As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 2023
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-A
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| Delaware | 26-0489289 | |
| (State of Incorporation) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | |
53 Forest Avenue Old Greenwich, Connecticut |
06870 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | |
| Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
Title of each class to be so registered |
Name of each exchange on which each class is to be registered |
7.00% Series D Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share |
New York Stock Exchange |
| 8.250% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share | New York Stock Exchange |
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(c) or (e), check the following box. x
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(d) or (e), check the following box. ¨
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities concurrently with a Regulation A offering, check the following box. ¨
Securities Act registration statement or Regulation A offering statement file number to which this form relates (if applicable): 333-273309
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement on Form 8-A is being filed by Ellington Financial Inc. (“EFC”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration of EFC’s 7.00% Series D Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “EFC Series D Preferred Stock”), and EFC’s 8.250% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “EFC Series E Preferred Stock” and together with the EFC Series D Preferred Stock, “EFC Preferred Stock”), pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the listing of each class of EFC Preferred Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The trading symbols for the EFC Series D Preferred Stock and the EFC Series E Preferred Stock on the NYSE will be “EFC PRD” and “EFC PRE,” respectively.
EFC is registering shares of EFC Preferred Stock to be issued in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 29, 2023, by and among EFC, Arlington Asset Investment Corp. (“AAIC”), EF Merger Sub Inc. (“Merger Sub”), and Ellington Financial Management LLC, pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, AAIC will be merged with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of EFC (the “Merger”). At the closing of the Merger, each share of AAIC’s 7.00% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will be automatically converted into the right to receive one share of newly designated EFC Series D Preferred Stock, and each share of AAIC’s 8.250% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will be automatically converted into the right to receive one share of newly designated EFC Series E Preferred Stock, in each case, having substantially similar terms as those of the corresponding series of preferred stock of AAIC, as described more fully in EFC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-273309) (the “Registration Statement”), filed on July 18, 2023, as amended on October 24, 2023, and declared effective on November 2, 2023.
Item 1. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered.
The description of (i) EFC Series D Preferred Stock as set forth under the caption “Description of EFC Capital Stock – EFC Series D Preferred Stock” and (ii) EFC Series E Preferred Stock as set forth under the caption “Description of EFC Capital Stock – EFC Series E Preferred Stock” in the Registration Statement and in EFC’s prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on November 3, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2. Exhibits.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC. | ||||
| Date: | December 13, 2023 | By: | /s/ JR Herlihy | |
| JR Herlihy | ||||
| Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 3.9
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS
OF
7.00% SERIES D CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL REDEEMABLE
PREFERRED STOCK
OF
ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.
Pursuant to Section 151 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
Ellington Financial Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Corporation by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as such may be amended from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the Board, pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted resolutions (i) authorizing a new series of the Corporation’s previously authorized preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), and (ii) providing for the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of 7.00% Series D Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Corporation, as follows:
RESOLVED, that the Corporation is hereby authorized to issue 379,668 shares of 7.00% Series D Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, which shall have the following designations, powers, preferences and other special rights:
Section 1. Designation and Number. A series of Preferred Stock, classified as the “7.00% Series D Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock” (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) is hereby established. The par value of the Series D Preferred Stock is $0.001 per share. The number of authorized shares of the Series D Preferred Stock shall be 379,668.
Section 2. Maturity. The Series D Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund, and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless the Corporation decides to redeem or otherwise repurchase the Series D Preferred Stock. The Corporation is not required to set apart for payment the funds to redeem the Series D Preferred Stock.
Section 3. Ranking. The Series D Preferred Stock will rank, with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, (i) senior to all classes or series of the Corporation’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and to all other classes or series of stock of the Corporation other than the stock of the Corporation referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 3; (ii) on a parity with the Corporation’s 6.750% Series A Fixed-To-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), the Corporation’s 6.250% Series B Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), the Corporation’s 8.625% Series C Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), the Corporation’s 8.250% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series E Preferred Stock”) and all other classes or series of stock of the Corporation with terms specifically providing that such stock ranks on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; and (iii) junior to all classes or series of stock of the Corporation with terms specifically providing that such stock ranks senior to the Series D Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. The term “stock” shall not include debt securities convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or Preferred Stock.
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Section 4. Dividends.
(a) Holders of shares of the Series D Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board, out of funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 7.00% of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference per annum (equivalent to $1.75 per annum per share). Dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock shall accumulate daily and shall be cumulative from, and including, September 30, 2023 and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the 30th day of each December, March, June and September (each, a “Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on December 30, 2023; provided, that if any Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day (as defined below), then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on such Dividend Payment Date may be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if paid on such Dividend Payment Date. No interest, additional dividends or other sums will accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Dividend Payment Date to such next succeeding Business Day. Any dividend payable on the Series D Preferred Stock, including dividends payable for any partial dividend period, will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear on the stock records of the Corporation at the close of business on the applicable record date, which will be no fewer than ten days and no more than 35 days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date, as shall be fixed by the Board (each, a “Dividend Record Date”). The dividends payable on any Dividend Payment Date shall include dividends accumulated to, but not including, such Dividend Payment Date.
(b) No dividends on shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall be declared by the Board or paid or set apart for payment by the Corporation at any time when the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Corporation, including any agreement relating to any indebtedness of the Corporation, prohibit the declaration, payment or setting apart for payment thereof or provide that the declaration, payment or setting apart for payment thereof would constitute a breach of the agreement or a default under the agreement, or if the declaration, payment or setting apart for payment is restricted or prohibited by law.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock will accumulate (i) whether or not the terms and provisions of any laws or agreements referred to in Section 4(b) hereof at any time prohibit the current payment of dividends, (ii) whether or not the Corporation has earnings, (iii) whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of those dividends, and (iv) whether or not those dividends are declared. No interest, or sum in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series D Preferred Stock which may be in arrears, and holders of Series D Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any dividends in excess of full cumulative dividends described in Section 4(a) hereof. Any dividend payment made on the Series D Preferred Stock will first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividend due with respect to the Series D Preferred Stock.
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(d) Except as provided in Section 4(e) hereof, unless full cumulative dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, (i) no dividends (other than in shares of Common Stock or in shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation) shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment upon shares of Common Stock or shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, (ii) no other distribution shall be declared or made upon shares of Common Stock or shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, and (iii) shares of Common Stock and shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation shall not be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities) by the Corporation (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for, Common Stock or shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock and shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the redemption, purchase or acquisition by the Corporation of any class or series of stock for the purpose of enforcing restrictions on transfer and ownership of the Corporation’s stock contained in the Certificate of Incorporation, including in order to qualify and maintain the Corporation’s qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), or the redemption, purchase or acquisition by the Corporation of shares of Common Stock for purposes of and in compliance with any incentive or benefit plan of the Corporation.
(e) When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart for payment) upon the Series D Preferred Stock and shares of any other classes or series of stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, all dividends declared upon the Series D Preferred Stock and all other such shares of stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of Series D Preferred Stock and all other such shares of stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on the Series D Preferred Stock and all other such shares of stock (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if any such shares of stock do not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series D Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.
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(f) “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
(g) “Set apart for payment” shall be deemed to include (without limitation), without any action other than the following: the recording by the Corporation in its accounting ledgers of any accounting or bookkeeping entry which indicates, pursuant to a declaration of dividends or other distribution by the Board, the allocation of funds to be so paid on any series or class of shares of stock of the Corporation; provided, however, that if any funds for any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are placed in a separate account of the Corporation or delivered to a disbursing, paying or other similar agent, then “set apart for payment” with respect to the Series D Preferred Stock shall mean placing such funds in a separate account or delivering such funds to a disbursing, paying or other similar agent.
Section 5. Liquidation Preference.
(a) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of Series D Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid out of the assets the Corporation has legally available for distribution to its stockholders, subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking senior to the Series D Preferred Stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, a liquidation preference of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per share, plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but not including, the date of payment, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Stock or any other class or series of stock of the Corporation that it may issue that ranks junior to the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; and such holders of Series D Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any further payment.
(b) In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available assets of the Corporation are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock in the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, then the holders of Series D Preferred Stock and all other such classes or series of stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.
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(c) Notice of any such liquidation stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in each circumstance shall be payable, shall be given no fewer than 30 days and no more than 60 days prior to the payment date, to each holder of record of Series D Preferred Stock at the address of such holder as it shall appear on the stock records of the Corporation. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series D Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation. The consolidation, conversion or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation, trust or entity or of any other entity with or into the Corporation, or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business of the Corporation, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.
Section 6. Redemption.
(a) Optional Redemption Right. The Corporation may, at its option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, redeem the Series D Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per share, plus, subject to Section 6(i) hereof, any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption, without interest. If the Corporation elects to redeem any shares of Series D Preferred Stock as described in this Section 6(a), it may use any available cash to pay the redemption price, and it will not be required to pay the redemption price only out of the proceeds from the issuance of other equity securities or any other specific source.
(b) Mandatory Redemption. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below), the Corporation will, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, as provided below, redeem the Series D Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, immediately upon the effectiveness of such Change of Control, for cash at a redemption price of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per share, plus, subject to Section 6(i) hereof, any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption. If the Corporation is required to redeem any shares of Series D Preferred Stock as described in this Section 6(b), it may use any available cash to pay the redemption price, and it will not be required to pay the redemption price only out of the proceeds from the issuance of other equity securities or any other specific source.
(c) A “Change of Control” is deemed to occur when, after the effective time of the merger of Arlington Asset Investment Corp., a Virginia corporation, with and into EF Merger Sub Inc., a Virginia corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation, the following have occurred and are continuing: (i) the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of stock of the Corporation entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Corporation (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and (ii) following the closing of any transaction referred to in clause (i), neither the Corporation nor the acquiring or surviving entity has a class of common securities (or American Depositary Receipts representing such securities) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NYSE American LLC (the “NYSE American”) or the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”), or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE American or Nasdaq.
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(d) In the event the Corporation elects to redeem Series D Preferred Stock, the notice of redemption will be given by the Corporation, postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, to each holder of record of Series D Preferred Stock called for redemption at such holder’s address as it appears on the stock records of the Corporation and shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) the place or places where certificates (if any) for the Series D Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the redemption date and (vi) if applicable, that such redemption is being made in connection with a Change of Control and, in that case, a brief description of the transaction or transactions constituting such Change of Control. If less than all of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice given to such holder shall also specify the number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed. No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the giving thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any shares of Series D Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.
(e) Holders of shares of Series D Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender the shares of Series D Preferred Stock so called for redemption at the place designated in the notice of redemption and shall be entitled to the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid dividends payable upon the redemption following the surrender.
(f) If notice of redemption of any shares of Series D Preferred Stock has been given and if the Corporation has irrevocably set apart for payment the funds necessary for redemption (including any accumulated and unpaid dividends) for the benefit of the holders of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date (unless the Corporation shall default in providing for the payment of the redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any), dividends will cease to accumulate on those shares of Series D Preferred Stock, those shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of those shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, payable upon redemption.
(g) If any redemption date is not a Business Day, then the redemption price and accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, payable upon redemption may be paid on the next Business Day and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accumulate on the amount payable for the period from and after that redemption date to that next Business Day.
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(h) If less than all of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the shares of Series D Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) or by lot that will not result in the automatic transfer of any shares of the Series D Preferred Stock to a trust pursuant to Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation (as to restrictions on transfer and ownership of the Corporation’s capital stock).
(i) Immediately prior to any redemption of Series D Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall pay, in cash, any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, unless a redemption date falls after a Dividend Record Date and prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, in which case each holder of Series D Preferred Stock at the close of business on such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares before such Dividend Payment Date. Except as provided in this Section 6(i), the Corporation will make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on shares of the Series D Preferred Stock to be redeemed.
(j) Unless full cumulative dividends on all shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been or contemporaneously is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, no shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed, and the Corporation shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Series D Preferred Stock (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of, or options, warrants, or rights to purchase or subscribe for, Common Stock or shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series D Preferred Stock); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition by the Corporation of shares of Series D Preferred Stock where it is necessary to allow the Corporation to qualify and maintain its qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(k) Subject to applicable law, the Corporation may purchase shares of Series D Preferred Stock in the open market, by tender or by privately negotiated transactions. Any shares of Series D Preferred Stock that the Corporation acquires, by redemption or otherwise, shall be re-classified as authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to class or series, and may thereafter be issued as any class or series of Preferred Stock.
Section 7. No Conversion Rights. Shares of Series D Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Corporation.
Section 8. Voting Rights.
(a) Holders of Series D Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights, except as set forth in this Section 8. On each matter on which holders of Series D Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, each share of Series D Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote, except that when shares of any other class or series of Preferred Stock have the right to vote with the Series D Preferred Stock as a single class on any matter, the Series D Preferred Stock and the shares of each such other class or series will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference (excluding accumulated dividends).
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(b) Whenever dividends on any shares of Series D Preferred Stock are in arrears for six or more full quarterly dividend periods, whether or not consecutive, the number of directors constituting the Board will be automatically increased by two (if not already increased by two by reason of the election of directors by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series E Preferred Stock or any other class or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series D Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of those two directors) and the holders of Series D Preferred Stock, voting as a single class with the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series E Preferred Stock and all other classes or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series D Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of those two directors, will be entitled to vote for the election of those two additional directors at a special meeting called by the Corporation at the request of the holders of record of at least 25% of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock or by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series E Preferred Stock or any other class or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series D Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of those two directors to be held no later than 90 days after the Corporation’s receipt of such request (unless the request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, in which case, such vote will be held at the earlier of the next annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, to the extent permitted by applicable law), and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation until all dividends accumulated on the Series D Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period shall have been fully paid. In that case, the right of holders of Series D Preferred Stock to elect any directors will cease and, unless there are other classes or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (including the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock and the Series E Preferred Stock), any directors elected by holders of Series D Preferred Stock shall immediately resign and the number of directors constituting the Board shall be reduced accordingly. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the total number of directors elected by holders of Series D Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class with the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series E Preferred Stock and all other classes or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series D Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of such directors) pursuant to the voting rights under this Section 8 exceed two. The directors elected by the holders of Series D Preferred Stock and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series E Preferred Stock and all other classes or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series D Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of such directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock when they have the voting rights as set forth in this Section 8(b) and the holders of all other classes or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series D Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of such directors (voting together as a single class) to serve until the Corporation’s next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until such directors’ resignation as described above, whichever occurs earlier.
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(c) If, at any time when the voting rights conferred upon the Series D Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 8(b) hereof are exercisable, any vacancy in the office of a director elected pursuant to Section 8(b) shall occur, then such vacancy may be filled only by the remaining director or by vote of the holders of the outstanding Series D Preferred Stock and any other classes or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series D Preferred Stock in the election of directors pursuant to Section 8(b). Any director elected pursuant to Section 8(b) may be removed at any time, with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of, and may not be removed otherwise than by the affirmative vote of, the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock and any class or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which classes or series of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a class with the Series D Preferred Stock in the election of directors pursuant to Section 8(b) (voting as a single class).
(d) So long as any shares of Series D Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Corporation will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock and each other class or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Corporation and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, including, if applicable, the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock and the Series E Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class), (i) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series D Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up or reclassify any of the authorized stock of the Corporation into such shares, or create or authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or this Certificate of Designations, whether by merger, conversion, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series D Preferred Stock (each, an “Event”); provided, however, with respect to the occurrence of any Event set forth in clause (ii) above, so long as the Series D Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, or the holders of Series D Preferred Stock receive shares of stock or other equity interests with rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers substantially the same as those of the Series D Preferred Stock, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of any such Event, the Corporation may not be the successor entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of holders of Series D Preferred Stock; and, provided further, that any increase in the amount of the authorized Series D Preferred Stock, or the creation or issuance, or any increase in the amounts authorized of any class or series ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series D Preferred Stock that the Corporation may issue shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of holders of Series D Preferred Stock.
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(e) The voting rights provided for in this Section 8 will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which voting by holders of Series D Preferred Stock would otherwise be required pursuant to this Section 8 shall be effected, all outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds have been irrevocably set apart for payment to effect such redemption pursuant to Section 6 hereof.
(f) Except as expressly stated in this Section 8, the Series D Preferred Stock will not have any relative, participating, optional or other special voting rights or powers and the consent of the holders thereof shall not be required for the taking of any corporate action.
(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or this Certificate of Designations would materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of the Series D Preferred Stock disproportionately relative to other classes or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, then the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock (voting as a separate class) shall also be required.
Section 9. Information Rights. During any period in which the Corporation is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and any shares of Series D Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation will use its best efforts to transmit through the Corporation’s website at www.ellingtonfinancial.com (or other permissible means under the Exchange Act) copies of the annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that the Corporation would have been required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if it were subject thereto (other than any exhibits that would have been required). The Corporation will use its best efforts to provide such reports on its website within 15 days after the respective dates by which the Corporation would have been required to file such reports with the SEC if the Corporation were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the Corporation were a “non-accelerated filer” within the meaning of the Exchange Act.
Section 10. Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer. The Series D Preferred Stock shall be subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer set forth in Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation. Any person who violates such restrictions in acquiring actual or constructive ownership of shares of Series D Preferred Stock is required to give notice thereof immediately to the Corporation and provide the Corporation with such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect of such acquisition on the Corporation’s status as a REIT. All certificates representing shares of the Series D Preferred Stock shall be marked with a legend sufficient under the laws of the State of Delaware to provide a purchaser of such shares with notice of the restrictions on transfer under Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation. Nothing in Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation shall preclude the settlement of any transactions entered into through the facilities of any national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that settlement of any transaction takes place shall not, however, negate the effect of any provision of Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation, and any transferee, and the shares of Series D Preferred Stock transferred to such transferee in such a transaction, shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations in Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation.
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Section 11. Record Holders. The Corporation and the transfer agent for the Series D Preferred Stock may deem and treat the record holder of any Series D Preferred Stock as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Corporation nor the transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
Section 12. No Preemptive Rights. No holders of Series D Preferred Stock will, as holders of Series D Preferred Stock, have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for Common Stock or any other security of the Corporation.
***
This Certificate of Designations shall become effective at 8:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, on December 14, 2023.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Designations to be signed this 13th day of December, 2023.
| ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ JR Herlihy | ||
| Name: | JR Herlihy | ||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | ||
[Signature Page to the Series D Certificate of Designations]
Exhibit 3.10
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS
OF
8.250% SERIES E FIXED-TO-FLOATING RATE
CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE
PREFERRED STOCK
OF
ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC.
Pursuant to Section 151 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
Ellington Financial Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify that, pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Corporation by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as such may be amended from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the Board, pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted resolutions (i) authorizing a new series of the Corporation’s previously authorized preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), and (ii) providing for the designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of 8.250% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Corporation, as follows:
RESOLVED, that the Corporation is hereby authorized to issue 957,133 shares of 8.250% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, which shall have the following designations, powers, preferences and other special rights:
Section 1. Designation and Number. A series of Preferred Stock, classified as the “8.250% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock” (the “Series E Preferred Stock”) is hereby established. The par value of the Series E Preferred Stock is $0.001 per share. The number of authorized shares of the Series E Preferred Stock shall be 957,133.
Section 2. Maturity. The Series E Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption, and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless (i) the Corporation decides to redeem or otherwise repurchase the Series E Preferred Stock or (ii) the Series E Preferred Stock becomes convertible and is actually converted pursuant to Section 7 hereof. The Corporation is not required to set apart for payment the funds to redeem the Series E Preferred Stock.
Section 3. Ranking. The Series E Preferred Stock will rank, with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, (i) senior to all classes or series of the Corporation’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and to all classes or series of stock of the Corporation other than the stock of the Corporation referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 3; (ii) on a parity with the Corporation’s 6.750% Series A Fixed-To-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), the Corporation’s 6.250% Series B Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), the Corporation’s 8.625% Series C Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”), the Corporation’s 7.00% Series D Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) and all other classes or series of stock of the Corporation with terms specifically providing that such stock ranks on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; and (iii) junior to all classes or series of stock of the Corporation with terms specifically providing that such stock ranks senior to the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. The term “stock” shall not include debt securities convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock or Preferred Stock.
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Section 4. Dividends.
(a) Holders of shares of the Series E Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board, out of funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends. The initial dividend rate for the Series E Preferred Stock from, and including, September 30, 2023 to, but not including, March 30, 2024 (the “Fixed Rate Period”), will be 8.250% of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference per annum (equivalent to $2.0625 per annum per share). On and after March 30, 2024 (the “Floating Rate Period”), dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will accumulate at a percentage of the $25.00 liquidation preference equal to an annual floating rate of the Three-Month LIBOR Rate (as defined below) plus a spread of 5.664%. Dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock shall accumulate daily and shall be cumulative from, and including, September 30, 2023, and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the 30th day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on December 30, 2023 (each, as may be modified as provided below, a “Dividend Payment Date”). If any Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day (as defined below), then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on such Dividend Payment Date may be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if paid on such Dividend Payment Date, and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Dividend Payment Date to such next succeeding Business Day. Dividends payable on the Series E Preferred Stock for the Fixed Rate Period, including dividends payable for any partial Dividend Period (as defined below), will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends payable on the Series E Preferred Stock for the Floating Rate Period, including dividends payable for any partial Dividend Period, will be computed based on the actual number of days in a Dividend Period and a 360-day year. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear on the stock records of the Corporation at the close of business on the applicable record date, which will be no fewer than ten days and no more than 35 days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date, as shall be fixed by the Board (each, a “Dividend Record Date”). The dividends payable on any Dividend Payment Date shall include dividends accumulated to, but not including, such Dividend Payment Date.
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The term “Three-Month LIBOR Rate” shall be calculated for each Dividend Period and means, on any Dividend Determination Date (as defined below):
| · | the rate (expressed as a percentage per year) for deposits in U.S. dollars having an index maturity of three months, in amounts of at least $1,000,000, as such rate appears on “Reuters Page LIBOR01” at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the relevant Dividend Determination Date; or |
| · | if no such rate appears on “Reuters Page LIBOR01”; or if the “Reuters Page LIBOR01” is not available at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the relevant Dividend Determination Date, then the Corporation will select four nationally-recognized banks in the London interbank market and request that the principal London offices of those four selected banks provide the Corporation with their offered quotation for deposits in U.S. dollars for a period of three months, commencing on the first day of the applicable Dividend Period, to prime banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on that Dividend Determination Date for the applicable Dividend Period. Offered quotations must be based on a principal amount equal to an amount that, in the Corporation’s discretion, is representative of a single transaction in U.S. dollars in the London interbank market at that time. If at least two quotations are provided, the Three-Month LIBOR Rate for such Dividend Period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary, to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of those quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, the Three-Month LIBOR Rate for such Dividend Period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary, to the nearest 0.00001 of 1%) of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on that Dividend Determination Date for such Dividend Period by three nationally-recognized banks in New York, New York selected by the Corporation, for loans in U.S. dollars to nationally-recognized European banks (as selected by the Corporation), for a period of three months commencing on the first day of such Dividend Period. The rates quoted must be based on an amount that, in the Corporation’s discretion, is representative of a single transaction in U.S. dollars in that market at that time. If no quotation is provided as described above, then if a Calculation Agent (as defined below) has not been appointed at such time, the Corporation will appoint a Calculation Agent who shall, after consulting such sources as it deems comparable to any of the foregoing quotations or display page, or any such source as it deems reasonable from which to estimate LIBOR or any of the foregoing lending rates, shall determine LIBOR for the second London Business Day immediately preceding the first day of the applicable Dividend Period in its sole discretion. If the Calculation Agent is unable or unwilling to determine LIBOR as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, then LIBOR will be equal to Three-Month LIBOR for the then current Dividend Period, or, in the case of the first Dividend Period in the Floating Rate Period, the most recent dividend rate that would have been determined based on the last available Reuters Page LIBOR01 had the Floating Rate Period been applicable prior to the first Dividend Period in the Floating Rate Period. |
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Corporation determines on the relevant Dividend Determination Date that the LIBOR base rate has been discontinued, then the Corporation will appoint a Calculation Agent and the Calculation Agent will consult with an investment bank of national standing to determine whether there is an industry accepted substitute or successor base rate to Three-Month LIBOR Rate. If, after such consultation, the Calculation Agent determines that there is an industry accepted substitute or successor base rate, the Calculation Agent shall use such substitute or successor base rate. In such case, the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion may (without implying a corresponding obligation to do so) also implement changes to the Business Day convention, the definition of Business Day, the Dividend Determination Date and any method for obtaining the substitute or successor base rate if such rate is unavailable on the relevant Business Day, in a manner that is consistent with industry accepted practices for such substitute or successor base rate. Unless the Calculation Agent determines that there is an industry accepted substitute or successor base rate as so provided above, the Calculation Agent will, in consultation with the Corporation, follow the steps specified in the second bullet point in the immediately preceding paragraph in order to determine Three-Month LIBOR Rate for the applicable Dividend Period.
The term “Calculation Agent” shall mean a third party independent financial institution of national standing with experience providing such services, which has been selected by the Corporation.
The term “Dividend Determination Date” means the London Business Day (as defined below) immediately preceding the applicable Dividend Period.
The term “Dividend Period” means the period from, and including, a Dividend Payment Date to, but excluding, the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date, except for the initial Dividend Period, which will be the period from, and including, September 30, 2023 to, but excluding, December 30, 2023.
The term “London Business Day” means any day on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.
The term “Reuters Page LIBOR01” means the display so designated on the Reuters 3000 Xtra (or such other page as may replace the LIBOR01 page on that service, or such other service as may be nominated by the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, or ICE, or its successor, or such other entity assuming the responsibility of ICE or its successor in the event ICE or its successor no longer does so, as the successor service, for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits).
(b) No dividends on shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall be declared by the Board or paid or set apart for payment by the Corporation at any time when the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Corporation, including any agreement relating to any indebtedness of the Corporation, prohibit the declaration, payment or setting apart for payment thereof or provide that the declaration, payment or setting apart for payment thereof would constitute a breach of the agreement or a default under the agreement, or if the declaration, payment or setting apart for payment is restricted or prohibited by law.
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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock will accumulate (i) whether or not the terms and provisions of any laws or agreements referred to in Section 4(b) hereof at any time prohibit the current payment of dividends, (ii) whether or not the Corporation has earnings, (iii) whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of those dividends, and (iv) whether or not those dividends are declared. No interest, or sum in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series E Preferred Stock which may be in arrears, and holders of Series E Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any dividends in excess of full cumulative dividends described in Section 4(a) hereof. Any dividend payment made on the Series E Preferred Stock will first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividend due with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock.
(d) Except as provided in Section 4(e) hereof, unless full cumulative dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for payment for all past Dividend Periods, (i) no dividends (other than in shares of Common Stock or in shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation) shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment upon shares of Common Stock or shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, (ii) no other distribution shall be declared or made upon shares of Common Stock or shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, and (iii) shares of Common Stock and shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation shall not be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities) by the Corporation (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of, or options, warrants or rights to purchase or subscribe for, Common Stock or shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock and shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent (a) the redemption, purchase or acquisition by the Corporation of shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation for the purpose of enforcing restrictions on transfer and ownership of the Corporation’s stock contained in the Certificate of Incorporation, including in order to qualify and maintain the Corporation’s qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”), or (b) the redemption, purchase or acquisition by the Corporation of shares of Common Stock for purposes of and in compliance with any incentive or benefit plan of the Corporation.
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(e) When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart for payment) upon the Series E Preferred Stock and shares of any other classes or series of stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, all dividends declared upon the Series E Preferred Stock and all other such shares of stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of Series E Preferred Stock and all other such shares of stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on the Series E Preferred Stock and all other such shares of stock (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior Dividend Periods if any such shares of stock do not have a cumulative dividend) bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series E Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.
(f) “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
(g) “Set apart for payment” shall be deemed to include (without limitation), without any action other than the following: the recording by the Corporation in its accounting ledgers of any accounting or bookkeeping entry which indicates, pursuant to a declaration of dividends or other distribution by the Board, the allocation of funds to be so paid on any series or class of shares of stock of the Corporation; provided, however, that if any funds for any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are placed in a separate account of the Corporation or delivered to a disbursing, paying or other similar agent, then “set apart for payment” with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock shall mean placing such funds in a separate account or delivering such funds to a disbursing, paying or other similar agent.
Section 5. Liquidation Preference.
(a) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid out of the assets the Corporation has legally available for distribution to its stockholders, subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, a liquidation preference of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per share, plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but not including, the date of payment, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Stock or any other class or series of stock of the Corporation that it may issue that ranks junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; and such holders of Series E Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any further payment.
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(b) In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available assets of the Corporation are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock in the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, then the holders of Series E Preferred Stock and all other such classes or series of stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.
(c) Notice of any such liquidation stating the payment date or dates when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable in each circumstance shall be payable, shall be given no fewer than 30 days and no more than 60 days prior to the payment date, to each holder of record of Series E Preferred Stock at the address of such holder as it shall appear on the stock records of the Corporation. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation. The consolidation, conversion or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation, trust or entity or of any other entity with or into the Corporation, or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business the Corporation, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.
Section 6. Redemption.
(a) The Series E Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to March 30, 2024 except as described in this Section 6 and except under circumstances where it is necessary to preserve the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(b) Optional Redemption Right. On and after March 30, 2024, the Corporation may, at its option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, as provided below, redeem the Series E Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per share, plus, subject to Section 6(j) hereof, any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption, without interest. If the Corporation elects to redeem any shares of Series E Preferred Stock as described in this Section 6(b), it may use any available cash to pay the redemption price, and it will not be required to pay the redemption price only out of the proceeds from the issuance of other equity securities or any other specific source.
(c) Special Optional Redemption Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6(a) hereof, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below), the Corporation may, at its option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, as provided below, redeem the Series E Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash at a redemption price of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per share, plus, subject to Section 6(j) hereof, any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption. If, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined below), the Corporation has provided notice of its election to redeem some or all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 6, those holders of Series E Preferred Stock whose shares have been called for redemption will not have the Change of Control Conversion Right (as defined below) with respect to the shares of Series E Preferred Stock called for redemption. If the Corporation elects to redeem any shares of Series E Preferred Stock as described in this Section 6(c), it may use any available cash to pay the redemption price, and it will not be required to pay the redemption price only out of the proceeds from the issuance of other equity securities or any other specific source.
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(d) A “Change of Control” is deemed to occur when, after the effective time of the merger of Arlington Asset Investment Corp., a Virginia corporation, with and into EF Merger Sub Inc., a Virginia corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation, the following have occurred and are continuing: (i) the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of stock of the Corporation entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Corporation (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and (ii) following the closing of any transaction referred to in clause (i), neither the Corporation nor the acquiring or surviving entity has a class of common securities (or American Depositary Receipts representing such securities) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NYSE American LLC (the “NYSE American”) or the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”), or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE American or Nasdaq.
(e) In the event the Corporation elects to redeem Series E Preferred Stock, the notice of redemption will be given by the Corporation, postage prepaid, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, to each holder of record of Series E Preferred Stock called for redemption at such holder’s address as it appears on the stock records of the Corporation and shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iii) the redemption price; (iv) the place or places where certificates (if any) for the Series E Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; (v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the redemption date; (vi) if applicable, that such redemption is being made in connection with a Change of Control and, in that case, a brief description of the transaction or transactions constituting such Change of Control; and (vii) if such redemption is being made in connection with a Change of Control, that the holders of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock being so called for redemption will not be able to tender such shares of Series E Preferred Stock for conversion in connection with the Change of Control and that each share of Series E Preferred Stock tendered for conversion that is called, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, for redemption will be redeemed on the related date of redemption instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date. If less than all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice given to such holder shall also specify the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by such holder to be redeemed. No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the giving thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.
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(f) Holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender the shares of Series E Preferred Stock so called for redemption at the place designated in the notice of redemption and shall be entitled to the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid dividends payable upon the redemption following the surrender.
(g) If notice of redemption of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock has been given and if the Corporation has irrevocably set apart for payment the funds necessary for redemption (including any accumulated and unpaid dividends) for the benefit of the holders of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date (unless the Corporation shall default in providing for the payment of the redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any), dividends will cease to accumulate on those shares of Series E Preferred Stock, those shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of those shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, payable upon redemption.
(h) If any redemption date is not a Business Day, then the redemption price and accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, payable upon redemption may be paid on the next Business Day and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accumulate on the amount payable for the period from and after that redemption date to that next Business Day.
(i) If less than all of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional shares) or by lot that will not result in the automatic transfer of any shares of the Series E Preferred Stock to a trust pursuant to Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation (as to restrictions on transfer and ownership of the Corporation’s capital stock).
(j) Immediately prior to any redemption of Series E Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall pay, in cash, any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, unless a redemption date falls after a Dividend Record Date and prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, in which case each holder of Series E Preferred Stock at the close of business on such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the redemption of such shares before such Dividend Payment Date. Except as provided in this Section 6(j), the Corporation will make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on shares of the Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed.
(k) Unless full cumulative dividends on all shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been or contemporaneously is set apart for payment for all past Dividend Periods, no shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed, and the Corporation shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Series E Preferred Stock (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of, or options, warrants, or rights to purchase or subscribe for, Common Stock or shares of any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series E Preferred Stock and any other class or series of stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition by the Corporation of shares of Series E Preferred Stock where it is necessary to allow the Corporation to qualify and maintain its qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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(l) Subject to applicable law, the Corporation may purchase shares of Series E Preferred Stock in the open market, by tender or by privately negotiated transactions. Any shares of Series E Preferred Stock that the Corporation acquires, by redemption or otherwise, shall be reclassified as authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to class or series, and may thereafter be issued as any class or series of Preferred Stock.
Section 7. Conversion Rights. Shares of Series E Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Corporation, except as provided in this Section 7.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series E Preferred Stock will have the right (unless, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Corporation has provided notice of its election to redeem some or all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by such holder pursuant to Section 6 hereof, in which case such holder will have the right only with respect to shares of Series E Preferred Stock that are not called for redemption) to convert some or all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by such holder (the “Change of Control Conversion Right”) on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of Common Stock per share of Series E Preferred Stock (the “Common Stock Conversion Consideration”) equal to the lesser of: (i) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of Series E Preferred Stock plus (subject to Section 7(p) hereof) the amount of any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but not including, the Change of Control Conversion Date (unless the Change of Control Conversion Date is after a Dividend Record Date and prior to the corresponding Dividend Payment Date for the Series E Preferred Stock, in which case no additional amount for such accumulated and unpaid dividends to be paid on such Dividend Payment Date will be included in this sum) by (y) the Common Stock Price (as defined below); and (ii) 2.214023 (the “Share Cap”), subject to adjustments provided in Section 7(b) below.
(b) The Share Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any share splits (including those effected pursuant to a distribution of Common Stock to existing holders of Common Stock), subdivisions or combinations (in each case, a “Share Split”) with respect to Common Stock as follows: the adjusted Share Cap as the result of a Share Split will be the number of shares of Common Stock that is equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the Share Cap in effect immediately prior to such Share Split by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such Share Split and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such Share Split. For the avoidance of doubt, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration (as defined below), as applicable) issuable or deliverable, as applicable, in connection with the exercise of the Change of Control Conversion Right will not exceed the product of the Share Cap times the aggregate number of shares of the Series E Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at the Change of Control Conversion Date (or equivalent Alternative Conversion Consideration, as applicable) (the “Exchange Cap”). The Exchange Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any Share Splits on the same basis as the corresponding adjustments to the Share Cap.
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(c) The “Change of Control Conversion Date” is the date the Series E Preferred Stock is to be converted, which will be a Business Day selected by the Corporation that is neither fewer than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which it provides the notice described in Section 7(h) to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock.
(d) The “Common Stock Price” is (i) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of Common Stock is solely cash, the amount of cash consideration per share of Common Stock or (ii) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of Common Stock is other than solely cash (x) the average of the closing sale prices per share of Common Stock (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices per share or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices per share) for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of Control occurred as reported on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which Common Stock is then traded, or (y) if Common Stock is not then listed for trading on a U.S. securities exchange, the average of the last quoted bid prices for Common Stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group or similar organization for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of Control occurred.
(e) In the case of a Change of Control pursuant to which Common Stock is or will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the “Alternative Form Consideration”), a holder of Series E Preferred Stock will receive upon conversion of such shares of Series E Preferred Stock the kind and amount of Alternative Form Consideration which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Change of Control had such holder held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Common Stock Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Change of Control (the “Alternative Conversion Consideration”; the Common Stock Conversion Consideration or the Alternative Conversion Consideration, whichever shall be applicable to a Change of Control, is referred to as the “Conversion Consideration”).
(f) If the holders of Common Stock have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Change of Control, the Conversion Consideration in respect of such Change of Control will be deemed to be the kind and amount of consideration actually received by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock that made or voted for such an election (if electing between two types of consideration) or holders of a plurality of the outstanding shares of Common Stock that made or voted for such an election (if electing between more than two types of consideration), as the case may be, and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of Common Stock are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in such Change of Control.
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(g) No fractional shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock in connection with a Change of Control will be issued. Instead, the Corporation will make a cash payment equal to the value of such fractional shares based upon the Common Stock Price used in determining the Common Stock Conversion Consideration for such Change of Control.
(h) Within 15 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, provided that the Corporation has not exercised its right to redeem all shares of Series E Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 6 hereof, the Corporation will provide to holders of Series E Preferred Stock a notice of occurrence of the Change of Control that describes the resulting Change of Control Conversion Right, which notice shall be delivered to the holders of record of the shares of the Series E Preferred Stock to their addresses as they appear on the stock records of the Corporation and shall state: (i) the events constituting the Change of Control; (ii) the date of the Change of Control; (iii) the last date on which the holders of Series E Preferred Stock may exercise their Change of Control Conversion Right; (iv) the method and period for calculating the Common Stock Price; (v) the Change of Control Conversion Date; (vi) that if, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Corporation has provided notice of its election to redeem all or any shares of Series E Preferred Stock, holders of Series E Preferred Stock that are subject to such notice of redemption will not be able to convert the shares of Series E Preferred Stock called for redemption and such shares will be redeemed on the related redemption date, even if such shares have already been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Change of Control Conversion Right; (vii) if applicable, the type and amount of Alternative Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per share of Series E Preferred Stock; (viii) the name and address of the paying agent, transfer agent and conversion agent for the Series E Preferred Stock; (ix) the procedures that the holders of Series E Preferred Stock must follow to exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right (including procedures for surrendering shares of Series E Preferred Stock for conversion through the facilities of a Depositary (as defined below)), including the form of conversion notice to be delivered by such holders as described below; and (x) the last date on which holders of Series E Preferred Stock may withdraw shares of Series E Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion and the procedures that such holders must follow to effect such a withdrawal. No failure to give such notice or any defect thereto or in the giving thereof shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the conversion of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock except as to the holder to whom notice was defective or not given.
(i) The Corporation shall also issue a press release containing such notice provided for in Section 7(h) hereof for publication on the Wall Street Journal, Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if these organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of the press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), and post a notice on its website (if any) in any event prior to the opening of business on the first Business Day following any date on which it provides the notice provided for in Section 7(h) hereof to the holders of Series E Preferred Stock.
(j) To exercise the Change of Control Conversion Right, the holders of Series E Preferred Stock will be required to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Change of Control Conversion Date, the certificates (if any) representing the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted, duly endorsed for transfer (or, in the case of any shares of Series E Preferred Stock held in book-entry form through a Depositary or shares directly registered with the transfer agent therefor, to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Change of Control Conversion Date, the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted through the facilities of such Depositary or through such transfer agent, respectively), together with a written conversion notice in the form provided by the Corporation, duly completed, to its transfer agent. The conversion notice must state: (i) the relevant Change of Control Conversion Date; (ii) the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted; and (iii) that the shares of Series E Preferred Stock are to be converted pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Series E Preferred Stock.
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(k) Holders of Series E Preferred Stock may withdraw any notice of exercise of a Change of Control Conversion Right (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the transfer agent of the Corporation prior to the close of business on the Business Day prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date. The notice of withdrawal delivered by any holder must state: (i) the number of withdrawn shares of Series E Preferred Stock; (ii) if certificated shares of Series E Preferred Stock have been surrendered for conversion, the certificate numbers of the withdrawn shares of Series E Preferred Stock; and (iii) the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock, if any, which remain subject to the holder’s conversion notice.
(l) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Sections 7(j) and (k) hereof, if any shares of Series E Preferred Stock are held in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company or a similar depositary (each, a “Depositary”), the conversion notice and/or the notice of withdrawal, as applicable, must comply with applicable procedures, if any, of the applicable Depositary.
(m) Shares of Series E Preferred Stock as to which the Change of Control Conversion Right has been properly exercised and for which the conversion notice has not been properly withdrawn will be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration in accordance with the Change of Control Conversion Right on the Change of Control Conversion Date, unless prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date the Corporation has provided notice of its election to redeem some or all of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 6 hereof, in which case only the shares of Series E Preferred Stock properly surrendered for conversion and not properly withdrawn that are not called for redemption will be converted as aforesaid. If the Corporation elects to redeem shares of Series E Preferred Stock that would otherwise be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration on a Change of Control Conversion Date, such shares of Series E Preferred Stock will not be so converted and the holders of such shares will be entitled to receive on the applicable redemption date the redemption price as provided in Section 6 hereof.
(n) The Corporation shall deliver all securities, cash and any other property owing upon conversion no later than the third Business Day following the Change of Control Conversion Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the persons entitled to receive any shares of Common Stock or other securities delivered on conversion will be deemed to have become the holders of record thereof as of the Change of Control Conversion Date.
(o) In connection with the exercise of any Change of Control Conversion Right, the Corporation shall comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws and stock exchange rules in connection with any conversion of shares of Series E Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock or other property. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Series E Preferred Stock, no holder of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to convert such shares of Series E Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock to the extent that receipt of such shares of Common Stock would cause such holder (or any other person) to violate the applicable share ownership limitations contained in Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation, unless the Corporation provides an exemption from this limitation to such holder pursuant to Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation.
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(p) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein and except as otherwise required by law, the persons who are the holders of record of shares of Series E Preferred Stock at the close of business on a Dividend Record Date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion of those shares after such Dividend Record Date and on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date and, in such case, the full amount of such dividend shall be paid on such Dividend Payment Date to the persons who were the holders of record at the close of business on such Dividend Record Date. Except as provided in this Section 7(p), the Corporation will make no allowance for unpaid dividends that are not in arrears on the shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be converted.
Section 8. Voting Rights.
(a) Holders of Series E Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights, except as set forth in this Section 8. On each matter on which holders of Series E Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, each share of Series E Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote, except that when shares of any other class or series of Preferred Stock have the right to vote with the Series E Preferred Stock as a single class on any matter, the Series E Preferred Stock and the shares of each such other class or series of stock will have one vote for each $25.00 of liquidation preference (excluding accumulated dividends).
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(b) Whenever dividends on any shares of Series E Preferred Stock are in arrears for six or more full quarterly Dividend Periods, whether or not consecutive, the number of directors constituting the Board will be automatically increased by two (if not already increased by two by reason of the election of directors by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series D Preferred Stock or any other class or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series E Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of those two directors) and the holders of Series E Preferred Stock, voting as a single class with the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series D Preferred Stock and all other classes or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series E Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of those two directors, will be entitled to vote for the election of those two additional directors at a special meeting called by the Corporation at the request of the holders of record of at least 25% of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock or by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series D Preferred Stock or any other classes or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series E Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of those two directors to be held no later than 90 days after the Corporation’s receipt of such request (unless the request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, in which case, such vote will be held at the earlier of the next annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, to the extent permitted by applicable law), and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation until all dividends accumulated on the Series E Preferred Stock for all past Dividend Periods and the then current Dividend Period shall have been fully paid. In that case, the right of holders of Series E Preferred Stock to elect any directors will cease and, unless there are other classes or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable (including the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock and the Series D Preferred Stock), any directors elected by holders of Series E Preferred Stock shall immediately resign and the number of directors constituting the Board shall be reduced accordingly. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the total number of directors elected by holders of Series E Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class with the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series D Preferred Stock and all other classes or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series E Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of such directors) pursuant to the voting rights under this Section 8 exceed two. The directors elected by the holders of Series E Preferred Stock and the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series D Preferred Stock and all other classes or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series E Preferred Stock will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock when they have the voting rights as set forth in this Section 8(b) and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock, the Series D Preferred Stock and all other classes or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote with the Series E Preferred Stock as a class with respect to the election of such directors (voting together as a single class) to serve until the Corporation’s next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until such directors’ resignation as described above, whichever occurs earlier.
(c) If, at any time when the voting rights conferred upon the Series E Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 8(b) hereof are exercisable, any vacancy in the office of a director elected pursuant to Section 8(b) shall occur, then such vacancy may be filled only by the remaining director or by vote of the holders of the outstanding Series E Preferred Stock and any other classes or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote as a class with the Series E Preferred Stock in the election of directors pursuant to Section 8(b). Any director elected pursuant to Section 8(b) may be removed at any time, with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of, and may not be removed otherwise than by the affirmative vote of, the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock and any class or series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which classes or series of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a class with the Series E Preferred Stock in the election of directors pursuant to Section 8(b) (voting as a single class).
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(d) So long as any shares of Series E Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Corporation will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock and each other class or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Corporation and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, including, if applicable, the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock and the Series D Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class), (i) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up or reclassify any of the authorized stock of the Corporation into such shares, or create or authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or this Certificate of Designations, whether by merger, conversion, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series E Preferred Stock (each, an “Event”); provided, however, with respect to the occurrence of any Event set forth in clause (ii) above, so long as the Series E Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, or the holders of Series E Preferred Stock receive shares of stock or other equity interests with rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers substantially the same as those of the Series E Preferred Stock, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of any such Event, the Corporation may not be the successor entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of holders of Series E Preferred Stock; and, provided further, that any increase in the amount of the authorized or issued Series E Preferred Stock, or the creation or issuance, or any increase in the amounts authorized of any class or series ranking on a parity with or junior to the Series E Preferred Stock that the Corporation may issue shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of holders of Series E Preferred Stock.
(e) The voting rights provided for in this Section 8 will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which voting by holders of Series E Preferred Stock would otherwise be required pursuant to this Section 8 shall be effected, all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds have been irrevocably set apart for payment to effect such redemption pursuant to Section 6 hereof.
(f) Except as expressly stated in this Section 8, the Series E Preferred Stock will not have any relative, participating, optional or other special voting rights or powers and the consent of the holders thereof shall not be required for the taking of any corporate action.
(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or this Certificate of Designations would materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of the Series E Preferred Stock disproportionately relative to other classes or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, then the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock (voting as a separate class) shall also be required.
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Section 9. Information Rights. During any period in which the Corporation is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and any shares of Series E Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation will use its best efforts to transmit through the Corporation’s website at www.ellingtonfinancial.com (or other permissible means under the Exchange Act) copies of the annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that the Corporation would have been required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if it were subject thereto (other than any exhibits that would have been required). The Corporation will use its best efforts to provide such reports on its website within 15 days after the respective dates by which the Corporation would have been required to file such reports with the SEC if the Corporation were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the Corporation were a “non-accelerated filer” within the meaning of the Exchange Act.
Section 10. Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer. The Series E Preferred Stock shall be subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer set forth in Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation. Any person who violates such restrictions in acquiring actual or constructive ownership of shares of Series E Preferred Stock is required to give notice thereof immediately to the Corporation and provide the Corporation with such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect of such acquisition on the Corporation’s status as a REIT. All certificates representing shares of the Series E Preferred Stock shall be marked with a legend sufficient under the laws of the State of Delaware to provide a purchaser of such shares with notice of the restrictions on transfer under Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation. Nothing in Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation shall preclude the settlement of any transactions entered into through the facilities of any national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that settlement of any transaction takes place shall not, however, negate the effect of any provision of Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation, and any transferee, and the shares of Series E Preferred Stock transferred to such transferee in such a transaction, shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations in Article XIII of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 11. Record Holders. The Corporation and the transfer agent for the Series E Preferred Stock may deem and treat the record holder of any Series E Preferred Stock as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Corporation nor the transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
Section 12. No Preemptive Rights. No holders of Series E Preferred Stock will, as holders of Series E Preferred Stock, have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for Common Stock or any other security of the Corporation.
***
This Certificate of Designations shall become effective at 8:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, on December 14, 2023.
[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Designations to be signed this 13th day of December, 2023.
| ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ JR Herlihy | ||
| Name: | JR Herlihy | ||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | ||
[Signature Page to the Series E Certificate of Designations]
Exhibit 4.4
| Number | Shares | |
| 7.00% SERIES D CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK | 7.00% SERIES D CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK | |
| Ellington Financial Inc. | SEE REVERSE FOR IMPORTANT NOTICE ON | |
| A CORPORATION FORMED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE | TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION | |
| CUSIP 28852N 505 | ||
| ISIN US28852N5059 |
This Certifies that Cede & Co.
is the record holder of
FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF 7.00% SERIES D CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE, OF
Ellington Financial Inc.
(the “Corporation”) transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by its duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation and any amendments thereto (the “Charter”) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation and any amendments thereto. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
Dated:
COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: EQUINITI TRUST COMPANY, LLC, Transfer Agent & Registrar |
|||
| By: | |||
| NAME: | |||
| TITLE: SECRETARY | |||
| Authorized Signature | |||
| NAME: | |||
| TITLE: | |||
| NAME: | |||
| TITLE: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | |||
IMPORTANT NOTICE
THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS, A SUMMARY OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OF THE CORPORATION AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS, AND THE VARIATIONS IN RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS DETERMINED FOR EACH SERIES, WHICH ARE FIXED BY THE CHARTER AND THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DETERMINE VARIATIONS FOR FUTURE SERIES. SUCH REQUEST MAY BE MADE TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION OR TO THE TRANSFER AGENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY REQUIRE THE OWNER OF A LOST OR DESTROYED STOCK CERTIFICATE, OR SUCH OWNER’S LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, TO GIVE THE CORPORATION A BOND TO INDEMNIFY IT AND ITS TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS AGAINST ANY CLAIM THAT MAY BE MADE AGAINST THEM ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALLEGED LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE.
THE SHARES OF THE CORPORATION’S 7.00% SERIES D CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK (THE “PREFERRED STOCK”) REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP, CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER (AS EACH SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER) FOR PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION’S QUALIFICATION AS, OR MAINTENANCE OF ITS STATUS AS, A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (A “REIT”) UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”). SUBJECT TO CERTAIN FURTHER RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THE CHARTER (I) NO PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER) MAY BENEFICIALLY OWN OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SHARES OF ANY CLASS OR SERIES OF THE CORPORATION’S STOCK (THE “CAPITAL STOCK”) IN EXCESS OF 9.8% (IN VALUE OR NUMBER OF SHARES, WHICHEVER IS MORE RESTRICTIVE) OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING SHARES OF SUCH CLASS OR SERIES OF CAPITAL STOCK, UNLESS SUCH PERSON IS AN EXCEPTED HOLDER (AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER), IN WHICH CASE THE EXCEPTED HOLDER LIMIT (AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER) SHALL BE APPLICABLE; (II) NO PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OWN OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE CORPORATION BEING CLOSELY HELD UNDER SECTION 856(H) OF THE CODE OR OTHERWISE CAUSE THE CORPORATION TO FAIL TO QUALIFY AS A REIT; AND (III) ANY TRANSFER OF SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK THAT, IF EFFECTIVE, WOULD RESULT IN THE CAPITAL STOCK BEING BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY LESS THAN 100 PERSONS (DETERMINED UNDER THE PRINCIPLES OF SECTION 856(A)(5) OF THE CODE) SHALL BE VOID AB INITIO, AND THE INTENDED TRANSFEREE SHALL ACQUIRE NO RIGHTS IN SUCH SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK. FOR PURPOSES OF SUCH LIMITATIONS, ANY PERSON WHO BENEFICIALLY OWNS OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWNS, OR ATTEMPTS TO BENEFICIALLY OWN OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK WHICH CAUSES OR WILL CAUSE A PERSON TO BENEFICIALLY OWN OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK IN EXCESS OR IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MUST IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE CORPORATION. IF ANY OF THE RESTRICTIONS PROVIDED IN (I) OR (II) ABOVE ON BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP, CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP OR TRANSFER ARE VIOLATED, THE SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK IN EXCESS OR IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO A TRUST (AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER) FOR THE BENEFIT OF ONE OR MORE CHARITABLE BENEFICIARIES (AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER). IN ADDITION, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL TAKE SUCH ACTION AS IT DEEMS ADVISABLE TO REFUSE TO GIVE EFFECT TO OR PREVENT SUCH TRANSFER OR OTHER EVENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CAUSING THE CORPORATION TO REDEEM SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY TRANSFER OR ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OR OTHER EVENT IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE RESTRICTIONS ON BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP, CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER SHALL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN THE ABOVE TRANSFER TO THE TRUST AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, SUCH TRANSFER (OR OTHER EVENT) SHALL BE VOID AB INITIO AS PROVIDED ABOVE IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY ACTION (OR NON-ACTION) BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY, PURSUANT TO THE CHARTER, INCREASE OR DECREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF PREFERRED STOCK OR CAPITAL STOCK THAT A PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OWN OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN.
A COPY OF THE CHARTER, INCLUDING THE ABOVE RESTRICTIONS ON BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP, CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER, WILL BE FURNISHED TO EACH HOLDER OF CAPITAL STOCK ON REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE. REQUESTS FOR SUCH A COPY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION AT ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICE.
KEEP THIS CERTIFICATE IN A SAFE PLACE. IF IT IS LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED, THE CORPORATION MAY REQUIRE A BOND OF INDEMNITY AS A CONDITION TO THE ISSUANCE OF A REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
| TEN COM - as tenants in common | UNIF GIFT MIN ACT | Custodian | ||
| TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties | (Custodian) | (Minor) | ||
| JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship | under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act of | |||
| and not as tenants in common | ||||
| (State) | ||||
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
(Please Insert Social Security or other
Identifying Number of Assignee)
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ADDRESSEE
shares of the Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate, and do(es) hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the Corporation, with full power of substitution in the premises.
| Dated |
| X | |
| X | |
| NOTICE: The Signature To This Assignment Must Correspond With The Name As Written Upon The Face Of The Certificate In Every Particular, Without Alteration Or Enlargement Or Any Change Whatsoever. | |
Exhibit 4.5
| Number | Shares | |
8.250% SERIES E FIXED-TO-FLOATING RATE CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK |
8.250% SERIES E FIXED-TO-FLOATING RATE CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK | |
| Ellington Financial Inc. | SEE REVERSE FOR IMPORTANT NOTICE ON | |
| A CORPORATION FORMED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE | TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION | |
| CUSIP 28852N 604 | ||
| ISIN US28852N6040 |
This Certifies that Cede & Co.
is the record holder of
FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF 8.250% SERIES E
FIXED-TO-FLOATING RATE CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE
PREFERRED STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE, OF
Ellington Financial Inc.
(the “Corporation”) transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by its duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation and any amendments thereto (the “Charter”) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation and any amendments thereto. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
Dated:
COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: EQUINITI TRUST COMPANY, LLC, Transfer Agent & Registrar |
|||
| By: | |||
| NAME: | |||
| TITLE: SECRETARY | |||
| Authorized Signature | |||
| NAME: | |||
| TITLE: | |||
| NAME: | |||
| TITLE: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | |||
IMPORTANT NOTICE
THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS, A SUMMARY OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OF THE CORPORATION AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS, AND THE VARIATIONS IN RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS DETERMINED FOR EACH SERIES, WHICH ARE FIXED BY THE CHARTER AND THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DETERMINE VARIATIONS FOR FUTURE SERIES. SUCH REQUEST MAY BE MADE TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION OR TO THE TRANSFER AGENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY REQUIRE THE OWNER OF A LOST OR DESTROYED STOCK CERTIFICATE, OR SUCH OWNER’S LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, TO GIVE THE CORPORATION A BOND TO INDEMNIFY IT AND ITS TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS AGAINST ANY CLAIM THAT MAY BE MADE AGAINST THEM ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALLEGED LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE.
THE SHARES OF THE CORPORATION’S 8.250% SERIES E FIXED-TO-FLOATING RATE CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK (THE “PREFERRED STOCK”) REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP, CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER (AS EACH SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER) FOR PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION’S QUALIFICATION AS, OR MAINTENANCE OF ITS STATUS AS, A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (A “REIT”) UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”). SUBJECT TO CERTAIN FURTHER RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THE CHARTER (I) NO PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER) MAY BENEFICIALLY OWN OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SHARES OF ANY CLASS OR SERIES OF THE CORPORATION’S STOCK (THE “CAPITAL STOCK”) IN EXCESS OF 9.8% (IN VALUE OR NUMBER OF SHARES, WHICHEVER IS MORE RESTRICTIVE) OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING SHARES OF SUCH CLASS OR SERIES OF CAPITAL STOCK, UNLESS SUCH PERSON IS AN EXCEPTED HOLDER (AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER), IN WHICH CASE THE EXCEPTED HOLDER LIMIT (AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER) SHALL BE APPLICABLE; (II) NO PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OWN OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE CORPORATION BEING CLOSELY HELD UNDER SECTION 856(H) OF THE CODE OR OTHERWISE CAUSE THE CORPORATION TO FAIL TO QUALIFY AS A REIT; AND (III) ANY TRANSFER OF SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK THAT, IF EFFECTIVE, WOULD RESULT IN THE CAPITAL STOCK BEING BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY LESS THAN 100 PERSONS (DETERMINED UNDER THE PRINCIPLES OF SECTION 856(A)(5) OF THE CODE) SHALL BE VOID AB INITIO, AND THE INTENDED TRANSFEREE SHALL ACQUIRE NO RIGHTS IN SUCH SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK. FOR PURPOSES OF SUCH LIMITATIONS, ANY PERSON WHO BENEFICIALLY OWNS OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWNS, OR ATTEMPTS TO BENEFICIALLY OWN OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK WHICH CAUSES OR WILL CAUSE A PERSON TO BENEFICIALLY OWN OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK IN EXCESS OR IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MUST IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE CORPORATION. IF ANY OF THE RESTRICTIONS PROVIDED IN (I) OR (II) ABOVE ON BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP, CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP OR TRANSFER ARE VIOLATED, THE SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK IN EXCESS OR IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO A TRUST (AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER) FOR THE BENEFIT OF ONE OR MORE CHARITABLE BENEFICIARIES (AS DEFINED IN THE CHARTER). IN ADDITION, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL TAKE SUCH ACTION AS IT DEEMS ADVISABLE TO REFUSE TO GIVE EFFECT TO OR PREVENT SUCH TRANSFER OR OTHER EVENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CAUSING THE CORPORATION TO REDEEM SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY TRANSFER OR ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OR OTHER EVENT IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE RESTRICTIONS ON BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP, CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER SHALL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN THE ABOVE TRANSFER TO THE TRUST AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, SUCH TRANSFER (OR OTHER EVENT) SHALL BE VOID AB INITIO AS PROVIDED ABOVE IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY ACTION (OR NON-ACTION) BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY, PURSUANT TO THE CHARTER, INCREASE OR DECREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF PREFERRED STOCK OR CAPITAL STOCK THAT A PERSON MAY BENEFICIALLY OWN OR CONSTRUCTIVELY OWN.
A COPY OF THE CHARTER, INCLUDING THE ABOVE RESTRICTIONS ON BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP, CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER, WILL BE FURNISHED TO EACH HOLDER OF CAPITAL STOCK ON REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE. REQUESTS FOR SUCH A COPY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION AT ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICE.
KEEP THIS CERTIFICATE IN A SAFE PLACE. IF IT IS LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED, THE CORPORATION MAY REQUIRE A BOND OF INDEMNITY AS A CONDITION TO THE ISSUANCE OF A REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
| TEN COM - as tenants in common | UNIF GIFT MIN ACT | Custodian | ||
| TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties | (Custodian) | (Minor) | ||
| JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship | under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act of | |||
| and not as tenants in common | ||||
| (State) | ||||
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
(Please Insert Social Security or other
Identifying Number of Assignee)
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ADDRESSEE
shares of the Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate, and do(es) hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the Corporation, with full power of substitution in the premises.
| Dated |
| X | |
| X | |
| NOTICE: The Signature To This Assignment Must Correspond With The Name As Written Upon The Face Of The Certificate In Every Particular, Without Alteration Or Enlargement Or Any Change Whatsoever. | |