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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2008

Registration No. 333-149167

 

 

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 4

to

Form S-11

FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

OF SECURITIES OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE COMPANIES

 

 

American Capital Agency Corp.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Governing Instruments)

American Capital Agency Corp.

2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

(301) 968-9300

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Samuel A. Flax, Esq.

Executive Vice President and Secretary

American Capital Agency Corp.

2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

(301) 968-9300

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

David J. Goldschmidt, Esq. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Four Times Square New York, New York 10036 (212) 735-3000		David C. Wright, Esq. Edward W. Elmore, Jr., Esq. Hunton & Williams LLP Riverfront Plaza, East Tower 951 E. Byrd Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 788-8200

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the registration statement becomes effective.

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

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

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

If delivery of this prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, check the following box.  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer ¨				Accelerated filer                  ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)				Smaller reporting company ¨

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED May 9, 2008

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed or supplemented. The securities described in this prospectus cannot be sold until the registration statement that we have filed to cover the securities has become effective under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This prospectus is not an offer to sell the securities, nor is it a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction where an offer or sale is not permitted.

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

12,500,000 Shares

 

 

Common Stock

 

$20.00 per share

 

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American Capital Agency Corp. is a newly-organized Delaware corporation formed to invest exclusively in single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity. We will be externally managed and advised by American Capital Agency Management, LLC, a subsidiary of a wholly-owned portfolio company of American Capital Strategies, Ltd., the only private equity fund and the largest alternative asset management company in the S&P 500. With $19 billion in capital resources under management, as of December 31, 2007, American Capital Strategies, Ltd., is the largest U.S. publicly-traded alternative asset manager. We will elect to be taxed, and intend to qualify, as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes.

 

This is our initial public offering. We are offering a total of 12,500,000 shares of our common stock in this offering. We expect the initial public offering price of our common stock to be $20.00 per share. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. Subject to official notice of issuance, our common stock has been approved for listing on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “AGNC.”

 

Simultaneously with the completion of this offering, American Capital Strategies, Ltd. will purchase $50 million of our common stock at the initial public offering price (or 2,500,000 shares) in a private placement, and will own approximately 16.7% of our outstanding common stock upon completion of this offering, or 14.8% assuming the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full. American Capital has indicated that it may elect to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this concurrent private placement or as part of this offering, subject to a maximum additional investment of $50 million of our common stock (for a maximum total investment of $100 million). If American Capital elects to purchase additional shares of our common stock, American Capital’s percentage ownership of our common stock could increase substantially. We cannot assure you that American Capital will make this offer or, if it does, the additional amount it may offer to purchase.

 

Shares of our common stock are subject to ownership limitations that are intended to assist us in qualifying and maintaining our qualification as a real estate investment trust. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our common or capital stock, including a 9.8% ownership limit. We expect our Board of Directors to grant American Capital an exemption from this ownership limitation.

 

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Investing in our common stock involves significant risks. See “ Risk Factors” beginning on page 15 of this prospectus.

 

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

 

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		Per Share			Total
Public Offering Price		$			$
Underwriting Discount		$			$
Proceeds to American Capital Agency Corp. (before expenses)		$			$

 

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 1,875,000 shares of our common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, within 30 days after the date of this prospectus solely to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver shares to purchasers on or about May        , 2008.

 

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Citi		Merrill Lynch & Co.

 

Credit Suisse		Deutsche Bank Securities		Morgan Stanley

Banc of America Securities LLC		HSBC		JMP Securities		RBC Capital Markets

May        , 2008

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
Prospectus Summary		1
Risk Factors		15
Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements		35
Use of Proceeds		37
Distribution Policy		38
Capitalization		39
Selected Financial Information		40
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		41
Business		50
Our Manager, American Capital and the Management Agreement		58
Management		71
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management		77
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions		78
Description of Capital Stock		80
Shares Eligible for Future Sale		86
Federal Income Tax Considerations		88
Underwriting		104
Legal Matters		109
Experts		109
Where You Can Find More Information		109
Index to the Financial Statements of American Capital Agency Corp.		F-1

 

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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from or additional to that contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may only be used where it is legal to sell our common stock. The information in this prospectus may only be accurate on the date of this prospectus.

 

No action is being taken in any jurisdiction outside the United States to permit a public offering of the common stock or possession or distribution of this prospectus in that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus in jurisdictions outside the United States are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions as to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus to that jurisdiction.

 

Dealer Prospectus Delivery Requirement

 

Until June     , 2008 (25 days after the commencement of this offering), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery is in addition to the dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to its unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in shares of our common stock involves significant risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider all of the risks described below and the other information contained in this prospectus. If any of the risks discussed in this prospectus actually occur, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. If this were to occur, the value of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment. In connection with the forward-looking statements that appear in this prospectus, you should also carefully review the cautionary statements in the section of this prospectus entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest in Our Relationship with Our Manager and American Capital

The management agreement was not negotiated on an arm’s-length basis and the terms, including fees payable, may not be as favorable to us as if it were negotiated with an unaffiliated third party.

The management agreement was negotiated between related parties, and we did not have the benefit of arm’s-length negotiations of the type normally conducted with an unaffiliated third party. The terms of the management agreement, including fees payable, may not reflect the terms we may have received if it was negotiated with an unrelated third party. In addition, as a result of this relationship, we may choose not to enforce, or to enforce less vigorously, our rights under the management agreement because of our desire to maintain our ongoing relationship with our Manager.

We have no dedicated employees and our Manager will be responsible for making all of our investment decisions. None of our or our Manager’s officers are required to devote any specific amount of time to our business and each of them may provide their services to American Capital, its affiliates and sponsored investment vehicles or other entities not affiliated with American Capital, which could result in conflicts of interest.

Our Manager will be responsible for making all of our investments. Each of our and our Manager’s officers, as well as the members of American Capital’s RMBS investment team who will provide services to us, is an employee of American Capital or its affiliates and none of them will devote his time to us exclusively. Each of Messrs. Wilkus, Erickson, Flax, Grunewald and McHale, who will be the initial members of our Manager’s investment committee, is an officer of American Capital and has significant responsibilities to American Capital and certain of its various portfolio companies, affiliated entities or managed funds. Messrs. Jeffrey, Yu and Smith and the five other members of American Capital’s RMBS investment team will provide services to us and may provide services to American Capital or other RMBS investment vehicles that have been or may be sponsored by American Capital in the future. In addition, Mr. Jeffrey is currently the majority owner and a managing member of PIM, an investment advisor that is not affiliated with American Capital. PIM manages investment vehicles that, as of December 31, 2007, had approximately $134 million in total assets and that invest in RMBS and associated mortgage derivatives. Although Mr. Jeffrey has agreed with American Capital that he will devote his full-time attention and energies to his employment with American Capital, American Capital has agreed to allow him to continue to provide services to PIM and investment vehicles managed by PIM while an employee of American Capital as long as these activities do not detract significantly from his work on behalf of American Capital and he devotes such of his time and effort to managing American Capital-sponsored RMBS investment vehicles, including our company, as is reasonably necessary and appropriate. For so long as he is an employee of American Capital, Mr. Jeffrey will cause all management fees earned by PIM to be assigned to American Capital or a designee of American Capital, but he will be entitled to retain all incentive fees earned by PIM. Due to the fact that each of our and our Manager’s officers and American Capital’s RMBS investment team are responsible for providing services to American Capital and/or certain of its portfolio companies, affiliated entities or managed funds and Mr. Jeffrey, through PIM, continues to manage investment vehicles not affiliated with American Capital for which he is entitled to earn incentive fees, they may not devote sufficient time to the management of our business operations.

 

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Since October 2007, American Capital has invested approximately $130 million in a mortgage opportunities fund that is substantially owned by American Capital and managed by American Capital’s RMBS investment team. This fund invests in RMBS, including agency securities, and will directly compete with us. American Capital will agree that so long as the Manager or an affiliate of American Capital continues to manage our company, it will not sponsor an investment vehicle that invests predominantly in whole pool agency securities other than us. This restriction would not prevent American Capital or an affiliate of American Capital from investing in or sponsoring an investment vehicle that targets investments in agency securities as long as that entity also targets investments in other types of investments, and as a result, American Capital or an affiliate of American Capital may compete with us. We expect our Board of Directors to adopt investment guidelines that will require that any investment transaction between us and American Capital or any affiliate of American Capital receives the prior approval of a majority of our independent directors. However, this policy will not eliminate the conflicts of interest that our and our Manager’s officers and the members of American Capital’s RMBS investment team will face in making investment decisions on behalf of American Capital, any other American Capital-sponsored investment vehicles and us. Further, we do not have any agreement or understanding with American Capital that would give us any priority over American Capital, any of its affiliates, or any such American Capital-sponsored investment vehicle in opportunities to invest in agency securities. Accordingly, we may compete for access to the benefits that we expect our relationship with our Manager and American Capital to provide.

Mr. Jeffrey is currently the majority owner and a managing member of PIM. PIM manages investment vehicles that invest in RMBS and associated mortgage derivatives. For so long as Mr. Jeffrey is employed by American Capital, he has agreed with American Capital that investment vehicles managed by PIM will not purchase investments in whole pool agency securities and related derivative securities. However, we have no direct agreement with Mr. Jeffrey or PIM regarding allocation of potential investments. We may compete with PIM for access to non-whole pool agency securities. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that Mr. Jeffrey will allocate the most attractive opportunities to invest in agency securities to us.

Our Manager and American Capital do not have extensive institutional experience in acquiring or financing agency securities.

American Capital hired its eight-member RMBS investment team in September 2007. Prior to this time, American Capital did not pursue a residential real estate or agency security investment strategy, and therefore neither our Manager nor American Capital has extensive institutional experience in acquiring or financing agency securities.

We are completely dependent upon our Manager and certain key personnel of American Capital who provide services to us through the management agreement and the administrative services agreement and we may not find suitable replacements for our Manager and these personnel if the management agreement and the administrative services agreement are terminated or such key personnel are no longer available to us.

We are completely dependent on our Manager to conduct our operations pursuant to the management agreement. Because neither we nor our Manager has any employees or separate facilities, our Manager will enter into an administrative services agreement with American Capital in order to provide it with the personnel, services and resources necessary to carry out its responsibilities under the management agreement. Neither the administrative services agreement nor the management agreement requires our Manager or American Capital to dedicate specific personnel to our operations nor requires any specific personnel of American Capital to dedicate a specific amount of time to our business. Additionally, because we will be reliant on American Capital, we may be negatively impacted by an event or factors that negatively impacts American Capital’s business or financial condition.

After the initial term of the management agreement, which expires on May       , 2011, or upon the expiration of any automatic renewal term, our Manager may elect not to renew the management agreement without cause, without penalty, on 180-days prior written notice to us. If we elect not to renew the management agreement without cause, we would have to pay a termination fee (as described further below).

 

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If we terminate the management agreement without cause, we may not, without the consent of our Manager, employ any employee of the Manager or any of its affiliates, including American Capital, or any person who has been employed by our Manager or any of its affiliates at any time within the two year period immediately preceding the date on which the person commences employment with us for two years after such termination of the management agreement. We do not have retention agreements with any of our officers. Although American Capital and Mr. Jeffrey have agreed that, for a period of six months following termination of his employment without cause and 12 months following termination of his employment with cause, he will not compete with American Capital by engaging in residential mortgage investing in the United States, he will be permitted to continue to act as a managing member of PIM and make or manage investments in residential mortgage securities through PIM other than whole pool agency securities and related derivative securities during this non-compete period as well as while he is employed by American Capital. We are not a party to this agreement between Mr. Jeffrey and American Capital and cannot assure you that American Capital will enforce this agreement. We believe that the successful implementation of our investment and financing strategies depends to a significant extent upon the experience of American Capital’s executive officers and American Capital’s eight-member RMBS investment team, in particular Mr. Jeffrey. None of these individuals’ continued service is guaranteed. If the management agreement is terminated or these individuals leave American Capital, we may be unable to execute our business plan.

We will have no recourse to American Capital if it does not fulfill its obligations under the administrative services agreement.

Neither we nor our Manager have any employees or separate facilities. As a result, our Manager will enter into an administrative services agreement with American Capital pursuant to which our Manager will be provided with the personnel, services and resources necessary for our Manager to perform its obligations and responsibilities under the management agreement in exchange for certain fees payable by our Manager. Although the administrative services agreement may not be terminated unless the management agreement has been terminated pursuant to its terms, American Capital may assign its rights and obligations thereunder to any of its affiliates, including American Capital, LLC, the parent company of our Manager. In addition, because we will not be a party to the administrative services agreement, we will not have any recourse to American Capital if it does not fulfill its obligations under the administrative services agreement or it elects to assign the agreement to one of its affiliates.

If we elect to not renew the management agreement without cause, we would be required to pay our Manager a substantial termination fee. These and other provisions in our management agreement make non-renewal of our management agreement difficult and costly.

Electing not to renew the management agreement without cause would be difficult and costly for us. With the consent of the majority of our independent directors, we may elect not to renew our management agreement after the initial term of the management agreement, which expires on May       , 2011, or upon the expiration of any automatic renewal term, both upon 180-days prior written notice. If we elect to not renew the agreement because of a decision by our Board of Directors that the base management fee or the incentive compensation is unfair, our Manager has the right to renegotiate a mutually agreeable base management fee or incentive compensation. If we elect to not renew the management agreement without cause, we are required to pay our Manager a termination fee equal to three times the sum of (a) the average annual base management fee and (b) the average annual incentive compensation, in each case earned by our Manager during the prior 24-month period immediately preceding the most recently completed calendar quarter prior to the effective date of termination. These provisions may increase the effective cost to us of electing to not renew the management agreement.

Our Manager’s base management fee is payable regardless of our performance.

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example, we would pay our Manager a base management fee for a specific period even if we experienced a net loss during the same period. Our Manager’s entitlement to substantial nonperformance-based compensation may reduce its incentive to devote sufficient time and effort to seeking investments that provide attractive risk-adjusted returns for our investment portfolio. This in turn could harm our ability to make distributions to our stockholders and the market price of our common stock.

Our incentive compensation may induce our Manager to make certain investments, including speculative investments.

In addition to its base management fee, our Manager is entitled to receive incentive compensation based, in part, upon our achievement of targeted levels of Core Earnings. In evaluating investments and other management strategies, the opportunity to earn incentive compensation based on Core Earnings may lead our Manager to place undue emphasis on the maximization of Core Earnings at the expense of other criteria, such as preservation of capital, to achieve higher incentive compensation. Investments with higher yield potential are generally riskier or more speculative. This could result in increased risk to the value of our investment portfolio.

Risks Related to Our Business

We have no operating history and no investment portfolio and may not be able to successfully operate our business or generate sufficient net interest income to make or sustain distributions to our stockholders.

We were organized in January 2008 and will not build an investment portfolio until after the completion of this offering. We may not be able to successfully execute our investment and financing strategies as described in this prospectus, which could result in a loss of some or all of your investment. The results of our operations will depend on many factors, including, without limitation, the availability of attractively priced agency securities, the level and volatility of interest rates, readily accessible financing for our investment portfolio, conditions in the financial markets and the economy in general. Our net interest income will depend, in large part, on our ability to acquire agency securities at favorable spreads over our borrowing costs. If we are unable to acquire assets that generate favorable spreads, our results of operations will be adversely affected, which would affect our ability to make or sustain distributions to our stockholders.

We have not yet identified the specific agency securities in which we will invest the net proceeds of this offering.

We have not yet identified any specific agency securities for our investment portfolio. Therefore, you will not be able to evaluate any proposed investments before purchasing shares of our common stock. We will invest exclusively in agency securities; however, we have flexibility in selecting those agency securities in which to invest the net proceeds of this offering and, as a result, we may use the net proceeds from this offering to invest in investments with which you may not agree. The failure of our management to apply these proceeds effectively or find investments that meet our investment criteria in sufficient time or on acceptable terms could result in unfavorable returns, cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and ability to make distributions to our stockholders, and could cause the value of our common stock to decline.

Until attractive agency securities can be identified, our Manager may invest the net proceeds of this offering and the concurrent sale of shares to American Capital in readily marketable, short-term, interest-bearing investments, including money market accounts, that are consistent with our intention to qualify as a REIT. These investments are expected to provide a lower net return than we hope to achieve from investments in our intended long-term use of proceeds of this offering.

We are dependent on our Manager, who has no experience operating a REIT.

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Company Act. Our Manager, American Capital and its employees’ lack of experience in managing an investment portfolio under regulatory constraints applicable to REITs may hinder their ability to achieve our investment objectives. In addition, maintaining our REIT qualification and complying with the Investment Company Act exemption limits the types of investments we are able to make. Our Board of Directors will not review or approve individual investments unless the investment is outside our operating policies or investment guidelines.

We may change our targeted investments and investment guidelines without stockholder consent.

We may change our targeted investments and investment guidelines at any time without the consent of our stockholders, which could result in our making investments that are different from, and possibly riskier than, the investments described in this prospectus. A change in our targeted investments or investment guidelines may increase our exposure to interest rate risk, default risk and real estate market fluctuations, all of which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Loss of our exemption from regulation pursuant to the Investment Company Act would adversely affect us.

We intend to conduct our business so as not to become regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act. Section 3(c)(5)(C), as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, requires that: (i) at least 55% of our investment portfolio consist of “mortgages and other liens on and interest in real estate,” or “qualifying real estate interests,” and (ii) at least 80% of our investment portfolio consist of qualifying real estate interests plus “real estate-related assets.” In satisfying this 55% requirement, we may treat agency securities issued with respect to an underlying pool of mortgage loans in which we hold all of the certificates issued by a pool as qualifying real estate interests. Therefore, the agency securities and any other mortgage-related assets that we acquire are limited by the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. If the SEC determines that any of these securities are not qualifying interests in real estate or real estate-related assets, adopts a contrary interpretation with respect to these securities or otherwise believes we do not satisfy the above exceptions, we could be required to restructure our activities or sell certain of our assets. We may be required at times to adopt less efficient methods of financing certain of our agency securities and we may be precluded from acquiring certain types of higher yielding agency securities. The net effect of these factors would be to lower our net interest income. If we fail to qualify for an exemption from registration as an investment company or an exclusion from the definition of an investment company, our ability to use leverage would be substantially reduced, and we would not be able to conduct our business as described in this prospectus. Our business will be materially and adversely affected if we fail to qualify for this exemption from regulation pursuant to the Investment Company Act.

We are exposed to potential risks from legislation requiring companies to evaluate their internal control over financial reporting.

We will be required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires Exchange Act-reporting companies to assess and attest to the effectiveness of their internal controls over financial reporting and requires their independent registered public accounting firm to audit the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting, beginning with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. There can be no assurance that we will receive an unqualified opinion from our independent registered public accounting firm with regard to the effectiveness our internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, legislation regarding Exchange Act-reporting companies’ internal controls over financial reporting, or other aspects of these companies’ compliance with federal securities laws, may, in the future, be amended so as to impose additional burdens on us. Any failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and the trading price of our common stock.

 

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We are highly dependent on information and communications systems. Any systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect our operations and the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

Our business is highly dependent on communications and information systems. Any failure or interruption of our Manager’s systems could cause delays or other problems in our agency securities trading activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect our operating results and the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

Risks Related to Our Investing and Financing Strategy

Continued adverse developments in the broader residential mortgage market may adversely affect the value of the agency securities in which we intend to invest.

Recently, the residential mortgage market in the United States has experienced a variety of difficulties and changed economic conditions, including recent defaults, credit losses and liquidity concerns. Over the last few months, news of potential security liquidations has increased the volatility of many financial assets, including agency securities and other high-quality RMBS assets. As a result, values for RMBS assets, including some agency securities and other AAA-rated RMBS assets, were negatively impacted. Further increased volatility and deterioration in the broader residential mortgage and RMBS markets may adversely affect the performance and market value of the agency securities in which we intend to invest.

We intend to invest the net proceeds of this offering exclusively in agency securities. FNMA, FHLMC or GNMA guarantee the interest and principal payments on the securities we intend to purchase even if the borrowers of the underlying mortgages default on their payments. We will need to rely on our agency securities as collateral for our financings. Any decline in their value, or perceived market uncertainty about their value, would likely make it difficult for us to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all, or maintain our compliance with terms of any financing arrangements already in place. The agency securities we intend to acquire will be classified for accounting purposes as available-for-sale. All assets classified as available-for-sale will be reported at fair value, based on market prices from third-party sources, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. As a result, a decline in fair values may reduce the book value of our assets. Moreover, if the decline in fair value of an available-for-sale security is other-than-temporary, such decline will reduce earnings. If market conditions result in a decline in the value of our agency securities, our financial position and results of operations could be adversely affected.

To the extent that we invest in agency securities that are guaranteed by FNMA and FHLMC, we are subject to the risk that these U.S. Government-sponsored entities may not be able to fully satisfy their guarantee obligations, which may adversely affect the value of our investment portfolio and our ability to sell or finance these securities.

The interest and principal payments we expect to receive on the agency securities in which we intend to invest will be guaranteed by FNMA, FHLMC or GNMA. Unlike the GNMA certificates in which we may invest, the principal and interest on securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC are not guaranteed by the U.S. government. All the agency securities in which we intend to invest depend on a steady stream of payments on the mortgages underlying the securities.

The recent economic challenges in the residential mortgage market have affected the financial results of FNMA and FHLMC. For the year ended 2007, both FNMA and FHLMC reported substantial losses. FNMA recently stated that it expects losses on guarantees of agency securities to continue and expects significant increases in credit-related expenses and credit losses through 2008. FHLMC has warned that it may not have enough capital to cover its mandatory reserves for mortgage commitments. If FNMA and FHLMC continue to suffer significant losses, their ability to honor their respective agency securities guarantees may be adversely

 

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affected. Further, any actual or perceived financial challenges at either FNMA or FHLMC could cause the rating agencies to downgrade the corporate credit ratings of FNMA or FHLMC. Moody’s Investor Service’s, or Moody’s, Bank Financial Strength Rating, or BFSR, measures the likelihood that a financial institution will require financial assistance. On January 9, 2008, Moody’s placed FHLMC’s A- BFSR on review for possible downgrade and on February 28, 2008, Moody’s placed FNMA’s B+ BFSR on review for possible downgrade.

Any failure to honor guarantees on agency securities by FNMA or FHLMC or any downgrade of securities issued by FNMA or FHLMC by the rating agencies could cause a significant decline in the cash flow from, and the value of, any agency securities we may own and the market for these securities may be adversely affected for a significant period of time. We may be unable to sell or finance agency securities on favorable terms or at all and our financial position and results of operations could be adversely affected.

New laws may be passed affecting the relationship between FNMA and FHLMC, on the one hand, and the U.S. Government, on the other, which could adversely affect the availability and pricing of agency securities.

Legislation has been or may be proposed to change the relationship between FNMA and FHLMC, on the one hand, and the U.S. Government, on the other hand, or that requires FNMA and FHLMC to reduce the amount of mortgages they own or limit the amount of securities they guarantee. We intend to invest exclusively in agency securities. If any such legislation is enacted into law, it may lead to market uncertainty and the actual or perceived impairment in the credit quality of securities issued by FNMA or FHLMC. This may increase the risk of loss on investments in FNMA- and/or FHLMC-issued securities. Any legislation requiring FHLMC or FNMA to reduce the amount of mortgages they own or for which they guarantee payments on agency securities could adversely affect the availability and pricing of agency securities and therefore, adversely affect our business prospects.

Differences in timing of interest rate adjustments on adjustable-rate agency securities we may acquire and our borrowings may adversely affect our profitability and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

Certain of the agency securities we intend to acquire will be adjustable-rate securities. This means that their interest rates may vary over time based upon changes in an objective index, such as

 

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LIBOR, the interest rate that banks in London offer for deposits in London of U.S. dollars;

 

•

the Treasury rate, a monthly or weekly average yield of benchmark U.S. Treasury securities, as published by the Federal Reserve Board; or

 

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the CD rate, the weekly average or secondary market interest rates on six-month negotiable certificates of deposit, as published by the Federal Reserve Board.

These indices generally reflect short-term interest rates. We will rely primarily on short-term borrowings to acquire agency securities with long-term maturities. The relationship between short-term and longer-term interest rates is often referred to as the “yield curve.” Ordinarily, short-term interest rates are lower than longer-term interest rates. If short-term interest rates rise disproportionately relative to longer-term interest rates (a flattening of the yield curve), our borrowing costs may increase more rapidly than the interest income earned on our assets. Because we expect our investments in agency securities generally will bear interest based on longer-term rates than our borrowings, a flattening of the yield curve would tend to decrease our net income and the market value of the agency securities in our investment portfolio. Additionally, to the extent cash flows from investments that return scheduled and unscheduled principal are reinvested, the spread between the yields on the new investments and available borrowing rates may decline, which would likely decrease our net income. It is also possible that short-term interest rates may exceed longer-term interest rates (a yield curve inversion), in which event, our borrowing costs may exceed our interest income and we could incur operating losses, which would hinder our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

 

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Interest rate caps on our adjustable rate agency securities may adversely affect our profitability.

Adjustable-rate agency securities will typically be subject to periodic and lifetime interest rate caps. Periodic interest rate caps limit the amount an interest rate can increase during any given period. Lifetime interest rate caps limit the amount an interest rate can increase through the maturity of an agency security. Our borrowings typically will not be subject to similar restrictions. Accordingly, in a period of rapidly increasing interest rates, the interest rates paid on our borrowings could increase without limitation while caps could limit the interest rates on our adjustable-rate agency securities. This problem is magnified for hybrid adjustable-rate and adjustable-rate agency securities that are not fully indexed. Further, some hybrid adjustable-rate and adjustable-rate agency securities may be subject to periodic payment caps that result in a portion of the interest being deferred and added to the principal outstanding. As a result, we may receive less cash income on hybrid adjustable-rate and adjustable-rate agency securities than we need to pay interest on our related borrowings. These factors could reduce our net interest income and cause us to suffer a loss.

An increase in interest rates may cause a decrease in the volume of newly issued, or investor demand for, agency securities, which could adversely affect our ability to acquire assets that satisfy our investment objectives and to generate income and pay dividends.

Rising interest rates generally reduce the demand for consumer credit, including mortgage loans, due to the higher cost of borrowing. A reduction in the volume of mortgage loans originated may affect the volume of agency securities available to us, which could affect our ability to acquire assets that satisfy our investment objectives. Rising interest rates may also cause agency securities that were issued prior to an interest rate increase to provide yields that exceed prevailing market interest rates. If rising interest rates cause us to be unable to acquire a sufficient volume of agency securities or agency securities with a yield that exceeds the borrowing cost, our ability to satisfy our investment objectives and to generate income and pay dividends, may be materially and adversely affected.

Because we may acquire fixed-rate securities, an increase in interest rates on our borrowings may adversely affect our book value.

Increases in interest rates may negatively affect the market value of our agency securities. Any fixed-rate securities we invest in generally will be more negatively affected by these increases than adjustable-rate securities. In accordance with accounting rules, we will be required to reduce our stockholders’ equity, or book value, by the amount of any decrease in the market value of our agency securities that are classified for accounting purposes as available-for-sale. We will be required to evaluate our agency securities on a quarterly basis to determine their fair value by using third party bid price indications provided by dealers who make markets in these securities or by third-party pricing services. If the fair value of a security is not available from a dealer or third-party pricing service, we will estimate the fair value of the security using a variety of methods including, but not limited to, discounted cash flow analysis, matrix pricing, option-adjusted spread models and fundamental analysis. Aggregate characteristics taken into consideration include, but are not limited to, type of collateral, index, margin, periodic cap, lifetime cap, underwriting standards, age and delinquency experience. However, the fair value reflects estimates and may not be indicative of the amounts we would receive in a current market exchange. If we determine that an agency security is other-than-temporarily impaired, we would be required to reduce the value of such agency security on our balance sheet by recording an impairment charge in our income statement and our stockholders’ equity would be correspondingly reduced. Reductions in stockholders’ equity decrease the amounts we may borrow to purchase additional agency securities, which could restrict our ability to increase our net income.

Changes in prepayment rates may adversely affect our profitability.

The agency securities we intend to acquire are backed by pools of mortgage loans. We receive payments, generally, from the payments that are made on these underlying mortgage loans. When borrowers prepay their mortgage loans at rates that are faster than expected, this results in prepayments that are faster than expected on the related agency securities. These faster than expected payments may adversely affect our profitability.

 

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We may purchase agency securities that have a higher interest rate than the then prevailing market interest rate. In exchange for this higher interest rate, we may pay a premium to par value to acquire the security. In accordance with accounting rules, we will amortize this premium over the expected term of the agency security based on our prepayment assumptions. If the agency security is prepaid in whole or in part at a faster than expected rate, however, we must expense all or a part of the remaining unamortized portion of the premium that was paid at the time of the purchase, which will adversely affect our profitability.

Prepayment rates generally increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise, but changes in prepayment rates are difficult to predict. Prepayments can also occur when borrowers default on their mortgages and the mortgages are prepaid from the proceeds of a foreclosure sale of the property, or when borrowers sell the property and use the sale proceeds to prepay the mortgage as part of a physical relocation. Prepayment rates also may be affected by conditions in the housing and financial markets, increasing defaults on mortgage loans, which could lead to an acceleration of the payment of the related principal, general economic conditions and the relative interest rates on FRM and ARM loans. While we will seek to manage prepayment risk, in selecting investments we must balance prepayment risk against other risks, the potential returns of each investment and the cost of hedging our risks. No strategy can completely insulate us from prepayment or other such risks, and we may deliberately retain exposure to prepayment or other risks.

A decrease in prepayment rates may adversely affect our profitability.

When borrowers prepay their mortgage loans at slower than expected rates, prepayments on the agency securities may be slower than expected. These slower than expected payments may adversely affect our profitability.

We may purchase agency securities that have a lower interest rate than the then prevailing market interest rate. In exchange for this lower interest rate, we may pay a discount to par value to acquire the security. In accordance with accounting rules, we will accrete this discount over the expected term of the agency security based on our prepayment assumptions. If the agency security is prepaid at a slower than expected rate, however, we must accrete the remaining portion of the discount at a slower than expected rate. This will extend the expected life of the portfolio and result in a lower than expected yield on securities purchased at a discount to par.

Our hedging strategies may not be successful in mitigating the risks associated with interest rates.

Subject to complying with REIT tax requirements, we intend to employ techniques that limit, or “hedge,” the adverse effects of rising interest rates on our short-term repurchase agreements. In general, our hedging strategy depends on our view of our entire portfolio, consisting of assets, liabilities and derivative instruments, in light of prevailing market conditions. We could misjudge the condition of our investment portfolio or the market. Our hedging activity will vary in scope based on the level and volatility of interest rates and principal repayments, the type of securities held and other changing market conditions. Our actual hedging decisions will be determined in light of the facts and circumstances existing at the time and may differ from our currently anticipated hedging strategy. These techniques may include entering into interest rate caps, collars, floors, forward contracts, futures or swap agreements. We intend to conduct certain hedging transactions through our TRS, which will be subject to federal, state and, if applicable, local income tax.

There are no perfect hedging strategies, and interest rate hedging may fail to protect us from loss. Alternatively, we may fail to properly assess a risk to our investment portfolio or may fail to recognize a risk entirely leaving us exposed to losses without the benefit of any offsetting hedging activities. The derivative financial instruments we select may not have the effect of reducing our interest rate risk. The nature and timing of hedging transactions may influence the effectiveness of these strategies. Poorly designed strategies or improperly executed transactions could actually increase our risk and losses. In addition, hedging activities could result in losses if the event against which we hedge does not occur. For example, interest rate hedging could fail to protect us or adversely affect us because, among other things:

 

•

available interest rate hedging may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought;

 

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•

the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related liability;

 

•

as explained in further detail in the risk factor immediately below, the party owing money in the hedging transaction may default on its obligation to pay;

 

•

the credit quality of the party owing money on the hedge may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction; and

 

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the value of derivatives used for hedging may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with accounting rules to reflect changes in fair value. Downward adjustments, or “mark-to-market losses,” would reduce our stockholders’ equity.

Whether the derivatives we acquire achieve hedge accounting treatment under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, or SFAS 133, or not, hedging generally involves costs and risks. Our hedging strategies may adversely affect us because hedging activities involve costs that we will incur regardless of the effectiveness of the hedging activity. Those costs may be higher in periods of market volatility, both because the counterparties to our derivative agreements may demand a higher payment for taking risks, and because repeated adjustments of our hedges during periods of interest rate changes also may increase costs. Especially if our hedging strategies are not effective, we could incur significant hedging-related costs without any corresponding economic benefits.

Our use of certain hedging techniques may expose us to counterparty risks.

If a swap counterparty under an interest rate swap agreement that we intend to enter into as part of our hedging strategy cannot perform under the terms of the interest rate swap, we may not receive payments due under that agreement, and thus, we may lose any unrealized gain associated with the interest rate swap. The hedged liability could cease to be hedged by the interest rate swap. Additionally, we may also risk the loss of any collateral we have pledged to secure our obligations under the interest rate swap if the counterparty becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy. Similarly, if an interest rate cap counterparty fails to perform under the terms of the interest rate cap agreement, in addition to not receiving payments due under that agreement that would off-set our interest expense, we could also incur a loss for all remaining unamortized premium paid for that security.

We may fail to qualify for hedge accounting treatment.

We intend to record derivative and hedge transactions in accordance with SFAS 133. Under these standards, we may fail to qualify for hedge accounting treatment for a number of reasons, including if we use instruments that do not meet the SFAS 133 definition of a derivative (such as short sales), we fail to satisfy SFAS 133 hedge documentation and hedge effectiveness assessment requirements or our instruments are not highly effective. If we fail to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, our operating results may suffer because losses on the derivatives that we enter into may not be offset by a change in the fair value of the related hedged transaction.

Continued adverse developments in the residential mortgage market, including recent defaults, credit losses and liquidity concerns, could make it difficult for us to borrow money to acquire agency securities on a leveraged basis, on favorable terms or at all, which could adversely affect our profitability.

We intend to rely on the availability of financing to acquire agency securities on a leveraged basis. Institutions from which we will seek to obtain financing may have owned or financed RMBS which have declined in value and caused them to suffer losses as a result of the recent downturn in the residential mortgage market. If these conditions persist, these institutions may be forced to exit the repurchase market, become insolvent or further tighten their lending standards or increase the amount of equity capital or haircut required to obtain financing, and in such event, could make it more difficult for us to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all. Our profitability may be adversely affected if we were unable to obtain cost-effective financing for our investments.

 

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Failure to procure adequate repurchase agreement financing, or to renew or replace existing repurchase agreement financing as it matures, would adversely affect our results of operations and may, in turn, negatively affect the market value of our common stock and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We intend to use repurchase agreement financing as a strategy to increase our return on investments. However, we may not be able to achieve our desired debt-to-equity ratio for a number of reasons, including the following:

 

•

our lenders do not make repurchase agreement financing available to us at acceptable rates;

 

•

our lenders require that we pledge additional collateral to cover our borrowings, which we may be unable to do; or

 

•

we determine that the leverage would expose us to excessive risk.

We cannot assure you that any, or sufficient, repurchase agreement financing will be available to us in the future on terms that are acceptable to us. Recently, investors and financial institutions that lend in the securities repurchase market, have tightened lending standards in response to the difficulties and changed economic conditions that have materially adversely affected the RMBS market. While the market disruptions have been most pronounced in the non-agency RMBS market, recently, the impact has extended to agency RMBS and the value of these assets has become unstable and relatively illiquid compared to prior periods. Any decline in their value, or perceived market uncertainty about their value, would make it more difficult for us to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all, or maintain our compliance with terms of any financing arrangements already in place. Additionally, the lenders from which we will seek to obtain repurchase financing may have owned or financed RMBS that have declined in value and caused the lender to suffer losses as a result of the recent downturn in the residential mortgage market. If these conditions persist, these institutions may be forced to exit the repurchase market, become insolvent or further tighten lending standards or increase the amount of equity capital or haircut required to obtain financing, and in such event, could make it more difficult for us to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all. In the event that we cannot obtain sufficient funding on acceptable terms, there may be a negative impact on the value of our common stock and our ability to make distributions, and you may lose part or all of your investment.

Furthermore, because we will rely primarily on short-term borrowings, our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend not only on our ability to borrow money in sufficient amounts and on favorable terms, but also on our ability to renew or replace on a continuous basis our maturing short-term borrowings. If we are not able to renew or replace maturing borrowings, we will have to sell some or all of our assets, possibly under adverse market conditions.

Our strategy involves significant leverage, which may cause substantial losses.

We expect our leverage will range between five and 10 times the amount of our stockholder’s equity (calculated in accordance with GAAP), which must comply with the leverage threshold requirements in our investment guidelines. We will incur this leverage by borrowing against a substantial portion of the market value of our agency securities. By incurring this leverage, we could enhance our returns. Nevertheless, this leverage, which is fundamental to our investment strategy, also creates significant risks.

Because of our significant leverage, we may incur substantial losses if our borrowing costs increase. Our borrowing costs may increase for any of the following reasons:

 

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short-term interest rates increase;

 

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the market value of our agency securities decreases;

 

•

interest rate volatility increases; or

 

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the availability of financing in the market decreases.

 

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Pursuant to the terms of borrowings under our master repurchase agreements, we will be subject to margin calls that could result in defaults or force us to sell assets under adverse market conditions or through foreclosure.

We have entered into master repurchase agreements with eleven financial institutions and are in negotiations with several others regarding master repurchase agreements. We intend to borrow under these master repurchase agreements to finance the acquisition of agency securities for our investment portfolio. Pursuant to the terms of borrowings under our master repurchase agreements, a decline in the value of the subject agency securities may result in our lenders initiating margin calls. A margin call means that the lender requires us to pledge additional collateral to re-establish the ratio of the value of the collateral to the amount of the borrowing. The specific collateral value to borrowing ratio that would trigger a margin call is not set in the master repurchase agreements and will not be determined until we engage in a repurchase transaction under these agreements. We will not borrow under these master repurchase agreements until after the completion of this offering. Our fixed-rate agency securities generally are more susceptible to margin calls as increases in interest rates tend to more negatively affect the market value of fixed-rate securities. If we are unable to satisfy margin calls, our lenders may foreclose on our collateral. The threat of or occurrence of a margin call could force us to sell either directly or through a foreclosure our agency securities under adverse market conditions. Because of the significant leverage we expect to have, we may incur substantial losses upon the threat or occurrence of a margin call.

Our borrowings, which will generally be made under our master repurchase agreements, may qualify for special treatment under the Bankruptcy Code. This special treatment would allow the lenders under these agreements to avoid the automatic stay provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and to liquidate the collateral under these agreements without delay.

If our lenders pursuant to our repurchase transactions default on their obligations to resell the underlying agency security back to us at the end of the transaction term, or if the value of the underlying agency security has declined by the end of the term or if we default on our obligations under the transaction, we will lose money on these transactions.

When we engage in a repurchase transaction, we initially sell securities to the financial institution under one of our master repurchase agreements in exchange for cash and our counterparty is obligated to resell the securities to us at the end of the term of the transaction, which is typically from 30 to 90 days, but which may have terms up to 364 days. The cash we receive when we initially sell the securities is less than the value of those securities, which is referred to as the haircut. Many financial institutions from whom we may obtain repurchase agreement financing have recently increased their haircut, from approximately 3.0% on average to approximately 5.0% on average, which means that we will only be able to borrow against approximately 95% of the value of the agency securities we will initially sell in these transactions. These increased haircuts will require us to post additional cash collateral for our agency securities. The haircut rates under the eleven master repurchase agreements we have entered into and the others we are in the process of negotiating will not be set until we engage in a specific repurchase transaction under these agreements. If our counterparty defaults on its obligation to resell the securities to us we would incur a loss on the transaction equal to the amount of the haircut (assuming there was no change in the value of the securities). We would also lose money on a repurchase transaction if the value of the underlying securities has declined as of the end of the transaction term, as we would have to repurchase the securities for their initial value but would receive securities worth less than that amount. Any losses we incur on our repurchase transactions could adversely affect our earnings, and thus our cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

If we default on one of our obligations under a repurchase transaction, the counterparty can terminate the transaction and cease entering into any other repurchase transactions with us. In that case, we would likely need to establish a replacement repurchase facility with another financial institution in order to continue to leverage our portfolio and carry out our investment strategy. There is no assurance we would be able to establish a suitable replacement facility on acceptable terms or at all.

 

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Our rights under our repurchase agreements will be subject to the effects of the bankruptcy laws in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of us or our lenders under the repurchase agreements.

In the event of our insolvency or bankruptcy, certain repurchase agreements may qualify for special treatment under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the effect of which, among other things, would be to allow the lender under the applicable repurchase agreement to avoid the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and to foreclose on the collateral agreement without delay. In the event of the insolvency or bankruptcy of a lender during the term of a repurchase agreement, the lender may be permitted, under applicable insolvency laws, to repudiate the contract, and our claim against the lender for damages may be treated simply as an unsecured creditor. In addition, if the lender is a broker or dealer subject to the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, or an insured depository institution subject to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, our ability to exercise our rights to recover our securities under a repurchase agreement or to be compensated for any damages resulting from the lender’s insolvency may be further limited by those statutes. These claims would be subject to significant delay and, if and when received, may be substantially less than the damages we actually incur.

Changes in accounting treatment may adversely affect our profitability.

In February 2008, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued final guidance regarding the accounting and financial statement presentation for transactions that involve the acquisition of agency securities from a counterparty and the subsequent financing of these agency securities through repurchase agreements with the same counterparty. To date, we have not entered into any such transactions. We will evaluate our position based on the final guidance issued by FASB. If we do not meet the criteria under the final guidance to account for the transactions on a gross basis, our accounting treatment would not affect the economics of these transactions, but would affect how these transactions are reported on our financial statements. If we are not able to comply with the criteria under this final guidance for same party transactions we would be precluded from presenting agency securities and the related financings, as well as the related interest income and interest expense, on a gross basis on our financial statements. Instead, we would be required to account for the purchase commitment and related repurchase agreement on a net basis and record a forward commitment to purchase agency securities as a derivative instrument. Such forward commitments would be recorded at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Additionally, we would record the cash portion of our investment in agency securities as a mortgage related receivable from the counterparty on our balance sheet. Although we would not expect this change in presentation to have a material impact on our net income, it could have an adverse impact on our operations. It could have an impact on our ability to include certain agency securities purchased and simultaneously financed from the same counterparty as qualifying real estate interests or real estate-related assets used to qualify under the exemption to not have to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. It could also limit our investment opportunities as we may need to limit our purchases of agency securities that are simultaneously financed with the same counterparty.

Risks Related to This Offering

There may not be an active market for our common stock, which may cause our common stock to trade at a discount and make it difficult to sell the common stock you purchase.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price for our common stock will be determined by negotiations between the underwriters and us. The initial public offering price may not correspond to the price at which our common stock will trade in the public market subsequent to this offering and the price of our shares available in the public market may not reflect our actual financial performance.

Subject to official notice of issuance, our common stock has been approved for listing on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “AGNC.” Trading on Nasdaq will not ensure that an actual market will develop for our common stock. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to:

 

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the likelihood that an actual market for our common stock will develop;

 

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•

the liquidity of any such market;

 

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the ability of any holder to sell shares of our common stock; or

 

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the prices that may be obtained for our common stock.

The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile following this offering.

Even if an active trading market develops for our common stock after this offering, the market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and be subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of our common stock declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price. We cannot assure you that the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future. Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our common stock include:

 

•

actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results or distributions;

 

•

changes in our earnings estimates or publication of research reports about us or the real estate or specialty finance industry;

 

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increases in market interest rates that lead purchasers of our shares of common stock to demand a higher yield;

 

•

changes in market valuations of similar companies;

 

•

adverse market reaction to any increased indebtedness we incur in the future;

 

•

actions by institutional stockholders;

 

•

speculation in the press or investment community; and

 

•

general market and economic conditions.

Broad market fluctuations could negatively impact the market price of our common stock.

The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of many companies in industries similar or related to ours and that have been unrelated to these companies’ operating performances. These broad market fluctuations could reduce the market price of our common stock. Furthermore, our operating results and prospects may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors or may be lower than those of companies with comparable market capitalizations, which could lead to a material decline in the market price of our common stock.

Future offerings of debt securities, which would rank senior to our common stock upon our liquidation, and future offerings of equity securities, which would dilute our existing stockholders and may be senior to our common stock for the purposes of dividend and liquidating distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

In the future, we may raise capital through the issuance of debt or equity securities. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and preferred stock, if any, and lenders with respect to other borrowings will be entitled to our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common stock, or both. Our preferred stock, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on dividend payments that could limit our ability to pay dividends to the holders of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares of our common stock issued pursuant to our incentive plan), or the perception that these sales could occur, could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other

 

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factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus holders of our common stock will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting the value of their stock holdings in us.

Future sales of shares of our common stock may depress the price of our shares.

We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future sales of our common stock or the availability of shares for future sales on the market price of our common stock. Any sales of a substantial number of our shares in the public market, or the perception that sales might occur, may cause the market price of our shares to decline.

Upon completion of this offering, American Capital will own approximately 16.7% of the number of shares outstanding upon completion of this offering, or 14.8% assuming the underwriters’ over-allotment is exercised in full, as a result of its purchase of 100 shares in our initial capitalization and its investment of $50 million of our common stock at the initial public offering price in a private placement concurrently with the completion of this offering. American Capital has indicated that it may elect to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this concurrent private placement or as part of this offering, subject to a maximum additional investment of $50 million of our common stock (for a maximum total investment of $100 million). If American Capital elects to purchase additional shares of our common stock, American Capital’s percentage ownership of our common stock could increase substantially. We cannot assure you that American Capital will make this offer or, if it does, the additional amount it may offer to purchase. We expect our Board of Directors to grant American Capital an exemption from the 9.8% ownership limitation. Pursuant to the management agreement, our Manager may elect to receive up to 25% of any quarterly installment of the incentive compensation in shares of our common stock, subject to all applicable securities, securities exchange and REIT-related laws, rules and regulations. We will enter into a registration rights agreement with American Capital and our Manager with respect to the common stock owned by American Capital upon completion of this offering or that and any shares of common stock that our Manager may elect to receive as a part of its incentive compensation under our management agreement. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we will grant American Capital and our Manager (i) unlimited demand registration rights to have these shares registered for resale and (ii) the right to “piggy-back” these shares in registration statements we might file in connection with any future public offering so long as we retain our Manager as our manager. American Capital’s registration rights with respect to the $50 million of common stock that it will purchase simultaneously with the completion of this offering will only begin to apply three years after the date of this prospectus. Although American Capital has indicated to us that it does not presently intend to sell or otherwise dispose of these shares for a period of at least three years after the date of this prospectus, American Capital’s intentions may change at any time in the future. If American Capital’s intentions should change, it may sell these shares in a transaction that is not subject to registration under the Securities Act if an exemption from such registration is available. We cannot predict the effect that any sale of our common stock by American Capital or our Manager will have on the market price of our common stock.

You should not rely on lock-up agreements in connection with this offering to limit the amount of common stock sold into the market.

We and each of our Manager, our directors and executive officers will severally agree that, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated dispose of or hedge any shares of our common stock, subject to certain exceptions and extension in certain circumstances. American Capital will agree that, for a period of 365 days after the date of this prospectus, it will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, dispose of or hedge any of the shares of our common stock that it will receive in exchange for its investment in our company pursuant to the concurrent private placement described above, subject to certain exceptions and extension in certain circumstances. These lock-up agreements will not apply to any shares of our common stock that may be issued to our Manager or American Capital in the future pursuant to the management agreement or our equity incentive plan for our manager and its affiliates.

 

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There are no present agreements between Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and any of American Capital, our Manager, our directors, our executive officers or us to release any of them or us from these lock-up agreements. However, we cannot predict the circumstances or timing under which Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated may waive these restrictions. These sales or a perception that these sales may occur could reduce the market price of our common stock.

We have not established a minimum dividend payment level and we cannot assure you of our ability to pay dividends in the future.

We intend to pay quarterly dividends and to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts such that all or substantially all of our taxable income in each year, subject to certain adjustments, is distributed to our stockholders. We have not established a minimum dividend payment level and the amount of our dividend will fluctuate. Our ability to pay dividends may be adversely affected by the risk factors described in this prospectus. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, the requirements for REIT qualification and such other factors as our Board of Directors may deem relevant from time to time. We may not be able to make distributions in the future or our Board of Directors may change our dividend policy in the future. In addition, some of our distributions may include a return of capital. To the extent that we decide to pay dividends in excess of our current and accumulated tax earnings and profits, such distributions would generally be considered a return of capital for federal income tax purposes. A return of capital reduces the basis of a stockholder’s investment in our common stock to the extent of such basis and is treated as capital gain thereafter.

An increase in market interest rates may cause a material decrease in the market price of our common stock.

One of the factors that investors may consider in deciding whether to buy or sell shares of our common stock is our distribution rate as a percentage of our share price relative to market interest rates. If the market price of our common stock is based primarily on the earnings and return that we derive from our investments and income with respect to our investments and our related distributions to stockholders, and not from the market value of the investments themselves, then interest rate fluctuations and capital market conditions are likely to affect adversely the market price of our common stock. For instance, if market rates rise without an increase in our distribution rate, the market price of our common stock could decrease as potential investors may require a higher distribution yield on our common stock or seek other securities paying higher distributions or interest. In addition, rising interest rates would result in increased interest expense on our variable rate debt, thereby reducing cash flow and our ability to service our indebtedness and pay distributions.

American Capital will own a significant percentage of our common stock, which could result in significant influence over the outcome of matters submitted to the vote of our stockholders.

Upon the completion of this offering, American Capital will own 2,500,100 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 16.7% of our common stock outstanding upon completion of this offering, or 14.8% assuming the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full, as a result of its purchase of 100 shares in our initial capitalization and its investment of $50 million of our common stock at the initial public offering price in a private placement concurrently with the completion of this offering. American Capital has indicated that it may elect to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this concurrent private placement or as part of this offering, subject to a maximum additional investment of $50 million of our common stock (for a maximum total investment of $100 million). If American Capital elects to purchase additional shares of our common stock, American Capital’s percentage ownership of our common stock could increase substantially. We cannot assure you that American Capital will make this offer or, if it does, the additional amount it may offer to purchase. As a result, we cannot assure you of the ultimate percentage of common stock that American Capital will own immediately after this offering. For example, if we issue an aggregate of 15,000,000 shares in this offering and the concurrent private placement, each at the anticipated public offering price of $20.00 per share, and American

 

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Capital elects to purchase $100 million of our common stock in total, American Capital would own approximately 28.6% of our common stock immediately after this offering (or 25.8% if the underwriters exercise the overallotment option in full). As a result, American Capital may have significant influence over the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including the election of our directors or transactions involving a change in control. The interests of American Capital may conflict with, or differ from, the interests of other holders of our common stock. So long as American Capital continues to own a significant percentage of shares of our common stock, it will significantly influence all our corporate decisions submitted to our stockholders for approval, regardless of whether we terminate the management agreement with our Manager.

The stock ownership limit imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for REITs and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may restrict our business combination opportunities.

To qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) at any time during the last half of each taxable year after our first year in which we qualify as a REIT. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, with certain exceptions, authorizes our Board of Directors to take the actions that are necessary and desirable to qualify as a REIT. Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, no person may beneficially or constructively own more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our common or capital stock following the completion of this offering. Our Board of Directors may grant an exemption from this 9.8% stock ownership limitation, in its sole discretion, subject to such conditions, representations and undertakings as it may determine are reasonably necessary. We expect our Board of Directors to grant American Capital an exemption from this ownership limitation. Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors has the power to increase or decrease the percentage of common or capital stock that a person may beneficially or constructively own. However, any decreased stock ownership limit will not apply to any person whose percentage ownership of our common or capital stock, as the case may be, is in excess of such decreased stock ownership limit until that person’s percentage ownership of our common or capital stock, as the case may be, equals or falls below the decreased stock ownership limit. Until such a person’s percentage ownership of our common or capital stock, as the case may be, falls below such decreased stock ownership limit, any further acquisition of common stock will be in violation of the decreased stock ownership limit. The ownership limits imposed by the tax law are based upon direct or indirect ownership by “individuals,” but only during the last half of a tax year. The ownership limits contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation apply to the ownership at any time by any “person,” which term includes entities. These ownership limitations are intended to assist us in complying with the tax law requirements, and to minimize administrative burdens. However, these ownership limits might also delay or prevent a transaction or a change in our control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

The stock ownership limitation contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation generally does not permit ownership in excess of 9.8% of our common or capital stock, and attempts to acquire our common or capital stock in excess of these limits will be ineffective unless an exemption is granted by our Board of Directors.

As described above, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation generally prohibits beneficial or constructive ownership by any person of more than 9.8% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our common or capital stock, unless exempted by our Board of Directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation’s constructive ownership rules are complex and may cause the outstanding stock owned by a group of related individuals or entities to be deemed to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than these percentages of the outstanding stock by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity to own constructively in excess of these percentages of the outstanding stock and thus be subject to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation’s ownership limit. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of our common or preferred stock (if and when issued) in excess of the ownership limit without the consent of the Board of Directors will result in the shares being automatically transferred to a charitable trust or, if the transfer to a charitable trust would not be effective, such transfer being void ab initio.

 

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Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws could discourage a change of control that our stockholders may favor, which could also adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may make it more difficult and expensive for a third party to acquire control of us, even if a change of control would be beneficial to our stockholders. For example, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will be in effect at the time this offering is completed, will authorize our Board of Directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of our preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of unissued series of our preferred stock, each without any vote or action by our stockholders. We could issue a series of preferred stock to impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt. See “Description of Capital Stock.” The anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may impede takeover attempts, or other transactions, that may be in the best interests of our stockholders and, in particular, our common stockholders. In addition, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected to the extent that provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws discourage potential takeover attempts, or other transactions, that our stockholders may favor.

Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT

If we do not qualify as a REIT or fail to remain qualified as a REIT, we will be subject to tax as a regular corporation and could face a substantial tax liability, which would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

We intend to operate in a manner that will allow us to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Although we do not intend to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, as to our REIT qualification, we will receive an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP with respect to our qualification as a REIT in connection with this offering of common stock. Investors should be aware, however, that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS or any court. The opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will represent only the view of our counsel based on our counsel’s review and analysis of existing law and on certain representations as to factual matters and covenants made by us and our Manager, including representations relating to the values of our assets and the sources of our income. The opinion will be expressed as of the date issued and will not cover subsequent periods. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will have no obligation to advise us or the holders of our common stock of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in applicable law. Furthermore, both the validity of the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and our qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis, the results of which will not be monitored by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Our ability to satisfy the asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals. Our compliance with the REIT income and quarterly asset requirements also depends upon our ability to successfully manage the composition of our income and assets on an ongoing basis. Moreover, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT qualification requirements as described below. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in subsidiaries or in securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT requirements.

If we were to fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we would be subject to federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates, and dividends paid to our stockholders would not be deductible by us in computing our taxable income. Any resulting corporate tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the value of our common stock. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Internal Revenue Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify as a REIT.

 

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Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends.

The maximum tax rate applicable to income from “qualified dividends” payable to domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates has been reduced by legislation to 15% through the end of 2010. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rates. Although this legislation does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends payable by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts and estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including our common stock.

REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.

We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our taxable income, subject to certain adjustments and excluding any net capital gain, in order for federal corporate income tax not to apply to earnings that we distribute. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our undistributed taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we pay out to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under federal tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our stockholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.

From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our income for financial reporting purposes prepared in accordance with GAAP, or differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash may occur. For example, where a borrower defers the payment of interest in cash pursuant to contractual rights or otherwise. If we do not have other funds available in these situations we could be required to borrow funds on unfavorable terms, sell investments at disadvantageous prices or distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions to make distributions sufficient to enable us to pay out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax in a particular year. These alternatives could increase our costs or reduce our equity. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to grow, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock.

Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.

Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income, tax on income from some activities conducted as a result of a foreclosure, and state or local income, property and transfer taxes, such as mortgage recording taxes. See “Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of American Capital Agency Corp.” Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our stockholders. In addition, in order to meet the REIT qualification requirements, or to avert the imposition of a 100% tax that applies to certain gains derived by a REIT from dealer property or inventory, we intend to hold some of our assets through our TRS or other subsidiary corporations that will be subject to corporate-level income tax at regular rates. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities.

To qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our stockholders and the ownership of our stock. We may be unable to pursue investments that would be otherwise advantageous to us in order to satisfy the source-of-income or asset-diversification requirements for qualifying as a REIT. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to make certain attractive investments.

Complying with REIT requirements may force us to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

To qualify as a REIT, we must ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified REIT real estate assets, including certain mortgage loans and agency securities. The remainder of our investment in securities (other than government

 

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securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 20% of the value of our total securities can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs. See “Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of American Capital Agency Corp.” If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate from our portfolio otherwise attractive investments. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.

The failure of agency securities subject to repurchase agreements to qualify as real estate assets could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

We intend to enter into financing arrangements that are structured as sale and repurchase agreements pursuant to which we would nominally sell certain of our agency securities to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase these securities at a later date in exchange for a purchase price. Economically, these agreements are financings which are secured by the agency securities sold pursuant thereto. We believe that we would be treated for REIT asset and income test purposes as the owner of the agency securities that are the subject of any such sale and repurchase agreement notwithstanding that such agreements may transfer record ownership of the agency securities to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we did not own the agency securities during the term of the sale and repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT.

Liquidation of assets may jeopardize our REIT qualification.

To qualify as a REIT, we must comply with requirements regarding our assets and our sources of income. If we are compelled to liquidate our investments to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with these requirements, ultimately jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT, or we may be subject to a 100% tax on any resultant gain if we sell assets that are treated as dealer property or inventory.

Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.

The REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code substantially limit our ability to hedge our liabilities. Any income from a hedging transaction we enter into to manage risk of interest rate changes with respect to borrowings made or to be made to acquire or carry real estate assets does not constitute “gross income” for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but would generally constitute non-qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the gross income tests. See “Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of American Capital Agency Corp.” As a result of these rules, we intend to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques or implement those hedges through a domestic TRS. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because our TRS would be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in our TRS will generally not provide any tax benefit, except for being carried forward against future taxable income in the TRS.

Qualifying as a REIT involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code provisions for which only limited judicial and administrative authorities exist. Even a technical or inadvertent violation could jeopardize our REIT qualification. Our qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. In addition, our ability to satisfy the requirements to qualify as a REIT depends in part on the actions of third parties over which we have no control or only limited influence, including in cases where we own an equity interest in an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

We make forward looking statements in this prospectus that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business and our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. They also include, among other things, statements concerning anticipated revenues, income or loss, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure, or other financial terms, as well as statements regarding subjects that are forward looking by their nature, such as:

 

•

our business and financing strategy;

 

•

our ability to deploy effectively and timely the net proceeds of this offering;

 

•

our ability to obtain future financing arrangements;

 

•

our understanding of our competition and our ability to compete effectively;

 

•

our projected operating results;

 

•

market and industry trends;

 

•

estimates relating to our future dividends;

 

•

projected capital expenditures;

 

•

our hedging activities;

 

•

interest rates; and

 

•

the impact of technology on our operations and business.

The forward looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance, taking into account the information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations may change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward looking statements. You should carefully consider these risks when you make a decision concerning an investment in our common stock, along with the following factors, among others, that may cause actual results to vary from our forward looking statements:

 

•

the factors referenced in this prospectus, including those set forth under the section captioned “Risk Factors;”

 

•

general volatility of the securities markets in which we invest and the market price of our common stock;

 

•

our lack of operating history;

 

•

changes in our business or investment strategy;

 

•

changes in interest rate spreads or the yield curve;

 

•

availability, terms and deployment of debt and equity capital;

 

•

availability of qualified personnel;

 

•

the degree and nature of our competition;

 

•

increased prepayments of the mortgage loans underlying our agency securities;

 

•

risks associated with our hedging activities;

 

•

changes in governmental regulations, tax rates and similar matters;

 

•

defaults on our investments;

 

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•

changes in GAAP;

 

•

legislative and regulatory changes (including changes to laws governing the taxation of REITs);

 

•

availability of investment opportunities in agency securities;

 

•

our ability to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and limitations imposed on our business by our status as a REIT;

 

•

general volatility in capital markets;

 

•

the adequacy of our cash reserves and working capital;

 

•

the timing of cash flows, if any, from our investment portfolio; and

 

•

other risks associated with investing in agency securities, including changes in our industry, interest rates, the debt securities markets, the general economy or the finance and real estate markets specifically.

When we use words such as “will likely result,” “plan,” “may,” “shall,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “intend,” “estimate,” “goal,” “objective,” or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this prospectus. We do not intend and disclaim any duty or obligation to update or revise any industry information or forward looking statement set forth in this prospectus to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required under U.S. federal securities laws.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We are offering 12,500,000 shares of our common stock at the anticipated initial public offering price of $20.00 per share. Concurrently, we will sell American Capital $50 million of our common stock, at the initial public offering price, in a private placement. We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from selling common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement to American Capital will be approximately $283.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of approximately $16.8 million (or, if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, approximately $318.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of approximately $19.2 million).

We plan to use all the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement to American Capital in conjunction with borrowings under our master repurchase agreements consistent with our leverage threshold to build a leveraged investment portfolio comprised exclusively of agency securities. We currently expect that at least 75% of our initial leveraged investment portfolio will consist of fixed-rate pass-through certificates and the remaining 25% will consist of a combination of (i) additional fixed-rate pass-through certificates, (ii) ARM or hybrid ARM pass-through certificates, and (iii) CMOs.

We expect to deploy the net proceeds on a leveraged basis within 90 days of the closing of this offering. Depending on the economic environment and our outlook for the mortgage market at the time we ultimately deploy the net proceeds on a leveraged basis, the percentage allocations of agency securities, including fixed rate, ARM and hybrid ARM pass-through certificates and CMOs, within our initial leveraged investment portfolio may differ from the currently expected allocations described above. See “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Depending on the availability of our targeted investments in agency securities within the 90 days following the closing of this offering, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds in readily marketable, short-term, interest-bearing investments, including money market accounts, that are consistent with our intention to qualify as a REIT. These temporary investments are expected to provide a lower net return than we hope to achieve from our targeted investments in agency securities.

 

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DISTRIBUTION POLICY

We intend to make regular quarterly distributions to our stockholders. To qualify as a REIT we must distribute to our stockholders an amount at least equal to:

 

•

90% of our REIT taxable income, determined before the deduction of dividends paid and excluding any net capital gains (which does not necessarily equal net income as calculated in accordance with GAAP); plus

 

•

90% of the excess of our taxable income from foreclosure property (as defined in Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code) over the tax imposed on such income by the Internal Revenue Code; less

 

•

Any excess non-cash income (as determined under the Internal Revenue Code). See “Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of American Capital Agency Corp.—Annual Distribution Requirements.”

We will be subject to income tax on our taxable income that is not distributed and to an excise tax to the extent that certain percentages of our taxable income are not distributed by specified dates. See “Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of American Capital Agency Corp.—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Income as computed for purposes of the foregoing tax rules will not necessarily correspond to our income as determined for financial reporting purposes.

Distributions will be authorized by our Board of Directors and declared by us based upon a number of factors, including actual results of operations, restrictions under Delaware law, the timing of the deployment of the net proceeds of this offering, our Core Earnings, our financial condition, our taxable income, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, our operating expenses and other factors our directors deem relevant. Our ability to make distributions to our stockholders will depend upon the performance of our investment portfolio, and, in turn, upon our Manager’s management of our business. Distributions will be made in cash to the extent that cash is available for distribution. We may not be able to generate sufficient net interest income to pay distributions to our stockholders. In addition, our Board of Directors may change our distribution policy in the future. See “Risk Factors.”

Distributions to stockholders will generally be taxable to our stockholders as ordinary income. However, a portion of such distributions may be designated by us as long-term capital gain to the extent that such portion is attributable to our sale of capital assets held for more than one year. If we pay distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distributions will be a treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of each stockholder’s tax basis in our common stock and as capital gain thereafter. We will furnish annually to each of our stockholders a statement setting forth distributions paid during the preceding year and their federal income tax status. For a discussion of the federal income tax treatment of our distributions, see “Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of American Capital Agency Corp.” and “Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Stockholders.”

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will allow us to issue preferred stock that could have a preference on distributions. We currently have no intention to issue any preferred stock, but if we do, the distribution preference on the preferred stock could limit our ability to make distributions to the holders of our common stock.

To the extent that our cash available for distribution is less than the amount required to be distributed under the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, we may consider various funding sources to cover any such shortfall, including borrowing under our repurchase agreements, selling certain of our assets or using a portion of the net proceeds we receive in this offering or future offerings. Our distribution policy enables us to review the alternative funding sources available to us from time to time.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and capitalization as of January 11, 2008 on an actual basis and on as adjusted basis, giving effect to:

 

•

the sale of 12,500,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at the anticipated initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, generating net proceeds of $233.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us;

 

•

the sale of 2,500,000 shares of common stock to American Capital at the anticipated initial public offering price of $20.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $50 million; and

 

•

the issuance of an aggregate of 4,500 shares of our restricted common stock to our three independent directors upon completion of this offering.

You should read this table together with “Use of Proceeds,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our historical audited balance sheet as of January 11, 2008 and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

		As of January 11, 2008
		Actual			As Adjusted(1)
					(unaudited)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,000		$	283,176,000
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,000 shares authorized, 100 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis and 15,004,600 shares issued and outstanding, on an as adjusted basis(2)			1			150,001
Additional paid-in capital			999			283,025,999
Total stockholders’ equity			1,000			283,176,000
Total capitalization		$	1,000		$	283,176,000

 

(1)

Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, the net proceeds we would receive from selling common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement to American Capital would be $318.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses.

(2)	Includes 4,500 unvested shares of our common stock.

 

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SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following table presents selected financial information as of January 11, 2008, that has been derived from our historical audited balance sheet as of January 11, 2008 and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have no operating history and no investment portfolio.

The following selected financial information is only a summary and is qualified by reference to and should be read in conjunction with the “Management’s Discussion and Analyses of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our historical audited balance sheet as of January 11, 2008 and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

		As of January 11, 2008
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,000
Total assets		$	1,000
Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity:
Liabilities		$	—
Stockholder’s equity			1,000
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity		$	1,000

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the sections of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors,” “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements,” “Business” and our audited balance sheet as of January 11, 2008 and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward looking statements reflecting current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contained in these forward looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

We are a newly-organized, Delaware corporation formed to invest exclusively in agency securities. We intend to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and will elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2008. We generally will not be subject to federal taxes on our income to the extent that we annually distribute our taxable income to our stockholders and maintain our intended qualification as a REIT.

We will be externally managed and advised by American Capital Agency Management, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Capital, LLC, which is a wholly-owned portfolio company of American Capital. American Capital is the only private equity fund and the largest alternative asset management company in the S&P 500. With $19 billion in capital resources under management, as of December 31, 2007, American Capital is the largest U.S. publicly-traded alternative asset manager. Members of American Capital’s senior management and its RMBS investment team will serve as our and our Manager’s officers. We will not have any employees.

Outlook

Our business will be affected by general U.S. residential real estate fundamentals and the overall U.S. economic environment. In particular, our strategy is influenced by the specific characteristics of these markets, including prepayment rates and interest rate levels. We expect the results of our operations to be affected by various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our results of operations will primarily depend on, among other things, the level of our net interest income, the market value of our investment portfolio and the supply of and demand for agency securities. Our net interest income, which includes the amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of discounts, will vary primarily as a result of changes in interest rates, borrowing costs, and prepayment speeds, which is a measurement of how quickly borrowers pay down the unpaid principal balance on their mortgage loans.

Current Market Conditions

Recently, the residential mortgage market in the United States has experienced a variety of difficulties and changed economic conditions including recent defaults, credit losses and liquidity concerns. Over the last few months, news of potential security liquidations has increased the volatility of many financial assets, including agency securities and other high-quality RMBS assets. As a result, values for RMBS assets, including some agency securities and other AAA-rated RMBS assets, were negatively impacted. Further increased volatility and deterioration in the broader residential mortgage and RMBS markets may adversely affect the performance and market value of the agency securities in which we intend to invest. In addition, we intend to rely on the availability of financing to acquire agency securities on a leveraged basis. There has also been a significant disruption in financing of RMBS. Institutions from which we will seek to obtain financing may have owned or financed RMBS which have declined in value and caused them to suffer losses as a result of the recent downturn in the residential mortgage market. If these conditions persist, these institutions may be forced to exit the repurchase market, become insolvent or further tighten lending standards or increase the amount of equity capital or haircut required to obtain financing, and in such event, could make it more difficult for us to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all.

 

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Prepayment Speeds. Prepayment speeds, as reflected by the Constant Prepayment Rate, or CPR, vary according to interest rates, the type of mortgage loan, conditions in financial markets and housing markets, availability of mortgages, borrowers’ credit profile, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. In general, when interest rates rise, it is relatively less attractive for borrowers to refinance their mortgage loans, and as a result, prepayment speeds tend to decrease. When interest rates fall, however, prepayment speeds tend to increase. When house price appreciation is positive, prepayment rates may increase and when house prices depreciate in value, prepayment rates may decline. For agency securities purchased at a premium, as prepayment speeds increase, the amount of income we will earn on these investments will be less than expected because the purchase premium we will pay for the bonds amortizes faster than expected. Conversely, decreases in prepayment speeds result in income greater than expected and can extend the period over which we amortize the purchase premium. For agency securities purchased at a discount, as prepayment speeds increase, the amount of income we will earn will be greater than expected because of the acceleration of the accretion of the discount into interest income. Conversely, decreases in prepayment speeds result in income less than expected and can extend the period over which we accrete the purchase discount into interest income.

Interest Rate Environment. As indicated above, as interest rates rise, prepayment speeds generally decrease, increasing our interest income. Rising interest rates, however, increase our financing costs which may result in a net negative impact on our net interest income. In addition, if we acquire agency securities collateralized by monthly reset ARMs, and three- and five-year hybrid ARMs, such interest rate increases should result in decreases in our net investment income, as there could be a timing mismatch between the interest rate reset dates on our investment portfolio and the financing costs of these investments. Monthly reset ARMs are ARMs on which coupon rates reset monthly based on indices such as one-month LIBOR. Hybrid ARMs are mortgages that have interest rates that are fixed for an initial period (typically three, five, seven or 10 years) and thereafter reset at regular intervals subject to interest rate caps.

Rising interest rates generally reduce the demand for consumer credit, including mortgage loans, due to the higher cost of borrowing. A reduction in the volume of mortgage loans originated may affect the volume of agency securities, which could affect our ability to acquire assets that satisfy our investment objectives. Rising interest rates may also cause agency securities that were issued prior to an interest rate increase to provide yields that exceed prevailing market interest rates.

Agency Securities Spreads. Since the credit market disruptions beginning in the summer of 2007, U.S. Treasury yields have declined and yields on agency securities have increased, resulting in a historically wide difference between the two yields, or the spread relationship. If fixed income market concerns continue to grow and agency security spreads increase further, the value of agency securities may decline and lenders under our repurchase agreements may require us to post additional collateral for our agency securities under outstanding repurchase agreements. Moreover, because of the credit market disruptions, many counterparties from whom we may obtain repurchase agreement financing in the future have increased their haircut, from approximately 3.0% on average to approximately 5.0% on average, which will require us to post additional cash collateral for our agency securities. Such requirements will increase our risk of triggering a margin call.

Size of Investment Portfolio. The size of our investment portfolio, as measured by the aggregate unpaid principal balance of our investment portfolio, will also be a key driver of our gross interest income. Generally, as the size of our investment portfolio grows, the amount of interest income that we receive will increase. The larger investment portfolio, however, will drive increased expenses as we will incur additional interest expense to finance the purchase of our investment portfolio.

Extension Risk. Our Manager will compute the projected weighted-average life of our investments based on assumptions regarding the rate at which the borrowers will prepay the underlying mortgages. In general, when we acquire a FRM or hybrid ARM security, we may, but are not required to, enter into an interest rate swap

 

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agreement or other hedging instrument that effectively fixes our borrowing costs for a period close to the anticipated average life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets. This strategy is designed to protect us from rising interest rates because the borrowing costs are fixed for the duration of the fixed-rate portion of the related agency security.

However, if prepayment rates decrease in a rising interest rate environment, the life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets could extend beyond the term of the swap agreement or other hedging instrument. This could have a negative impact on our results of operations, as borrowing costs would no longer be fixed after the end of the hedging instrument while the income earned on the hybrid ARM security would remain fixed. This situation may also cause the market value of our hybrid ARM security to decline, with little or no offsetting gain from the related hedging transactions. In extreme situations, we may be forced to sell assets to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur losses.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our critical accounting policies relate to investment accounting, revenue recognition, securities valuation, derivative accounting and income taxes. Each of these items involves estimates that will require management to make judgments that are subjective in nature. We will rely on our Manager’s and American Capital’s experience and analysis of historical and current market data in order to arrive at what we believe to be reasonable estimates. Under different conditions, we could report materially different amounts using these critical accounting policies.

Loans and Investments

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, or SFAS 115, requires that at the time of purchase, we designate a security as either held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading depending on our ability and intent to hold such security to maturity. Securities available-for-sale will be reported at fair value, while securities held-to-maturity will be reported at amortized cost. Although we generally intend to hold most of our agency securities until maturity, we may, from time to time, sell any of our agency securities as part of our overall management of our investment portfolio. Accordingly, we will be required to classify all of our securities as available-for-sale. All assets classified as available-for-sale will be reported at fair value, based on market prices from third-party sources, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. We do not have an investment portfolio at this time.

We will evaluate securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired will involve judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. Consideration will be given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of recovery in fair value of the agency security, and (3) our intent and ability to retain our investment in the agency security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Investments with unrealized losses will not be considered other-than-temporarily impaired if we have the ability and intent to hold the investments for a period of time, to maturity if necessary, sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or beyond the cost of the investments. Unrealized losses on securities that are considered other-than-temporary, as measured by the amount of the difference between the securities’ cost basis and its fair value, will be recognized in earnings as an unrealized loss and the cost basis of the securities will be adjusted.

Interest Income

Interest income will be accrued based on the outstanding principal amount of the securities and their contractual terms. Premiums and discounts associated with the purchase of the securities will be amortized or accreted into interest income over the projected lives of the securities using the interest method. Our policy for

 

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estimating prepayment speeds for calculating the effective yield will be to evaluate published prepayment data for similar securities, market consensus and current market conditions. If the actual prepayment experience ultimately differs from our estimate of prepayments, we will be required to make an adjustment to the amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts that would have an impact on future income.

Repurchase Agreements

We intend to finance the acquisition of agency securities for our investment portfolio through the repurchase transactions under master repurchase agreements. Repurchase transactions will be treated as collateralized financing transactions and will be carried at their contractual amounts, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective transactions. We have entered into master repurchase agreements with eleven financial institutions and are in negotiations with several others regarding master repurchase agreements, which we intend to have in place shortly before or concurrently with the completion of this offering. The economic terms of our borrowings under these master repurchase agreements will not be determined until we engage in a repurchase transaction under such agreements. We will not engage in any repurchase transactions until after the completion of this offering.

In instances where we acquire agency securities through repurchase agreements with the same counterparty from whom the agency securities were purchased, we will account for the purchase commitment and repurchase agreement on a net basis and record a forward commitment to purchase agency securities as a derivative instrument if the transaction does not comply with the criteria in FASB Staff Position FAS 140-3, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions, or FSP FAS 140-3, for gross presentation. If the transaction complies with the criteria for gross presentation in FSP FAS 140-3, we will record the assets and the related financing on a gross basis in our statements of financial condition, and the corresponding interest income and interest expense in our statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Such forward commitments are recorded at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in income. Additionally, we will record the cash portion of our investment in agency securities as a mortgage related receivable from the counterparty on our balance sheet.

Manager Compensation

The management agreement provides for the payment to our Manager of a base management fee and incentive compensation if our financial performance exceeds certain benchmarks. The base management fee and the incentive compensation will be accrued and expensed during the period for which they are earned.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

We will account for derivative financial instruments in accordance with SFAS 133. SFAS 133 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheets and to measure those instruments at fair value. Additionally, the fair value adjustments will affect either other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity until the hedged item is recognized in earnings or net income depending on whether the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge for accounting purposes and, if so, the nature of the hedging activity. Derivatives are used for hedging purposes rather than speculation. We will use quotations from a third party to determine their fair values.

In the normal course of business, we may use a variety of derivative financial instruments to manage, or hedge, interest rate risk on our borrowings. These derivative financial instruments must be effective in reducing our interest rate risk exposure in order to qualify for hedge accounting. When the terms of an underlying

 

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transaction are modified, or when the underlying hedged item ceases to exist, all changes in the fair value of the instrument are marked-to-market with changes in value included in net income for each period until the derivative instrument matures or is settled. Any derivative instrument used for risk management that does not meet the effective hedge criteria is marked-to-market with the changes in value included in net income.

Income Taxes

We will operate in a manner that we believe will allow us to be taxed as a REIT and, as a result, we do not expect to pay substantial corporate-level income taxes. Many of the requirements for REIT qualification, however, are highly technical and complex. If we were to fail to meet these requirements and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we would be subject to federal income tax, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and amounts available for distributions to our stockholders. Our TRS will be subject to federal, state and, if applicable, local income tax.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 140-3, relating to FASB SFAS No. 140, to address questions as to whether assets purchased from a particular counterparty and financed through a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty can be considered and accounted for as separate transactions. Currently, we are still evaluating our ability to record such assets and the related financing on a gross basis in our statements of financial condition, and the corresponding interest income and interest expense in our statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). For assets representing available-for-sale investment securities, as in our case, any change in fair value will be reported through other comprehensive income under SFAS 115, with the exception of other-than-temporary impairment losses, which will be recorded in the statement of operations and comprehensive (loss) income as realized losses. FASB’s staff position requires that all of the following criteria be met in order to continue the application of SFAS 140 as described above: (1) the initial transfer and repurchase financing cannot be contractually contingent on one another; (2) the repurchase financing entered into between the parties provides the initial transferor with full recourse to the transferee upon default and the repurchase price is fixed; (3) the financial asset subject to the initial transfer and repurchase financing is readily obtainable in the marketplace and the transfer is executed at market rates; and (4) the repurchase agreement and financial asset do not mature simultaneously.

In September 2006, FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, or SFAS 157. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 requires companies to disclose the fair value of its financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (i.e., levels 1, 2, and 3, as defined). Additionally, companies are required to provide enhanced disclosure regarding instruments in the level 3 category (which require significant management judgment), including a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances separately for each major category of assets and liabilities. SFAS 157 will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS 157 may have on our financial statements. We do not anticipate having significant amounts of assets in the level 3 category.

In February 2007, FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115, or SFAS 159. SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS 159 will be effective for our company beginning January 1, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS 159 will have on our financial statements.

 

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Results of Operations

As of the date of this prospectus, we have not commenced operations. We will not build an investment portfolio until we have completed this offering.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to pay dividends, fund investments and other general business needs. Our primary sources of funds for liquidity will consist of the net proceeds from this offering, net cash provided by operating activities, cash from the several repurchase agreements we expect to establish concurrently with or shortly before the completion of this offering and other financing arrangements and future issuances of common equity, preferred equity, convertible securities, trust preferred and/or debt securities.

In the future, we intend to finance our acquisition of agency securities through the use of repurchase agreements. We expect that our borrowings generally will have maturities that range from one month to one year. We expect our leverage will range between five and 10 times the amount of our stockholder’s equity (calculated in accordance with GAAP) and we must comply with the leverage threshold requirements in our investment guidelines. Our leverage policy includes excess capital over the “haircuts” required to fund our assets to guard against fluctuations in the market prices of our investment portfolio. Under the repurchase agreements, we may be required to pledge additional assets to the repurchase agreement counterparties (i.e., lenders) in the event the estimated fair value of the existing pledged collateral under such agreements declines and such lenders demand additional collateral (a margin call), which may take the form of additional securities or cash. Similarly, if the estimated fair value of investment securities increase due to changes in the market interest rates of market factors, lenders may release collateral back to us. Specifically, margin calls would result from a decline in the value of the agency securities securing our repurchase agreements, prepayments on the mortgages securing such agency securities and to changes in the estimated fair value of such agency securities generally due to principal reduction of such agency securities from scheduled amortization and resulting from changes in market interest rates and other market factors. We have entered into master repurchase agreements with eleven counterparties and are in negotiations with several other counterparties regarding master repurchase agreements, which we intend to have in place shortly before or concurrently with the completion of this offering.

We believe these identified sources of funds will be adequate for purposes of meeting our short-term (within one year) liquidity and long-term liquidity needs. Our short-term and long-term liquidity needs include funding future investments, operating costs and distributions to our stockholders. Our ability to meet our long-term liquidity and capital resource requirements may be subject to additional financing. If we are unable to obtain or renew our sources of financing or unable to obtain them on favorable terms, it may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute annually at least 90% of our taxable income. This distribution requirement limits our ability to retain earnings and thereby replenish or increase capital for operations.

Contractual Obligations

As of January 11, 2008, we had no contractual obligations. We intend to enter into a management agreement with our Manager, a subsidiary of a wholly-owned portfolio company of American Capital. Our Manager will be entitled to receive a base management fee and incentive compensation, be reimbursed for its expenses incurred on our behalf, and, in certain circumstances, receive a termination fee, each as described in the management agreement. See “Our Manager, American Capital and the Management Agreement—Our Management Agreement.” Such fees and expenses do not have fixed and determinable payments. The base management fee is payable monthly in arrears in an amount equal to 1/12 of 1% of our Equity (as defined below).

 

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Our Manager will receive incentive compensation payable each quarter. The incentive compensation will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in an amount, not to be less than zero, equal to the difference between:

 

(A)

the product of 15% multiplied by the difference between:

(i) our Core Earnings (as defined below) for the previous 12-month period, and

(ii) the weighted average of the issue price per share of our common stock of all of our public offerings of common stock multiplied by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding in such 12-month period multiplied by the greater of (a) 8% or (b) 2% plus the Ten-Year U.S. Treasury Rate (as defined below) for such 12- month period, and

 

(B)

the sum of any incentive compensation paid to our Manager for the first three quarters of such 12-month period.

For purposes of calculating incentive compensation prior to the first anniversary of the closing of this offering, Core Earnings will be calculated cumulatively on the basis of the number of days that have elapsed since the closing of this offering on an annualized basis.

“Equity” equals our month-end stockholders’ equity, adjusted to exclude the effect of any unrealized gains or losses included in either retained earnings or other comprehensive income (loss), each as computed in accordance with GAAP.

“Core Earnings” is a non-GAAP measure and is defined in the management agreement as GAAP net income (loss) excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, incentive compensation and any unrealized gains or losses that are included in net income, adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash charges after discussions between our Manager and our independent directors and approved by a majority of our independent directors.

“Ten-Year U.S. Treasury Rate” means the arithmetic average of the weekly average yield to maturity for actively traded current coupon U.S. Treasury fixed interest rate securities (adjusted to a constant maturity of 10 years) published by the Federal Reserve Board in publication H. 15, or any successor publication, during a 12-month period, or, if such rate is not published by the Federal Reserve Board, any Federal Reserve Bank or agency or department of the U.S. federal government selected by us. If we determine in good faith that the Ten-Year U.S. Treasury Rate cannot be calculated as provided above, then the rate shall be the arithmetic average of the per annum average yields to maturities, based upon closing asked prices on each business day during such 12-month period, for each actively traded marketable U.S. Treasury fixed interest rate security with a final maturity date not less than eight nor more than 12 years from the date of the closing asked prices as chosen and quoted for each business day in each such 12-month period in New York City by at least three recognized dealers in U.S. government securities selected by us.

We will be required to pay or reimburse our Manager for all expenses incurred by it related to our operations, but excluding all employment related expenses of our and our Manager’s officers and any American Capital employees who provide services to us pursuant to the management agreement.

We will also be required to pay a termination fee for our non-renewal of the management agreement without cause. This fee will be equal to three times the sum of (a) the average annual base management fee and (b) the average annual incentive compensation, in each case earned by our Manager during the prior 24-month period immediately preceding the most recently completed calendar quarter prior to the effective date of termination.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of January 11, 2008, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

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Dividends

To qualify as a REIT, we must pay annual dividends to our stockholders of at least 90% of our taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding any net capital gains. We intend to pay regular quarterly dividends to our stockholders. Before we pay any dividend, whether for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise, which would only be paid out of available cash, we must first meet both our operating requirements and scheduled debt service on our repurchase agreements or other debt payable.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk

Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The primary market risks that we will be exposed to are interest rate risk, market value risk and prepayment risk.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control.

Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with our interest-bearing liabilities, by affecting the spread between our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Changes in the level of interest rates also can affect the value of the agency securities that will constitute our investment portfolio and our ability to realize gains from the sale of these assets.

We may utilize a variety of financial instruments, including interest rate caps, collars, floors, forward contracts, future or swap agreements, in order to limit the effects of interest rates on our operations. When we use these types of derivatives to hedge the risk of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities, we may be subject to certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedge position will reduce the funds available for payments to holders of our common stock and that the losses may exceed the amount we invested in the instruments.

Our profitability and the value of our investment portfolio (including derivatives used for hedging purposes) may be adversely affected during any period as a result of changing interest rates.

Market Value Risk

Our available-for-sale securities will be reflected at their estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income pursuant to SFAS 115. The estimated fair value of these securities fluctuates primarily due to changes in interest rates and other factors. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, the estimated fair value of these securities would be expected to decrease; conversely, in a decreasing interest rate environment, the estimated fair value of these securities would be expected to increase.

Prepayment Risk

As we receive repayments of principal on our investment portfolio, premiums paid on such investments will be amortized against interest income using the effective yield method through the expected maturity dates of the investments. In general, an increase in prepayment rates will accelerate the amortization of purchase premiums, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the investments. Conversely discounts received on such investments are accreted into interest income using the effective yield method through the expected maturity

 

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dates of the investments. In general, a decrease in prepayment rates will slow the accretion of purchase discounts, thereby reducing the interest income earned on the investments.

Extension Risk

Our Manager will compute the projected weighted-average life of our investments based on assumptions regarding the rate at which the borrowers will prepay the underlying mortgage loans. In general, when we acquire a FRM or hybrid ARM security, we may, but are not required to, enter into an interest rate swap agreement or other hedging instrument that effectively fixes our borrowing costs for a period close to the anticipated average life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets. This strategy is designed to protect us from rising interest rates because the borrowing costs are fixed for the duration of the fixed-rate portion of the related agency security.

However, if prepayment rates decrease in a rising interest rate environment, the life of the fixed-rate portion of the related assets could extend beyond the term of the swap agreement or other hedging instrument. This could have a negative impact on our results from operations, as borrowing costs would no longer be fixed after the end of the hedging instrument while the income earned on the hybrid ARM security would remain fixed. This situation may also cause the market value of our hybrid ARM security to decline, with little or no offsetting gain from the related hedging transactions. In extreme situations, we may be forced to sell assets to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur losses.

Inflation

Virtually all of our assets and liabilities will be interest rate sensitive in nature. As a result, interest rates and other factors influence our performance more so than does inflation. Changes in interest rates do not necessarily correlate with inflation rates or changes in inflation rates. Further, our financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and our distributions are determined by our Board of Directors based primarily by our net income as calculated for tax purposes, in each case, our activities and balance sheet are measured with reference to historical cost and/or fair market value without considering inflation.

 

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BUSINESS

General

We are a newly-organized, Delaware corporation formed to invest exclusively in single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities and CMOs guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency, such as GNMA, or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity, such as FNMA and FHLMC. These investments are mortgage-backed securities for which the principal and interest are guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity. We have no operating history and no investment portfolio. We will commence operations upon completion of this offering.

Our principal goal will be to generate net income for distribution to our stockholders through regular quarterly dividends, from our net interest income earned. We intend to fund our investments primarily through short-term borrowings structured as repurchase agreements. Recent adverse developments in the residential mortgage market have caused a significant disruption in financing for RMBS. Despite these market disruptions, we believe that financing of agency securities will continue to be available on favorable terms.

We intend to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and will elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2008. We generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on our taxable income to the extent that we annually distribute all of our taxable income to our stockholders and maintain our intended qualification as a REIT. Our TRS will be subject to federal, state and, if applicable, local income tax.

We will be externally managed and advised by our Manager, pursuant to the terms of a management agreement. Our Manager will be responsible for administering our business activities and day-to-day operations, subject to the supervision and oversight of our Board of Directors. Our Manager is a subsidiary of a wholly-owned portfolio company of American Capital. American Capital is the only private equity fund and the largest alternative asset management company in the S&P 500. With $19 billion in capital resources under management, as of December 31, 2007, American Capital is the largest U.S. publicly-traded alternative asset manager. Members of American Capital’s senior management and its RMBS investment team will serve as our and our Manager’s officers. We will not pay any of these individuals any cash or equity-based compensation. Rather, we will pay our Manager a base management fee and incentive compensation based, in part, on its performance pursuant to the management agreement. Because neither we nor our Manager will have any employees, our Manager will enter into an administrative services agreement with American Capital, pursuant to which our Manager will have access to American Capital’s employees, infrastructure, business relationships, management expertise and capital raising capabilities. This access to American Capital’s infrastructure will allow our Manager to dedicate its time to managing our investment portfolio on our behalf so that we may fully take advantage of opportunities in the agency securities market.

Investment Considerations

When making an investment in our common stock, you should consider the following:

 

•

Access to an Established Asset Manager with an Extensive Infrastructure. Our Manager is a subsidiary of a wholly-owned portfolio company of American Capital, the largest U.S. publicly traded alternative asset manager that is a member of the S&P 500 and the largest U.S. publicly traded private equity fund. American Capital had approximately $19 billion of capital resources under management and over 300 investment professionals, as of December 31, 2007. Members of American Capital’s senior management and its RMBS investment team, which was hired by American Capital in September 2007 to pursue various residential mortgage investment strategies, will serve as our and our Manager’s officers. Our Manager will be able to leverage American Capital’s infrastructure on our behalf, including its extensive financial reporting operations, its dedicated equity and debt capital markets fund raising teams, as well as its business development and legal teams. Over the years, American Capital has developed comprehensive financial monitoring and risk management policies and procedures, all of which we believe will be beneficial to us.

 

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•

Experienced RMBS Investment Team. Mr. Jeffrey, our Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, has over 20 years of experience trading and investing in RMBS. Since joining American Capital in September 2007, Mr. Jeffrey has led American Capital’s eight-member RMBS investment team, which includes Messrs. Yu and Smith, each of whom is an officer of our Manager. Messrs. Jeffrey, Yu and Smith have an average of 21 years of RMBS investing experience and have worked together for the majority of their professional careers. We expect American Capital’s experienced investment team to be a differentiating competitive advantage relative to our competitors.

 

•

Focused Investment Strategy For Agency Securities. Our investment strategy seeks to optimize our risk adjusted returns by creating an investment portfolio consisting exclusively of agency securities. Because we will invest exclusively in agency securities, our investment portfolio will have limited credit risk due to the guarantee of principal and interest payments by a U.S. Government agency or U.S. Government-sponsored entity. We expect our focused investment strategy to be a competitive advantage relative to other residential mortgage investors that have experienced a deterioration in the credit performance of their residential mortgage loan investment portfolios.

 

•

Access to American Capital’s Fund Raising Capabilities. We will have access to American Capital’s infrastructure, including its dedicated equity and debt capital markets teams, which collectively have 19 employees, as of December 31, 2007. American Capital has demonstrated its ability to raise significant amounts of debt and equity capital during various market environments and we believe we will benefit from American Capital’s experience and guidance in this regard. Since its initial public offering in 1997 through December 31, 2007, American Capital has completed 31 common stock offerings raising net proceeds in excess of $5 billion, successfully raised approximately $4 billion of public and private term debt and completed 10 securitization transactions totaling approximately $3 billion. Additionally, American Capital has equity and debt financing relationships with more than 40 global financial institutions. We believe that having access to American Capital’s fund raising capabilities provides a competitive advantage relative to our competitors and will assist us in our efforts to build our investment portfolio over time.

 

•

Strong Alignment of American Capital’s and our Manager’s Interests. American Capital will purchase $50 million of our common stock at the initial public offering price in a private placement, and will own approximately 16.7% of our outstanding common stock upon the completion of this offering, or 14.8% assuming the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full. In addition, our Manager will be entitled to receive incentive compensation to the extent that our Core Earnings exceed a specified threshold, and may elect that up to 25% of each quarterly installment of its incentive compensation be paid in shares of our common stock. See “Our Manager, American Capital and the Management Agreement—Our Management Agreement.” We believe that American Capital’s significant ownership of our common stock upon completion of this offering, and our Manager’s incentive compensation structure, will align American Capital’s and our Manager’s interests with our interests.

 

•

Clean Balance Sheet With No Legacy Investment Portfolio. As a newly-formed entity with no legacy investments, we intend to build an initial investment portfolio consisting exclusively of agency securities that will be acquired after this offering. As a result, the performance of our initial investment portfolio will not be affected by any previously purchased agency securities generating lower net interest income.

Our Investment Strategy

Our investment strategy is designed to:

 

•

build an investment portfolio consisting exclusively of agency securities that seeks to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns;

 

•

manage financing, interest and prepayment rate risks;

 

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•

capitalize on discrepancies in the relative valuations in the agency securities market;

 

•

provide regular quarterly distributions to stockholders;

 

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qualify as a REIT; and

 

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remain exempt from the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

We expect to employ the expertise and experience of American Capital’s RMBS investment team to build an investment portfolio consisting exclusively of agency securities that incorporates our Manager’s understanding and outlook of the RMBS market by capitalizing on changes in the prepayment and interest rate environment both currently, due to disruptions throughout the mortgage market, and going forward as future trends emerge.

Our Targeted Investments

Agency securities consist of single-family residential pass-through certificates and CMOs for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency or U.S. Government-sponsored entity.

 

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Single-Family Residential Pass-Through Certificates. Single-family residential pass-through certificates are securities representing interests in “pools” of mortgage loans secured by residential real property where payments of both interest and principal, plus pre-paid principal, on the securities are made monthly to holders of the securities, in effect “passing through” monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the mortgage loans that underlie the securities, net of fees paid to the issuer/guarantor and servicers of the securities.

 

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Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs). CMOs are structured instruments comprised of agency securities. Interest and principal, if applicable, plus pre-paid principal, on a CMO are paid on a monthly basis. CMOs consist of multiple classes of securities, with each class bearing different stated maturity dates. Monthly payments of principal, including prepayments, are first returned to investors holding the shortest maturity class; investors holding the longer maturity classes receive principal only after the first class has been retired.

The agency securities that we intend to acquire provide funds for mortgage loans made to residential homeowners. These securities generally represent interests in pools of mortgage loans made by savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, commercial banks and other mortgage lenders. These pools of mortgage loans are assembled for sale to investors, such as us, by various government, government-related or private organizations.

Agency securities differ from other forms of traditional debt securities, which normally provide for periodic payments of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or on specified call dates. Instead, agency securities provide for a monthly payment, which consists of both interest and principal. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly interest and scheduled and prepaid principal payments made by the individual borrower on the mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer, servicer or guarantor of the securities.

The investment characteristics of agency securities differ from those of traditional fixed-income securities. The major differences include the payment of interest and principal on the securities on a more frequent schedule, as described above, and the possibility that principal may be prepaid at any time due to prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans or other assets. These differences can result in significantly greater price and yield volatility than is the case with traditional fixed-income securities.

Various factors affect the rate at which mortgage prepayments occur, including changes in the level and directional trends in housing prices, interest rates, general economic conditions, the age of the mortgage loan, the location of the property and other social and demographic conditions. Generally, prepayments on agency securities increase during periods of falling mortgage interest rates and decrease during periods of rising mortgage interest rates. However, this may not always be the case. We may reinvest principal repayments at a yield that is higher or lower than the yield on the repaid investment, thus affecting our net interest income by altering the average yield on our assets.

 

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However, when interest rates are declining, the value of agency securities with prepayment options may not increase as much as other fixed income securities. The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages will affect the price and volatility of agency securities and may have the effect of shortening or extending the duration of the security beyond what was anticipated at the time of purchase. When interest rates rise, our holdings of agency securities may experience reduced returns if the owners of the underlying mortgages pay off their mortgages slower than anticipated. This is generally referred to as extension risk.

Payments of principal and interest on agency securities, although not the market value of the securities themselves, may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by GNMA, or by a U.S. Government-sponsored entity, such as FNMA or FHLMC.

These agency securities are collateralized by either FRMs, ARMs, or hybrid ARMs. Our allocation between securities collateralized by FRMs, ARMs or hybrid ARMs will depend on various factors including, but not limited to, relative value, expected future prepayment trends, supply and demand, costs of hedging, costs of financing, expected future interest rate volatility and the overall shape of the U.S. Treasury and interest rate swap yield curves. We intend to take these factors into account when we consider making these types of investments.

The types of single-family residential pass-through certificates in which we may invest, or which may comprise the CMOs in which we may invest, are described below.

FHLMC Gold Certificates

FHLMC is a shareholder-owned, federally-chartered corporation created pursuant to an act of the U.S. Congress on July 24, 1970. The principal activity of FHLMC currently consists of the purchase of mortgage loans or participation interests in mortgage loans and the resale of the loans and participations in the form of guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. FHLMC guarantees to each holder of FHLMC gold certificates the timely payment of interest at the applicable pass-through rate and principal on the holder’s pro rata share of the unpaid principal balance of the related mortgage loans. The obligations of FHLMC under its guarantees are solely those of FHLMC and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. If FHLMC were unable to satisfy these obligations, distributions to holders of FHLMC certificates would consist solely of payments and other recoveries on the underlying mortgage loans and, accordingly, defaults and delinquencies on the underlying mortgage loans would adversely affect monthly distributions to holders of FHLMC certificates.

FHLMC gold certificates are backed by pools of single-family mortgage loans or multi-family mortgage loans. These underlying mortgage loans may have original terms to maturity of up to 40 years. FHLMC certificates may be issued under cash programs (composed of mortgage loans purchased from a number of sellers) or guarantor programs (composed of mortgage loans acquired from one seller in exchange for certificates representing interests in the mortgage loans purchased).

FNMA Certificates

FNMA is a shareholder owned, federally-chartered corporation organized and existing under the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act, created in 1938 and rechartered in 1968 by Congress as a stockholder owned company. FNMA provides funds to the mortgage market primarily by purchasing home mortgage loans from local lenders, thereby replenishing their funds for additional lending. FNMA guarantees to the registered holder of a FNMA certificate that it will distribute amounts representing scheduled principal and interest on the mortgage loans in the pool underlying the FNMA certificate, whether or not received, and the full principal amount of any such mortgage loan foreclosed or otherwise finally liquidated, whether or not the principal amount is actually received. The obligations of FNMA under its guarantees are solely those of FNMA and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. If FNMA were unable to satisfy its obligations, distributions to holders of FNMA certificates would consist solely of payments and other recoveries on the underlying mortgage loans and, accordingly, defaults and delinquencies on the underlying mortgage loans would adversely affect monthly distributions to holders of FNMA.

 

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FNMA certificates may be backed by pools of single-family or multi-family mortgage loans. The original term to maturity of any such mortgage loan generally does not exceed 40 years. FNMA certificates may pay interest at a fixed rate or an adjustable rate. Each series of FNMA ARM certificates bears an initial interest rate and margin tied to an index based on all loans in the related pool, less a fixed percentage representing servicing compensation and FNMA’s guarantee fee. The specified index used in different series has included the Treasury Index, the 11th District Cost of Funds Index published by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, LIBOR and other indices. Interest rates paid on fully-indexed FNMA ARM certificates equal the applicable index rate plus a specified number of percentage points. The majority of series of FNMA ARM certificates issued to date have evidenced pools of mortgage loans with monthly, semi-annual or annual interest rate adjustments. Adjustments in the interest rates paid are generally limited to an annual increase or decrease of either 1.00% or 2.00% and to a lifetime cap of 5.00% or 6.00% over the initial interest rate.

GNMA Certificates

GNMA is a wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of the United States within the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. The National Housing Act of 1934 authorizes GNMA to guarantee the timely payment of the principal of and interest on certificates which represent an interest in a pool of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, or partially guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other loans eligible for inclusion in mortgage pools underlying GNMA certificates. Section 306(g) of the Housing Act provides that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the payment of all amounts which may be required to be paid under any guaranty by GNMA.

At present, most GNMA certificates are backed by single-family mortgage loans. The interest rate paid on GNMA certificates may be a fixed rate or an adjustable rate. The interest rate on GNMA certificates issued under GNMA’s standard ARM program adjusts annually in relation to the Treasury index. Adjustments in the interest rate are generally limited to an annual increase or decrease of 1.00% and to a lifetime cap of 5.00% over the initial coupon rate.

Investment Methods

We may, in the future, utilize “to-be-announced” forward contracts, or TBAs, in order to invest in agency securities. Pursuant to these TBAs, we would agree to purchase, for future delivery, agency securities with certain principal and interest terms and certain types of underlying collateral, but the particular agency securities to be delivered would not be identified until shortly before the TBA settlement date. Our ability to purchase agency securities through TBAs may be limited by the 75% asset test applicable to REITs. See “Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of American Capital Agency Corp.—Asset Tests.”

Investment Committee and Investment Guidelines

Our Manager will establish an investment committee, which will initially consist of Messrs. Wilkus, Erickson, Flax, Grunewald and McHale, each of whom are officers of our Manager. The investment committee will propose investment guidelines, which will be subject to the approval of our Board of Directors. The investment committee will meet monthly to discuss diversification of our investment portfolio, hedging and financing strategies and compliance with the investment guidelines. Our Board of Directors will receive an investment report and review our investment portfolio and related compliance with the investment guidelines on at least a quarterly basis. Our Board of Directors will not review or approve individual investments unless the investment is outside our operating policies or investment guidelines.

We expect the investment committee to propose, and our Board of Directors to approve, the following investment guidelines:

 

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no investment shall be made in any non-agency securities;

 

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•

our leverage may not exceed 10 times our stockholders’ equity (as computed in accordance with GAAP), which we refer to as our leverage threshold. In the event that our leverage inadvertently exceeds the leverage threshold, we may not utilize additional leverage without prior approval from our Board of Directors until we are once again in compliance with the leverage threshold;

 

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no investment shall be made that would cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes;

 

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no investment shall be made that would cause us to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act; and

 

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prior to entering into any proposed investment transaction with American Capital or any of its affiliates, a majority of our independent directors must approve the terms of the transaction.

The investment committee may change these investment guidelines at any time with the approval of our Board of Directors, but without any approval from our stockholders.

Our Financing Strategy

As part of our investment strategy, we intend to borrow against our investment portfolio pursuant to our master repurchase agreements. A repurchase transaction acts as a financing under which we effectively pledge our agency securities as collateral to secure a short-term loan. We expect that our borrowings pursuant to these repurchase transactions generally will have maturities that range from 30 to 90 days, but may have maturities of up to 364 days. We expect our leverage will range between five to 10 times the amount of our stockholder’s equity (calculated in accordance with GAAP) which must comply with the leverage threshold requirements in our investment guidelines.

We have entered into master repurchase agreements with eleven financial institutions and are in negotiations with several others regarding master repurchase agreements, which we intend to have in place shortly before or concurrently with the completion of this offering. The terms of the repurchase transaction borrowings under our master repurchase agreements will generally conform to the terms in the standard master repurchase agreement as published by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) as to repayment, margin requirements and the segregation of all securities we have initially sold under the repurchase transaction. In addition, each lender typically requires that we include supplemental terms and conditions to the standard master repurchase agreement. Typical supplemental terms and conditions include changes to the margin maintenance requirements, required haircuts, purchase price maintenance requirements, requirements that all controversies related to the repurchase agreement be litigated in a particular jurisdiction and cross default provisions. These provisions will differ for each of our lenders and will not be determined until we engage in a specific repurchase transaction. We will not engage in any repurchase transactions until after the completion of this offering.

To the extent that we invest in agency securities through TBAs in the future, we may enter into dollar roll transactions using TBAs in which we would sell a TBA and simultaneously purchase a similar, but not identical, TBA. Our ability to enter into dollar roll transactions with respect to TBAs may be limited by the 75% gross income test applicable to REITs. See “Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of American Capital Agency Corp.—Income Tests.”

Our Hedging Strategy

As part of our risk management strategy, we may hedge our exposure to interest rate and prepayment risk as our Manager determines is in our best interest given our investment strategy, the cost of the hedging transactions and our intention to qualify as a REIT. As a result, we may elect to bear a level of interest rate or prepayment risk that could otherwise be hedged when management believes, based on all relevant facts, that bearing the risk enhances our risk/return profile. We intend to follow an interest rate risk management program that is designed to protect our view of the market and our investment portfolio and related borrowings against the effects of major interest rate changes to the extent consistent with our election to be taxed as a REIT. We may enter into interest

 

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rate caps, collars, floors, forward contracts, futures or swap agreements to attempt to mitigate the risk of the cost of our variable rate liabilities increasing at a faster rate than the earnings on our assets during a period of rising interest rates.

We intend to build a balance sheet and undertake an interest rate and prepayment risk management program which seeks to generate net interest income and maintain liquidity sufficient to continue operations given a variety of potentially adverse circumstances. Accordingly, we expect our interest rate and prepayment risk management program to address both income preservation, as discussed above, and capital preservation concerns. Since the underlying borrowers of the agency securities are able to prepay their mortgage loans at any time, we face the risk that we will experience a return of principal earlier than anticipated and be left to invest that principal at the then lower prevailing yields. Because prepayments on agency securities generally accelerate when interest rates drop and slow when interest rates increase, agency securities typically have “negative convexity.” In other words, certain agency securities may increase in price more slowly than most bonds, or even fall in value, as interest rates decline. Conversely, certain agency securities may decrease in value more quickly than most bonds as interest rates increase. For capital preservation, we monitor our “duration.” This is the expected percentage change in market value of our assets that would be caused by a 1% change in short and long-term interest rates. To monitor weighted average duration and the related risks of fluctuations in the liquidation value of our investment portfolio, we will model the impact of various economic scenarios on the market value of our agency securities and liabilities. We believe that our interest rate and prepayment risk management program will allow us to maintain operations throughout a wide variety of potentially adverse circumstances. Nevertheless, in order to further preserve our capital base (and lower our duration) during periods when we believe a trend of rising interest rates has been established, we may decide to increase hedging activities or to sell assets. Each of these actions may lower our earnings and dividends in the short term to further our objective of maintaining attractive levels of earnings and dividends over the long term.

Under one of the gross income tests under the Internal Revenue Code applicable to REITs, income from a hedging transaction that we enter into to manage risk of interest rate changes with respect to borrowings made to acquire or carry real estate assets would not constitute qualifying REIT gross income, and such income is ignored for purposes of the other gross income test applicable to REITs. Therefore, we may have to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques, which could expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear or implement those hedges through our TRS. Implementing our hedges through our TRS could increase the cost of our hedging activities because our TRS would be subject to tax on income and gains. We intend to implement part of our hedging strategy through our TRS. To comply with the asset tests applicable to us as a REIT, we could own 100% of the stock of such subsidiary, provided that the value of the stock that we own in all such TRSs does not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets at the close of any calendar quarter.

Our Policies with Respect to Certain Other Activities

If our Board of Directors determines that additional funding is required and/or beneficial to our strategy, we may raise such funds through additional offerings of equity or debt securities or the retention of cash flow (subject to provisions in the Internal Revenue Code concerning distribution requirements and the taxability of undistributed REIT taxable income) or a combination of these methods. In the event that we decide to raise additional equity capital, our Board of Directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to issue additional common stock or preferred stock in any manner and on such terms and for such consideration as it deems appropriate, at any time.

We may offer equity or debt securities in exchange for property and to repurchase or otherwise reacquire our shares and may engage in such activities in the future.

In addition, we intend to finance the acquisition of investments with traditional forms of financing, such as repurchase agreements. Our Board of Directors will receive an investment report and review our investment portfolio and related compliance with the investment guidelines on at least a quarterly basis.

 

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We intend to engage in the purchase and sale of investments. We will not underwrite the securities of other issuers.

Our Board of Directors may change any of these policies without prior notice or a vote of our stockholders.

Changes in Our Investment Guidelines

The investment committee of our Manager may propose and our Board of Directors may approve new investment guidelines, which could reallocate our investment portfolio. Such changes may be made at any time and without stockholder consent.

Exemption from Regulation Under the Investment Company Act

We intend to conduct our business so as not to become regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act. Section 3(c)(5)(C), as interpreted by the staff of the SEC, requires us to invest at least 55% of our assets in “mortgages and other liens on and interest in real estate”, or “qualifying real estate interests”, and a least 80% of our assets in qualifying real estate interests plus “real estate-related assets”. In satisfying this 55% requirement, we may treat agency securities issued with respect to an underlying pool of mortgage loans in which we hold all of the certificates issued by the pool as qualifying real estate interests. Therefore, the agency securities that we acquire are limited by the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. We also may be required at times to adopt less efficient methods of financing certain of our agency securities and we may be precluded from acquiring certain types of higher yielding agency securities. This exemption also prohibits us from issuing redeemable securities. If we fail to qualify for an exemption from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act or an exclusion from the definition of an investment company, our ability to use leverage would be substantially reduced, and we would not be able to conduct our business as described in this prospectus.

Competition

Our success will depend, in large part, on our ability to acquire assets at favorable spreads over our borrowing costs. In acquiring agency securities, we will compete with mortgage REITs, mortgage finance and specialty finance companies, savings and loan associations, banks, mortgage bankers, insurance companies, mutual funds, institutional investors, investment banking firms, other lenders, governmental bodies and other entities. In addition, there are numerous mortgage REITs with similar asset acquisition objectives and others may be organized in the future. The effect of the existence of additional REITs may be to increase competition for the available supply of mortgage assets suitable for purchase. Additionally, our investment strategy will be dependant on the amount of financing available to us in the repurchase agreement market. Our investment strategy will be adversely impacted if we are not able to secure financing or not on favorable terms.

Employees

Neither we nor our Manager have any employees. We are managed by our Manager pursuant to the management agreement between our Manager and us. Certain members of American Capital’s senior management and members of its RMBS investment team will serve as officers of our Manager and provide services to us on behalf of the Manager pursuant to the terms of the management agreement. Our Manager will enter into an administrative services agreement with American Capital, pursuant to which our Manager will have access to American Capital’s employees, infrastructure, business relationships, management expertise and capital raising capabilities, as necessary for our Manager to perform its obligations and responsibilities under the management agreement.

Legal Proceedings

We and our Manager are not currently subject to any legal proceedings.

 

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OUR MANAGER, AMERICAN CAPITAL AND THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

Our Manager

We will be externally managed and advised by our Manager, a subsidiary of a wholly-owned portfolio company of American Capital, the only private equity fund and the largest alternative asset management company in the S&P 500. With $19 billion in capital resources under management, as of December 31, 2007, American Capital is the largest U.S. publicly-traded alternative asset manager. Members of American Capital’s senior management and its RMBS investment team will serve as our and our Manager’s officers. We will not pay any of these individuals any cash or equity-based compensation. Rather, we will pay our Manager a base management fee and incentive compensation based on its performance pursuant to the management agreement. Since neither we nor our Manager have any employees, our Manager will enter into an administrative services agreement with American Capital pursuant to which our Manager will be able to utilize American Capital’s infrastructure, business relationships, management expertise and capital raising capabilities to take advantage of opportunities in the mortgage market on our behalf.

Officers of Our Manager

Biographical information for each of the executive officers and certain other key officers of our Manager’s officers is set forth below.

Malon Wilkus is our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and the President of our Manager. Mr. Wilkus founded American Capital in 1986 and has served as its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors since that time, except for the period from 1997 to 1998 during which he served as Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. He has served as President of American Capital since 2001 and also held that position from 1986 to 1999. Mr. Wilkus has also been the Chairman of European Capital Limited (LSE: ECAS), a publicly traded private equity and mezzanine fund, since its formation in 2005. In addition, Mr. Wilkus is the President of American Capital, LLC, the fund management portfolio company of American Capital. He has also served on the Board of Directors of over a dozen middle-market companies in various industries.

John R. Erickson is our Chief Financial Officer and an Executive Vice President and Vice President and Treasurer of our Manager. Mr. Erickson has served as an Executive Vice President of American Capital since 2001 and as its Chief Financial Officer since 1998. From 1991 to 1998, Mr. Erickson was the Chief Financial Officer of Storage USA, Inc., a REIT formerly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: SUS).

Ira J. Wagner is one of our Executive Vice Presidents and a Vice President of our Manager. Mr. Wagner has served as an Executive Vice President and the Chief Operating Officer of American Capital since 2001. He served as a Senior Vice President of American Capital in 2001, prior to becoming Executive Vice President. He has been an employee of American Capital since 1997 and has also held the positions of Principal and Senior Investment Officer.

Samuel A. Flax is one of our Executive Vice Presidents and our Secretary and a Vice President and the Secretary of our Manager. Mr. Flax has served as an Executive Vice President and the General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary of American Capital since January 2005. Mr. Flax was a partner in the corporate and securities practice group of the Washington, D.C. law firm of Arnold & Porter LLP from 1990 to January 2005. Mr. Flax also served as Of Counsel to Arnold & Porter LLP from January 2005 to December 2005. At Arnold & Porter LLP, he represented American Capital in raising debt and equity capital, advised the company on corporate, securities and other legal matters and represented the company in many of its investment transactions.

Robert K. Grunewald is a Vice President of our Manager. Mr. Grunewald has served as a Managing Director of the Financial Services Group of American Capital since joining American Capital in April 2006. Prior to joining American Capital, Mr. Grunewald had been a Managing Director of Wachovia Securities since

 

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December 2002, where he ran the Specialty Finance Investment Banking practice. Prior to this, Mr. Grunewald was an investment banker in the financial services group at predecessor organizations of Wachovia Securities and had been the head of the Specialty Finance Mergers and Acquisitions practice at NationsBank Securities.

Thomas A. McHale is a Vice President of our Manager. Mr. McHale has served as the Senior Vice President, Finance of American Capital since May 2006. He served as Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations and Assistant Secretary of American Capital from 2002 to May 2006. Mr. McHale joined American Capital in December 1998.

Russell J. Jeffrey is one of our Senior Vice Presidents and Chief Investment Officer and a Vice President of our Manager. He is also a Senior Vice President and Managing Director of American Capital. Since joining American Capital in September 2007, Mr. Jeffrey has headed American Capital’s RMBS investment team. Mr. Jeffrey is currently the majority owner and a managing member of PIM, which he co-founded in November 2003. Between January 2003 and November 2003, Mr. Jeffrey was not affiliated with a fund or management company and was a private investor. Mr. Jeffrey was co-founder and investment manager of Watch Hill, from December 1993 to December 2002. At Watch Hill, Mr. Jeffrey was responsible for managing the trading activities of private investment funds which employed an agency security investment strategy. Prior to Watch Hill, Mr. Jeffrey was a Managing Director and department head of Mortgage-Backed Securities Trading and Sales for Prudential Securities, Inc. During his tenure at Prudential Securities, Inc. he also served on the firm’s Operating Council and Risk Management Committee.

Raymond R. Yu is a Vice President of our Manager. He is also a Vice President and Principal of American Capital, where he works for the RMBS investment team. Mr. Yu served as a Portfolio Manager for PIM from January 2004 to September 2007. Prior to joining PIM, Mr. Yu served as an Associate Portfolio Manager for Watch Hill from February 1995 to January 2004. At Watch Hill, he assisted in running the mortgage derivative portfolio. From June 1989 to December 1994, Mr. Yu worked at Prudential Securities. During his time at Prudential, he was Head of CMO Structuring and a derivative trader. In 2006, Mr. Yu was published in the Handbook of Mortgage-Backed Securities (Sixth Edition), edited by Frank J. Fabozzi (New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., 2006) where he co-authored the chapter on Inverse Floating-Rate Collateralized Mortgage Obligations.

Edward D. Smith is a Vice President of our Manager. He is also a Vice President of American Capital, where he works for the RMBS investment team. Mr. Smith served as a Portfolio Manager of PIM from September 2005 to September 2007. From January 2000 to September 2005, Mr. Smith served as an Associate Portfolio Manager for Watch Hill. From July 1995 to January 1999, Mr. Smith was a Managing Director in the MBS Sales Group at Merit Capital. Prior to working at Merit Capital, Mr. Smith was a Vice President of MBS Sales at Nikko Securities from July 1993 to November 1994. From January 1990 to July 1993, he served as a MBS derivative trader at Prudential Securities.

American Capital Strategies, Ltd.

American Capital had approximately $19 billion of capital resources under management and over 300 investment professionals as of December 31, 2007. American Capital’s business consists of two primary segments—its middle-market investment portfolio and its global alternative asset management business. American Capital, both directly and through its global alternative asset management business, is an investor in management and employee buyouts, private equity buyouts and early stage and mature private and public companies. From its initial public offering in 1997 to December 31, 2007, it has invested, directly and through its funds under management, including funds committed but undrawn under credit facilities and equity commitments, approximately $6 billion in equity securities and approximately $20 billion in debt securities of middle market companies including approximately $1 billion in commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS, and approximately $0.3 billion in collateralized debt obligations, or CDOs.

 

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In September 2007, American Capital hired its eight-member RMBS investment team, led by Mr. Jeffrey, our Chief Investment Officer, in order to pursue various RMBS investment strategies. Prior to the hiring of its RMBS investment team, American Capital did not pursue a residential real estate or agency security investment strategy, and therefore, neither our Manager nor American Capital has extensive institutional experience in acquiring or financing agency securities. Since October 2007, American Capital has invested approximately $130 million in a mortgage opportunities fund that is substantially owned by American Capital and managed by American Capital’s RMBS investment team. This fund invests in RMBS, including agency securities, and will directly compete with us. American Capital will agree that so long as the Manager or an affiliate of American Capital continues to manage our company that it will not sponsor an investment vehicle that invests predominantly in whole pool agency securities other than us. This restriction would not prevent American Capital or an affiliate of American Capital from investing in or sponsoring an investment vehicle that targets investments in agency securities (as long as that entity also targets investments in other types of investments), and as a result, American Capital or an affiliate of American Capital may compete with us. For so long as Mr. Jeffrey is employed by American Capital, he has agreed with American Capital that investment vehicles managed by PIM will not purchase investments in whole pool agency securities and related derivative securities.

American Capital has developed an institutionalized approach to its global alternative asset management business through exceptional management, supported by a fully-integrated organization and infrastructure. Through the administrative services agreement, our Manager will have access to American Capital’s employees, infrastructure, business relationships, management expertise and capital raising capabilities, including its extensive financial reporting operations, dedicated equity and debt capital markets fund raising teams, business development and legal teams. Over the years, American Capital has developed comprehensive financial monitoring policies and procedures, which we believe will be beneficial to us as we effectively manage and increase our investment portfolio over time. We expect to directly utilize certain key functional teams of American Capital, including (personnel count as of December 31, 2007):

 

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RMBS Investment Team: An eight-member group that originates, reviews and screens investment opportunities related to RMBS assets, prepares investment committee reports and models, makes recommendations to the investment committee, executes investments, assists in monitoring and valuing of investments and manages acquisitions, divestures and the exit of RMBS investments.

 

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Financial Accounting and Reporting Team: A 67-person group which is responsible for accounting and financial reporting to stockholders and regulatory bodies. Among its tasks are investment accounting, loan servicing, billing, accounts payable, tax compliance and controller functions.

 

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Finance and Treasury Team: A 32-person group that is responsible for raising debt and equity capital, investor relations, cash management and financial planning and budgeting.

 

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Legal, Compliance and Internal Audit Teams: A 30-person group, that provides legal support to the capital raising and investing activities, is involved in stockholder and regulatory reporting and provides transactional and litigation services. American Capital’s internal audit function reports directly to the Audit and Compliance Committee of American Capital’s Board of Directors.

 

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Financial Accounting and Compliance Team (FACT): A 69-person group, including in-house public accountants and valuation and audit professionals that is responsible for providing accounting due diligence of prospective portfolio companies, portfolio monitoring and quarterly valuations of portfolio assets.

 

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Information and Technology Team: A 32-person team that implements and maintains communication and technological resources for American Capital’s operations.

We expect that our Manager will directly utilize the resources and expertise of American Capital’s RMBS investment team to identify, purchase and manage our investment portfolio. We also expect our Manager will directly utilize American Capital’s Financial Accounting and Reporting Team, Finance and Treasury Team, Legal, Compliance and Internal Audit Teams, Financial Accounting and Compliance Team (FACT) and Information Technology Team to provide a range of services including, but not limited to, accounting, financial

 

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reporting, tax compliance, capital raising, investor relations, financial planning and budgeting, legal support, internal audit functions, portfolio monitoring and valuations and technological resources.

We also expect to have access to other teams of American Capital, including (personnel count as of December 31, 2007):

 

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Other Investment Teams: A 212-person group (excluding the RMBS investment team) located in 10 offices in the United States that originates, reviews and screens investment opportunities, conducts business, management and operations due diligence, prepares investment committee reports and models, makes recommendations to the investment committee, executes investments, its members sit as directors on the boards of portfolio companies, assists in monitoring and valuing of investments and manages acquisitions, divestures and the exit of investments.

 

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Business Development Team: A seven-person group that assists in researching, targeting and developing investment opportunities from multiple, established channels, including investment banks, private equity and mezzanine funds, commercial banks, business and financial brokers, trade organizations, industry contacts, lawyers, accountants and current owners.

 

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Syndications Team: A nine-person group that arranges syndications of senior loans and other loans of portfolio companies.

While we do not expect that our Manager will directly utilize American Capital’s Investment Teams, other than the RMBS investment team, or American Capital’s Business Development Team or Syndications Team, we believe that these teams’ broad access to the financial markets and diverse business contacts will contribute valuable information regarding overall business and market conditions, which we believe will be an advantage to our business.

Simultaneously with completion of this offering, American Capital will purchase $50 million of our common stock at the initial public offering price in a private placement, and will own approximately 16.7% of our outstanding common stock upon completion of this offering, or 14.8% assuming the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full. American Capital has indicated that it may elect to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this concurrent private placement or as part of this offering, subject to a maximum additional investment of $50 million of our common stock (for a maximum total investment of $100 million). If American Capital elects to purchase additional shares of our common stock, American Capital’s percentage ownership of our common stock could increase substantially. We cannot assure you that American Capital will make this offer or, if it does, the additional amount it may offer to purchase. American Capital will agree that, for a period of 365 days after the date of this prospectus, it will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, dispose of or hedge any of the shares of our common stock that it will receive in exchange for its investment in our company pursuant to this concurrent private placement, subject to certain exceptions and extension in certain circumstances. This lock-up agreement will not apply to any shares of our common stock that may be issued to our Manager or American Capital in the future pursuant to the management agreement or our equity incentive plan for our Manager and its affiliates. American Capital has also indicated to us that is does not presently intend to sell or otherwise dispose of the shares of our common stock that it will purchase in the concurrent private placement for at least three years after the date of this prospectus.

Our Management Agreement

We are party to a management agreement with our Manager, pursuant to which our Manager will be responsible for administering our business activities and day-to-day operations, subject to the supervision and oversight of our Board of Directors. The material terms of the management agreement are described below.

 

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Management Services

The management agreement requires our Manager to oversee our business affairs in conformity with the operating policies and the investment guidelines proposed by the investment committee of our Manager and approved by our Board of Directors. Our Manager at all times will be subject to the supervision and direction of our Board of Directors, the terms and conditions of the management agreement and such further limitations or parameters as may be imposed from time to time by our Board of Directors. Our Manager is responsible for (i) the selection, purchase and sale of our investment portfolio, (ii) our financing and hedging activities and (iii) providing us with investment advisory services. Our Manager is responsible for our day-to-day operations and will perform such services and activities relating to our assets and operations as may be appropriate, including, without limitation:

 

•

forming an investment committee, which will propose investment guidelines to be approved by our Board of Directors;

 

•

serving as our consultant with respect to the periodic review of investments, borrowings and operations and other policies and recommendations with respect thereto for approval by our Board of Directors;

 

•

serving as our consultant with respect to the selection, purchase, monitoring and disposition of our investments;

 

•

serving as our consultant with respect to decisions regarding any of our financings, hedging activities or borrowings undertaken by us or our subsidiaries including (1) assisting us in developing criteria for debt and equity financing that is specifically tailored to our investment objectives, and (2) advising us with respect to obtaining appropriate financing for our investments;

 

•

advising us with respect to equity incentive plans that we may establish for our independent directors;

 

•

purchasing and financing investments on our behalf;

 

•

providing us with portfolio management;

 

•

engaging and supervising, on behalf of us and at our expense, independent contractors that provide real estate, investment banking, securities brokerage, insurance, legal, accounting, transfer agent, registrar and such other services as may be required relating to our operations or investments (or potential investments);

 

•

providing executive and administrative personnel, office space and office services required in rendering services to us;

 

•

performing and supervising the performance of administrative functions necessary in our management as may be agreed upon by our Manager and our Board of Directors, including, without limitation, the services in respect of any equity incentive plan we may create for our independent directors, the collection of revenues and the payment of our debts and obligations and maintenance of appropriate information technology services to perform such administrative functions;

 

•

communicating on behalf of us with the holders of any of our equity or debt securities as required to satisfy the reporting and other requirements of any governmental bodies or agencies or trading exchanges or markets and to maintain effective relations with such holders, including website maintenance, logo design, analyst presentations, investor conferences and annual meeting arrangements;

 

•

counseling us in connection with policy decisions to be made by our Board of Directors;

 

•

evaluating and recommending to us hedging strategies and engaging in hedging activities on our behalf, consistent with such strategies, as so modified from time to time, with our qualification as a REIT, and with the investment guidelines;

 

•

counseling us regarding the requirements to qualify as a REIT and monitoring compliance with the various REIT qualification tests and other rules set out in the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations thereunder;

 

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•

counseling us regarding the maintenance of our exemption from status as an investment company under the Investment Company Act and monitoring compliance with the requirements for maintaining such exemption;

 

•

furnishing reports and statistical and economic research to us regarding our activities and services performed for us or our subsidiaries by our Manager;

 

•

monitoring the operating performance of our investments and providing periodic reports with respect thereto to our Board of Directors, including comparative information with respect to such operating performance and budgeted or projected operating results;

 

•

investing and re-investing any of our monies and securities (including in short-term investments, payment of fees, costs and expenses, or payments of dividends or distributions to our stockholders) and advising us as to our capital structure and capital-raising activities;

 

•

causing us to retain qualified accountants and legal counsel, as applicable, to (i) assist in developing appropriate compliance procedures with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to REITs and, if applicable, TRSs and (ii) conduct quarterly compliance reviews with respect thereto;

 

•

causing us to qualify to do business in all jurisdictions in which such qualification is required and to obtain and maintain all appropriate licenses;

 

•

assisting us in complying with all regulatory requirements applicable to us in respect of our business activities, including preparing or causing to be prepared all financial statements required under applicable regulations and contractual undertakings and all reports and documents, if any, required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

 

•

taking all necessary actions to enable us and our subsidiaries to make required tax filings and reports, including soliciting stockholders for required information to the extent necessary under the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations applicable to REITs;

 

•

handling and resolving all claims, disputes or controversies (including all litigation, arbitration, settlement or other proceedings or negotiations) in which we may be involved or to which we may be subject arising out of our day-to-day operations;

 

•

arranging marketing materials, advertising, industry group activities (such as conference participations and industry organization memberships) and other promotional efforts designed to promote our business;

 

•

using commercially reasonable efforts to cause expenses incurred by or on behalf of us to be commercially reasonable or commercially customary and within any budgeted parameters or expense guidelines set by our Board of Directors from time to time;

 

•

performing such other services as may be required from time to time for the management and other activities relating to our assets as our Board of Directors reasonably requests or our Manager deems appropriate under the particular circumstances; and

 

•

using commercially reasonable efforts to cause us to comply with all applicable laws.

Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement, our Manager will provide us with a management team, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief investment officer or similar positions, along with appropriate support personnel to provide the management services to be provided by our Manager to us as described in the management agreement.

Our Manager has not assumed any responsibility other than to render the services called for under the management agreement in good faith and is not responsible for any action of our Board of Directors in following or declining to follow its advice or recommendations, including as set forth in the investment guidelines. Our Manager and its affiliates, and the directors, officers, employees, members and stockholders of our Manager and

 

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its affiliates, will not be liable to us, our Board of Directors or our stockholders for any acts or omissions performed in accordance with and pursuant to the management agreement, except by reason of acts constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their respective duties under the management agreement. We have agreed to indemnify our Manager and its affiliates, and the directors, officers, employees, members and stockholders of our Manager and its affiliates, with respect to all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims in respect of or arising from any acts or omissions of our Manager, its affiliates and the directors, officers, employees, members and stockholders of our Manager and its affiliates, performed in good faith under the management agreement and not constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of their respective duties. Our Manager has agreed to indemnify us and our directors, officers and stockholders with respect to all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims in respect of or arising from any acts or omissions of our Manager constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties under the management agreement. Our Manager will maintain reasonable and customary “errors and omissions” and other customary insurance coverage upon the completion of this offering.

Our Manager is required to refrain from any action that, in its sole judgment made in good faith, (i) is not in compliance with the investment guidelines, (ii) would adversely affect our qualification as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code or our status as an entity exempted from investment company status under the Investment Company Act, or (iii) would violate any law, rule or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over us or of any exchange on which our securities are listed or that would otherwise not be permitted by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws. If our Manager is ordered to take any action by our Board of Directors, our Manager will notify our Board of Directors if it is our Manager’s judgment that such action would adversely affect such status or violate any such law, rule or regulation or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws.

Term and Termination Rights

The management agreement has an initial term expiring on May        , 2011. The management agreement will be automatically renewed for one-year terms thereafter unless terminated by either us or our Manager. The management agreement does not limit the number of renewal terms. Either we or our Manager may elect not to renew the management agreement upon the expiration of the initial term of the management agreement or upon the expiration of any automatic renewal terms, both upon 180 days prior written notice to our Manager or us. Any decision by us to not renew the management agreement must be approved by the majority of our independent directors. If we choose not to renew the management agreement, we will pay our Manager a termination fee, upon expiration, equal to three times the sum of (a) the average annual base management fee and (b) the average annual incentive compensation, in each case earned by our Manager during the prior 24-month period immediately preceding the most recently completed calendar quarter prior to the effective date of termination. We may only elect not to renew the management agreement without cause with the consent of the majority of our independent directors. If we terminate the management agreement without cause, we may not, without the consent of our Manager, employ any employee of the Manager or any of its affiliates, including American Capital, or any person who has been employed by our Manager or any of its affiliates at any time within the two year period immediately preceding the date on which the person commences employment with us for two years after such termination of the management agreement. In addition, following any termination of the management agreement, we must pay our Manager all compensation accruing to the date of termination. Neither we nor our Manager may assign the management agreement in whole or in part to a third party without the written consent of the other party, except that our Manager may assign the agreement to any of its affiliates that is its successor by reason of a restructuring or other reorganization. In order for us to assign the management agreement, we must obtain the approval of a majority of our independent directors. Our manager may delegate the performance of any of its responsibilities to an affiliate so long as our Manager remains liable for such affiliate’s performance.

Furthermore, if we decide not to renew the management agreement without cause as a result of the determination by the majority of our independent directors that the base management fee or the incentive compensation is unfair, our Manager may agree to perform its management services at fees the majority of our

 

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Board of Directors determine to be fair, and the management agreement will not terminate. Our Manager may give us notice that it wishes to renegotiate the fees, in which case we and our Manager must negotiate in good faith, and if we cannot agree on a revised fee structure at the end of the 60 day negotiation period following our receipt of our Manager’s intent to renegotiate, the agreement will terminate, and we must pay the termination fees described above.

We may also terminate the management agreement with 60 days’ prior written notice for cause, without paying the termination fee, if any of the following events occur, which will be determined by a majority of our independent directors:

 

•

our Manager’s fraud, misappropriation of funds or embezzlement against us or gross negligence (including such action or inaction by our Manager which materially impairs our ability to conduct our business);

 

•

our Manager fails to provide adequate or appropriate personnel that are reasonably necessary for our Manager to identify investment opportunities for us and to manage and develop our investment portfolio if such default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after written notice thereof, which notice must contain a request that the same be remedied;

 

•

a material breach of any provision of the management agreement (including the failure of our Manager to use reasonable efforts to comply with the investment guidelines) if such default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after written notice thereof, which notice must contain a request that the same be remedied;

 

•

our Manager commences any proceeding relating to its bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors or there is commenced against our Manager any such proceeding which results in an order for relief or remains undismissed for a period of 90 days; or

 

•

the dissolution of our Manager.

Base Management Fee and Incentive Compensation

We do not intend to employ personnel. As a result, we will rely on our Manager to administer our business activities and day-to-day operations. Because neither we nor our Manager will have any employees, our Manager will enter into an administrative services agreement with American Capital. The base management fee is designed to reimburse our Manager for providing personnel to provide certain services to us as described above in “—Management Services.” Our Manager will also be entitled to certain monthly expense reimbursements described below. The base management fee is payable monthly in arrears in cash, and the incentive compensation, if earned, is payable quarterly in arrears in cash. Pursuant to the management agreement, our Manager may elect to receive up to 25% of any quarterly installment of the incentive compensation in shares of our common stock, subject to all applicable securities, securities exchange and REIT-related laws, rules and regulations.

Base Management Fee. We will pay our Manager a base management fee monthly in arrears in an amount equal to 1/12 of 1% of our Equity (as defined below). Our Manager will use the proceeds from its management fee in part to pay American Capital for services provided by certain members of its senior management and members of its RMBS investment team to us pursuant to the administrative services agreement.

Our Manager will calculate each monthly installment of the base management fee within 15 days after the end of each calendar month, and we will pay the monthly management fee with respect to each calendar month within 5 business days following the delivery to us of our Manager’s statement setting forth the computation of the monthly base management fee for such month.

Incentive Compensation. Our Manager will receive incentive compensation pursuant to the terms of the management agreement. The purpose of the incentive compensation is to provide an additional incentive for our Manager to achieve targeted levels of Core Earnings and to increase our stockholder value. The incentive

 

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compensation will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in an amount, not to be less than zero, equal to the difference between:

(A) the product of 15% multiplied by the difference between:

 

(i)

our Core Earnings (as defined below) for the previous 12-month period, and

 

(ii)

the weighted average of the issue price per share of our common stock of all of our public offerings of common stock multiplied by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding in such 12-month period multiplied by the greater of (a) 8% or (b) 2% plus the Ten-Year U.S. Treasury Rate (as defined below) for such 12-month period, and

(B) the sum of any incentive compensation paid to our Manager for the first three quarters of such 12-month period.

For purposes of calculating incentive compensation prior to the first anniversary of the closing of this offering, Core Earnings will be calculated on the basis of the number of days that have elapsed since the closing of this offering on an annualized basis.

“Equity” equals our month-end stockholders’ equity, adjusted to exclude the effect of any unrealized gains or losses included in either retained earnings or other comprehensive income (loss), each as computed in accordance with GAAP.

“Core Earnings” is a non-GAAP measure and is defined in the management agreement as GAAP net income (loss) excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, incentive compensation and any unrealized gains or losses that are included in net income, adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain non-cash charges after discussions between our Manager and our independent directors and approved by a majority of our independent directors.

“Ten-Year U.S. Treasury Rate” means the arithmetic average of the weekly average yield to maturity for actively traded current coupon U.S. Treasury fixed interest rate securities (adjusted to a constant maturity of 10 years) published by the Federal Reserve Board in publication H. 15, or any successor publication, during a 12-month period, or, if such rate is not published by the Federal Reserve Board, any Federal Reserve Bank or agency or department of the U.S. federal government selected by us. If we determine in good faith that the Ten-Year U.S. Treasury Rate cannot be calculated as provided above, then the rate shall be the arithmetic average of the per annum average yields to maturities, based upon closing asked prices on each business day during such 12-month period, for each actively traded marketable U.S. Treasury fixed interest rate security with a final maturity date not less than eight nor more than 12 years from the date of the closing asked prices as chosen and quoted for each business day in each such 12-month period in New York City by at least three recognized dealers in U.S. government securities selected by us.

The following example illustrates how we would calculate our quarterly incentive compensation in accordance with the management agreement. Assume the following:

 

•

Core Earnings for the previous 12-month period equals $100,000;

 

•

Ten-Year U.S. Treasury Rate is 4.0%;

 

•

weighted average issue price per share of our common stock of all of our public offerings of common stock equals $20.00;

 

•

weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding equals 50,000; and

 

•

incentive compensation paid to our Manager for the first three quarters of such 12-month period equals $2,000.

 

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Under these assumptions, the quarterly incentive compensation payable to our Manager would be $1,000 as calculated below:

 

1. Core Earnings		$	100,000
2. Weighted average issue price ($20.00 per share) multiplied by the weighted average common shares outstanding (50,000) multiplied by the greater of 8% or 2% plus Ten-Year U.S. Treasury Rate		$	80,000
3. Excess of Core Earnings over amount calculated in 2 above		$	20,000
4. Incentive compensation equals 15% of amount calculated in 3 above		$	3,000
5. Incentive compensation paid for the first three quarters		$	2,000
6. Quarterly incentive compensation		$	1,000

Pursuant to the calculation formula, if Core Earnings increases and the weighted average Equity remains constant, the incentive compensation will increase.

Our ability to achieve returns in excess of the thresholds noted above in order for our Manager to earn the incentive compensation described above is dependent upon the level and volatility of interest rates, our ability to react to changes in interest rates and to utilize successfully the operating policies and strategies described herein, and other factors, many of which are not within our control.

Our Manager will compute the quarterly incentive compensation within 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter, and we will pay the quarterly incentive compensation with respect to each calendar quarter within 5 business days following the delivery to us of our Manager’s written statement setting forth the computation of the incentive compensation for such quarter. Pursuant to the management agreement, our Manager may elect to receive up to 25% of any quarterly installment of the incentive compensation in shares of our common stock, subject to all applicable securities, securities exchange and REIT-related laws, rules and regulations. The number of shares to be received by our Manager will be based on the fair market value of our common stock as of the date that the quarterly incentive compensation is paid. Shares of our common stock delivered as payment of the incentive compensation will not be subject to vesting.

Reimbursement of Expenses. We will pay, or reimburse our Manager, all our operating expenses. We will not have any employees and will not pay our officers any cash or non-cash equity compensation. Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement, we are not responsible for the employment related expenses of our and our Manager’s officers and any American Capital employees that provide services to us under the management agreement. The costs and expenses required to be paid by us include, but are not limited to:

 

•

costs incurred in connection with this offering of our common stock, including formation expenses;

 

•

transaction costs incident to the acquisition, disposition and financing of our investments;

 

•

expenses incurred in contracting with third parties;

 

•

external legal, auditing, accounting, consulting, investor relations, brokerage and administrative fees and expenses, including in connection with this offering of our common stock;

 

•

the compensation and expenses of our directors (excluding those directors who are employees of American Capital) and the cost of liability insurance to indemnify our directors and officers;

 

•

the costs associated with our establishment and maintenance of any repurchase agreement facilities and other indebtedness (including commitment fees, accounting fees, legal fees, closing costs and similar expenses);

 

•

expenses associated with other securities offerings by us;

 

•

expenses relating to the payment of dividends;

 

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•

costs incurred by personnel of our Manager for travel on our behalf;

 

•

expenses connected with communications to holders of our securities and in complying with the continuous reporting and other requirements of the SEC and other governmental bodies;

 

•

transfer agent and exchange listing fees;

 

•

the costs of printing and mailing proxies and reports to our stockholders;

 

•

all costs of organizing, modifying or dissolving our company or any subsidiary and costs in preparation of entering into or exiting any business activity;

 

•

our pro rata portion of costs associated with any computer software, hardware or information technology services that are used by us;

 

•

our pro rata portion of the costs and expenses incurred with respect to market information systems and publications, research publications and materials used by us;

 

•

settlement, clearing, and custodial fees and expenses relating to us;

 

•

the costs of maintaining compliance with all federal, state and local rules and regulations or any other regulatory agency (as such costs relate to us), all taxes and license fees and all insurance costs incurred on behalf of us;

 

•

the costs of administering any of our incentive plans; and

 

•

our pro rata portion of rent (including disaster recovery facility costs and expenses), telephone, utilities, office furniture, equipment, machinery and other office, internal and overhead expenses of our Manager and its affiliates required for our operations.

Administrative Services Agreement

Because neither we nor our Manager have any employees or separate facilities, our Manager will enter into an administrative services agreement with American Capital pursuant to which our Manager will be provided with the personnel, services and resources necessary for our Manager to perform its obligations and responsibilities under the management agreement. In addition, certain members of American Capital’s senior management and its RMBS investment team will serve as officers of our Manager and us. Further, American Capital will be required to provide our Manager with the services of American Capital employees such that our Manager may provide us with a chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief investment officer pursuant to the terms of the management agreement.

If either we or our Manager elect to terminate the management agreement pursuant to its terms (as described above), the administrative services agreement would likewise be terminated. Neither American Capital nor our Manager will be able to terminate the administrative services agreement unless the management agreement has been terminated pursuant to its terms. Pursuant to the administrative services agreement, American Capital may assign its rights and obligations thereunder to any of its affiliates, including American Capital, LLC, the parent company of our Manager.

We will not be a party to the administrative services agreement. Therefore, we will not have any recourse against American Capital if it does not fulfill its obligations under the administrative services agreement or it elects to assign the agreement to one of its affiliates.

Conflicts of Interest in Our Relationship with Our Manager, Our Management Team and American Capital

Management Agreement

We, our officers, certain of our directors and our Manager will face conflicts of interest because of our relationships with each other. We were formed by American Capital, the indirect owner of our Manager, and the terms of our management agreement, including fees payable, were not negotiated on an arm’s-length basis, and

 

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its terms may not be as favorable to us as if it was negotiated with an unaffiliated party. The compensation we will pay to our Manager consists of both a base management fee, which is not tied to our performance, and incentive compensation, which is based on our performance and market conditions. The base management fee is paid regardless of our performance and it may not provide sufficient incentive to our Manager to seek to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns for our investment portfolio. Because the incentive compensation is based, in part, on our performance, it may cause our Manager to take undue risks to maximize our Core Earnings at the expense of other criteria, such as preservation of capital, in order to earn higher incentive compensation. Investments with higher yield potential are generally riskier or more speculative. These factors could result in increased risk in our investment portfolio.

Our management agreement may only be terminated without cause, as defined in the management agreement, after the completion of its initial term on May     , 2011, or the expiration of each annual renewal term. We are required to provide 180-days prior notice of non-renewal of the management agreement and must pay a termination fee on the last day of the initial term or any automatic renewal term, equal to three times the sum of (a) the average annual base management fee and (b) the average annual incentive compensation, in each case earned by our Manager during the prior 24-month period immediately preceding the most recently completed calendar quarter prior to the effective date of termination. We may only not renew the management agreement with or without cause with the consent of the majority of independent directors. These provisions make it difficult to terminate the management agreement and increase the effective cost to us of not renewing the management agreement.

Time Commitments of Our Management Team

Our Manager will be responsible for making all of our investments. Each of our and our Manager’s officers, as well as the members of American Capital’s RMBS investment team who will provide services to us, is an employee of American Capital, or on affiliate and none of them will devote his time to us exclusively. Each of Messrs. Wilkus, Erickson, Flax, Grunewald and McHale, who will be the initial members of our Manager’s investment committee, is an officer of American Capital and has significant responsibilities to American Capital and certain of its various portfolio companies, affiliated entities or managed funds. Messrs. Jeffrey, Yu and Smith and the five other members of American Capital’s RMBS investment team will provide services to us and may provide services to American Capital or other RMBS investment vehicles that have been or may be sponsored by American Capital in the future.

In addition, Mr. Jeffrey is currently the majority owner and a managing member of PIM, an investment advisor that is not affiliated with American Capital. PIM manages investment vehicles that, as of December 31, 2007, had approximately $134 million in total assets and that invest in RMBS and associated mortgage derivatives. For so long as Mr. Jeffrey is employed by American Capital, he has agreed with American Capital that investment vehicles managed by PIM will not purchase investments in whole pool agency securities. Mr. Jeffrey has agreed with American Capital that he will devote his full-time attention and energies to his employment with American Capital, but he will be entitled to continue to provide services to PIM and investment vehicles managed by PIM as long as these activities do not detract significantly from his work on behalf of American Capital and he devotes such of his time and effort to managing American Capital-sponsored RMBS investment vehicles, including our company, as is reasonably necessary and appropriate. For so long as he is an employee of American Capital, Mr. Jeffrey will cause all management fees earned by PIM to be assigned to American Capital or a designee of American Capital, but he will be entitled to retain all incentive fees earned by PIM. Due to the fact that each of our and our Manager’s officers and American Capital’s RMBS investment team are responsible for providing services to American Capital and/or certain of its portfolio companies, affiliated entities or managed funds and Mr. Jeffrey, through PIM, continues to manage investment vehicles not affiliated with American Capital for which he is entitled to earn incentive fees, they may not devote sufficient time to the management of our business operations.

 

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American Capital and Mr. Jeffrey have agreed that for a period of six months following termination of his employment without cause and 12 months following termination of his employment with cause, he will not compete with American Capital by engaging in residential mortgage investing in the United States. During the non-compete period, Mr. Jeffrey will be permitted to continue to act as a managing member of PIM and make or manage investments in residential mortgage securities through PIM other than whole pool agency securities and related derivative securities. We are not a party to this agreement between Mr. Jeffrey and American Capital and cannot assure you that American Capital will enforce this agreement.

Investment Activities

American Capital

Since October 2007, American Capital has invested approximately $130 million in a mortgage opportunities fund that is substantially owned by American Capital and managed by American Capital’s RMBS investment team. This fund invests in RMBS, including agency securities, and will directly compete with us. American Capital will agree that so long as our Manager or an affiliate of American Capital continues to manage our company, it will not sponsor an investment vehicle that invests predominantly in whole pool agency securities other than us. This restriction would not prevent American Capital or an affiliate of American Capital from investing in or sponsoring an investment vehicle that targets investments in agency securities (as long as that entity also targets investments in other types of investments), and as a result, American Capital or an affiliate of American Capital may compete with us. We expect our Board of Directors to adopt investment guidelines that will require that any investment transaction between us and American Capital or any affiliate of American Capital receives prior approval of a majority of our independent directors. However, this policy will not eliminate the conflicts of interest that our and our Manager’s officers and the members of American Capital’s RMBS investment team will face in making investment decisions on behalf of any other American Capital-sponsored investment vehicles and us. Further, we do not have any agreement or understanding with American Capital that would give us any priority over American Capital, any of its affiliates or any such American Capital-sponsored investment vehicle in opportunities to invest in agency securities. Accordingly, we may compete for access to the benefits that we expect our relationship with our Manager and American Capital to provide.

PIM

Mr. Jeffrey is currently the majority owner and a managing member of PIM. PIM manages investment vehicles that as of December 31, 2007, had approximately $134 million in total assets and that invest in RMBS and associated mortgage derivatives. For so long as Mr. Jeffrey is employed by American Capital, he has agreed with American Capital that investment vehicles managed by PIM will not purchase investments in whole pool agency securities. However, we have no direct agreement with Mr. Jeffrey or PIM regarding allocation of potential investments. We may compete with PIM for access to non-whole pool agency securities and related derivative securities. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that Mr. Jeffrey will allocate the most attractive opportunities to invest in agency securities to us.

There can be no assurance that these policies will not eliminate the conflicts of interest that our Manager, American Capital and the employees of American Capital and its affiliates that provide services to us will face in making independent investment decisions on our behalf as well as on behalf of American Capital, its affiliates or any other American Capital-sponsored investment vehicle.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

Shortly before the completion of this offering, our Board of Directors will consist of five directors, a majority of which will have been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent in accordance with the applicable marketplace rules of The NASDAQ Global Market. Mr. Wilkus and Dr. Alvin Puryear are currently members of our Board of Directors. Dr. Morris Davis, Mr. Randy Dobbs and Mr. Larry Harvey, each of whom we expect to qualify as independent directors under applicable marketplace rules, will be elected as directors prior to the completion of this offering. Upon the expiration of their current terms at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2009, our directors will each be elected to serve a term of one year. Our bylaws provide that a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number of directors shall never be less than one, or more than 15. All of our executive officers serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors. The following table sets forth certain information about our directors and executive officers.

 

Name		Age		Position with Us
Malon Wilkus		56		Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman of the Board of Directors
John R. Erickson		48		Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
Ira J. Wagner		55		Executive Vice President
Samuel A. Flax		51		Executive Vice President and Secretary
Russell J. Jeffrey		50		Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
Alvin N. Puryear		70		Director
Morris A. Davis		36		Director Nominee*
Randy E. Dobbs		58		Director Nominee*
Larry K. Harvey		43		Director Nominee*

 

*	Indicates that such director is considered an “independent director” under The NASDAQ Global Market’s marketplace rules, as determined by our Board of Directors.

Biographical information for each of Messrs. Wilkus, Erickson, Wagner, Flax and Jeffrey is set forth under “Our Manager and the Management Agreement—Our Manager.” Biographical information for our directors who are not our executive officers is set forth below.

Alvin N. Puryear is one of our directors and also serves as a director of American Capital. Dr. Puryear is a management consultant who specializes in businesses with high-growth potential. From February 1970 to August 2007, Dr. Puryear was on the faculty of Baruch College of the City University of New York, where he was the Lawrence N. Field Professor of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Management. Prior to 1970, Dr. Puryear held executive positions in finance and computer systems with the Mobil Corporation and Allied Chemical Company, respectively. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFG Trust Company.

Morris A. Davis is a nominee to our Board of Directors. Dr. Davis has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Real Estate and Urban Land Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Business since September 2006. He is currently on the Academic Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and has served since 2007 as a Research Associate at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. From July 2002 to August 2006, Dr. Davis was an economist at the Federal Reserve Board working in the Flow of Funds Section. From October 2001 to July 2002, he was Director of Yield Optimization at Return Buy, Inc. and from August 1998 to October 2001, Dr. Davis was an economist at the Macroeconomics and Quantitative Studies Section of the Federal Reserve Board. Dr. Davis is widely published on issues related to the U.S. housing markets and a frequent lecturer. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Randy E. Dobbs is a nominee to our Board of Directors. Mr. Dobbs has been the Chief Executive Officer of US Investigations Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries (USIS) since February 2005. USIS provides business

 

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intelligence and risk management solutions, security and related services and expert staffing solutions for businesses and federal agencies. From April 2003 to February 2005, Mr. Dobbs was President and Chief Executive Officer of Philips Medical Systems, North America, a manufacturer of systems for imaging, radiation oncology and patient monitoring, as well as information management and resuscitation products. Prior to April 2003, Mr. Dobbs spent 27 years with General Electric Company where he held various senior level positions, including President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Capital, IT Solutions.

Larry K. Harvey is a nominee to our Board of Directors. Mr. Harvey has been Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (Host) since November 2007. Host is a lodging REIT (NYSE: HST). From February 2006 to November 2007 he served as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer at Host and from February 2003 to February 2006 he served as Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller at Host. Prior to rejoining Host in February 2003, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Barceló Crestline Corporation, formerly Crestline Capital Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. Harvey was Host’s Vice President of Corporate Accounting, before the spin-off of Crestline in 1998.

Director Independence

Rules 4200 and 4350 of The NASDAQ Global Market require that a majority of our Board of Directors qualify as “independent” no later than the first anniversary of the completion of this offering.

We expect that our Board of Directors will determine that Dr. Davis, Mr. Dobbs and Mr. Harvey meet the definition of “independent director”, as defined in the marketplace rules of The NASDAQ Global Market.

Board Committees

Our Board of Directors will establish two committees which will consist solely of independent directors, the principal functions of which are briefly described below. Matters put to a vote at any one of our committees must be approved by a majority of the directors on the committee who are present at a meeting, in person or as otherwise permitted by our bylaws, at which there is a quorum or by unanimous written consent of the directors on that committee. Our Board of Directors will have adopted a charter for each of these committees shortly before the completion of this offering.

Audit Committee

Our Board of Directors will establish an audit committee, which will be composed of our three independent directors. Mr. Harvey will chair our audit committee, and we expect he will serve as our “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined by the SEC. The committee will assist the Board of Directors in overseeing:

 

•

our accounting and financial reporting processes;

 

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the integrity and audits of our financial statements;

 

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our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

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the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm; and

 

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the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm and any internal auditors.

The committee will also be responsible for engaging an independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm and considering the range of audit and non-audit fees. The charter of the audit committee will be posted on our website upon the completion of this offering.

 

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Compensation Committee

Our Board of Directors will establish a compensation committee, which will be composed of our three independent directors. Mr. Dobbs will chair the committee, whose principal functions are to:

 

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evaluate the performance of and compensation paid by us, if any, to our chief executive officer;

 

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evaluate the performance of our Manager;

 

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review the compensation and fees payable to our Manager under our management agreement;

 

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administer our incentive plans; and

 

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produce a report on executive compensation required to be included in our proxy statement for our annual meetings.

The compensation committee will also serve as the Board of Director’s standing nominating committee and as such will perform the following functions:

 

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identifying, recruiting and recommending to the full Board of Directors qualified candidates for election as directors and recommending a slate of nominees for election as directors at the annual meeting of stockholders;

 

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developing and recommending to the Board of Directors corporate governance guidelines, including the committee’s selection criteria for director nominees;

 

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reviewing and making recommendations on matters involving general operation of the Board of Directors and our corporate governance;

 

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recommending to the Board of Directors nominees for each committee of the Board of Directors; and

 

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annually facilitating the assessment of the Board of Directors’ performance as a whole and of the individual directors and reports thereon to the Board of Directors.

The charter of the compensation committee will be posted on our website upon the completion of this offering.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our Board of Directors will establish a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our officers and directors and the employees of American Capital who provide services to us. Among other matters, our code of business conduct and ethics will be designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

 

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honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

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full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in our SEC reports and other public communications;

 

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compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

 

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prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to appropriate persons identified in the code; and

 

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accountability for adherence to the code.

Any waiver of the code of business conduct and ethics for our executive officers or directors may be made only by our audit committee, and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulations.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

We have not paid, and do not intend to pay, any of our executive officers any cash or equity-based compensation. Rather, we will our Manager a base management fee and incentive compensation pursuant to the management agreement, the terms of which are described in “Our Manager and Management Agreement—Our

 

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Management Agreement.” Any amendments to the management agreement that would change the terms of our Manager’s compensation would have to be approved by the compensation committee of our Board of Directors, which will consist solely of our three independent directors. None of our executive officers is a member of the compensation committee of our Board of Directors. No member of the compensation committee of our Board of Directors is an executive officer or a member of the Board of Directors (or bodies performing similar functions) of American Capital or any of its affiliates, including our Manager and us.

Director Compensation

We have not paid any cash compensation or granted any equity-based awards to any of the members of our Board of Directors since our incorporation. We do not have, and we do not currently intend to adopt, any plans or programs for our directors that provide for pension benefits or the deferral of compensation.

Any member of our Board of Directors who is also an employee of American Capital or its affiliates will not receive any compensation from us for serving on our Board of Directors.

Each independent director will receive an annual retainer of $40,000 in quarterly payments in advance and $1,500 per Board of Director or committee meeting attended. We also reimburse our independent directors for their travel expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at full board and committee meetings. In addition, the chair of our audit committee will be paid an annual retainer of $15,000 and the chair of our compensation committee will be paid an annual retainer of $5,000. Simultaneously with the completion of this offering, we will grant each of our independent directors 1,500 shares of restricted common stock, which will vest ratably over a three-year period, subject to their continued service on our Board of Directors. We have adopted the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for Independent Directors for the purpose of making grants of equity-based compensation awards to our independent directors, including these restricted common stock awards. See “—Equity Incentive Plans” below for a description of this plan and the circumstances in which the vesting of these awards may be accelerated.

Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

We have not paid, and we do not intend to pay, any cash or non-cash equity compensation to any of our officers and we do not currently intend to adopt any policies with respect thereto. Our management agreement provides that our Manager will provide us with a management team, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief investment officer or similar positions. American Capital will determine the levels of base salary and cash incentive compensation that may be earned by our officers, each of whom are employees of American Capital, based on the time required for the performance of the duties of our Manager under the management agreement and such other factors as American Capital may determine are appropriate. American Capital will also determine whether and to what extent our officers will be provided with pension, long-term or deferred compensation and other employee benefits plans and programs. Compensation paid to our officers will be paid by American Capital. The fees that we pay our Manager under the management agreement will, through the distributions of our Manager’s income to its parent and, in turn, to American Capital, be one of the sources of funds that American Capital will use to compensate our officers.

Shortly before the consummation of this offering, we expect our Board of Directors to adopt, and our sole current stockholder to approve the equity incentive plan described below pursuant to which we are permitted to grant equity-based awards to our Manager and its affiliates, including American Capital. Under this plan, our compensation committee will have discretion to determine the recipients and the terms and conditions of any such awards.

 

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Equity Incentive Plans

Shortly before the consummation of this offering, we expect our Board of Directors to adopt, and our sole current stockholder to approve, the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for Independent Directors and the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for the Manager and Affiliates. These equity incentive plans provide for the issuance of equity-based awards, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock awards and other awards based on our common stock that may be made by us to our independent directors, in the case of the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for Independent Directors, and American Capital and its affiliates who provide services to us (including our Manager), in the case of the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for the Manager and Affiliates. The shares of restricted common stock to be granted to our independent directors simultaneously with the completion of this offering and any annual grants of common stock to them will be granted pursuant to the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for Independent Directors. Any shares of common stock that our Manager elects to receive as a portion of its incentive compensation will be granted pursuant to the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for the Manager and Affiliates.

Our equity incentive plans will be administered by our Board of Directors, which may delegate its authority to the compensation committee of our Board of Directors. The plan administrator will have the authority to make awards to eligible independent directors and our Manager and its affiliates, as applicable, and to determine what form the awards will take and the terms and conditions of the awards. Except as provided below with respect to equitable adjustments, the plan administrator may not take any action that would have the effect of reducing the exercise or purchase price of any award granted under our equity incentive plans without first obtaining the consent of our stockholders.

Shortly before the consummation of this offering, an aggregate of 100,000 shares of our common stock will be reserved for issuance under the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for Independent Directors, subject to adjustment as provided below. A number of shares of our common stock that is equal to 8% of the number of shares that we issue in this offering (without giving effect to any exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option), together with the 2,500,000 shares purchased by American Capital in the simultaneous private placement (or 1,200,000 shares) will be reserved for issuance under the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for the Manager and Affiliates. If any shares subject to an award granted under our equity incentive plans are forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered or if an award terminates or expires without a distribution of shares to the participant, or if shares of our common stock are surrendered or withheld by us as payment of either the exercise price of an award and/or withholding taxes in respect of an award, the shares of common stock with respect to such award will again be available for awards under the applicable equity incentive plan. Upon the exercise of any award granted in tandem with any other award, the related award will be cancelled to the extent of the number of shares of common stock as to which the award is exercised and, notwithstanding the foregoing, that number of shares will no longer be available for awards under the applicable equity incentive plan.

 

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In the event that the plan administrator determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, common stock, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse split, reorganization, merger or other similar corporate transaction or event, affects our common stock such that an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants under our equity incentive plans, then the plan administrator will make equitable changes or adjustments to: (i) the number and kind of shares of common stock or other property (including cash) that may thereafter be issued in connection with awards; (ii) the number and kind of shares of common stock or other property (including cash) issued or issuable in respect of outstanding awards; (iii) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any award and (iv) the performance goals, if any, applicable to outstanding awards. In addition, the plan administrator may determine that any equitable adjustment may be accomplished by making a payment to the award holder, in the form of cash or other property (including but not limited to shares of our common stock).

Each stock option granted under our equity incentive plans will have a term of no longer than 10 years, and will have an exercise price that is no less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant of the award. The other terms of stock options granted by us under our equity incentive plans will be determined by the plan administrator.

The plan administrator will determine the terms and conditions of each grant of restricted stock or restricted stock units under our equity incentive plans. Restricted stock units confer on the participant the right to receive cash, common stock or other property, as determined by the plan administrator, having a value equal to the number of shares of our common stock that are subject to the award. The holders of awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units may be entitled to receive dividends or, in the case of restricted stock units, dividend equivalents, which in either case may be payable immediately or on a deferred basis at such time as is determined by the plan administrator.

The plan administrator may determine to make grants of our common stock that are not subject to any restrictions or a substantial risk of forfeiture or to grant other stock-based awards to eligible participants, the terms and conditions of which will be determined by the plan administrator at the time of grant.

If our management agreement with our Manager is terminated other than for cause (as defined in the management agreement), or if we undergo a change of control, each outstanding award under the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for the Manager and Affiliates will become immediately vested, exercisable and/ or payable. Unless otherwise determined by the plan administrator and set forth in an individual award agreement, outstanding awards under American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for Independent Directors will become fully vested, exercisable and/or payable upon termination of the independent director’s service as a director, unless such termination of service is pursuant to a removal for cause, or if we undergo a change of control.

Each of our equity incentive plans will automatically expire on the tenth anniversary of the date on which they were adopted. Our Board of Directors may terminate, amend, modify or suspend our equity incentive plans at any time, subject to stockholder approval as required by law or stock exchange rules. The plan administrator may amend the terms of any outstanding award under our equity incentive plans at any time. No amendment or termination of our equity incentive plans, or any outstanding award, may adversely affect any of the rights of an award holder without the holder’s consent.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain ownership information with respect to our common stock for those persons known to us who directly or indirectly own, control or hold with the power to vote 5% or more of our outstanding common stock, and all executive officers and directors, individually and as a group.

 

		Amount of Beneficial Ownership(1)
		Immediately Prior to This Offering						Immediately After This Offering(2)
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(3)		Number of Shares			Percent			Number of Shares			Percent
American Capital Strategies, Ltd.		100	(4)		100	%		2,500,100	(5)		16.7	%
Malon Wilkus		—			—			—			—
John R. Erickson		—			—			—			—
Ira J. Wagner		—			—			—			—
Samuel A. Flax		—			—			—			—
Russell J. Jeffrey		—			—			—			—
Alvin N. Puryear		—			—			—			—
Morris A. Davis		—			—			1,500	(6)		*
Randy E. Dobbs		—			—			1,500	(6)		*
Larry K. Harvey		—			—			1,500	(6)		*
All executive officers and directors as a group (9 persons)		—			—			4,500			*

 

*	Less than 1%.

(1)	In accordance with SEC rules, beneficial ownership includes:

 

•

all shares the investor actually owns beneficially or of record;

 

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all shares over which the investor has or shares voting or dispositive control (such as in the capacity as a general partner of an investment fund); and

 

•

all shares the investor has the right to acquire within 60 days (such as upon exercise of options that are currently vested or which are scheduled to vest within 60 days).

(2)	Assume no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

(3)	The address of American Capital Strategies, Ltd. and each of the executive officers and directors listed above is c/o American Capital Agency Corp., 2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814.

(4)	Consists of shares purchased by American Capital in connection with our initial capitalization.

(5)

Includes 2,500,000 shares of our common stock purchased by American Capital at the initial public offering price in a private placement. American Capital has indicated that it may elect to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this concurrent private placement or as part of this offering, subject to a maximum additional investment of $50 million of our common stock (for a maximum total investment of $100 million). If American Capital elects to purchase additional shares of our common stock, American Capital’s percentage ownership of our common stock could increase substantially. We cannot assure you that American Capital will make this offer or, if it does, the additional amount it may offer to purchase.

(6)

Consists of shares of restricted common stock to be granted to this independent director pursuant to one of our equity incentive plans simultaneously with the completion of this offering. Each of our three independent directors is entitled to receive a grant of $30,000 of restricted common stock based on the initial public offering price. Based on the anticipated public offering price of $20.00 per share, this would result in the grant of 1,500 shares of restricted common stock to each of our three independent directors.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Related Party Transactions

American Capital is currently our sole stockholder. Simultaneously with the pricing of this offering, we will enter into a stock purchase agreement with American Capital pursuant to which it will agree to purchase $50 million of our common stock at the initial public offering price (or 2,500,000 shares) in a private placement, subject to and concurrently with the completion of this offering. This agreement will contain customary representations, covenants and conditions. As a result of this purchase, American Capital will own approximately 16.7% of our common stock upon completion of this offering (or approximately 14.8% if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). American Capital has indicated that it may elect to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this concurrent private placement or as part of this offering, subject to a maximum additional investment of $50 million of our common stock (for a maximum total investment of $100 million). If American Capital elects to purchase additional shares of our common stock, American Capital’s percentage ownership of our common stock could increase substantially. We cannot assure you that American Capital will make this offer or, if it does, the additional amount it may offer to purchase. To the extent that American Capital offers to purchase additional shares of our common stock in the concurrent private placement, we intend to issue these additional shares of common stock to American Capital pursuant to the terms of the stock purchase agreement described above.

We and our Manager will enter into a management agreement, pursuant to which our Manager will manage our day-to-day operations. We will pay our Manager a monthly base management fee and quarterly incentive compensation and will reimburse our Manager for certain expenses. Our Manager will earn a base management fee regardless of the performance of our investments. See “Our Manager, American Capital and the Management Agreement—Our Management Agreement” for more information regarding the services our Manager will provide to us and the fees we will pay to our Manager. Because neither we nor our Manager will have any employees, our Manager will enter into an administrative services agreement with American Capital pursuant to which our Manager will be able to utilize American Capital’s employees, infrastructure, business relationships, management expertise and capital raising capabilities.

We, American Capital and our Manager will enter into a registration rights agreement with regard to the common stock owned by American Capital upon completion of this offering and any shares of common stock that our Manager may elect to receive as a part of its incentive compensation, under the management agreement or otherwise. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we will grant to American Capital and our Manager (i) unlimited demand registration rights to have these shares registered for resale and (ii) the right to “piggy-back” these shares in registration statements we might file in connection with any future public offering so long as we retain our Manager as our manager. American Capital’s registration rights with respect to the $50 million of common stock that it will purchase simultaneously with this offering will only begin to apply three years after the date of this prospectus. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any registration will be subject to cutback provisions and we will be permitted to suspend the use, from time to time, of the prospectus that is part of the registration statement (and therefore suspend sales under the registration statement) for certain periods, referred to as “blackout periods.”

We have not entered into any other transactions in which any other director or officer or stockholder of ours or our Manager has any material interest.

Related Person Transaction Policies

We expect our Board of Directors to adopt a policy providing that any investment transaction between American Capital or any of its affiliates and us or any of our subsidiaries requires the prior approval of a majority of our independent directors.

 

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We also expect our Board of Directors to adopt a policy regarding the approval of any “related person transaction”, which is any transaction or series of transactions in which we or any of our subsidiaries is or are to be a participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and a “related person” (as defined under SEC rules) has a direct or indirect material interest. Under the policy, a related person would need to promptly disclose to our Secretary any related person transaction and all material facts about the transaction. Our Secretary would then assess and promptly communicate that information to the compensation committee of our Board of Directors. Based on its consideration of all of the relevant facts and circumstances, this committee will decide whether or not to approve such transaction and will generally approve only those transactions that do not create a conflict of interest. If we become aware of an existing related person transaction that has not been pre-approved under this policy, the transaction will be referred to this committee, which will evaluate all options available, including ratification, revision or termination of such transaction. Our policy requires any director who may be interested in a related person transaction to recuse himself or herself from any consideration of such related person transaction.

In addition, our Code of Ethics, which is reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors and provided to all our directors, officers and the persons who provide services to us pursuant to the management agreement requires that all such persons avoid any situations or relationships that involve actual or potential conflicts of interest, or perceived conflicts of interest, between an individual’s personal interests and the interests of the company. Pursuant to our Code of Ethics, each of these persons must disclose any conflicts of interest, or actions or relationships that might give rise to a conflict, to their supervisor or our Secretary. If a conflict is determined to exist, the person must disengage from the conflict situation or terminate his provision of services to us. Our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, our principal accounting officer and certain other persons who may be designated by our Board of Directors or its audit committee, whom we collectively refer to as our financial executives, must consult with our Secretary with respect to any proposed actions or arrangements that are not clearly consistent with our Code of Ethics. In the event that a financial executive wishes to engage in a proposed action or arrangement that is not consistent with our Code of Ethics, the executive must obtain a waiver of the relevant provisions of our Code of Ethics in advance from our audit committee.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following is a summary of the rights and preferences of our capital stock and preferred stock and related provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws as they will be in effect upon the closing of this offering. While we believe that the following description covers the material terms of our capital stock, the description may not contain all of the information that is important to you. We encourage you to read carefully this entire prospectus, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the other documents we refer to for a more complete understanding of our capital stock. Copies of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General

Immediately before the completion of this offering, we will amend and restate our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we may issue up to 150,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, both having par value $0.01 per share. As of January 11, 2008, 100 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding. Upon completion of this offering, 15,004,600 shares of our common stock will be issued and outstanding (or 16,879,600 shares if the underwriters exercise therein over-allotment option in full) and no shares of preferred stock will be issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

Voting Rights

Subject to the restrictions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation regarding the transfer and ownership of our capital stock and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of common stock, our common stockholders will be entitled to one vote per share. Our common stockholders will not be entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority (or, in the case of election of directors, by a plurality) of the votes entitled to be cast by all holders of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class. Except as otherwise provided by law, amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation must be approved by a majority or, in some cases, a super-majority of the combined voting power of all shares of common stock, voting together as a single class.

Dividend Rights

Subject to the restrictions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation regarding the transfer and ownership of our capital stock, our common stockholders will share ratably (based on the number of common shares held) if and when any dividend is declared by our Board of Directors. Dividends consisting of common stock may be paid only as follows: (i) common stock may be paid only to holders of common stock; and (ii) shares shall be paid proportionally with respect to each outstanding common share. We may not subdivide or combine shares of any class of common stock or issue a dividend on shares of any class of common stock without at the same time proportionally subdividing or combining shares of any other class or issuing a similar dividend on any other class.

Liquidation Rights

On our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each of our common stockholders will be entitled to a pro rata dividend of any assets available for dividend to common stockholders.

Other Matters

In the event of our merger or consolidation with or into another company in connection with which shares of common stock are converted into or exchangeable for shares of stock, other securities or property (including

 

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cash), our common stockholders, will be entitled to receive the same kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property (including cash). No shares of our common stock will be subject to redemption or have preemptive rights to purchase additional shares. Upon completion of this offering, all the outstanding shares of common stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

Registration Rights Agreement with American Capital and Our Manager

We will enter into a registration rights agreement with American Capital and our Manager with regard to the common stock owned by American Capital upon completion of this offering and any shares of common stock that our Manager may elect to receive as part of its incentive compensation under the management agreement or otherwise. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we will grant American Capital and our Manager (i) unlimited demand registration rights to have these shares registered for re-sale and (ii) the right to “piggy-back” these shares in registration statements we might file in connection with any future public offering so long as we retain our Manager as our manager. American Capital’s registration rights with respect to the $50 million of common stock that it will purchase simultaneously with this offering will only begin to apply three years after the date of this prospectus. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any registration will be subject to cutback provisions and we will be permitted to suspend the use, from time to time, of the prospectus that is part of the registration statement (and therefore suspend sales under the registration statement) for certain periods, referred to as “blackout periods.”

Preferred Stock

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our Board of Directors has the authority, without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of each class or series of preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series, which may be greater than the rights of the holders of the common stock. There will be no shares of preferred stock outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering. Any issuance of shares of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock, and the likelihood that the holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control. We have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Our Capital Stock

In order to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code for each taxable year beginning after December 31, 2008, our shares of capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, for our taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008, no more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares of capital stock may be owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) during the second half of any calendar year.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, subject to certain exceptions, contains restrictions on the number of shares of our capital stock that a person may own and may prohibit certain entities from owning our shares. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that (subject to certain exceptions described below) no person may beneficially or constructively own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our common or capital stock. Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors has the power to increase or decrease the percentage of common or capital stock that a person may beneficially or constructively own. However, any decreased stock ownership limit will not apply to any person whose percentage ownership of our common or capital stock, as the case may be, is in excess of such decreased stock ownership limit until that person’s percentage ownership of our common or capital stock, as the case may be, equals or falls below the decreased stock ownership limit. Until such a person’s

 

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percentage ownership of our common or capital stock, as the case may be, falls below such decreased stock ownership limit, any further acquisition of common stock will be in violation of the decreased stock ownership limit. If our Board of Directors changes the stock ownership limit, it will (i) notify each stockholder of record of any such change, and (ii) publicly announce any such change, in each case at least 30 days prior to the effective date of such change.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also prohibits any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT and from transferring shares of our capital stock if the transfer would result in our capital stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons. In addition, no such person may own an interest in any tenant that would cause us to own, actually or constructively, more than a 9.9% interest in such tenant. Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our capital stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership, or who is the intended transferee of shares of our capital stock that are transferred to the trust (as described below), is required to give written notice immediately to us and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our qualification as a REIT. The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

Our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt a person from the foregoing restrictions. The person seeking an exemption must provide to our Board of Directors such conditions, representations and undertakings as our Board of Directors may deem reasonably necessary to conclude that granting the exemption will not cause us to lose our qualification as a REIT. We expect our Board of Directors to grant American Capital an exemption from these restrictions, subject to the continued accuracy of American Capital’s representation to us, among others, that no person or entity beneficially or constructively owns more than 9.8% (in value or number, whichever is more restrictive) of any class or series of our capital stock as a result of any such person or entity’s beneficial or constructive ownership of capital stock of American Capital, taken together with any shares of our capital stock owned by any such person or entity. Our Board of Directors may also require a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel in order to determine or ensure our qualification as a REIT in the context of granting such exemptions.

Any attempted transfer of our capital stock which, if effective, would result in a violation of the foregoing restrictions will cause the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in such shares. The automatic transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day (as defined in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation) prior to the date of the transfer. If, for any reason, the transfer to the trust does not occur or would not prevent a violation of the restrictions on ownership contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the purported transfer will be void ab initio. Shares of our capital stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of our capital stock held in the trust, will have no rights to dividends and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of capital stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of capital stock have been transferred to the trust will be paid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or distribution paid to the trustee will be held in trust for the charitable beneficiary. Subject to Delaware law, the trustee will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by the proposed transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast the vote.

Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will sell the shares to a person designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not

 

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violate the above ownership limitations. Upon such sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee and to the charitable beneficiary as follows: the proposed transferee will receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the proposed transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other similar transaction), the market price (as defined in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation) of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (2) the price received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the proposed transferee will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, prior to our discovery that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the shares are sold by the proposed transferee, then (1) the shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and (2) to the extent that the proposed transferee received an amount for the shares that exceeds the amount the proposed transferee was entitled to receive, the excess shall be paid to the trustee upon demand.

In addition, shares of our capital stock held in the trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of the devise or gift) and the market price on the date we, or our designee, accept the offer. We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee.

Every owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as required by the Internal Revenue Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) in number or in value of all classes or series of our capital stock, including shares of our common stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, will be required to give written notice to us stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of shares of our capital stock that the owner beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each owner shall provide to us such additional information as we may request to determine the effect, if any, of the beneficial ownership on our qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limitations. In addition, each such owner shall, upon demand, be required to provide to us such information as we may request, in good faith, to determine our qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the 9.8% ownership limitations in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

These ownership limitations could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will be filed with the State of Delaware and become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, and by-laws contain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board of Directors and that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a future takeover or change in control of our company unless the takeover or change in control is approved by our Board of Directors. In addition to the above-described restrictions regarding the transfer and ownership of our capital stock, these provisions include the following:

Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that stockholder action may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting and that stockholder action may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders.

 

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Elimination of the Ability to Call Special Meetings

Our bylaws provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of our stockholders can only be called by our president, pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of our Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors that has been duly designated by the Board of Directors and whose powers and authority include the power to call such meetings, or by the chairman of our Board of Directors. Stockholders are not permitted to call a special meeting or to require our Board of Directors to call a special meeting.

Removal of Directors; Board of Directors Vacancies

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that members of our Board of Directors may only be removed for cause, and only with the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66% of the combined voting power of all the shares of all classes of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Our by-laws provide that only our Board of Directors may fill vacant directorships. These provisions would prevent a stockholder from gaining control of our Board of Directors by removing incumbent directors and filling the resulting vacancies with such stockholder’s own nominees.

Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or DGCL, provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is required to amend or repeal a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation generally requires the approval of both a majority of the combined voting power of all the classes of shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and a majority of the members of our Board of Directors to amend any provisions of our certificate of incorporation, except that provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation relating to the powers, numbers, classes, elections, terms and removal of our directors, as well as the ability to fill vacancies on our Board of Directors requires the affirmative vote of at least 66% of the combined voting power of all the shares of all classes of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (i) grants our Board of Directors the authority to amend and repeal our bylaws without a stockholder vote in any manner not inconsistent with the DGCL and (ii) requires that stockholders may only amend our bylaws with the affirmative vote of 66% of the combined voting power of all the shares of all classes of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

The foregoing provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our Board of Directors and in the policies formulated by our Board of Directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management or delaying or preventing a transaction that might benefit you or other minority stockholders.

Section 203 of the DGCL

We will not be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the “business combination” or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder

 

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is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. In our original certificate of incorporation, we have elected not to be bound by Section 203.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide indemnification for our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, except that such directors and officers will not be indemnified to the extent that any such person has committed willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard involved in the conduct of such person’s duty to or for us. In addition, as permitted by Delaware law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes provisions that eliminate the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages resulting from breaches of certain fiduciary duties as a director. The effect of this provision is to restrict our rights and the rights of our stockholders in derivative suits to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duties as a director, except that a director will be personally liable to the extent such director has committed willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such director’s duties involved in the conduct of the office of director.

These provisions may be held not to be enforceable for violations of the federal securities laws of the United States.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our shares of common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The principal business address of Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is P.O. Box 43010, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3010.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that sales of shares or the availability of shares for sale will have on the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock.

Prior to this offering, we had 100 shares of our common stock outstanding. Upon completion of this offering, 15,754,600 shares of our common stock will be issued and outstanding (or 17,629,600 shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) and no shares of preferred stock will be issued and outstanding.

Lock-Up Agreements

We and each of our Manager, our directors and executive officers will severally agree that, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, dispose of or hedge any shares of our common stock, subject to certain exceptions and extension in certain circumstances. American Capital will agree that, for a period of 365 days after the date of this prospectus, it will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, dispose of or hedge any of the shares of our common stock that it will receive in exchange for its investment in our company, pursuant to the concurrent private placement, subject to certain exceptions and extension in certain circumstances. These lock-up agreements will not apply to any shares of our common stock that may be issued to our Manager or American Capital in the future pursuant to the management agreement or our equity incentive plan for our Manager and its affiliates. There are no present agreements between Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and any of American Capital, our Manager, our directors, our executive officers or us to release any of them or us from these lock-up agreements. However, we cannot predict the circumstances or timing under which Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated may waive these restrictions.

Registration Rights

We will enter into a registration rights agreement with American Capital and our Manager with regard to the common stock owned by American Capital upon completion of this offering and any shares of common stock that our Manager may elect to receive as part of its incentive compensation under the management agreement or otherwise. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we will grant to American Capital and our Manager (i) unlimited demand registration rights to have these shares registered for resale and (ii) the right to “piggy-back” these shares in registration statements we might file in connection with any future public offering so long as we retain our Manager as our manager. American Capital’s registration rights with respect to the $50 million of common stock that it will purchase simultaneously with this offering will only begin to apply three years after the date of this prospectus. Although American Capital has indicated to us that is does not presently intend to sell or otherwise dispose of the shares of our common stock that it will receive in exchange for its $50 million investment for at least three years after the date of this prospectus, its intentions may change at any time in the future. If American Capital’s intentions should change, it may sell these shares in a transaction that is not subject to registration under the Securities Act if an exemption from such registration is available.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months (including any period of consecutive ownership of preceding non-affiliated holders) would be entitled to sell those shares,

 

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subject only to the availability of current public information about us. A non-affiliated person who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least one year would be entitled to sell those shares without regard to the provisions of Rule 144.

A person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is deemed to be an affiliate of ours and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of one percent of the then outstanding shares of our common stock or the average weekly trading volume of our common stock reported through The NASDAQ Global Market during the four calendar weeks preceding such sale. Such sales are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.

 

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FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in common stock of American Capital Agency Corp. For purposes of this section under the heading “Federal Income Tax Considerations,” references to “American Capital Agency Corp.,” “we,” “our” and “us” mean only American Capital Agency Corp. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code, the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department, rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. We have not sought and will not seek an advance ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this prospectus. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we will operate American Capital Agency Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities in accordance with their applicable organizational documents or partnership agreements. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. It does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:

 

•

financial institutions;

 

•

insurance companies;

 

•

broker-dealers;

 

•

regulated investment companies;

 

•

partnerships and trusts;

 

•

persons who hold our stock on behalf of other persons as nominees;

 

•

persons who receive American Capital Agency Corp. stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;

 

•

persons holding American Capital Agency Corp. stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;

and, except to the extent discussed below:

 

•

tax-exempt organizations; and

 

•

foreign investors.

This summary assumes that investors will hold their common stock as a capital asset, which generally means as property held for investment.

The federal income tax treatment of holders of our common stock depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular stockholder of holding our common stock will depend on the stockholder’s particular tax circumstances. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences to you in light of your particular investment or tax circumstances of acquiring, holding, exchanging, or otherwise disposing of our common stock.

Taxation of American Capital Agency Corp.

We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT, commencing with our initial taxable year ending December 31, 2008, upon the filing of our federal income tax return for such year. We believe that we have been organized and expect to operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT.

 

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The law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has acted as our tax counsel in connection with our formation and election to be taxed as a REIT. In connection with this offering of our common stock, we expect to receive an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP to the effect that we have been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, and that our proposed method of operation will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. It must be emphasized that the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will be based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation and will be conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our organization, assets, and income, and the present and future conduct of our business operations. While we intend to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP or by us that we will qualify as a REIT for any particular year. The opinion will be expressed as of the date issued and will not cover subsequent periods. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will have no obligation to advise us or our stockholders of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.

Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, distribution levels, and diversity of stock and asset ownership, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code, the compliance with which will not be reviewed by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

Taxation of REITs in General

As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under “—Requirements for Qualification—General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “—Failure to Qualify.”

Provided that we qualify as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to federal corporate income tax on our taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from investment in a corporation. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon a distribution of dividends to our stockholders.

For tax years through 2010, most domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate dividends at a maximum rate of 15% (the same as long-term capital gains). With limited exceptions, however, dividends from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are generally not eligible for this rate and will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income, which will be as high as 35% through 2010. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders—Distributions.”

Any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See “—Taxation of Stockholders.”

 

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If we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to federal tax in the following circumstances:

 

•

We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.

 

•

We may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference, including any deductions of net operating losses.

 

•

If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “—Prohibited Transactions,” and “—Foreclosure Property,” below.

 

•

If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 35%).

 

•

If we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income.

 

•

If we should violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to an penalty tax. In that case, the amount of the penalty tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%) if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.

 

•

If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts that we actually distributed and (ii) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.

 

•

We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders, as described below in “—Requirements for Qualification—General.”

 

•

A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a TRS (as described below) that do not reflect arm’s-length terms.

 

•

If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the ten-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation.

 

•

The earnings of our subsidiaries, including our TRS, are subject to federal corporate income tax to the extent that such subsidiaries are subchapter C corporations.

In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

 

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Requirements for Qualification—General

The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

 

(1)

that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

 

(2)

the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

 

(3)

that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;

 

(4)

that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

(5)

the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;

 

(6)

in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include specified tax-exempt entities); and

 

(7)

which meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.

The Internal Revenue Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporation’s initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, is 2008). Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of our stock, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the stock ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above.

To monitor compliance with the stock ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our stocks. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the stock (i.e., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our stock and other information.

In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We intend to adopt December 31 as our year-end, and thereby satisfy this requirement.

The Internal Revenue Code provides relief from violations of the REIT gross income requirements, as described below under “—Income Tests,” in cases where a violation is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, and other requirements are met, including the payment of a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the violation. In addition, certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code extend similar relief in the case of certain violations of the REIT asset requirements (see “—Asset Tests” below) and other REIT requirements, again provided that the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and other conditions are met, including the payment of a penalty tax. If we fail to satisfy any of the various REIT requirements, there can be no assurance that these relief provisions would be available to enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, if such relief provisions are available, the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.

Effect of Subsidiary Entities

Ownership of Partnership Interests. If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership’s income, for purposes of the asset and

 

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gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership’s assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test, our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.

Disregarded Subsidiaries. If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is generally disregarded for federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary’s assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), that is directly or indirectly wholly-owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly-owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”

In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly-owned—for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours—the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See “—Asset Tests” and “—Income Tests.”

Taxable Subsidiaries. In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly-owned, to treat such subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, our TRS or other taxable corporation generally is subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We are not treated as holding the assets of our TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.

The TRS rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise tax on transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the REIT’s tenants that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. We intend that all of our transactions with our TRSs will be conducted on an arm’s-length basis.

 

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Income Tests

In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions,” generally must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including, generally, agency securities and certain types of mortgage-backed securities), “rents from real property,” dividends received from other REITs, and gains from the sale of real estate assets, as well as specified income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.

Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.

We intend to invest exclusively in agency securities that are either pass-through certificates or CMOs. We expect that the agency securities will be treated either as interests in a grantor trust or as interests in a REMIC for federal income tax purposes and that all interest income from our agency securities will be qualifying income for the 95% gross income test. In the case of an agency securities treated as interests in grantor trusts, we would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. The interest on such mortgage loans would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by real property, as discussed above. In the case of agency securities treated as interests in a REMIC, income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. If less than 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, some REMIC securitizations include imbedded interest swap or cap contracts or other derivative instruments that potentially could produce non-qualifying income for the holder of the related REMIC securities. We expect that substantially all of our income from agency securities will be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.

As described in “Business—Our Financing Strategy,” we may, in the future, purchase agency securities through TBAs and may recognize income or gains from the disposition of those TBAs, through dollar roll transactions or otherwise. There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test and we would not treat these items as such unless we receive a reasoned, written opinion (within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations) of our counsel that such income and gains should be treated as such. Consequently, our ability to enter into dollar roll transactions and other dispositions of TBAs could be limited. Moreover, even if we were to receive the opinion of counsel described above, it is possible that the IRS could assert that such income is not qualifying income. In the event that such income were determined not to be qualifying for the 75% gross income test, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if such income when added to any other non-qualifying income exceeded 25% of our gross income.

Rents received by us, if any, will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements described above only if several conditions are met. If rent is partly attributable to personal property

 

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leased in connection with a lease of real property, the portion of the rent that is attributable to the personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property” unless it constitutes 15% or less of the total rent received under the lease. In addition, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. Amounts received as rent, however, generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of gross receipts or sales. Also, rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent that we do not directly or constructively hold a 10% or greater interest, as measured by vote or value, in the lessee’s equity.

We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from our TRS or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from a REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.

Fees will generally be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests if they are received in consideration for entering into an agreement to make a loan secured by real property and the fees are not determined by income and profits. Other fees generally will not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test and will not be favorably counted for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by our TRS will not be included for purposes of the gross income tests. Any income or gain that we or our pass-through subsidiaries derive from instruments that hedge certain risks, such as the risk of changes in interest rates, will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, provided that specified requirements are met, including the requirement that the instrument is entered into during the ordinary course of our business, the instrument hedges risks associated with indebtedness issued by us or our pass-through subsidiary that is incurred to acquire or carry “real estate assets” (as described below under “—Asset Tests”), and the instrument is properly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods. Income and gain from such transactions will not be qualifying income for the 75% gross income test, and income and gain from all other hedging transactions will not be qualifying income for either the 95% or 75% gross income test.

If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, including as a result of income and gains from the disposition of TBAs, we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (1) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (2) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations yet to be issued. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “—Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, the Internal Revenue Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.

Asset Tests

At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include some kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans, as well as interests in real property and stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.

Second, the value of any one issuer’s securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.

 

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Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the 10% asset test does not apply to “straight debt” having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code. Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold may not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets.

Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by another REIT may not so qualify (such debt, however, will not be treated as “securities” for purposes of the 10% asset test, as explained below).

Certain securities will not cause a violation of the 10% asset test described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute “straight debt,” which includes, among other things, securities having certain contingency features. A security does not qualify as “straight debt” where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuer’s outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Internal Revenue Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% asset test. Such securities include (1) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (2) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (3) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (4) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a non-governmental entity, (5) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT, and (6) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnership’s income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under “—Income Tests.” In applying the 10% asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REIT’s proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership.

We intend to invest exclusively in agency securities that are either pass-through certificates or collateralized mortgage obligations. We expect that the agency securities will be treated either as interests in grantor trusts or as interests in REMICs for federal income tax purposes. In the case of an agency securities treated as interests in grantor trusts, we would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. Such mortgage loans will generally qualify as real estate assets to the extent that they are secured by real property. We expect that substantially all of our agency securities treated as interests in grantor trust will qualify as real estate assets. In the case of agency securities treated as interests in a REMIC, such interests will generally qualify as real estate assets and income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the REIT income tests described above. If less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests.

We intend to enter into sale and repurchase agreements under which we would nominally sell certain of our agency securities to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase the sold assets in exchange for a purchase price that reflects a financing charge. We believe that we would be treated for REIT asset and income test purposes as the owner of the agency securities that are the subject of any such agreement notwithstanding that such agreements may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we did not own the agency securities during the term of the sale and repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT.

 

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As described in “Business—Our Targeted Investments,” we may, in the future, purchase agency securities through TBAs. There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of TBAs as real estate assets or Government securities for purposes of the 75% asset test and we would not treat TBAs as such unless we receive a reasoned, written opinion (within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations) of our counsel that TBAs should be treated as such. Consequently, our ability to purchase TBAs could be limited. Moreover, even if we were to receive the opinion of counsel described above, it is possible that the IRS could assert that TBAs are not qualifying assets. In the event that TBAs were determined not to be qualifying for the 75% asset test, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if such assets when added to any other non-qualifying assets exceeded 25% of our gross assets.

No independent appraisals have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, values of some assets, including instruments issued in securitization transactions, may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. One such provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (1) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (2) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (3) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure, and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 35%), and (4) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.

In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (1) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT’s total assets and $10,000,000, and (2) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.

If we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, including any failure to satisfy the 75% asset test as a result of any future investments in TBAs, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (1) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (2) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the market value of our assets. If the condition described in (2) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of relief provisions described below.

Annual Distribution Requirements

In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:

(a) the sum of

(1) 90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid, and

 

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(2) 90% of our net income, if any, (after tax) from foreclosure property (as described below), minus

(b) the sum of specified items of non-cash income.

We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. In order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITs, and to provide us with a tax deduction for us, the distributions must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (1) pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class, and (2) in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents.

To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (b) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.

To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the character, in the hands of our stockholders, of any distributions that are actually made as ordinary dividends or capital gains. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders—Distributions.”

If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed, plus (y) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.

It is possible that, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between (a) our actual receipt of cash, including receipt of distributions from any subsidiaries, and (b) our inclusion of items in income for federal income tax purposes. Other potential sources of non-cash taxable income include:

 

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loans or mortgage-backed securities held as assets that are issued at a discount and require the accrual of taxable economic interest in advance of receipt in cash; and

 

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loans on which the borrower is permitted to defer cash payments of interest, and distressed loans on which we may be required to accrue taxable interest income even though the borrower is unable to make current servicing payments in cash.

In the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution requirements, it might be necessary for us to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings, or to pay dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of property.

We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. We will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

 

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Prohibited Transactions

Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business by us or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument to us. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.

Foreclosure Property

Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that we acquire as the result of having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated, and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. Because we will invest exclusively in agency securities, we not anticipate receiving any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test.

Derivatives and Hedging Transactions

We and our subsidiaries will enter into hedging transactions with respect to interest rate exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, interest rate cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts, and options. To the extent that American Capital Agency Corp. or a pass-through subsidiary enters into a hedging transaction to reduce interest rate risk on indebtedness incurred to acquire or carry real estate assets and the instrument is properly identified as a hedge along with the risk it hedges within prescribed time periods, any periodic income from the instrument, or gain from the disposition of such instrument, would be excluded altogether from the 95% gross income test, and would be treated as non-qualifying income for the 75% gross income test. To the extent that we hedge in other situations (for example, against fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies), the resultant income will be treated as income that does not qualify under the 75% or the 95% gross income test. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT. We intend to conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency risk) through our TRS, the income from which will be subject to federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of either or both of the REIT gross income tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.

Failure to Qualify

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penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in “—Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests.”

If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, distributions to domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates will generally be taxable at capital gains rates (through 2010). In addition, subject to the limitations of the Internal Revenue Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief.

Taxation of Stockholders

Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders

Distributions. So long as we qualify as a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable domestic stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits that we do not designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taken into account by stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. With limited exceptions, our dividends are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates (i.e., the 15% maximum federal rate through 2010) for qualified dividends received by domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates from taxable C corporations. Such stockholders, however, are taxed at the preferential rates on dividends designated by and received from REITs to the extent that the dividends are attributable to:

 

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income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax);

 

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dividends received by the REIT from TRSs or other taxable C corporations; or

 

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income in the prior taxable year from the sales of “built-in gain” property acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income).

Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxed to our stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the stockholder that receives such distribution has held its stock. We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gains, in which case provisions of the Internal Revenue Code will treat our stockholders as having received, solely for tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains, and the stockholders will receive a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gains. See “Taxation of American Capital Agency Corp.—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Corporate stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum federal rates of 15% (through 2010) in the case of stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates, and 35% in the case of stockholders that are corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are subject to a 25% maximum federal income tax rate for taxpayers who are taxed as individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will generally represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that the amount of such distributions does not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholder’s shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the stockholder’s shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a stockholder’s shares, the stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition,

 

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any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.

To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “Taxation of American Capital Agency Corp.—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.

Dispositions of American Capital Agency Corp. Stock. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts and estates upon the sale or disposition of our stock will be subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of 15% (through 2010) if the stock is held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of up to 35% through 2010) if the stock is held for one year or less. Gains recognized by stockholders that are corporations are subject to federal income tax at a maximum rate of 35%, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. Capital losses recognized by a stockholder upon the disposition of our stock that was held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the stockholder as long-term capital gain.

If an investor recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our stock or other securities in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury regulations involving “reportable transactions” could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards “tax shelters,” are broadly written and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. You should consult your tax advisor concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our stock or securities or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions that we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a domestic stockholder of our stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, stockholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our stock. To the extent that distributions we make do not constitute a return of capital, they will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.

Taxation of Foreign Stockholders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to non-U.S. holders. A “non-U.S. holder” is any person other than:

 

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a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

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a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 

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an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

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a trust if a United States court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

The following discussion is based on current law, and is for general information only. It addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxation.

Ordinary Dividends. The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. holders that is (1) payable out of our earnings and profits, (2) which is not attributable to our capital gains and (3) which is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder, will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by treaty.

In general, non-U.S. holders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. holder’s investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as domestic stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such income must generally be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. holder. The income may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation.

Non-Dividend Distributions. Unless our stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (a “USRPI”), distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. The non-U.S. holder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If our stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (a) the stockholder’s proportionate share of our earnings and profits, plus (b) the stockholder’s basis in its stock, will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, or FIRPTA, at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a domestic stockholder of the same type (e.g., an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding at a rate of 10% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholder’s share of our earnings and profits.

Capital Gain Dividends. Under FIRPTA, a distribution that we make to a non-U.S. holder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, or USRPI capital gains, will, except as described below, be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder and will be subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations, without regard to whether we designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend. See above under “—Taxation of Foreign Stockholders—Ordinary Dividends,” for a discussion of the consequences of income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of the maximum amount that could have been designated as USRPI capital gains dividends. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. A distribution is not a USRPI capital gain if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that are attributable to dispositions of our assets other than USRPIs are not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless (1) the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S.

 

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holder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such gain, or (2) the non- U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. holder will incur a 30% tax on his capital gains.

A capital gain dividend that would otherwise have been treated as a USRPI capital gain will not be so treated or be subject to FIRPTA, and generally will not be treated as income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, and instead will be treated in the same manner as an ordinary dividend (see “—Taxation of Foreign Stockholders—Ordinary Dividends”), if (1) the capital gain dividend is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States, and (2) the recipient non-U.S. holder does not own more than 5% of that class of stock at any time during the year ending on the date on which the capital gain dividend is received. We anticipate that our common stock will be “regularly traded” on an established securities exchange following this offering.

Dispositions of American Capital Agency Corp. Stock. Unless our stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of our stock by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA. Our stock will not be treated as a USRPI if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the United States, excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor. It is not currently anticipated that our stock will constitute a USRPI. However, we cannot assure you that our stock will not become a USRPI.

Even if the foregoing 50% test is not met, our stock nonetheless will not constitute a USRPI if we are a “domestically-controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically-controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of value of which is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders at all times during a specified testing period. We believe that we are, and we will be, a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity, and that a sale of our stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, no assurance can be given that we are or will remain a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity.

In the event that we are not a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, but our stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market, a non-U.S. holder’s sale of our common stock nonetheless would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that the selling non-U.S. holder held 5% or less of our outstanding common stock any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the sale. We expect that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market following this offering.

If gain on the sale of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals, and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.

Gain from the sale of our stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. holder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. holder’s investment in our stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. holder, the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, or (2) if the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s capital gain. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our stock (subject to the 5% exception applicable to “regularly traded” stock described above), a non-U.S. holder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI if the non-U.S. holder (1) disposes of our common stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (2) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our common stock within 30 days after such ex-dividend date.

 

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Estate Tax. If our stock is owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) of the United States at the time of such individual’s death, the stock will be includable in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise, and may therefore be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders

Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from federal income taxation. However, they may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income, or UBTI. While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt stockholder has not held our stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder), and (2) our stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions that we make and income from the sale of our stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt stockholder.

Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from federal income taxation under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Internal Revenue Code are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to characterize distributions that we make as UBTI.

In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends as UBTI if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) we are required to “look through” one or more of our pension trust stockholders in order to satisfy the REIT “closely-held” test, and (2) either (i) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (ii) one or more pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of the value of our stock. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock generally should prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock and generally should prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.

Tax-exempt stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning American Capital Agency Corp. stock.

Other Tax Considerations

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

The present federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department which may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. Changes to the federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our stock.

State, Local and Foreign Taxes

We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. We may own properties located in numerous jurisdictions, and may be required to file tax returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the federal income tax treatment discussed above. We may pay foreign property taxes, and dispositions of foreign property or operations involving, or investments in, foreign property may give rise to foreign income or other tax liability in amounts that could be substantial. Any foreign taxes that we incur do not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our stock.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are acting as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement to be dated as of the date of this prospectus, each underwriter named below will agree to purchase, and we will agree to sell to that underwriter, the number of shares of our common stock set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

 

Underwriter		Number of Shares
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Banc of America Securities LLC
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
JMP Securities LLC
RBC Capital Markets Corporation
Total		12,500,000

The underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the shares of common stock included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other customary conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the shares (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if they purchase any of the shares.

The underwriters propose to offer some of the shares directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and some of the shares to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed $             per share. The underwriters may allow, and dealers may re-allow, a concession not to exceed $             per share on sales to other dealers. If all of the shares are not sold at the initial public offering price, the representatives may change the public offering price and the other selling terms. The representatives have advised us that the underwriters do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of our common stock offered by them.

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 1,875,000 additional shares of common stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purposes of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We will agree that, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, we will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, dispose of or hedge any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, except for (1) the 2,500,000 shares that will be issued to American Capital in a private placement simultaneously with the completion of this offering, (2) any shares, or options to purchase shares that may granted pursuant to our existing equity incentive plans, (3) any shares issued pursuant to any dividend reinvestment plan, or (4) any shares issued in any merger or acquisition transaction. However, in the event that either (1) during the last 17 days of this 180-day “lock-up” period, we release earnings results or material news or a material event relating to us occurs, or (2) prior to the expiration of the “lock-up” period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the “lock-up” period, then, in either case, the expiration of the “lock-up” will be extended to the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the release of the earnings results or the occurrence of the material news or event, as applicable, unless Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated waives, in writing, such an extension.

 

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Our Manager and each of our executive officers and directors will agree that, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, they will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, dispose of or hedge any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, subject to certain exceptions. American Capital will agree that, for a period of 365 days after the date of this prospectus, it will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, dispose of or hedge any of the shares of our common stock that it will receive in exchange for its investment pursuant to the concurrent private placement, subject to certain exceptions. These lock-up agreements will not apply to any shares of our common stock that may be issued to our Manager or American Capital in the future pursuant to the management agreement or our equity incentive plan for our Manager and its affiliates. However, in the event that either (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day or 365-day “lock-up” period, we release earnings results or material news or a material event relating to us occurs, or (2) prior to the expiration of the “lock-up” period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the “lock-up” period, then, in either case, the expiration of the “lock-up” will be extended to the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the release of the earnings results or the occurrence of the material news or event, as applicable, unless Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated waive, in writing, such an extension.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated may, in their sole discretion, release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice. There are no present agreements between Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, American Capital, our Manager, any of our executive officers or directors or us to release any of them or us from these lock-up agreements. However, we cannot predict the circumstances or timing under which these restrictions may be waived.

Sales in Other Jurisdictions

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive, or a Relevant Member State, each underwriter represents and agrees that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State, or the Relevant Implementation Date, it has not made and will not make an offer of shares to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of shares to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

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to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

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to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

 

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to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior content of the manager for any such offer; or

 

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in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by us of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, (i) the expression an “offer of shares to the public” in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and (ii) the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in such Relevant Member State.

 

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We have been advised by the underwriters that:

 

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they have complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or FSMA, with respect to anything done by them in relation to our common stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom; they have only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by them in connection with the issue or sale of our common stock in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us;

 

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they will not offer or sell any of our common stock directly or indirectly in Japan or to, or for the benefit of any Japanese person or to others, for re-offering or re-sale directly or indirectly in Japan or to any Japanese person, except in each case pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and any other applicable laws and regulations of Japan. For purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese person” means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan;

 

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they and each of their affiliates have not (i) offered or sold and will not offer or sell in Hong Kong, by means of any document, our common stock other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance or (ii) issued or had in their possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in their possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to our common stock, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to our common stock which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance. The contents of this document have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice;

 

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this prospectus or any other offering material relating to our common stock has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and our common stock will be offered in Singapore pursuant to exemptions under Section 274 and Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “Securities and Futures Act”). Accordingly, our common stock may not be offered or sold, or be the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material relating to our common stock be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to the public or any member of the public in Singapore other than (a) to an institutional investor or other person specified in Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, (b) to a sophisticated investor, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act or (c) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the Securities and Futures Act;

 

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they are aware of the fact that no German sales prospectus (Verkaufsprospekt) within the meaning of the Securities Sales Prospectus Act (Wertpapier-Verkaufsprospektgesetz, the “Act”) of the Federal Republic of Germany has been or will be published with respect to our common stock. In particular, each underwriter has represented that it has not engaged and has agreed that it will not engage in a public offering (ôffentliches Angebot) within the meaning of the Act with respect to any of our common stock otherwise than in accordance with the Act and all other applicable legal and regulatory requirements;

 

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shares of our common stock are being issued and sold outside the Republic of France and that, in connection with their initial distribution, they have not offered or sold and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any of our common stock to the public in the Republic of France, and that they have not

 

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distributed and will not distribute or cause to be distributed to the public in the Republic of France, this prospectus or any other offering material relating to our common stock, and that such offers, sales and distributions have been and will be made in the Republic of France only to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) in accordance with Article L.411-2 of the Monetary and Financial Code and decrét no. 98-880 dated 1st October, 1998; and

 

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shares of our common stock may not be offered, sold, transferred or delivered in or from the Netherlands as part of their initial distribution or at any time thereafter, directly or indirectly, other than to individuals or legal entities situated in The Netherlands who or which trade or invest in securities in the conduct of a business or profession (which includes banks, securities intermediaries (including dealers and brokers), insurance companies, pension funds, collective investment institutions, central governments, large international and supranational organizations, other institutional investors and other parties, including treasury departments of commercial enterprises, which as an ancillary activity regularly invest in securities, or Professional Investors, provided that in the offer, prospectus and in any other documents or advertisements in which a forthcoming offering of our common stock is publicly announced (whether electronically or otherwise) in The Netherlands it is stated that such offer is and will be exclusively made to such Professional Investors. Individual or legal entities who are not Professional Investors may not participate in the offering of our common stock, and this prospectus or any other offering material relating to our common stock may not be considered an offer or the prospect of an offer to sell or exchange our common stock.

Offering Price Determination

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the shares will be determined by negotiations among us and the representatives. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price will be our management, our estimated net income, our estimated cash available for distribution to our common stockholders, our growth prospects, current market valuations, financial performance and dividend yields of publicly-traded companies considered by us and the underwriters to be comparable to us, and the current state of the market for RMBS and the economy as a whole. We cannot assure you, however, that the prices at which the shares will sell in the public market after this offering will not be lower than the initial public offering price or that an active trading market in our common stock will develop and continue after this offering.

Listing

Subject to official notice of issuance, our common stock has been approved for listing on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “AGNC.”

Underwriting Commissions and Discounts

The following table summarizes the underwriting commissions and discounts that we will pay the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming no exercise and full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

		Paid by Us
		No Exercise			Full Exercise
Per share		$			$
Total		$			$

Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

In connection with the offering, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell shares of our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate

 

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covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of common stock in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of the common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of common stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when Citigroup Global Markets Inc. repurchases shares originally sold by that syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or make stabilizing purchases.

Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. They may also cause the price of our common stock to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on The NASDAQ Global Market or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

We estimate that our expenses of this offering, net of underwriting discounts and commissions, will be $1,200,000.

The underwriters or their affiliates have engaged in transactions with, and have performed underwriting, investment banking, lending and advisory services for American Capital and/or its affiliates in the ordinary course of their business and may do so for us as well as our Manager, American Capital and its other affiliates in the future. Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and RBC Capital Markets Corporation have acted as underwriters and financial advisors on a number of equity and debt offerings by American Capital and have provided lending to American Capital. Currently, an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. are lenders to American Capital under its commercial paper conduit securitization facility. Affiliates of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and RBC Capital Markets Corporation are lenders under America Capital’s unsecured revolving line of credit. American Capital has entered into master repurchase agreements with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and an affiliate, Banc of America Securities LLC and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. We have also entered into master repurchase agreements with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and an affiliate, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Banc of America Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. They have received or will receive customary fees and reimbursements of expenses for these transactions and services.

A prospectus supplement in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representatives will allocate shares to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, shares may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell shares to online brokerage account holders.

We will agree to indemnify the underwriters against liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in that respect.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with this offering including the validity of the shares being offered by this prospectus and certain tax matters, will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Hunton & Williams LLP.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our balance sheet at January 11, 2008, as set forth in their report dated January 11, 2008. This balance sheet is included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-11, including exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock to be sold in this offering. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to our company and the shares of common stock to be sold in this offering, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. Copies of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement, may be examined without charge at the public reference room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Information about the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0300. Copies of all or a portion of the registration statement may be obtained from the public reference room of the SEC upon payment of prescribed fees. Our SEC filings, including our registration statement, are also available to you on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

As a result of this offering, we will become subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and will file periodic reports and proxy statements and will make available to our stockholders annual reports containing audited financial information for each year and quarterly reports for the first three quarters of each fiscal year containing unaudited interim financial information.

 

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INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN CAPITAL AGENCY CORP.

 

		Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		F-2
Balance Sheet as of January 11, 2008		F-3
Notes to Balance Sheet as of January 11, 2008		F-4

All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors of American Capital Agency Corp.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of American Capital Agency Corp. (the “Company”) as of January 11, 2008. This balance sheet is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this balance sheet based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit of the balance sheet provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at January 11, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

McLean, Virginia

January 11, 2008

 

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AMERICAN CAPITAL AGENCY CORP.

BALANCE SHEET

As of January 11, 2008

 

Assets
Cash		$	1,000
Total assets		$	1,000
Liabilities
Commitments and contingencies		$	—
Stockholder’s Equity
Common stock, par value $0.01, 1,000 shares authorized, 100 shares issued and outstanding		$	1
Additional paid-in capital			999
Total stockholder’s equity			1,000
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity		$	1,000

See accompanying notes to the Balance Sheet.

 

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AMERICAN CAPITAL AGENCY CORP.

NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET

As of January 11, 2008

1. Organization

American Capital Agency Corp. (the “Company”) was organized in Delaware on January 7, 2008. Under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue up to 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. The Company has not commenced operations.

2. Formation of the Company/Initial Public Offering

The Company intends to conduct an initial public offering of common stock, which is anticipated to be completed in the second quarter of 2008. The net proceeds from the offering will be used to acquire single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency, e.g., the Government National Mortgage Association, or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity, e.g., the Federal National Mortgage Association, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“agency securities”). The Company will be subject to the risks involved with agency securities as well as other high-quality mortgage-backed securities. These include, among others, the risks normally associated with changes in the prepayment rates, interest rates levels, general economic climate, health of the general credit and mortgage finance markets, creditworthiness of borrowers, and changes in tax laws, and the availability of financing. The Company intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2008. In order to qualify and maintain its tax status as a REIT, the Company plans to distribute at least 90% of its taxable income.

The sole stockholder of the Company is American Capital Strategies, Ltd. (“American Capital”). American Capital’s initial capital contribution to the Company of $1,000 was made on January 11, 2008.

The Company will be externally managed and advised by American Capital Agency Management, LLC (the “Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Capital, LLC, which is a wholly-owned portfolio company of American Capital.

3. Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the balance sheet in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the balance sheet. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Underwriting Commissions and Costs

Underwriting commissions and costs to be incurred in connection with the Company’s stock offerings will be reflected as a reduction of additional paid-in-capital.

Organizational Costs

Organizational costs include partnership filing costs, audit fees related to the initial registration and initial balance sheet audit and various legal start-up costs. Organizational costs incurred prior to the commencement of this offering will be paid directly by American Capital and the Company will reimburse American Capital for these costs contingent on the commencement of this offering.

Organizational costs fall into one of two categories. Certain organizational costs, including costs associated with preparing the initial registration statement and qualification of the offering in all applicable jurisdictions,

 

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typesetting and printing of the prospectus, federal and state registration fees are classified as offering costs and will be charged to additional paid-in-capital upon completion of the offering. All other organizational costs that are not deemed offering costs (as they do not fall into the categories specified above) will be expensed upon commencement of the offering.

4. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of January 11, 2008, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

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12,500,000 Shares

 

 

Common Stock

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

May            , 2008

 

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Citi

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

 

Credit Suisse

 

Deutsche Bank Securities

 

Morgan Stanley

 

Banc of America Securities LLC

 

HSBC

 

JMP Securities

 

RBC Capital Markets

 

Until June     , 2008 (25 days after the commencement of this offering), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery is in addition to the dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to its unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

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PART II .

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 31. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses expected to be incurred in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered, all of which are being borne by American Capital Agency Corp. (the “Registrant”). All amounts except the SEC registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and the Nasdaq fee are estimates.

 

SEC registration fee		$15,720
FINRA filing fee		40,500
Nasdaq fee		5,000
Printing and engraving expenses		230,000
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees		2,500
Legal fees and expenses		700,000
Blue sky fees and expenses		15,000
Accounting fees and expenses		125,000
Miscellaneous		66,280
Total		$1,200,000

Item 32. Sales to Special Parties

On January 11, 2008, the Registrant issued 100 shares of common stock to American Capital Strategies, Ltd. (“American Capital”) in exchange for $1,000 in cash.

Item 33. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

On January 11, 2008, the Registrant issued 100 shares of common stock to American Capital in exchange for $1,000 in cash. Such issuance was exempt from the requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof.

Simultaneously with the completion of the offering of the Company’s common stock pursuant to this registration statement, the Registrant will issue a number of shares of common stock to American Capital in exchange for $50,000,000 in cash. The number of shares to be issued to American Capital will be determined by the “Public Offering Price” set forth on the cover of the prospectus forming a part of this registration statement. Based on the currently anticipated public offering price of $20.00 per share, this would result in the issuance of 2,500,000 shares of common stock to American Capital. Such issuance will be exempt from the requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof.

Item 34. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of a director of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock purchase or redemption in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides, among other things, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or

 

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completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding. The power to indemnify applies (i) if such person is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding or (ii) if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right of the corporation as well, but only to the extent of defense expenses, (including attorneys’ fees but excluding amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by the indemnified person and not to any satisfaction of judgment or settlement of the claim itself, and with the further limitation that in such actions no indemnification shall be made in the event such person is adjudged liable to the corporation unless a court believes that in light of all the circumstances indemnification should apply.

Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides, among other things, that a director who willfully and negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the time, may avoid liability by causing his dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors at the time the action occurred or immediately after the absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.

Article Seventh of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our directors shall not be personally liable to us and our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of certain fiduciary duties as a director, except for liability to the extent such director has committed willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such director’s duties involved in the conduct of the office of director:

Our amended and restated bylaws and certificate of incorporation provide that we may indemnify any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of us to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The indemnification provisions contained in our amended and restated bylaws and certificate of incorporation are not exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Pursuant to the underwriting agreement to be entered into in connection with the offering of common stock pursuant to this registration statement, a substantially final form of which is filed as an exhibit to this registration statement, the underwriters will agree to indemnify our directors, officers and persons controlling us, within the meaning of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation or at common law or otherwise, against certain liabilities that might arise out of or are based upon certain information furnished to us by any such underwriter.

Item 35. Treatment of Proceeds From Stock Being Registered

None of the proceeds will be credited to an account other than the appropriate capital share account.

 

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Item 36. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Financial Statements. See page F-1 for an index of the financial statements that are being filed as part of this Registration Statement:

(b) Exhibits. The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement:

 

Exhibit Number		Description
1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1		Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of American Capital Agency Corp.†
3.2		Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of American Capital Agency Corp.†
4.1		Form of Certificate for Common Stock.
5.1		Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP relating to the legality of the securities being registered.
8.1		Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP regarding tax matters.
10.1		Form of Registration Rights Agreement among American Capital Agency Corp., American Capital Strategies, Ltd. and American Capital Agency Management, LLC.†
10.2		Form of Management Agreement, between American Capital Agency Corp. and American Capital Agency Management, LLC.
10.3		Form of American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for Independent Directors.†
10.4		Form of American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for the Manager and Affiliates.†
10.5		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for American Capital Agency Management, LLC and its Affiliates.
10.6		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for independent directors.
10.7		Form of Stock Purchase Agreement by and between American Capital Agency Corp. and American Capital Strategies, Ltd.
21.1		Subsidiaries of American Capital Agency Corp.†
23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2		Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.3		Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.1).
23.4		Consent of Randy E. Dobbs to be named as director nominee.†
23.5		Consent of Morris A. Davis to be named as director nominee.†
23.6		Consent of Larry K. Harvey to be named as director nominee.†
24.1		Power of attorney.†

 

†	Previously filed.

Item 37. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing, as specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denomination and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

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

(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

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

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

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-11 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bethesda, State of Maryland, on May 9, 2008.

 

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

 

Signature		Title		Date
* Malon Wilkus		Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer)		May 9, 2008
* John R. Erickson		Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)		May 9, 2008
* Alvin Puryear		Director		May 9, 2008

 

*By:		/s/    Samuel A. Flax
		Attorney-in-fact

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number		Description
1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1		Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of American Capital Agency Corp.†
3.2		Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of American Capital Agency Corp.†
4.1		Form of Certificate for Common Stock.
5.1		Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP relating to the legality of the securities being registered.
8.1		Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP regarding tax matters.
10.1		Form of Registration Rights Agreement among American Capital Agency Corp., American Capital Strategies, Ltd. and American Capital Agency Management, LLC.†
10.2		Form of Management Agreement, between American Capital Agency Corp. and American Capital Agency Management, LLC.
10.3		Form of American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for Independent Directors.†
10.4		Form of American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for the Manager and Affiliates.†
10.5		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for American Capital Agency Management, LLC and its Affiliates.
10.6		Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for independent directors.
10.7		Form of Stock Purchase Agreement by and between American Capital Agency Corp. and American Capital Strategies, Ltd.
21.1		Subsidiaries of American Capital Agency Corp.†
23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2		Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.3		Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.1).
23.4		Consent of Randy E. Dobbs to be named as director nominee.†
23.5		Consent of Morris A. Davis to be named as director nominee.†
23.6		Consent of Larry K. Harvey to be named as director nominee.†
24.1		Power of attorney.†

 

†	Previously filed.

Exhibit 1.1

American Capital Agency Corp.

12,500,000 Shares

Common Stock

($0.01 par value)

Underwriting Agreement

New York, New York

May     , 2008

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

As Representatives of the several Underwriters,

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

Ladies and Gentlemen:

American Capital Agency Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and American Capital Agency Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the manager of the Company (the “Manager”), confirm their agreement with each of the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the “Representatives”), with respect to (i) the sale by the Company, and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of 12,500,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) and (ii) the grant by the Company to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of 1,875,000 additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any. The aforesaid 12,500,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Initial Securities”) to be purchased by the Underwriters and all or any part of the 1,875,000 shares of Common Stock subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the “Option Securities”) are hereinafter called, collectively, the “Securities.”

The Company and the Manager understand that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-11 (Registration No. 333-149167) (“Registration Statement 333-

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149167”), including a related preliminary prospectus, for the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Registration Statement 333-149167, as amended on or prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), has been declared effective by the Commission under the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the “1933 Act Regulations”). Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A (“Rule 430A”) of the 1933 Act Regulations and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 (“Rule 424(b)”) of the 1933 Act Regulations. Any information included in such prospectus that was omitted from Registration Statement 333-149167 at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of and included therein pursuant to Rule 430A is referred to as “Rule 430A Information.” Each prospectus used in connection with the offering of the Securities that omitted the Rule 430A Information is herein called a “preliminary prospectus.” Registration Statement 333-149167, on each date and time that such registration statement and any post-effective amendment or amendments become or becomes effective (each, an “Effective Date”), including all documents filed as a part thereof, including any information contained in a Prospectus (as defined below) subsequently filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement, collectively, are herein called the “Registration Statement.” Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein referred to as the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement,” and after such filing the term “Registration Statement” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The term “Prospectus” means the final prospectus relating to the Securities, in the form first filed with the Commission pursuant to paragraph (1) or (4) of Rule 424(b), and any amendments or supplements thereto. For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to be the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”).

All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information that is deemed by the 1933 Act Regulations to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be.

SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties.

(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time referred to in Section 1(a)(ii) hereof, as of the Closing Time referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Date of Delivery (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) Status under the Securities Act. At the time of filing the Registration Statement, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the 1933 Act Regulations) of the Securities and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 405”).

(ii) Registration Statement, Prospectus and Disclosure Package at Time of Sale. Each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission

 

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for additional information has been complied with. The Company has not distributed any offering material in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities other than the Registration Statement, the preliminary prospectus, if any, the Disclosure Package (as defined below) and the Prospectus.

At the respective times the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and each amendment thereto became effective and at the Closing Time (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

Neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement was issued and at the Closing Time (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

Each preliminary prospectus (delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement) and the Prospectus (including any amendments or supplements thereto) complied when so filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations and each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

As of the Applicable Time (as defined below) and as of the Closing Time, neither (x) the Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus(es) (as defined below) issued at or prior to the Applicable Time, the Statutory Prospectus (as defined below) as of the Applicable Time and the information included on Schedule II hereto, all considered together (collectively, the “Disclosure Package”), nor (y) any individual Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below), when considered together with the Disclosure Package, included any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

As used in this subsection and elsewhere in this Agreement:

“Applicable Time” means              [a.m.][p.m.] (New York City time) on May     , 2008 or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representatives.

“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 433”), relating to the Securities that (i) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) is a “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission or (iii) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Securities or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

 

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“Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors (other than a Bona Fide Electronic Road Show (as defined below)), as evidenced by its being specified in Schedule III hereto.

“Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus.

“Statutory Prospectus” as of any time means the prospectus relating to the Securities that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to that time, including any preliminary or other prospectus deemed to be a part thereof.

The Company has made available a “bona fide electronic road show,” as defined in Rule 433, in compliance with Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) (the “Bona Fide Electronic Road Show”) such that no filing of any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h)) is required in connection with the offering of the Securities.

Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities or until any earlier date that the issuer notified or notifies the Representatives as described in Section 3(e) hereof, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, and any preliminary or other prospectus deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified.

The representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, which information is specified in Section 6(b) hereof.

(iii) Financial Data. The balance sheet of the Company, including the notes thereto, included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the financial position of the respective entities to which such financial data relate (the “Covered Entities”) as of the dates indicated; the supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, if any, fairly present the information required to be stated therein; such financial data has been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States (“GAAP”) (except as may be expressly stated in the related notes thereto) and in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission; the financial data set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, each preliminary prospectus (delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement) and the Prospectus fairly present the information shown therein and has been compiled on a basis consistent with the financial data included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; no other financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement; the selected financial data set forth under the caption “Selected Financial Information” in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, each such preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus fairly present the information included therein; all disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission), if any, comply with Regulation G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the 1933 Act, to the extent applicable.

 

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(iv) Independent Accountants. Ernst & Young LLP, who certified the balance sheet of the Covered Entities included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, is, and was during the period covered by its report, an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

(v) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, each preliminary prospectus (delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement) and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, as of the date hereof and the Closing Time (and, if any option securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery) (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and each of its subsidiaries, all of which are listed on Schedule IV attached hereto (each, a “Subsidiary” and collectively, the “Subsidiaries”) considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”), (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, (C) there has been no obligation, contingent or otherwise, directly or indirectly incurred by the Company or any Subsidiaries that could reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (D) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock or repurchase or redemption by the Company or any class of its capital stock.

(vi) Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure, individually or in the aggregate, so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(vii) Subsidiaries. Each Subsidiary is duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Subsidiary is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. All issued and outstanding equity interests in each Subsidiary are owned directly or indirectly by the Company and have been duly authorized and validly issued and have not been issued in violation of, or subject to, any preemptive right, co-sale right, registration right, right of first refusal or other similar right of equity holders arising by operation of law, under the organizational documents of such Subsidiary, under any agreement to which such Subsidiary is a

 

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party or otherwise, and are owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any pledge, security interests, liens, encumbrances, claims or equitable interests. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company does not, and as of the Closing Time (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery) will not, own or control, directly or indirectly, any equity interest in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity other than the Subsidiaries.

(viii) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company, in each case as of the date of this Agreement, is as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company were issued in violation of preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company. Upon completion of the issuance and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, the capitalization of the Company will be as set forth in the Prospectus in the column entitled “As of January 11, 2008—As Adjusted” under the caption “Capitalization.” Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding (A) securities or obligations of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable for any equity interests of the Company or any such Subsidiary, (B) warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase from the Company or any such Subsidiary any such equity interests or any such convertible or exchangeable securities or obligations or (C) obligations of the Company or any such Subsidiary to issue any equity interests, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or obligation, or any such warrants, rights or options.

(ix) Authorization and Description of Certain Agreements. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, and the Management Agreement by and between the Company and the Manager, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement (the “Management Agreement”), has been duly authorized by the Company and at the Closing Time will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and will constitute a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, except in each case as the enforcement thereof may be subject to (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or thereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (B) general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. This Agreement and the Management Agreement conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(x) Authorization and Description of Securities. The Securities have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable; the Securities conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and such descriptions conform in all material respects to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same; no holder of the Securities will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder; and the issuance of the Securities is not subject to any preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.

(xi) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. The Company is not in violation of its certificate of incorporation (“Charter”), or its bylaws (“Bylaws”). No Subsidiary is in violation of its organizational documents (including, without limitation, partnership and limited liability

 

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company agreements). Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default in the performance or observance (nor has any event occurred which with notice, lapse of time, or both would constitute a default in the observance or performance) of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject (collectively, “Agreements and Instruments”). The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated herein (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder and thereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Charter or Bylaws of the Company or the organizational documents of any Subsidiary (including, without limitation, partnership and limited liability company agreements), any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their assets, properties or operations.

(xii) Compliance with Applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, orders, decrees and judgments, including those relating to transactions with affiliates, except where the failure to so comply is not reasonably likely to, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xiii) Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary, which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein), or which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder; the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any subsidiary is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, could not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xiv) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no contracts or documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been described in all material respects and filed as required by Item 601(b) of Regulation S-K of the 1993 Act Regulations. The copies of all contracts, agreements, instruments and other documents (including governmental licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals and all amendments or waivers relating to any of the foregoing) that have been furnished to the Underwriters or their counsel are complete and genuine and include all material collateral and supplemental agreements thereto.

 

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(xv) Possession of Intellectual Property. The Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary to carry on the business now operated by them, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xvi) Absence of Manipulation. Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company has taken, nor will the Company or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action that is designed to, has constituted or which would be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(xvii) Absence of Further Requirements. No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or state securities laws.

(xviii) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Company and its Subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (collectively, “Intangibles”), except where the failure so to possess is not reasonably likely to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Intangibles, except where the failure so to comply is not reasonably likely to, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Intangibles are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Intangibles or the failure of such Intangibles to be in full force and effect is not reasonably likely to, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; the Company and its Subsidiaries have not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Intangibles which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would be reasonably likely to, result in a Material Adverse Effect; the Company and its Subsidiaries have not violated or received written notice of any infringement of or conflict with (and the Company does not know of any such infringement of or conflict with) asserted rights of others with respect to any such Intangibles, except where the infringement of or conflict with is not reasonably likely to, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xix) Payment of Taxes. All tax returns of the Company and its Subsidiaries required by law to be filed have been filed and all taxes shown by such returns or otherwise assessed, which are due and payable, have been paid, except assessments against which appeals have been or will be promptly taken as to which adequate reserves have been provided. The charges,

 

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accruals and reserves on the books of the Company in respect of any income and corporation tax liability for any years not finally determined are adequate to meet any assessments or re-assessments for additional income tax for any years not finally determined, except to the extent of any inadequacy that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xx) Absence of Transfer Taxes. There are no transfer taxes or other similar fees or charges under federal law or the laws of any state, or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance or sale by the Company of the Securities.

(xxi) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA. The Company, the Subsidiaries and American Capital Strategies, Ltd. (“ACAS”) have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(xxii) Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(xxiii) OFAC. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

(xxiv) Related Party Transactions. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on the one hand, and the directors, officers, trustees, managers, stockholders, partners, customers or suppliers of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries on the other hand, which would be required by the 1933 Act or by the 1933 Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, which is not so described.

 

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(xxv) Noncompetition; nondisclosure. Neither the Company nor any officer of the Company is subject to any noncompete, nondisclosure, confidentiality, employment, consulting or similar arrangement that would be violated by the present or proposed business activities of the Company as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(xxvi) Investment Company Act. The Company is not required, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not be required, to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

(xxvii) Registration Rights. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, there are no persons with registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt securities, including securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities, registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered by the Company under the 1933 Act; and no person has a right of participation or first refusal with respect to the sale of the securities by the Company.

(xxviii) Accounting Controls and Disclosure Controls. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (D) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (E) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the Company’s inception, there has been (1) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (2) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company and its Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

(xxix) Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that, upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, it will be in compliance in all material respects with all provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002”) that are then in effect and which the Company is required to comply with as of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

(xxx) Pending Proceedings and Examinations. The Registration Statement is not the subject of a pending proceeding or examination under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the 1933 Act, and the Company is not the subject of a pending proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities.

 

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(xxxi) REIT Status. Commencing with its initial taxable year ending December 31, 2008, the Company has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, the “Code”), and the Company’s proposed method of operation (taking into account its operations to date) as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. No transaction or other event has occurred that could cause the Company to not be able to qualify as a REIT for its taxable year ending December 31, 2008 or future taxable years. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have no intention of changing their operations or engaging in activities that would cause the Company to fail to qualify, or make economically undesirable the Company’s continued qualification as a REIT.

(xxxii) Tax Opinion. The Company’s representatives have discussed with its counsel, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, the officer’s certificate supporting the legal opinion as to certain tax matters provided pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof, and where representations in such officer’s certificate involve terms defined in the Code, the Treasury regulations thereunder, published rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, or other relevant authority, the Company’s representatives are satisfied after their discussions with their counsel in their understanding of such terms and are capable of making such representations.

(xxxiii) Description of Organization and Method of Operation. The description of the Company’s organization and proposed method of operation and its qualification and taxation as a REIT set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is accurate in all material respects and presents fairly the matters referred to therein. The Company’s conflicts of interest, operating policies, investment guidelines and operating restrictions described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus accurately reflect in all material respects the current intentions of the Company with respect to the operation of its business, and no material deviation from such guidelines or policies is currently contemplated.

(xxxiv) Director Independence. Each of the independent director nominees (or independent directors once appointed) named in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and Prospectus satisfies the independence standards established by The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) and the enhanced independence standards contained in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) promulgated by the Commission under the 1934 Act.

(xxxv) Broker/Dealer Status. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates (i) is required to register as a “broker” or “dealer” in accordance with the provisions of the rules and regulations promulgated under 1934 Act (the “1934 Act Regulations”), or (ii) directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or has any other association with (within the meaning of Article I of the By-laws of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (the “FINRA”)) any member firm of the FINRA. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company, on the one hand, and the directors, officers or stockholders of the Company, on the other hand, which is required by the rules of the FINRA to be described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, which is not so described.

(xxxvi) Finder’s Fees. Except for the Underwriters’ discount, the Company has not incurred any liability for any finder’s fees or similar payments in connection with the transactions herein contemplated.

 

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(xxxvii) Insurance. The Company and its Subsidiaries carry or are entitled to the benefits of insurance, with financially sound and reputable insurers, in such amounts and covering such risks as is generally maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar business, which do not own or lease any property or have any employees, and all such insurance is in full force and effect. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any Subsidiary will not be able (A) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (B) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has been denied any insurance coverage which it has sought or for that it has applied.

(xxxviii) Dividends/Distributions. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no Subsidiary is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends or distributions to the Company to the extent permitted by applicable law, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity interests, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of the property or assets of such Subsidiary to the Company.

(xxxix) Market Data. The statistical and market related data included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from current sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate.

(xl) ACAS Data. The financial and other data of ACAS included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is true, complete and accurate in all material respects.

(xli) Stock Option Grants. No stock option awards have been granted by the Company.

(xlii) Environmental Compliance. The Company is not in violation of, and has not received notice of any violation with respect to, any applicable environmental, safety or similar law applicable to the business of the Company. The Company has received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of it under applicable federal and state occupational safety and health and environmental laws and regulations to conduct its business, and the Company is in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except any such violation of law or regulation, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals, which could not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(xliii) Real Property; Personal Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property, if any, and good title to all personal property, if any, owned by it, in each case free and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, mortgages and defects, except as are disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect; any real property or personal property held under lease by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is held under a lease that is valid, existing and enforceable against the Company or such Subsidiary, with such exceptions as are disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(xliv) Lending Relationships. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor ACAS has any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of any Underwriter.

(b) Representations and Warranties by the Manager. The Manager represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof as of the Applicable Time, as of the Closing Time, and, as of each such Date of Delivery (if any) and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) Registration Statement, Prospectus and Disclosure Package at Time of Sale. At the respective times the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and each amendment thereto became effective and at the Closing Time (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

Neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement was issued and at the Closing Time (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

As of the Applicable Time and as of the Closing Time, neither (x) the Disclosure Package, nor (y) any individual Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the Disclosure Package, included any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities or until any earlier date that the issuer notified or notifies the Representatives as described in Section 3(e) hereof, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, and any preliminary or other prospectus deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified.

The representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, which information is specified in Section 6(b) hereof.

(ii) Good Standing of the Manager. The Manager has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Manager is duly qualified as a foreign limited liability company to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(iii) Authorization of Certain Agreements. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Manager and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Manager enforceable in accordance with its terms, and each of the Management Agreement and the Administrative Services Agreement to be entered into by ACAS and the Manager (the “Services Agreement”) has been duly authorized by the Manager and at the Closing Time will have been duly executed and delivered by the Manager and will constitute a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Manager enforceable in accordance with its terms, except in ease case as may be limited by (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or thereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (B) general equitable principles and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

(iv) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Manager nor ACAS is in violation of their respective organizational documents or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Manager or ACAS is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Manager or ACAS is subject (collectively, the “Manager Agreements and Instruments”), or in violation of any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree, except for such violations or except for such defaults that would not result in a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the business affairs, business prospects or regulatory status of the Manager, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or that would otherwise prevent the Manager from carrying out its obligations under this Agreement (a “Manager Material Adverse Effect”). The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and compliance by the Manager with its obligations under this Agreement do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Manager or ACAS pursuant to the Manager Agreements and Instruments, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the limited liability company operating agreement of the Manager or other organizational documents, the organizational documents of ACAS or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Manager or any of its assets, properties or operations.

(v) Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Manager, threatened, against or affecting the Manager.

(vi) Absence of Further Requirements. (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, (B) no authorization, approval, vote or other consent of any stockholder or creditor of the Manager, (C) no waiver or consent under any Manager Agreements and Instruments, and (D) no authorization, approval, vote or other consent of any other person or entity, is necessary or required for the performance by the Manager of its obligations under this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, in each case on the terms contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus,

 

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except (1) such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or state securities laws and (2) such, the failure of which to have obtained, would not reasonably be expected to have a Manager Material Adverse Effect.

(vii) Financial Resources. Upon the execution of the Services Agreement by ACAS and the Manager, the Manager will have the financial and other resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and under this Agreement.

(viii) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Manager possesses such Intangibles issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure so to possess would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or a Manager Material Adverse Effect; the Manager is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Intangibles, except where the failure so to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or a Manager Material Adverse Effect; all of the Intangibles are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Intangibles or the failure of such Intangibles to be in full force and effect would not have a Material Adverse Effect or a Manager Material Adverse Effect; and the Manager has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Intangibles which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect or a Manager Material Adverse Effect.

(ix) Employment; Noncompetition; Nondisclosure. The Manager has not been notified that any executive officer of the Company or the Manager or key member or significant number of members of ACAS’s residential mortgage investment team plans to terminate its or their employment with ACAS. Neither the Manager nor, any executive officer or key employee of the Company or the Manager or key member of ACAS’s residential mortgage investment team is subject to any noncompete, nondisclosure, confidentiality, employment, consulting or similar agreement that would be violated by the present or proposed business activities of the Company or the Manager as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where such violation would not constitute a Manager Material Adverse Effect.

(x) Internal Controls. The Manager operates a system of internal controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions that may be effectuated by it under the Management Agreement are executed in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization; and (B) access to the Manager’s assets is permitted only in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization.

(xi) Manager Data. The information relating to the Manager included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is true, complete and accurate in all material respects.

(xii) Investment Advisers Act. The Manager is not prohibited by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), or the rules and regulations thereunder, from performing its obligations under the Management Agreement as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the Manager is not registered and is not required to register as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.

 

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(c) Officer’s Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or the Manager delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company or the Manager, as the case may be, to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing.

(a) Initial Securities. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company, at the price per share of Common Stock of $20.00, the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule I opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional number of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject, in each case, to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional securities.

(b) Option Securities. In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to an additional 1,875,000 shares of Common Stock, at the price per share set forth in paragraph (a) above. The option hereby granted will expire 30 days after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose of covering overallotments which may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by the Representatives to the Company setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery (a “Date of Delivery”) shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option, nor in any event prior to the Closing Time, as hereinafter defined. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule I opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject in each case to such adjustments as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.

(c) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates, if any, for the Initial Securities shall be made at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Four Times Square, New York, New York 10036, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, at 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on May __, 2008 (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “the Closing Time”).

In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates for, such Option Securities shall be made at the above-mentioned offices, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, on each Date of Delivery as specified in the notice from the Representatives to the Company.

Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Company against delivery to the Representatives for the respective

 

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accounts of the Underwriters of certificates for the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, which it has agreed to purchase. Any Representatives, individually and not as representatives of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

(d) Denominations; Registration. Certificates for the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives may request in writing at least one full business day before the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be. The certificates for the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, will be made available for examination and packaging by the Representatives in the City of New York not later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the business day prior to the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be.

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests. The Company, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A and will notify the Representatives promptly, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any document deemed to be a part thereof or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1933 Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities. The Company will effect the filings required under Rule 424(b), in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) of the 1933 Act Regulations) and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(b) Filing of Amendments and Exchange Act Documents. The Company will give the Representatives notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b)) or any amendment, supplement or revision to either any preliminary prospectus (including any preliminary prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto at the time it became effective) or to the Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, and the Company will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object. The Company has given the Representatives notice of its intention to make any filings pursuant to the 1934 Act or the 1934 Act Regulations from the Applicable Time to the Closing Time and

 

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will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object.

(c) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Company has furnished or will deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith and documents deemed to be a part thereof) and conformed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Representatives, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Company has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Company will comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Company, to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel, at any such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements, the Company will use its best efforts to have such amendment declared effective as soon as practicable and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement (or any other registration statement relating to the Securities) or the Statutory Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

(f) Blue Sky Qualifications. The Company will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such

 

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states and other jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for a period of not less than one year from the date hereof; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

(g) Rule 158. The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Underwriters the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

(h) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

(i) Listing. The Company will use its best efforts to maintain the listing of the Securities on The NASDAQ Global Market of NASDAQ and to file with NASDAQ all documents and notices required by NASDAQ of companies that have securities that are listed on The NASDAQ Global Market.

(j) Restriction on Sale of Securities. During a period of 180 days from the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, (i) directly or indirectly, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock or file any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the shares of Common Stock, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to the (A) Securities to be sold hereunder, (B) the 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued by the Company to ACAS at the Closing Time, (C) any shares of Common Stock issued or options to purchase Common Stock granted pursuant to existing employee benefit plans of the Company, (D) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to any non-employee director stock plans or dividend reinvestment plans or (E) any shares of Common Stock issued in mergers and acquisition transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day restricted period, the restrictions imposed in this paragraph (j) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

(k) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Each of the Company and the Manager represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company, the Manager and the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission, whether or not required to be filed with the Commission. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Company, the Manager and the Representatives is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” Each of the Company and the Manager represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each

 

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Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping.

(l) Share Price Manipulation. Each of the Company and the Manager agrees that it will not, and will cause their respective officers, directors (and in the case of the Manager, American Capital, LLC, ACAS and its subsidiaries) not to, take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or that might be reasonably expected to, cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(m) REIT Qualification. The Company will use its best efforts to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2008 and, subject to any future determination by the Company’s board of directors that it is no longer in the Company’s best interests to qualify as a REIT, thereafter.

(n) Investment Company Act. The Company will use its best efforts to conduct its affairs and the affairs of its Subsidiaries in such a manner so as to ensure that neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be an “investment company” (as defined in the 1940 Act) or an entity “controlled” by an investment company that is required to be registered under the 1940 Act.

(o) Lock-up Agreements. The Company will use its best efforts to provide the Representatives, prior to the Applicable Time, with (i) an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto signed by each of the persons and entities listed on Schedule V hereto and (ii) an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto signed by ACAS.

(p) Undertakings. The Company will comply with all of the provisions of any undertakings in the Registration Statement.

(q) Transfer Agent. The Company has engaged and will maintain, at its sole expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Securities.

(r) Liability Insurance. The Company will obtain or maintain, as appropriate, Directors and Officers liability insurance in an amount deemed advisable by the Company in its reasonable discretion.

SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses.

(a) Expenses. The Company will pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities to the Underwriters, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of any Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing by the Underwriters to investors,

 

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(vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto, (viii) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent or registrar for the Securities, (ix) travel and lodging expenses of the officers and representatives (other than the Underwriters) of the Company in connection with the road show, (x) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review by the FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (xi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities on The NASDAQ Global Market, and (xii) the costs and expenses (including without limitation any damages or other amounts payable in connection with legal or contractual liability) associated with the reforming of any contracts for sale of the Securities made by the Underwriters caused by a breach of the representation contained in the fifth paragraph of Section 1(a)(ii) hereof. Except as provided in Section 4, Section 6 and Section 7, hereof, the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their legal counsel and all costs and expenses incident to the preparation and undertaking of the road show presentations to be made to prospective investors, except the expenses described in clause (ix) of this Section 4(a) .

(b) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a)(i), the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters) incurred in connection with the proposed purchase and the public offering and sale of the Securities.

SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Manager contained in Section 1 hereof or in certificates of any officer of the Company or the Manager delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement and Filing of Prospectus. The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become effective and at the Closing Time no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters. A prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) (or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed and become effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A).

(b) Opinion of Counsel for Company. At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinions, dated as of the Closing Time, from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Company and the Manager, in the form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Exhibit A and Exhibit C hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and the Manager and certificates of public officials.

(c) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Time, of Hunton & Williams LLP, special counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to the matters as the Underwriters may reasonably request. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and the Manager and certificates of public officials.

 

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(d) Officers’ Certificate. At the Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1(a) hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Time, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to their knowledge, contemplated by the Commission. The Representatives shall have also received a certificate of the President of the Manager and of the Treasurer of the Manager, dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that (i) the representations and warranties in Section 1(b) hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Time and (ii) the Manager has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time.

(e) Accountants’ Comfort Letter. At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letters for each of the other Underwriters, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. Such letters shall address the audited financial statements, any unaudited interim financial statements (including a statement that such unaudited financial statements have been reviewed in accordance with the standards established under Statement on Auditing Standards No. 100) and any pro forma financial statements and also shall provide customary negative assurances.

(f) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter, dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that Ernst & Young LLP reaffirms the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Time.

(g) Approval of Listing. At the Closing Time, the Securities shall have been approved for listing on The NASDAQ Global Market, subject only to official notice of issuance.

(h) No Objection. At the Closing Time, the FINRA shall have confirmed that it has not raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

(i) Lock-up Agreements. At the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received (i) an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto signed by the persons and entities listed on Schedule V hereto and (ii) an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto signed by ACAS.

(j) Conditions to Purchase of Option Securities. In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Manager contained herein and the statements in any certificates furnished by the Company and the Manager hereunder shall be true and correct as of each Date of Delivery and, at the relevant Date of Delivery, the Representatives shall have received:

(i) Officers’ Certificate. A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company confirming that the certificates delivered at the Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(d) hereof remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.

 

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(ii) Officers’ Certificate. A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the President of the Manager and of the Treasurer of the Manager confirming that the certificates delivered at the Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(d) hereof remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.

(iii) Opinion of Counsel for Company. The favorable opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Company and the Manager, each in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinions required by Section 5(b) hereof.

(iv) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. The favorable opinion of Hunton & Williams LLP, special counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof.

(v) Bring-down Comfort Letter. A letter from Ernst & Young LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Date of Delivery, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(e) hereof, except that the “specified date” in the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than three days prior to such Date of Delivery.

(k) Additional Documents. At the Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.

(l) Termination of Agreement. If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of Option Securities on a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the relevant Option Securities, may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to the Closing Time or such Date of Delivery, as the case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party, except as provided in Section 4(b) and except that this paragraph and Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification of Underwriters. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, as such term is defined in Rule 501(b) under the 1933 Act (each, an “Affiliate”), its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

 

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(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, that such Underwriter, its Affiliates, its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, any U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation, any Canadian federal or provincial statutory law or regulation or at common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, liability, claim, damage arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus (delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement, which is dated April 28, 2008), the Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company;

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Representatives), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, or any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

(b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers. Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information or any preliminary prospectus (delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement), Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written

 

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information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein. The Company hereby acknowledges that the only information that the Underwriters have furnished to the Company expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information or any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set forth under the caption “Underwriting” in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as follows: paragraph three relating to commissions and discounts, paragraphs 14, 15 and 16 relating to price stabilization and paragraph 19 relating to electronic distribution.

(c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 6 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), approved by the indemnifying party (the Representatives in the case of Section 6(b) and Section 10), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.

(d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. The indemnifying party under this Section 6 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by Section 6(d) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than sixty (60) days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the

 

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indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes (i) an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Securities as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus.

The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute an amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter and (ii) no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations in this Section 7 to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

 

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No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each Underwriter’s Affiliates and selling agents shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of Initial Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I hereto and not joint.

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or the Manager submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (a) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or its Affiliates or selling agents, any person controlling any Underwriter, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (b) delivery of and payment for the Securities.

SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement.

(a) Termination; General. The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to the Closing Time (i) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, as in the judgment of the Representatives is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or NASDAQ or if trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange or in the NASDAQ has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, the FINRA or any other governmental authority, (iv) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States such that settlement and clearance of the sale of the Securities is impracticable or impossible, or (v) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either federal or New York State authorities.

(b) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party, except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that this paragraph and Sections 1, 6, 7, 8 and 9(a) shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Time or a Date of Delivery to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the

 

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non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

(i) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or

(ii) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Date of Delivery which occurs after the Closing Time, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Option Securities to be purchased and sold on such Date of Delivery shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, which does not result in a termination of the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and the Company to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, either (i) the Representatives or (ii) the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.

SECTION 11. Tax Disclosure. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, from the commencement of discussions with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company (and each employee, representatives or other agent of the Company) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure (as such terms are used in Sections 6011, 6111 and 6112 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Company relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.

SECTION 12. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to (i) Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, attention of the General Counsel and (ii) Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York, 10080, attention of the General Counsel, with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice) Hunton & Williams LLP, Riverfront Plaza, East Tower, 951 East Byrd Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, Attention: Edward W. Elmore, Jr., Esq.; notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14^th Floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, attention of the Secretary, with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Four Times Square, New York, New York 10036, Attention: David J. Goldschmidt, Esq.

SECTION 13. No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the

 

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determination of the offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company and the Manager, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand, (ii) in connection with the offering contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company or the Manager, or their respective stockholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (iii) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company or the Manager with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company or the Manager on other matters) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company or the Manager with respect to the offering contemplated hereby, except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (iv) the Underwriters and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company and the Manager, and (v) the Underwriters and their respective agents have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Company and the Manager have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

SECTION 14. Integration. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company, the Manager and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

SECTION 15. Parties. This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company, the Manager and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company, the Manager and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Company, the Manager and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

SECTION 16. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 17. TIME. TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

SECTION 18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

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SECTION 19. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Signature page follows.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters, the Company and the Manager in accordance with its terms.

 

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,

as of the date first above written:

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

For themselves and as Representatives of the other Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto.

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
By:
Name:
Title:

 

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SCHEDULE I

 

Name of Underwriter		Number of Initial Securities
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
Banc of America Securities LLC
JMP Securities LLC
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
RBC Capital Markets Corporation
Total		12,500,000

 

I-1

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SCHEDULE II

Information Conveyed at the Applicable Time

 

II-1

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SCHEDULE III

Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus

 

III-1

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SCHEDULE IV

List of Subsidiaries

American Capital Agency TRS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

IV-1

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SCHEDULE V

List of Persons and Entities Subject to Lock-Up Agreements

American Capital Strategies, Ltd.

American Capital Agency Management, LLC

Malon Wilkus

John R. Erickson

Ira J. Wagner

Samuel A. Flax

Russell J. Jeffrey

Alvin N. Puryear

Morris A. Davis

Randy E. Dobbs

Larry K. Harvey

 

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Exhibit A

FORM OF OPINION OF SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(b) (CORPORATE OPINION)

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Exhibit B

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(i)(i)

May     , 2008

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,

    as Representatives of the several

    Underwriters to be named in the

    within-mentioned Underwriting Agreement

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

 

Re:

Proposed Public Offering by American Capital Agency Corp.

Dear Sirs:

The undersigned, an officer and/or director and/or the manager of American Capital Agency Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), understands that Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (collectively, in such capacity, the “Representatives”) propose to enter into a Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with the Company and American Capital Agency Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the manager of the Company (the “Manager”), providing for the public offering of shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”). In recognition of the benefit that such an offering will confer upon the undersigned as an officer and/or director or the manager of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with the Representatives that, during a period of 180 days following the date of the Underwriting Agreement, the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, directly or indirectly, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer any of the shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition, file, or cause to be filed, any registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Lock-Up Securities”) or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Lock-Up Securities, whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if:

(1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day lock-up period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or

(2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day lock-up period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day lock-up period.

The restrictions imposed by this lock-up agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as applicable, unless the Representatives waive, in writing, such extension.

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall prevent the undersigned from, or restrict the ability of the undersigned to, (i) purchase shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or (ii) exercise any options or other convertible securities granted under any benefit plan of the Company; provided, that any shares of Common Stock received upon exercise of such options or other convertible securities shall be subject to the foregoing restrictions.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may make gifts or transfers of Common Stock to, or for the benefit of, family members, charitable institutions, and trusts, limited partnerships or other entities created for estate planning purposes, the principal beneficiaries of which are family members or charitable institutions, subject to the condition that any such family member or charitable institution or other holder shall execute an agreement with the Representatives stating that such transferee is receiving and holding the shares of Common Stock subject to the provisions of this lock-up agreement. In addition, if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, the undersigned may transfer shares of Common Stock to persons or other entities that own equity interests in the undersigned, subject to the condition that the recipient shall execute an agreement with the Representatives stating that such recipient is receiving and holding the shares of Common Stock subject to the provisions of this lock-up agreement.

The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the Lock-Up Securities except in compliance with the foregoing instructions.

THIS LOCK-UP AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

 

 

B-2

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Exhibit C

FORM OF OPINION OF SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP

TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(b) (TAX OPINION)

 

C-1

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Exhibit D

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(i)(ii)

May     , 2008

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,

    as Representatives of the several

    Underwriters to be named in the

    within-mentioned Underwriting Agreement

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich

Street New York, New York 10013

 

Re:

Proposed Public Offering by American Capital Agency Corp.

Dear Sirs:

The undersigned, American Capital Strategies, Ltd. (“ACAS”), an affiliate of American Capital Agency Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), understands that Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (collectively, in such capacity, the “Representatives”) propose to enter into a Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with the Company and American Capital Agency Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the manager of the Company (the “Manager”), providing for the public offering of shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”). In recognition of the benefit that such an offering will confer upon the undersigned, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with the Representatives that, during a period of 365 days following the date of the Underwriting Agreement, the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, directly or indirectly, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer any of the 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock acquired by the undersigned pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and ACAS (the “Lock-Up Securities”) or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Lock-Up Securities, whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if:

(3) during the last 17 days of the 365-day lock-up period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or

 

D-1

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(4) prior to the expiration of the 365-day lock-up period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 365-day lock-up period.

The restrictions imposed by this lock-up agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as applicable, unless the Representatives waive, in writing, such extension.

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall prevent the undersigned from, or restrict the ability of the undersigned to purchase shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company. The undersigned may transfer shares of Common Stock to persons or other entities that own equity interests in the undersigned, subject to the condition that the recipient shall execute an agreement with the Representatives stating that such recipient is receiving and holding the shares of Common Stock subject to the provisions of this lock-up agreement.

The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the Lock-Up Securities except in compliance with the foregoing instructions.

THIS LOCK-UP AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

D-2

Exhibit 4.1

 

Exhibit 4.1

016570| 003590|127C|RESTRICTED||4|057-423 COMMON STOCK PAR VALUE $0.01 COMMON STOCK

THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE IN CANTON, MA AND JERSEY CITY, NJ

Certificate Number ZQ 000000

Shares * * 600620* * * * * * * * * 600620* * * * * * * * * 600620* * * * * * * * * 600620* * * * * * * * * 600620* *

American Capital Agency

AMERICAN CAPITAL AGENCY CORP.

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE THIS CERTIFIES THAT

** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Sample **** Mr. Sample **600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620** Shares ****600620**Shares****600620**Shares*** *600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares**** 600620**Shares****600620**Shares**** 600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares**** 600620**Shares****600620**Shares****6 00620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares**** 600620**Shares****600620**Shares****60 0620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares**** 600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600 620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares*** 600620**Shares****600620**Shares****60062 0**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares**** 600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620 **Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares**** 600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620* *Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares**** 600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620** Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares**** 600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**S hares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares**** 600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Sh * * * SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED AND TWENTY* MR. SAMPLE & MRS. SAMPLE &

MR. SAMPLE & MRS. SAMPLE CUSIP 02503X 10 5

SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

FULLY-PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK OF American Capital Agency Corp. transferable on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized

Attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate shall not be valid until countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.

Witness the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

Chairman of the Board, President & CEO

DATED <<Month Day, Year>>

COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR,

Executive Vice President & Secretary

By AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE 1234567 American Capital Agency PO BOX 43004, Providence, RI 02940-3004 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4

CUSIP XXXXXX XX X Holder ID XXXXXXXXXX Insurance Value 1,000,000.00 Number of Shares 123456 DTC 12345678 123456789012345 Certificate Numbers 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 Total Transaction Num/No. 123456 Denom. 123456 Total 1234567

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AMERICAN CAPITAL AGENCY CORP.

The Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof which the Corporation is authorized to issue and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Any such request should be addressed to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal office.

The shares of the Corporation’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfer (as each such capitalized term is defined in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”)) for the purpose of the Corporation’s 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 Certificate of Incorporation, (i) no Person (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of 9.8% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the total outstanding shares of Common Stock unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), in which case the Excepted Holder Limit (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) shall be applicable; (ii) no Person 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 Capital Stock, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder, in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable; (iii) 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 (iv) no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons. 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 above restrictions on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership or Transfer are violated, the shares of Common Stock represented hereby will be automatically transferred to a Trust (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation). In addition, the Board of Directors shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to 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 Section 8.2.8 of the Certificate of Incorporation, increase or decrease the percentage of Common Stock or Capital Stock that a person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own.

A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, 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.

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

(Cust)(Minor) TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

(State) JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship UNIF TRF MIN ACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Custodian (until age. . . ). . .. . . . . . . . . and not as tenants in common (Cust) (Minor) under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act. (State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

For value received, hereby sell, assign and transfer unto

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

Shares of the Common Stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated: 20 Signature: Signature:

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 whatever.

Signature(s) Guaranteed: Medallion Guarantee Stamp

THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (Banks, Stockbrokers, Savings and Loan Associations and Credit Unions) WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15. 1234567 SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS

Exhibit 5.1

[Letterhead of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP]

May 9, 2008

American Capital Agency Corp.

2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14^th Floor

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

 

Re:

American Capital Agency Corp.

Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-149167)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to American Capital Agency Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”) by the Company of 12,500,000 shares, and up to an additional 1,875,000 shares subject to an over-allotment option (the “Shares”), of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”).

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-149167) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on February 11, 2008 under the Act; (ii) Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement as filed with the Commission on March 17, 2008 under the Act; (iii) Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement as filed with the Commission on April 10, 2008 under the Act; (iv) Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement as filed with the Commission on April 28, 2008 under the Act (such Registration Statement, as so amended, being hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”); (v) Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement as filed with the Commission on the date hereof; (vi) the form of Underwriting Agreement proposed to be entered into by and among the Company, as issuer, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein, filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Underwriting Agreement”); (vii) the form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, to be effective upon consummation of the Initial Public Offering, to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Charter”); (viii) the form of Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, to be effective upon consummation of the Initial Public Offering, filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “By-Laws”); and (ix) certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company relating to (A) the issuance and sale of the Shares, (B) the Charter and the By-Laws, and (C) other related matters. We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such

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records of the Company and such agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents, certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth herein.

In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified, conformed or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In making our examination of executed documents, we have assumed that the parties thereto, other than the Company, had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties. As to any facts material to the opinion expressed herein which we have not independently established or verified, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others.

Members of our firm are admitted to the bar in the State of New York, and we do not express any opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the corporate laws of the State of Delaware, and we do not express any opinion as to the effect of any other laws on the opinion stated herein.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when (i) the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Act; (ii) the Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered; and (iii) certificates representing the Shares in the form of the specimen certificate examined by us have been manually signed by an authorized officer of the transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock and registered by such transfer agent and registrar, and have been delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters at a price per share not less than the per share par value of the Common Stock as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares will have been duly authorized and the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

Exhibit 8.1

[Letterhead of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP]

April 30, 2008

American Capital Agency Corp.

2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14^th Floor

Bethesda, MD 20814

 

Re:

Certain United States Federal Income Tax Matters

Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have requested our opinion concerning certain United States Federal income tax considerations in connection with the offering (the “Offering”) by American Capital Agency Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ACAC”), of shares of ACAC common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”), pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-11 (Reg. No. 333-149167) (the “Registration Statement”), Amendment No. 3 of which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on April 28, 2008. We have acted as tax counsel to ACAC in connection with the Offering, and have participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and certain other documents.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Registration Statement and such other documentation and information provided to us by you as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth herein. In addition, you have provided us with, and we are relying upon, a certificate containing certain factual statements, factual representations and covenants of officers of ACAC (the “Officers’ Certificate”) relating to, among other things, the actual and proposed operations of ACAC and the entities in which it holds, or has held, a direct or indirect interest (collectively, the “Company”). For purposes of our opinion, we have not independently verified the facts, statements, representations and covenants set forth in the Officers’ Certificate, the Registration Statement, or in any other document. In particular, we note that the Company may engage in transactions in connection with which we have not provided legal advice, and have not reviewed, and of which we may be unaware. Consequently, we have relied on your representation that the facts, statements, representations, and covenants presented in the Officers’ Certificate, the Registration Statement, and other documents, or otherwise furnished to us, accurately and completely describe all material facts relevant to our opinion. We have assumed that all such facts, statements, representations and covenants are true without regard to any qualification as

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American Capital Agency Corp.

April 30, 2008

Page 2

 

to knowledge, belief, or intent. Our opinion is conditioned on the continuing accuracy and completeness of such facts, statements, representations and covenants. We are not aware of any facts inconsistent with the statements in the Officers’ Certificate. Any material change or inaccuracy in the facts, statements, representations, and covenants referred to, set forth, or assumed herein or in the Officers’ Certificate may affect our conclusions set forth herein.

In our review of certain documents in connection with our opinion as expressed below, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic, or electronic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. Where documents have been provided to us in draft form, we have assumed that the final executed versions of such documents will not differ materially from such drafts.

Our opinion is also based on the correctness of the following assumptions: (i) ACAC and each of the entities comprising the Company has been and will continue to be operated in accordance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which it was formed and in the manner described in the relevant organizational documents, (ii) there will be no changes in the applicable laws of the State of Delaware or of any other jurisdiction under the laws of which any of the entities comprising the Company have been formed, and (iii) each of the written agreements to which the Company is a party has been and will be implemented, construed and enforced in accordance with its terms.

In rendering our opinion, we have considered and relied upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder (“Regulations”), administrative rulings and other Treasury interpretations of the Code and the Regulations by the courts and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), all as they exist at the date hereof. It should be noted that the Code, Regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases for our opinion could affect our conclusions set forth herein. In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsel’s best judgment as to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position if asserted by the IRS.

We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal laws of the United States. We express no opinion on any issue relating to ACAC or any investment therein, other than as expressly stated herein.

Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

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American Capital Agency Corp.

April 30, 2008

Page 3

 

1.    Commencing with ACAC’s initial taxable year ending on December 31, 2008, ACAC has been organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under the Code, and its proposed method of operation will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. As noted in the Registration Statement, ACAC’s qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual operating results, certain requirements relating to the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, its distribution levels and the diversity of its stock ownership, and various other qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which are not reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of ACAC’s operations for any one taxable year will satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Code.

2.    Although the discussion set forth in the Registration Statement under the heading “Federal Income Tax Considerations” does not purport to discuss all possible United States Federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Common Stock, such discussion, though general in nature, constitutes, in all material respects, a fair and accurate summary under current law of the material United States Federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Common Stock of ACAC, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The United States Federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of such Common Stock by an investor will depend upon that holder’s particular situation, and we express no opinion as to the completeness of the discussion set forth in “Federal Income Tax Considerations” as applied to any particular holder.

This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the Offering. We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP under the headings “Risk Factors,” “Federal Income Tax Considerations,” and “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof, or the impact of any information, document, certificate, record, statement, representation, covenant, or assumption relied upon herein that becomes incorrect or untrue.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

by and between

American Capital Agency Corp.

and

American Capital Agency Management, LLC

Dated as of May     , 2008

 

 

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MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of May     , 2008, by and between American Capital Agency Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and American Capital Agency Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”), a subsidiary of a wholly-owned portfolio company of American Capital Strategies, Ltd., a Delaware corporation (“American Capital”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company is a newly formed corporation which intends to invest exclusively in single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations for which the principal and interest payments, if applicable, are guaranteed by (i) a U.S. Government agency such as the Government National Mortgage Association, or (ii) a U.S. Government-sponsored entity such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (collectively, “Agency Securities”) and intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes and will elect to receive the tax benefits accorded by Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Manager to administer the business activities and day-to-day operations of the Company and to perform services for the Company in the manner and on the terms set forth herein and the Manager wishes to be retained to provide such services.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions.

(a) The following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1(a):

“Administrative Services Agreement” means an agreement between the Manager and American Capital whereby American Capital agrees to provide the Manager with the personnel, services and resources necessary for the Manager to perform its obligations and responsibilities under this Agreement in exchange for certain fees payable by the Manager.

“Affiliate” means (i) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such other Person, (ii) any executive officer, general partner or employee of such other Person, (iii) any member of the board of directors or board of managers (or bodies performing similar functions) of such Person, and (iv) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer or general partner.

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“Agency Securities” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Agreement” means this Management Agreement, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“American Capital” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Automatic Renewal Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(b) hereof.

“Base Management Fee” means the base management fee, calculated and payable monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to one-twelfth of 1.00% of Equity.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are not required to be open.

“Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(c) hereof.

“Closing Date” means the date of closing of the Initial Public Offering.

“Code” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.01, of the Company.

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Company Indemnified Party” has meaning set forth in Section 8(b) hereof.

“Company Permitted Disclosure Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(b) hereof.

“Conduct Policies” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(k) hereof.

“Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 5 hereof.

 

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“Core Earnings” means the net income (loss), computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, the Incentive Compensation and any unrealized gains or losses or other items that are included in net income; provided, that, for the purposes of determining the Incentive Compensation, the foregoing calculation of Core Earnings shall be adjusted to exclude (i) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP, and (ii) certain non-cash charges, in each case after discussions between the Manager and the Independent Directors if approved by at least a majority of the then incumbent Independent Directors.

“Effective Termination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(c) hereof.

“Equity” means the Company’s month-end stockholders’ equity, adjusted to exclude the effect of any unrealized gains or losses included in either retained earnings or other comprehensive income (loss), each computed in accordance with GAAP.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States on the date such principles are applied.

“Governing Instruments” means, with regard to any entity, the articles of incorporation or certificate of incorporation and bylaws in the case of a corporation, the partnership agreement in the case of a general or limited partnership or the certificate of formation and operating agreement in the case of a limited liability company, the trust instrument in the case of a trust, or similar governing documents in each case as amended.

“Incentive Compensation” means the incentive management fee calculated and payable with respect to each calendar quarter (or part thereof that this Agreement is in effect) in arrears in an amount, not less than zero, equal to the difference between (1) the product of (a) 15% and (b) the difference between (i) Core Earnings of the Company for the previous 12-month period, and (ii) the weighted average of the issue price per share of the Common Stock of all of the Company’s public offerings of Common Stock multiplied by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding in the previous 12-month period, multiplied by the greater of (A) 8.00% or (B) 2.00% plus the Ten-Year U.S. Treasury Rate for such 12-month period, and (2) the sum of any Incentive Compensation paid to the Manager with respect to the first three calendar quarters of such previous 12-month period.

For purposes of calculating the Incentive Compensation prior to the completion of a 12-month period during the term of this Agreement, Core Earnings shall be calculated on the basis of the number of days that this Agreement has been in effect on an annualized basis.

 

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If the Effective Termination Date does not correspond to the end of a calendar quarter, the Manager shall be entitled to the Incentive Compensation for the period beginning on the day after the end of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the Effective Termination Date and ending on the Effective Termination Date, which Incentive Compensation shall be calculated using Core Earnings for the 12-month period ending on the Effective Termination Date.

“Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(b) hereof.

“Independent Director” means a member of the Board of Directors who is “independent” in accordance with the Company’s Governing Instruments and the rules of Nasdaq or such other securities exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed.

“Initial Public Offering” means the Company’s sale of Common Stock to the public through underwriting pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (No. 333-149167).

“Investment Committee” means the investment committee formed by the Manager, the members of which shall consist of officers of American Capital, the Manager and/or American Capital’s other Affiliates.

“Initial Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a) hereof.

“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

“Investment Guidelines” means the investment guidelines proposed by the Investment Committee and approved by the Board of Directors, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, as the same may amended, restated, modified, supplemented or waived by the Investment Committee, subject to the consent of a majority of the entire Board of Directors (which must include a majority of the then incumbent Independent Directors).

“Last Appraiser” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(g) hereof.

“Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) hereof.

 

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“Manager” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Manager Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) hereof.

“Manager Permitted Disclosure Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a) hereof.

“Nasdaq” means The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.

“Notice of Proposal to Negotiate” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(d) hereof.

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, estate, trust, joint venture, any federal, state, county or municipal government or any bureau, department or agency thereof or any other legal entity and any fiduciary acting in such capacity on behalf of the foregoing.

“REIT” means a “real estate investment trust” as defined under the Code.

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and any partnership, the general partner of which is the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, and any limited liability company, the managing member of which is the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.

“Ten-Year U.S. Treasury Rate” means the arithmetic average of the weekly average yield to maturity for actively traded current coupon U.S. Treasury fixed interest rate securities (adjusted to constant maturities of ten years) published by the Federal Reserve Board in publication H.15, or any successor publication, during a 12-month period, or, if such rate is not published by the Federal Reserve Board, any Federal Reserve Bank or agency or department of the U.S. Federal government selected by the Company. If the Company determines in good faith that the Ten Year U.S. Treasury Rate cannot be calculated as provided above, then the rate shall be the arithmetic average of the per annum average yields to maturities, based upon closing asked prices on each Business Day during such 12-month period, for each actively traded marketable U.S. Treasury fixed interest rate security with a final maturity date not less than eight nor more than 12

 

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years from the date of the closing asked prices as chosen and quoted for each Business Day in each such 12-month period in New York City by at least three recognized dealers in U.S. government securities selected by the Company.

“Termination Fee” means a termination fee equal to three (3) times the sum of (i) the average annual Base Management Fee, and (ii) average annual Incentive Compensation, in each case earned by the Manager during the 24-month period immediately preceding the most recently completed calendar quarter prior to the Effective Termination Date.

“Termination Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(c) hereof.

“Termination Without Cause” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(c) hereof.

“Valuation Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(g) hereof.

(b) As used herein, accounting terms relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries, if any, not defined in Section 1(a) and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1(a), to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under United States generally accepted accounting principles. As used herein, “calendar quarters” shall mean the period from January 1 to March 31, April 1 to June 30, July 1 to September 30 and October 1 to December 31 of the applicable year.

(c) The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

(d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”

Section 2. Appointment and Duties of the Manager.

(a) The Company hereby appoints the Manager to manage the investments and day-to-day operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, subject at all times to the further terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and to the supervision of, and such further limitations or parameters as may be imposed from time to time by, the Board of Directors. The Manager hereby agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to perform each of the duties set forth herein, provided that funds are made available by the Company for such purposes as set forth in Section 7 hereof. The appointment of the Manager shall be exclusive to the

 

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Manager, except to the extent that the Manager elects, in its sole and absolute discretion, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to cause the duties of the Manager as set forth herein to be provided by third parties.

(b) The Manager, in its capacity as manager of the investments and the operations of the Company, at all times will be subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Directors and will have only such functions and authority as the Board of Directors may delegate to it, including, without limitation, the functions and authority identified herein and delegated to the Manager hereby. The Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company and will perform (or cause to be performed) such services and activities relating to the investments and operations of the Company as may be appropriate, which may include, without limitation:

(i) forming and maintaining the Investment Committee, which will have the following responsibilities: (A) proposing the Investment Guidelines to the Board of Directors, (B) reviewing the Company’s investment portfolio for compliance with the Investment Guidelines on a monthly basis, (C) reviewing the Investment Guidelines adopted by the Board of Directors on a periodic basis, (D) reviewing the diversification of the Company’s investment portfolio and the Company’s hedging and financing strategies on a monthly basis, and (E) generally be responsible for conducting or overseeing the provision of the services set forth in this Section 2.

(ii) serving as the Company’s consultant with respect to the periodic review of the investments, borrowings and operations of the Company and other policies and recommendations with respect thereto, including, without limitation, the Investment Guidelines, in each case subject to the approval of the Board of Directors;

(iii) serving as the Company’s consultant with respect to the selection, purchase, monitoring and disposition of the Company’s investments;

(iv) serving as the Company’s consultant with respect to decisions regarding any financings, hedging activities or borrowings undertaken by the Company or its Subsidiaries, including (1) assisting the Company in developing criteria for debt and equity financing that is specifically tailored to the Company’s investment objectives, and (2) advising the Company with respect to obtaining appropriate financing for its investments;

(v) advising the Company with respect to incentive plans that the Company may establish for the Independent Directors;

(vi) purchasing and financing investments on behalf of the Company;

 

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(vii) providing the Company with portfolio management;

(viii) engaging and supervising, on behalf of the Company and at the Company’s expense, independent contractors that provide real estate, investment banking, securities brokerage, insurance, legal, accounting, transfer agent, registrar and such other services as may be required relating to the Company’s operations or investments (or potential investments);

(ix) providing executive and administrative personnel, office space and office services required in rendering services to the Company;

(x) performing and supervising the performance of administrative functions necessary in the management of the Company as may be agreed upon by the Manager and the Board of Directors, including, without limitation, the services in respect of any equity incentive plan the Company may establish for the Independent Directors, the collection of revenues and the payment of the Company’s debts and obligations and maintenance of appropriate information technology services to perform such administrative functions;

(xi) communicating on behalf of the Company with the holders of any equity or debt securities of the Company as required to satisfy the reporting and other requirements of any governmental bodies or agencies or trading exchanges or markets and to maintain effective relations with such holders, including website maintenance, logo design, analyst presentations, investor conferences and annual meeting arrangements;

(xii) counseling the Company in connection with policy decisions to be made by the Board of Directors;

(xiii) evaluating and recommending to the Company hedging strategies and engaging in hedging activities on behalf of the Company, consistent with such strategies, as so modified from time to time, with the Company’s qualification as a REIT and with the Investment Guidelines;

(xiv) counseling the Company regarding the maintenance of its qualification as a REIT and monitoring compliance with the various REIT qualification tests and other rules set out in the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder;

(xv) counseling the Company regarding the maintenance of its exemption from status as an investment company under the Investment Company Act and monitoring compliance with the requirements for maintaining such exemption;

 

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(xvi) furnishing reports and statistical and economic research to the Company regarding the activities and services performed for the Company or its Subsidiaries, if any, by the Manager;

(xvii) monitoring the operating performance of the Company’s investments and providing periodic reports with respect thereto to the Board of Directors, including comparative information with respect to such operating performance and budgeted or projected operating results;

(xviii) investing and re-investing any monies and securities of the Company (including in short-term investments, payment of fees, costs and expenses, or payments of dividends or distributions to stockholders and partners of the Company) and advising the Company as to its capital structure and capital-raising activities;

(xix) causing the Company to retain qualified accountants and legal counsel, as applicable, to (i) assist in developing appropriate accounting procedures, compliance procedures and testing systems with respect to financial reporting obligations and compliance with the provisions of the Code applicable to REITs and, if applicable, taxable REIT subsidiaries and (ii) conduct quarterly compliance reviews with respect thereto;

(xx) causing the Company to qualify to do business in all jurisdictions in which such qualification is required and to obtain and maintain all appropriate licenses;

(xxi) assisting the Company in complying with all regulatory requirements applicable to the Company in respect of its business activities, including preparing or causing to be prepared all financial statements required under applicable regulations and contractual undertakings and all reports and documents, if any, required under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act;

(xxii) taking all necessary actions to enable the Company and any Subsidiaries to make required tax filings and reports, including soliciting stockholders for required information to the extent necessary under the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations applicable to REITs;

(xxiii) handling and resolving all claims, disputes or controversies (including all litigation, arbitration, settlement or other proceedings or negotiations) in which the Company may be involved or to which the Company may be subject arising out of the Company’s day-to-day operations;

 

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(xxiv) arranging marketing materials, advertising, industry group activities (such as conference participations and industry organization memberships) and other promotional efforts designed to promote the business of the Company;

(xxv) using commercially reasonable efforts to cause expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Company to be commercially reasonable or commercially customary and within any budgeted parameters or expense guidelines set by the Board of Directors from time to time;

(xxvi) performing such other services as may be required from time to time for the management and other activities relating to the assets of the Company as the Board of Directors shall reasonably request or the Manager shall deem appropriate under the particular circumstances; and

(xxvii) using commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company to comply with all applicable laws.

(c) The Manager may retain, for and on behalf, and at the sole cost and expense, of the Company, such services of the persons and firms referred to in Section 7(b) hereof as the Manager deems necessary or advisable in connection with the management and operations of the Company. In performing its duties under this Section 2, the Manager shall be entitled to rely reasonably on qualified experts and professionals (including, without limitation, accountants, legal counsel and other professional service providers) hired by the Manager at the Company’s sole cost and expense.

(d) The Manager shall refrain from any action that, in its sole judgment made in good faith, (i) is not in compliance with the Investment Guidelines, (ii) would adversely affect the qualification of the Company as a REIT under the Code or the Company’s status as an entity excluded from investment company status under the Investment Company Act, or (iii) would violate any law, rule or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company or of any exchange on which the securities of the Company may be listed or that would otherwise not be permitted by the Company’s Governing Instruments. If the Manager is ordered to take any action by the Board of Directors, the Manager shall promptly notify the Board of Directors if it is the Manager’s judgment that such action would adversely affect such status or violate any such law, rule or regulation or the Governing Instruments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Manager nor any of its Affiliates (including American Capital) shall be liable to the Company, the Board of Directors, or the Company’s stockholders for any act or omission by the Manager or any of its Affiliates, except as provided in Section 8 of this Agreement.

(e) The Company (including the Board of Directors) agrees to take all actions reasonably required to permit and enable the Manager to carry out its duties and

 

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obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, all steps reasonably necessary to allow the Manager to file any registration statement or other filing required to be made under the Securities Act, Exchange Act, Nasdaq, Code or other applicable law, rule or regulation on behalf of the Company in a timely manner. The Company further agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the Manager all resources, information and materials reasonably requested by the Manager to enable the Manager to satisfy its obligations hereunder, including its obligations to deliver financial statements and any other information or reports with respect to the Company. If the Manager is not able to provide a service, or in the reasonable judgment of the Manager it is not prudent to provide a service, without the approval of the Board of Directors, as applicable, then the Manager shall be excused from providing such service (and shall not be in breach of this Agreement) until the applicable approval has been obtained.

(f) Reporting Requirements. (i) As frequently as the Manager may deem reasonably necessary or advisable, or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the Manager shall prepare, or, at the sole cost and expense of the Company, cause to be prepared, with respect to any investment, reports and other information with respect to such investment as may be reasonably requested by the Company.

(ii) The Manager shall prepare, or, at the sole cost and expense of the Company, cause to be prepared, all reports, financial or otherwise, with respect to the Company reasonably required by the Board of Directors in order for the Company to comply with its Governing Instruments, or any other materials required to be filed with any governmental body or agency, and shall prepare, or, at the sole cost and expense of the Company, cause to be prepared, all materials and data necessary to complete such reports and other materials including, without limitation, an annual audit of the Company’s books of account by a nationally recognized independent accounting firm.

(iii) The Manager shall prepare, or, at the sole cost and expense to the Company, cause to be prepared, regular reports for the Board of Directors to enable the Board of Directors to review the Company’s acquisitions, portfolio composition and characteristics, credit quality, performance and compliance with the Investment Guidelines and policies approved by the Board of Directors.

(g) Directors, officers, employees and agents of the Manager, American Capital or their respective Affiliates may serve as directors, officers, agents, nominees or signatories for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent permitted by their Governing Instruments and pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, as from time to time amended, by any resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors. When executing documents or otherwise acting in such capacities for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, such Persons shall indicate in what capacity they are executing on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Without limiting the foregoing, but subject to Section 12 below, the Manager will provide the Company with a management team, including a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer or similar positions, along with appropriate support personnel to provide the management services to be provided by the Manager to the

 

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Company hereunder, who shall devote such of their time to the management of the Company as necessary and appropriate, commensurate with the level of activity of the Company from time to time.

(h) The Manager shall provide personnel for service on the Investment Committee.

(i) The Manager shall maintain reasonable and customary “errors and omissions” insurance coverage and other customary insurance coverage.

(j) The Manager shall provide such internal audit, compliance and control services as may be required for the Company to comply with applicable law (including the Securities Act and Exchange Act), regulation (including SEC regulations) and the rules and requirements of Nasdaq and as otherwise reasonably requested by the Company or its Board of Directors from time to time.

(k) The Manager acknowledges receipt of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Policy on Insider Trading and Communications Policy (collectively, the “Conduct Policies”) and agrees to require the persons who provide services to the Company to comply with such Conduct Policies in the performance of such services hereunder or such comparable policies as shall in substance hold such persons to at least the standards of conduct set forth in the Conduct Policies.

Section 3. Additional Activities of the Manager; Non-Solicitation; Restrictions.

(a) Except as provided, the last sentence of this Section 3(a) and/or the Investment Guidelines, nothing in this Agreement shall (i) prevent the Manager or any of its Affiliates, officers, directors or employees, from engaging in other businesses or from rendering services of any kind to any other Person or entity, whether or not the investment objectives or policies of any such other Person or entity are similar to those of the Company or (ii) in any way bind or restrict the Manager or any of its Affiliates, officers, directors or employees from buying, selling or trading any securities or commodities for their own accounts or for the account of others for whom the Manager or any of its Affiliates, officers, directors or employees may be acting. While information and recommendations supplied to the Company shall, in the Manager’s reasonable and good faith judgment, be appropriate under the circumstances and in light of the investment objectives and policies of the Company, they may be different from the information and recommendations supplied by the Manager or any Affiliate of the Manager to others. The Company shall be entitled to equitable treatment under the circumstances in receiving information, recommendations and any other services, but the Company recognizes that it is not entitled to receive preferential treatment as compared with the treatment given by the Manager or any Affiliate of the Manager to others. The Company shall have the benefit of the Manager’s best judgment and effort in rendering services hereunder and, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Manager shall not undertake activities that, in its good faith judgment, will adversely affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

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(b) In the event of a Termination Without Cause of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to Section 10(c) hereof, the Company shall not, without the consent of the Manager, employ or otherwise retain any employee of the Manager or any of its Affiliates (including American Capital) or any person who has been in the employ of the Manager or any of its Affiliates at any time within the two (2) year period immediately preceding the date on which such person commences employment with or is otherwise retained by the Company for two (2) years after such termination of this Agreement. The Company acknowledges and agrees that, in addition to any damages the Manager shall be entitled to equitable relief for any violation of this agreement by the Company, including, without limitation, injunctive relief.

Section 4. Bank Accounts. At the direction of the Board of Directors, the Manager may establish and maintain one or more bank accounts in the name of the Company or any Subsidiary, and may collect and deposit into any such account or accounts, and disburse funds from any such account or accounts, under such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may approve; and the Manager shall from time to time render appropriate accountings of such collections and payments to the Board of Directors and, upon request, to the auditors of the Company or any Subsidiary.

Section 5. Records; Confidentiality.

(a) The Manager shall maintain appropriate books of accounts and records relating to services performed hereunder, and such books of account and records shall be accessible for inspection by representatives of the Company or any Subsidiary at any time during normal business hours. The Manager shall keep confidential any and all non-public information, written or oral, obtained by it in connection with the services rendered hereunder (“Confidential Information”) and shall not use Confidential Information except in furtherance of its duties under this Agreement or disclose Confidential Information, in whole or in part, to any Person other than (i) to its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives or advisors who need to know such Confidential Information for the purpose of rendering services hereunder, (ii) to appraisers, financing sources and others in the ordinary course of the Company’s business ((i) and (ii) collectively, “Manager Permitted Disclosure Parties”), (iii) in connection with any governmental or regulatory filings of the Company or disclosure or presentations to Company investors, (iv) to governmental officials having jurisdiction over the Company, (v) as requested by law or legal process to which the Manager or any Person to whom disclosure is permitted hereunder is a party, or (vi) with the consent of the Company. The Manager agrees to inform each of its Manager Permitted Disclosure Parties of the non-public nature of the Confidential Information and to direct such Persons to treat such Confidential Information in accordance with the terms hereof. Nothing herein shall prevent the Manager from disclosing Confidential Information (i) upon the order of any court or administrative agency, (ii) upon the request or demand of, or pursuant to any law or regulation, any regulatory agency or authority, (iii) to the extent reasonably required in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder, or (iv) to its legal counsel or independent auditors; provided, however that with respect to clauses (i) and (ii),

 

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it is agreed that, so long as not legally prohibited, the Manager will provide the Company with prompt written notice of such order, request or demand so that the Company may seek, at its sole expense, an appropriate protective order and/or waive the Manager’s compliance with the provisions of this Agreement. If, failing the entry of a protective order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, the Manager is required to disclose Confidential Information, the Manager may disclose only that portion of such information that is legally required without liability hereunder; provided, that the Manager agrees to exercise its reasonable best efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded such information. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the following shall be deemed to be excluded from provisions hereof: any Confidential Information that (A) is available to the public from a source other than the Manager, (B) is released in writing by the Company to the public or to persons who are not under similar obligation of confidentiality to the Company, or (C) is obtained by the Manager from a third-party which, to the best of the Manager’s knowledge, does not constitute a breach by such third-party of an obligation of confidence with respect to the Confidential Information disclosed. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement for a period of one year.

(b) The Company shall keep confidential any and all Confidential Information and shall not use Confidential Information except in furtherance of the terms of this Agreement or disclose Confidential Information, in whole or in part, to any Person other than (i) to its Affiliates, officers or directors who need to know such Confidential Information for the purpose of fulfilling the Company’s obligations hereunder (collectively, “Company Permitted Disclosure Parties”), (ii) as requested by law or legal process to which the Company or any Person to whom disclosure is permitted hereunder is a party, or (iii) with the consent of the Manager. The Company agrees to (i) inform each of its Company Permitted Disclosure Parties of the non-public nature of the Confidential Information and to direct such Persons to treat such Confidential Information in accordance with the terms hereof and (ii) not disclose any Confidential Information to its Company Permitted Disclosure Parties upon the expiration or nonrenewal of this Agreement in accordance with Section 10. Nothing herein shall prevent the Company from disclosing Confidential Information (i) upon the order of any court or administrative agency, (ii) upon the request or demand of, or pursuant to any law or regulation, any regulatory agency or authority, (iii) to the extent reasonably required in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder, or (iv) to its legal counsel or independent auditors; provided, however that with respect to clauses (i) and (ii), it is agreed that, so long as not legally prohibited, the Company will provide the Manager with prompt written notice of such order, request or demand so that the Manager may seek, at its sole expense, an appropriate protective order and/or waive the Company’s compliance with the provisions of this Agreement. If, failing the entry of a protective order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, the Company is required to disclose Confidential Information, the Company may disclose only that portion of such information that is legally required without liability hereunder; provided, that the Company agrees to exercise its reasonable best efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded such information. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the following shall be deemed to be excluded from provisions hereof: any Confidential Information that (A) is available to the public from a source other than the Company, (B) is released in writing by the Manager to the public or to persons who are not under similar obligation of confidentiality to the Manager, or (C) is obtained by the Company from a third-party which, to the best of the

 

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Company’s knowledge, does not constitute breach by such third-party of an obligation of confidence with respect to the Confidential Information disclosed. For the avoidance of doubt, information about the systems, employees, policies, procedures and investment portfolio (other than investments in which the Company and Manager have co-invested) shall be deemed to be included within the meaning of “Confidential Information” for purposes of the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Section 5(b).

Section 6. Compensation.

(a) For the services rendered under this Agreement, the Company shall pay the Base Management Fee and the Incentive Compensation to the Manager. The Manager will not receive any compensation for the period prior to the Closing Date other than expenses incurred and reimbursed pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

(b) The parties acknowledge that the Base Management Fee is intended to compensate the Manager for the costs and expenses it will incur pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, as well as certain expenses not otherwise reimbursable under Section 7 below, in order for the Manager to provide the Company the investment advisory services and certain general management services rendered under this Agreement.

(c) The Base Management Fee shall be payable in arrears in cash, in monthly installments commencing with the month in which this Agreement is executed. If applicable, the initial and final installments of the Base Management Fee shall be pro-rated based on the number of days during the initial and final month, respectively, that this Agreement is in effect. The Manager shall calculate each monthly installment of the Base Management Fee, and deliver such calculation to the Company, within fifteen (15) days following the last day of each calendar month. The Company shall pay the Manager each installment of the Base Management Fee within five (5) Business Days after the date of delivery to the Company of such computations.

(d) The Incentive Compensation shall be payable in arrears in cash, in quarterly installments commencing with the quarter in which this Agreement is executed. The Manager shall compute each quarterly installment of the Incentive Compensation within 45 days after the end of the calendar quarter with respect to which such installment is payable. A copy of the computations made by the Manager to calculate such installment (the “Incentive Compensation Notice”) shall thereafter promptly be delivered to the Board of Directors and, upon such delivery, payment of such installment of the Incentive Compensation shown therein shall be due and payable no later than the date which is five (5) Business Days after the date of delivery to the Board of Directors of such computations.

(e) The Manager may elect in the Incentive Compensation Notice to receive up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the Incentive Compensation (subject to restrictions under securities laws and Nasdaq and to the remaining provisions of this Section 6(e) and the

 

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provisions of Sections 6(f) and 6(g)) in shares of Common Stock and the remainder thereof shall be paid in cash. The Manager’s receipt of shares of Common Stock in accordance herewith shall be subject to all applicable securities exchange rules and securities laws (including, without limitation, prohibitions on insider trading). All shares of Common Stock paid to the Manager as the Incentive Compensation will be fully vested upon issuance.

(f) The number of shares of Common Stock payable as the Incentive Compensation shall be based on a value determined as follows:

(i) if the Common Stock is traded on a securities exchange, the value shall be deemed to be the closing price of the Common Stock on such exchange on the Business Day prior to the date on which the quarterly installment of the Incentive Compensation is paid;

(ii) if such shares are actively traded over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid or sales price, as applicable, on the Business Day prior to the issuance of such shares; and

(iii) if there is no active public market for such shares, the value shall be the fair market value thereof, as reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (including a majority of the then incumbent Independent Directors) of the Company.

(g) If at any time the Manager shall, in connection with a determination of the value of the Common Stock made by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 6(f) hereof, (i) dispute such determination in good faith by more than five percent (5%), and (ii) such dispute cannot be resolved between the Independent Directors and the Manager within ten (10) Business Days after the Manager provides written notice to the Company of such dispute (the “Valuation Notice”), then the matter shall be resolved by an independent appraiser of recognized standing selected jointly by the Independent Directors and the Manager within not more than twenty (20) days after the Valuation Notice. In the event the Independent Directors and the Manager cannot agree with respect to such selection within the aforesaid twenty (20) day time-frame, the Independent Directors shall select one such independent appraiser and the Manager shall select one independent appraiser within five (5) Business Days after the expiration of the twenty (20) day period, with one additional such appraiser (the “Last Appraiser”) to be selected by the appraisers so designated within five (5) Business Days after their selection. Any valuation decision made by the Last Appraiser shall be deemed final and binding upon the Board of Directors and the Manager and shall be delivered to the Manager and the Board of Directors within not more than fifteen (15) days after the selection of the Last Appraiser. The expenses of the appraisal shall be paid by the party with the estimate which deviated the furthest from the final valuation decision made by the appraisers.

 

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Section 7. Expenses of the Company.

(a) The Manager shall be responsible for the expenses related to any and all personnel of the Manager and its Affiliates who provide services to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or to the Manager pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement (including each of the officers of the Company and any directors of the Company who are also directors, officers, employees or agents of the Manager, American Capital or any of their Affiliates), including, without limitation, salaries, bonus and other wages, payroll taxes and the cost of employee benefit plans of such personnel, and costs of insurance with respect to such personnel.

(b) The Company shall pay all of its costs and expenses and shall reimburse the Manager or its Affiliates for expenses of the Manager and its Affiliates incurred on behalf of the Company, excepting only those expenses that are specifically the responsibility of the Manager pursuant to Section 7(a) of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is specifically agreed that the following costs and expenses of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be paid by the Company and shall not be paid by the Manager or Affiliates of the Manager:

(i) all costs and expenses associated with the formation and capital raising activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, if any, including, without limitation, the costs and expenses of (A) the preparation of the Company’s registration statements, (B) the initial public offering of the Company, (C) the original incorporation and initial organization of the Company, and (D) any subsequent offerings and any filing fees and costs of being a public company, including, without limitation, filings with the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and Nasdaq (and any other exchange or over-the-counter market), among other such entities;

(ii) all costs and expenses in connection with the acquisition, disposition, financing, hedging and ownership of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s investments, including, without limitation, costs and expenses incurred in contracting with third parties to provide such services, such as legal fees, accounting fees, consulting fees, trustee fees, appraisal fees, insurance premiums, commitment fees, brokerage fees and guaranty fees;

(iii) all legal, audit, accounting, consulting, brokerage, listing, filing, custodian, transfer agent, rating agency, registration and other fees and charges, printing, engraving and other expenses and taxes incurred in connection with the issuance, distribution, transfer, registration and stock exchange listing of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s equity securities or debt securities;

(iv) all expenses relating to communications to holders of equity securities or debt securities issued by the Company or any Subsidiary and other third party services utilized in maintaining relations with holders of such securities and in complying with the

 

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continuous reporting and other requirements of governmental bodies or agencies (including, without limitation, the SEC), including any costs of computer services in connection with this function, the cost of printing and mailing certificates for such securities and proxy solicitation materials and reports to holders of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s securities and the cost of any reports to third parties required under any indenture to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party;

(v) all costs and expenses of money borrowed by the Company or its Subsidiaries, if any, including, without limitation, principal, interest and the costs associated with the establishment and maintenance of any credit facilities, warehouse loans, repurchase facilities and other indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries, if any (including commitment fees, legal fees, closing and other costs);

(vi) all taxes and license fees applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary, including interest and penalties thereon;

(vii) all fees paid to and expenses of third-party advisors and independent contractors, consultants, managers and other agents engaged by the Company or any Subsidiary or by the Manager for the account of the Company or any Subsidiary;

(viii) all insurance costs incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary, including, without limitation, the cost of obtaining and maintaining (A) liability or other insurance to indemnify (1) the Manager, (2) the directors and officers of the Company, and (3) underwriters of any securities of the Company, (B) “errors and omissions” insurance coverage, and (C) any other insurance deemed necessary or advisable by the Board of Directors for the benefit of the Company and its directors and officers;

(ix) all compensation and fees paid to directors of the Company or any Subsidiary (excluding those directors who are also directors, officers, employees or agents of American Capital or any of its Affiliates), and all expenses of all directors of the Company or any Subsidiary incurred in their capacity as such;

(x) all third-party legal, accounting and auditing fees and expenses and other similar services relating to the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s operations (including, without limitation, all quarterly and annual audit or tax fees and expenses);

(xi) all third-party legal, expert and other fees and expenses relating to any actions, proceedings, lawsuits, demands, causes of action and claims, whether actual or threatened, made by or against the Company, or which the Company is authorized or obligated to pay under applicable law or its Governing Instruments or by the Board of Directors;

 

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(xii) subject to Section 8 below, any judgment or settlement of pending or threatened proceedings (whether civil, criminal or otherwise) against the Company or any Subsidiary, or against any trustee, director or officer of the Company or any Subsidiary in his capacity as such for which the Company or any Subsidiary is required to indemnify such trustee, director or officer by any court or governmental agency, or settlement of pending or threatened proceedings;

(xiii) all travel and related expenses of directors, officers and employees of the Company and the Manager, incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board of Directors or holders of securities of the Company or any Subsidiary or performing other business activities that relate to the Company or any Subsidiary, including, without limitations, travel and related expenses incurred in connection with the purchase, consideration for purchase, financing, refinancing, sale or other disposition of any investment or potential investment of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall only be responsible for a proportionate share of such expenses, as determined by the Manager in good faith, where such expenses were not incurred solely for the benefit of the Company;

(xiv) all expenses of organizing, modifying or dissolving the Company or any Subsidiary and costs preparatory to entering into a business or activity, or of winding up or disposing of a business activity of the Company or its Subsidiaries, if any;

(xv) all expenses relating to payments of dividends or interest or distributions in cash or any other form made or caused to be made by the Board of Directors to or on account of holders of the securities of the Company or any Subsidiary, including, without limitation, in connection with any dividend reinvestment plan;

(xvi) all costs and expenses related to (A) the design and maintenance of the Company’s web site or sites and (B) the Company’s pro rata share of any computer software, hardware or information technology services that is used by the Company;

(xvii) all costs and expenses incurred with respect to market information systems and publications, research publications and materials, and settlement, clearing and custodial fees and expenses; provided, however, that the Company shall only be responsible for a proportionate share of such expenses, as determined by the Manager in good faith, where such expenses were not incurred solely for the benefit of the Company;

(xviii) all costs and expenses incurred with respect to administering the Company’s incentive plans;

 

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(xix) rent (including disaster recovery facilities costs and expenses), telephone, utilities, office furniture, equipment, machinery and other office, internal and overhead expenses of the Manager and its Affiliates required for the Company’s operations; provided, however, that the Company shall only be responsible for a proportionate share of such expenses, as determined by the Manager in good faith, where such expenses were not incurred solely for the benefit of the Company; and

(xx) all other expenses actually incurred by the Manager or its Affiliates or their respective officers, employees, representatives or agents, or any Affiliates thereof, which are reasonably necessary for the performance by the Manager of its duties and functions under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any fees or expenses relating to the Company’s compliance with all governmental and regulatory matters).

(c) Costs and expenses incurred by the Manager on behalf of the Company shall be reimbursed monthly to the Manager. The Manager shall prepare a written statement in reasonable detail documenting the costs and expenses of the Company and those incurred by the Manager on behalf of the Company during each month, and shall deliver such written statement to the Company within thirty (30) days after the end of each month. The Company shall pay all amounts payable to the Manager pursuant to this Section 7(c) within five (5) Business Days after the receipt of the written statement without demand, deduction, offset or delay. Cost and expense reimbursement to the Manager shall be subject to adjustment at the end of each calendar year in connection with the annual audit of the Company. The provisions of this Section 7 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement to the extent such expenses has previously been incurred or are incurred in connection with such expiration or termination.

Section 8. Limits of the Manager’s Responsibility.

(a) The Manager assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder in good faith and shall not be responsible for any action of the Board of Directors in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendations of the Manager, including as set forth in the Investment Guidelines. The Manager and its Affiliates, and the directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Manager and its Affiliates, will not be liable to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, the Board of Directors, or the Company’s stockholders for any acts or omissions by the Manager, its officers, employees or its Affiliates, performed in accordance with and pursuant to this Agreement, except by reason of acts constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their respective duties under this Agreement. The Company shall, to the full extent lawful, reimburse, indemnify and hold harmless the Manager, its Affiliates, and the directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Manager and its Affiliates (each, a “Manager Indemnified Party”), of and from any and all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims of any nature whatsoever, (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) (collectively “Losses”) in respect of or arising from any acts or omissions of such Manager Indemnified Party performed in good faith under this Agreement and, in respect of any such Manager Indemnified Party, not constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties of such Manager Indemnified Party under this Agreement.

 

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(b) The Manager shall, to the full extent lawful, reimburse, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and the directors, officers and stockholders of the Company and each Person, if any, controlling the Company (each, a “Company Indemnified Party”; a Manager Indemnified Party and a Company Indemnified Party are each sometimes hereinafter referred to as an “Indemnified Party”) of and from any and all Losses in respect of or arising from (i) any acts or omissions of the Manager constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties of the Manager under this Agreement or (ii) any claims by the Manager’s employees relating to the terms and conditions of their employment by the Manager.

(c) In case any such claim, suit, action or proceeding (a “Claim”) is brought against any Indemnified Party in respect of which indemnification may be sought by such Indemnified Party pursuant hereto, the Indemnified Party shall give prompt written notice thereof to the indemnifying party, which notice shall include all documents and information in the possession of or under the control of such Indemnified Party reasonably necessary for the evaluation and/or defense of such Claim and shall specifically state that indemnification for such Claim is being sought under this Section; provided, however, that the failure of the Indemnified Party to so notify the indemnifying party shall not limit or affect such Indemnified Party’s rights to be indemnified pursuant to this Section. Upon receipt of such notice of Claim (together with such documents and information from such Indemnified Party), the indemnifying party shall, at its sole cost and expense, in good faith defend any such Claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, which counsel may, without limiting the rights of such Indemnified Party pursuant to the next succeeding sentence of this Section, also represent the indemnifying party in such investigation, action or proceeding. In the alternative, such Indemnified Party may elect to conduct the defense of the Claim, if (i) such Indemnified Party reasonably determines that the conduct of its defense by the indemnifying party could be materially prejudicial to its interests, (ii) the indemnifying party refuses to defend (or fails to give written notice to the Indemnified Party within ten (10) days of receipt of a notice of Claim that the indemnifying party assumes such defense), or (iii) the indemnifying party shall have failed, in such Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment, to defend the Claim in good faith. The indemnifying party may settle any Claim against such Indemnified Party without such Indemnified Party’s consent, provided (i) such settlement is without any Losses whatsoever to such Indemnified Party, (ii) the settlement does not include or require any admission of liability or culpability by such Indemnified Party and (iii) the indemnifying party obtains an effective written release of liability for such Indemnified Party from the party to the Claim with whom such settlement is being made, which release must be reasonably acceptable to such Indemnified Party, and a dismissal with prejudice with respect to all claims made by the party against such Indemnified Party in connection with such Claim. The applicable Indemnified Party shall reasonably cooperate with the indemnifying party, at the indemnifying party’s sole cost and expense, in connection with the defense or settlement of any Claim in accordance with the terms hereof. If such Indemnified Party is entitled pursuant to this Section to elect to defend such Claim by counsel of its own choosing and so elects, then the indemnifying party shall be responsible for any good faith settlement of such Claim entered into by such Indemnified Party. Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, no Indemnified Party may pay or settle any Claim and seek reimbursement therefor under this Section.

 

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(d) The provisions of this Section 8 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.

Section 9. No Joint Venture. The Company and the Manager are not partners or joint venturers with each other and nothing herein shall be construed to make them such partners or joint venturers or impose any liability as such on either of them.

Section 10. Term; Renewal.

(a) Initial Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the Closing Date and shall continue in operation, unless terminated in accordance with the terms hereof, until •, 2011 (the “Initial Term”).

(b) Automatic Renewal Terms. After the Initial Term, this Agreement shall be deemed renewed automatically each year for an additional one-year period (an “Automatic Renewal Term”) unless the Company or the Manager elects not to renew this Agreement in accordance with Section 10(c) of this Agreement.

(c) Nonrenewal of this Agreement Without Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, upon the expiration of the Initial Term and upon 180 days’ prior written notice to the Manager or the Company (the “Termination Notice”), either the Company (but only with the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors) or the Manager may, without cause, in connection with the expiration of the Initial Term or any Automatic Renewal Term, decline to renew this Agreement (any such nonrenewal, a “Termination Without Cause”). If the Company issues the Termination Notice, the Company shall be obligated to (i) specify the reason for nonrenewal in the Termination Notice and (ii) pay the Manager the Termination Fee before or on the last day of the Initial Term or Automatic Renewal Term (the “Effective Termination Date”). In the event of a Termination Without Cause, nonrenewal of this Agreement shall be without any further liability or obligation of either party to the other, except as provided in Section 3(b), Section 8 and Section 14 of this Agreement. The Manager shall cooperate with the Company in executing an orderly transition of the management of the Company’s assets to a new manager. The Company may terminate this Agreement for cause pursuant to Section 12 hereof even after a Termination Without Cause and, in such case, no Termination Fee shall be payable.

(d) Unfair Manager Compensation. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) above, if the reason for nonrenewal specified in the Company’s Termination Notice is that a majority of the Independent Directors have determined that the Base Management Fee or the Incentive Compensation payable to the Manager is unfair, the Company shall not have the foregoing nonrenewal right in the event the Manager agrees that it will

 

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continue to perform its duties hereunder during the Automatic Renewal Term that would commence upon the expiration of the Initial Term or then current Automatic Renewal Term at a fee that the majority of the Independent Directors determine to be fair; provided, however, the Manager shall have the right to renegotiate the Base Management Fee and/or the Incentive Compensation, by delivering to the Company, not less than 120 days prior to the pending Effective Termination Date, written notice (a “Notice of Proposal to Negotiate”) of its intention to renegotiate the Base Management Fee and/or the Incentive Compensation. Thereupon, the Company and the Manager shall endeavor to negotiate the Base Management Fee and/or the Incentive Compensation in good faith. Provided that the Company and the Manager agree to a revised Base Management Fee, the Incentive Compensation or other compensation structure within sixty (60) days following the Company’s receipt of the Notice of Proposal to Negotiate, the Termination Notice from the Company shall be deemed of no force and effect, and this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect on the terms stated herein, except that the Base Management Fee, the Incentive Compensation or other compensation structure shall be the revised Base Management Fee, Incentive Compensation or other compensation structure then agreed upon by the Company and the Manager. The Company and the Manager agree to execute and deliver an amendment to this Agreement setting forth such revised Base Management Fee, Incentive Compensation, or other compensation structure promptly upon reaching an agreement regarding same. In the event that the Company and the Manager are unable to agree to a revised Base Management Fee, Incentive Compensation, or other compensation structure during such sixty (60) day period, this Agreement shall terminate on the Effective Termination Date and the Company shall be obligated to pay the Manager the Termination Fee upon the Effective Termination Date.

Section 11. Assignments.

(b) Assignments by the Manager. This Agreement shall terminate automatically without payment of the Termination Fee in the event of its assignment, in whole or in part, by the Manager, unless such assignment is consented to in writing by the Company with the consent of a majority of the Independent Directors. Any such permitted assignment shall bind the assignee under this Agreement in the same manner as the Manager is bound, and the Manager shall be liable to the Company for all errors or omissions of the assignee under any such assignment. In addition, the assignee shall execute and deliver to the Company a counterpart of this Agreement naming such assignee as the Manager. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Manager may (i) assign this Agreement to an Affiliate of the Manager that is a successor to the Manager by reason of a restructuring or other internal reorganization among the Manager and any one or more of its Affiliates without the consent of the majority of the Independent Directors and (ii) delegate to one or more of its Affiliates the performance of any of its responsibilities hereunder so long as it remains liable for any such Affiliate’s performance. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall preclude any pledge, hypothecation or other transfer of any amounts payable to the Manager under this Agreement.

(c) Assignments by the Company. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, in whole or in part, by the Company, unless such assignment is consented to in writing by the Manager. Any such permitted assignment shall bind the assignee under this Agreement in the same manner as the Company is bound. In addition, the assignee shall execute and deliver to the Manager a counterpart of this Agreement.

 

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Section 12. Termination of the Manager for Cause. At the option of the Company and at any time during the term of this Agreement, this Agreement shall be and become terminated upon 60 days’ written notice of termination from the Board of Directors to the Manager, without payment of the Termination Fee, if any of the following events shall occur, which shall be determined by a majority of the Independent Directors:

(a) the Manager shall commit any act of fraud, misappropriation of funds, or embezzlement against the Company or shall be grossly negligent in the performance of its duties under this Agreement (including such action or inaction by the Manager which materially impairs the Company’s ability to conduct its business);

(b) the Manager shall fail to provide adequate or appropriate personnel necessary for the Manager to originate investment opportunities for the Company and to manage and develop the Company’s portfolio; provided, that such default has continued uncured for a period of sixty (60) days after written notice thereof, which notice shall contain a request that the same be remedied;

(c) the Manager shall commit a material breach of any provision of this Agreement (including the failure of the Manager to use reasonable efforts to comply with the Investment Guidelines); provided, that such default has continued uncured for a period of sixty (60) days after written notice thereof, which notice shall contain a request that the same be remedied;

(d)(A) the Manager shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (1) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (2) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Manager shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (B) there shall be commenced against the Manager any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (A) above which (1) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (2) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of 90 days; or (C) the Manager shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (A) or (B) above; or (D) the Manager shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or

(e) upon the dissolution of the Manager.

 

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If any of the events specified above shall occur, the Manager shall give prompt written notice thereof to the Board of Directors.

Section 13. Action Upon Termination. From and after the effective date of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Sections 10, 11, or 12 of this Agreement, the Manager shall not be entitled to compensation for further services hereunder, but shall be paid all compensation accruing to the date of termination and, if terminated or not renewed pursuant to Section 10, the Termination Fee. Upon any such termination, the Manager shall forthwith:

(a) after deducting any accrued compensation and reimbursement for its expenses to which it is then entitled, pay over to the Company or a Subsidiary all money collected and held for the account of the Company or a Subsidiary pursuant to this Agreement;

(b) deliver to the Board of Directors a full accounting, including a statement showing all payments collected by it and a statement of all money held by it, covering the period following the date of the last accounting furnished to the Board of Directors with respect to the Company and any Subsidiaries; and

(c) deliver to the Board of Directors all property and documents of the Company and any Subsidiaries then in the custody of the Manager.

Section 14. Release of Money or Other Property Upon Written Request.

The Manager agrees that any money or other property of the Company (which such term, for the purposes of this Section, shall be deemed to include any and all of its Subsidiaries, if any) held by the Manager shall be held by the Manager as custodian for the Company, and the Manager’s records shall be appropriately and clearly marked to reflect the ownership of such money or other property by the Company. Upon the receipt by the Manager of a written request signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company requesting the Manager to release to the Company any money or other property then held by the Manager for the account of the Company under this Agreement, the Manager shall release such money or other property to the Company within a reasonable period of time, but in no event later than 60 days following such request. Upon delivery of such money or other property to the Company, the Manager shall not be liable to the Company, the Board of Directors, or the Company’s stockholders or partners for any acts or omissions by the Company in connection with the money or other property released to the Company in accordance with this Section. The Company shall indemnify the Manager, its directors, officers, stockholders, employees and agents against any and all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims of any nature whatsoever, which arise in connection with the Manager’s release of such money or other property to the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 14. Indemnification pursuant to this provision shall be in addition to any right of the Manager to indemnification under Section 8 of this Agreement.

 

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Section 15. Representations and Warranties.

(a) The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Manager as follows:

(i) The Company is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to own and operate its assets, to lease any property it may operate as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is now engaged and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except for failures to be so qualified, authorized or licensed that could not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business operations, assets or financial condition of the Company.

(ii) The Company has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to make, deliver and perform this Agreement and all obligations required hereunder and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize this Agreement on the terms and conditions hereof and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and all obligations required hereunder. No consent of any other Person, including stockholders and creditors of the Company, and no license, permit, approval or authorization of, exemption by, notice or report to, or registration, filing or declaration with, any governmental authority is required by the Company in connection with this Agreement or the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement and all obligations required hereunder. This Agreement has been, and each instrument or document required hereunder will be, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company, and this Agreement constitutes, and each instrument or document required hereunder when executed and delivered hereunder will constitute, the legally valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

(iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the documents or instruments required hereunder will not violate any provision of any existing law or regulation binding on the Company, or any order, judgment, award or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental authority binding on the Company, or the Governing Instruments of, or any securities issued by the Company or of any mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement, instrument or undertaking to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or any of its assets may be bound, the violation of which would have a material adverse effect on the business operations, assets or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, if any, taken as a whole, and will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any lien or any of its property, assets or revenues pursuant to the provisions of any such mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement, instrument or undertaking.

 

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(b) The Manager hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

(i) The Manager is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, has the limited liability company power and authority and the legal right to own and operate its assets, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is now engaged and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except for failures to be so qualified, authorized or licensed that could not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business operations, assets or financial condition of the Manager.

(ii) The Manager has the limited liability company power and authority and the legal right to make, deliver and perform this Agreement and all obligations required hereunder and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize this Agreement on the terms and conditions hereof and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and all obligations required hereunder. No consent of any other Person, including members and creditors of the Manager, and no license, permit, approval or authorization of, exemption by, notice or report to, or registration, filing or declaration with, any governmental authority is required by the Manager in connection with this Agreement or the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement and all obligations required hereunder. This Agreement has been, and each instrument or document required hereunder will be, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Manager, and this Agreement constitutes, and each instrument or document required hereunder when executed and delivered hereunder will constitute, the legally valid and binding obligation of the Manager enforceable against the Manager in accordance with its terms.

(iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the documents or instruments required hereunder will not violate any provision of any existing law or regulation binding on the Manager, or any order, judgment, award or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental authority binding on the Manager, or the Governing Instruments of, or any securities issued by the Manager or of any mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement, instrument or undertaking to which the Manager is a party or by which the Manager or any of its assets may be bound, the violation of which would have a material adverse effect on the business operations, assets or financial condition of the Manager, and will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any lien or any of its property, assets or revenues pursuant to the provisions of any such mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement, instrument or undertaking.

 

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Section 16. Miscellaneous.

(a) Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered against receipt or upon actual receipt of (i) personal delivery, (ii) delivery by reputable overnight courier, (iii) delivery by facsimile transmission with telephonic confirmation or (iv) delivery by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as set forth below (or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto in accordance with this Section 16):

 

The Company:		American Capital Agency Corp.
		2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor
		Bethesda, MD 20814
		Attention: Chief Financial Officer
		Fax: 301-968-9301
with a copy to:		Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
		4 Times Square
		New York, New York 10036
		Attention: David J. Goldschmidt, Esq.
		Fax: (212) 735-2000
The Manager:		American Capital Agency Management, LLC
		c/o American Capital Strategies, Ltd.
		2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor
		Bethesda, MD 20814
		Attention: Chief Financial Officer
		Fax: 301-951-5651
with a copy to:		Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
		4 Times Square
		New York, New York 10036
		Attention: David J. Goldschmidt, Esq.
		Fax: (212) 735-2000

(b) Binding Nature of Agreement; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns as provided herein.

(c) Integration. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, inducements and conditions, express or implied, oral or written, of any nature whatsoever with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

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The express terms hereof control and supersede any course of performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof.

(d) Amendments. This Agreement, nor any terms hereof, may not be amended, supplemented or modified except in an instrument in writing executed by the parties hereto.

(e) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR ANY DISTRICT WITHIN SUCH STATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY ACTION OR JUDGMENT RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND TO THE LAYING OF VENUE IN SUCH COURT.

(f) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.

(g) Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder, and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

(h) No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of a party hereto, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

(i) Costs and Expenses. Each party hereto shall bear its own costs and expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel and accountants) incurred in connection with the negotiations and preparation of and the closing under this Agreement, and all matter incident thereto.

 

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(j) Section Headings. The section and subsection headings in this Agreement are for convenience in reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the interpretation of any provisions hereof.

(k) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

(l) Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

(m) [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto have executed this Management Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

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Exhibit A

Investment Guidelines

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in that certain Management Agreement, dated as of May     , 2008, as may be amended from time to time (the “Management Agreement”), by and between American Capital Agency Corp. (the “Company”) and American Capital Agency Management, LLC (the “Manager”).

1. The Company shall not make any investments other than investments in Agency Securities.

2. The Company’s leverage may not exceed 10 times its stockholders’ equity (as computed in accordance with GAAP) (the “Leverage Threshold.”) In the event that the Company’s leverage inadvertently exceeds the Leverage Threshold, the Company may not utilize additional leverage without prior approval from the Board of Directors until the Company is once again in compliance with the Leverage Threshold.

3. No investment shall be made that would cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code.

4. No investment shall be made that would cause the Company to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

5. A majority of the Independent Directors must approve any transaction between the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries on the one hand and the Manager and/or any of its Affiliates (including, but not limited to American Capital) on the other hand.

These Investment Guidelines may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented or waived by the Board of Directors (which must include a majority of the Independent Directors) without the approval of the Company’s stockholders.

Exhibit 10.5

AMERICAN CAPITAL AGENCY CORP.

EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN FOR THE MANAGER AND ITS AFFILIATES

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT

This Restricted Stock Agreement (this “Agreement”) is executed and delivered as of             , 2008 (the “Grant Date”) by and between American Capital Agency Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and [insert name of Grantee being the Manager or any of its Affiliates (as such term is defined in the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for the Manager and its Affiliates), including but not restricted to American Capital Strategies, Ltd.] (the “Grantee”). The Grantee and the Company hereby agree as follows:

 

1.	Grant. Pursuant to the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for the Manager and its Affiliates (the “Plan”), the Company hereby grants to the Grantee                      shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value (the “Shares”).

 

2.	Restrictions. The Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of and shall be subject to the risk of forfeiture described in Section 4 hereof (the “Restrictions”) from the Grant Date until the Restrictions lapse in accordance with Section 3 hereof.

 

3.	Lapse of Restrictions.

 

(a)

Unless the Restrictions shall have been terminated pursuant to clauses (b) or (c) of this Section 3, the Restrictions shall lapse with respect to                      of the Shares on                                     .

 

(b)

In the event that the Management Agreement, dated as of May     , 2008 (the “Management Agreement”), between the Company and American Capital Agency Management, LLC (the “Manager”) is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause (as defined in the Management Agreement), the Restrictions shall lapse with respect to all Shares subject to the Restrictions on the effective date of such termination.

 

(c)

Upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Plan), the Restrictions shall lapse with respect to all Shares subject to the Restrictions on the date of the Change of Control.

 

4.

Forfeiture Events. If (a) the Manager terminates the Management Agreement for any reason, or (b) the Company terminates the Management Agreement for Cause (as defined in the Management Agreement), all Shares subject to the Restrictions as of the effective date of any such termination shall be forfeited on such date.

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5.	Certain Tax Matters.

 

(a)

Tax Consequences. The Grantee acknowledges that it shall recognize ordinary income at the times the Restrictions lapse with respect to the Shares in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Shares on each such date and the Company shall be required to collect all applicable withholding taxes with respect to such income. The obligations of the Company under the Plan are conditioned on the Grantee making arrangements for the payment of any such taxes. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the release of the Shares from the Restrictions shall be conditioned upon the Grantee making adequate provision for federal, state or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon such release (unless the Section 83(b) election described in Section 5(b) hereof has been filed), whether by withholding, direct payment to the Company, or otherwise.

 

(b)

Section 83(b) Election. The Grantee acknowledges that he has been informed that he may file with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the Grant Date an election, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to be taxed currently on the fair market value of the Shares on the Grant Date. The Grantee acknowledges that it is the Grantee’s sole responsibility to file timely the election under Section 83(b) of the Code, even if the Grantee requests the Company or its representative to make this filing on the Grantee’s behalf.

 

(c)

No Tax Advice. By signing this Agreement, the Grantee represents that he has reviewed with his own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and that he is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents. The Grantee understands and agrees that he (and not the Company) shall be responsible for any tax liability that may arise as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

6.	Restrictive Legend. The certificate representing the Shares subject to the Restrictions shall bear the following legend:

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS UPON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE COMPANY.

The Grantee shall be entitled to have such legend removed from such certificate upon the lapse of the Restrictions on the Shares.

 

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7.

Entire Agreement; Plan Controls. This Agreement and the Plan contain the entire understanding and agreement of the parties concerning the subject matter hereof, and supersede all earlier negotiations and understandings, written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto. This Agreement is made under and subject to the provisions of the Plan, and all of the provisions of the Plan are hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall govern. By signing this Agreement, the Grantee confirms that he has received a copy of the Plan and has had an opportunity to review the contents thereof.

 

8.	Miscellaneous.

(a) Notices. Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall be deemed given when delivered personally, or when deposited in a United States Post Office, postage prepaid, addressed, as appropriate, to the Grantee either at his address herein below set forth or such other address as he may designate in writing to the Company, or to the Company to the attention of the Secretary, at the Company’s address or such other address as the Company may designate in writing to the Grantee.

(b) Failure to Enforce Not a Waiver. The failure of the Company or the Grantee to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof.

(c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the choice of law principles thereof.

(d) Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified at any time by an instrument in writing signed by the parties.

(e) Agreement Not a Contract of Employment. Neither this Agreement nor any other action taken in connection herewith shall constitute or be evidence of any agreement or understanding, express or implied, that the Grantee is an employee of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.

(f) Captions. The captions and headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are included for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when signed by the Company or the Grantee will be deemed an original and all of which together will be deemed the same agreement.

(h) Assignment. The Company may assign its rights and delegate its duties under this Agreement. If any such assignment or delegation requires consent of any state securities authorities, the parties agree to cooperate in requesting such consent. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and, subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, be binding upon the Grantee, his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

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(i) Severability. This Agreement will be severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof will not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties intend that there be added as a part of this Agreement a valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized representative and the Grantee has hereunto set his hand as of the Grant Date.

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.6

AMERICAN CAPITAL AGENCY CORP.

EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN FOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT

This Restricted Stock Agreement (this “Agreement”) is executed and delivered as of May     , 2008 (the “Grant Date”) by and between American Capital Agency Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and             , a director of the Company (the “Grantee”). The Grantee and the Company hereby agree as follows:

 

1.	Grant. Pursuant to the American Capital Agency Corp. Equity Incentive Plan for Independent Directors (the “Plan”), the Company hereby grants to the Grantee              shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value (the “Shares”).

 

2.

Restrictions. Subject to Section 3 hereof, the Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of and shall be subject to the risk of forfeiture described in Section 4 hereof (the “Restrictions”) from the Grant Date until (i)              with respect to one-third of the Shares, (ii)              with respect to an additional one-third of the Shares, and (iii)              with respect to the remaining one-third of the Shares.

 

3.	Lapse of Restrictions.

 

(a)

Unless the Restrictions shall have been terminated pursuant to clauses (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 3, the Restrictions shall lapse with respect to one-third of the Shares on             .

 

(b)

In the event of the Grantee’s death or disability, the Restrictions shall lapse with respect to all Shares subject to the Restrictions on the date of the Grantee’s death or the occurrence of the Grantee’s disability.

 

(c)

In the event that the Grantee’s service as a director of the Company is terminated other than for any of the reasons set forth in Section 4 hereof, the Restrictions shall lapse with respect to all Shares subject to the Restrictions on the date of such termination.

 

(d)

Upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Plan), the Restrictions shall lapse with respect to all Shares subject to the Restrictions on the date of the Change of Control.

 

4.

Forfeiture Events. If (a) the Grantee terminates his service as a director of the Company, except for a termination due to the Grantee’s death or disability, or (b) the Grantee’s service as a director is terminated pursuant to a Removal for Cause (as defined in the Plan), all Shares subject to the Restrictions as of the date of any such termination shall be forfeited on such date.

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5.	Certain Tax Matters.

 

(a)

Tax Consequences. The Grantee acknowledges that it shall recognize ordinary income at the times the Restrictions lapse with respect to the Shares in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Shares on each such date and the Company shall be required to collect all applicable withholding taxes with respect to such income. The obligations of the Company under the Plan are conditioned on the Grantee making arrangements for the payment of any such taxes. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the release of the Shares from the Restrictions shall be conditioned upon the Grantee making adequate provision for federal, state or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon such release (unless the Section 83(b) election described in Section 5(b) hereof has been filed), whether by withholding, direct payment to the Company, or otherwise.

 

(b)

Section 83(b) Election. The Grantee acknowledges that he has been informed that he may file with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the Grant Date an election, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to be taxed currently on the fair market value of the Shares on the Grant Date. The Grantee acknowledges that it is the Grantee’s sole responsibility to file timely the election under Section 83(b) of the Code, even if the Grantee requests the Company or its representative to make this filing on the Grantee’s behalf.

 

(c)

No Tax Advice. By signing this Agreement, the Grantee represents that he has reviewed with his own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and that he is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents. The Grantee understands and agrees that he (and not the Company) shall be responsible for any tax liability that may arise as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

6.	Restrictive Legend. The certificate representing the Shares subject to the Restrictions shall bear the following legend:

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS UPON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE STOCKHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE COMPANY.

 

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The Grantee shall be entitled to have such legend removed from such certificate upon the lapse of the Restrictions on the Shares.

 

7.

Entire Agreement; Plan Controls. This Agreement and the Plan contain the entire understanding and agreement of the parties concerning the subject matter hereof, and supersede all earlier negotiations and understandings, written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto. This Agreement is made under and subject to the provisions of the Plan, and all of the provisions of the Plan are hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall govern. By signing this Agreement, the Grantee confirms that he has received a copy of the Plan and has had an opportunity to review the contents thereof.

 

8.	Miscellaneous.

(a) Notices. Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall be deemed given when delivered personally, or when deposited in a United States Post Office, postage prepaid, addressed, as appropriate, to the Grantee either at his address herein below set forth or such other address as he may designate in writing to the Company, or to the Company to the attention of the Secretary, at the Company’s address or such other address as the Company may designate in writing to the Grantee.

(b) Failure to Enforce Not a Waiver. The failure of the Company or the Grantee to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof.

(c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the choice of law principles thereof.

(d) Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified at any time by an instrument in writing signed by the parties.

(e) Agreement Not a Contract of Employment. Neither this Agreement nor any other action taken in connection herewith shall constitute or be evidence of any agreement or understanding, express or implied, that the Grantee is an employee of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.

(f) Captions. The captions and headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are included for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when signed by the Company or the Grantee will be deemed an original and all of which together will be deemed the same agreement.

 

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(h) Assignment. The Company may assign its rights and delegate its duties under this Agreement. If any such assignment or delegation requires consent of any state securities authorities, the parties agree to cooperate in requesting such consent. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and, subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, be binding upon the Grantee, his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

(i) Severability. This Agreement will be severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof will not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties intend that there be added as a part of this Agreement a valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized representative and the Grantee has hereunto set his hand as of the Grant Date.

 

 

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Exhibit 10.7

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of May     , 2008, by and among American Capital Agency Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”) and American Capital Strategies, Ltd., a Delaware corporation (the “Purchaser”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Issuer is entering into an underwriting agreement on the date hereof (the “Underwriting Agreement”), a copy of which is attached hereto as Annex I, with the underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”) pursuant to which the Issuer will, subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, issue and sell to the Underwriters of                      shares (the “IPO Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Issuer (the “Common Stock”) in connection with an offering to the public (the “IPO”) of the IPO Shares for $20.00 per share (the “IPO Price”); and

WHEREAS, subject to the consummation of the Issuer’s agreement to issue and sell the IPO Shares to the Underwriters upon the satisfaction of the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, the Purchaser desires to purchase                      shares of Common Stock at the IPO Price and the Issuer desires to issue and sell such shares to the Purchaser.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements, covenants and provisions herein contained and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

PURCHASE AND SALE

1.1 Purchase and Sale of Subject Shares. Subject to (a) the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and (b) the consummation of the Issuer’s agreement to issue and sell the IPO Shares to the Underwriters upon the satisfaction of the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement (the “IPO Closing”), the Issuer agrees to issue the Purchaser                      shares of Common Stock (the “Subject Shares”), and the Purchaser agrees to purchase the Subject Shares for $                      (the “Subject Shares Purchase Price”).

1.2 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the occurrence of the IPO Closing, the closing of the purchase and sale of the Subject Shares (the “Closing”) shall take place on the date of the IPO Closing at the offices of counsel to the Issuer, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP located at Four Times Square, New York, New York 10036, or at such other place as the applicable parties to such closing shall agree in writing.

 

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1.3 Delivery at Closing. At the Closing, (a) Purchase shall deliver to Issuer the Subject Shares Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Issuer in writing by 10:00 a.m., and (b) the Issuer shall deliver certificates representing the Subject Shares to the Purchaser.

ARTICLE II

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUER

The Issuer represents and warrants to the Purchaser as follows:

2.1 Formation and Good Standing. The Issuer is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the jurisdiction and laws of the State of Delaware.

2.2 Authorization and Validity of Agreements. The Issuer has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance by the Issuer of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action of the Issuer. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its respective terms.

2.3 No Conflicts; Consents. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Issuer and the consummation by the Issuer of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not conflict with, contravene, result in a violation or breach of or default under (with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both), permit any party to terminate, amend or accelerate the provisions of, or result in the imposition of any claim, lien, pledge, deed of trust, option, charge, security interest, hypothecation, encumbrance, right of first offer, voting trust, proxy, right of third parties or other restriction or limitation of any nature whatsoever (each, a “Lien”), or any obligation to create any Lien, upon any of the property or assets of the Issuer under (a) any contract, agreement, indenture, letter of credit, mortgage, security agreement, pledge agreement, deed of trust, bond, note, guarantee, surety obligation, warranty, license, franchise, permit, power of attorney, lease, instrument or other agreement (each, a “Contract”) to which the Issuer is a party or by which any of its property or assets may be bound or (b) any provision of the organizational document of the Issuer.

 

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ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER

The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Issuer as follows:

3.1 Formation and Good Standing. The Purchaser is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the jurisdiction and laws of the State of Delaware.

3.2 Authorization and Validity of Agreements. The Purchaser has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance by the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action of the Purchaser. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with its respective terms.

3.3 No Conflicts; Consents. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Purchaser and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not conflict with, contravene, result in a violation or breach of or default under (with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both), permit any party to terminate, amend or accelerate the provisions of, or result in the imposition of any Lien (or any obligation to create any Lien) upon any of the property or assets of the Purchaser under (a) any Contract to which the Purchaser is a party or by which any of its property or assets may be bound or (b) any provision of the organizational document of the Purchaser.

3.4 Investment Purpose; Accredited Purchaser; Access to Information.

(a) The Purchaser hereby acknowledges that the Subject Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and may not be offered or sold except pursuant to registration or to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and that the certificates evidencing the Subject Shares will bear a legend to that effect. The Subject Shares to be acquired by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement are being acquired for its own account and with no intention of distributing or reselling the Subject Shares or any part thereof in any transaction that would be in violation of the securities laws of the United States, any state of the United States or any foreign jurisdiction. The Purchaser further agrees that it has not entered and prior to the Closing will not enter into any Contract with respect to the distribution, sale, transfer or delivery of the Subject Shares.

(b) The Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Section 2(15) of the Securities Act and within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act, as presently in effect.

 

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(c) The Purchaser is sufficiently experienced in financial and business matters to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks involved in purchasing the Subject Shares and to make an informed decision relating thereto. The Purchaser has been furnished with the materials relating to the business, operations, financial condition, assets, liabilities of the Issuer and other matters relevant to Purchaser’s investment in the Subject Shares, which have been requested by the Purchaser. The Purchaser has had adequate opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the officers, employees, agents, accountants, and representatives of the Issuer concerning the business, operations, financial condition, assets, liabilities of the Issuer and all other matters relevant to its investment in the Subject Shares.

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

4.1 Non-Sponsorship Covenant. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that American Capital Agency Management, LLC (the “Manager”) is a Purchaser Affiliate (as defined below) and will manage and advise the Issuer pursuant to that certain Management Agreement to be entered into by the Issuer and the Manager upon consummation of the IPO (the “Management Agreement”). Subject to the occurrence of the IPO Closing and the Closing, the Purchaser hereby agrees that it will not sponsor an investment vehicle that invests predominantly in Agency Securities (as defined below) which represent an undivided beneficial ownership interest in a group or pool of one or more mortgages, or “whole pool” Agency Securities (other than the Issuer) for so long as (1) the Manager or another Purchaser Affiliate serves as the Company’s manager pursuant to the Management Agreement and (2) the Manager is a Purchaser Affiliate. For the purpose of this Article IV, (a) “Agency Securities” means single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by (i) a U.S. Government agency such as the Government National Mortgage Association, or (ii) a U.S. Government-sponsored entity such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and (b) “Purchaser Affiliate” is any natural person or legal entity which is directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Purchaser.

4.2 Registration Rights. Subject to the occurrence of the IPO Closing and the Closing, each of the parties hereto covenants to enter into that certain Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Annex II, with respect to the Subject Shares.

4.3 Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall execute and deliver such instruments and take such other actions prior to or after the Closing as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent of this Agreement, including without limitation obtaining any required consents or approvals from third parties.

 

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ARTICLE V

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS

5.1 Mutual Conditions. The obligations of the Issuer and the Purchaser to consummate the purchase and sale of the Subject Shares contemplated hereby are subject to the following conditions: (a) the occurrence of the IPO Closing, (b) the absence of any order, decree, judgment or injunction of a court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental or regulatory authority precluding the consummation of the purchase and sale of the Subject Shares contemplated hereby, and (c) there shall not have been any action taken or any statute, rule or regulation enacted, promulgated or deemed applicable to, the purchase and sale of the Subject Shares contemplated hereby by any court, governmental agency or regulatory or administrative authority that makes consummation of such transactions illegal.

5.2 Conditions to the Obligations of the Issuer. The obligations of the Issuer under this Agreement to consummate the purchase and sale of the Subject Shares contemplated hereby are subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by the Issuer) of the conditions that (a) the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to have been made again at and as of the Closing and shall then be true and accurate, and (b) the Purchaser shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing.

5.3 Conditions to the Obligations of the Purchaser. The obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement to consummate the purchase and sale of the Subject Shares contemplated hereby are subject to the fulfillment (or waiver in writing by the Purchaser) of the condition that (a) all representations and warranties of the Issuer shall be deemed to have been made again at and as of the Closing and shall then be true and accurate, and (b) the Issuer shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing.

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

6.1 Termination. This Agreement shall be terminated prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby if, prior to the consummation of the IPO Closing, the Underwriting Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms. In the event of any termination of this Agreement, this Agreement shall become void and have no effect, without any liability to any person in respect hereof on the part of any party hereto, except for any liability resulting from such party’s breach of this Agreement prior to such termination.

6.2 Survival. Each of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall survive indefinitely. Each of the covenants contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing until performed in accordance with their terms.

 

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6.3 Amendments; Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a writing signed by each of the parties. No waiver of any term or condition hereof or obligation hereunder shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by the party to which performance is due.

6.4 Severability of Provisions. Each provision of this Agreement shall be considered severable and if for any reason any provision or provisions herein are determined to be invalid, unenforceable or illegal under any existing or future law, such invalidity, unenforceability or illegality shall not impair the operation of or affect those portions of this Agreement which are valid, enforceable and legal.

6.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any conflict of laws principles thereof that would cause the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

6.6 Waiver of Trial By Jury. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT OF TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY MATTER ARISING HEREUNDER.

6.7 Remedies and Waivers. No delay or omission on the part of any Party to this Agreement in exercising any right, power or remedy provided by law or under this agreement shall (i) impair such right, power or remedy; or (ii) operate as a waiver thereof. The single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy provided by law or under this Agreement shall not preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers and remedies provided by law.

6.8 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, waivers and other communications to be given by either party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be (i) mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (ii) sent by hand delivery or reputable overnight delivery service or (iii) transmitted by fax (provided that a copy is also sent by reputable overnight delivery service) addressed to the Secretary of the Issuer or the Secretary of the Purchaser, as applicable, in each case at 2 Bethesda Metro Center, 14th Floor, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, or such other address as may be specified in writing to the other party hereto. All such notices, requests, demands, waivers and other communications shall be deemed to have been given and received (i) if by personal delivery or fax, on the day of such delivery, (ii) if by first-class, registered or certified mail, on the fifth business day after the mailing thereof, or (iii) if by reputable overnight delivery service, on the day delivered.

6.9 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

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6.10 Headings. The Article and Section headings contained herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

6.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Exhibits hereto, contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

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Annex I

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Annex II

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated January 11, 2008, with respect to the balance sheet of American Capital Agency Corp., in the Registration Statement (Form S-11) and related Prospectus of American Capital Agency Corp. for the registration of shares of its common stock.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

McLean, Virginia

May 8, 2008

May 9, 2008

Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporation Finance

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549

RE: American Capital Agency Corp. Registration Statement

       on Form S-11 (File No. 333-149167) (the “Registration Statement”)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

American Capital Agency Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby requests, pursuant to Rule 461 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that the effective date of the Registration Statement be accelerated so that it may become effective at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 12, 2008, or as soon thereafter as practicable.

The Company hereby acknowledges that:

 

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should the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) or the staff, acting pursuant to delegated authority, declare the filing effective, it does not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing;

 

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the action of the Commission or the staff, acting pursuant to delegated authority, in declaring the filing effective, does not relieve the Company from its full responsibility for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing; and

 

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the Company may not assert staff comments and the declaration of effectiveness as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

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Signature Page to Acceleration Request Letter

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May 9, 2008

 

VIA EDGAR

Securities and Exchange Commission

450 Fifth Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20549

American Capital Agency Corp.

Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-149167)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Rule 461, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as the Representatives of the underwriters of the proposed public offering of Common Stock that is the subject matter of the above-captioned Registration Statement, we hereby join in the request of the issuer that the effective date of the Registration Statement be accelerated so that such Registration Statement will become effective on May 12, 2008 at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, or as soon thereafter as practical.

The following is supplemental information supplied under Rule 418(a)(7) and Rule 460 under the Securities Act of 1933:

 

(i)	Date of preliminary prospectus: April 28, 2008

(ii)	Approximate dates of distribution: April 28, 2008 – May 8, 2008

(iii)

Number of prospective underwriters and dealers to whom the preliminary prospectus was furnished: 9

(iv)	Number of prospectuses so distributed: approximately 19,000

(v)	Compliance with Rule 15c2-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: Included in Master Agreement Among Underwriters of Salomon Smith Barney Inc. (now known as Citigroup Global Markets Inc.).

We have taken reasonable steps to make the information contained in the Registration Statement conveniently available to underwriters and dealers who will participate in the distribution of the securities registered thereunder.

[Signature Page Follows.]

 

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If you have questions or comments regarding this request, please call Edward W. Elmore, Jr. of Hunton & Williams LLP at (804) 788-7336.

 

 

 

cc:	Edward W. Elmore, Jr.

Samuel A. Flax

David J. Goldschmidt