
common equity units. The Election to Settle Early
form must be accompanied by payment to us in immediately
available funds of an amount equal to:
|
|
|
|
|
the then current stated amount times the number of stock
purchase contracts being settled; plus |
|
|
|
if the delivery is made with respect to any stock purchase
contract during the period from the close of business on any
record date next preceding any payment date to the opening of
business on such payment date, an amount equal to the contract
payments payable on the payment date with respect to the number
of stock purchase contracts. |
You may settle early only in integral multiples of
80 common equity units.
So long as the common equity units are evidenced by one or more
global security certificates deposited with the depositary,
procedures for early settlement will also be governed by
standing arrangements between the depositary and the stock
purchase contract agent. The early settlement right is also
subject to the condition that, if required under the
U.S. federal securities laws, we have a registration
statement in effect under the Securities Act covering the shares
of common stock and other securities, if any, deliverable upon
settlement of a stock purchase contract. We have agreed that, if
required under the U.S. federal securities laws, we will
use commercially reasonable efforts to (1) have a
registration statement in effect covering those shares of common
stock and other securities to be delivered in respect of the
stock purchase contracts being settled; and (2) provide a
prospectus in connection therewith, in each case in a form that
may be used in connection with the early settlement right.
Upon early settlement of the stock purchase contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
except as described below in Early Settlement
upon Cash Merger, you will receive a number of newly
issued or treasury shares of our common stock per common equity
unit equal to the minimum settlement rate, subject to adjustment
under the circumstances described under
Anti-Dilution Adjustments, accompanied
by an appropriate prospectus, if required by law; |
|
|
|
the trust preferred securities, or the treasury securities, as
the case may be, relating to the common equity units will be
transferred to you free and clear of our security interest; |
|
|
|
your right to receive future contract payments and any accrued
and unpaid contract payments for the period since the most
recent quarterly payment date will terminate; and |
|
|
|
no adjustment will be made to or for you on account of any
accrued and unpaid contract payments referred to in the previous
bullet. |
If the stock purchase contract agent receives a certificate
evidencing the applicable common equity units, if in
certificated form, accompanied by the completed Election
to Settle Early and the required cash payment from you by
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on a business day and all
conditions to early settlement have been satisfied, that day
will be considered the settlement date.
If the stock purchase contract agent receives the above after
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on a business day or at any
time on a day that is not a business day, the next business day
will be considered the settlement date. Upon early settlement of
your stock purchase contracts in the manner described above,
presentation and surrender of the certificate evidencing the
related common equity units, if in certificated form, and
payment of any transfer or similar taxes payable by you in
connection with the issuance of the related common stock to any
person other than you, we will cause the shares of common stock
being purchased to be issued, and the related shares of the
series of trust preferred securities, or the treasury
securities, as the case may be, securing the stock purchase
contracts to be released from the pledge under the pledge
agreement described in Pledged Securities and
the Pledge Agreement and transferred, within three
business days following the settlement date, to you or your
designee.
Notice to Settle with Cash
If you hold normal common equity units and have elected not to
participate in a remarketing, you may settle the applicable
portion of the stock purchase contracts by delivering cash, in
the amount of $1,000 per
S-88
trust preferred security of the series to be remarketed in
increments of 80 normal common equity units, prior to the
applicable stock purchase date. To do so, you must notify the
stock purchase contract agent by presenting and (if after the
initial stock purchase date) surrendering the certificate
evidencing the applicable normal common equity units, if in
certificated form, at the offices of the stock purchase contract
agent with the form of Notice to Settle by Separate
Cash on the reverse side of the certificate completed and
executed as indicated by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the fifth business day immediately preceding the applicable
stock purchase date and delivering the required cash payment to
the collateral agent by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the fourth business day immediately preceding the applicable
stock purchase date.
So long as the common equity units are evidenced by one or more
global security certificates deposited with the depositary,
procedures for cash settlement will also be governed by standing
arrangements between the depositary and the stock purchase
contract agent.
If you have given notice of your intention to settle your stock
purchase contracts with cash but fail to deliver the cash to the
collateral agent on the fourth business day immediately
preceding an applicable stock purchase date as described above,
your trust preferred securities of the applicable series will be
included in the attempted remarketing of the applicable series
of trust preferred securities occurring on the third business
day immediately preceding the applicable stock purchase date.
If you have given notice and delivered the cash but a
remarketing is unsuccessful, the collateral agent will promptly
return the cash to you, and your trust preferred securities of
the applicable series will remain pledged to secure your
obligations under the stock purchase contracts.
If a final failed remarketing is deemed to have occurred, we
will exercise our rights as a secured party with respect to your
trust preferred securities of the applicable series that have
been pledged to secure your obligation under the stock purchase
contracts, and your obligation under the stock purchase
contracts will be deemed to be satisfied in full.
Early Settlement Upon Cash Merger
Prior to the subsequent stock purchase date, if we are involved
in a merger that is scheduled to close no later than five
business days prior to a scheduled stock purchase date in which
at least 30% of the consideration for our outstanding common
stock consists of cash or cash equivalents, which we refer to as
a cash merger, then following the cash merger, you
will have the right to accelerate and settle your stock purchase
contracts early at the settlement rate in effect immediately
prior to the closing of the cash merger (calculated as described
below), provided that at such time, if so required under the
U.S. federal securities laws, there is in effect a
registration statement covering common stock and other
securities, if any, to be delivered in respect of the stock
purchase contracts being settled. We refer to this right as the
merger early settlement right.
We will provide notice of the completion of a cash merger within
five business days thereof. The notice will specify an early
settlement date, which shall be at least ten days after the date
of the notice but no later than 20 days after the date of
such notice and in no event later than five business days prior
to the next scheduled stock purchase date, by which your merger
early settlement right must be exercised. The notice will also
set forth, among other things, the applicable settlement rate
and the amount of the cash, securities and other consideration
receivable by you upon settlement. To exercise the merger early
settlement right, you must deliver to the stock purchase
contract agent, three business days before the early settlement
date, the certificate evidencing your common equity units, if
they are held in certificated form, and payment of the
applicable purchase price in immediately available funds.
So long as the common equity units are evidenced by one or more
global security certificates deposited with the depositary,
procedures for early settlement upon a cash merger will also be
governed by standing arrangements between the depositary and the
stock purchase contract agent.
If you exercise the merger early settlement right, we will
deliver to you on the early settlement date the kind and amount
of securities, cash or other property that you would have been
entitled to receive if you had settled the stock purchase
contract immediately before the cash merger in the full stated
amount in effect at the time and at the settlement rate in
effect at such time in addition to accrued and unpaid contract
payments,
S-89
if any. The settlement rate then in effect will be calculated
based on the daily amounts, as described under
Purchase of Common Stock above, for the
each of the trading days in the 20 consecutive trading-day
period ending on the third trading day immediately preceding the
closing of the cash merger. You will also receive the trust
preferred securities underlying your normal common equity units,
or treasury securities underlying your stripped common equity
units, as the case may be. If you do not elect to exercise your
merger early settlement right, your common equity units will
remain outstanding and subject to normal settlement on the
settlement date. We have agreed that, if required under the
U.S. federal securities laws, we will use commercially
reasonable efforts to (1) have in effect a registration
statement covering the shares of our common stock and other
securities, if any, to be delivered in respect of the stock
purchase contracts being settled; and (2) provide a
prospectus in connection therewith, in each case in a form that
may be used in connection with the early settlement upon a cash
merger.
You may exercise the merger early settlement right only in
integral multiples of 80 common equity units.
Contract Payments
We will make quarterly contract payments on the stock purchase
contracts at an annual rate of %
on the stated amount of $25 per stock purchase contract
from and including the issue date to but excluding the initial
stock purchase date, and at an annual rate
of % on the remaining stated
amount of $12.50 per stock purchase contract from and
including the initial stock purchase date to but excluding the
subsequent stock purchase date. Contract payments payable for
any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months. Contract payments will
accrue from June , 2005 and
will be payable quarterly in arrears on February 15,
May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year,
commencing on August 15, 2005 and ending on the initial
stock purchase date, in the case of the series A trust
preferred securities, and on the subsequent stock purchase date,
in the case of the series B trust preferred securities.
Contract payments will be payable to the holders of stock
purchase contracts as they appear on the books and records of
the stock purchase contract agent at the close of business on
the relevant record dates, which will be the first day of the
month in which the relevant payment date falls. These
distributions will be paid through the stock purchase contract
agent, who will hold amounts received in respect of the contract
payments for the benefit of the holders of the common equity
units. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations, each such
payment will be made as described under Book-Entry
System.
If any date on which contract payments are to be made on the
stock purchase contracts is not a business day, then payment of
the contract payments payable on that date will be made on the
next succeeding business day, and no interest or payment will be
paid in respect of the delay. However, if that business day is
in the next succeeding calendar year that payment will be made
on the immediately preceding business day, in each case with the
same force and effect as if made on that payment date. A
business day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any
other day on which banking institutions and trust companies in
New York City are permitted or required by any applicable law to
close.
Our obligations with respect to contract payments will be
subordinate and junior in right of payment to our obligations
under any of our existing or future secured or senior
indebtedness. The stock purchase contracts do not limit the
incurrence by us of other indebtedness, including secured or
senior indebtedness. No contract payments may be made if there
shall have occurred and be continuing a default in any payment
with respect to senior indebtedness or an event of default with
respect to any senior indebtedness resulting in the acceleration
of the maturity thereof, or if any judicial proceedings are
pending with respect to any such default. Additionally, your
right to receive accrued contract payments automatically will
terminate upon the occurrence of particular events of
MetLifes bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
Option to Defer Contract Payments
We may, at our option, and will at the direction of the Federal
Reserve Board, upon prior written notice to the holders of
common equity units and the stock purchase contract agent, defer
contract payments on the stock purchase contracts. We may elect
to defer contract payments on more than one occasion, but in no
event may we defer contract payments beyond February 15,
2010. Any such deferred contract payments will accrue
S-90
additional amounts at an annual rate
of %,
compounded quarterly on each succeeding payment date, until
paid, to the extent permitted by law. If the stock purchase
contracts are terminated upon the occurrence of certain events
of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to us,
the right to receive deferred contract payments also will
terminate.
If we elect or are directed by the Federal Reserve Board to
defer the payment of contract payments on the stock purchase
contracts, then we will pay the deferred contract payments in
either shares of our common stock or unsecured junior
subordinated notes, in our sole discretion.
If we pay deferred contract payments in shares of our common
stock, the number of shares of our common stock that you will be
entitled to receive will be equal to:
|
|
|
|
|
the aggregate amount of deferred contract payments payable to
you, divided by |
|
|
|
in the case of contract payments payable on or before the
initial stock purchase date, the greater of |
|
|
|
|
|
the closing price of our common stock on the trading day
immediately preceding the initial stock purchase date) and |
|
|
|
$ , and |
|
|
|
|
|
in the case of contract payments payable after the initial stock
purchase date, the greater of |
|
|
|
|
|
the closing price of our common stock on the trading day
immediately preceding the subsequent stock purchase
date) and |
|
|
|
$ , |
subject, in each case, to anti-dilution adjustments.
If we elect to pay deferred contract payments in unsecured
junior subordinated notes, the junior subordinated notes you
will receive will:
|
|
|
|
|
have a principal amount equal to the aggregate amount of
deferred contract payments payable to you, |
|
|
|
mature on February 15, 2010, |
|
|
|
bear interest at an annual rate equal to the then market rate of
interest for similar instruments (not to exceed 10%), as
determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm
selected by us, |
|
|
|
be subordinate and rank junior in right of payment to all of our
existing and future secured and senior debt on the same basis as
the contract payments, and |
|
|
|
not be redeemable by us prior to their stated maturity. |
We will not issue any fractional shares of our common stock with
respect to the payment of deferred contract payments. In lieu of
fractional shares that we would otherwise have to issue to you,
you will receive an amount in cash equal to the applicable
fraction of a share multiplied by the closing sale price of our
common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the
applicable stock purchase date.
If we elect or are directed by the Federal Reserve Board to
defer contract payments, then until the deferred contract
payments have been paid, we will not take any of the actions
that we would be prohibited from taking during a deferral of
interest payments on the junior subordinated debt securities as
described under Description of the Junior Subordinated
Debt Securities Restrictions on Certain Payments,
Including on Deferral of Interest.
S-91
Anti-Dilution Adjustments
The daily amounts used in determining the settlement rate and
the number of shares of our common stock to be delivered upon an
early settlement will be subject to adjustment (by adjusting the
share components), without duplication, under the following
circumstances:
|
|
|
(1) Stock dividends in common stock: The payment of
a dividend or other distributions on the common stock to all
holders of our common stock exclusively in shares of our common
stock. |
|
|
(2) Issuance of rights or warrants: The issuance to
all or substantially all holders of common stock of rights,
options or warrants, other than pursuant to any dividend
reinvestment, share purchase or similar plans, entitling them to
subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock for a
period expiring within 60 days from the date of issuance of
the rights or warrants at less than the current market price (as
defined below), provided that no adjustment will be made if
holders of common equity units may participate in the
transaction on a basis and with notice that our board of
directors determines to be fair and appropriate. To the extent
that such rights or warrants are not exercised prior to their
expiration (and as a result no additional shares of our common
stock are delivered or issued pursuant to such rights or
warrants), the share components shall be readjusted to the share
components that would then be in effect had the adjustments made
upon the issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the
basis of delivery or issuance of only the number of shares of
our common stock actually delivered or issued. |
|
|
(3) Stock splits or recombinations: Subdivisions,
splits and recombinations of our common stock. |
|
|
(4) Distributions of indebtedness, securities or
assets: Distributions to all or substantially all holders of
our common stock of evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital
stock, securities, cash or other assets (excluding any dividend
or distribution covered by clause (1) or (2) above or
clause (6) below), provided that no adjustment will be made
if all holders of the common equity units issued in this
offering may participate in the transaction. |
|
|
(5) Tender or exchange offers: The successful
completion of a tender or exchange offer made by MetLife, Inc.
or one of its subsidiaries for shares of our common stock that
involves an aggregate consideration that, when combined with
(a) any cash and the fair market value of other
consideration payable in respect of any other tender or exchange
offer (other than consideration payable in respect of any
odd-lot tender offer) by MetLife, Inc. or one of its
subsidiaries for its shares of our common stock concluded within
the preceding 12 months and (b) the aggregate amount
of any all-cash distributions (other than regular quarterly,
semi-annual or annual cash dividends and dividends and
distributions described in clause (6) below) to all holders
of shares of our common stock made within the preceding
12 months, exceeds 10% of MetLife, Inc.s aggregate
market capitalization on the date of expiration of such tender
or exchange offer. |
|
|
(6) Cash dividends or distributions: Regular
quarterly, semi-annual or annual cash dividends or any other
distributions by MetLife, Inc. consisting exclusively of cash to
all holders of MetLifes common stock, excluding any
regular cash dividend on our common stock to the extent that the
aggregate annual cash dividend per common share does not exceed
$0.46 (which we refer to in this prospectus supplement as the
dividend threshold amount; the dividend threshold
amount is subject to adjustment in the same proportion as the
daily amounts for any adjustment made to the daily amounts
pursuant to clause (1) or clause (3)). |
The daily amounts used in determining the settlement rate will
not be adjusted:
|
|
|
|
|
upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to
any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of
dividends or interest payable on securities of MetLife, Inc. and
the investment of additional optional amounts in our common
stock under any plan, |
|
|
|
upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock or options
or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or
future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program
of or assumed by MetLife, Inc. or any of its
subsidiaries, or |
S-92
|
|
|
|
|
upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to
any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable, or
convertible security outstanding as of the date the common
equity units were first issued. |
Except as specifically described above, the daily amounts and
the number of shares of our common stock to be delivered on
early settlement will not be subject to adjustment in the case
of the issuance of any shares of our common stock or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock,
the issuance of rights, the distribution of separate
certificates representing rights, the exercise or redemption of
rights or the termination or invalidations of any rights in each
case pursuant to a rights plan of MetLife, Inc. Solely as used
above, the current market price per share of our
common stock on any day means the average of the closing price
per share of our common stock on each of the 20 consecutive
trading days ending on the earlier of the day in question and
the day before the ex date with respect to the
issuance or distribution requiring such computation. For
purposes of this paragraph, the term ex date,
when used with respect to any issuance or distribution, means
the first date on which shares of our common stock trade without
the right to receive the issuance or distribution. In the case
of reclassifications, consolidations, mergers, amalgamations,
sales or transfers of assets or other transactions that cause
our common stock to be converted into the right to receive other
securities, cash or property, each stock purchase contract then
outstanding would, without the consent of the holders of common
equity units, become a contract to purchase only the kind and
amount of such securities, cash or property instead of our
common stock. In such event, on the stock purchase date the
settlement rate then in effect will be applied to the value on
the stock purchase date of the securities, cash or property a
holder would have received if it had held the shares covered by
the stock purchase contract when the applicable transaction
occurred. Holders have the right to settle their obligations
under the stock purchase contracts early in the event of certain
cash mergers as described under Early
Settlement upon Cash Merger.
If an event requiring an adjustment occurs on any day during the
first 20 trading days beginning on July 9, 2008 for the
series A trust preferred securities or during the first
20 days beginning on January 7, 2009 for the
series B trust preferred securities, the daily amount
calculated for each trading day in this period before the event
requiring an adjustment occurs will be adjusted in the same
manner as the adjustment to the share components for each
trading day in this period on or after the event requiring an
adjustment occurs pursuant to the procedures described above.
Adjustments to the settlement rate will be calculated to the
nearest 1/10,000 of a share. No adjustment in the settlement
rate will be required unless the adjustment would require an
increase or decrease of at least 1% in the settlement rate. If
an adjustment is not required to be made because it would not
increase or decrease the settlement rate by at least 1%, then
the adjustment will be carried forward and taken into account in
any subsequent adjustment. However, all such adjustments (even
if less than 1%) will apply on the applicable stock purchase
date.
MetLife, Inc. will be required, as soon as practicable following
the occurrence of an event that requires or permits an
adjustment in the settlement rate, to provide written notice to
the stock purchase contract agent of the occurrence of that
event. MetLife, Inc. also will be required to deliver a
statement setting forth in reasonable detail the method by which
the adjustment to the settlement rate was determined and setting
forth the revised settlement rate.
Each adjustment to the settlement rate will result in a
corresponding adjustment to the number of shares of our common
stock issuable upon early settlement of a stock purchase
contract.
Termination
The stock purchase contracts, as well as our rights and
obligations and the rights and obligations of the holders of
common equity units under the stock purchase contracts,
including the right and obligation to purchase shares of our
common stock and the right to receive accrued contract payments,
will immediately and automatically terminate, without any
further action, upon the termination of the stock purchase
contracts as a result of our bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization. In the event of a termination of the stock
purchase contracts as a result of our bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization, holders of the stock purchase contracts
S-93
will not have a claim in bankruptcy under the stock purchase
contracts with respect to our issuance of shares of our common
stock or the right to receive contract payments.
Upon any termination, the collateral agent will release the
trust preferred securities or the treasury securities, as the
case may be, held by it to the stock purchase contract agent for
distribution to the holders. Upon any termination, however, the
release and distribution may be subject to the automatic stay
under Section 362 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and
claims arising out of the trust preferred securities, like all
other claims in bankruptcy proceedings, will be subject to the
equitable jurisdiction and powers of the bankruptcy court. In
the event that we become the subject of a case under the
Bankruptcy Code, the delay may occur as a result of the
automatic stay under the Bankruptcy Code and continue until the
automatic stay has been lifted. We expect any such delay to be
limited. The automatic stay will not be lifted until such time
as the bankruptcy court agrees to lift it and return your
pledged securities to you.
If your stock purchase contract is terminated as a result of our
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, you will have no right
to receive any accrued contract payments.
Pledged Securities and the Pledge Agreement
Your ownership interest in each series of trust preferred
securities underlying normal common equity units and the
treasury securities underlying stripped common equity units,
which are also referred to as the pledged
securities, will be pledged to the collateral agent for
our benefit pursuant to a single pledge agreement to secure your
obligations to purchase shares of our common stock under your
stock purchase contracts. Your right to your pledged securities
will be subject to our security interest created by the pledge
agreement.
You will not be permitted to withdraw the pledged securities
related to the common equity units from the pledge arrangement
except:
|
|
|
|
|
to substitute zero coupon treasury securities for trust
preferred securities as provided for under Description of
the Common Equity Units Creating Stripped Common
Equity Units; |
|
|
|
to substitute trust preferred securities for zero coupon
treasury securities, as provided for under Description of
the Common Equity Units Recreating Normal Common
Equity Units; or |
|
|
|
upon the termination or early settlement of your stock purchase
contracts. |
Subject to the security interest and the terms of the pledge
agreement, each holder of normal common equity units will be
entitled through the stock purchase contract agent and the
collateral agent to all of the proportional rights of holders of
each series of trust preferred securities, including voting and
redemption rights. Each holder of stripped common equity units
will retain beneficial ownership of the treasury securities
pledged in respect of the stock purchase contracts. We will have
no interest in the pledged securities other than our security
interest.
Except as described in Certain Provisions of the Stock
Purchase Contracts, the Stock Purchase Contract Agreement and
the Pledge Agreement General, the collateral
agent will, upon receipt, if any, of payments on the pledged
trust preferred securities, distribute the payments to the stock
purchase contract agent, which will in turn distribute those
payments, together with contract payments received from us, to
the persons in whose names the related normal common equity
units are registered at the close of business on the record date
immediately preceding the date of payment.
S-94
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS,
THE STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACT AGREEMENT AND THE PLEDGE
AGREEMENT
This section summarizes some of the other provisions of the
stock purchase contracts, the stock purchase contract agreement
and the pledge agreement. This summary should be read together
with those agreements, forms of which have been or will be filed
and incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus form a part. See Where You Can
Find More Information in the accompanying prospectus.
General
Except as described under Book-Entry System,
payments on the common equity units will be made, stock purchase
contracts (and documents relating to the common equity units and
stock purchase contracts) will be settled, and transfers of the
common equity units will be registrable, at the office of the
stock purchase contract agent in the Borough of Manhattan, New
York City. In addition, if the common equity units do not remain
in book-entry form, payment on the common equity units may be
made, at our option, by check mailed to the address of the
holder entitled to payment as shown on the security register or
by a wire transfer to the account designated by the holder in a
prior written notice.
Shares of our common stock will be delivered on the applicable
stock purchase date (or earlier upon early settlement), or, if
the stock purchase contracts have terminated, the related
pledged securities will be delivered (potentially after a delay
as a result of an automatic stay under the Bankruptcy Code, as
described under Description of the Stock Purchase
Contracts Termination) at the office of the
stock purchase contract agent upon presentation and surrender of
the applicable certificate.
If you fail to present and surrender (in the case of the
subsequent stock purchase date) the certificate evidencing the
common equity units to the stock purchase contract agent on or
prior to the applicable stock purchase date, the shares of our
common stock issuable upon settlement of the stock purchase
contract will be registered in the name of the stock purchase
contract agent. The shares, together with any distributions,
will be held by the stock purchase contract agent, as agent for
your benefit, until the certificate is presented and surrendered
(in the case of the subsequent stock purchase date) or you
provide satisfactory evidence that the certificate has been
destroyed, lost or stolen, together with any indemnity that may
be required by the stock purchase contract agent and us.
If the stock purchase contracts terminate prior to the
applicable stock purchase date, the related pledged securities
are transferred to the stock purchase contract agent for
distribution to the holders, and you fail to present and
surrender the certificate evidencing your common equity units to
the stock purchase contract agent, the related pledged
securities delivered to the stock purchase contract agent and
payments on the pledged securities will be held by the stock
purchase contract agent as agent for your benefit until the
applicable certificate is presented and surrendered or you
provide the evidence and indemnity described above.
The stock purchase contract agent will have no obligation to
invest or to pay interest on any amounts held by the stock
purchase contract agent pending payment to any holder.
No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer
or exchange of the common equity units, except for any tax or
other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with
a transfer or exchange.
Modification
The stock purchase contract agreement and the pledge agreement
will contain provisions permitting us, the stock purchase
contract agent or the collateral agent, as the case may be, to
modify the stock purchase contract agreement or the pledge
agreement without the consent of the holders for any of the
following purposes:
|
|
|
|
|
to evidence the succession of another person to our obligations; |
S-95
|
|
|
|
|
to add to the covenants for the benefit of holders or to
surrender any of our rights or powers under those agreements; |
|
|
|
to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment of a
successor stock purchase contract agent or a successor
collateral agent or securities intermediary; |
|
|
|
to make provision with respect to the rights of holders pursuant
to adjustments in the settlement rate due to consolidations,
mergers or other reorganization events; |
|
|
|
to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provisions
that may be inconsistent; and |
|
|
|
to make any other provisions with respect to such matters or
questions, provided that such action shall not adversely affect
the interest of the holders in any material respect. |
The stock purchase contract agreement and the pledge agreement
will contain provisions permitting us and the stock purchase
contract agent, and in the case of the pledge agreement, the
collateral agent, with the consent of the holders of not less
than a majority of the stock purchase contracts at the time
outstanding, to modify the terms of the stock purchase
contracts, the stock purchase contract agreement or the pledge
agreement. However, no such modification may, without the
consent of the holder of each outstanding stock purchase
contract affected by the modification:
|
|
|
|
|
change any payment date; |
|
|
|
change the amount or type of pledged securities related to the
stock purchase contract, impair the right of the holder of any
pledged securities to receive distributions on the pledged
securities or otherwise adversely affect the holders
rights in or to the pledged securities; |
|
|
|
change the place or currency of payment or reduce any contract
payments; |
|
|
|
impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of the
stock purchase contract or payment of any contract payments; |
|
|
|
reduce the number of shares of our common stock to be purchased
under the stock purchase contracts, increase the price to
purchase shares of our common stock upon settlement of the stock
purchase contracts, change the stock purchase date, the right to
early settlement or the holders merger early settlement
right or otherwise adversely affect the holders rights
under the stock purchase contracts; or |
|
|
|
reduce the above-stated percentage of outstanding stock purchase
contracts the consent of the holders of which is required for
the modification or amendment of the provisions of the stock
purchase contracts, the stock purchase contract agreement or the
pledge agreement. |
If any amendment or proposal referred to above would adversely
affect only the normal common equity units or only the stripped
common equity units, then only the affected class of holders
will be entitled to vote on the amendment or proposal, and the
amendment or proposal will not be effective except with the
consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the
affected class or of all of the holders of the affected class,
as applicable.
No Consent to Assumption
Each holder of common equity units, by acceptance of these
securities, will under the terms of the stock purchase contract
agreement and the common equity units, as applicable, be deemed
expressly to have withheld any consent to the assumption
(i.e., affirmance) of the stock purchase contracts by us or
our trustee if we become the subject of a case under the
Bankruptcy Code or other similar state or federal law provision
for reorganization or liquidation.
Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance
We will covenant in the stock purchase contract agreement that
we will not merge with and into, consolidate with or convert
into any other entity or sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey
all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any
person or entity, unless:
S-96
|
|
|
|
|
the successor entity is a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the United States of America or a
U.S. state or the District of Columbia and that entity
expressly assumes our obligations under the stock purchase
contracts, the stock purchase contract agreement, the pledge
agreement, the trust agreements and the remarketing
agreement; and |
|
|
|
the successor entity is not, immediately after the merger,
consolidation, conversion, sale, assignment, transfer, lease or
conveyance, in default of its payment obligations under the
stock purchase contracts, the stock purchase contract agreement,
the pledge agreement, the trust agreements or the remarketing
agreement or in material default in the performance of any other
covenants under these agreements. |
Title
We, the stock purchase contract agent and the collateral agent
may treat the registered owner of any common equity unit as the
absolute owner of such common equity unit for the purpose of
making payment and settling the stock purchase contracts and for
all other purposes.
Replacement of Common Equity Units Certificates
In the event that physical certificates have been issued, any
mutilated common equity units certificate will be replaced by us
at the expense of the holder upon surrender of the certificate
to the stock purchase contract agent. Common equity units
certificates that become destroyed, lost or stolen will be
replaced by us at the expense of the holder upon delivery to us
and the stock purchase contract agent of evidence of their
destruction, loss or theft satisfactory to us and the stock
purchase contract agent. In the case of a destroyed, lost or
stolen common equity units certificate, an indemnity
satisfactory to the stock purchase contract agent and us may be
required at the expense of the holder of the common equity units
evidenced by the certificate before a replacement will be issued.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not be obligated to issue
any common equity units certificates on or after the business
day immediately preceding the subsequent stock purchase date (or
after early settlement) or after the stock purchase contracts
have terminated. The stock purchase contract agreement will
provide that, in lieu of the delivery of a replacement common
equity units certificate following the subsequent stock purchase
date, the stock purchase contract agent, upon delivery of the
evidence and indemnity described above, will deliver the shares
of common stock issuable pursuant to the stock purchase
contracts included in the common equity units evidenced by the
certificate or, if the stock purchase contracts have terminated
prior to the subsequent stock purchase date, transfer the
pledged securities included in the common equity units evidenced
by the certificate.
Governing Law
The stock purchase contract agreement, the pledge agreement and
the stock purchase contracts will be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Information Concerning the Stock Purchase Contract Agent
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association initially will
be the stock purchase contract agent. The stock purchase
contract agent will act as the agent for the holders of the
common equity units from time to time. The stock purchase
contract agreement will not obligate the stock purchase contract
agent to exercise any discretionary actions in connection with a
default under the terms of the common equity units or the stock
purchase contract agreement.
The stock purchase contract agreement will contain provisions
limiting the liability of the stock purchase contract agent. The
stock purchase contract agreement will contain provisions under
which the stock purchase contract agent may resign or be
replaced. Any such resignation or replacement would be effective
upon the acceptance of appointment by a successor.
S-97
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association and its
affiliates are among a number of financial institutions with
which we and our subsidiaries maintain ordinary banking and
trust relationships. J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., an affiliate
of J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, is
acting as an underwriter for this offering.
Information Concerning the Collateral Agent
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association initially will be the
collateral agent and securities intermediary for each series of
trust preferred series. The collateral agent will act solely as
our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of
agency or trust for or with any of the holders of the common
equity units except for the obligations owed by a pledgee of
property to the owner of the property under the pledge agreement
and applicable law.
The pledge agreement will contain provisions limiting the
liability of the collateral agent. The pledge agreement will
contain provisions under which the collateral agent may resign
or be replaced. Any such or replacement would be effective upon
the acceptance of appointment by a successor.
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association and its affiliates are
among a number of financial institutions with which we and our
subsidiaries maintain ordinary banking and trust relationships.
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., an affiliate of JPMorgan Chase
Bank, National Association, is acting as an underwriter for this
offering.
Miscellaneous
Should you elect to substitute the related pledged securities,
create stripped common equity units or recreate normal common
equity units, you shall be responsible for any fees or expenses
payable in connection with that substitution, as well as any
commissions, fees or other expenses incurred in acquiring the
pledged securities to be substituted, and we shall not be
responsible for any of those fees or expenses.
S-98
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
The following description of the particular terms of the
trust preferred securities supplements the description of the
general terms and provisions of such securities set forth under
Description of Trust Preferred Securities
beginning on page 26 in the accompanying prospectus. This
summary contains a description of all of the material terms of
the trust preferred securities but is not necessarily complete.
To the extent that the following description is not consistent
with the description contained in the accompanying prospectus,
you should rely on the following description.
The series A trust preferred securities and the
series B trust preferred securities each will be issued
pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, which
we collectively refer to as the trust agreements.
The series A trust preferred securities will represent
remarketable preferred securities of MetLife Capital
Trust II, which we refer to as the series A
trust. The series B trust preferred securities will
represent remarketable preferred securities of MetLife Capital
Trust III, which we refer to as the series B
trust and, together with the series A trust, as the
trusts. The trust preferred securities will have an
initial liquidation amount of $1,000 per trust preferred
security and will be mandatorily redeemable for their accreted
liquidation amount upon the maturity of the related series of
junior subordinated debt securities (initially February 15,
2039, in the case of the series A junior subordinated debt
securities, and February 15, 2040, in the case of the
series B junior subordinated debt securities, in each case,
subject to change as described below under
Remarketing). Each trust agreement will
be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The
property trustee for each trust agreement, J.P. Morgan Trust
Company, National Association, will act as indenture trustee for
each series of trust preferred securities under the relevant
trust agreement for purposes of compliance with the provisions
of the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of each series of trust
preferred securities will include those stated in the relevant
trust agreement, including any amendments thereto, those made
part of the relevant trust agreement by the Trust Indenture Act
and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and those that are
stated in such trust preferred securities.
Each trust agreement authorizes the relevant administrative
trustees to issue, on behalf of such trust, the trust
securities, consisting of the relevant series of trust preferred
securities and the common securities of such trust. These trust
securities represent undivided beneficial ownership interests in
the assets of such trust. We will own, directly or indirectly,
all of the common securities of each trust. Each trusts
common securities will rank equal in right of payment, and
payments upon redemption, liquidation or otherwise will be made
on a proportionate basis with, the corresponding series of trust
preferred securities. During the continuance of an event of
default under the junior indenture for the corresponding series
of junior subordinated debt securities, the rights of the
holders of such common securities to receive periodic
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and
otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of
the corresponding series of trust preferred securities. Neither
trust agreement permits the trust to issue any securities other
than the common securities and corresponding series of trust
preferred securities or to incur any indebtedness.
Under each trust agreement, the relevant property trustee will
own the series A junior subordinated debt securities and
the series B junior subordinated debt securities, as
applicable, purchased by such trust for the benefit of the
holders of the series A trust preferred securities and
series B trust preferred securities, respectively. With
respect to each trust, the payment of distributions out of money
held by such trust, and payments upon redemption of the
corresponding series of trust preferred securities or
liquidation of such trust, are guaranteed by us to the extent
described under Description of the Guarantees. Such
guarantees, when taken together with our obligations under the
applicable series of junior subordinated debt securities, the
applicable junior indentures and our obligations under the
applicable trust agreement, including our obligations to pay
costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the applicable trust,
other than with respect to the common securities and the trust
preferred securities of the applicable trust, have the effect of
providing a full and unconditional guarantee of all amounts due
on such trust preferred securities. J.P. Morgan Trust Company,
National Association, as the guarantee trustee under each
guarantee, will hold such guarantee for the benefit of the
holders of the applicable series of trust preferred securities.
Neither guarantee covers payment of distributions when the
applicable trust does not have sufficient available funds to pay
those distributions. In that case, except in the limited
circumstances in which each holder of the trust preferred
securities of the applicable series may take direct action, the
remedy of a holder of such trust preferred
S-99
securities is to vote to direct the relevant property trustee to
enforce such property trustees rights under the
corresponding series of junior subordinated debt securities.
Distributions
Distributions on the series A trust preferred securities
will be cumulative and will be fixed initially at an annual rate
of % on the initial liquidation
amount of $1,000 per trust preferred security, subject to our
right to defer these distributions. Distributions on the
series B trust preferred securities will be cumulative and
will be fixed initially at an annual rate
of % on the initial liquidation
amount of $1,000 per trust preferred security, subject to our
right to defer these distributions. Distributions on each series
will accrue from June , 2005
and will be payable quarterly in arrears on February 15,
May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year,
subject to the deferral provisions described below, commencing
August 15, 2005, when, as and if funds are available for
distributions. From and after the initial stock purchase date
for the series A trust preferred securities and the
subsequent stock purchase date for the series B trust
preferred securities, distributions, if any, on such series will
be payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15
of each year or May 15 and November 15 of each year,
as applicable, with the first such semi-annual payment, if any,
occurring on the payment date that is not more than six months
after the applicable stock purchase date. Distributions will be
made by the relevant trust, except as otherwise provided below.
The rate on a series of trust preferred securities will be reset
in connection with a successful remarketing of that series as
described below under Remarketing.
Following a successful remarketing, the reset rate will be a
non-cash rate of accretion, unless we have elected (prior to
that remarketing) that the underlying series of junior
subordinated debt securities corresponding to that series of
trust preferred securities will continue to bear cash interest
(payable semi-annually), in which case the trust preferred
securities of that series will continue to bear cash
distributions. To the extent we do not elect to pay cash
interest on those underlying junior subordinated debt securities
and, accordingly, the relevant trust does not make cash
distributions, the liquidation amount of the trust preferred
securities of that series will accrete daily at the reset rate
determined in the remarketing for that series.
We have the right to defer the payment of interest on either
series of junior subordinated debt securities at any time and
from time to time. As a consequence, the relevant trust will
defer distributions on the corresponding series of trust
preferred securities during the deferral period. Deferred
distributions to which you are entitled will accrue interest,
compounded quarterly prior to the applicable stock purchase date
and semi-annually thereafter, from the relevant payment date for
distributions during any deferral period, at the rate borne by
such trust preferred securities at such time, to the extent
permitted by applicable law. We may not defer interest payments
on a series of junior subordinated debt securities that we are
otherwise obligated to pay in cash for any period of time that
exceeds five years with respect to any deferral period or that
extends beyond the final stated maturity date of such junior
subordinated debt securities.
Each trust must make distributions on the applicable series of
trust preferred securities on the payment dates, to the extent
that it has funds available in the property account therefor.
Each trusts funds available for distribution to you as a
holder of such trust preferred securities will be limited to
payments received from us on the corresponding series of junior
subordinated debt securities. With respect to each trust, we
will guarantee the payment of distributions on the applicable
series of trust preferred securities out of funds held by such
trust to the extent of available trust funds, as described under
Description of the Guarantees.
Distributions on the trust preferred securities will be payable
to holders, including the collateral agent, as they appear on
the books and records of the relevant trust on the relevant
record dates. As long as the trust preferred securities remain
only in book-entry form, the record dates will be the first day
of the month in which the payment date falls. Distributions will
be paid through the relevant property trustee, who will hold
amounts received in respect of the relevant series of junior
subordinated debt securities in the property account for your
benefit. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the
provisions of each trust agreement, each distribution will be
made as described under Book Entry System. With
respect to trust preferred securities of either series not held
in book-entry form, the relevant administrative trustee will
have the right to
S-100
select relevant record dates, which will be more than one
business day but less than 60 business days prior to the
relevant payment dates.
If any date on which distributions on the trust preferred
securities are to be made is not a business day, distributions
payable on that date will be made on the next succeeding
business day without any interest or other payment in respect of
any delay, but if that business day is in the next succeeding
calendar year the distribution shall be made on the immediately
preceding business day, in each case with the same force and
effect as if made on that payment date.
Mandatory Redemption of Trust Preferred Securities and
Maturity of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
The trust preferred securities of each series have no stated
maturity but must be redeemed upon the maturity of the
corresponding series of junior subordinated debt securities or
their earlier redemption. The series A junior subordinated
debt securities will mature on February 15, 2039 and the
series B junior subordinated debt securities will mature on
February 15, 2040, or, in each case, on such earlier date
as we may elect in connection with a successful remarketing, as
described below under Remarketing (the
mandatory redemption date); provided, however, that
if we are deferring interest on a series of junior subordinated
debt securities at the time of a remarketing relating to the
corresponding series of trust preferred securities, any new
stated maturity date and mandatory redemption date may not be
earlier than five years after commencement of the deferral
period. The redemption price per trust preferred security will
equal the total accreted liquidation amount per trust preferred
security plus accumulated and unpaid distributions, if any, to
but excluding the redemption date.
Remarketing
The remarketing agent will attempt to remarket your trust
preferred securities of each series underlying normal common
equity units in remarketings, unless you elect not to
participate in such remarketings. If you hold the trust
preferred securities separately and not as part of common equity
units, you may elect to participate in a remarketing as
described below under Optional Remarketing of
the Trust Preferred Securities Not Included in Normal
Common Equity Units.
The remarketing date for any series of trust
preferred securities will be the third business day immediately
preceding the applicable remarketing settlement date for that
series of trust preferred securities. If the remarketing is
successful, settlement will occur on the applicable remarketing
settlement date for that series of trust preferred securities.
The remarketing agent will use its commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain a price for the trust preferred securities to
be remarketed which results in proceeds, net of any remarketing
fee, of at least 100% of their aggregate accreted liquidation
amount, plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any. To obtain
that price, the remarketing agent may reset the rate on the
trust preferred securities as described below. If the
remarketing is successful, the reset rate will apply to all
outstanding trust preferred securities of the series, whether or
not you participated in the remarketing, and will become
effective on the settlement date of such remarketing. The
interest rate on the series of junior subordinated debt
securities underlying such series of trust preferred securities
automatically will be reset to equal the distribution rate on
such trust preferred securities as of and when the distribution
rate on such trust preferred securities is reset.
Unless we have elected that the underlying series of junior
subordinated debt securities will continue to bear cash interest
following a successful remarketing, the trust preferred
securities of the series that was remarketed will not bear cash
distributions following a successful remarketing, and the
liquidation amount of such trust preferred securities will
accrete daily at the reset rate. If we elect (prior to any
remarketing) to pay cash interest on the underlying series of
junior subordinated debt securities following a successful
remarketing, the liquidation amount of the trust preferred
securities of the series to be remarketed will not accrete
during the period in which cash distributions are made, and cash
distributions will be made semi-annually at the reset rate.
S-101
Following a successful remarketing, the reset rate on a series
of trust preferred securities will be the rate to the mandatory
redemption date, or the cash payment rate, such that the
proceeds from the remarketing of such series of trust preferred
securities, net of any remarketing fee, will be at least 100% of
their liquidation amount, plus any accrued and unpaid
distributions; provided, however, that in connection with the
first two remarketings of any series of trust preferred
securities, the reset rate may not exceed the reset cap. For
this purpose, the reset cap is the prevailing market
yield per annum, as determined by the remarketing agent, of the
benchmark U.S. treasury security having a remaining
maturity that most closely corresponds to the period until the
mandatory redemption date, plus 350 basis points.
If there is a third and final potential remarketing of a series
of trust preferred securities, the reset rate will not be
subject to the reset cap.
In connection with a successful remarketing, we may elect, in
our sole discretion, to change the stated maturity of the series
of junior subordinated debt securities underlying the trust
preferred securities of the series being remarketed to any date
not earlier than the second anniversary of the applicable stock
purchase date and not later than February 15, 2039 for the
series A junior subordinated debt securities or later than
February 15, 2040 for the series B junior subordinated
debt securities and to specify a date, not earlier than the
second anniversary of the applicable stock purchase date, on and
after which such series of junior subordinated debt securities
will be redeemable at our option. In the event we are deferring
interest on such series of junior subordinated debt securities
at the time of the remarketing, any new maturity or optional
redemption date of such series of junior subordinated debt
securities may not be earlier than five years after commencement
of the deferral period. In addition, we may also elect to add
any additional financial covenants as we may determine or elect
that such series of junior subordinated debt securities shall no
longer be subordinated. Any such election would take effect,
upon a successful remarketing, on the applicable stock purchase
date.
The stock purchase contract agent will give holders of common
equity units, each property trustee will give holders of
separate trust preferred securities of the relevant series, and
we will request that DTC give its participants holding normal
common equity units or separate trust preferred securities,
notice of remarketing at least 21 business days prior to any
remarketing date. Such notice will set forth:
|
|
|
(1) whether the trust preferred securities of the series to
be remarketed will accrete or bear cash distributions and if
such trust preferred securities will bear cash distributions,
the applicable distribution dates and record dates; |
|
|
(2) any change to the stated maturity of the series of
junior subordinated debt securities underlying the trust
preferred securities of the series to be remarketed and, if
applicable, the date on and after which the relevant trust will
have the right to redeem such trust preferred securities;
provided, however, that if we are deferring interest on such
junior subordinated debt securities at the time of the
remarketing, any new stated maturity date and mandatory
redemption date may not be earlier than five years after
commencement of the deferral period; |
|
|
(3) whether the series of junior subordinated debt
securities underlying the trust preferred securities of the
series to be remarketed, and our guarantee of such trust
preferred securities, will no longer be subordinated to our
senior debt; |
|
|
(4) the procedures you must follow if you hold the trust
preferred securities of the series to be remarketed as a
component of common equity units to elect not to participate in
the remarketing and the date by which such election must be made; |
|
|
(5) the procedures you must follow if you hold the trust
preferred securities of the series to be remarketed separately
to elect to participate in the remarketing as described below
under Optional Remarketing of the Trust
Preferred Securities not Included in Normal Common Equity
Units; and |
|
|
(6) only in the case of the third and final remarketing of
a series of trust preferred securities, the procedures you must
follow in the event of a final failed remarketing if you hold
the trust preferred securities of the series to be remarketed
separately to exercise your right to require the trust to
purchase such trust preferred securities. |
S-102
The remarketing agent will deduct its fee from the proceeds of
the remarketing (which, net of any such fee, must be at least
100% of the liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities
remarketed plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any) and
remit any proceeds remaining after the application of such net
proceeds in satisfaction of holders relevant obligations
under the stock purchase contracts, to holders participating in
the remarketing on the remarketing settlement date.
If the remarketing agent cannot remarket a series of trust
preferred securities such that the proceeds, net of any
remarketing fee, are at least 100% of their liquidation amount,
plus accrued and unpaid distributions, if any, then:
|
|
|
|
|
the distribution rate on that series of trust preferred
securities will not be reset; |
|
|
|
that series of trust preferred securities will continue to bear
quarterly cash distributions at an initial annual rate
of % for the series A
trust preferred securities and an initial annual rate
of % for
the series B trust preferred securities; and |
|
|
|
the remarketing agent will attempt to establish a reset rate
meeting the requirements described above and remarket that
series of trust preferred securities on the next applicable
remarketing settlement date. |
Any remarketing will be subject to the conditions and procedures
described above, and will settle (if successful) on the
corresponding remarketing settlement date.
If the remarketing agent is unable to remarket a series of trust
preferred securities for settlement on or before the settlement
date for the third and final remarketing of a series of trust
preferred securities, a final failed remarketing
will be deemed to have occurred with respect to such series. In
the event of a final failed remarketing:
|
|
|
|
|
the distribution rate on that series of trust preferred
securities will not be reset. In the event of a final failed
remarketing of a series of trust preferred securities, we may
shorten the stated maturity of the series of junior subordinated
debt securities corresponding to that series of trust preferred
securities and, accordingly, the mandatory redemption date of
that series of trust preferred securities. |
|
|
|
if you hold those trust preferred securities as a component of
normal common equity units, we will exercise our rights as a
secured party and, subject to applicable law, retain those trust
preferred securities pledged as collateral under the pledge
agreement or sell them in one or more private sales and apply
the liquidation amount or proceeds from the sale of the trust
preferred securities against your obligations under the stock
purchase contracts. In either case, your obligations under the
stock purchase contracts would be satisfied in full. We will
issue a junior subordinated note to the stock purchase contract
agent for delivery to you, payable on August 15, 2010 or,
if we are deferring interest on the corresponding series of
junior subordinated debt securities, on the date that is five
years after commencement of the deferral period (whichever is
later), and bearing interest at an annual rate
of %, in an amount equal to any
accrued and unpaid distributions (and accrued and unpaid
interest thereon) on those trust preferred securities as of the
final failed remarketing settlement date. |
|
|
|
If you hold stripped common equity units, we will exercise our
rights as a secured party and, subject to applicable law, retain
your treasury securities pledged as collateral under the pledge
agreement and apply them against your obligation to us under the
stock purchase contract or sell them in one or more private
sales. In either case, your obligations under the stock purchase
contracts would be satisfied in full. |
|
|
|
if you hold trust preferred securities that are not a part of
normal common equity units and you elected to participate in the
remarketing, your trust preferred securities will be returned to
you, and you will have the right, at your option, to require the
trust to purchase all or a portion of those trust preferred
securities in exchange for the initial liquidation amount of
$1,000 per trust preferred security in cash, plus a junior
subordinated note, payable on August 15, 2010 or, if we are
deferring interest on the corresponding series of junior
subordinated debt securities, on the date that is five years
after commencement of the deferral period (whichever is later)
and bearing interest at an annual rate
of %, in an amount equal to any
distributions |
S-103
|
|
|
|
|
that are accrued and unpaid (and accrued and unpaid interest
thereon) as of the remarketing settlement date corresponding to
the final failed remarketing. |
We will cause a notice of any unsuccessful remarketings and of
any failed remarketings to be published in a press release and
on Bloomberg Business News.
We will appoint a nationally recognized investment banking firm
as remarketing agent and enter into a remarketing agreement with
such firm at least 30 calendar days prior to any remarketing
date. We will covenant in the stock purchase contract agreement
to use our commercially reasonable efforts to effect the
remarketing of each series of trust preferred securities as
described in this prospectus supplement. If in the judgment of
our counsel or counsel to the remarketing agent a registration
statement is required to effect the remarketing of a series of
trust preferred securities, we will use our commercially
reasonable efforts to ensure that a registration statement
covering the full liquidation amount of the trust preferred
securities to be remarketed will be effective in a form that
will enable the remarketing agent to rely on it in connection
with the remarketing process or we will effect such remarketing
pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any other
available exemption from applicable registration requirements of
the Securities Act.
Optional Remarketing of the Trust Preferred Securities
Not Included in Normal Common Equity Units
Under the remarketing agreement, on or prior to the fifth
business day immediately preceding any remarketing date, holders
of the trust preferred securities of the series being remarketed
that are not held as part of normal common equity units may
elect to have those trust preferred securities included in such
remarketing and remarketed in the same manner and at the same
price as the trust preferred securities of that series that are
held as part of normal common equity units by delivering those
trust preferred securities along with a notice to the collateral
agent. The collateral agent will hold those trust preferred
securities in an account separate from the collateral account in
which the securities pledged to secure the holders
obligations under the stock purchase contracts will be held.
Holders of the trust preferred securities electing to have those
trust preferred securities remarketed will also have the right
to withdraw that election on or prior to the fifth business day
immediately preceding any remarketing date.
If the remarketing is successful, after deducting any applicable
remarketing fee, the remarketing agent will remit to the
collateral agent the remaining portion of the proceeds for
payment to such participating holders.
If the remarketing agent cannot remarket that series of trust
preferred securities on that remarketing date, the remarketing
agent will promptly return those trust preferred securities to
the collateral agent for release to the holders.
Redemption at Our Option
We may elect, in our sole discretion, in connection with a
remarketing, that the series of junior subordinated debt
securities corresponding to the relevant series of trust
preferred securities, and therefore such trust preferred
securities, will be redeemable at our option, in whole or in
part, on or after a specified date not earlier than the later of
(i) the second anniversary of the initial stock purchase
date, in the case of the series A preferred securities, or
the subsequent stock purchase date, in the case of the
series B trust preferred securities, or (ii) five
years after commencement of any deferral period then in effect.
We may redeem some or all of the junior subordinated debt
securities of one series without redeeming any of the junior
subordinated debt securities of the other series. The redemption
price of each junior subordinated debt security will be the
accreted principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to but excluding the redemption date plus, if we have
agreed, at the time of remarketing of the related series of
trust preferred securities, to pay additional amounts upon
redemption, an amount equal to such additional amounts. We will
give not less than 30 days nor more than
60 days notice of redemption by mail to holders of
the junior subordinated debt securities. Any such election would
take effect, upon a successful remarketing, on the applicable
stock purchase date.
We may not redeem a series of junior subordinated debt
securities in part if the accreted principal amount has been
accelerated and such acceleration has not been rescinded or
unless all accrued and unpaid interest
S-104
has been paid in full on all outstanding junior subordinated
debt securities of that series for all interest periods
terminating on or prior to the redemption date.
In the event of a final failed remarketing, the trust preferred
securities provide that we may apply the liquidation amount of
the trust preferred securities pledged to us against your
obligations under the stock purchase contracts. This remedy has
the effect similar to an automatic redemption of the trust
preferred securities, but we do not have to give you prior
notice or follow any of the other redemption procedures.
Redemption Procedures
You will receive at least 30 days, but not more than
60 days, written notice before any redemption of the
trust preferred securities.
If (1) either trust gives an irrevocable notice of
redemption of the relevant series of trust preferred securities,
and (2) we have paid to the relevant property trustee a
sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related
redemption or maturity of the corresponding series of junior
subordinated debt securities, then, on the redemption date, such
property trustee will irrevocably deposit with DTC funds
sufficient to pay the redemption price for the trust preferred
securities of that series being redeemed. See Book-Entry
System. Such trust will also give DTC irrevocable
instructions and authority to pay the redemption amount in
immediately available funds to the holders of beneficial
interests in the global security certificates representing such
trust preferred securities. Distributions to be paid on or
before the redemption date for any trust preferred securities
called for redemption will be payable to the holders on the
record dates for the related dates of distribution.
Once notice of redemption is given and funds are irrevocably
deposited, distributions on the trust preferred securities of
that series to be redeemed will cease to accumulate immediately
prior to the close of business on the redemption date and all
rights of the holders of such trust preferred securities called
for redemption will cease, except for the right to receive the
redemption amount (but without interest on such redemption
amount).
If any redemption date is not a business day, then the
redemption amount will be payable on the next business day (and
without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay). However, if payment on the next business day causes
payment of the redemption amount to be in the next calendar
year, then payment will be on the immediately preceding business
day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on
that payment date.
If payment of the redemption amount for any junior subordinated
debt securities of a series called for redemption is improperly
withheld or refused and not paid either by the relevant trust or
by us under the applicable guarantee, then interest on such
junior subordinated debt securities will continue to accrue and
distributions on the corresponding series of trust preferred
securities will continue to accumulate at the applicable rate
then borne by such trust preferred securities from the original
redemption date scheduled to the actual date of payment. In this
case, the actual payment date will be considered the redemption
date for purposes of calculating the redemption amount.
If less than all of the junior subordinated debt securities of a
series, and therefore, less than all of the trust preferred
securities of the corresponding series, are redeemed, such trust
preferred securities will be redeemed pro rata in accordance
with DTCs internal procedures. See Book Entry
System.
S-105
DESCRIPTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
The following description of the particular terms of the
junior subordinated debt securities supplements the description
of the general terms and provisions of such securities set forth
under Description of Debt Securities beginning on
page 6 in the accompanying prospectus. This summary
contains a description of the material terms of each series of
junior subordinated debt securities, in which the relevant trust
will invest the proceeds from the issuance and sale of
corresponding series of trust preferred securities, but is not
necessarily complete. To the extent that the following
description is not consistent with the description contained in
the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the following
description.
Each series of junior subordinated debt securities will be
issued pursuant to the indenture, dated as
of ,
2005, between us and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National
Association (the subordinated debt trustee), as
indenture trustee, and a related supplemental indenture for such
series, to be dated the issue date of such series, between us
and the subordinated debt trustee. We refer to the indenture, as
supplemented for each series, as a junior indenture
and to the subordinated debt trustee under each junior indenture
or its successor, as indenture trustee, as the
trustee. Each junior indenture is qualified as an
indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The subordinated debt
trustee will act as the indenture trustee under each junior
indenture for the purposes of compliance with the provisions of
the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of the junior indenture will
be those provided in the junior indenture and those made part of
the junior indenture by the Trust Indenture Act.
General
Each series of junior subordinated debt securities will be
unsecured and will rank equal in right of payment with the other
series and with all of our other junior subordinated debt
securities and, together with such other series and such other
junior subordinated debt securities, will be subordinated and
junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future
secured and senior debt. Each series of junior subordinated debt
securities will be limited in aggregate principal amount to
$ ,
or
$ if
the underwriters option to purchase additional common
equity units is exercised in full.
We will not be able to redeem the junior subordinated debt
securities except as described above under Description of
the Trust Preferred Securities Redemption at
Our Option.
We will have the right at any time to dissolve either or both
trusts and cause the relevant series of junior subordinated debt
securities to be distributed to the holders of the corresponding
series of trust preferred securities. Upon dissolution of a
trust, we may specify that the relevant series of junior
subordinated debt securities will no longer be subordinate to
our senior debt. If junior subordinated debt securities of a
series are distributed to holders of the corresponding series of
trust preferred securities in liquidation of the holders
interests in the relevant trust, those junior subordinated debt
securities initially will be represented by one or more global
security certificates. Unless such trust is dissolved and such
junior subordinated debt securities are distributed to holders
of such trust preferred securities, the relevant property
trustee will continue to hold legal title to such junior
subordinated debt securities for the benefit of the holders of
such trust preferred securities.
Each series of junior subordinated debt securities will have
terms substantially similar to the terms of the corresponding
series of trust preferred securities, except that the junior
subordinated debt securities will not be remarketed at any time
(unless the junior subordinated debt securities are distributed
directly to holders of the trust preferred securities). Instead,
upon a remarketing, as described under Description of the
Stock Purchase Contracts Remarketing, the
coupon or accretion rate on the related junior subordinated debt
securities will be correspondingly reset to match the
corresponding distribution rate or accretion rate on the series
of trust preferred securities that have been remarketed.
Interest Rate and Maturity
The interest payment provisions for each series of junior
subordinated debt securities correspond to the distribution
provisions of the corresponding series of trust preferred
securities described under Description of the
Trust Preferred Securities Distributions.
S-106
The series A junior subordinated debt securities will
mature on February 15, 2039 and the series B junior
subordinated debt securities will mature on February 15,
2040 (in each case, subject to change in connection with a
remarketing as described under Description of the
Trust Preferred Securities Remarketing).
The series A junior subordinated debt securities will
initially bear interest at the rate
of % per year, and the
series B junior subordinated debt securities will initially
bear interest at the rate of % per
year, in each case, payable quarterly in arrears on
February 15, May 15, August 15 and
November 15 of each year, commencing August 15, 2005,
and ending on the initial stock purchase date, in the case of
the series A junior subordinated debt securities, and the
subsequent stock purchase date, in the case of the series B
junior subordinated debt securities, subject to the deferral
provisions described below. From and after the initial stock
purchase date, the principal amount of the series A junior
subordinated debt securities that corresponds to the
series A trust preferred securities will accrete daily at a
rate equal to the accretion rate on the series A trust
preferred securities. From and after the subsequent stock
purchase date, the principal amount of the series B junior
subordinated debt securities that will accrete daily at a rate
equal to the accretion rate on the series B trust preferred
securities. However, if we elect to make interest payments in
cash on either series of junior subordinated debt securities,
such junior subordinated debt securities will bear cash interest
at a rate equal to the distribution rate on the corresponding
series of trust preferred securities, payable semi-annually on
the distribution date of such trust preferred securities.
The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day
months. The amount of interest payable for any period shorter
than a full quarterly period for which interest is computed will
be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in
that 90-day period. In the case that any date on which interest
is payable on the junior subordinated debt securities is not a
business day, then payment of the interest payable on that date
will be made on the next succeeding business day, and no
interest or other payment shall be paid in respect of the delay,
but if that business day is in the next succeeding calendar
year, then that payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding business day, with the same force and effect as if
made on that date.
Option to Defer Interest Payment
We will have the right under each of the junior indentures to
defer the payment of interest on the applicable junior
subordinated debt securities issued thereunder at any time or
from time to time. Each junior indenture provides that while a
deferral period is in effect with respect to the series of
junior subordinated debt securities that it governs we may not,
among other things, make interest payments on the other series
of junior subordinated debt securities. As a result, we will not
defer interest payments on one series of junior subordinated
debt securities without also deferring interest payments on the
other series. We may not defer interest payments on any series
of junior subordinated debt securities for any period of time
that exceeds five years with respect to any deferral period or
that extends, in the case of the series A junior
subordinated debt securities, beyond February 15, 2039 or,
in the case of the series B junior subordinated debt
securities, beyond February 14, 2040. If we elect to
shorten the maturity date of a series of junior subordinated
debt securities in connection with a remarketing and, at the
time of such remarketing, are deferring interest on that series,
we may not elect a maturity date that is earlier than five years
after commencement of the deferral period. Any deferral period
must end on an interest payment date. Deferred payments of
interest to which you are entitled will accrue additional
interest, compounded quarterly prior to the initial stock
purchase date, in the case of the series A trust preferred
securities, or the subsequent stock purchase date, in the case
of the series B trust preferred securities, and
semi-annually thereafter, from the relevant payment date for
payments of interest during any deferral period, at the rate
borne by the applicable series of junior subordinated debt
securities at such time, to the extent permitted by applicable
law. At the end of a deferral period, we must pay all interest
then accrued and unpaid, together with interest on the accrued
and unpaid interest, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
During any deferral period, interest will continue to accrue and
holders of junior subordinated debt securities or of trust
preferred securities of the corresponding series that are
outstanding will be required to accrue such deferred interest
income on a constant-yield basis (in the form of original issue
discount) for United States federal income tax purposes prior to
the receipt of cash attributable to such income, regardless of
the method of accounting used by the holders. For more extensive
United States federal income tax disclosure, see United
States Federal Income Tax Consequences.
S-107
Prior to the termination of any deferral period, we may extend
such deferral period, provided that such extension does
not:
|
|
|
|
|
cause such extended deferral period to exceed the maximum
deferral period; |
|
|
|
end on a date other than an interest payment date; or |
|
|
|
extend beyond the stated maturity date of the relevant series of
junior subordinated debt securities. |
Upon the termination of any deferral period, or any extension of
the related deferral period, and the payment of all amounts then
due, we may begin a new deferral period, subject to the
limitations described above. No interest shall be due and
payable during a deferral period except at the end thereof. We
must give the trustee notice of our election to begin or extend
a deferral period with respect to a series of junior
subordinated debt securities at least five business days prior
to the earlier of:
|
|
|
|
|
the date cash distributions on the related trust preferred
securities would have been payable except for the election to
begin or extend the deferral period; or |
|
|
|
the date the relevant trust is required to give notice to the
New York Stock Exchange or any other applicable self-regulatory
organization or to holders of the corresponding trust preferred
securities of the record date or the date cash distributions are
payable, |
and in any event not less than five business days prior to such
record date; provided that in no event shall such notice of our
election be sent more than 15 business days prior to the date on
which payment of all amounts then due is scheduled to occur.
The relevant trustee shall give notice of our election to begin
or extend a deferral period with respect to a series of junior
subordinated debt securities to the holders of the corresponding
series of trust preferred securities. Subject to the foregoing
limitations, there is no limitation on the number of times that
we may begin or extend a deferral period.
As described under Restrictions on Certain
Payments, Including on Deferral of Interest, during any
such deferral period we will be restricted from making certain
payments, including declaring or paying any dividends or making
any distributions on, or redeeming, purchasing, acquiring or
making a liquidation payment with respect to, shares of our
capital stock.
Restrictions on Certain Payments, Including on Deferral of
Interest
If:
|
|
|
|
|
there shall have occurred and be continuing any event that, with
the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would be an
event of default with respect to a series of junior subordinated
debt securities of which we have actual knowledge and which we
have not taken reasonable steps to cure; |
|
|
|
a series of junior subordinated debt securities is held by the
relevant trust and we shall be in default relating to our
payment of any obligations under the relevant guarantee; or |
|
|
|
we shall have given notice of our election to defer payments of
interest on a series of junior subordinated debt securities and
such period, or any extension of such period, shall be
continuing; |
then we shall not:
|
|
|
|
|
declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any shares of our capital stock; |
|
|
|
make any payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if
any, on, or repay, repurchase or redeem the other series of
junior subordinated debt securities or any other debt securities
issued by us that rank equally with or junior to such series of
junior subordinated debt securities; or |
S-108
|
|
|
|
|
make any payment under any guarantee that ranks equal or junior
to our guarantee related to the applicable series of trust
preferred securities, including under the guarantee related to
the other series of trust preferred securities; or |
The restrictions listed above do not apply to:
|
|
|
|
|
any repurchase, redemption or other acquisition of shares of our
capital stock in connection with (1) any employment
contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for
the benefit of any one or more employees, officers, directors,
consultants or independent contractors, (2) a dividend
reinvestment or stockholder purchase plan, or (3) the
issuance of our capital stock, or securities convertible into or
exercisable for such capital stock, as consideration in an
acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable
event of default, default or extension period, as the case may
be; |
|
|
|
any exchange, redemption or conversion of any class or series of
our capital stock, or the capital stock of one of our
subsidiaries, for any other class or series of our capital
stock, or of any class or series of our indebtedness for any
class or series of our capital stock; |
|
|
|
any purchase of, or payment of cash in lieu of, fractional
interests in shares of our capital stock pursuant to the
conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the
securities being converted or exchanged; |
|
|
|
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; |
|
|
|
payments by us under the guarantee, executed for the benefit of
the holders of the applicable series of trust preferred
securities, under which we shall be in default; or |
|
|
|
any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other
rights where the dividend stock or 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. |
Subordination
Our obligations to pay interest on, premium (if any), and
principal of the junior subordinated debt securities are
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all our existing
and future secured and Senior Indebtedness, as
described in this section and in the accompanying prospectus
under Description of Debt Securities. All references
in this prospectus supplement to senior debt have
the meaning ascribed to the term Senior Indebtedness
as set forth in the accompanying prospectus provided, however,
for this purpose, instead of having the meaning assigned to it
in the accompanying prospectus under the aforementioned caption,
the term Senior Indebtedness means any obligation of
MetLife to its creditors, whether now outstanding or
subsequently incurred, including the items set forth under the
first seven bullets under the definition of Senior
Indebtedness in the accompanying prospectus, but does not
include trade accounts payable. Senior debt includes MetLife
Inc.s senior debt securities and subordinated debt
securities as described in the accompanying prospectus under
Description of Debt Securities, whether currently
outstanding or issued in the future with substantially similar
subordination terms, but does not include any junior
subordinated debt securities underlying Tier 1 eligible
trust preferred securities issued in the future or other deeply
subordinated capital instruments that the Federal Reserve Board
may authorize in the future for inclusion as tier 1
capital. The junior subordinated debt securities are also
subordinate and junior in liquidation, and in the priority of
periodic payments of interest or premium (if any), to any
non-deferrable debt of MetLife, Inc. As of March 31, 2005,
the outstanding secured and senior debt of MetLife, Inc. with
respect to money borrowed was approximately $5,700 million,
excluding all of the liabilities of our subsidiaries. All
liabilities of our subsidiaries including trade accounts payable
and accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business are structurally senior to our junior subordinated debt
securities. In addition, we will not incur any additional
indebtedness for borrowed money that ranks equal in right of
payment with or junior to the junior subordinated debt
securities except in compliance with applicable Federal Reserve
regulations and guidelines.
S-109
If we default in the payment of any principal or premium (if
any) or interest on any senior debt when it becomes due and
payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment
or by declaration or otherwise, then, unless and until such
default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, MetLife, Inc.
will make no direct or indirect payment (in cash, property,
securities, by set-off or otherwise) in respect of the principal
of, or interest on, the junior subordinated debt securities or
in respect of any redemption, retirement or purchase of any of
the junior subordinated debt securities.
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 such acceleration will first be
entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the
senior debt before the holders of the junior subordinated debt
securities will be entitled to receive any payment of principal
of, or interest on, the junior subordinated debt securities.
If any of the following events occurs, we will pay in full all
principal of (or premium, if any), or interest on any senior
debt before it makes any payment or distribution under the
junior subordinated debt securities, whether in cash, securities
or other property, to any holder of junior subordinated debt
securities:
|
|
|
|
|
any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization
of MetLife, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy,
insolvency or receivership; or |
|
|
|
any general assignment by MetLife, Inc. for the benefit of
creditors. |
In such event, any payment or distribution under the junior
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 junior
subordinated debt securities, will be paid or delivered directly
to the holders of senior debt in accordance with the priorities
then existing among such holders until all senior debt has been
paid in full. If any payment or distribution under a series of
junior subordinated debt securities is received by the trustee
in contravention of any of the terms of the applicable junior
indenture and before all the senior debt has been paid in full,
such payment or distribution or security will be received in
trust for the benefit of, and paid over or delivered and
transferred to, the holders of the senior debt at the time
outstanding in accordance with the priorities then existing
among such holders for application to the payment of all senior
debt remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such
senior debt in full.
We may elect at any time effective on or after the applicable
stock purchase date, including in connection with a remarketing,
that our obligations under the relevant series of junior
subordinated debt securities and under our guarantee of the
corresponding series of trust preferred securities shall be
senior obligations instead of subordinated obligations.
Events of Default, Waiver and Notice
An event of default, when used in a junior indenture
with respect to the applicable series of junior subordinated
debt securities, means any of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
failure to pay interest (including any additional interest) on
such series of junior subordinated debt securities for 20
consecutive quarters (subject to the deferral of any due date in
the case of an extension period); |
|
|
|
failure to pay the principal of such series of junior
subordinated debt securities when due, whether at maturity, upon
redemption or otherwise; or |
|
|
|
certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of
MetLife, Inc. or appointment of a receiver, liquidator or
trustee of MetLife Bank, the banking subsidiary of MetLife. |
If an event of default under a junior indenture occurs and
continues with respect to a series of junior subordinated debt
securities, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding junior
subordinated debt securities of that series may declare the
entire principal of and all accrued but unpaid interest on the
outstanding junior subordinated debt securities of that series
to be due and payable immediately. If the trustee or the holders
of the junior subordinated debt securities of that series do not
make such declaration and that series of junior subordinated
debt securities is held by the relevant trust,
S-110
the relevant property trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
aggregate liquidation amount of the corresponding series of
trust preferred securities shall have such right.
If such a declaration occurs, the holders of a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding junior
subordinated debt securities of that series can, subject to
certain conditions (including, if that series of junior
subordinated debt securities is held by the relevant trust, the
consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate
liquidation amount of the corresponding series of trust
preferred securities), rescind the declaration. If the holders
of junior subordinated debt securities of such series do not so
rescind such declaration and such junior subordinated debt
securities are held by a trust or trustee of such trust, the
holders of at least a majority in aggregate liquidation amount
of the corresponding series of trust preferred securities shall
have such right.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding junior subordinated debt securities of a series may,
on behalf of all holders of the outstanding junior subordinated
debt securities of such series, waive any past default with
respect to such series, except:
|
|
|
|
|
a default in payment of principal or interest; or |
|
|
|
a default under any provision of the applicable junior indenture
which itself cannot be modified or amended without the consent
of the holder of each outstanding junior subordinated debt
security of such series. |
If junior subordinated debt securities of a series as to which
an event of default has occurred and is continuing are held by
the relevant trust, any such waiver shall require a consent of
the holders of at least a majority in aggregate liquidation
amount of the corresponding series of trust preferred
securities. If the holders of the junior subordinated debt
securities of such series do not waive such default, the holders
of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the
corresponding series of trust preferred securities shall have
such right.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the affected
junior subordinated debt securities shall have the right to
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the trustee under the junior
indenture.
We are required to file an officers certificate with the
trustee each year that states, to the knowledge of the
certifying officer, whether or not any defaults exist under the
terms of either junior indenture.
If junior subordinated debt securities are held by the relevant
trust, a holder of the corresponding series of trust preferred
securities may institute a direct action if we fail to make
interest or other payments on such junior subordinated debt
securities when due, taking into account any extension period. A
direct action may be brought without first:
|
|
|
|
|
directing the relevant property trustee to enforce the terms of
such junior subordinated debt securities; or |
|
|
|
suing us to enforce the relevant property trustees rights
under such junior subordinated debt securities. |
This right of direct action cannot be amended in a manner that
would impair the rights of the holders of the corresponding
series of trust preferred securities thereunder without the
consent of all holders of the affected series of trust preferred
securities.
S-111
DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEES
The following description of the particular terms of the
guarantees of certain payment obligations of each trust
supplements the description of the general terms and provisions
of guarantees set forth under Description of
Guarantees beginning on page 28 in the accompanying
prospectus. This summary contains a description of the material
terms of the guarantees but is not necessarily complete. To the
extent that the following description is not consistent with the
description contained in the accompanying prospectus, you should
rely on the following description.
In respect of each trust, the following payments on its trust
preferred securities, also referred to as the guarantee
payments, if not fully paid by such trust, will be paid by
us under the applicable guarantee, without duplication:
|
|
|
|
|
any accumulated and unpaid distributions required to be paid on
such trust preferred securities, to the extent such trust has
funds available to make the payment; |
|
|
|
the redemption price for any of such trust preferred securities
of called for redemption, to the extent such trust has funds
available to make the payment; and |
|
|
|
upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
liquidation of such trust, other than in connection with a
distribution of the relevant series of junior subordinated debt
securities to the holders of such trust preferred securities,
the lesser of: |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
the aggregate of the accreted liquidation amount and all
accumulated and unpaid distributions on such series of trust
preferred securities to the date of payment, to the extent such
trust has funds available to make the payment; and |
|
|
(2) |
the amount of assets of such trust remaining available for
distribution to holders of such trust preferred securities upon
liquidation of such trust. |
Our obligation to make a guarantee payment may be satisfied by
direct payment of the required amounts by us to the holders of
the applicable series of trust preferred securities or by
causing the relevant trust to pay the amounts to the holders.
If we do not make a required payment on a series of junior
subordinated debt securities, the relevant trust will not have
sufficient funds to make the related payment on the
corresponding series of trust preferred securities. The
guarantee related to a series of trust preferred securities does
not cover payments on such series of trust preferred securities
when the relevant trust does not have sufficient funds to make
these payments. If we do not pay any amounts on a series of
junior subordinated debt securities when due, holders of the
trust preferred securities of the corresponding series will have
to rely on the enforcement by the relevant property trustee of
such trustees rights as registered holder of such junior
subordinated debt securities, or proceed directly against us for
payment of any amounts due on such junior subordinated debt
securities.
Our obligations under the guarantee related to a series of trust
preferred securities are unsecured and are subordinate to and
junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future
secured and senior debt, and rank equal in right of payment with
the guarantee for the other series of trust preferred securities
and with all other similar guarantees issued by us.
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association will be the
guarantee trustee under each guarantee for purposes of the Trust
Indenture Act.
Effect of Obligations Under a Series of Junior Subordinated
Debt Securities and the Related Guarantee
As provided in each trust agreement, the sole purpose of each
trust is to issue the relevant trust securities evidencing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such trust, and
to invest the proceeds from the issuance and sale in the
relevant series of junior subordinated debt securities and
engage in only those activities that are necessary or incidental
to the foregoing.
S-112
As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when
due on a series of junior subordinated debt securities, those
payments will be sufficient to cover distributions and payments
due on the corresponding series of trust securities because of
the following factors:
|
|
|
|
|
the aggregate principal amount of such junior subordinated debt
securities will be equal to the sum of the aggregate accreted
liquidation amount of such trust securities; |
|
|
|
the interest rate and the interest and other payment dates on
such junior subordinated debt securities will match the
distribution rate and distribution and other payment dates for
such trust securities; |
|
|
|
we shall pay, and the relevant trust shall not be obligated to
pay, directly or indirectly, any costs, expenses, debts and
obligations of such trust, other than with respect to such trust
securities; and |
|
|
|
each trust agreement further provides that the relevant trustee
shall not take or cause or permit the relevant trust to, among
other things, engage in any activity that is not consistent with
the purposes of such trust. |
Distributions, to the extent funds are available, and other
payments due on each series of trust preferred securities, to
the extent funds are available, are guaranteed by us as and to
the extent described under Description of Guarantees
in the accompanying prospectus. If we do not make interest
payments on a series of junior subordinated debt securities
purchased by a trust, such trust will not have sufficient funds
to pay distributions on the corresponding series of trust
preferred securities. The guarantee of such trust preferred
securities does not apply to any payment of distributions unless
and until such trust has sufficient funds for the payment of
such distributions.
Notwithstanding the above, if an event of default under a trust
agreement has occurred and is continuing and that event is
attributable to our failure to pay interest on or principal of
the relevant series of junior subordinated debt securities on
the date that interest or principal is otherwise payable, then a
holder of trust preferred securities of the corresponding series
may directly institute a proceeding against us for payment. We,
under the guarantee of the applicable series of trust preferred
securities, acknowledge that the guarantee trustee shall enforce
such guarantee on behalf of the holders of the applicable series
of trust preferred securities. If we fail to make payments under
the guarantee of the applicable series of trust preferred
securities, such guarantee provides a mechanism enabling the
holders of the applicable series of trust preferred securities
to direct the guarantee trustee to enforce its rights under such
guarantee. Notwithstanding the above, if we fail to make a
payment under the guarantee of a series of trust preferred
securities, any holder of the applicable series of trust
preferred securities may institute a legal proceeding directly
against us to enforce its rights under such guarantee without
first instituting a legal proceeding against the relevant trust,
the guarantee trustee, or any other person or entity.
The guarantee of a series of trust preferred securities, when
taken together with our obligations under the applicable junior
indenture and the applicable trusts obligations under the
relevant trust agreement, including the obligations to pay
costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of such trust, other than
with respect to its trust securities, has the effect of
providing a full and unconditional guarantee of all amounts due
on the applicable series of trust preferred securities.
S-113
BOOK ENTRY SYSTEM
The Depository Trust Company, which we refer to along with its
successors in this capacity as the depositary, will act as
securities depositary for the normal common equity units,
stripped common equity units and separate trust preferred
securities. The normal common equity units, stripped common
equity units and separate trust preferred securities will be
issued only as fully registered securities registered in the
name of Cede & Co., the depositarys nominee. One
or more fully registered global security certificates,
representing the total aggregate number of normal common equity
units, stripped common equity units and separate trust preferred
securities, will be issued and will be deposited with the
depositary and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on
exchanges and registration of transfer referred to below.
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers
of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive
form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in the normal common equity units, the stripped common
equity units or separate trust preferred securities so long as
the normal common equity units, the stripped common equity units
or separate trust preferred securities are represented by global
security certificates.
The depositary has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust
company organized under the New York Banking Law, a
banking organization within the meaning of the New
York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a
clearing corporation within the meaning of the New
York Uniform Commercial Code and a clearing agency
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act). The depositary holds securities that its
participants deposit with the depositary. The depositary also
facilitates the settlement among participants of securities
transactions, including transfers and pledges, in deposited
securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
participants accounts, thereby eliminating the need for
physical movement of securities certificates. Direct
participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. The depositary is owned by a number of its direct
participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. the
American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the depositarys system
is also available to others, including securities brokers and
dealers, banks and trust companies that clear transactions
through or maintain a direct or indirect custodial relationship
with a direct participant either directly or indirectly. The
rules applicable to the depositary and its participants are on
file with the SEC.
In the event that:
|
|
|
|
|
the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as a depositary for the global security certificates
and no successor depositary has been appointed within
90 days after this notice; |
|
|
|
the depositary at any time ceases to be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act when the depositary is
required to be so registered to act as the depositary and no
successor depositary has been appointed within 90 days
after we learn that the depositary has ceased to be so
registered; |
|
|
|
an event of default has occurred and is continuing under either
series of junior subordinated debt securities or the stock
purchase contract agreement; or |
|
|
|
we, in our sole discretion, determine that the global security
certificates shall be so exchangeable, |
certificates for the normal common equity units, stripped common
equity units, or separate trust preferred securities may be
printed and delivered in exchange for beneficial interests in
the global security certificates. Any global normal common
equity units, stripped common equity units or separate trust
preferred securities that are exchangeable pursuant to the
preceding sentence will be exchangeable for normal common equity
units, stripped common equity units or separate trust preferred
securities certificates registered in the names directed by the
depositary. We expect that these instructions will be based upon
directions received by the depositary from its participants with
respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global
security certificates.
As long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner
of the global security certificates, the depositary or its
nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner
and holder of the global
S-114
security certificates and all normal common equity units,
stripped common equity units or separate trust preferred
securities represented by these certificates for all purposes
under the normal common equity units, stripped common equity
units or separate trust preferred securities and the stock
purchase contract agreement and the trust agreement. Except in
the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of
beneficial interests in global security certificates:
|
|
|
|
|
will not be entitled to have such global security certificates
or the normal common equity units, stripped common equity units
or separate trust preferred securities represented by these
certificates registered in their names; |
|
|
|
will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
normal common equity units, stripped common equity units or
separate trust preferred securities certificates in exchange for
beneficial interests in global security certificates; and |
|
|
|
will not be considered to be owners or holders of the global
security certificates or any normal common equity units,
stripped common equity units or separate trust preferred
securities represented by these certificates for any purpose
under the normal common equity units, stripped common equity
units, the stock purchase contract agreement and the trust
agreement. |
All payments on the common equity units and the trust preferred
securities represented by the global security certificates and
all transfers and deliveries of related trust preferred
securities, treasury securities and shares of common stock will
be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as
the holder of the securities.
Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security
certificates will be limited to participants or persons that may
hold beneficial interests through institutions that have
accounts with the depositary or its nominee. Ownership of
beneficial interests in global security certificates will be
shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests
will be effected only through, records maintained by the
depositary or its nominee, with respect to participants
interests, or any participant, with respect to interests of
persons held by the participant on their behalf. Procedures for
settlement of stock purchase contracts on each stock purchase
date or upon early settlement will be governed by arrangements
among the depositary, participants and persons that may hold
beneficial interests through participants designed to permit
settlement without the physical movement of certificates.
Payments, transfers, deliveries, exchanges and other matters
relating to beneficial interests in global security certificates
may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the
depositary from time to time. None of us, the stock purchase
contract agent or any agent of ours or of the stock purchase
contract agent will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the depositarys or any participants
records relating to, or for payments made on account of,
beneficial interests in global security certificates, or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the
depositarys records or any participants records
relating to these beneficial ownership interests.
Although the depositary has agreed to the foregoing procedures
in order to facilitate transfer of interests in the global
security certificates among participants, the depositary is
under no obligation to perform or continue to perform these
procedures, and these procedures may be discontinued at any
time. We will not have any responsibility for the performance by
the depositary or its direct participants or indirect
participants under the rules and procedures governing the
depositary.
The information in this section concerning the depositary and
its book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we
believe to be reliable, but we have not attempted to verify the
accuracy of this information.
S-115
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
This section describes certain of the material United States
federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of the common equity units (including the preferred
trust securities for each trust and the stock purchase
contract), the junior subordinated debt securities held
initially held by the trust and the common stock acquired under
a stock purchase contract (the Securities). This
summary does not purport to be a complete analysis of all of the
tax considerations that may be applicable to a decision to
acquire the Securities (in whole or in part). With respect to
the summary of United States federal income tax consequences,
this summary only applies to holders who purchase the common
equity units in the initial offering at their original offering
price and hold the common equity units, the junior subordinated
debt securities and/or the stock purchase contract that are or
may be the components of a common equity unit and the common
shares acquired under a stock purchase contract as capital
assets within the meaning of section 1221 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). This
summary does not address alternative minimum taxes or state,
local or foreign taxes. Please consult your own tax advisors to
determine what state, local or foreign tax consequences could
result from the purchase, ownership and disposition of the
Securities.
This summary does not describe all the United States federal
income tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in
light of its particular circumstances or to holders subject to
special rules, such as:
|
|
|
|
|
dealers and certain traders in securities, |
|
|
|
banks, regulated investment companies, real estate investment
trusts, and financial institutions, |
|
|
|
insurance companies, |
|
|
|
tax-exempt organizations, |
|
|
|
persons holding Securities as part of a straddle,
hedge, conversion or similar transaction, |
|
|
|
persons that are classified as partnerships for United States
federal income tax purposes, or |
|
|
|
a United States holder (as defined below) whose functional
currency for tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar. |
This summary is based on current law and is for general
information purposes only. Future legislative, judicial or
administrative changes or interpretations could be retroactive
and could affect the information, beliefs and conclusions in
this discussion. There can be no assurances that the IRS will
not challenge one or more of the tax consequences discussed
herein. The tax treatment applicable to you may vary depending
on your particular tax situation or status. Please consult your
own tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of purchasing,
owning and disposing of Securities in your particular
circumstances under the Code and the laws of any other taxing
jurisdiction.
United States Holders
This subsection describes certain material United States federal
income tax consequences to a United States holder. You are a
United States holder if you are a beneficial owner
of Securities and you are:
|
|
|
|
|
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, |
|
|
|
a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for United
States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or
under the laws of the United States of any state thereof or the
District of Columbia, |
|
|
|
an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for
United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its
source, or |
|
|
|
a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one
or more United States persons are authorized to control all
substantial decisions of the trust. |
S-116
If you are not a United States holder, this subsection does not
apply to you and you should refer to
Non-United States Holders below.
|
|
|
Tax Considerations Regarding the Trusts |
|
|
|
Classification of the Trust |
Assuming full compliance with the terms of the trust agreements,
each trust will be classified as a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes and will not be classified as
an association or publicly traded partnership that is taxed as a
corporation. Accordingly, for United States federal income tax
purposes, as a holder of the preferred trust securities, you
will be treated as purchasing and owning an undivided beneficial
ownership interest in the junior subordinated debt securities
held by each trust and as described in more detail below, will
be required to take into account for United States federal
income tax purposes your pro rata share of each trusts
items of income, gain, loss, or deduction, as though such
amounts were earned or incurred directly by you. The character
of the income included by you as a holder of the preferred trust
securities (and indirect holder of the junior subordinated debt
securities) generally will reflect the character of the relevant
trusts income. By purchasing a normal common equity unit
you have agreed to treat each trust as a grantor trust for
United States federal income tax purposes. Each prospective
investor should consult their own tax advisor as to the
consequences that would result if the trusts did not qualify as
grantor trusts. For purposes of this summary we will assume that
each trust will be treated as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes.
We reserve the right to dissolve either of the trusts at any
time. Upon dissolution of a trust you will receive as a
distribution from the trust your undivided interest in the
junior subordinated debt securities held by the trust. Such a
distribution will not result in a taxable event to you for
United States federal income tax purposes based on our
assumption that each trust will be treated as a grantor trust.
Accordingly, your tax basis and holding period in the junior
subordinated debt securities will be the same as your tax basis
and holding period in your applicable preferred trust security.
|
|
|
Characterization of Normal Common Equity Units |
Each normal common equity unit should be treated for United
States federal income tax purposes as an investment unit
comprised of (a) an ownership in the applicable series of
trust preferred securities representing an undivided beneficial
ownership interest in the junior subordinated debt securities
held by each trust and (b) a stock purchase contract
obligating a holder to purchase shares of MetLife common stock
on the applicable stock purchase date in exchange for a receipt
of the payments required under the contract to purchase such
stock. Consequently, you should allocate your purchase price for
a normal common equity unit between these two components in
proportion to their respective fair market values at the time of
purchase. This allocation will establish your initial United
States federal income tax basis in your preferred trust
securities (or more precisely in your undivided interest in the
applicable series of the junior subordinated debt securities)
and the stock purchase contract. Based on valuations provided to
us, we will treat, and you will be deemed to have agreed to
treat, the fair market value at the time of issuance of each
undivided beneficial interest in the junior subordinated debt
securities held by each trust as $12.50 and the fair market
value at the time of issuance of each stock purchase contract as
$0. This allocation will be binding on you, but not the IRS. The
remainder of this summary assumes that this allocation of the
purchase price will be respected for United States federal
income tax purposes.
|
|
|
Sales, Exchanges or Other Taxable Dispositions of the Common
Equity Units |
Upon a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of a common
equity unit, you will be treated as having sold, exchanged or
disposed of the stock purchase contract and your undivided
interest in the junior subordinated debt securities held by the
applicable trust (in the case of a normal common equity unit) or
treasury securities
S-117
(in the case of a stripped common equity unit) that constitute
such common equity unit. The proceeds realized in such
disposition will be allocated between the stock purchase
contract and the applicable series of junior subordinated debt
securities (or in the case of a stripped common equity unit, the
applicable treasury securities) that constitute such common
equity unit in proportion to their respective fair market values
at the time of disposition. You generally will recognize gain or
loss equal to the difference between the portion of the proceeds
allocable to each component of the common equity unit and your
respective adjusted United States federal income tax basis in
each such component. Gain or loss from the sale of the common
equity unit generally will be capital gain or loss (except
that, amounts allocable to accrued but unpaid interest in
respect of junior subordinated debt securities will be treated
as interest to the extent not previously included in income, and
amounts allocable to accrued or deferred contract payments could
be treated as giving rise to ordinary income), and such gain or
loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss in respect
of positions held for more than one year at the time of such
disposition. In general, the maximum rate of United States
federal income tax for non-corporate taxpayers is currently 15%
for long-term capital gain and 35% for short-term capital gain.
For corporate taxpayers, generally both long-term and short-term
capital gains are subject to a maximum United States federal
income tax rate of 35%. The deductibility of capital losses is
subject to significant limitations, which vary between corporate
and non-corporate taxpayers. You should consult your own tax
advisors for purposes of determining the amount and character of
any gain or loss that may be generated from the sale of a common
equity unit, including without limitation the character of any
amounts that are attributable to contract payments.
If you dispose of a common equity unit when the stock purchase
contract has a negative value, you should be considered to have
received additional consideration for the undivided beneficial
interest in the subordinated junior debt or treasury securities,
as the case may be, in an amount equal to such negative value
and to have paid such amount to be released from your obligation
under the stock purchase contract.
In determining gain or loss, your characterization of the
contract payments could affect your tax basis in the stock
purchase contract. You should consult your tax advisor regarding
how your tax basis may be affected by the contract payments.
|
|
|
Preferred Trust Securities and Junior Subordinated Debt
Securities |
By purchasing a normal common equity unit you have agreed to
treat the junior subordinated debt securities as indebtedness
for United States federal income tax purposes. Except in the
case of a deferral of interest on the junior subordinated debt
securities, we will treat interest paid on junior subordinated
debt securities as taxable to you as ordinary interest income at
the time it is received or accrued, depending upon the method of
accounting applicable to you and will report accordingly;
provided, however that the IRS may disagree with our positions
and treat the junior subordinated debt securities as having
original issue discount upon issuance.
In the event the IRS treats the junior subordinated debt
securities as having original issuance discount
(OID) because of MetLifes ability to defer
payments of interest, the United States holders will be subject
to the provisions of Sections 1271-1275 of the Code and the
Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the OID
Rules). Under these rules, a United States holder would be
required to include interest in gross income on a constant yield
basis regardless of the United States holders method of
tax accounting and thus, could be required to include such
income prior to the receipt of payments of interest on the
junior subordinated debt securities.
In the event that we defer interest in respect of junior
subordinated debt securities and the junior subordinated debt
securities are not treated as subject to the OID Rules upon
issuance, interest will nonetheless continue to accrue, and
holders of junior subordinated debt securities or of the related
trust preferred securities that are outstanding, will then be
required to accrue such deferred interest income on a constant
yield basis (in the form of original issue discount) for United
States federal income tax purposes prior to the receipt of cash
attributable to such income, regardless of the method of
accounting used by the holders.
S-118
|
|
|
Sales, Exchanges or Other Taxable Dispositions of Preferred
Trust Certificate or Junior Subordinated Debt Securities |
You will recognize gain or loss on a sale, exchange or other
taxable disposition of a preferred trust certificate or a junior
subordinated debt security (including upon the remarketing
thereof) in an amount equal to the difference between the amount
realized on the disposition of such instrument (less any portion
allocable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be treated
as a payment of interest for United States federal income tax
purposes to the extent not previously included in income) and
your adjusted United States federal income tax basis in such
instrument. See Sales, Exchanges or Other
Taxable Dispositions of Common Equity Units above for a
discussion regarding the character and tax rate applicable to
any gain or loss from such a disposition.
|
|
|
Substitution of Treasury Securities to Create Stripped Common
Equity Units |
If you hold normal common equity units and deliver treasury
securities to the collateral agent in substitution for the
applicable trust preferred securities, you generally will not
recognize gain or loss upon the delivery of such treasury
securities or the release of such trust preferred securities.
You will continue to take into account items of income or
deduction otherwise includible or deductible, respectively, by
you with respect to such trust preferred securities, and your
adjusted United States federal income tax bases in and your
holding period of the treasury securities and the junior
subordinated debt securities and the stock purchase contract
will not be affected by such delivery and release.
Although the treasury securities will not generate current
payments to you, you will be required, for United States federal
income tax purposes, to recognize original issue discount in
respect of the treasury securities on a constant yield basis, or
to recognize acquisition discount on the treasury securities
when it is paid or accrues, generally in accordance with your
regular method of tax accounting.
You should consult your tax advisor concerning the tax
consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of the treasury
securities so delivered to the collateral agent.
|
|
|
Substitution of Trust Preferred Securities to Recreate Normal
Common Equity Units |
If you hold a stripped common equity unit and deliver trust
preferred securities to the collateral agent in substitution for
treasury securities, you will generally not recognize gain or
loss upon the delivery of such trust preferred securities or the
release of the underlying treasury securities to you. You will
continue to take into account items of income or deduction
otherwise includible or deductible, respectively, by you with
respect to such treasury securities and trust preferred
securities (or more precisely the junior subordinated debt
securities), and your adjusted United States federal income tax
bases in and your holding period of the treasury securities, the
trust preferred securities and the stock purchase contract will
not be affected by such delivery and release.
There is no direct authority addressing the treatment, under
current law, of the contract payments or deferred contract
payments, and such treatment is, therefore, unclear. Contract
payments and deferred contract payments may constitute taxable
ordinary income to a United States holder when received or
accrued, in accordance with such United States holders
regular method of tax accounting. To the extent we are required
to file information returns with respect to the contract
payments or deferred adjustment payments, we intend to report
such payments as taxable ordinary income to United States
holders. In the event that we elect to pay contract payments in
the form of common stock or notes, we will take the position
that such payments constitute ordinary income to you in the
amount of the fair market value of such stock or note as of the
time of the payments. Nevertheless, you should consult with your
tax advisor regarding possible alternative characterizations of
the contract payments.
The characterization of contract payments and deferred contract
payments could affect (i) a United States holders
adjusted tax basis in a purchase contract or the common shares
received under a purchase
S-119
contract or (ii) the amount and character of gain or loss
realized or recognized by a United States holder upon the sale,
termination or disposition of a common equity unit or the
termination of a purchase contract.
|
|
|
Acquisition of Common Stock Under a Stock Purchase
Contract |
You generally will not recognize gain or loss on the purchase of
our common stock under a stock purchase contract, including upon
an early settlement, except with respect to any cash paid in
lieu of a fractional share of common stock and generally, your
aggregate initial United States federal income tax basis in the
common stock received under a stock purchase contract should
equal the purchase price paid for such common stock. However,
the manner in which you characterize the contract payments may
affect whether you recognize taxable gain upon the purchase of
our common stock pursuant to the stock purchase contract and/or
your tax basis in such stock. You should consult your tax
advisor to determine how the contract payments may affect your
tax consequences upon purchasing our common stock pursuant to
the stock purchase contract. The holding period for common stock
received under a stock purchase contract will commence on the
date following the acquisition of such Common Stock.
|
|
|
Ownership of Common Stock Acquired Under the Stock Purchase
Contract |
Any distribution with respect to common stock that we pay out of
our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined
for United States federal income tax purposes) will constitute a
dividend and will be includible in income by you when received.
Any such dividends will be eligible for the dividends received
deduction if you are an otherwise qualifying corporate United
States holder that meets the holding period and other
requirements for the dividends received deduction. In general,
dividends paid to a non-corporate United States holder in
taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009 are taxable
at a maximum United States federal income tax rate of 15%
provided that such holder holds the shares for more than
60 days during the 120-day period beginning 60 days
before the ex-dividend date and meets other requirements. Upon a
disposition of common stock, you generally will recognize
capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount
realized and your adjusted United States federal income tax
basis in the Common Stock. See Sales,
Exchanges or Other Taxable Dispositions of Common Equity
Units above for a discussion regarding the character and
tax rate applicable to any gain or loss.
|
|
|
Termination of Purchase Contract. |
If a purchase contract terminates, a United States holder of a
common equity unit will recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized (if any) and such United
States holders adjusted tax basis (if any) in the purchase
contract at the time of such termination. Any such gain or loss
will be capital and generally will be long-term capital gain or
loss if the United States holder held the purchase contract for
more than one year prior to such termination. Long-term capital
gains of individuals are eligible for reduced rates of taxation.
See Sales, Exchanges or Other Taxable
Dispositions of Common Equity Units above for a discussion
regarding the character and tax rate applicable to any gain or
loss. Additionally, tax consequences may vary upon a termination
depending upon how you have characterized the contract payments
for United States federal income tax purposes. You should
consult your tax advisor with respect to any such issues.
|
|
|
Adjustment to Settlement Rate. |
As a holder of a common equity unit, an adjustment to the
settlement rate could under certain circumstances be treated as
a constructive payment of a taxable amount. In such cases an
increase in the settlement rate might give rise to taxable
income or gain to you in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the Code even though you would not receive any
cash related thereto.
You should consult your tax advisor concerning the tax
consequences resulting from adjustments made to the settlement
rate.
S-120
|
|
|
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting |
In general, you will be subject to backup withholding with
respect to payments made on or with respect to the Securities,
the proceeds received with respect to a fractional share of
common stock upon a settlement of a stock purchase contract, and
the proceeds received from the sale of Securities unless you:
|
|
|
|
|
are an entity (including a corporation or a tax-exempt entity)
that is exempt from backup withholding and, when required,
demonstrate this fact; or |
|
|
|
provide your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
(which, if you are an individual, would be your Social Security
Number), and further |
|
|
|
|
|
you certify that (i) the TIN you provide is correct,
(ii) you are a United States person and (iii) you are
exempt from backup withholding, |
|
|
|
you have not been notified by the IRS that you are subject to
backup withholding due to underreporting of interest or
dividends or you have been notified by the IRS that you are no
longer subject to backup withholding, and |
|
|
|
you otherwise comply with the applicable requirements of the
backup withholding rules. |
In addition, such payments or proceeds received by you if you
are not a corporation or tax-exempt organization will generally
be subject to information reporting requirements.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. The amount of any
backup withholding from a payment to you will be allowed as a
credit against your federal income tax liability and may entitle
you to a refund, provided that you furnish the required
information to the IRS.
Non-United States Holders
The following summary is addressed to non-United States holders.
A non-United States holder is a holder that is neither a
partnership nor a United States person for United States federal
income tax purposes.
|
|
|
United States Federal Withholding Tax |
United States federal withholding tax will not apply to any
interest paid on the trust preferred securities or on the junior
subordinated debt securities provided that:
|
|
|
|
|
you do not actually (or constructively) own 10% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock
within the meaning of the Code and the Treasury regulations, and
you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to
us through stock ownership; |
|
|
|
either (a) you provide your name, address and certain other
information on an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or
a suitable substitute form), and certify, under penalties of
perjury, that you are not a United States person or (b) you
hold Securities through certain foreign intermediaries or
certain foreign partnerships and certain certification
requirements are satisfied. |
In general, United States federal withholding tax at a rate of
30% will apply to the dividends, if any, (and generally any
deemed dividends resulting from certain adjustments or failures
to make an adjustment as described under Stock
Purchase Contracts Adjustment to Settlement
Rate) paid on the shares of common stock acquired under
the stock purchase contract. It is possible that United States
withholding tax on deemed dividends would be withheld from
interest paid to you under the trust preferred securities or the
junior subordinated debt securities.
Although the United States federal income tax treatment of the
contract payments is not clear, we intend to withhold at a rate
of 30% on any contract payments made with respect to a stock
purchase contract.
If a tax treaty applies, you may be eligible for a reduced rate
of withholding. Additionally, contract payments or dividends
that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business by you in the United States (and, where an applicable
tax treaty so provides, are also attributable to a United States
S-121
permanent establishment maintained by you) are not subject to
the United States federal withholding tax, but instead are
subject to United States federal income tax, as described below.
In order to claim any such exemption from or reduction in the
30% withholding tax, you should provide a properly executed
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or suitable
substitute form) claiming a reduction of or an exemption from
withholding under an applicable tax treaty or a properly
executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or a
suitable substitute form) stating that such payments are not
subject to withholding tax because they are effectively
connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United
States.
|
|
|
United States Federal Income Tax |
If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States
(and, if a tax treaty applies, if you maintain a permanent
establishment within the United States) and (i) payments on
the preferred trust securities or the junior subordinated debt
securities, (ii) dividends on the common stock and,
(iii) to the extent they constitute taxable income,
contract payments made with respect to the stock purchase
contracts are, in each case, effectively connected with the
conduct of such trade or business (and, if a tax treaty applies,
attributable to such permanent establishment), you will be
subject to United States federal income tax (but not withholding
tax), on such payments, dividends and contract payments on a net
income basis in the same manner as if you were a United States
holder. In addition, in certain circumstances, if you are a
foreign corporation, you may be subject to a 30% (or, if a tax
treaty applies, such lower rate as provided) branch profits tax.
Except as discussed below, any gain realized on the disposition
of the Securities will not be subject to United States federal
income tax (including any United States federal income
withholding taxes) unless:
|
|
|
|
|
such gain or income is effectively connected with your conduct
of a trade or business in the United States (and, where an
applicable tax treaty so provides, are also attributable to a
United States permanent establishment maintained by you); or |
|
|
|
you are an individual who is present in the United States for
183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and
certain other conditions are met. |
Notwithstanding the above statement regarding when United States
federal income tax may be imposed on gain derived from the
disposition of Securities, because of the lack of legal guidance
regarding how contract payments are taxed for United States
federal income tax purposes it is not clear whether proceeds
derived from the disposition of the Securities could be subject
to United States federal withholding tax to the extent such
proceeds could be attributable to the contract payments.
Accordingly, Non-United States holders should consult their tax
advisor to determine whether United States federal withholding
tax may be imposed upon the disposition of the Securities.
|
|
|
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting |
Unless you are an exempt recipient, such as a corporation,
payments made with respect to the Securities, the proceeds
received with respect to a fractional share of Common Stock upon
the settlement of a stock purchase contract, and the proceeds
received from a sale of Securities may be subject to information
reporting and may also be subject to United States federal
backup withholding at the applicable rate if you fail to comply
with applicable United States information reporting or
certification requirements. Any amounts so withheld under the
backup withholding rules may be allowed as a credit against your
United States federal income tax liability provided you furnish
the required information to the IRS.
S-122
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain considerations associated
with the acquisition, holding and, to the extent relevant,
disposition of common equity units (and the trust preferred
securities that are a part of the common equity units) by
employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the
U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended (ERISA), Keogh plans, individual retirement
accounts and other arrangements that are subject to
Section 4975 of the Code, and entities whose underlying
assets are considered to include plan assets of such
plans, accounts and arrangements (each, a Plan).
General Fiduciary Matters
Each fiduciary of a Plan should consider the fiduciary standards
of ERISA in the context of the Plans particular
circumstances before authorizing an investment in common equity
units (and the trust preferred securities that are a part of the
common equity units). Among other factors, the fiduciary should
consider whether the investment is consistent with the documents
and instruments governing the Plan and whether the investment
would satisfy the prudence, diversification, delegation of
control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and the
Code.
Any insurance company proposing to invest assets of its general
account in common equity units (and the trust preferred
securities that are a part of the common equity units) should
consult with its counsel concerning the potential application of
ERISA to such investment.
Prohibited Transaction Issues
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code
prohibit Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving
plan assets with persons or entities who are
parties in interest, within the meaning of ERISA, or
disqualified persons, within the meaning of
Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available.
We may be considered a party in interest or disqualified person
with respect to a Plan to the extent we or our affiliates are
engaged in businesses which provide services to Plans.
A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a
non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes
and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In
addition, the fiduciary of the Plan that engages in such a
non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties
and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. Employee benefit plans
that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of
ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33)
of ERISA) and foreign plans (as described in
Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) are not subject to the
requirements of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. It is
possible, however, that a governmental plan may be subject to
other federal, state or local laws that contain fiduciary and
prohibited transaction provisions substantially similar to those
under Title I of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code
(Similar Laws).
The Department of Labor has issued several prohibited
transaction class exemptions, or PTCEs, that may
provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited
transactions resulting from the purchase, holding and
disposition of common equity units (and the trust preferred
securities that are a part of the common equity units). These
class exemptions include PTCE 84-14 for certain
transactions determined by independent qualified professional
asset managers, PTCE 90-1 for certain transactions
involving insurance company pooled separate accounts,
PTCE 91-38 for certain transactions involving bank
collective investment funds, PTCE 95-60 for certain
transactions involving life insurance company general accounts,
and PTCE 96-23 for certain transactions determined by
in-house asset managers.
Accordingly, any purchaser or holder of common equity units
(and/or the trust preferred securities that are a part of the
common equity units) or any interest therein will be deemed to
have represented and warranted by its purchase and holding
thereof that either (A) it is not a Plan, or a governmental
plan subject to any Similar Law, and it is not purchasing common
equity units (or the trust preferred securities that are a part
of the common equity units) on behalf of or with plan
assets of any such Plan or governmental plan or
(B) its purchase, holding and, to the extent relevant,
disposition of a common equity units (and/or the trust preferred
securities that are a part of the common equity units) either
(i) qualifies for exemptive relief under
S-123
PTCE 84-14, 90-1, 91-38, 95-60 or 96-23 (or some other
applicable class or individual exemption) or (ii) will not
result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under
Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (or,
in the case of a governmental plan, a violation of any Similar
Law).
Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may
be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited
transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or
other persons considering purchasing common equity units (and
the trust preferred securities that are a part of the common
equity units) on behalf of or with plan assets of
any Plan or governmental plan consult with their counsel
regarding the potential consequences of the investment and the
availability of exemptive relief.
S-124
UNDERWRITING
We, each trust and the underwriters for this offering (the
underwriters) named below have entered into an
underwriting agreement with respect to the common equity units
being offered. Subject to certain terms and conditions, MetLife,
Inc. has agreed to sell to each of the underwriters named below,
severally, and each of the underwriters has severally agreed to
purchase, the number of common equity units set forth opposite
its name below. Banc of America Securities LLC and Goldman,
Sachs & Co. will act as joint global coordinators and,
together with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse First
Boston LLC, Lehman Brothers Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated and UBS Securities LLC, will act as joint
book-running managers for the offering. Banc of America
Securities LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are the
representatives of the underwriters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Common |
Underwriters |
|
Equity Units |
|
|
|
Banc of America Securities LLC
|
|
|
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
|
|
|
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
|
|
|
Credit Suisse First Boston LLC
|
|
|
Lehman Brothers Inc.
|
|
|
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
|
|
|
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
|
|
|
UBS Securities LLC
|
|
|
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
|
|
|
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
|
|
|
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
|
|
|
BNP Paribas Securities Corp.
|
|
|
Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc.
|
|
|
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
|
|
|
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
|
|
|
Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC
|
|
|
Guzman & Company
|
|
|
Samuel A. Ramirez & Co., Inc.
|
|
|
Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc.
|
|
|
The Williams Capital Group, L.P.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
72,000,000 |
|
|
|
The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the
common equity units being offered, if any are taken, other than
the common equity units covered by the option described below
unless and until this option is exercised.
If the underwriters sell more common equity units than the total
number set forth in the table above, the underwriters have an
option to buy up to an additional 10,800,000 common equity units
from MetLife, Inc. They may exercise that option for
30 days. If common equity units are purchased pursuant to
this option, the underwriters will severally purchase the common
equity units in approximately the same proportion as set forth
in the table above.
S-125
The following table shows the per common equity unit and total
underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the
underwriters by MetLife, Inc. Such amounts are shown assuming
both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters
option to purchase 10,800,000 additional common equity units.
Paid by MetLife, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No Exercise | |
|
Full Exercise | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Per common equity unit
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
The common equity units sold by the underwriters to the public
will initially be offered at the initial public offering price
set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. Any common
equity units sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may
be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price of
up to
$ per
common equity unit from the initial public offering price. Any
such securities dealers may resell any common equity units
purchased from the underwriters to certain other brokers or
dealers at a discount from the initial public offering price of
up to
$ per
common equity unit from the initial public offering price. If
all the common equity units are not sold at the initial public
offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price
and the other selling terms.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the
common equity units. MetLife, Inc. will apply to list the common
equity units on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
MEU. If approved, we expect trading of the common
equity units on the New York Stock Exchange to begin on the date
of initial delivery. Neither the stripped common equity units
nor the trust preferred securities initially will be listed.
However, if the stripped common equity units or the trust
preferred securities are separately traded to a sufficient
extent so that applicable exchange listing requirements are met,
we may list the stripped common equity units or the trust
preferred securities on the same exchange as the normal common
equity units are then listed, including, if applicable, the New
York Stock Exchange, though we are under no obligation to do so.
MetLife, Inc. and certain of its executive officers have agreed
with the underwriters, subject to certain limited exceptions,
not to issue, offer, sell, contract to sell, or otherwise
dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock
or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of
common stock, or publicly announce an intention to do any of the
foregoing, during the period beginning on June 1, 2005 and
continuing to and including September 18, 2005, except with
the prior written consent of the global coordinators. This
agreement shall not prohibit MetLife, Inc. from issuing up to
$3 billion in mandatorily convertible equity securities as
part of the financing of the Acquisition or from issuing shares
of common stock or non-voting convertible participating
preferred stock to Citigroup in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $3 billion as contemplated in the Acquisition
Agreement.
The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a
market for the common equity units, but they have no obligation
to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without
providing any notice. No assurance can be given as to the
liquidity of any trading market for the common equity units.
MetLife, Inc. estimates that its expenses for this offering will
be approximately
$ .
MetLife, Inc. has agreed to indemnify the underwriters against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act, or to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be
required to make in respect of any such liabilities.
In connection with this offering of common equity units, the
representatives may engage in transactions that stabilize,
maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common equity
units. Specifically, the representatives may overallot in
connection with the offering of the common equity units,
creating a syndicate short position. In addition, the
representatives may bid for, and purchase, common equity units
in the open market to cover syndicate short positions or to
stabilize the price of the common equity units. Finally, the
representatives may reclaim selling concessions allowed for
distributing the common equity units in the offering of the
common equity units, if the representatives repurchase
previously distributed common equity units in syndicate covering
transactions, stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of
these activities may
S-126
stabilize or maintain the market price of the common equity
units above independent market levels. The representatives are
not required to engage in any of these activities, may end any
of them at any time, and must bring them to an end after a
limited period.
Each underwriter has represented, warranted and agreed that:
(i) it has not offered or sold and, prior to the expiry of
a period of six months from the closing date for this offering,
will not offer or sell, any common equity units to persons in
the United Kingdom except to persons whose ordinary activities
involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of
investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their
businesses or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted
and will not result in an offer to the public in the United
Kingdom within the meaning of the Public Offers of Securities
Regulations 1995; (ii) it has only communicated or caused
to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be
communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in
investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of
the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA))
received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any
common equity units in circumstances in which section 21(1)
of the FSMA does not apply to the issuer; and (iii) it has
complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the
FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the
common equity units in, from or otherwise involving the United
Kingdom.
The common equity units may not be offered or sold, transferred
or delivered, as part of their initial distribution or at any
time thereafter, directly or indirectly, to any individual or
legal entity in the Netherlands other than to individuals or
legal entities who or which trade or invest in securities in the
conduct of their profession or trade, which includes banks,
securities intermediaries, insurance companies, pension funds,
other institutional investors and commercial enterprises which,
as an ancillary activity, regularly trade or invest in
securities.
The common equity units may not be offered or sold by means of
any document other than to persons whose ordinary business is to
buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent,
or in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the
public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance
(Cap. 32) of Hong Kong, and no advertisement, invitation or
document relating to the common equity units may be issued,
whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the
contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the
public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the
securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to common
equity units which are or are intended to be disposed of only to
persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional
investors within the meaning of the Securities and Futures
Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made
thereunder.
Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying
prospectus has been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary
Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus and any other document or
material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation or
subscription or purchase, of the common equity units may not be
circulated or distributed, nor may the common equity units be
offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for
subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to
persons in Singapore other than under circumstances in which
such offer, sale or invitation does not constitute an offer or
sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the common
equity units to the public in Singapore.
The common equity units have not been and will not be registered
under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan (the Securities
and Exchange Law) and each underwriter has agreed that it will
not offer or sell any common equity units, directly or
indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident
of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in
Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under
the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale,
directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan,
except pursuant to an exemption from the registration
requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the
Securities and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws,
regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
Each underwriter has represented and agreed not to offer or sell
any common equity units in the Federal Republic of Germany other
than in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations of
the Federal Republic of Germany governing the issue, offering
and sale of securities. In particular, each underwriter has
acknowledged that no German sales prospectus (Verkaufsprospekt)
under the German Securities Sales
S-127
Prospectus Act (Wertpapier-Verkaufsprospektgesetz) of 1990 (as
amended) (the Sales Prospectus Act) has been or will
be published in respect of the common equity units. Furthermore,
each underwriter has represented and agreed that any offering of
the common equity units in the Federal Republic of Germany may
be made only pursuant to Section 2 of the Sales Prospectus
Act or, should Section 2 of the Sales Prospectus Act no
longer be in effect, in compliance with any other then
applicable provisions of German law setting forth exemptions
from the prospectus requirement for offerings of securities in
the Federal Republic of Germany, in particular the German
Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz).
No prospectus (including any amendment, supplement or
replacement thereto) has been prepared in connection with the
offering of the common equity units that has been approved by
the Autorité des marchés financiers or mutually
recognized in France; no common equity units have been offered
or sold and will be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to
the public in France with the exception only to qualified
investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a
limited circle of investors (cercle restreint
dinvestisseurs) acting for their own account as
defined in article L. 411-2 of the French Code
Monétaire et Financier and applicable regulations
thereunder; none of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying
prospectus or any other materials related to the offering or
information contained therein relating to the common equity
units has been released, issued or distributed to the public in
France with the exception only to qualified investors
(investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a limited circle
of investors (cercle restreint dinvestisseurs) as
mentioned above; and the direct or indirect resale to the public
in France of any common equity units acquired by any qualified
investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or any
investors belonging to a limited circle of investors (cercle
restreint dinvestisseurs) may be made only as provided
by articles L. 412-1 and L. 621-8 of the French
Code Monétaire et Financier and applicable
regulations thereunder.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have
not been notified to or approved by the Belgian Banking, Finance
and Insurance Commission (Commission bancaire,
financiére et des assurances /Commissie voor
het Bank-, Financie- en Assurantiewezen) and are therefore
transmitted on a purely confidential basis. Accordingly, the
common equity units may not be offered for sale, sold or
marketed in Belgium by means of a public offering under Belgian
law. Any offer to sell the common equity units in Belgium will
be permitted exclusively to either:
(i) persons who each subscribe for a minimum of EUR
250,000, or (ii) qualifying institutional investors, acting
for their own account, and listed in Arcticle 3, 2° of
the Royal Decree of July 7, 1999. In addition, if an
investor is a consumer within the meaning of Article 1.7 of
the Law of July 14, 1991 on consumer protection and trade
practices, a sale of common equity units must be made in
compliance with the provisions of such law and its implementing
legislation.
Qualifying institutional investors under Article 3, 2°
of the Royal Decree are the following:
|
|
|
|
(1) |
the European Central Bank, certain Belgian sovereigns and public
institutions; |
|
|
(2) |
licensed Belgian and foreign credit institutions; |
|
|
(3) |
licensed Belgian and foreign investment firms; |
|
|
(4) |
licensed Belgian and foreign collective investment schemes; |
|
|
(5) |
licensed Belgian and foreign insurance companies, Belgian and
foreign reinsurance companies, and certain pensions funds; |
|
|
(6) |
Belgian holding companies; |
|
|
(7) |
authorized Belgian coordination centers; and |
|
|
(8) |
Belgian and foreign companies listed on a Belgian or a foreign
regulated market with consolidated own funds of at least
25 million. |
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the
underwriters and their affiliates have engaged, and may in the
future engage, in commercial banking and/or investment banking
transactions with us and our affiliates for which they have in
the past received, and may in the future receive, customary
fees. Affiliates of
S-128
some of the lenders under MetLife, Inc.s credit agreements
are acting as underwriters for this offering. Banc of America
Securities LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. have advised
MetLife, Inc. with respect to the Acquisition and are acting as
underwriters for this offering of common equity units. In
addition, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is an affiliate of
Citigroup, from whom MetLife, Inc. is acquiring Citigroup
L&A, and has advised Citigroup with respect to the
Acquisition. The proceeds received by MetLife, Inc. from this
offering are expected to be used to finance a portion of the
Acquisition purchase price. This offering will be conducted in
accordance with NASD Conduct Rule 2710(h).
Robert H. Benmosche, a director of Credit Suisse Group, of which
Credit Suisse First Boston LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary, is
our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.
S-129
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the common equity units offered hereby will be
passed upon for MetLife, Inc. by Richard S. Collins, Chief
Counsel General Corporate of MetLife and by LeBoeuf,
Lamb, Greene & MacRae LLP, New York, New York, which
has also acted as special tax counsel for MetLife, Inc.
Mr. Collins is paid a salary by MetLife, Inc., is a
participant in various employee benefit plans offered by
MetLife, Inc. to employees generally, holds MetLife, Inc. common
stock and has options to purchase additional shares of MetLife,
Inc. common stock. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon certain legal matters
for the underwriters. LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae
LLP maintains various group and other insurance policies with
Metropolitan Life.
EXPERTS
The combined balance sheet of Citigroups Life Insurance
and Annuities Assets to be Acquired and Liabilities to be
Assumed as of December 31, 2004, and the related combined
statements of income, changes in shareholders equity and
cash flows and for the year then ended, included in
Form 8-K of MetLife, Inc. dated May 13, 2005, have
been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the
report of KPMG LLP, independent auditors, also incorporated by
reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing. The combined financial statements of
Citigroups Life Insurance and Annuities Assets to be
Acquired and Liabilities to be Assumed represent a carve out of
certain businesses from a consolidated group of companies rather
than a complete legal entity.
S-130
PROSPECTUS
$14,876,994,500
METLIFE, INC.
DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK, DEPOSITARY SHARES,
COMMON STOCK, WARRANTS, PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND UNITS
METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST II
METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST III
TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by MetLife, Inc.,
As Set Forth Herein
MetLife, Inc., MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital
Trust III will provide the specific terms of these
securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read
this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement
carefully before you make your investment decision.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO SELL SECURITIES UNLESS
ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
MetLife, Inc., MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital
Trust III may offer securities through underwriting
syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters,
through agents, or directly to purchasers. The prospectus
supplement for each offering of securities will describe in
detail the plan of distribution for that offering. For general
information about the distribution of securities offered, please
see Plan of Distribution in this prospectus.
MetLife, Inc.s common stock is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the trading symbol MET. Unless
otherwise stated in this prospectus or an accompanying
prospectus supplement, none of these securities will be listed
on a securities exchange, other than MetLife, Inc.s common
stock.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state
securities commission, the New York Superintendent of Insurance
or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of
these securities or determined if this prospectus or the
accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. They
have not made, nor will they make, any determination as to
whether anyone should buy these securities. Any representation
to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is April 27, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
About This Prospectus
|
|
|
1 |
|
Where You Can Find More Information
|
|
|
1 |
|
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
|
|
|
2 |
|
MetLife, Inc.
|
|
|
3 |
|
The Trusts
|
|
|
3 |
|
Use of Proceeds
|
|
|
5 |
|
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
|
|
|
5 |
|
Description of Securities
|
|
|
5 |
|
Description of Debt Securities
|
|
|
6 |
|
Description of Capital Stock
|
|
|
15 |
|
Description of Depositary Shares
|
|
|
21 |
|
Description of Warrants
|
|
|
23 |
|
Description of Purchase Contracts
|
|
|
24 |
|
Description of Units
|
|
|
25 |
|
Description of Trust Preferred Securities
|
|
|
26 |
|
Description of Guarantees
|
|
|
28 |
|
Plan of Distribution
|
|
|
31 |
|
Legal Opinions
|
|
|
33 |
|
Experts
|
|
|
33 |
|
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires,
references in this prospectus to MetLife,
we, our, or us refer to
MetLife, Inc., together with Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company, and their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries,
while references to MetLife, Inc. refer only to
MetLife, Inc. on an unconsolidated basis. References in this
prospectus to the trusts refer to MetLife Capital
Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that
MetLife, Inc., MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital
Trust III filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC) using a shelf
registration process. Under this shelf process, MetLife, Inc.
may, from time to time, sell any combination of debt securities,
preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, warrants,
purchase contracts and units and MetLife Capital Trust II
and MetLife Capital Trust III may, from time to time, sell
trust preferred securities guaranteed by MetLife, Inc., as
described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings up to a
total dollar amount of $14,876,994,500 or the equivalent thereof
on the date of issuance in one or more foreign currencies,
foreign currency units or composite currencies. This prospectus
provides you with a general description of the securities
MetLife, Inc. and the trusts may offer. Each time that
securities are sold, a prospectus supplement that will contain
specific information about the terms of that offering will be
provided. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or
change information contained in this prospectus. You should read
both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with
additional information described under the heading Where
You Can Find More Information.
You should rely on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. Neither MetLife, Inc. nor the
trusts have authorized anyone to provide you with different
information. If anyone provides you with different or
inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither
MetLife, Inc. nor the trusts are making an offer to sell these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
You should assume that the information in this prospectus is
accurate as of the date of the prospectus. Our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects may
have changed since that date.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
MetLife, Inc. files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and
other information, including the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part, can be read and copied at the
SECs public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the
public reference room. The SEC maintains an internet site at
www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding companies that file
electronically with the SEC, including MetLife, Inc. MetLife,
Inc.s common stock is listed and traded on the New York
Stock Exchange. These reports, proxy statements and other
information can also be read at the offices of the New York
Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.
The SEC allows incorporation by reference into this
prospectus of information that MetLife, Inc. files with the SEC.
This permits MetLife, Inc. to disclose important information to
you by referencing these filed documents. Any information
referenced this way is considered part of this prospectus, and
any information filed with the SEC subsequent to the date of
this prospectus will automatically be deemed to update and
supersede this information. Information furnished under
Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of MetLife, Inc.s
Current Reports on Form 8-K is not incorporated by
reference in this registration statement and prospectus.
MetLife, Inc. incorporates by reference the following documents
which have been filed with the SEC:
|
|
|
|
|
Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated March 31,
2000, relating to registration of shares of MetLife, Inc.s
common stock and Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated
March 31, 2000, relating to registration of MetLife,
Inc.s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
purchase rights; |
|
|
|
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004; and |
1
|
|
|
|
|
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed February 1, 2005,
February 4, 2005, February 28, 2005, March 15,
2005, March 30, 2005, April 4, 2005, April 15,
2005 and April 22, 2005. |
MetLife, Inc. incorporates by reference the documents listed
above and any future filings made with the SEC in accordance
with Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 until MetLife, Inc., MetLife Capital
Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III file a
post-effective amendment which indicates the termination of the
offering of the securities made by this prospectus.
MetLife, Inc. will provide without charge upon written or oral
request, a copy of any or all of the documents which are
incorporated by reference into this prospectus, other than
exhibits to those documents, unless those exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference into those documents.
Requests should be directed to Investor Relations, MetLife,
Inc., 1 MetLife Plaza, Long Island City, New York 11101 by
electronic mail (metir@metlife.com) or by telephone
(212-578-2211). You may also obtain some of the documents
incorporated by reference into this document at MetLifes
website, www.metlife.com. You should be aware that all other
information contained on MetLifes website is not a part of
this document.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement may
contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or
is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of
future events. You can identify these statements by the fact
that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.
They use words such as anticipate,
estimate, expect, project,
intend, plan, believe, and
other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a
discussion of future operating or financial performance. In
particular, these include statements relating to future actions,
prospective services or products, future performance or results
of current and anticipated services or products, sales efforts,
expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal
proceedings, trends in operations and financial results.
Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong.
They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or
unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be
important in determining MetLifes actual future results.
These statements are based on current expectations and the
current economic environment. They involve a number of risks and
uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These statements
are not guarantees of future performance, and there are no
guarantees about the performance of any securities offered by
this prospectus. Actual results could differ materially from
those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
Among factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially are:
|
|
|
|
|
changes in general economic conditions, including the
performance of financial markets and interest rates; |
|
|
|
heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry
of new competitors and the development of new products by new
and existing competitors; |
|
|
|
unanticipated changes in industry trends; |
|
|
|
MetLife, Inc.s primary reliance, as a holding company, on
dividends from its subsidiaries to meet debt payment obligations
and the existence of regulatory restrictions on the ability of
its subsidiaries to pay such dividends; |
|
|
|
deterioration in the experience of the closed block
established in connection with the reorganization of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; |
|
|
|
catastrophe losses; |
|
|
|
adverse results from litigation, arbitration or regulatory
investigations; |
|
|
|
regulatory, accounting or tax changes that may affect the cost
of, or demand for, our products or services; |
2
|
|
|
|
|
downgrades in our and our affiliates claims paying
ability, financial strength or credit ratings; |
|
|
|
changes in rating agency policies or practices; |
|
|
|
discrepancies between actual claims experience and assumptions
used in setting prices for our products and establishing the
liabilities for our obligations for future policy benefits and
claims; |
|
|
|
discrepancies between actual experience and assumptions used in
establishing liabilities related to other contingencies or
obligations; |
|
|
|
the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due
to terrorism or other hostilities; |
|
|
|
our ability to identify and consummate on successful terms any
pending or future acquisitions, including our announced
agreement to acquire Travelers Insurance Company, certain
affiliated companies and substantially all of the international
insurance business of Citigroup Inc., and to successfully
integrate acquired businesses with minimal disruption; |
|
|
|
other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in
MetLife, Inc.s or the trusts filings with the SEC; |
|
|
|
the risk factors or uncertainties set forth herein or listed
from time to time in prospectus supplements or any document
incorporated by reference herein; and |
|
|
|
other risks and uncertainties that have not been identified at
this time. |
Neither MetLife, Inc. nor the trusts undertake any obligation to
publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if any
of MetLife, Inc. or the trusts later become aware that it is not
likely to be achieved. You are advised, however, to consult any
further disclosures MetLife, Inc. or the trusts make on related
subjects in reports to the SEC.
METLIFE, INC.
We are a leading provider of insurance and other financial
services to a broad spectrum of individual and institutional
customers. We offer life insurance, annuities, automobile and
homeowners insurance and mutual funds to individuals, as well as
group insurance, reinsurance, and retirement and savings
products and services to corporations and other institutions. We
serve individuals in approximately 13 million households in
the United States and provide benefits to 37 million
employees and family members through their plan sponsors.
We distribute our products and services nationwide through
multiple channels, with the primary distribution systems being
our core career agency system, our general agency distribution
systems, our regional sales forces, our dedicated sales forces,
financial intermediaries, independent agents and product
specialists. We operate in the international markets that we
serve through subsidiaries and joint ventures. Our international
segment focuses on the Asia/ Pacific region and Latin America
and currently has insurance operations in 11 countries serving
approximately 9 million customers.
MetLife, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of the State of
Delaware. MetLife, Inc.s principal executive offices are
located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166-0188,
and its telephone number is 212-578-2211.
THE TRUSTS
MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III
are statutory trusts formed on May 17, 2001 under Delaware
law pursuant to declarations of trust between the trustees named
therein and MetLife, Inc. and the filing of certificates of
trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
MetLife, Inc., as sponsor of the trusts, and the trustees named
in the declarations of trust will amend and restate the
declarations of trust in their entirety substantially in the
forms which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, as
of or prior to the date the trusts issue any
3
trust preferred securities. The declarations of trust will be
qualified as indentures under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939.
The trusts exist for the exclusive purposes of:
|
|
|
|
|
issuing preferred securities offered by this prospectus and
common securities to MetLife, Inc.; |
|
|
|
investing the gross proceeds of the preferred securities and
common securities in related series of debt securities, which
may be senior or subordinated, issued by MetLife, Inc.; and |
|
|
|
engaging in only those other activities which are necessary,
appropriate, convenient or incidental to the purposes set forth
above. |
The payment of periodic cash distributions on the trust
preferred securities and payments on liquidation and redemption
with respect to the trust preferred securities, in each case to
the extent the trusts have funds legally and immediately
available, will be guaranteed by MetLife, Inc. to the extent set
forth under Description of Guarantees.
MetLife, Inc. will own, directly or indirectly, all of the
common securities of the trusts. The common securities will
represent an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3%
of each trusts total capitalization. The preferred
securities of each trust will represent the remaining 97% of
each trusts total capitalization. The common securities
will have terms substantially identical to, and will rank equal
in priority of payment with, the preferred securities. However,
if MetLife, Inc. defaults on the related series of debt
securities, then cash distributions and liquidation, redemption
and other amounts payable on the common securities will be
subordinate to the trust preferred securities in priority of
payment.
The trusts each have a term of approximately 55 years, but
may dissolve earlier as provided in their respective
declarations of trust. The trusts business and affairs
will be conducted by the trustees appointed by MetLife, Inc., as
the direct or indirect holder of all of the common securities.
The holder of the common securities of each trust will be
entitled to appoint, remove or replace any of, or increase or
reduce the number of, the trustees of the trust. However, the
number of trustees shall be at least two, at least one of which
shall be an administrative trustee. The duties and obligations
of the trustees will be governed by the declaration of trust for
each trust. A majority of the trustees of each trust will be
persons who are employees or officers of or affiliated with
MetLife, Inc. One trustee of each trust will be a financial
institution which will be unaffiliated with MetLife, Inc. and
which will act as property trustee and as indenture trustee for
purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, pursuant to the
terms set forth in a prospectus supplement. In addition, unless
the property trustee maintains a principal place of business in
the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law, one trustee of each trust will have its
principal place of business or reside in the State of Delaware.
The property trustee will hold title to the debt securities for
the benefit of the holders of the trust securities and the
property trustee will have the power to exercise all rights,
powers and privileges under the indenture as the holder of the
debt securities. In addition, the property trustee will maintain
exclusive control of a segregated non-interest bearing bank
account to hold all payments made in respect of the debt
securities for the benefit of the holders of the trust
securities. The property trustee will make payments of
distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption and
otherwise to the holders of the trust securities out of funds
from this property account.
The rights of the holders of the trust preferred securities,
including economic rights, rights to information and voting
rights, are provided in the declarations of trust of MetLife
Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III,
including any amendments thereto, the trust preferred
securities, the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and the Trust
Indenture Act.
MetLife, Inc. will pay all fees and expenses related to the
trusts and the offering of trust preferred securities. The
principal offices of each trust is: c/o Chase Bank USA,
National Association, 500 Stanton Christiana Road,
3rd Floor/ OPS4, Newark, Delaware 19713, Attention:
Institutional Trust Services. The telephone number of each
trust is: 302-552-6279.
4
For financial reporting purposes,
|
|
|
|
|
the trusts will not be treated as MetLife, Inc.s
subsidiaries; and |
|
|
|
the accounts of the trusts will not be included in MetLife,
Inc.s consolidated financial statements. |
In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46),
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, and, in December
2003, issued Revised Interpretation No. 46
(FIN 46R), Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities, which amended FIN 46. Prior to the issuance of
FIN 46 and FIN 46R, issuer trusts that issued capital
securities were generally consolidated by their parent
companies. Under FIN 46 and FIN 46R, MetLifes
issuer trusts will no longer be consolidated. MetLife, Inc. is a
bank holding company, subject to the rules and regulations of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System regarding
capital treatment of trust preferred securities. On
March 1, 2005, the Federal Reserve Board adopted a final
rule that allows the continued inclusion of trust preferred
securities in the Tier 1 capital of bank holding companies.
Please read the prospectus supplement relating to the trust
preferred securities for further information concerning the
trusts and the trust preferred securities.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We may use the proceeds of securities sold under this
registration statement for, among other things, general
corporate purposes and to finance a portion of the purchase
price of MetLifes proposed acquisition of the life
insurance and annuity operations commonly known as Travelers
Life & Annuity and certain international insurance
businesses from Citigroup Inc. The prospectus supplement for
each offering of securities will specify the intended use of the
proceeds of that offering. The trusts will use all of the
proceeds they receive from the sale of trust preferred
securities to purchase debt securities issued by MetLife, Inc.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed
charges.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(1)
|
|
|
2.09 |
|
|
|
1.78 |
|
|
|
1.53 |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
|
|
1.32 |
|
|
|
(1) |
For purposes of this computation, earnings are defined as income
from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
excluding undistributed income and losses from equity method
investments, minority interest and fixed charges. Fixed charges
are the sum of interest and debt issue costs, interest credited
to policyholder account balances, interest on bank deposits and
an estimated interest component of rent expense. As of the date
of this prospectus, there is no preferred stock outstanding and
accordingly, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
preferred stock dividends is equal to the ratio of earnings to
fixed charges and is not disclosed separately. |
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the debt
securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock,
warrants, purchase contracts and units that MetLife, Inc. may
sell from time to time, and the trust preferred securities
guaranteed by MetLife, Inc. that MetLife Capital Trust II
and MetLife Capital Trust III may sell from time to time.
These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete
descriptions of each security. However, this prospectus and the
accompanying prospectus supplement contain the material terms of
the securities being offered.
5
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
As used in this prospectus, debt securities means the
debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness
that MetLife, Inc. may issue from time to time. The debt
securities will either be senior debt securities or subordinated
debt securities. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement
states otherwise, senior debt securities will be issued under
the Senior Indenture dated as of November 9, 2001 between
us and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (predecessor to
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association) (the
Senior Indenture) and subordinated debt securities
will be issued under a Subordinated Indenture to be
entered into with J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National
Association. This prospectus sometimes refers to the Senior
Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture collectively as the
Indentures.
The Senior Indenture and form of Subordinated Indenture are
incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The statements
and descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus
supplement regarding provisions of the Indentures and debt
securities are summaries thereof, do not purport to be complete
and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to, all of the provisions of the Indentures and the
debt securities, including the definitions therein of certain
terms.
The debt securities will be direct unsecured obligations of
MetLife, Inc. The senior debt securities will rank equally with
all of MetLife, Inc.s other senior and unsubordinated
debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and
junior in right of payment to all of MetLife, Inc.s
present and future senior indebtedness.
Because MetLife, Inc. is principally a holding company, its
right to participate in any distribution of assets of any
subsidiary, including Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, upon
the subsidiarys liquidation or reorganization or
otherwise, is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the
subsidiary, except to the extent MetLife, Inc. may be recognized
as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, MetLife,
Inc.s obligations under the debt securities will be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness
and liabilities of its subsidiaries, including liabilities under
contracts of insurance and annuities written by MetLife,
Inc.s insurance subsidiaries, and holders of debt
securities should look only to MetLife, Inc.s assets for
payment thereunder.
The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of
debt securities that MetLife, Inc. may issue and provide that
MetLife, Inc. may issue debt securities from time to time in one
or more series, in each case with the same or various
maturities, at par or at a discount. MetLife, Inc. may issue
additional debt securities of a particular series without the
consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series
outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional
debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt
securities of that series, will constitute a single series of
debt securities under the applicable Indenture. The Indentures
also do not limit our ability to incur other debt.
Each prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to
the specific series of debt securities being offered. These
terms will include some or all of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
the title of debt securities and whether they are subordinated
debt securities or senior debt securities; |
|
|
|
any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt
securities; |
|
|
|
the price or prices at which MetLife, Inc. will sell the debt
securities; |
|
|
|
the maturity date or dates of the debt securities; |
|
|
|
the rate or rates of interest, if any, which may be fixed or
variable, per annum at which the debt securities will bear
interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates, if
any; |
|
|
|
the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, the dates
on which interest will be payable, or the method by which such
date or dates will be determined; |
6
|
|
|
|
|
the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and
the duration of any such deferral period, including the maximum
consecutive period during which interest payment periods may be
extended; |
|
|
|
whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if
any) or interest on the debt securities may be determined with
reference to any index, formula or other method, such as one or
more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices,
and the manner of determining the amount of such payments; |
|
|
|
the dates on which MetLife, Inc. will pay interest on the debt
securities and the regular record date for determining who is
entitled to the interest payable on any interest payment date; |
|
|
|
the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest on the debt securities will be payable; |
|
|
|
if MetLife, Inc. possesses the option to do so, the periods
within which and the prices at which MetLife, Inc. may redeem
the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to optional
redemption provisions, and the other terms and conditions of any
such provisions; |
|
|
|
MetLife, Inc.s obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or
purchase debt securities by making periodic payments to a
sinking fund or through an analogous provision or at the option
of holders of the debt securities, and the period or periods
within which and the price or prices at which MetLife, Inc. will
redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities, in whole or in
part, pursuant to such obligation, and the other terms and
conditions of such obligation; |
|
|
|
the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued,
if other than denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000; |
|
|
|
the portion, or methods of determining the portion, of the
principal amount of the debt securities which MetLife, Inc. must
pay upon the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities
in connection with an Event of Default (as described below), if
other than the full principal amount; |
|
|
|
the currency, currencies or currency unit in which MetLife, Inc.
will pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if
any, on the debt securities, if not United States dollars and
the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in United
States dollars; |
|
|
|
provisions, if any, granting special rights to holders of the
debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events; |
|
|
|
any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events
of Default or MetLife, Inc.s covenants with respect to the
applicable series of debt securities, and whether or not such
Events of Default or covenants are consistent with those
contained in the applicable Indenture; |
|
|
|
the application, if any, of the terms of the Indenture relating
to defeasance and covenant defeasance (which terms are described
below) to the debt securities; |
|
|
|
whether the subordination provisions summarized below or
different subordination provisions will apply to the debt
securities; |
|
|
|
the terms, if any, upon which the holders may or are required to
convert or exchange such debt securities into or for MetLife,
Inc.s common stock or other securities or property or into
Securities of a third party, including conversion price (which
may be adjusted), the method of calculating the conversion
price, or the conversion period; |
|
|
|
whether any of the debt securities will be issued in global or
certificated form and, if so, the terms and conditions upon
which global debt securities may be exchanged for certificated
debt securities; |
|
|
|
any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders
of debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due
and payable because of an Event of Default; |
|
|
|
the depositary for global or certificated debt securities; |
7
|
|
|
|
|
if applicable, a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax
considerations applicable to specific debt securities; |
|
|
|
any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents
or registrars or other agents with respect to the debt
securities; |
|
|
|
any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Indentures, as amended or supplemented. |
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any
securities exchange.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the debt securities will be issued in fully
registered form without coupons.
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. The debt securities may also be issued
as indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign
currencies or currency units, as described in more detail in the
prospectus supplement relating to any of the particular debt
securities. The prospectus supplement relating to specific debt
securities will also describe any special considerations and
certain additional tax considerations applicable to such debt
securities.
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 MetLife,
Inc.s Senior Indebtedness (as described below).
Under the Subordinated Indenture, Senior
Indebtedness means all amounts due on obligations in
connection with any of the following, whether outstanding at the
date of execution of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter
incurred or created:
|
|
|
|
|
the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest in respect
of indebtedness of MetLife, Inc. for borrowed money and
indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds or other
similar instruments issued by MetLife, Inc.; |
|
|
|
all capital lease obligations of MetLife, Inc.; |
|
|
|
all obligations of MetLife, Inc. issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale
obligations of MetLife, Inc. and all obligations of MetLife,
Inc. under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade
accounts payable in the ordinary course of business); |
|
|
|
all obligations of MetLife, Inc. for the reimbursement on any
letter of credit, bankers acceptance, security purchase
facility or similar credit transaction; |
|
|
|
all obligations of MetLife, Inc. in respect of interest rate
swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or options
contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option
contracts and other similar agreements; |
|
|
|
all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons
for the payment of which MetLife, Inc. is responsible or liable
as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and |
|
|
|
all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons
secured by any lien on any property or asset of MetLife, Inc.
whether or not such obligation is assumed by MetLife, Inc. |
Senior Indebtedness does not include:
|
|
|
|
|
indebtedness or monetary obligations to trade creditors created
or assumed by MetLife, Inc. in the ordinary course of business
in connection with the obtaining of materials or services; |
8
|
|
|
|
|
indebtedness that is, by its terms, subordinated to, or ranks
equal with, the subordinated debt securities; and |
|
|
|
any indebtedness of MetLife, Inc. to its affiliates (including
all debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt
securities issued to any trust, partnership or other entity
affiliated with MetLife, Inc. that is a financing vehicle of
MetLife, Inc. in connection with the issuance by such financing
entity of preferred securities or other securities guaranteed by
MetLife, Inc.) unless otherwise expressly provided in the terms
of any such indebtedness. |
At December 31, 2004, Senior Indebtedness aggregated
approximately $5.7 billion. The amount of Senior
Indebtedness which MetLife, Inc. may issue is subject to
limitations imposed by its board of directors.
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.
Unless otherwise noted in the accompanying prospectus
supplement, if MetLife, Inc. defaults in the payment of any
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior
Indebtedness when it becomes due and payable, whether at
maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or
otherwise, then, unless and until such default is cured or
waived or ceases to exist, MetLife, Inc. will make no direct or
indirect payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or
otherwise) in respect of the principal of or interest on the
subordinated debt securities or in respect of any redemption,
retirement, purchase or other requisition of any of the
subordinated debt securities.
In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any
subordinated debt securities, the holders of all senior debt
securities outstanding at the time of such acceleration will
first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due
on the senior debt securities before the holders of the
subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any
payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the
subordinated debt securities.
If any of the following events occurs, MetLife, Inc. will pay in
full all Senior Indebtedness before it makes any payment or
distribution under the subordinated debt securities, whether in
cash, securities or other property, to any holder of
subordinated debt securities:
|
|
|
|
|
any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization
of MetLife, Inc., whether voluntary or involuntary or in
bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership; |
|
|
|
any general assignment by MetLife, Inc. for the benefit of
creditors; or |
|
|
|
any other marshaling of MetLife, Inc.s assets or
liabilities. |
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 in accordance with the
priorities then existing among such holders 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 or security will be received in
trust for the benefit of, and paid over or delivered and
transferred to, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness at the
time outstanding in accordance with the priorities then existing
among such holders for application to the payment of all Senior
Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all
such Senior Indebtedness in full.
The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the issuance of
additional Senior Indebtedness.
If debt securities are issued to a trust in connection with the
issuance of trust preferred securities, such debt securities may
thereafter be distributed pro rata to the holders of such trust
securities in connection with the dissolution of such trust upon
the occurrence of certain events described in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
9
Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise,
the following restrictive covenants shall apply to each series
of senior debt securities:
Limitation on Liens. So long as any senior debt
securities are outstanding, neither MetLife, Inc. nor any of its
subsidiaries will create, assume, incur or guarantee any debt
which is secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, security
interest or other encumbrance on any capital stock of:
|
|
|
|
|
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; |
|
|
|
any successor to substantially all of the business of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company which is also a subsidiary
of MetLife, Inc.; or |
|
|
|
any corporation (other than MetLife, Inc.) having direct or
indirect control of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or any
such successor. |
However, this restriction will not apply if the debt securities
then outstanding are secured at least equally and ratably with
the otherwise prohibited secured debt so long as it is
outstanding.
Limitations on Dispositions of Stock of Certain
Subsidiaries. So long as any senior debt securities are
outstanding and subject to the provisions of the Senior
Indenture regarding mergers, consolidations and sales of assets,
neither MetLife, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries will sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of capital stock (other than
preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind) of:
|
|
|
|
|
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; |
|
|
|
any successor to substantially all of the business of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company which is also a subsidiary
of MetLife, Inc.; or |
|
|
|
any corporation (other than MetLife, Inc.) having direct or
indirect control of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or any
such successor; |
except for, in each case:
|
|
|
|
|
a sale or other disposition of any of such stock to a
wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. or of such subsidiary;
or |
|
|
|
a sale or other disposition of all of such stock for at least
fair value (as determined by MetLife, Inc.s board of
directors acting in good faith); or a sale or other disposition
required to comply with an order of a court or regulatory
authority of competent jurisdiction, other than an order issued
at MetLife, Inc.s request or the request of any of
MetLife, Inc.s subsidiaries. |
|
|
|
Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other
Transactions |
(i) MetLife, Inc. may not merge with or into or consolidate
with another corporation or sell, assign, transfer, lease or
convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to,
any other corporation other than a direct or indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., and (ii) no
corporation may merge with or into or consolidate with MetLife,
Inc. or, except for any direct or indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., sell, assign, transfer, lease or
convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to
MetLife, Inc., unless:
|
|
|
|
|
MetLife, Inc. is the surviving corporation or the corporation
formed by or surviving such merger or consolidation or to which
such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance has been
made, if other than MetLife, Inc., has expressly assumed by
supplemental indenture all the obligations of MetLife, Inc.
under the debt securities, the Indentures, and any guarantees of
preferred securities or common securities issued by the trusts; |
|
|
|
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; |
10
|
|
|
|
|
if at the time any preferred securities of the trusts are
outstanding, such transaction is not prohibited under the
applicable declaration of trust and the applicable preferred
securities guarantee of each trust; and |
|
|
|
MetLife, Inc. delivers to the trustee an officers
certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the
supplemental indenture complies with the applicable Indenture. |
|
|
|
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver |
Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise,
the following shall constitute Events of Default
under the Indentures with respect to each series of debt
securities:
|
|
|
|
|
MetLife, Inc.s failure to pay any interest on any debt
security of such series when due and payable, continued for
30 days; |
|
|
|
MetLife, Inc.s failure to pay principal (or premium, if
any) on any debt security of such series when due, regardless of
whether such payment became due because of maturity, redemption,
acceleration or otherwise, or is required by any sinking fund
established with respect to such series; |
|
|
|
MetLife, Inc.s failure to observe or perform any other of
its covenants or agreements with respect to such series for
90 days after MetLife, Inc. receives notice of such failure; |
|
|
|
certain defaults with respect to MetLife, Inc.s debt which
result in a principal amount in excess of $100,000,000 becoming
or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it
would otherwise have become due and payable (other than the debt
securities or non-recourse debt); |
|
|
|
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of
MetLife, Inc.; and |
|
|
|
certain events of dissolution or winding-up of the trusts in the
event that debt securities are issued to the trusts or a trustee
of the trusts in connection with the issuance of securities by
the trusts. |
If an Event of Default with respect to any debt securities of
any series outstanding under either of the Indentures shall
occur and be continuing, the trustee under such Indenture or the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
debt securities of that series outstanding may declare, by
notice as provided in the applicable Indenture, the principal
amount (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the debt
securities of that series) of all the debt securities of that
series outstanding to be due and payable immediately; provided
that, in the case of an Event of Default involving certain
events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, acceleration
is automatic; and, provided further, that after such
acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on
acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may,
under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration
if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of
accelerated principal, have been cured or waived. Upon the
acceleration of the maturity of original issue discount
securities, an amount less than the principal amount thereof
will become due and payable. Reference is made to the prospectus
supplement relating to any original issue discount securities
for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of
maturity thereof.
Any past default under either Indenture with respect to debt
securities of any series, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom, may be waived by the holders of a majority in
principal amount of all debt securities of such series
outstanding under such Indenture, except in the case of
(i) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium,
if any) or interest on any debt securities of such series or
(ii) default in respect of a covenant or provision which
may not be amended or modified without the consent of the holder
of each outstanding debt security of such series affected.
The trustee is required, within 90 days after the
occurrence of a default (which is known to the trustee and is
continuing), with respect to the debt securities of any series
(without regard to any grace period or notice requirements), to
give to the holders of the debt securities of such series notice
of such default; provided, however, that, except in the case of
a default in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if
any) or interest, or in the payment of any sinking fund
installment, on any debt securities of such series, the
11
trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if it in
good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in
the interests of the holders of the debt securities of such
series.
The trustee, subject to its duties during default to act with
the required standard of care, may require indemnification by
the holders of the debt securities of any series with respect to
which a default has occurred before proceeding to exercise any
right or power under the Indentures at the request of the
holders of the debt securities of such series. Subject to such
right of indemnification and to certain other limitations, the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of any series under either Indenture
may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with
respect to the debt securities of such series.
No holder of a debt security of any series may institute any
action against MetLife, Inc. under either of the Indentures
(except actions for payment of overdue principal of (and
premium, if any) or interest on such debt security or for the
conversion or exchange of such debt security in accordance with
its terms) unless (i) the holder has given to the trustee
written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance
thereof with respect to the debt securities of such series
specifying an Event of Default, as required under the applicable
Indenture, (ii) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the debt securities of that series then
outstanding under such Indenture shall have requested the
trustee to institute such action and offered to the trustee
reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities
to be incurred in compliance with such request, and
(iii) the trustee shall not have instituted such action
within 60 days of such request.
MetLife, Inc. is required to furnish annually to the trustee
statements as to MetLife, Inc.s compliance with all
conditions and covenants under each Indenture.
|
|
|
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance |
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, MetLife,
Inc. may discharge or defease its obligations under each
Indenture as set forth below.
MetLife, Inc. may discharge certain obligations to holders of
any series of debt securities issued under either the Senior
Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture which have not already
been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and which have
either become due and payable or are by their terms due and
payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one
year) by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or, in the
case of debt securities payable only in U.S. dollars,
U.S. government obligations (as defined in either
Indenture), as trust funds in an amount certified to be
sufficient to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption
or otherwise, the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on such debt securities.
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, MetLife,
Inc. may elect either (i) to defease and be discharged from
any and all obligations with respect to the debt securities of
or within any series (except as otherwise provided in the
relevant Indenture) (defeasance) or (ii) to be
released from its obligations with respect to certain covenants
applicable to the debt securities of or within any series
(covenant defeasance), upon the deposit with the
relevant Indenture trustee, in trust for such purpose, of money
and/or government obligations which, through the payment of
principal and interest in accordance with their terms, will
provide money in an amount sufficient, without reinvestment, to
pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such
debt securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be,
and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As
a condition to defeasance or covenant defeasance, MetLife, Inc.
must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect
that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner
and at the same times as would have been the case if such
defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion
of counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (i)
above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal
Revenue Service or a change in applicable federal income tax law
occurring after the date of the relevant Indenture. In addition,
in the case of either defeasance or covenant defeasance,
MetLife, Inc. shall have delivered to the trustee (i) an
officers certificate to the effect that the relevant debt
securities
12
exchange(s) have informed it that neither such debt securities
nor any other debt securities of the same series, if then listed
on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such
deposit, and (ii) an officers certificate and an
opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
with respect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance have been
complied with.
MetLife, Inc. may exercise its defeasance option with respect to
such debt securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of its
covenant defeasance option.
Under the Indentures, MetLife, Inc. and the applicable trustee
may supplement the Indentures for certain purposes which would
not materially adversely affect the interests or rights of the
holders of debt securities of a series without the consent of
those holders. MetLife, Inc. and the applicable trustee may also
modify the Indentures or any supplemental indenture in a manner
that affects the interests or rights of the holders of debt
securities with the consent of the holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of each affected series issued under the Indenture.
However, the Indentures require the consent of each holder of
debt securities that would be affected by any modification which
would:
|
|
|
|
|
extend the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series,
or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any
premium payable upon the redemption thereof; |
|
|
|
reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount
debt security or any other debt security payable upon
acceleration of the maturity thereof; |
|
|
|
change the currency in which any debt security or any premium or
interest is payable; |
|
|
|
impair the right to enforce any payment on or with respect to
any debt security; |
|
|
|
adversely change the right to convert or exchange, including
decreasing the conversion rate or increasing the conversion
price of, any debt security (if applicable); |
|
|
|
reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt
securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is
required for modification or amendment of the Indentures or for
waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indentures
or for waiver of certain defaults; |
|
|
|
reduce the requirements contained in the Indentures for quorum
or voting; or |
|
|
|
modify any of the above provisions. |
If debt securities are held by a trust or a trustee of a trust,
a supplemental indenture that affects the interests or rights of
the holders of debt securities will not be effective until the
holders of not less than a majority in liquidation preference of
the preferred securities and common securities of the applicable
trust, collectively, have consented to the supplemental
indenture; provided, further, that if the consent of the holder
of each outstanding debt security is required, the supplemental
indenture will not be effective until each holder of the
preferred securities and the common securities of the applicable
trust has consented to the supplemental indenture.
The Indentures permit the holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
any series issued under the Indenture which is affected by the
modification or amendment to waive MetLife, Inc.s
compliance with certain covenants contained in the Indentures.
|
|
|
Payment and Paying Agents |
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, payment of interest on a debt security on any
interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name a
debt security is registered at the close of business on the
record date for the interest.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, principal, interest and premium on the debt
securities of a particular series will be payable at the office
of such paying agent or paying agents as
13
MetLife, Inc. may designate for such purpose from time to time.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at MetLife, Inc.s option,
payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears
in the security register.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, a paying agent designated by MetLife, Inc. and
located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, will
act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities
of each series. All paying agents initially designated by
MetLife, Inc. for the debt securities of a particular series
will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. MetLife,
Inc. may at any time designate additional paying agents or
rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change
in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that
MetLife, Inc. will be required to maintain a paying agent in
each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular
series.
All moneys paid by MetLife, Inc. to a paying agent for the
payment of the principal, interest or premium on any debt
security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after
such principal, interest or premium has become due and payable
will be repaid to MetLife, Inc. upon request, and the holder of
such debt security thereafter may look only to MetLife, Inc. for
payment thereof.
|
|
|
Denominations, Registrations and Transfer |
Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise,
debt securities will be represented by one or more global
certificates registered in the name of a nominee for The
Depository Trust Company (DTC). In such case, each
holders beneficial interest in the global securities will
be shown on the records of DTC and transfers of beneficial
interests will only be effected through DTCs records.
A holder of debt securities may only exchange a beneficial
interest in a global security for certificated securities
registered in the holders name if:
|
|
|
|
|
DTC notifies MetLife, Inc. that it is unwilling or unable to
continue serving as the depositary for the relevant global
securities or DTC ceases to maintain certain qualifications
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and no successor
depositary has been appointed for 90 days; or |
|
|
|
MetLife, Inc. determines, in its sole discretion and subject to
the procedures of DTC, that the global security shall be
exchangeable. |
If debt securities are issued in certificated form, they will
only be issued in the minimum denomination specified in the
accompanying prospectus supplement and integral multiples of
such denomination. Transfers and exchanges of such debt
securities will only be permitted in such minimum denomination.
Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be
registered at the trustees corporate office or at the
offices of any paying agent or trustee appointed by MetLife,
Inc. under the Indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an
equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities in different
denominations may also be made at such locations.
The Indentures and debt securities will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of
New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.
|
|
|
Relationship with the Trustees |
The trustee under the Indentures is J.P. Morgan Trust
Company, National Association (as successor to Bank One Trust
Company, N.A.). MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries maintain
ordinary banking and trust relationships with a number of banks
and trust companies, including the trustee under the Indentures.
|
|
|
Conversion or Exchange Rights |
The prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on
which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or
exchangeable for securities described in this prospectus. These
terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or
exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at
MetLife, Inc.s option.
14
These provisions may allow or require the number of shares of
MetLife, Inc.s common stock or other securities to be
received by the holders of such series of debt securities to be
adjusted.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
MetLife, Inc.s authorized capital stock consists of:
|
|
|
|
|
200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.01 per share, of which no shares were issued or
outstanding as of the date of this prospectus; |
|
|
|
10,000,000 shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which no
shares were issued or outstanding as of the date of this
prospectus; and |
|
|
|
3,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share, of which 732,487,999 shares, as well
as the same number of rights to purchase shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock pursuant to the stockholder
rights plan adopted by MetLife, Inc.s board of directors
on September 29, 1999, were outstanding as of
December 31, 2004. See Stockholder Rights
Plan for a description of the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock. The remaining shares of
authorized and unissued common stock will be available for
future issuance without additional stockholder approval. |
Dividends. The holders of common stock, after any
preferences of holders of any preferred stock, are entitled to
receive dividends as determined by the board of directors. The
issuance of dividends will depend upon, among other factors
deemed relevant by MetLife, Inc.s board of directors,
MetLifes financial condition, results of operations, cash
requirements, future prospects and regulatory restrictions on
the payment of dividends by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
and MetLife, Inc.s other subsidiaries. There is no
requirement or assurance that MetLife, Inc. will declare and pay
any dividends. In addition, the indenture, as supplemented by a
supplemental indenture, governing the terms of MetLife,
Inc.s 3.911% Debentures due May 15, 2005,
prohibits the payment of dividends on common stock of MetLife,
Inc. during a deferral of interest payments on such securities
or an event of default under the indenture, as supplemented, or
the related guarantee.
Voting Rights. The holders of common stock are entitled
to one vote per share on all matters on which the holders of
common stock are entitled to vote and do not have any cumulative
voting rights.
Liquidation and Dissolution. In the event of MetLife,
Inc.s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders
of common stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in
MetLife, Inc.s assets, if any, remaining after the payment
of all of MetLife, Inc.s liabilities and the liquidation
preference of any outstanding class or series of preferred stock.
Other Rights. The holders of common stock have no
preemptive, conversion, redemption or sinking fund rights. The
holders of shares of MetLife, Inc.s common stock are not
required to make additional capital contributions.
Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and
registrar for MetLife, Inc.s common stock is Mellon
Investor Services, successor to ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C.
General. MetLife, Inc.s board of directors has the
authority to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to
fix the title and number of shares constituting any such series
and the designations, powers, preferences, limitations and
relative rights including offering price, any dividend rights
(including whether dividends will be cumulative or
non-cumulative), dividend rate, voting rights, terms of any
redemption, any redemption price or prices, conversion or
exchange rights and any liquidation preferences of the shares
constituting any series, without any further vote or action by
stockholders. The specific terms of the preferred stock will be
described in the prospectus supplement.
15
MetLife, Inc. has authorized 10,000,000 shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for issuance
in connection with its stockholder rights plan. See
Stockholder Rights Plan for a
description of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock.
Voting Rights. The Delaware General Corporation Law
provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right
to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving
fundamental changes in the rights of holders of such preferred
stock. The prospectus supplement will describe the voting
rights, if any, of the preferred stock.
Conversion or Exchange. The prospectus supplement will
describe the terms, if any, on which the preferred stock may be
convertible into or exchangeable for securities described in
this prospectus. These terms will include provisions as to
whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of
the holder or at MetLife, Inc.s option. These provisions
may set forth the conversion price, the method of determining
the conversion price and the conversion period and may allow or
require the number of shares of MetLife, Inc.s common
stock or other securities to be received by the holders of
preferred stock to be adjusted.
Redemption. The prospectus supplement will describe the
obligation, if any, to redeem the preferred stock in whole or in
part at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, MetLife, Inc. may not purchase or redeem any of the
outstanding shares or any series of preferred stock unless full
cumulative dividends, if any, have been paid or declared and set
apart for payment upon all outstanding shares of any series of
preferred stock for all past dividend periods, and unless all of
MetLife, Inc.s matured obligations with respect to all
sinking funds, retirement funds or purchase funds for all series
of preferred stock then outstanding have been met.
|
|
|
Certain Provisions in MetLife, Inc.s Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws and in Delaware and New York
Law |
A number of provisions of MetLife, Inc.s certificate of
incorporation and by-laws deal with matters of corporate
governance and rights of stockholders. The following discussion
is a general summary of selected provisions of MetLife,
Inc.s certificate of incorporation and by-laws and
regulatory provisions that might be deemed to have a potential
anti-takeover effect. These provisions may have the
effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt which is not
approved by MetLife, Inc.s board of directors but which
individual stockholders may deem to be in their best interests
or in which stockholders may receive a substantial premium for
their shares over then current market prices. As a result,
stockholders who might desire to participate in such a
transaction may not have an opportunity to do so. Such
provisions will also render the removal of the incumbent board
of directors or management more difficult. Some provisions of
the Delaware General Corporation Law and the New York Insurance
Law may also have an anti-takeover effect. The following
description of selected provisions of MetLife, Inc.s
certificate of incorporation and by-laws and selected provisions
of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the New York
Insurance Law is necessarily general and reference should be
made in each case to MetLife, Inc.s certificate of
incorporation and by-laws, which are incorporated by reference
as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
prospectus forms a part, and to the provisions of those laws.
|
|
|
Classified Board of Directors and Removal of
Directors |
Pursuant to MetLife, Inc.s certificate of incorporation,
the directors are divided into three classes, as nearly equal in
number as possible, with each class having a term of three
years. The classes serve staggered terms, such that the term of
one class of directors expires each year. Any effort to obtain
control of MetLife, Inc.s board of directors by causing
the election of a majority of the board may require more time
than would be required without a staggered election structure.
MetLife, Inc.s certificate of incorporation also provides
that, subject to the rights of the holders of any class of
preferred stock, directors may be removed only for cause at a
meeting of stockholders by a vote of a majority of the shares
then entitled to vote. This provision
16
may have the effect of slowing or impeding a change in
membership of MetLife, Inc.s board of directors that would
effect a change of control.
|
|
|
Exercise of Duties by Board of Directors |
MetLife, Inc.s certificate of incorporation provides that
while the MetLife Policyholder Trust (as described below) is in
existence, each MetLife, Inc. director is required, in
exercising his or her duties as a director, to take the
interests of the trust beneficiaries into account as if they
were holders of the shares of common stock held in the trust,
except to the extent that any such director determines, based on
advice of counsel, that to do so would violate his or her duties
as a director under Delaware law.
|
|
|
Restriction on Maximum Number of Directors and Filling of
Vacancies on MetLife, Inc.s Board of Directors |
Pursuant to MetLife, Inc.s by-laws and subject to the
rights of the holders of any class of preferred stock, the
number of directors may be fixed and increased or decreased from
time to time by resolution of the board of directors, but the
board of directors will at no time consist of fewer than three
directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any class of
preferred stock, stockholders can only remove a director for
cause by a vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote, in
which case the vacancy caused by such removal may be filled at
such meeting by the stockholders entitled to vote for the
election of the director so removed. Any vacancy on the board of
directors, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the
number of directors or resulting from a removal for cause where
the stockholders have not filled the vacancy, subject to the
rights of the holders of any class of preferred stock, may be
filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although
less than a quorum. If the vacancy is not so filled it will be
filled by the stockholders at the next annual meeting of
stockholders. The stockholders are not permitted to fill
vacancies between annual meetings, except where the vacancy
resulted from a removal for cause. These provisions give
incumbent directors significant authority that may have the
effect of limiting the ability of stockholders to effect a
change in management.
|
|
|
Advance Notice Requirements for Nomination of Directors
and Presentation of New Business at Meetings of Stockholders;
Action by Written Consent |
MetLife, Inc.s by-laws provide for advance notice
requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations for
director. In addition, pursuant to the provisions of both the
certificate of incorporation and the by-laws, action may not be
taken by written consent of stockholder. Rather, any action
taken by the stockholders must be effected at a duly called
meeting. Moreover, the stockholders do not have the power to
call a special meeting. Only the chief executive officer or the
secretary pursuant to a board resolution or, under some
circumstances, the president or a director who also is an
officer, may call a special meeting. These provisions make it
more difficult for a stockholder to place a proposal or
nomination on the meeting agenda and prohibit a stockholder from
taking action without a meeting, and therefore may reduce the
likelihood that a stockholder will seek to take independent
action to replace directors or with respect to other matters
that are not supported by management for stockholder vote.
|
|
|
Limitations on Director Liability |
MetLife, Inc.s certificate of incorporation contains a
provision that is designed to limit the directors
liability to the extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law and any amendments to that law. Specifically,
directors will not be held liable to MetLife, Inc. or its
stockholders for an act or omission in their capacity as a
director, except for liability as a result of:
|
|
|
|
|
a breach of the duty of loyalty to MetLife, Inc. or its
stockholders; |
|
|
|
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
|
|
|
payment of an improper dividend or improper repurchase of
MetLife, Inc.s stock under Section 174 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law; or |
17
|
|
|
|
|
actions or omissions pursuant to which the director received an
improper personal benefit. |
The principal effect of the limitation on liability provision is
that a stockholder is unable to prosecute an action for monetary
damages against a director of MetLife, Inc. unless the
stockholder can demonstrate one of the specified bases for
liability. This provision, however, does not eliminate or limit
director liability arising in connection with causes of action
brought under the federal securities laws. MetLife, Inc.s
certificate of incorporation also does not eliminate the
directors duty of care. The inclusion of the limitation on
liability provision in the certificate may, however, discourage
or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit
against directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties, even
though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have
benefited MetLife, Inc. and its stockholders. This provision
should not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as
injunction or rescission based upon a directors breach of
the duty of care.
MetLife, Inc.s by-laws also provide that MetLife, Inc.
indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent
permitted by Delaware law. MetLife, Inc. is required to
indemnify its directors and officers for all judgments, fines,
settlements, legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred
in connection with pending or threatened legal proceedings
because of the directors or officers position with
MetLife, Inc. or another entity, including Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company, that the director or officer serves at
MetLife, Inc.s request, subject to certain conditions, and
to advance funds to MetLife, Inc.s directors and officers
to enable them to defend against such proceedings. To receive
indemnification, the director or officer must succeed in the
legal proceeding or act in good faith and in a manner reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
MetLife, Inc. and with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be
lawful.
|
|
|
Supermajority Voting Requirement for Amendment of Certain
Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws |
Some of the provisions of MetLife, Inc.s certificate of
incorporation, including those that authorize the board of
directors to create stockholder rights plans, that set forth the
duties, election and exculpation from liability of directors and
that prohibit stockholders from taking actions by written
consent, may not be amended, altered, changed or repealed unless
the amendment is approved by the vote of holders of 75% of the
then outstanding shares entitled to vote at an election of
directors. This requirement exceeds the majority vote of the
outstanding stock that would otherwise be required by the
Delaware General Corporation Law for the repeal or amendment of
such provisions of the certificate of incorporation. MetLife,
Inc.s by-laws may be amended, altered or repealed by the
board of directors or by the vote of holders of 75% of the then
outstanding shares entitled to vote in the election of
directors. These provisions make it more difficult for any
person to remove or amend any provisions that have an
anti-takeover effect.
|
|
|
Business Combination Statute |
In addition, as a Delaware corporation, MetLife, Inc. is subject
to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
unless it elects in its certificate of incorporation not to be
governed by the provisions of Section 203. MetLife, Inc.
has not made that election. Section 203 can affect the
ability of an interested stockholder of MetLife,
Inc. to engage in certain business combinations, including
mergers, consolidations or acquisitions of additional shares of
MetLife, Inc. for a period of three years following the time
that the stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder. An interested stockholder is
defined to include any person owning, directly or indirectly,
15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation.
The provisions of Section 203 are not applicable in some
circumstances, including those in which (1) the business
combination or transaction which results in the stockholder
becoming an interested stockholder is approved by
the corporations board of directors prior to the time the
stockholder becomes an interested stockholder or
(2) the interested stockholder, upon
consummation of such transaction, owns at least 85% of the
voting stock of the corporation outstanding prior to such
transaction.
|
|
|
Restrictions on Acquisitions of Securities |
The insurance laws and regulations of New York, the jurisdiction
in which MetLife, Inc.s principal insurance subsidiary,
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, is organized, may delay or
impede a business
18
combination involving MetLife, Inc. In addition to the
limitations described in the immediately preceding paragraph,
the New York Insurance Law prohibits any person from acquiring
control of MetLife, Inc., and thus indirect control of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, without the prior approval
of the New York Superintendent of Insurance. That law presumes
that control exists where any person, directly or indirectly,
owns, controls, holds the power to vote or holds proxies
representing 10% or more of MetLife, Inc.s outstanding
voting stock, unless the New York Superintendent, upon
application, determines otherwise. Even persons who do not
acquire beneficial ownership of more than 10% of the outstanding
shares of MetLife, Inc.s common stock may be deemed to
have acquired such control, if the New York Superintendent
determines that such persons, directly or indirectly, exercise a
controlling influence over MetLife, Inc.s management or
policies. Therefore, any person seeking to acquire a controlling
interest in MetLife, Inc. would face regulatory obstacles which
may delay, deter or prevent an acquisition.
The insurance holding company law and other insurance laws of
many states also regulate changes of control (generally presumed
upon acquisitions of 10% or more of voting securities) of
insurance holding companies such as MetLife, Inc.
MetLife, Inc.s board of directors has adopted a
stockholder rights plan under which each outstanding share of
MetLife, Inc.s common stock issued between April 4,
2000 and the earlier of the distribution date (as described
below) and the expiration of the rights (as described below)
will be coupled with a stockholder right. Initially, the
stockholder rights will be attached to the certificates
representing outstanding shares of common stock, and no separate
rights certificates will be distributed. Each right will entitle
the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of MetLife,
Inc.s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
Each one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock will have economic and voting
terms equivalent to one share of MetLife, Inc.s common
stock. Until it is exercised, the right itself will not entitle
the holder thereof to any rights as a stockholder, including the
right to receive dividends or to vote at stockholder meetings.
The description and terms of the rights are set forth in a
rights agreement entered into between MetLife, Inc. and Mellon
Investor Services, successor to ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C., as rights agent. Although the material
provisions of the rights agreement have been accurately
summarized, the statements below concerning the rights agreement
are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is
made to the rights agreement itself, which is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus in its entirety. Each statement
is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
Stockholder rights are not exercisable until the distribution
date and will expire at the close of business on April 4,
2010, unless earlier redeemed or exchanged by MetLife, Inc. A
distribution date would occur upon the earlier of:
|
|
|
|
|
the tenth day after the first public announcement or
communication to MetLife, Inc. that a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons (referred to as an
acquiring person) has acquired beneficial ownership
of 10% or more of MetLife, Inc.s outstanding common stock
(the date of such announcement or communication is referred to
as the stock acquisition time); or |
|
|
|
the tenth business day after the commencement or announcement of
the intention to commence a tender offer or exchange offer that
would result in a person or group becoming an acquiring person. |
If any person becomes an acquiring person, each holder of a
stockholder right will be entitled to exercise the right and
receive, instead of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock, common stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, a
reduction in purchase price, property or other securities of
MetLife, Inc.) having a value equal to two times the purchase
price of the stockholder right. All stockholder rights that are
beneficially owned by an acquiring person or its transferee will
become null and void.
If at any time after a public announcement has been made or
MetLife, Inc. has received notice that a person has become an
acquiring person, (1) MetLife, Inc. is acquired in a merger
or other business combination, or (2) 50% or more of
MetLife, Inc.s and its subsidiaries assets, cash
flow or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of a
stockholder right (except rights which previously have been
voided as set
19
forth above) will have the right to receive, upon exercise,
common stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to
two times the purchase price of the right.
The purchase price payable, the number of one one-hundredths of
a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock or
other securities or property issuable upon exercise of rights
and the number of rights outstanding, are subject to adjustment
from time to time to prevent dilution. With certain exceptions,
no adjustment in the purchase price or the number of shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock issuable upon
exercise of a stockholder right will be required until the
cumulative adjustment would require an increase or decrease of
at least one percent in the purchase price or number of shares
for which a right is exercisable.
At any time until the earlier of (1) the stock acquisition
time, or (2) the final expiration date of the rights
agreement, MetLife, Inc. may redeem all the stockholder rights
at a price of $0.01 per right. At any time after a person
has become an acquiring person and prior to the acquisition of
beneficial ownership by such person of 50% or more of the
outstanding shares of MetLife, Inc.s common stock,
MetLife, Inc. may exchange the stockholder rights, in whole or
in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock, or
one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or
series of preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences
and privileges), per right.
The stockholder rights plan is designed to protect stockholders
in the event of unsolicited offers to acquire MetLife, Inc. and
other coercive takeover tactics which, in the opinion of its
board of directors, could impair its ability to represent
stockholder interests. The provisions of the stockholder rights
plan may render an unsolicited takeover more difficult or less
likely to occur or may prevent such a takeover, even though such
takeover may offer MetLife, Inc.s stockholders the
opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing
market rate and may be favored by a majority of MetLife,
Inc.s stockholders.
|
|
|
MetLife Policyholder Trust |
Under a plan of reorganization adopted in September 1999,
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company converted from a mutual life
insurance company to a stock life insurance company subsidiary
of MetLife, Inc. MetLife established the MetLife Policyholder
Trust to hold the shares of common stock allocated to eligible
policyholders. A total of 494,466,664 shares of common
stock were distributed to the MetLife Policyholder Trust on the
effective date of the plan of reorganization. As of
December 31, 2004, the trust held 321,314,794 shares
of MetLife, Inc.s common stock. Because of the number of
shares held by the trust and the voting provisions of the trust,
the trust may affect the outcome of matters brought to a
stockholder vote.
The trustee will generally vote all of the shares of common
stock held in the trust in accordance with the recommendations
given by MetLife, Inc.s board of directors to its
stockholders or, if the board gives no such recommendation, as
directed by the board, except on votes regarding certain
fundamental corporate actions. As a result of the voting
provisions of the trust, MetLife, Inc.s board of directors
will effectively be able to control votes on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders, excluding those fundamental
corporate actions described below, so long as the trust holds a
substantial number of shares of MetLife, Inc.s common
stock.
If the vote relates to fundamental corporate actions specified
in the trust, the trustee will solicit instructions from the
beneficiaries and vote all shares held in the trust in
proportion to the instructions it receives, which would give
disproportionate weight to the instructions actually given by
trust beneficiaries. These actions include:
|
|
|
|
|
an election or removal of directors in which a stockholder has
properly nominated one or more candidates in opposition to a
nominee or nominees of MetLife, Inc.s board of directors
or a vote on a stockholders proposal to oppose a board
nominee for director, remove a director for cause or fill a
vacancy caused by the removal of a director by stockholders,
subject to certain conditions; |
|
|
|
a merger or consolidation, a sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of the assets, or a recapitalization or
dissolution of MetLife, Inc., in each case requiring a vote of
MetLife, Inc.s stockholders under applicable Delaware law; |
20
|
|
|
|
|
any transaction that would result in an exchange or conversion
of shares of common stock held by the trust for cash, securities
or other property; and |
|
|
|
any proposal requiring MetLife, Inc.s board of directors
to amend or redeem the rights under the stockholder rights plan,
other than a proposal with respect to which MetLife, Inc. has
received advice of nationally-recognized legal counsel to the
effect that the proposal is not a proper subject for stockholder
action under Delaware law. |
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions
of the depositary shares. Further terms of the depositary shares
and the applicable deposit agreement will be stated in the
applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and
any description of the depositary shares in a prospectus
supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified
in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the
deposit agreement, a form of which has been filed as an exhibit
to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a
part.
The particular terms of the depositary shares offered by any
prospectus supplement and the extent to which the general
provisions described below may apply to such depositary shares
will be outlined in the applicable prospectus supplement.
MetLife, Inc. may choose to offer fractional interests in debt
securities or fractional shares of common stock or preferred
stock. MetLife, Inc. may issue fractional interests in debt
securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be,
in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share would
represent a fractional interest in a security of a particular
series of debt securities or a fraction of a share of common
stock or of a particular series of preferred stock, as the case
may be, and would be evidenced by a depositary receipt.
MetLife, Inc. will deposit the debt securities or shares of
common stock or preferred stock represented by depositary shares
under a deposit agreement between MetLife, Inc. and a depositary
which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, as an owner of a
depositary share, you will be entitled, in proportion to the
applicable fraction of a debt security or share of common stock
or preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all
the rights and preferences of the debt security, common stock or
preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the
depositary share, including, as the case may be, interest,
dividend, voting, conversion, redemption, sinking fund,
repayment at maturity, subscription and liquidation rights.
|
|
|
Interest, Dividends and Other Distributions |
The depositary will distribute all payments of interest, cash
dividends or other cash distributions received on the debt
securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be,
to you in proportion to the number of depositary shares that you
own. In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the
depositary will distribute property received by it to you in an
equitable manner, unless the depositary determines that it is
not feasible to make a distribution. In that case, the
depositary may sell the property and distribute the net proceeds
from the sale to you.
|
|
|
Redemption of Depositary Shares |
If a debt security, common stock or series of preferred stock
represented by depositary shares is redeemed, the depositary
will redeem your depositary shares from the proceeds received by
the depositary resulting from the redemption. The redemption
price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable
fraction of the redemption price per debt security or share of
common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, payable in
relation to the redeemed series of debt securities, common stock
or preferred stock. Whenever MetLife, Inc. redeems debt
securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock held by
the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same
redemption date, the number of depositary shares
21
representing, as the case may be, fractional interests in the
debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock
redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be
redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected
by lot, proportionately or by any other equitable method as the
depositary may determine.
|
|
|
Exercise of Rights under the Indentures or Voting the
Common Stock or Preferred |
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which you are entitled
to vote, or of any request for instructions or directions from
you as holder of fractional interests in debt securities, common
stock or preferred stock, the depositary will mail to you the
information contained in that notice. Each record holder of the
depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to
instruct the depositary how to give instructions or directions
with respect to the debt securities represented by that
holders depositary shares or how to vote the amount of the
common stock or preferred stock represented by that
holders depositary shares. The record date for the
depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for
the debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the
case may be. The depositary will endeavor, to the extent
practicable, to give instructions or directions with respect to
the debt securities or to vote the amount of the common stock or
preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the
depositary shares in accordance with those instructions.
MetLife, Inc. will agree to take all reasonable action which the
depositary may deem necessary to enable the depositary to do so.
The depositary will abstain from giving instructions or
directions with respect to your fractional interests in the debt
securities or voting shares of the common stock or preferred
stock, as the case may be, if it does not receive specific
instructions from you.
|
|
|
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement |
MetLife, Inc. and the depositary may amend the form of
depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any
provision of the deposit agreement at any time. However, any
amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights of
the holders of the depositary shares will not be effective
unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at
least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding.
The deposit agreement will terminate if:
|
|
|
|
|
all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; |
|
|
|
if applicable, the debt securities and the preferred stock
represented by depositary shares have been converted into or
exchanged for common stock or, in the case of debt securities,
repaid in full; or |
|
|
|
there has been a final distribution in respect of the common
stock or preferred stock, including in connection with the
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of MetLife, Inc., and the
distribution proceeds have been distributed to you. |
|
|
|
Resignation and Removal of Depositary |
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to MetLife,
Inc. notice of its election to do so. MetLife, Inc. also may, at
any time, remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will
take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and
its acceptance of such appointment. MetLife, Inc. must appoint
the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of
the notice of resignation or removal. The successor depositary
must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in
the United States and having total assets of not less than
$1,000,000,000.
MetLife, Inc. will pay all transfer and other taxes and
governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the
depositary arrangements. MetLife, Inc. will pay charges of the
depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the debt
securities or preferred stock, as the case may be, and issuance
of depositary receipts, all withdrawals of depositary shares of
debt securities or preferred stock, as the case may be, by you
and any repayment or redemption of the debt securities or
preferred stock, as the case may be. You will pay
22
other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges, as well
as the other charges that are expressly provided in the deposit
agreement to be for your account.
The depositary will forward all reports and communications from
MetLife, Inc. which are delivered to the depositary and which
MetLife, Inc. is required or otherwise determines to furnish to
holders of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as
the case may be. Neither MetLife, Inc. nor the depositary will
be liable under the deposit agreement to you other than for its
gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Neither
MetLife, Inc. nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute
or defend any legal proceedings relating to any depositary
shares, debt securities, common stock or preferred stock unless
satisfactory indemnity is furnished. MetLife, Inc. and the
depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or
accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting
debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock for
deposit, you or other persons believed to be competent and on
documents which MetLife, Inc. and the depositary believe to be
genuine.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
MetLife, Inc. may issue warrants to purchase debt securities,
preferred stock, common stock or other securities described in
this prospectus, or any combination of these securities, and
these warrants may be issued independently or together with any
underlying securities and may be attached or separate from the
underlying securities. MetLife, Inc. will issue each series of
warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into
between MetLife, Inc. and a warrant agent. The warrant agent
will act solely as MetLife, Inc.s agent in connection with
the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation
or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial
owners of warrants.
The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions
of the warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the
applicable warrant agreement will be stated in the applicable
prospectus supplement. The following description and any
description of the warrants in a prospectus supplement may not
be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by
reference to the terms and provisions of the warrant agreement,
a form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of
any warrants that MetLife, Inc. may offer, including the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
the title of the warrants; |
|
|
|
the total number of warrants; |
|
|
|
the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
|
|
|
the currency or currencies investors may use to pay for the
warrants; |
|
|
|
the designation and terms of the underlying securities
purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
|
|
|
the price at which and the currency, currencies, or currency
units in which investors may purchase the underlying securities
purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
|
|
|
the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will
commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
|
|
|
whether the warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer
form; |
|
|
|
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
|
|
|
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of warrants which
may be exercised at any one time; |
|
|
|
if applicable, the designation and terms of the underlying
securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of
warrants issued with each underlying security; |
23
|
|
|
|
|
if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the
related underlying securities will be separately transferable; |
|
|
|
if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal
income tax considerations; |
|
|
|
the identity of the warrant agent; |
|
|
|
the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the
warrants; and |
|
|
|
any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and
limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the
warrants. |
Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant
certificates of different denominations, and warrants may be
exercised at the warrant agents corporate trust office or
any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of
warrants exercisable for debt securities will not have any of
the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon
such exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal
(or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities
purchasable upon such exercise. Prior to the exercise of their
warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for shares of
preferred stock or common stock will not have any rights of
holders of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon
such exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if
any, or voting rights of the preferred stock or common stock
purchasable upon such exercise. Prior to the exercise of their
warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for other securities
described in this prospectus will not have any rights of holders
of such securities purchasable upon such exercise.
A warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount
of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or
that will be determinable as described in, the applicable
prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up
to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on
the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant
certificate properly completed and duly executed at the
corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office
indicated in the prospectus supplement, MetLife, Inc. will, as
soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon
such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by
such warrant certificate is exercised, a new warrant certificate
will be issued for the remaining warrants.
|
|
|
Enforceability of Rights; Governing Law |
The holders of warrants, without the consent of the warrant
agent, may, on their own behalf and for their own benefit,
enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or
proceeding against MetLife, Inc. to enforce their rights to
exercise and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of
their warrants. Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus
supplement, each issue of warrants and the applicable warrant
agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to
its principles of conflicts of laws.
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
As may be specified in a prospectus supplement, MetLife, Inc.
may issue purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from
MetLife, Inc., and MetLife, Inc. to sell to the holders, a
number of debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred
stock, or other securities described in this prospectus or the
applicable prospectus supplement at a future date or dates. The
purchase contracts may require MetLife, Inc. to make periodic
payments to the holders of the purchase contracts. These
payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis to be
specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
24
The prospectus supplement relating to any purchase contracts
will specify the material terms of the purchase contracts and
any applicable pledge or depositary arrangements, including one
or more of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
The stated amount that a holder will be obligated to pay under
the purchase contract in order to purchase debt securities,
common stock, preferred stock, or other securities described in
this prospectus or the formula by which such amount shall be
determined. |
|
|
|
The settlement date or dates on which the holder will be
obligated to purchase such securities. The prospectus supplement
will specify whether the occurrence of any events may cause the
settlement date to occur on an earlier date and the terms on
which an early settlement would occur. |
|
|
|
The events, if any, that will cause MetLife, Inc.s
obligations and the obligations of the holder under the purchase
contract to terminate. |
|
|
|
The settlement rate, which is a number that, when multiplied by
the stated amount of a purchase contract, determines the number
of securities that MetLife, Inc. or a trust will be obligated to
sell and a holder will be obligated to purchase under that
purchase contract upon payment of the stated amount of that
purchase contract. The settlement rate may be determined by the
application of a formula specified in the prospectus supplement.
If a formula is specified, it may be based on the market price
of such securities over a specified period or it may be based on
some other reference statistic. |
|
|
|
Whether the purchase contracts will be issued separately or as
part of units consisting of a purchase contract and an
underlying security with an aggregate principal amount equal to
the stated amount. Any underlying securities will be pledged by
the holder to secure its obligations under a purchase contract. |
|
|
|
The type of underlying security, if any, that is pledged by the
holder to secure its obligations under a purchase contract.
Underlying securities may be debt securities, common stock,
preferred stock, or other securities described in this
prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. |
|
|
|
The terms of the pledge arrangement relating to any underlying
securities, including the terms on which distributions or
payments of interest and principal on any underlying securities
will be retained by a collateral agent, delivered to MetLife,
Inc. or be distributed to the holder. |
|
|
|
The amount of the contract fee, if any, that may be payable by
MetLife, Inc. to the holder or by the holder to MetLife, Inc.,
the date or dates on which the contract fee will be payable and
the extent to which MetLife, Inc. or the holder, as applicable,
may defer payment of the contract fee on those payment dates.
The contract fee may be calculated as a percentage of the stated
amount of the purchase contract or otherwise. |
The descriptions of the purchase contracts and any applicable
underlying security or pledge or depository arrangements in this
prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the
material provisions of the applicable agreements and are subject
to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the terms and
provisions of the purchase contract agreement, pledge agreement
and deposit agreement, forms of which have been or will be filed
as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
prospectus forms a part.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, MetLife,
Inc. may issue units comprised of one or more of the other
securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each
unit may also include debt obligations of third parties, such as
U.S. Treasury securities. Each unit will be issued so that
the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security
included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the
rights and obligations of a holder of each included security.
The prospectus supplement will describe:
|
|
|
|
|
the designation and terms of the units and of the securities
comprising the units, including whether and under what
circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or
transferred separately; |
25
|
|
|
|
|
a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the
units; |
|
|
|
a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement,
transfer or exchange of the units; and |
|
|
|
whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global
form. |
The descriptions of the units and any applicable underlying
security or pledge or depositary arrangements in this prospectus
and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material
provisions of the applicable agreements and are subject to, and
qualified in their entirety by reference to, the terms and
provisions of the applicable agreements, forms of which have
been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement
of which this prospectus forms a part.
DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions
of the trust preferred securities. Further terms of the trust
preferred securities and the amended and restated declarations
of trust will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general
terms described in this section apply to that particular series
of trust preferred securities. The following description and any
description of the trust preferred securities and amended and
restated declarations of trust in a prospectus supplement may
not be complete and are subject to and qualified in their
entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the amended
and restated declarations of trust, forms of which have been or
will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which
this prospectus forms a part.
Each trust may issue only one series of trust preferred
securities having terms described in the prospectus supplement.
The declaration of trust of each trust will authorize the
administrative trustees, on behalf of the trust, to issue the
trust preferred securities of the trust. The trusts will use all
of the proceeds they receive from the sale of trust preferred
securities and common securities to purchase debt securities
issued by MetLife, Inc. The debt securities will be held in
trust by the trusts property trustee for the benefit of
the holders of the trust preferred securities and common
securities.
The trust preferred securities of each trust will have such
terms as are set forth in the trusts declaration of trust,
including as relates to distributions, redemption, voting,
liquidation rights and the other preferred, deferral and special
rights and restrictions. A prospectus supplement relating to the
trust preferred securities being offered will include specific
terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or
all of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
the distinctive designation of the trust preferred securities; |
|
|
|
the number of trust preferred securities issued by the trust; |
|
|
|
the total and per-security liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities; |
|
|
|
the annual distribution rate, or method of determining such
rate, for trust preferred securities of the trust; |
|
|
|
the date or dates on which distributions will be payable and any
corresponding record dates; |
|
|
|
whether distributions on the trust preferred securities will be
cumulative; |
|
|
|
if the trust preferred securities have cumulative distribution
rights, the date or dates, or method of determining the date or
dates, from which distributions on the trust preferred
securities will be cumulative; |
|
|
|
the amount or amounts that will be paid out of the assets of the
trust to the holders of the trust preferred securities of the
trust upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
termination of the trust; |
|
|
|
the obligation, if any, of the trust to purchase or redeem the
trust preferred securities; |
26
|
|
|
|
|
if the trust is to purchase or redeem the trust preferred
securities: |
|
|
|
the price or prices at which the trust preferred securities will
be purchased or redeemed in whole or in part; |
|
|
|
the period or periods within which the trust preferred
securities will be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part; |
|
|
|
the terms and conditions upon which the trust preferred
securities will be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part; |
|
|
|
the voting rights, if any, of the trust preferred securities in
addition to those required by law, including: |
|
|
|
|
|
the number of votes per trust preferred security; and |
|
|
|
any requirement for the approval by the holders of trust
preferred securities as a condition to specified action or
amendments to the trusts declaration of trust; |
|
|
|
|
|
the rights, if any, to defer distributions on the trust
preferred securities by extending the interest payment period on
the related debt securities; |
|
|
|
if the trust preferred securities may be converted into or
exercised or exchanged for MetLifes common stock or
preferred stock or any other securities, the terms on which
conversion, exercise or exchange is mandatory, at the option of
the holder or at the option of each trust, the date on or the
period during which conversion, exercise or exchange may occur,
the initial conversion, exercise or exchange price or rate and
the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common stock
or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion,
exercise or exchange may be adjusted; |
|
|
|
the terms upon which the debt securities may be distributed to
holders of trust preferred securities; |
|
|
|
whether the preferred securities are to be issued in book-entry
form and represented by one or more global certificates; |
|
|
|
certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
|
|
|
if applicable, any securities exchange upon which the trust
preferred securities shall be listed; |
|
|
|
provisions relating to events of default and the rights of
holders of trust preferred securities in the event of default; |
|
|
|
other agreements or other rights including upon the
consolidation or merger of the trust; and |
|
|
|
any other relative rights, preferences, privileges, limitations
or restrictions of the trust preferred securities not
inconsistent with the trusts declaration of trust or
applicable law. |
All trust preferred securities offered will be guaranteed by
MetLife, Inc. to the extent set forth under Description of
Guarantees. Any material United States federal income tax
considerations applicable to an offering of trust preferred
securities will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
In connection with the issuance of preferred securities, each
trust will issue one series of common securities. The
declaration of each trust authorizes the regular trustees to
issue on behalf of such trust one series of common securities
having such terms including distributions, redemption, voting,
liquidation rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth
therein. The terms of the common securities issued by the trust
will be substantially identical to the terms of the preferred
securities issued by such trust and the common securities will
rank equally, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with
the preferred securities. However, upon an event of default
under the declaration of trust, the rights of the holders of the
common securities to payment in respect of distributions and
payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be
subordinated to the rights of the holders of the preferred
securities. Except in certain limited circumstances, the common
securities will also carry the right to vote, and appoint,
remove or replace any of the trustees of a trust. MetLife, Inc.
will own, directly or indirectly, all of the common securities
of each trust.
27
|
|
|
Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of
Trust Preferred Securities |
If an event of default occurs, and is continuing, under the
declaration of trust of MetLife Capital Trust II or MetLife
Capital Trust III, the holders of the preferred securities
of that trust would typically rely on the property trustee to
enforce its rights as a holder of the related debt securities
against MetLife, Inc. Additionally, those who together hold a
majority of the liquidation amount of the trusts preferred
securities will have the right to:
|
|
|
|
|
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the property trustee; or |
|
|
|
direct the exercise of any trust or power that the property
trustee holds under the declaration of trust, including the
right to direct the property trustee to exercise the remedies
available to it as a holder of MetLife, Inc.s debt
securities. |
If the property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
applicable series of debt securities, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, a holder of trust preferred securities of such
trust may institute a legal proceeding directly against MetLife,
Inc. to enforce the property trustees rights under the
applicable series of debt securities without first instituting
any legal proceeding against the property trustee or any other
person or entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an event of default occurs and
the event is attributable to MetLife, Inc.s failure to pay
interest or principal on the debt securities when due, including
any payment on redemption, and this debt payment failure is
continuing, a preferred securities holder of the trust may
directly institute a proceeding for the enforcement of this
payment. Such a proceeding will be limited, however, to
enforcing the payment of this principal or interest only up to
the value of the aggregate liquidation amount of the
holders preferred securities as determined after the due
date specified in the applicable series of debt securities.
DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES
The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions
of the guarantees. Further terms of the guarantees will be
stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus
supplement will also indicate whether the general terms
described in this section apply to those guarantees. The
following description and any description of the guarantees in a
prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and
qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and
provisions of the guarantee agreements, forms of which have been
or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of
which this prospectus forms a part, and the Trust Indenture Act.
MetLife, Inc. will execute and deliver the guarantees for the
benefit of the holders of the trust preferred securities. Each
guarantee will be held by the guarantee trustee for the benefit
of holders of the trust preferred securities to which it relates.
Each guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act. J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National
Association (as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.) will
act as indenture trustee under each guarantee for purposes of
the Trust Indenture Act.
Pursuant to each guarantee, MetLife, Inc. will irrevocably and
unconditionally agree, to the extent set forth in the guarantee,
to pay in full, to the holders of the related trust preferred
securities, the following guarantee payments, to the extent
these guarantee payments are not paid by, or on behalf of, the
related trust, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim that MetLife, Inc. may have or assert against any
person:
|
|
|
|
|
any accrued and unpaid distributions required to be paid on the
trust preferred securities of the trust, but if and only if and
to the extent that the trust has funds legally and immediately
available to make those payments; |
28
|
|
|
|
|
any distributions of MetLifes common stock or preferred
stock or any of its other securities, in the event that the
trust preferred securities may be converted into or exercised
for our common stock or preferred stock, to the extent the
conditions of such conversion or exercise have occurred or have
been satisfied and the trust does not distribute such shares or
other securities but has received such shares or other
securities; |
|
|
|
the redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid
distributions to the date of redemption, with respect to any
trust preferred securities called for redemption by the trust,
but if and only to the extent the trust has funds legally and
immediately available to make that payment; and |
|
|
|
upon a dissolution, winding-up or termination of the trust,
other than in connection with the distribution of debt
securities to the holders of trust preferred securities of the
trust, the lesser of: |
|
|
|
|
|
the total of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid
distributions on the trust preferred securities of the trust to
the date of payment, to the extent the trust has funds legally
and immediately available to make that payment; and |
|
|
|
the amount of assets of the trust remaining available for
distribution to holders of trust preferred securities of the
trust in liquidation of the trust. |
MetLife, Inc. may satisfy its obligation to make a guarantee
payment by directly paying the required amounts to the holders
of the related trust preferred securities or by causing the
related trust to pay such amounts to such holders.
Each guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payments with
respect to the related trust preferred securities from the time
of issuance of the trust preferred securities. The guarantees
will not apply to the payment of distributions and other
payments on the trust preferred securities when the related
trust does not have sufficient funds legally and immediately
available to make the distributions or other payments. If
MetLife, Inc. does not make interest payments on the debt
securities purchased by a trust, such trust will not pay
distributions on the preferred securities issued by such trust
and will not have funds available therefor. The guarantee, when
taken together with MetLife, Inc.s obligations under the
debt securities, the Indentures and the declarations of trust,
will provide a full and unconditional guarantee by MetLife, Inc.
of payments due on the trust preferred securities.
MetLife, Inc. will also agree separately, through guarantees of
the common securities, to irrevocably and unconditionally
guarantee the obligations of the trusts with respect to the
common securities to the same extent as the guarantees of the
preferred securities. However, upon an event of default under
the Indentures, holders of preferred securities shall have
priority over holders of common securities with respect to
distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or
otherwise.
MetLife, Inc.s obligation under each guarantee to make the
guarantee payments will be an unsecured obligation of MetLife,
Inc. and, if subordinated debt securities are issued to the
applicable trust and unless otherwise noted in the prospectus
supplement, will rank:
|
|
|
|
|
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of MetLife,
Inc.s other liabilities, including the subordinated debt
securities, except those obligations or liabilities ranking
equal or subordinate to the guarantees by their terms; |
|
|
|
equally with any other securities, liabilities or obligations
that may have equal ranking by their terms; and |
|
|
|
senior to all of MetLife, Inc.s common stock. |
If subordinated debt securities are issued to the applicable
trust, the terms of the trust preferred securities will provide
that each holder of trust preferred securities, by accepting the
trust preferred securities, agrees to the subordination
provisions and other terms of the guarantee related to
subordination.
29
Each guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of
collection. This means that the holder of trust preferred
securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against
MetLife, Inc. to enforce its rights under the guarantee without
first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or
entity.
Each guarantee will be unsecured and, because MetLife, Inc. is
principally a holding company, will be effectively subordinated
to all existing and future liabilities of MetLife, Inc.s
subsidiaries, including liabilities under contracts of insurance
and annuities written by MetLife, Inc.s insurance
subsidiaries. The guarantee does not limit the incurrence or
issuance of other secured or unsecured debt by MetLife, Inc.
|
|
|
Amendments and Assignment |
For any changes that materially and adversely affect the rights
of holders of the related trust preferred securities, each
guarantee may be amended only if there is prior approval of the
holders of more than 50% in liquidation amount of the
outstanding trust preferred securities issued by the applicable
trust. All guarantees and agreements contained in each guarantee
will bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of MetLife, Inc. and will inure to the benefit
of the holders of the related trust preferred securities of the
applicable trust then outstanding.
Each guarantee will terminate and will have no further force and
effect as to the related trust preferred securities upon:
|
|
|
|
|
distribution of debt securities to the holders of all trust
preferred securities of the applicable trust; or |
|
|
|
full payment of the amounts payable upon liquidation of the
applicable trust. |
Each guarantee will continue to be effective or will be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of the
related trust preferred securities must restore payment of any
sums paid with respect to the trust preferred securities or
under the guarantee.
Each guarantee provides that an event of default under a
guarantee occurs upon MetLife, Inc.s failure to perform
any of its obligations under the applicable guarantee.
The holders of a majority or more in liquidation amount of the
trust preferred securities to which any guarantee relates may
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the guarantee trustee with respect
to the guarantee or may direct the exercise of any trust or
power conferred upon the guarantee trustee in respect of the
guarantee.
If the guarantee trustee fails to enforce the guarantee, any
holder of the related trust preferred securities may institute a
legal proceeding directly against MetLife, Inc. to enforce the
holders rights under such guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the trust, the guarantee
trustee or any other person or entity.
Furthermore, if MetLife, Inc. fails to make a guarantee payment,
a holder of trust preferred securities may directly institute a
proceeding against MetLife, Inc. for enforcement of the
preferred securities guarantee for such payment.
The holders of a majority or more in liquidation amount of trust
preferred securities of any series may, by vote, on behalf of
the holders of all the trust preferred securities of the series,
waive any past event of default and its consequences.
|
|
|
Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee |
Prior to an event of default with respect to any guarantee and
after the curing or waiving of all events of default with
respect to the guarantee, the guarantee trustee may perform only
the duties that are specifically set forth in the guarantee.
30
Once a guarantee event of default has occurred and is
continuing, the guarantee trustee is to exercise, with respect
to the holder of the trust preferred securities of the series,
the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise
in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Unless the guarantee
trustee is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by the guarantee
trustee by a holder of the related trust preferred securities,
the guarantee trustee is not required to exercise any of its
powers under any guarantee at the request of the holder.
Additionally, the guarantee trustee is not required to expend or
risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in
the performance of its duties if the guarantee trustee
reasonably believes that it is not assured repayment or adequate
indemnity.
The guarantee trustee is J.P. Morgan Trust Company,
National Association (as successor to Bank One Trust Company,
N.A.), which is one of a number of banks and trust companies
with which MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries maintain ordinary
banking and trust relationships.
Each guarantee will be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard
to its principles of conflicts of laws.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
MetLife, Inc. may sell the securities being offered hereby in
one or more of the following ways from time to time:
|
|
|
|
|
to underwriters or dealers for resale to the public or to
institutional investors; |
|
|
|
directly to institutional investors; or |
|
|
|
through agents to the public or to institutional investors. |
The prospectus supplement with respect to each series of
securities will state the terms of the offering of the
securities, including:
|
|
|
|
|
the name or names of any underwriters or agents; |
|
|
|
the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to be
received by MetLife, Inc. or the applicable trust from the sale; |
|
|
|
any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items
constituting underwriters or agents compensation; |
|
|
|
any initial public offering price; |
|
|
|
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers; and |
|
|
|
any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed. |
If MetLife, Inc. or the trusts use underwriters in the sale, the
securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own
account and may be resold from time to time in one or more
transactions, including:
|
|
|
|
|
negotiated transactions; |
|
|
|
at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed; |
|
|
|
at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
|
|
|
at prices related to prevailing market prices; or |
|
|
|
at negotiated prices. |
The securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in
the 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
31
for MetLife, Inc. or the trusts. The prospectus supplement will
identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its
agreement, if any, with MetLife, Inc. or the trusts and its
compensation.
Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the
obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will
be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of
securities, if any are purchased.
If MetLife, Inc. sells the securities directly or through agents
designated by it, MetLife, Inc. will identify any agent involved
in the offering and sale of the securities and will list any
commissions payable by MetLife, Inc. to the agent in the
accompanying prospectus supplement. Unless indicated otherwise
in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a
best efforts basis to solicit purchases for the period of its
appointment.
MetLife, Inc. may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to
solicit offers by certain institutional investors to purchase
securities and provide for payment and delivery on a future date
specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. MetLife,
Inc. will describe any such arrangement in the prospectus
supplement. Any such institutional investor may be subject to
limitations on the minimum amount of securities that it may
purchase or on the portion of the aggregate principal amount of
such securities that it may sell under such arrangements.
Institutional investors from which such authorized offers may be
solicited include:
|
|
|
|
|
commercial and savings banks; |
|
|
|
insurance companies; |
|
|
|
pension funds; |
|
|
|
investment companies; |
|
|
|
educational and charitable institutions; and |
|
|
|
such other institutions as MetLife, Inc. may approve. |
Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be
entitled under agreements entered into with MetLife, Inc. and/or
the applicable trust, or both, to indemnification by MetLife,
Inc. against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to
payments which the underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing
firms may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers, agents and
remarketing agents may be customers of, engage in transactions
with, or perform services for MetLife, Inc., any trust and/or
MetLife, Inc.s affiliates in the ordinary course of
business.
Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and
will have no established trading market other than the common
stock which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Any common
stock sold will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, upon
official notice of issuance. The securities, other than the
common stock, may or may not be listed on a national securities
exchange. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by
MetLife, Inc. or any trust for public offering and sale may make
a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be
obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any
time without notice.
Any offering of trust preferred securities will be made in
compliance with Rule 2810 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
32
LEGAL OPINIONS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby will
be passed upon for MetLife, Inc. by Richard S. Collins,
Chief Counsel General Corporate, of MetLife, Inc.
Mr. Collins is paid a salary by MetLife, is a participant
in various employee benefit plans offered by MetLife to
employees generally and has options to purchase shares of
MetLife, Inc. common stock. Certain matters of Delaware law
relating to the validity of the trust preferred securities of
MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III
will be passed upon for the trust by Richards, Layton &
Finger, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware, special Delaware counsel for
the trusts.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial
statement schedules, and managements report on the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
incorporated in this prospectus by reference from MetLife,
Inc.s Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are
incorporated by reference herein, (which reports
(1) express an unqualified opinion on the consolidated
financial statements and consolidated financial statements
schedules and include an explanatory paragraph relating to
MetLife, Inc.s change of its method of accounting for
certain non-traditional long duration contracts and separate
accounts, and for embedded derivatives in certain insurance
products as required by new accounting guidance which became
effective on January 1, 2004 and October 1, 2003,
respectively, (2) express an unqualified opinion on
managements assessment regarding the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting, and (3) express
an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting), and have been so incorporated in
reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
33