8-KShareholder MattersCorporate ChangesOther Events+1

CITIZENS FINANCIAL GROUP INC/RI 8-K Report, Rights Modification (Oct 25, 2018)

Filed October 25, 2018For Securities:CFGCFG-PHCFG-PECFG-PI

Summary

This 8-K filing by Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (CFG) on October 25, 2018, primarily announces the issuance of its 6.375% Fixed-To-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C. The filing details the establishment of this new preferred stock series through a Certificate of Designations, which outlines its liquidation preference, dividend terms, and associated rights and limitations. Crucially for investors, the issuance of Series C Preferred Stock introduces restrictions on the company's ability to declare or pay dividends on, or repurchase, its common stock or other junior stock if dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock are not met. Similarly, the company's ability to pay full dividends on parity preferred stock is limited if partial dividends are declared on the Series C Preferred Stock. The report also includes the underwriting agreement for the public offering of 300,000 shares of this preferred stock and related legal opinions.

Key Highlights

  • 1Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has issued 6.375% Fixed-To-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C.
  • 2The issuance of Series C Preferred Stock was formalized via a Certificate of Designations filed on October 24, 2018.
  • 3Dividends on common stock and other junior securities are restricted if dividends on Series C Preferred Stock are not paid.
  • 4Full dividend payments on parity preferred stock may be restricted if partial dividends are declared on Series C Preferred Stock.
  • 5CFG entered into an underwriting agreement for the public offering of 300,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock.
  • 6The filing incorporates by reference the underwriting agreement and legal opinions concerning the preferred stock issuance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to report the issuance of Citizens Financial Group's new Series C Preferred Stock and to provide details regarding its terms, including the restrictions it places on future common stock and parity preferred stock dividends. It also includes the underwriting agreement for the offering.

The Series C Preferred Stock introduces restrictions that could impact common stockholders. If CFG fails to declare and pay (or set aside) dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock for a given dividend period, the company's ability to declare or pay dividends on, or repurchase, its common stock will be limited.

The Series C Preferred Stock carries a 6.375% fixed-to-floating rate dividend. It is non-cumulative and perpetual. The dividend is paid on a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share.

This specific 8-K filing does not contain detailed financial statements or performance updates. Its focus is on the legal and structural aspects of issuing a new class of preferred stock and the associated underwriting agreement.