As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2008

Registration No. 333-      

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

Form S-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

WASHINGTON MUTUAL, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

1301 Second Avenue

Seattle, Washington 98101

(206) 461-2000

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

 

 

 

Office of the Chief Legal Officer

Washington Mutual, Inc.

1301 Second Avenue

Seattle, Washington 98101

(206) 461-2000

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

 

Copy to:

 

Lee Meyerson, Esq.

Maripat Alpuche, Esq.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10017-3954

 

 

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to as determined by market conditions.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

Common Stock

 

Series S Contingent Convertible Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock

 

 

 

 

This prospectus relates to resales of up to 605,439,997 shares of our common stock, no par value, and up to 36,642 shares of Series S Contingent Convertible Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, referred to as the Series S Preferred Stock, and together with the common stock, the “securities.” The securities may be resold from time to time by and for the accounts of certain selling shareholders named in this prospectus.

 

The methods of resale of the securities offered hereby are described under the heading “Plan of Distribution.” We will receive none of the proceeds from such resales.

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WM.” The last reported sale price of the common stock on May 1, 2008 was $12.52 per share.

 

The Series S Preferred Stock is mandatorily convertible into shares of common stock on the final day of any calendar quarter in which we have received the following approvals: the approval by the holders of our common stock of each of (A) the conversion of the Series S Preferred Stock into common stock as required by applicable NYSE rules and (B) an amendment to our Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to permit the full conversion of the Series S Preferred Stock into common stock. The Series S Preferred Stock is initially convertible to shares of common stock at a rate of $8.75 per share of common stock, subject to antidilution adjustments; provided, however, the conversion price shall be reduced by $0.50 on each six-month anniversary of the original issue date if the shareholder approvals described above have not been obtained, up to a maximum reduction of $2.00.

 

Dividends on the Series S Preferred Stock are payable on a non-cumulative basis, as and if declared by our board of directors, in cash, on an as-converted basis. Initially, if our board declares a dividend on our common stock, then it is required to declare a dividend on the Series S Preferred Stock in an amount per share equal to the per share common stock dividend times the number of shares into which the shares of Series S Preferred Stock is convertible. If the Series S Preferred Stock have not been converted into shares of common stock by June 30, 2008, dividends will be payable commencing with the dividend period ending September 15, 2008 at an annual rate of 14% of the liquidation preference of the Series S Preferred Stock and this rate will further increase to 15.5% of the liquidation preference commencing with the dividend payment date on March 15, 2009 and to 17% of the liquidation preference commencing with the dividend payment date on September 15, 2009. However, dividends on the Series S Preferred Stock will always be paid at the higher of the amount payable in accordance with the applicable percentage rate described above and the dividend payable on an as-converted basis based on the last dividend declared on the common stock. Dividends are payable in cash or, from the dividend period ending September 15, 2009, at our option, shares of Series S Preferred Stock.

 

The Series S Preferred Stock is not redeemable by us at any time. Prior to resales by use of this prospectus, there has been no public market for the Series S Preferred Stock.

 

 

 

 

The selling shareholders may sell the securities on the open market at market prices in ordinary broker transactions or in negotiated transactions, and they may pay broker commissions in connection with such transactions. The selling shareholders and any broker dealer executing sell orders on behalf of or purchasing from the selling shareholders may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933. Commissions received by any such broker dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

The securities are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

 

Investing in the securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 10 of this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying securities.

 

 

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

 

May 2, 2008.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). By using a shelf registration statement, certain selling shareholders may resell, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. The exhibits to our registration statement contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities offered, you should review the full text of these documents. The registration statement and the exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

 

You should read this prospectus and any additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

 

We and the selling shareholders are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

 

References in this prospectus to “Washington Mutual”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to Washington Mutual, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries) unless the context otherwise provides.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy these reports and other information at the public reference room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents by mail from the SEC reference room at prescribed rates. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. These reports and other information are also filed by us electronically with the SEC and are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, until we sell all of the securities:

 

 

You may obtain a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing to us at 1301 Second Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101, attention Investor Relations Department WMC2203, telephoning us at (206) 500-5200, or emailing us at investor.relations@wamu.net.

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any supplemental prospectus or any pricing supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any other information. We and the selling shareholders are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer

is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to financial condition, results of operations, and other matters. Statements in this prospectus, including those incorporated by reference, that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words, such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes, “seeks,” “estimates,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “should,” “could,” or “may.”

 

Forward-looking statements provide our expectations or predictions of future conditions, events or results. They are not guarantees of future performance. By their nature forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made, except as required by Federal Securities laws. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. The factors are generally described in our most recent Form 10-K under the caption “Risk Factors.”

 

SUMMARY

	•	A net loss of $1.14 billion, or $1.40 per diluted share, compared with a net loss in the fourth quarter of $1.87 billion, or $2.19 per diluted share, and net income of $784 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, during the first quarter of 2007. The quarter’s financial results reflected a higher level of loan loss provisioning in response to steep declines in home values and further deterioration in mortgage credit markets.
	•	Net interest income of $2.18 billion, which reflected an increase from fourth quarter 2007 net interest income of $2.05 billion, reflecting a 19 basis point increase in our net interest margin, which more than offset the effects of a 1 percent drop in average interest-earning assets.
	•	A 6 percent increase in depositor and other retail banking fees compared to the first quarter of 2007, reflecting growth in net new checking accounts. Depositor and retail banking fees were lower than the fourth quarter of 2007, however, reflecting normal seasonality and slowing consumer spending.
	•	A net loss of $216 million in our trading securities, compared with a net loss of $267 million in the fourth quarter of 2007; and $67 million in impairment losses on mortgage securities designated as available for sale, which was more than offset by $85 million of net gains on the sale of securities, a significant improvement from fourth quarter net losses of $261 million.
	•	An increase in our provision for loan losses to $3.51 billion for the first quarter of 2008, compared to a $1.53 billion provision in the fourth quarter of 2007, reflecting an increase in delinquencies as the economy weakened, as well as a higher level of losses as home prices declined sharply from the start of the year.
	•	An increase in net charge-offs to $1.37 billion, reflecting an 83 percent increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.
	•	Retail deposit growth of $8.1 billion during the first quarter of 2008, to $151.7 billion as of March 31, 2008.
	•	A decline in noninterest expense to $2.15 billion for the first quarter of 2008, reflecting a 4 percent decline when compared with adjusted noninterest expense of $2.25 billion in the fourth quarter of 2007. The adjustments exclude a $1.78 billion charge for the writedown of all goodwill within the Home Loans Group and $143 million associated with re-sizing of our home loans business and reductions in corporate support functions.

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any securities offered by the selling shareholders.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

 

The following table shows our ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends on a consolidated basis. The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends has been computed by dividing net income plus all applicable income taxes plus fixed charges, by fixed charges and preferred dividend requirements.

 

Fixed charges consist of interest expense, either including or excluding interest on deposits as set forth below, and the portion of net rental expense deemed to be equivalent to interest on long-term debt. Interest expense, other than on deposits, includes interest on long-term debt, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, mortgages, commercial paper and other funds borrowed. The preferred dividend requirements represent the pretax earnings which would have been required to cover the dividend requirements on our preferred stock outstanding.

 

 

 

 

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WM.” The following table sets forth the reported high and low intraday sales prices for our common stock as quoted by the New York Stock Exchange and the dividends declared per share of common stock for the periods included:

 

 

 

 

 

The reported last sale price for our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May 1, 2008, $12.52 was per share. At May 1, 2008, there were 1,058,656,412 (including 6 million shares held in escrow) shares of our common stock outstanding held by approximately 56,738 registered shareholders.

 

An investment in our securities is subject to certain risks. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements and the notes thereto, before making an investment decision.

 

Risks Relating to Our Business

 

Economic conditions that negatively affect housing prices and the job market have resulted, and may continue to result, in a deterioration in credit quality of our loan portfolios, and such deterioration in credit quality has had, and could continue to have, a negative impact on our business.

 

We are one of the nation’s largest lenders, and deterioration in the credit quality of our loan portfolios has had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on earnings resulting from increased provisioning for loan losses and from increased nonaccrual loans, which could cause a decrease in interest-earning assets. Credit risk incorporates the risk of loss due to adverse changes in a borrower’s ability to meet our financial obligations on agreed upon terms. The overall credit quality of our loan portfolios is particularly impacted by the strength of the U.S. economy and local economies in which we conduct our lending operations as well as trends in residential housing prices. We continually monitor changes in the economy, particularly unemployment rates and housing prices, because these factors can impact the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans.

 

During 2007, the housing market in the United States (particularly in California and Florida, where properties securing approximately 48% and 10%, respectively, of our outstanding single-family residential mortgage loans are located) began to experience significant adverse trends, including accelerating price depreciation in some markets and rising delinquency and default rates. These conditions led to significant increases in loan delinquencies and credit losses in our mortgage portfolios and higher provisioning for loan losses which has adversely affected our earnings. We expect that housing prices will experience significant further deterioration in 2008 with further adverse effects on our operating results, business and financial condition. Furthermore, we expect that the occurrence of a major natural or other disaster in the United States would significantly increase the level of delinquencies and credit losses. Increases in credit costs would reduce our earnings and adversely affect our capital position and financial condition.

 

We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectibility of our loan portfolios when estimating the allowance for loan losses, which represents management’s estimate of incurred credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The estimate of the allowance is based on a variety of factors, including past loan loss experience, the current credit profile of borrowers, adverse situations that have occurred that may affect a borrower’s ability to meet his financial obligations, the estimated value of underlying collateral, general economic conditions, and the impact that changes in interest rates and employment conditions have on a borrower’s ability to repay adjustable-rate loans. Determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We collect information on the performance of loans in our portfolios and routinely use this information to recalibrate the formulaic models used in estimating the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent evaluations of the loan portfolio may reveal that estimated levels of loss severity used in estimating the allowance for loan losses differed significantly from actual experience, and in such circumstances we may have to record an increased provision for loan losses in subsequent periods thereby reducing earnings in those periods.

 

Until recently, we originated and purchased from third-party lenders loans to higher risk borrowers through our subprime mortgage channel. Borrowers in the subprime mortgage channel tend to have greater vulnerability to changes in economic and housing market factors, such as increases in unemployment, a slowdown in housing price appreciation or declines in housing prices, than do other borrowers. Additionally, the tightening of underwriting standards throughout the mortgage industry have significantly reduced the eligibility of borrowers to obtain credit, or to find credit on affordable terms. The performance of this loan portfolio in recent quarters has been, and in the future will likely continue to be, negatively impacted by a variety of factors, including changes in the economic factors noted above, which negatively impact borrowers.

Our access to market-based liquidity sources may be negatively impacted if market conditions persist or if further ratings downgrades occur. Funding costs may increase from current levels, gain on sale may be reduced or we may experience loss on sale, leading to reduced earnings.

 

While we actively manage our liquidity risk and maintain liquidity at least sufficient to cover all maturing debt obligations or other forecasted funding requirements over the next twelve months, our liquidity may be affected by an inability to access the capital markets or by unforeseen demands on cash. This situation may arise due to circumstances beyond our control, and is subject to our and our subsidiaries’ credit ratings as assigned by various nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”). Disruptions in the capital markets have substantially limited the ability of mortgage originators, including Washington Mutual, to sell mortgage loans to the capital markets through whole loan sales or securitization. As a result, we experienced a general loss of liquidity in most secondary markets for both our loan and asset-backed securities holdings, and this condition has persisted to the present time. We cannot forecast if or when either specific secondary markets or broader market liquidity conditions will see improvement from current stresses, although it is our expectation that the existing turmoil in secondary loan and asset-backed securities markets may continue to affect our performance, described below, throughout 2008.

 

As a result of these conditions, secondary loan sales are currently limited primarily to sales of conforming loans to government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”), and we cannot predict when secondary markets for nonconforming loans, credit card receivables, and other loan assets will reopen. As such, we have in recent periods retained for our own account substantially all of the loans and receivables we have originated or purchased, other than conforming mortgage loans. We will generally be unable to recognize gains on sale, and may be required to establish reserves for loans that remain on our balance sheet, which may reduce earnings. In addition, we have taken steps to reduce or eliminate our origination of assets for which limited secondary market liquidity exists.

 

Our ability to sell conforming loans is dependent on our relationships with the GSEs. We presently sell a substantial portion of our conforming residential originations to the GSEs, primarily Freddie Mac. The ability of the GSEs to continue to purchase loans at current volume levels is dependent in part on their own capital positions and the levels of defaults in the portfolios underlying the mortgage-backed securities issued by the GSEs. Our liquidity and earnings could be adversely affected if the GSEs were unwilling to purchase our residential loan products.

 

We have generally securitized a large portion of our credit card portfolio, which provided additional liquidity for us. Due to disruptions in the secondary market for credit card receivables, we are presently not able to securitize credit card receivables on terms we consider acceptable. As a result, our liquidity will be adversely affected until the credit card securitization market normalizes. Additionally, we will be required to provide additional loss reserves for the credit card receivables that we retain in our portfolio, which will adversely affect earnings.

 

Current market conditions have also limited our liquidity sources to secured funding outlets such as the Federal Home Loan Banks and repurchase agreements, and to FDIC-insured deposits originated through either brokers or through our branch network. Other sources of funding, such as medium-term notes, uninsured institutional deposits, and certain escrow balances have largely been closed to us. Many of these sources are ratings-sensitive, and due to recent negative ratings actions, we do not expect these sources to return as reliable sources of funding even if general market liquidity conditions improve until our ratings improve. For example, institutional depositors generally require issuers to have the highest short-term ratings from at least one of the major rating agencies; however, as a result of recent actions, we and our banking subsidiaries are now generally in the second-highest short-term rating category.

 

Our rating profile remains “investment grade” as defined by NRSROs. No assurance can be given, however, that we will be able to retain an “investment grade” rating. The loss of investment grade ratings would likely result in further reductions in the sources of liquidity available to us; may result in increased collateral or margining requirements under derivative and repurchase agreements with counterparties, which could increase our funding costs and further reduce our earnings and liquidity; and could adversely affect our ability to conduct our normal business operations, in ways that could be material.

 

Our liquidity could also be adversely affected by unanticipated demands on our cash, such as having to repurchase securitized loans if we were found to have violated representations and warranties contained in the

securitization agreements. In such event, we generally would be required to repurchase these loans or indemnify the investor for losses sustained. Since in most instances the repurchased loans would be in default, it is unlikely that we would be able to resell these loans in the secondary market. If we were required to repurchase a substantial amount of these loans, our liquidity and capital would be adversely affected as the amount of nonperforming assets on our balance sheet would increase.

 

If we have significant additional losses, we may need to raise additional capital, which could have a dilutive effect on existing shareholders, and may affect our ability to pay dividends on our common and preferred stock.

 

Our banking subsidiaries must maintain certain minimum capital ratios in order to remain a “well-capitalized” institution for regulatory purposes. While we believe, in light of our recent capital raising effort through the investment, we have sufficient capital for our operations, if Washington Mutual Bank is unable to meet its minimum capital ratios, we or they would be forced to raise additional capital. No assurance can be given that sufficient additional capital would be available nor as to the terms on which capital would be available. If sufficient capital were not available, we would consider a variety of alternatives, including the sale of assets. Under such forced sale conditions, we may not be able to realize fair value for the assets sold. Other alternatives would include changing our business practices or entering into additional equity transactions. Even if capital is available, the terms and pricing of such securities could be dilutive to existing shareholders and cause the price of our outstanding securities to decline.

 

We depend on dividends, distributions and other payments from our banking and nonbanking subsidiaries to fund dividend payments on common and preferred stock and to fund all payments on our other obligations, including debt obligations. If the earnings of our subsidiaries are not sufficient to make dividend payments to us while maintaining adequate capital levels, we may not be able to make dividend payments to our common or preferred shareholders.

 

Changes in interest rates may adversely affect our business, including net interest income and earnings.

 

Like other financial institutions, we and our banking subsidiaries raise funds for our business by, among other things, borrowing money in the capital markets and from the Federal Home Loan Bank system and accepting deposits from depositors, which we use to make loans to customers and invest in debt securities and other interest-earning assets. We earn interest on these loans and assets and pay interest on the money we borrow and on the deposits we accept from depositors. Changes in interest rates, including changes in the relationship between short-term rates and long-term rates, may have negative effects on our net interest income and therefore our earnings. Changes in interest rates and responses by our competitors to those changes may affect the rate of customer prepayments for mortgages and other term loans and may affect the balances customers carry on their credit cards. These changes can reduce the overall yield on our assets. Changes in interest rates and responses by our competitors to these changes may also affect customer decisions to maintain balances in the deposit accounts they have with us. These changes may require us to replace withdrawn balances with higher-cost alternative sources of funding.

 

In addition, changes in interest rates may affect our mortgage banking business in complex and significant ways. For example, changes in interest rates can affect gain from mortgage loans and loan servicing fees, which are the principal components of revenue from sales and servicing of home mortgage loans. When mortgage rates decline, the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) asset generally declines and gain from mortgage loans tends to increase, to the extent we are able to sell or securitize mortgage loans in the secondary market. When mortgage rates rise, we generally expect loan volumes and payoffs in our servicing portfolio to decrease. As a result, the fair value of our MSR asset generally increases and gain from mortgage loans decreases. In recent periods, however, declines in general interest rates have resulted in slower increases in prepayment rates than in prior periods of declining interest rates, due in part to the reduced liquidity and tightened underwriting standards in the mortgage market making refinancing by borrowers more difficult.

 

As part of our overall risk management activities, we seek to mitigate changes in the fair value of our MSR asset by purchasing and selling financial instruments, entering into interest rate contracts and forward commitments to purchase or sell mortgage-backed securities and adjusting the mix and amount of such financial instruments or

contracts to take into account the effects of different interest rate environments. The MSR asset and the mix of financial instruments used to mitigate changes in our fair value are not perfectly correlated. This imperfect correlation creates the potential for excess MSR risk management gains or losses during any period. Management must exercise judgment in selecting the amount, type and mix of financial instruments and contracts to mitigate changes in the fair value of our MSR. We cannot assure that the amount, type and mix of financial instruments and contracts we select will fully offset significant changes in the fair value of the MSR, and our actions could negatively impact our earnings. Our reliance on these risk management instruments may be impacted by periods of illiquidity in the secondary markets, which could negatively impact the performance of the MSR risk management instruments. For further discussion of how interest rate risk, basis risk, volatility risk and prepayment risk are managed, see “Market Risk Management” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Certain of our loan products have features that may result in increased credit risk.

 

We have significant portfolios of home equity loans, which are secured by a first or second lien on the borrower’s property. When we hold a second lien on a property that is subordinate to a first lien mortgage held by another lender, both the probability of default and severity of loss risk is generally higher than when we hold both the first and second lien positions. Home equity loans and lines of credit with combined loan-to-value ratios of greater than 80 percent also expose us to greater credit risk than home loans with loan-to-value ratios of 80 percent or less at origination. This greater credit risk arises because, in general, both default risk and the severity of loss risk are higher when borrowers have less equity in their homes.

 

We originate Option ARM loans under which borrowers have the option of making minimum payments based on an interest rate that is lower than the fully-indexed rate. Borrowers who continue to make minimum payments will generally experience negative amortization as unpaid interest is capitalized and added to the principal amount of the loan. The minimum payment resets to a fully-amortizing payment at the earlier of five years from origination or when the amount of negative amortization reaches specified levels. The risk that Option ARM borrowers will be unable to make increased loan payments as a result of the minimum payment on the loan adjusting upward to a fully- amortizing payment is a key risk associated with the Option ARM product.

 

We originate interest-only loans that we either securitize or hold in our portfolio. Borrowers with interest-only loans are initially required to make payments that are sufficient to cover accrued interest. After a predetermined period (generally five years), the payments are reset to allow the loan to fully amortize over its remaining life. Borrowers with interest-only loans are particularly affected by declining housing prices because there is no amortization of principal on the loans. Such economic trends could cause the credit performance of interest-only loans to deteriorate more rapidly than other types of loans with a negative impact on our results. For further discussion of credit risk, see “Credit Risk Management” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Consistent with mortgage industry underwriting practices, loans underwritten with limited documentation of income, net worth or credit history are widely represented within our single-family residential loan products. In particular, such practices are frequently applied to the origination of Option ARM products. Accordingly, approximately 75% of our Option ARM portfolio was originated using a limited documentation standard. As limited documentation loans have a higher risk of default than loans with full documentation, a continued downturn in economic conditions or a further decrease in housing prices could result in higher default rates in our loan portfolio.

 

We use estimates in determining the fair value of certain of our assets, which estimates may prove to be imprecise and result in significant changes in valuation.

 

A portion of our assets are carried on the balance sheet at fair value, including: our trading assets including certain retained interests from securitization activities, available-for-sale securities, derivatives and our MSR. Generally, for assets that are reported at fair value, we use quoted market prices or internal valuation models that utilize observable market data inputs to estimate their fair value. In certain cases, observable market prices and data may not be readily available or their availability may be diminished due to market conditions. We use financial

models to value certain of these assets. These models are complex and use asset specific collateral data and market inputs for interest rates. Although we have processes and procedures in place governing internal valuation models and their testing and calibration, we cannot assure that we can properly manage the complexity of our models and valuations to ensure, among other things, that the models are properly calibrated, the assumptions are reasonable, the mathematical relationships used in the model are predictive and remain so over time, and the data and structure of the assets and hedges being modeled are properly input. Such assumptions are complex as we must make judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Different assumptions could result in significant changes in valuation, which in turn could affect earnings or result in significant changes in the dollar amount of assets reported on the balance sheet.

 

We are subject to risks related to credit card operations, and this may adversely affect our credit card portfolio and our ability to continue growing the credit card business.

 

Credit card lending brings with it certain risks and uncertainties. These include the composition and risk profile of our credit card portfolio and our ability to continue growing the credit card business. Credit cards typically have smaller balances, shorter lifecycles and experience higher delinquency and charge-off rates than real estate secured loans. Delinquencies and credit losses in the consumer finance industry generally increase during economic downturns or recessions. Likewise, consumer demand may decline during an economic downturn or recession. Account management efforts, seasoning and economic conditions, including unemployment rates and housing prices, affect the overall credit quality of our credit card portfolio. The success of the credit card business also depends, in part, on the success of our product development, product rollout efforts and marketing initiatives, including the rollout of credit card products to our existing retail and mortgage loan customers, and our ability to continue to successfully target creditworthy customers.

 

Recent disputes involving the Visa and MasterCard networks, including their membership standards and pricing structures, could also result in changes that would be adverse to the credit card business. Changes in interest rates can also negatively affect the credit card business, including costs associated with funding the credit card portfolio, as described above under “Changes in interest rates may adversely affect our business, including net interest income and earnings.”

 

We are subject to operational risk, which may result in incurring financial and reputational losses.

 

We are exposed to many types of operational risk, including the risk of fraud by employees or outsiders, the risk of operational errors, including clerical or record-keeping errors or those resulting from faulty or disabled computer or telecommunications systems. Given our high volume of transactions, certain errors may be repeated or compounded before they are discovered and successfully corrected. Our dependence upon automated systems to record and process transactions may further increase the risk that technical system flaws or employee tampering with or manipulation of those systems will result in losses that are difficult to detect.

 

We may be subject to disruptions of our systems, arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond our control (including, for example, computer viruses or electrical or telecommunications outages), which may give rise to losses in service to customers and to financial loss or liability. We are further exposed to the risk that our external vendors may be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations (or will be subject to the same risk of fraud or operational errors by their respective employees as we are) and to the risk that our (or our vendors’) business continuity and data security systems prove to be inadequate. We rely on offshoring of services to vendors in foreign countries for certain functions and this creates the risk of incurring losses arising from unfavorable political, economic and legal developments in those countries.

 

We also face the risk that the design of our controls and procedures may prove to be inadequate or are circumvented, thereby causing delays in detection of errors or inaccuracies in data and information. Although we maintain a system of controls designed to keep operational risk at appropriate levels, it is possible that any lapses in the effective operations of controls and procedures could materially affect earnings or harm our reputation. In an organization as large and complex as Washington Mutual, lapses or deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting could be material to us.

In addition, we are heavily dependent on the strength and capability of our technology systems which we use both to interface with our customers and to manage internal financial and other systems. Our ability to run our business in compliance with applicable laws and regulations is dependent on these infrastructures.

 

We depend on the expertise of key personnel and face competition for talent. Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to hire and retain key people. If we are unable to retain these people and to attract talented people, or if key people fail to perform properly, our business may suffer. For further discussion of operational risks, see “Operational Risk Management” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Our failure to comply with laws and regulations could have adverse effects on our operations and profitability.

 

We operate in a regulated industry and are subject to a wide array of laws and regulations that apply to almost every element of our business, including banking, mortgage, securities, consumer lending and deposit laws and regulations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in financial and operational penalties, including fines, restrictions on otherwise permissible activities and receivership. In addition, establishing systems and processes to achieve compliance with these laws and regulations may increase our costs and/or limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities.

 

Effective October 17, 2007, Washington Mutual Bank consented to the issuance by the OTS of a cease and desist order requiring Washington Mutual Bank to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and related BSA regulations and regulations governing suspicious activity reporting. Although no fines or restrictions on Washington Mutual Bank’s activities have been imposed by the OTS, failure by us to comply with the terms of this order or other applicable laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results through the imposition of additional sanctions.

 

The volume of claims and amount of damages and penalties claimed in litigation and regulatory proceedings against financial institutions remain high. Substantial legal liability or significant regulatory action against us and our subsidiaries could adversely affect our financial results or cause reputational harm to us, which in turn could seriously harm our business prospects. For further discussion of pending legal actions that may affect us, see “Legal Proceedings” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Changes in the regulation of financial services companies, housing government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage lenders and servicers, and credit card lenders could adversely affect us. In addition, changes in federal bankruptcy law, state foreclosure laws, and other laws impacting a lender’s ability to collect debts or to realize the full value of collateral backing loans could negatively affect us.

 

The banking and financial services industries, in general, are heavily regulated. Proposals for legislation further regulating the banking and financial services industry are continually being introduced in the United States Congress and in state legislatures. The agencies regulating the financial services industry also periodically adopt changes to their regulations.

 

Proposals that are now receiving a great deal of attention and could significantly impact our business include changes to consumer protection initiatives relating to bank overdraft practices, security of customer information, marketing practices, nontraditional mortgage loan products including Option ARM loans and interest-only products, credit card lending practices, fees charged to merchants for credit and debit card transactions, and mortgage lending and servicing practices. For instance, the Federal Reserve Board has proposed amendments to Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act and the Home Ownership Equity Protection Act, to require new disclosures and restrict certain lending and servicing practices with regard to mortgages. The Federal Reserve Board has also proposed amendments to Regulation Z that would require changes to the format, timing, and content of credit card disclosures. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed changes to its regulations implementing the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. These changes could impose new duties and responsibilities on mortgage originators. The OTS has begun rulemaking that could define certain credit card, overdraft, and mortgage lending practices as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Legislation calling for increased regulation of mortgage and credit card lending is also receiving serious consideration in Congress and in the state legislatures. In 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives passed

legislation that would impose new responsibilities on mortgage lenders and restrict certain mortgage lending and servicing practices.

 

Policymakers at all levels of government are considering a number of initiatives to assist borrowers who are having difficulty repaying their home loans. State governments have adopted proposals that would change the mechanics of and lengthen the foreclosure process. On December 5, 2007, President Bush proposed a plan for a five year moratorium on interest rate resets for certain subprime mortgages held by qualifying borrowers. Other public officials and private groups have proposed similar plans for the restructuring of distressed loans. The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Judiciary Committees have reported out legislation that would allow judges to modify the terms of certain mortgages in Chapter 13 bankruptcies. On February 13, 2008, President Bush signed the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 into law. Among other things, the legislation will raise the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) loan limit to 125 percent of the area median house price (as determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development) up to a maximum of $729,750 for loans approved by December 31, 2008, and will increase the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming loan limit to the same amount for loans originated between July 1, 2007 through December 31, 2008.

 

In addition, there continues to be a focus on reform of the regulatory oversight of the housing government-sponsored enterprises including the Federal Home Loan Bank system. We are unable to predict whether any of these proposals will be implemented or in what form and what effect any such proposal could have on our business or operating results.

 

It is possible that one or more legislative proposals may be adopted or regulatory changes may be made that would have an adverse effect on our business. For further discussion of the regulation of financial services, see “Regulation and Supervision” and Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—“Regulatory Capital Requirements and Dividend Restrictions” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Our business and earnings are highly sensitive to general business, economic and market conditions, and continued deterioration in these conditions may adversely affect our business and earnings.

 

Our business and earnings are highly sensitive to general business and economic conditions. These conditions include the strength of the U.S. economy and the local economies in which we conduct business, in particular the strength of national and local job markets, the level of interest rates, the slope of the yield curve, the level of inflation, the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to foreign currencies and fluctuations in the level or the volatility in debt, equity and housing markets. Changes in these conditions may adversely affect our business and earnings. For example, when short-term interest rates rise, there is a lag period until adjustable-rate mortgages reprice. As a result, we may experience compression of our net interest margin with a commensurate adverse effect on earnings. Likewise, our earnings could also be adversely affected when a flat or inverted yield curve develops, as this may inhibit our ability to grow our adjustable-rate mortgage portfolio and may also cause margin compression. A prolonged economic downturn could increase the number of customers who become delinquent or default on their loans. A rising interest rate environment could increase the negative amortization of Option ARM loans, which may eventually result in increased delinquencies and defaults. Rising interest rates could also decrease customer demand for loans.

 

Our business and earnings are significantly affected by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and our agencies. We are particularly affected by the policies of the Federal Reserve Board, which regulates the supply of money and credit in the United States. Federal Reserve policies directly and indirectly influence the yield on our interest-earning assets and the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities. Changes in those policies are beyond our control and are difficult to predict.

 

We may face damage to our professional reputation and business as a result of allegations and negative public opinion as well as pending and threatened litigation.

 

Reputational risk, meaning the risk to earnings and capital from negative public opinion, is inherent in Washington Mutual’s business. Negative public opinion can result from the actual or perceived manner in which we conduct our business activities, which include our sales and trading practices, our loan origination and servicing

activities, our retail banking and credit card operations, our management of actual or potential conflicts of interest and ethical issues and our protection of confidential customer information. Negative public opinion can adversely affect our ability to keep and attract customers. We cannot assure that we will be successful in avoiding damage to our business from reputational risk.

 

We are subject to significant competition from banking and nonbanking companies.

 

We operate in a highly competitive environment and expect competition to continue as financial services companies combine to produce larger companies that are able to offer a wide array of financial products and services at competitive prices with attractive terms. In addition, customer convenience and service capabilities, such as product lines offered and the accessibility of services, are significant competitive factors.

 

Our most direct competition for loans comes from commercial banks, other savings institutions, investment banking firms, national mortgage companies and other credit card lenders. Our most direct competition for deposits comes from commercial banks, other savings institutions and credit unions doing business in our markets. As with all banking organizations, we also experience competition from nonbanking sources, including mutual funds, corporate and government debt securities and other investment alternatives offered within and outside of our primary markets. In addition, technological advances and the growth of e-commerce have made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer products and services that were traditionally offered only by banks. Many of these competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and some have lower cost structures.

 

In addition, we compete on the basis of transaction execution, innovation and technology. Our industry is subject to rapid and significant technological changes. In order to compete in our industry, Washington Mutual must continue to invest in technologies across all of our businesses, including transaction processing, data management, customer interactions and communications and risk management and compliance systems. We expect that new technologies will continue to emerge, and these new services and technologies could be superior to or render our technologies obsolete. Our future success will depend in part on our ability to continue to develop and adapt to technological changes and evolving industry standards. If we are not able to invest successfully in and compete at the leading edge of technological advances across all of our businesses, our revenues and profitability could suffer.

 

Risks Relating to Offerings by the Selling Shareholders

 

Our ability to pay dividends on the securities will depend upon the operations of our subsidiaries.

 

We are a holding company and our principal source of cash is dividends and other distributions from our banking and non-banking operating subsidiaries. If we are unable to receive dividends from our operating subsidiaries, we may not be able to pay dividends on the securities. Federal laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends and other distributions that our banking subsidiaries, Washington Mutual Bank and Washington Mutual Bank fsb, are permitted to pay or make, and, although Washington Mutual Bank fsb may currently pay dividends to Washington Mutual Bank without prior approval from the OTS, such approval is currently required in connection with the payment of a dividend or the making of a distribution by Washington Mutual Bank to us. Each of Washington Mutual Bank and Washington Mutual Bank fsb has a policy to remain well capitalized in order to meet capital adequacy requirements under federal law and, accordingly, generally would not pay dividends to the extent payment of the dividend would result in it not being well-capitalized. See “Business—Regulation and Supervision” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

 

We are subject to restrictions on paying cash dividends.

 

On December 17, 2007, we issued 3 million shares of our 7.75% Series R Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series R Preferred Stock”).

 

In addition, on March 7, 2006, Washington Mutual Preferred Funding (Cayman) I Ltd. issued $750,000,000 of 7.25% Perpetual Non-cumulative Preferred Securities and Washington Mutual Preferred Funding Trust I issued $1,250,000,000 of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-cumulative Trust Securities. On December 6, 2006, Washington Mutual Preferred Funding Trust II issued $500,000,000 of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-cumulative Trust Securities. On May 21, 2007, Washington Mutual Preferred Funding Trust III issued $500,000,000

of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-cumulative Trust Securities. On October 18, 2007, Washington Mutual Preferred Funding Trust IV issued $1,000,000,000 of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-cumulative Trust Securities. These securities are collectively referred to herein as “Preferred and Trust Securities.” Payments to investors in respect of the Preferred and Trust Securities are funded by distributions on certain series of securities issued by Washington Mutual Preferred Funding LLC, one of our indirect subsidiaries, with similar terms to the relevant series of Preferred and Trust Securities, which we refer to as the “LLC Preferred Securities.”

 

If for any dividend period full dividends are not paid in respect of the Series R Preferred Stock, the LLC Preferred Securities or the Preferred and Trust Securities, then we generally will be prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends or other distributions, or redeeming, purchasing or acquiring, any of our capital securities, including the Series S Preferred Stock, during the next succeeding dividend period applicable to any of the Series R Preferred Stock, the LLC Preferred Securities or the Preferred and Trust Securities.

 

In addition, any other financing agreements that we enter into in the future may limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our capital stock, including the securities. In the event that any other financing agreements in the future restrict our ability to pay dividends in cash on the securities, we may be unable to pay dividends in cash on the securities unless we can refinance amounts outstanding under those agreements.

 

Further, Washington law provides that we may pay dividends on the securities only if after payment of such dividends we would be able to pay our liabilities as they become due in the usual course of business and only to the extent by which our total assets after payment of such dividends exceed the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that, if we were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, would be needed to satisfy preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distributions. Lastly, even if we are permitted under our contractual obligations and Washington law to pay cash dividends on the securities, we may not have sufficient cash to pay dividends in cash on the securities.

 

Dividends on the securities are non-cumulative.

 

Dividends on the securities are non-cumulative. Consequently, if our board of directors does not authorize and declare a dividend for any dividend period, holders of the securities will not be entitled to receive a dividend for such period, and such undeclared dividend will not accrue and be payable. We will have no obligation to pay dividends for a dividend period after the dividend payment date for such period if our board of directors has not declared such dividend before the related dividend payment date, whether or not dividends are declared for any subsequent dividend period with respect to the securities. Our board of directors may determine that it would be in our best interest to pay less than the full amount of the stated dividends on the securities or no dividend for any quarter even if funds are available. Factors that would be considered by our board of directors in making this determination are our financial condition and capital needs, the impact of current and pending legislation and regulations, economic conditions, tax considerations, and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

The market price of our common stock may be volatile, which will also affect the market price of the Series S Preferred Stock.

 

We cannot predict how the shares of our common stock will trade in the future. In addition, to the extent that a secondary market for the Series S Preferred Stock develops, we believe that the market price of the Series S Preferred Stock will be significantly affected by the market price of our common stock. This may result in greater volatility in the market price of the Series S Preferred Stock than would be expected for nonconvertible preferred stock. From January 1, 2005 to May 1, 2008 the reported high and low sales prices for our common stock ranged from a low of $10.09 per share to a high of $47.01 per share. The market price of our common stock will likely continue to fluctuate in response to a number of factors including the following, most of which are beyond our control:

 

 

 

The market price of our common stock may also be affected by market conditions affecting the stock markets in general, including price and trading fluctuations on the New York Stock Exchange. These conditions may result in (i) volatility in the level of, and fluctuations in, the market prices of stocks generally and, in turn, our common stock and (ii) sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the market, in each case that could be unrelated or disproportionate to changes in our operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market prices of our common stock, and, in turn, the Series S Preferred Stock.

 

In addition, we expect that the market price of the Series S Preferred Stock will be influenced by yield and interest rates in the capital markets, our creditworthiness and the occurrence of events affecting us that do not require an adjustment to the conversion price.

 

There may be future sales or other dilution of our equity, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock or the Series S Preferred Stock.

 

We are not restricted from issuing additional common stock or preferred stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock or preferred stock or any substantially similar securities. The market price of our common stock or preferred stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares of common stock or preferred stock or similar securities in the market after this or the perception that such sales could occur.

 

Each share of Series S Preferred Stock will be mandatorily converted into shares of our common stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustments and approval by our shareholders. The conversion of the Series S Preferred Stock will dilute the ownership interest of our existing common shareholders. Any sales in the public market of our common stock issuable upon such conversion could adversely affect prevailing market prices of the outstanding shares of our common stock and the Series S Preferred Stock. In addition, the existence of our Series S Preferred Stock may encourage short selling or arbitrage trading activity by market participants because the conversion of our Series S Preferred Stock could depress the price of our equity securities.

 

The issuance of additional preferred or common shares could adversely affect holders of common stock, which may negatively Impact your investment in the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock.

 

Our board of directors is authorized to issue additional shares of common stock and additional classes or series of preferred stock without any action on the part of the shareholders. The board of directors also has the power, without stockholder approval, to set the terms of any such classes or series of preferred stock that may be issued, including voting rights, dividend rights and preferences over the common stock with respect to dividends or upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our business and other terms. If we issue preferred shares in the future that have a preference over the common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or if we issue preferred shares with voting rights that dilute the voting power of the common stock, the rights of holders of the common stock or the market price of the common stock could be adversely affected. As noted above, a decline in the market price of the common stock may negatively impact the market price for the Series S Preferred Stock.

Holders of the Series S Preferred Stock will have no rights as holders of common stock until they acquire the common stock.

 

Until the conversion of your Series S Preferred Stock into common stock, you will have no rights with respect to the common stock, including voting rights (except as described under “Description of Series S Preferred Stock—Voting Rights” and as required by applicable state law), rights to respond to tender offers and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on the common stock, but your investment in our Series S Preferred Stock may be negatively affected by these events. Upon conversion, you will be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of common stock only as to matters for which the record date occurs on or after the applicable conversion date. For example, in the event that an amendment is proposed to our articles of incorporation or bylaws requiring stockholder approval and the record date for determining the shareholders of record entitled to vote on the amendment occurs prior to the conversion date, 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 that may occur as a result of such amendment.

 

The Series S Preferred Stock is a new series of securities and an active trading market for it may not develop.

 

Prior to resales by our selling shareholders by use of this prospectus, there has been no public market for the Series S Preferred Stock. There can be no assurance that an active trading market will develop, or if developed, that an active trading market will be maintained.

 

The securities will rank junior to all of our and our subsidiaries’ liabilities in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or winding up.

 

In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation or winding up, our assets will be available to pay obligations on the securities only after all of our liabilities have been paid. Our common stock will rank junior to our preferred stock. In addition, the Series S Preferred Stock will rank in parity with the other series of preferred stock and will effectively rank junior to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries and the capital stock (other than common stock) of the subsidiaries held by entities or persons other than us or entities owned or controlled by us. In addition, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock share ratably in the assets remaining after payments to creditors and provision for the preference of any preferred stock. The rights of holders of the Series S Preferred Stock to participate in the assets of our subsidiaries upon any liquidation, reorganization, receivership or conservatorship of any subsidiary will rank junior to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors and equity holders. As of March 31, 2008, we had total consolidated liabilities of approximately $297 billion. In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation or winding up, there may not be sufficient assets remaining, after paying our and our subsidiaries’ liabilities, to pay amounts due on any or all of the common stock or the Series S Preferred Stock then outstanding.

 

The conversion price of the Series S Preferred Stock may not be adjusted for all dilutive events that may adversely affect the market price of the Series S Preferred Stock or the common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series S Preferred Stock.

 

The number of shares of our common stock that you are entitled to receive upon conversion of a share of Series S Preferred Stock is subject to adjustment for certain events arising from (1) subdivisions, splits and combinations of the common stock, (2) dividends or distributions in common stock, debt, capital stock or other assets, (3) issuances to all holders of our common stock of stock purchase rights or warrants, (4) increases in cash dividends or (5) certain self tender offers for common stock. See “Description of Series S Preferred Stock—Anti-Dilution Adjustments.” We will not adjust the conversion price for other events, including offerings of common stock for cash by us or in connection with acquisitions. There can be no assurance that an event that adversely affects the value of the Series S Preferred Stock, but does not result in an adjustment to the conversion price, will not occur. Further, if any of these other events adversely affects the market price of our common stock, it may also adversely affect the market price of the Series S Preferred Stock. In addition, we are not restricted from offering common stock in the future or engaging in other transactions that could dilute our common stock.

You may be subject to tax upon an adjustment to the conversion price of the Series S Preferred Stock even though you do not receive a corresponding cash distribution.

 

The conversion price of the Series S Preferred Stock is subject to reduction every six months up to a maximum reduction of $2.00. Upon any adjustment of the conversion price, you will generally be deemed to have received for U.S. federal income tax purposes a taxable dividend to the extent of our earnings and profits without the receipt of any cash. If you are a non-U.S holder (as defined in “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”), such deemed dividend may be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax (currently at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable treaty), which may be set off against subsequent payments on the Series S Preferred Stock. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

The descriptions set forth in this section and under the headings “Description of Common Stock”, “Description of Series S Preferred Stock” and “ Description of Other Preferred Stock” are summaries of the material terms of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (“articles of incorporation”), our bylaws and applicable provisions of law. Reference is made to the more detailed provisions of, and such descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to, our articles of incorporation and bylaws, which are incorporated by reference in the registration statement that we filed with the SEC. You should read our articles of incorporation and bylaws for the provisions that are important to you.

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 1,600,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value. As of May 1, 2008, there were 1,058,656,412 shares of common stock outstanding and 3,000,500 shares of preferred stock outstanding, consisting of 500 shares of Series K Perpetual Non-Cumulative Floating Rate Preferred Stock, 3,000,000 shares of 7.75% Series R Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, 36,642 shares of Series S Preferred Stock and 19,928 shares of Series T Preferred Stock.

 

All of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock and preferred stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. No bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness having the right to vote on any matters on which our shareholders may vote are issued and outstanding.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

 

Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters properly presented at a meeting of shareholders. Except as otherwise provided by law, the holders of common stock vote as one class. Holders of common stock may not cumulate their votes in the election of directors, and are entitled to share equally in the common stock dividends that may be declared by the board of directors, but only after payment of dividends required to be paid on outstanding shares of preferred stock.

 

Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock share ratably in the assets remaining after payments to creditors and provision for the preference of any preferred stock. There are no preemptive or other subscription rights, conversion rights or redemption or scheduled installment payment provisions relating to shares of common stock. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

 

Our articles of incorporation may be amended if approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of each voting group entitled to vote thereon, provided, however, that the provisions described below under “— Interested Shareholders” may not be repealed or amended unless approved by a vote of 95% of the outstanding shares of our voting stock other than shares held by the “major stockholder,” and provided further, that our board of directors may, without shareholder approval, amend our articles of incorporation (1) to the extent permitted under the Washington Business Corporation Act or (2) as necessary to designate the preferences, limitations, and relative rights of a class or series of our shares prior to issuance of any shares in that class or series.

 

The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is BNY Mellon Shareowner Services. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WM.”

 

Interested Shareholders.   Our articles of incorporation prohibit, except under certain circumstances, us (or any of our subsidiaries) from engaging in certain significant business transactions with a “major stockholder.” A “major stockholder” is a person who, without the prior approval of our board of directors, acquires beneficial ownership of five percent or more of our outstanding voting stock. Prohibited transactions include, among others:

 

 

 

The above prohibitions do not apply, in general, if the specific transaction is approved by:

 

 

Our articles of incorporation also provide that during the time a major stockholder exists, we may voluntarily dissolve only upon the unanimous consent of our shareholders or an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our board of directors and the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on such a dissolution and of each class of shares entitled to vote on such a dissolution as a class, if any.

 

Shareholder Rights Plan.   We have adopted a shareholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”) which provides that one right to purchase 1/1,000th of a share of our Series RP preferred stock (the “Rights”) is attached to each outstanding share of our common stock. The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects and are intended to discourage coercive or unfair takeover tactics and to encourage any potential acquiror to negotiate a price fair to all shareholders. The Rights may cause substantial dilution to an acquiring party that attempts to acquire us on terms not approved by our board, but they will not interfere with any merger or other business combination that is approved by our board.

 

The Rights are attached to the shares of our common stock. The Rights are not presently exercisable. At the time a party acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock or commences or publicly announces for the first time a tender offer to do so, the Rights will separate from the common stock and will become exercisable. Each Right entitles the holder to purchase 1/1,000th share of Series RP preferred stock, for an exercise price that is currently $200 per share. Once the Rights become exercisable, any Rights held by the acquiring party will be void and, for the next 60 days, all other holders of Rights will receive upon exercise of the Right that number of shares of our common stock having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. The Rights, which expire on January 4, 2011, may be redeemed by us for $0.001 per right prior to becoming exercisable. Until a Right is exercised, the holder of that Right will have no rights as a shareholder, including, without limitation, the right to vote or receive dividends.

 

Direct Registration System

 

We have a direct registration (book-entry) program with respect to record ownership of our common stock. See “Direct Registration System.”

 

As used in this section, the terms the “us,” “we” or “our” refer to Washington Mutual, Inc. and not any of its subsidiaries.

 

General

 

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with no par value. The Series S Preferred Stock constitutes a single series of our preferred shares, consisting of 60,000 shares, no par value and liquidation preference $100,000 per share. The holders of the Series S Preferred Stock have no preemptive rights.

 

The Series S Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, (1) on a parity with our outstanding Series K Preferred Stock, Series R Preferred Stock, Series T Preferred Stock and any Series I Preferred Stock, Series J Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series M Preferred Stock and Series N Preferred Stock we may issue in the future and each other class or series of preferred stock we may issue in the future the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the Series S Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution of Washington Mutual (collectively, the “parity securities”) and (2) senior to our common stock, our Series RP Preferred Stock and each other class or series of preferred stock we may issue in the future the terms of which do not expressly provide that it ranks on a parity with or senior to the Series S Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of Washington Mutual (collectively, the “junior securities”). As of May 2, 2008, no class or series of our preferred stock is outstanding other than 500 shares of our Series K Preferred Stock, 3,000,000 shares of 7.75% Series R Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, 36,642 shares of Series S Preferred Stock and 19,928 shares of Series T Preferred Stock. See “Description of Other Preferred Stock” for a description of our preferred shares.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 1,600,000,000 shares of common stock, with no par value. As of May 1, 2008, 1,058,686,412 shares of common stock (including shares held in escrow) were issued and outstanding.

 

Under Washington law, we may declare or pay dividends on the Series S Preferred Stock only if after payment of such dividends we would be able to pay our liabilities as they become due in the usual course of business and only to the extent by which our total assets after payment of such dividends exceed the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount (the “preference amount”) that, if we were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, would be needed to satisfy preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distributions. When the need to make these determinations arises, our board of directors will determine the amount of our total assets, total liabilities and preference amount in accordance with Washington law.

 

Dividends

 

Holders of Series S Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, non-cumulative cash dividends in the amount determined as set forth below.

 

Initially, if our Board of Directors declares and pays a cash dividend in respect of any shares of common stock, then the Board of Directors is required to declare and pay to the holders of the Series S Preferred Stock a cash dividend in an amount per share of Series S Preferred Stock equal to the product of (i) the per share dividend declared and paid in respect of each share of common stock and (ii) the number of shares of common stock into which such share of Series S Preferred Stock is then convertible.

 

If the Series S Preferred Stock has not been converted into common stock by June 30, 2008, commencing with the dividend period ending on September 15, 2008, in lieu of the dividends provided for in the preceding paragraph, dividends will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. If the Series S Preferred Stock has not been converted into common stock by June 30, 2008, Special Dividends will be payable commencing with the dividend payment date on September 15, 2008 at a rate of 14% of the liquidation preference of the Series S Preferred Stock and this rate will further increase to 15.5% of the liquidation preference

commencing with the dividend payment date on March 15, 2009 and to 17% of the liquidation preference commencing with the dividend payment date on September 15, 2009. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, dividends on the Series S Preferred Stock will always be paid in an amount per share equal to the higher of the Special Dividend and the dividend payable on an as-converted basis based on the last dividend declared on the common stock during the applicable dividend period. Special Dividends (or the higher as converted dividends paid in lieu of Special Dividends) can be paid in cash, or at the Company’s option until the second anniversary of the date of issuance of the Series S Preferred Stock, by delivery of shares of Series S Preferred Stock.

 

Dividends on the Series S Preferred Stock are non-cumulative. If the Board of Directors does not declare a dividend on the Series S Preferred Stock in respect of any dividend period, the holders will have no right to receive any dividend for that dividend period, and the Company will have no obligation to pay a dividend for that dividend period.

 

Subject to limited exceptions, if full quarterly dividends payable on all outstanding shares of the Series S Preferred Stock for any dividend period have not been declared and paid, we will not be permitted to declare or pay dividends with respect to, or redeem, purchase or acquire any of its junior securities during the next succeeding dividend period.

 

There is no sinking fund with respect to dividends.

 

Dividend Stopper

 

In addition, if full quarterly dividends on all outstanding shares of the Series S Preferred Stock for any dividend period have not been declared and paid, we will be prohibited from declaring or paying dividends with respect to, or redeeming, purchasing or acquiring any of, our junior securities during the next succeeding dividend period, other than:

 

(i) redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions of junior securities in connection with any benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of any one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants or in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan;

 

(ii) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholder’s rights plan, including with respect to our Series RP Preferred Stock, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any shareholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto; and

 

(iii) conversions into or exchanges for other junior securities and cash solely in lieu of fractional shares of the junior securities.

 

If dividends for any dividend payment date are not paid in full on the shares of the Series S Preferred Stock and there are issued and outstanding shares of parity securities for which such dividend payment date is also a scheduled dividend payment date, then all dividends declared on shares of the Series S Preferred Stock and such parity securities on such date shall be declared pro rata so that the respective amounts of such dividends shall bear the same ratio to each other as full quarterly dividends per share on the shares of the Series S Preferred Stock and all such parity securities otherwise payable on such date (subject to their having been declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds and including, in the case of any such parity securities that bear cumulative dividends, all accrued but unpaid dividends) bear to each other.

 

Resale of Junior Securities

 

For as long as the Series S Preferred Stock is outstanding, the Company is prohibited from redeeming, purchasing or acquiring any shares of common stock or other junior securities, subject to limited exceptions.

 

Redemption

 

The Series S Preferred Stock is not redeemable either at our option or at the option of the holders.

Mandatory Conversion

 

The Series S Preferred Stock is mandatorily convertible on the final day of the calendar quarter in which the Shareholder Approvals have been received (the “Mandatory Conversion Date”). The number of shares of common stock into which a share of Series S Preferred Stock will be convertible will be determined by dividing the liquidation preference by the then applicable conversion price. Upon conversion, cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares based on the closing price of the common stock determined as of the second trading day immediately preceding the date of the mandatory conversion.

 

The initial conversion price of the Series S Preferred Stock is $8.75 per share. The conversion price of the Series S Preferred Stock will be reduced by $0.50 on each six-month anniversary of the date of issuance of the Series S Preferred Stock if the Shareholder Approvals have not been obtained prior to such anniversary, up to a maximum reduction of $2.00. The conversion price is subject to further anti-dilution adjustments as described below under “— Anti-dilution Adjustments.”

 

Conversion Procedures

 

Upon occurrence of the Mandatory Conversion Date, we shall provide notice of the conversion to each holder (such notice a “Notice of Mandatory Conversion”). In addition to any information required by applicable law or regulation, the Notice of Mandatory Conversion with respect to such holder shall state, as appropriate:

 

 

Effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Mandatory Conversion Date with respect any share of Preferred Stock, dividends shall no longer be declared on any such converted share of Series S Preferred Stock and such share of Series S Preferred Stock shall cease to be outstanding, in each case, subject to the right of the holder to receive any declared and unpaid dividends on such share to the extent provided the dividend payment provisions and any other payments to which such Holder is otherwise entitled.

 

No allowance or adjustment, except pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions, shall be made in respect of dividends payable to holders of the common stock of record as of any date prior to the close of business on the Mandatory Conversion Date with respect to any share of Series S Preferred Stock. Prior to the close of business on the Mandatory Conversion Date with respect to any share of Series S Preferred Stock, shares of common stock issuable upon conversion thereof, or other securities issuable upon conversion of, such share of Series S Preferred Stock shall not be deemed outstanding for any purpose, and the holder thereof shall have no rights with respect to the common stock or other securities issuable upon conversion (including voting rights, rights to respond to tender offers for the common stock or other securities issuable upon conversion and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on the common stock or other securities issuable upon conversion) by virtue of holding such share of Series S Preferred Stock.

 

Shares of Series S Preferred Stock duly converted in accordance with the Articles of Amendment, or otherwise reacquired by us, will resume the status of authorized and unissued preferred stock, undesignated as to series and available for future issuance. We may from time-to-time take such appropriate action as may be necessary to reduce the authorized number of shares of Series S Preferred Stock.

 

The person or persons entitled to receive the common stock and/or cash, securities or other property issuable upon conversion of Series S Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder(s) of such shares of common stock and/or securities as of the close of business on the Mandatory Conversion Date with respect thereto. In the event that a Holder shall not by written notice designate the name in which shares of Common Stock and/or cash, securities or other property (including payments of cash in lieu of fractional shares) to be issued or paid upon conversion of shares of Series S Preferred Stock should be registered or paid or the manner in which such shares

should be delivered, we shall be entitled to register and deliver such shares, and make such payment, in the name of the holder and in the manner shown on our records.

 

On the Mandatory Conversion Date with respect to any share of Series S Preferred Stock, certificates representing shares of common stock shall be issued and delivered to the holder thereof or such holder’s designee upon presentation and surrender of the certificate evidencing the Series S Preferred Stock to the Company and, if required, the furnishing of appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the payment of all transfer and similar taxes.

 

Reorganization Events

 

In the event of:

 

(a) any consolidation or merger of us with or into another person in each case pursuant to which our common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property of us or another person;

 

(b) any sale, transfer, lease or conveyance to another person of all or substantially all of our property and assets, in each case pursuant to which our common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property;

 

(c) any reclassification of the common stock into securities, including securities other than the common stock; or

 

(d) any statutory exchange of our securities with another person (other than in connection with a merger or acquisition),

 

each of which is referred to as a “reorganization event,” each share of the Series S Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to such reorganization event will, without the consent of the holders, remain outstanding but will become convertible at the option of the holders into the kind of securities, cash and other property receivable in such reorganization event by a holder (except the counterparty to the reorganization event or an affiliate of such counterparty) of that number of shares of common stock into which the share of Series S Preferred Stock would then be convertible assuming the receipt of the Shareholder Approvals (such securities, cash and other property, the “exchange property”). In the event that holders of the shares of our common stock have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in such transaction, the consideration that the holders of the Series S Preferred Stock are entitled to receive will be deemed to be the types and amounts of consideration received by the majority of the holders of the shares of our common stock that affirmatively make an election. The amount of exchange property receivable upon conversion of any Series S Preferred Stock upon mandatory conversion will be determined based on the conversion price in effect on the Mandatory Conversion Date.

 

Fundamental Change

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Articles of Amendment, we shall not enter into any agreement for a transaction constituting a Fundamental Change unless such agreement (i) entitles holders to receive, on an as-converted basis, the securities, cash and other property receivable in such transaction by a holder of shares of common stock that was not the counterparty to such transaction or an affiliate of such other party or (ii) provides that each share of Series S Preferred Stock shall be converted into the number of shares of common stock equal to the Liquidation Preference divided by the conversion price in effect at any time.

 

A “Fundamental Change” means the occurrence, prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, of the consummation of any consolidation or merger of the Company or similar transaction or any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person other than one of our subsidiaries, in each case pursuant to which the common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than pursuant to a transaction in which the persons that “beneficially owned” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, voting shares of the Company immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, voting shares representing a majority of the continuing or surviving person immediately after the transaction.

Anti-Dilution Adjustments

 

The conversion price will be adjusted in the following circumstances:

 

(1)  Stock Dividend Distributions.   If we pay dividends or other distributions on the common stock in common stock, then the conversion price in effect immediately prior to the ex-date for such dividend or distribution will be multiplied by the following fraction:

 

 

(2)  Subdivisions, Splits and Combination of the Common Stock.   If we subdivide, split or combine the shares of common stock, then the conversion price in effect immediately prior to the effective date of such share subdivision, split or combination will be multiplied by the following fraction:

 

 

(3)  Issuance of Stock Purchase Rights.   If we issue to all holders of the shares of our common stock rights or warrants (other than rights or warrants issued pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan or share purchase plan or other similar plans) entitling them, for a period of up to 45 days from the date of issuance of such rights or warrants, to subscribe for or purchase the shares of our common stock at less than the current market price, as defined below, of the common stock on the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, then the conversion price in effect immediately prior to the ex-date for such distribution will be multiplied by the following fraction:

 

 

 

To the extent that such rights or warrants are not exercised prior to their expiration or shares of our common stock are otherwise not delivered pursuant to such rights or warrants upon the exercise of such rights or warrants, the conversion price shall be readjusted to such conversion price that would then be in effect had the adjustment made

upon the issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis of the delivery of only the number of shares of our common stock actually delivered. In determining the aggregate offering price payable for such shares of our common stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights or warrants and the value of such consideration (if other than cash, to be determined by our board of directors).

 

(4)  Debt or Asset Distributions.   If we distribute to all holders of shares of our common stock evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, securities, cash or other assets (excluding any dividend or distribution referred to in clause (1) above, any rights or warrants referred to in clause (3) above, any dividend or distribution paid exclusively in cash, any consideration payable in connection with a tender or exchange offer made by us or any of our subsidiaries, and any dividend of shares of capital stock of any class or series, or similar equity interests, of or relating to a subsidiary or other business unit in the case of certain spin-off transactions as described below), then the conversion price in effect immediately prior to the ex-date for such distribution will be multiplied by the following fraction:

 

 

In a “spin-off,” where we make a distribution to all holders of our shares of common stock consisting of capital stock of any class or series, or similar equity interests of, or relating to, a subsidiary or other business unit, the conversion price will be adjusted on the fifteenth trading day after the effective date of the distribution by multiplying such conversion price in effect immediately prior to such fifteenth trading day by the following fraction:

 

 

(5)  Cash Distributions.   If we make a distribution consisting exclusively of cash to all holders of the common stock, excluding (a) any cash dividend on the common stock to the extent a corresponding cash dividend is paid on the Series S Preferred Stock, (b) any cash that is distributed in a reorganization event (as described above) or as part of a “spin-off” referred to in clause (4) above, (c) any dividend or distribution in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and (d) any consideration payable in connection with a tender or exchange offer made by

us or any of our subsidiaries, then in each event, the conversion price in effect immediately prior to the ex-date for such distribution will be multiplied by the following fraction:

 

 

 

(6)  Self Tender Offers and Exchange Offers.   If we or any of our subsidiaries successfully complete a tender or exchange offer for our common stock where the cash and the value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of the common stock exceeds the closing price per share of the common stock on the trading day immediately succeeding the expiration of the tender or exchange offer, then the conversion price in effect at the close of business on such immediately succeeding trading day will be multiplied by the following fraction:

 

 

 

In the event that we are, or one of our subsidiaries is, obligated to purchase shares of our common stock pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but we are, or such subsidiary is, permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then the conversion price shall be readjusted to be such conversion price that would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made.

 

(7)  Rights Plans.   To the extent that we have a rights plan in effect with respect to the common stock on any conversion date, upon conversion of any shares of the Series S Preferred Stock, you will receive, in addition to the shares of our common stock, the rights under the rights plan, unless, prior to such conversion date, the rights have separated from the shares of our common stock, in which case the conversion price will be adjusted at the time of separation as if we made a distribution to all holders of the common stock as described in clause (4) above, subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.

 

In addition, we may make such decreases in the conversion price as we deem advisable in order to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of the common stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of the shares (or issuance of rights or warrants to acquire the shares) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes or for any other reason.

 

All adjustments to the conversion price shall be calculated to the nearest 1 / 10 of a cent. No adjustment in the conversion price shall be required if such adjustment would be less than $0.01; provided, that any adjustments which by reason of this subparagraph are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment; provided further that on the mandatory conversion date adjustments to the conversion

price will be made with respect to any such adjustment carried forward and which has not been taken into account before such date.

 

No adjustment to the conversion price will be made if holders may participate in the transaction that would otherwise give rise to such adjustment as a result of holding the Series S Preferred Stock, without having to convert the Series S Preferred Stock, as if they held the full number of shares of common stock into which a share of the Series S Preferred Stock may then be converted.

 

The applicable conversion price will not be adjusted:

 

(a) upon the issuance of any shares of common stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in common stock under any plan;

 

(b) upon the issuance of any shares of common stock or rights or warrants to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by us or any of our subsidiaries;

 

(c) upon the issuance of any shares of common stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security outstanding as of the date the shares of Series S Preferred Stock were first issued;

 

(d) for a change in the par value or no par value of the common stock; or

 

(e) for accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series S Preferred Stock.

 

We will be required, as soon as practicable after the conversion price is adjusted, to provide or cause to be provided written notice of the adjustment to the holders of shares of Series S Preferred Stock. We will also be required to deliver a statement setting forth in reasonable detail the method by which the adjustment to the conversion price was determined and setting forth the revised conversion price.

 

The “current market price” on any date is the average of the daily closing price per share of the common stock or other securities on each of the five consecutive trading days preceding the earlier of the day before the date in question and the day before the “ex-date” with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such computation. The term “ex-date,” when used with respect to any such issuance or distribution, means the first date on which the common stock or other securities trade without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.

 

Fractional Shares

 

No fractional shares of our common stock will be issued to holders of the Series S Preferred Stock upon conversion. In lieu of any fractional shares of common stock otherwise issuable in respect of the aggregate number of shares of the Series S Preferred Stock of any holder that are converted, that holder will be entitled to receive an amount in cash (computed to the nearest cent) equal to the same fraction of the closing price per share of our common stock determined as of the second trading day immediately preceding the Mandatory Conversion Date.

 

If more than one share of the Series S Preferred Stock is surrendered for conversion by or for the same holder, the number of full shares of common stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of Series S Preferred Stock so surrendered.

 

Common Stock Rights

 

Reference is made to “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock” for a description of the rights of holders of common stock to be delivered upon conversion of the Series S Preferred Stock.

 

Liquidation Rights

 

In the event we voluntarily or involuntarily liquidate, dissolve or wind up, the holders of the Series S Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions in the amount of $100,000 per share of Series S Preferred Stock, plus an amount equal to any declared but unpaid dividends on the Series S Preferred Stock to and including

the date of such liquidation before any distribution of assets is made to the holders of the common stock or any other junior securities. After payment of the full amount of such liquidating distributions, holders of the Series S Preferred Stock will be entitled to participate in any further distribution of our remaining assets as if each share of Series S Preferred Stock had been converted, immediately prior to such liquidating distributions, into the number of shares of common stock equal to the liquidation preference divided by the then-applicable conversion price.

 

In the event our assets available for distribution to shareholders upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, are insufficient to pay in full the amounts payable with respect to all outstanding shares of the Series S Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable on any parity securities, holders of Series S Preferred Stock and the holders of parity securities will share ratably in any distribution of our assets in proportion to the full respective liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

 

Voting Rights

 

Except as provided below, the holders of the Series S Preferred Stock will have no voting rights.

 

Washington law attaches mandatory voting rights to classes or series of shares that are affected by certain amendments to the articles of incorporation. The holders of the outstanding shares of a class or series are entitled to vote as a separate voting group if stockholder voting is otherwise required by Washington law and if the amendment would:

 

 

Holders of the outstanding shares of a class or series of stock are entitled under Washington law to vote as a separate voting group with respect to a merger or share exchange if stockholder voting is otherwise required by Washington law and if, as a result of the merger or share exchange, holders of a part or all of the class or series would hold or receive:

 

 

 

Under Washington law, if any class or series of shares is entitled to vote as a group in connection with an amendment of the articles of incorporation, a merger or a share exchange, such class or series and any other classes or series affected in a substantially similar way will vote together as a single voting group unless otherwise provided in the articles or by the board of directors.

 

Washington law permits these statutory voting rights to be expanded or, in certain circumstances, limited in the designation of the terms of a class or series. The statutory voting rights of the holders of Series S Preferred Stock will be expanded and, in certain circumstances, limited as described below.

 

So long as any shares of Series S Preferred Stock are outstanding, the vote or consent of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Series S Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, voting as a class with all other series of preferred stock having similar voting rights with the Series S Preferred Stock and entitled to vote thereon, and with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of such class or series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, will be necessary for effecting or validating any of the following actions, whether or not such approval is required by Washington law:

 

 

provided, however, that any increase in the amount of the authorized preferred stock or preferred stock or any securities convertible into preferred stock or the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount other than the Series S Preferred Stock, of other series of preferred stock or any securities convertible into preferred stock ranking equally with and/or junior to the Series S Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) and/or the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up will not be deemed to adversely affect the voting powers, preferences or

special rights of the Series S Preferred Stock and, notwithstanding any provision of Washington law, holders of Series S Preferred Stock will have no right to vote solely by reason of such an increase, creation or issuance.

 

If an amendment, alteration, repeal, share exchange, reclassification, merger or consolidation described above would adversely affect one or more but not all series of voting preferred stock (including the Series S Preferred Stock for this purpose), then only those series affected and entitled to vote shall vote as a class in lieu of all such series of preferred stock.

 

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of Series S Preferred Stock shall have been converted into shares of our common stock.

 

Miscellaneous

 

Following receipt of the Shareholder Approvals, we will at all times reserve and keep available out of the authorized and unissued shares of our common stock or shares held in the treasury by us, solely for issuance upon the conversion of the Series S Preferred Stock, that number of shares of common stock as shall be issuable upon the conversion of all the Series S Preferred Stock then outstanding. Any shares of the Series S Preferred Stock converted into shares of our common stock or otherwise reacquired by us shall resume the status of authorized and unissued preferred shares, undesignated as to series, and shall be available for subsequent issuance.

 

 

We have a direct registration (book-entry) program with respect to record ownership of our common stock and intend to implement a direct registration (book-entry) program with respect to record ownership of the Series S Preferred Stock as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this prospectus. Direct registration is a service that allows shares to be owned, reported and transferred electronically without having a physical stock certificate issued. Persons who acquire shares of the common stock or the Series S Preferred Stock upon an offering and sale by a selling shareholder by use of this prospectus will not receive a physical stock certificate (unless certificates are specifically requested); rather, ownership of the shares acquired will be recorded in the names of such persons electronically on the books and records of BNY Mellon Shareowner Services. Direct registration is intended to alleviate the problems relating to stolen, misplaced or lost stock certificates and to reduce the paperwork relating to the transfer of ownership of our stock. Under direct registration, the voting, dividend and other rights and benefits of holders of our common stock and the Series S Preferred Stock remain the same as with holders of certificates.

 

Prior to this registration, the shares of common stock and the Series S Preferred Stock which may be sold from time to time by the selling shareholders named in this prospectus were “restricted securities” under the Securities Act. Upon completion of a resale by use of this prospectus, the acquiring shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names will receive a statement confirming the appropriate number of shares of common stock or Series S Preferred Stock, as applicable, and in the case of the Series S Preferred Stock, once the direct registration program goes into effect, through direct registration, rather than a physical stock certificate, unless such shareholder gives specific instructions to our transfer agent to issue such a certificate. For a shareholder who is acquiring common stock or Series S Preferred Stock through a broker or other nominee that is a member of (or has a correspondent relationship with) the Depository Trust Company, that shareholder’s shares of common stock or Series S Preferred Stock will be credited to the shareholder’s account by the broker or other nominee.

 

To utilize the services of a stockbroker to sell shares, a shareholder holding shares through direct registration must first add the appropriate stockbroker information to the direct registration account maintained by the transfer agent. Thereafter, such shareholder may transfer the shares by telephone to a brokerage account and then may sell or transfer the shares by giving instructions to the broker.

 

Our articles of incorporation currently authorize 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value. On May 1, 2008, we had outstanding 500 shares of Series K Preferred Stock, no par value and liquidation preference $1,000,000 per share, 3,000,000 shares of 7.75% Series R Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, 36,642 shares of Series S Preferred Stock and 19,928 shares of Series T Preferred Stock. In addition, we have authorized the issuance of, and reserved shares with respect to, our Series I Preferred Stock, Series J Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series M Preferred Stock and Series N Preferred Stock, as well as shares of preferred stock contemplated by our Rights Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2000, entered by and between us and BNY Shareowner Services (the “Rights Agreement”).

 

The Series S Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, on a parity with our outstanding Series K Preferred Stock, the Series R Preferred Stock, the Series T Preferred Stock and any Series I Preferred Stock, Series J Preferred Stock, Series L Preferred Stock, Series M Preferred Stock and Series N Preferred Stock we may issue in the future and each other class or series of preferred stock we may issue in the future the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the Series R Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution of Washington Mutual. See “Description of Series S Preferred Stock—General.”

 

For purposes of this description, “Exchange Event” means (i) Washington Mutual Bank becoming “undercapitalized” under the OTS’ “prompt corrective action” regulations, (ii) Washington Mutual Bank being placed into conservatorship or receivership or (iii) the OTS, in its sole discretion, directing such exchange in anticipation of Washington Mutual Bank becoming “undercapitalized” in the near term or taking supervisory action that limits the payment of dividends, as applicable, by Washington Mutual Bank, and in connection therewith, directs such exchange.

 

For purposes of this description, “3-Month USD LIBOR” means, with respect to any dividend period, a rate determined on the basis of the offered rates for three-month U.S. dollar deposits, commencing on the first day of such dividend period, which appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page as of approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the LIBOR determination date for such dividend period. If on any LIBOR determination date no rate appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page as of approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, we or an affiliate of ours on our behalf will on such LIBOR determination date request four major reference banks in the London interbank market selected by us to provide us with a quotation of the rate at which three-month deposits in U.S. dollars, commencing on the first day of such dividend period, are offered by them to prime banks in the London interbank market as of approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such LIBOR determination date and in a principal amount equal to that which is representative for a single transaction in such market at such time. If at least two such quotations are provided, 3-Month USD LIBOR for such dividend period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest .00001 of 1%) of such quotations as calculated by us. If fewer than two quotations are provided, 3-Month USD LIBOR for such dividend period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest .00001 of 1%) of the rates quoted as of approximately 11:00 am., New York time, on the first day of such dividend period by three major banks in New York City, New York selected by us for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks, for a three-month period commencing on the first day of such dividend period and in a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000.

 

Series I Preferred Stock

 

Pursuant to an issuance by Washington Mutual Preferred Funding Trust I of $1,250,000,000 of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-cumulative Trust Securities (the “Series I Trust Securities”), if so directed by the OTS following the occurrence of an Exchange Event (as defined above), each Series I Trust Security will be automatically exchanged for a like number of depositary shares each representing 1/1000th of a share of our Series I Perpetual Non-cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Preferred Stock, no par value and liquidation preference $1,000,000 per share (the “Series I Preferred Stock”). The number of shares constituting the Series I Preferred Stock is 1,250.

 

After the issuance of the Series I Preferred Stock, holders of shares of the Series I Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, non-cumulative dividends payable in arrears

quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. If issued prior to the day immediately preceding March 15, 2011, from such date of issuance to March 15, 2011 dividends will be, for each outstanding share of Series I Preferred Stock, payable at an annual rate of 6.534% on the per share liquidation preference of the Series I Preferred Stock. From the later of March 15, 2011 and the date of issuance of the Series I Preferred Stock, dividends will be, for each outstanding share of the Series I Preferred Stock, payable at an annual rate on the per share liquidation preference of the Series I Preferred Stock equal to 3-Month USD LIBOR for the related dividend period plus 1.4825%.

 

The Series I Preferred Stock may be redeemed in whole or in part, at our option, under certain circumstances, prior to March 15, 2011, at specified redemption prices plus any declared but unpaid dividends. The Series I Preferred Stock may be redeemed in whole or in part, at our option, at any time, or from time to time, on or after March 15, 2011, at a redemption price of $1,000,000 per share, plus any declared but unpaid dividends. The holders of the Series I Preferred Stock may not require us to redeem the Series I Preferred Stock.

 

Except as required by law, and as provided in this paragraph, holders of Series I Preferred Stock have no voting rights. If after the issuance of the Series I Preferred Stock we fail to pay full dividends on the Series I Preferred Stock for six dividend periods, the holders of Series I Preferred Stock, acting as a class with any other parity securities having similar voting rights, including the Series R Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus, will have the right to elect two directors to our board of directors. The terms of office of these directors will end when we have paid or set aside for payment full dividends for four consecutive dividend periods.

 

Series J Preferred Stock

 

Pursuant to an issuance by Washington Mutual Preferred Funding (Cayman) I Ltd. of $750,000,000 of 7.25% Rate Perpetual Non-cumulative Preferred Securities (the “WaMu Cayman Preferred Securities”), if so directed by the OTS following the occurrence of an Exchange Event, each WaMu Cayman Preferred Security will be automatically exchanged for a like amount of depositary shares representing 1/1000th of a share of our Series J Perpetual Non-cumulative Fixed Rate Preferred Stock, no par value and liquidation preference $1,000,000 per share (the “Series J Preferred Stock”). The number of shares constituting the Series J Preferred Stock is 750.

 

After the issuance of the Series J Preferred Stock, holders of shares of the Series J Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, non-cumulative dividends payable in arrears quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. Dividends will be, for each outstanding share of Series J Preferred Stock, payable at an annual rate of 7.25% on the per share liquidation preference.

 

The Series J Preferred Stock may be redeemed in whole or in part, at our option, under certain circumstances, prior to March 15, 2011, at specified redemption prices plus any declared but unpaid dividends. The Series J Preferred Stock may be redeemed in whole or in part, at our option, at any time, or from time to time, on or after March 15, 2011, at a redemption price of $1,000,000 per share, plus any declared but unpaid dividends. The holders of the Series J Preferred Stock may not require us to redeem the Series J Preferred Stock.

 

Except as required by law, and as provided in this paragraph, holders of Series J Preferred Stock have no voting rights. If after the issuance of the Series J Preferred Stock we fail to pay full dividends on the Series J Preferred Stock for six dividend periods, the holders of Series J Preferred Stock, acting as a class with any other parity securities having similar voting rights, including the Series R Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus, will have the right to elect two directors to our board of directors. The terms of office of these directors will end when we have paid or set aside for payment full dividends for four consecutive dividend periods.

 

Series K Preferred Stock

 

On September 18, 2006, we issued 20,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40,000 ^th ownership interest in a share of our Series K Perpetual Non-Cumulative Floating Rate Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $1,000,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depositary share), referred to in this prospectus as the “Series K Preferred Stock”. Each holder of depositary shares is entitled to similar rights and preferences (including as to

dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights) as the depositary shares representing Series R Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus. The number of shares constituting the Series K Preferred Stock is 500.

 

Holders of shares of the Series K Preferred Stock are entitled to receive non-cumulative dividends payable in arrears quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. Dividends are, for each outstanding share of Series K Preferred Stock, payable at an annual rate on the per share liquidation preference equal to the greater of (i) 3-Month USD LIBOR for the related dividend period plus 0.70% or (ii) four percent (4.00%).

 

The Series K Preferred Stock may be redeemed in whole or in part, at our option, at any time, or from time to time, on or after September 15, 2011, at a redemption price of $1,000,000 per share, plus any declared but unpaid dividends. The holders of the Series K Preferred Stock may not require us to redeem the Series K Preferred Stock.

 

Except as required by law, holders of Series K Preferred Stock have no voting rights except with respect to certain fundamental changes in the terms of the Series K Preferred Stock and certain other matters. In addition, if we fail to pay full dividends on the Series K Preferred Stock for six dividend periods, the holders of Series K Preferred Stock, acting as a class with any other parity securities having similar voting rights, including the Series R Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus, will have the right to elect two directors to our board of directors. The terms of office of these directors will end when we have paid or set aside for payment full dividends for four consecutive dividend periods.

 

Series L Preferred Stock

 

Pursuant to an issuance by Washington Mutual Preferred Funding Trust II of $500,000,000 of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-cumulative Trust Securities (the “Series L Trust Securities”), if so directed by the OTS following the occurrence of an Exchange Event, each Series L Trust Security will be automatically exchanged for a like amount of depositary shares each representing 1/1000th of a share of our Series L Perpetual Non-cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Preferred Stock, no par value and liquidation preference $1,000,000 per share (the “Series L Preferred Stock”). The number of shares constituting the Series L Preferred Stock will be 500.

 

After the issuance of the Series L Preferred Stock, holders of shares of the Series L Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, non-cumulative dividends payable in arrears quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. If issued prior to the day immediately preceding December 15, 2016, from such date of issuance to December 15, 2016 dividends will be, for each outstanding share of Series L Preferred Stock, payable at an annual rate of 6.665% on the per share liquidation preference of the Series L Preferred Stock. From the later of December 15, 2016 and the date of issuance of the Series L Preferred Stock, dividends will be, for each outstanding share of the Series L Preferred Stock, payable at an annual rate on the per share liquidation preference of the Series L Preferred Stock equal to 3-Month USD LIBOR for the related dividend period plus 1.7925%.

 

The Series L Preferred Stock may be redeemed in whole or in part, at our option, under certain circumstances, at specified redemption prices plus any declared but unpaid dividends. The holders of the Series L Preferred Stock may not require us to redeem the Series L Preferred Stock.

 

Except as required by law, holders of Series L Preferred Stock have no voting rights except with respect to certain fundamental changes in the terms of the Series L Preferred Stock and certain other matters. In addition, if after the issuance of the Series L Preferred Stock we fail to pay full dividends on the Series L Preferred Stock for six dividend periods, the holders of Series L Preferred Stock, acting as a class with any other parity securities having similar voting rights, including the Series P Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus, will have the right to elect two directors to our board of directors. The terms of office of these directors will end when we have paid or set aside for payment full dividends for four consecutive dividend periods.

 

Series M Preferred Stock

 

Pursuant to an issuance by Washington Mutual Preferred Funding Trust III of $500,000,000 of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-cumulative Trust Securities (the “Series M Trust Securities”), if so directed by the OTS following the occurrence of an Exchange Event, each Series M Trust Security will be automatically exchanged

for a like amount of depositary shares each representing 1/1000th of a share of our Series M Perpetual Non-cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Preferred Stock, no par value and liquidation preference $1,000,000 per share (the “Series M Preferred Stock”). The number of shares constituting the Series M Preferred Stock is 500.

 

After the issuance of the Series M Preferred Stock, holders of shares of the Series M Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, non-cumulative dividends payable in arrears quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. If issued prior to the day immediately preceding June 15, 2012, from such date of issuance to June 15, 2012 dividends will be, for each outstanding share of Series M Preferred Stock, payable at an annual rate of 6.895% on the per share liquidation preference of the Series M Preferred Stock. From the later of June 15, 2012 and the date of issuance of the Series M Preferred Stock, dividends will be, for each outstanding share of the Series M Preferred Stock, payable at an annual rate on the per share liquidation preference of the Series M Preferred Stock equal to 3-Month USD LIBOR for the related dividend period plus 1.755%

 

The Series M Preferred Stock may be redeemed in whole or in part, at our option, under certain circumstances, at specified redemption prices plus any declared but unpaid dividends. The holders of the Series M Preferred Stock may not require us to redeem the Series M Preferred Stock.

 

Except as required by law, holders of Series M Preferred Stock have no voting rights except with respect to certain fundamental changes in the terms of the Series M Preferred Stock and certain other matters. In addition, if after the issuance of the Series M Preferred Stock we fail to pay full dividends on the Series M Preferred Stock for six dividend periods, the holders of Series M Preferred Stock, acting as a class with any other parity securities having similar voting rights including the Series P Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus, will have the right to elect two directors to our board of directors. The terms of office of these directors will end when we have paid or set aside for payment full dividends for four consecutive dividend periods.

 

Series N Preferred Stock

 

Pursuant to an issuance by Washington Mutual Preferred Funding Trust IV of $1,000,000,000 of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Perpetual Non-cumulative Trust Securities (the “Series N Trust Securities”), if so directed by the OTS following the occurrence of an Exchange Event, each Series N Trust Security will be automatically exchanged for a like amount of depositary shares each representing 1/1000th of a share of our Series N Perpetual Non-cumulative Fixed-to-Floating Rate Preferred Stock, no par value and liquidation preference $1,000,000 per share (the “Series N Preferred Stock”). The number of shares constituting the Series N Preferred Stock is 1,000.

 

After the issuance of the Series N Preferred Stock, holders of shares of the Series N Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, non-cumulative dividends payable in arrears quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. If issued prior to the day immediately preceding December 15, 2017, from such date of issuance to December 15, 2017 dividends will be, for each outstanding share of Series N Preferred Stock, payable at an annual rate of 9.75% on the per share liquidation preference of the Series N Preferred Stock. From the later of December 15, 2017 and the date of issuance of the Series N Preferred Stock, dividends will be, for each outstanding share of the Series N Preferred Stock, payable at an annual rate on the per share liquidation preference of the Series N Preferred Stock equal to 3-Month USD LIBOR for the related dividend period plus 4.723%.

 

The Series N Preferred Stock may be redeemed in whole or in part, at our option, under certain circumstances, at specified redemption prices plus any declared but unpaid dividends. The holders of the Series N Preferred Stock may not require us to redeem the Series N Preferred Stock.

 

Except as required by law, holders of Series N Preferred Stock have no voting rights except with respect to certain fundamental changes in the terms of the Series N Preferred Stock and certain other matters. In addition, if after the issuance of the Series N Preferred Stock we fail to pay full dividends on the Series N Preferred Stock for six dividend periods, the holders of Series N Preferred Stock, acting as a class with any other parity securities having similar voting rights, including the Series R Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus, will have the right to elect two directors to our board of directors. The terms of office of these directors will end when we have paid or set aside for payment full dividends for four consecutive dividend periods.

Series RP Preferred Stock

 

We have adopted a shareholder rights plan which provides that one right to purchase 1/1,000th of a share of our Series RP Preferred Stock (the “Rights”) is attached to each outstanding share of our common stock. The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects and are intended to discourage coercive or unfair takeover tactics and to encourage any potential acquiror to negotiate a price fair to all shareholders. The number of shares constituting our Series RP Preferred Stock is 70,000. See “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Shareholder Rights Plan” above.

 

Series R Preferred Stock

 

We have issued 3,000,000 shares of 7.75% Series R Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series R Preferred Stock”).

 

Dividends on the Series R Preferred Stock are payable quarterly in arrears, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, at a rate of 7.75% per year on the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. The dividend payment dates are the 15 ^th day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on March 15, 2008, or the next business day if any such day is not a business day.

 

Dividends on the Series R Preferred Stock are non-cumulative. If for any reason our board of directors does not declare full cash dividends on the Series R Preferred Stock for a dividend period, we will have no obligation to pay any dividends for that period, whether or not our board of directors declares dividends on the Series R Preferred Stock for any subsequent dividend period. However, with certain exceptions, if we have not declared, paid or set aside for payment full quarterly dividends on the Series R Preferred Stock for a particular dividend period, we may not declare or pay dividends on or redeem or purchase our common stock or other junior securities during the next succeeding dividend period.

 

Each share of the Series R Preferred Stock may be converted at any time, at the option of the holder, into 47.0535 shares of our common stock (which reflects an approximate initial conversion price of $21.25 per share of common stock) plus cash in lieu of fractional shares, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. The conversion rate will be adjusted upon the occurrence of certain make-whole acquisition transactions and other events.

 

The Series R Preferred Stock is not redeemable by us at any time. On or after December 18, 2012, if the closing price of our common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for 20 trading days during any consecutive 30 trading day period, including the last trading day of such period, ending on the trading day preceding the date we give notice of mandatory conversion, we may at our option cause some or all of the Series R Preferred Stock to be automatically converted into common stock at the then prevailing conversion rate.

 

Holders of the Series R Preferred Stock have no voting rights, except with respect to certain fundamental changes in the terms of the Series R Preferred Stock and certain other matters. In addition, if dividends on the Series R Preferred Stock are not paid in full for six dividend periods, whether consecutive or not, the holders of Series R Preferred Stock, acting as a class with any other parity securities having similar voting rights, will have the right to elect two directors to our board. The terms of office of these directors will end when we have paid or set aside for payment full quarterly dividends for four consecutive dividend periods.

 

Series T Preferred Stock

 

Pursuant to the investment agreement entered into on April 7, 2008 with affiliates of TPG, we issued 19,928 shares of Series T Preferred Stock. The material terms and provisions of the preferences, limitations, voting powers and relative rights of the Series T Preferred Stock as contained in our Articles of Amendment of the Company relating to Series T Preferred Stock, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, are substantially the same as those of the Series S Preferred Stock, except as otherwise indicated in the immediately following paragraph. The number of shares constituting the series of Series T Preferred Stock is 30,000. The Series T Preferred Stock have no par value per share and the liquidation preference of the Series T Preferred Stock is $100,000 per share.

 

Shares of Series T Preferred Stock are mandatorily convertible upon the receipt of Shareholder Approvals, but, unlike Series S Preferred Stock, also require to the extent applicable to the holder thereof receipt of regulatory approval (or the expiration or termination of applicable waiting periods) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act or comparable competition or merger control laws as a condition to mandatory conversion. Upon receipt of the Shareholder Approvals and applicable regulatory approvals, the Series T Preferred Stock will automatically convert into shares of common stock.

 

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax and, for non-U.S. holders (as defined below), estate tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, conversion and disposition of the Series S Preferred Stock and our common stock received in respect thereof as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with the Series S Preferred Stock and our common stock held as capital assets. As used herein, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

 

As used herein, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock that is neither a U.S. holder nor a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).

 

This summary is not a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including if you are:

 

 

This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences different from those summarized below.

If a partnership holds the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock, you should consult your own tax advisors.

 

This summary does not contain a detailed description of all the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to you in light of your particular circumstances and does not address the effects of any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws. If you are considering the purchase, ownership or disposition of the Series S Preferred Stock, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to you in light of your particular situation as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

 

U.S. Holders

 

Dividends

 

Distributions on the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock will be dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and will be taxable as ordinary income although possibly at reduced rates, as discussed below. Although we expect that our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be such that all distributions paid with respect to the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock will qualify as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we cannot guarantee that result. Our accumulated earnings and profits and our current earnings and profits in future years will depend in significant part on our future profits or losses, which we cannot accurately predict. To the extent that the amount of any distribution paid on the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits attributable to that share of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock, the distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital and will be applied against and will reduce the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis (but not below zero) in that share of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock. This reduction in basis will increase any gain, or reduce any loss realized by the U.S. holder on the subsequent sale, redemption or other disposition of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock. The amount of any such distribution in excess of the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis will be taxed as capital gain. For purposes of the remainder of the discussion under this heading, it is assumed that distributions paid on the Series S Preferred Stock will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

If we make a distribution on the Series S Preferred Stock in the form of our Series S Preferred Stock, such distribution will generally be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the same manner as distributions described above to the extent we distribute property, including cash, to other holders of our stock or certain of our other securities. If such a distribution is taxable, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in such Series S Preferred Stock received will equal the fair market value of such Series S Preferred Stock on the distribution date, and such U.S. holder’s holding period for such Series S Preferred Stock received will begin on the day following the distribution date. If such a distribution is not taxable, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in its Series S Preferred Stock prior to such distribution will be allocated between such Series S Preferred Stock and the Series S Preferred Stock received in the distribution, and such U.S. holder’s holding period for such Series S Preferred Stock received will include such U.S. holder’s holding period for the Series S Preferred Stock on which such distribution was made.

 

If a U.S. holder is a corporation, dividends that are received by it will generally be eligible for a 70% dividends received deduction under the Code. However, the Code disallows this dividends received deduction in its entirety if the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock with respect to which the dividend is paid is held by such U.S. holder for less than 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend. (A 91-day minimum holding period applies to any dividends on the Series S Preferred Stock that are attributable to periods in excess of 366 days.)

 

Under current law, if a U.S. holder is an individual or other non-corporate holder, dividends received by such U.S. holder generally will be subject to a reduced maximum tax rate of 15% for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, after which the rate applicable to dividends is scheduled to return to the tax rate generally applicable to ordinary income. The rate reduction does not apply to dividends received to the extent that U.S. holders elect to treat the dividends as “investment income,” for purposes of the rules relating to the limitation on the

deductibility of investment-related interest, which may be offset by investment expense. Furthermore, the rate reduction will also not apply to dividends that are paid to such holders with respect to the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock that is held by the holder for less than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock become ex-dividend with respect to such dividend. (A 91-day minimum holding period applies to any dividends on the Series S Preferred Stock that are attributable to periods in excess of 366 days.)

 

In general, for purposes of meeting the holding period requirements for both the dividends received deduction and the reduced maximum tax rate on dividends described above, U.S. holders may not count towards their holding period any period in which they (a) have the option to sell, are under a contractual obligation to sell, or have made (and not closed) a short sale of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock, as the case may be, or substantially identical stock or securities, (b) are the grantor of an option to buy the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock, as the case may be, or substantially identical stock or securities or (c) otherwise have diminished their risk of loss on the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock, as the case may be, by holding one or more other positions with respect to substantially similar or related property. The U.S. Treasury regulations provide that a taxpayer has diminished its risk of loss on stock by holding a position in substantially similar or related property if the taxpayer is the beneficiary of a guarantee, surety agreement, or similar arrangement that provides for payments that will substantially offset decreases in the fair market value of the stock. In addition, the Code disallows the dividends received deduction as well as the reduced maximum tax rate on dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met. U.S. holders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of these rules in light of their particular circumstances.

 

U.S. holders that are corporations should consider the effect of Section 246A of the Code, which reduces the dividends received deduction allowed with respect to “debt-financed portfolio stock.” The Code also imposes a 20% alternative minimum tax on corporations. In some circumstances, the portion of dividends subject to the dividends received deduction will serve to increase a corporation’s minimum tax base for purposes of the determination of the alternative minimum tax. In addition, a corporate shareholder may be required to reduce its basis in stock with respect to certain “extraordinary dividends”, as provided under Section 1059 of the Code. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors in determining the application of these rules in light of their particular circumstances.

 

Sale or Other Disposition

 

A sale, exchange, or other disposition of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock will generally result in gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition (not including any amount attributable to declared and unpaid dividends, which will be taxable as described above to U.S. holders of record who have not previously included such dividends in income) and a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock, as the case may be. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock, as applicable, exceeds one year. Under current law, if a U.S. holder is an individual or other non-corporate holder, net long-term capital gain realized by such U.S. holder is subject to a reduced maximum tax rate of 15%. For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, the maximum rate is scheduled to return to the previously effective 20% rate. The deduction of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

Conversion of the Series S Preferred Stock into Common Stock

 

As a general rule, a U.S. holder will not recognize any gain or loss in respect of the receipt of common stock upon the conversion of the Series S Preferred Stock. The adjusted tax basis of common stock received on conversion will equal the adjusted tax basis of the Series S Preferred Stock converted (reduced by the portion of adjusted tax basis allocated to any fractional common stock exchanged for cash, as described below), and the holding period of such common stock received on conversion will generally include the period during which the converted Series S Preferred Stock was held prior to conversion.

 

Cash received in lieu of a fractional common share will generally be treated as a payment in a taxable exchange for such fractional common share, and capital gain or loss will be recognized on the receipt of cash in an amount

equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the amount of adjusted tax basis allocable to the fractional common share. Any cash received attributable to any declared and unpaid dividends on the Series S Preferred Stock will be treated as described above under “U.S. Holders—Dividends.”

 

Adjustment of Conversion Rate

 

The conversion rate of the Series S Preferred Stock is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated under Section 305 of the Code would treat a U.S. holder of the Series S Preferred Stock as having received a constructive distribution includable in such U.S. holder’s income in the manner as described above under “U.S. Holders—Dividends,” above, if and to the extent that certain adjustments in the conversion rate increase the proportionate interest of a U.S. holder in our assets or our earnings and profits. For example, any decrease in the conversion price described above under “Description of Series S Preferred Stock—Mandatory Conversion” would result in an upward adjustment in the conversion rate and so will generally give rise to a deemed taxable dividend to the holders of the Series S Preferred Stock to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Thus, under certain circumstances, U.S. holders may recognize income in the event of a constructive distribution even though they may not receive any cash or property. However, adjustments to the conversion price made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula which has the effect of preventing dilution in the interest of the U.S. holders of the Series S Preferred Stock will generally not be considered to result in a constructive dividend distribution.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

In general, information reporting will apply to dividends in respect of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock and the proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock that are paid to a U.S. holder within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States), unless a U.S. holder is an exempt recipient such as a corporation. A backup withholding tax may apply to such payments if a U.S. holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number or certification of other exempt status or fails to report in full dividend and interest income.

 

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

Non-U.S. Holders

 

Dividends

 

Dividends (including distributions in the form of our Series S Preferred Stock or common stock taxable as dividends and any constructive distributions taxable as dividends) paid to a non-U.S. holder of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the non-U.S. holder within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment) are not subject to the withholding tax, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements are satisfied. Instead, such dividends are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

A non-U.S. holder of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below, for dividends will be required (a) to complete Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) and certify under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a U.S. person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits or (b) if the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock is held through certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain non-U.S. holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.

A non-U.S. holder of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Sale or Other Disposition

 

Any gain realized on the disposition of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock (including, in the case of conversion, the deemed exchange that gives rise to a payment of cash in lieu of a fractional common share) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

 

 

An individual non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. An individual non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States. If a non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation falls under the first bullet point immediately above, it will be subject to tax on its net gain in the same manner as if it were a U.S. person as defined under the Code and, in addition, may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

We believe we are not and do not anticipate becoming a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Conversion into Common Stock

 

Non-U.S. holders will generally not recognize any gain or loss in respect of the receipt of common stock upon the conversion of the Series S Preferred Stock, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of a fractional share that is taxable as described above under “Non-U.S. Holders—Sale or Other Disposition.”

 

Adjustment of Conversion Rate

 

As described above under “U.S. Holders—Adjustment of Conversion Rate”, adjustments in the conversion rate (or failures to adjust the conversion rate) that increase the proportionate interest of a non-U.S. holder in our earning and profits could result in deemed distributions to the non-U.S. holder that are taxed as described under “Non-U.S. Holders—Dividends.”

 

Federal Estate Tax

 

The Series S Preferred Stock and common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax or other treaty provides otherwise and, therefore, may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

We must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to

the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

 

A non-U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a U.S. person as defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

 

Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of the Series S Preferred Stock or our common stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person as defined under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption.

 

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the purchase of the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock, as the case may be, by employee benefit plans subject to Title I of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, which we refer to as ERISA; plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements subject to Section 4975 of the Code or provisions under any federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code, which we collectively refer to as Similar Laws; and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each of which we call a Plan).

 

Each fiduciary of a Plan should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA or any applicable Similar Laws in the context of the Plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock. Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA or any applicable Similar Laws and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the Plan.

 

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Plans subject to such provisions, which we call ERISA Plans, from engaging in certain transactions involving “plan assets” with persons that are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Code with respect to such ERISA Plans. A violation of these “prohibited transaction” rules may result in an excise tax or other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for those persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable individual, class, statutory or administrative exemption. 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, but may be subject to Similar Laws.

 

Prohibited transactions within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code could arise if the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock were acquired or held by an ERISA Plan with respect to which a selling stockholder, we or any of their or our affiliates are a party in interest or a disqualified person. For example, if we are a party in interest or disqualified person with respect to an investing ERISA Plan (either directly or by reason of our ownership of our subsidiaries), a prohibited transaction between the investing ERISA Plan and us may be deemed to occur, unless exemptive relief were available under an applicable exemption. In this regard, the United States Department of Labor has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or PTCEs, that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the purchase, holding or disposition of the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock. Those class exemptions include:

 

 

No assurance can be made that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.

 

Because of the possibility that direct or indirect prohibited transactions or similar violations of applicable Similar Laws could occur as a result of the purchase or holding of the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock by a Plan, neither the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock may be purchased or held by any Plan, or any person investing the assets of any Plan, unless its purchase and holding of any such securities will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code or a similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws. Each purchaser and holder of the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock or any interest in the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock will be deemed to have represented by its purchase and holding of the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock that either:

 

 

 

Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is important that any person considering the purchase or holding of the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock on behalf of or with the assets of any Plan consult with its counsel regarding the consequences under ERISA, the Code and any applicable Similar Laws, whether any exemption would be applicable, and whether all conditions of such exemption have been satisfied such that the purchase and holding of the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock by the Plan is entitled to full exemptive relief thereunder.

 

Nothing herein shall be construed as, and the sale of shares of common stock or Series S Preferred Stock to a Plan is in no respect, a representation by us or the selling shareholders that any investment in the common stock or Series S Preferred Stock would meet any or all of the relevant legal requirements with respect to investment by, or is appropriate for, Plans generally or any particular Plan.

 

The table below sets forth information with respect to the selling shareholders and the number of shares of common stock and Series S Preferred Stock that may be resold pursuant to this prospectus.

 

We have prepared the table based on information given to us by, or on behalf of, the selling shareholders on or about April 17, 2008. The selling shareholders may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of some or all of their shares of common stock since the date on which the selling shareholders provided this information.

 

The number of shares beneficially owned by each selling shareholder is determined according to the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of ownership for any other purpose. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting power or investment power. As a consequence, several persons may be deemed to be the “beneficial owners” of the same shares. The selling shareholders and their respective transferees, pledgees, donees or successors, may from time to time offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus any or all of the shares of common stock or Series S Preferred Stock owned by such selling shareholder, but are under no obligation to offer or sell any of the shares.