8-KOther EventsExhibits & Filings

US BANCORP \DE\ 8-K Report, Corporate Update (Sep 8, 2011)

Filed September 8, 2011For Securities:USBUSB-PHUSB-PPUSB-PRUSB-PQUSB-PSUSB-PA

Summary

U.S. Bancorp (USB) filed a Form 8-K on September 8, 2011, to report the completion of a $300 million redemption of its 5.875% trust preferred securities. This redemption effectively removed the underlying 5.875% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2035 as the "covered debt" under several "Replacement Capital Covenants." These covenants were established in connection with various trust preferred securities and preferred stock issuances dating back to 2005. The company has redesignated new debt instruments as the covered debt under these covenants. Specifically, the 6.625% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2039 became the covered debt for a group of earlier covenants, while the 1.125% Medium-Term Notes, Series R, due 2013, became the covered debt for another group of covenants. This action is primarily a technical adjustment to ensure compliance with the terms of the existing Replacement Capital Covenants.

Key Highlights

  • 1U.S. Bancorp completed the redemption of $300 million of its 5.875% trust preferred securities on September 8, 2011.
  • 2The redemption resulted in the removal of the 5.875% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2035 as the "covered debt" under multiple Replacement Capital Covenants.
  • 3New debt instruments have been designated as the covered debt to satisfy these covenants.
  • 4The 6.625% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2039 are now the covered debt for several older Replacement Capital Covenants related to specific trust preferred securities and Series B Preferred Stock.
  • 5The 1.125% Medium-Term Notes, Series R, due 2013 are now the covered debt for other Replacement Capital Covenants associated with USB Capital XI, Series A Preferred Stock, and Series D Preferred Stock.
  • 6This filing is primarily administrative, updating the designation of covered debt under existing financial agreements.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main event was the completion of U.S. Bancorp's redemption of $300 million in 5.875% trust preferred securities. This action triggered a change in the 'covered debt' associated with several 'Replacement Capital Covenants'.

The 'covered debt' is a designation within 'Replacement Capital Covenants' that are tied to specific debt and preferred stock issuances. These covenants typically contain provisions that may restrict other company actions or require certain financial conditions to be met as long as the specified debt is outstanding and designated as covered debt. Changing the covered debt is a procedural step to comply with the terms of these existing agreements.

Two new sets of debt instruments were designated. The 6.625% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2039 became the covered debt for a group of earlier covenants. The 1.125% Medium-Term Notes, Series R, due 2013, became the covered debt for another group of covenants.

Based on this filing alone, this appears to be a technical and administrative action related to managing the company's capital structure and ensuring ongoing compliance with its existing covenants. It does not, in itself, indicate a negative financial event. The company is simply replacing one form of debt with another in relation to these specific covenants.