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Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No.: 333-190078

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell nor do they seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion. Dated March 14, 2016.

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated July 22, 2013)

 

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

Depositary Shares, Each Representing a 1/40th Interest in a Share of

    % Series D Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is offering                 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th ownership interest in a share of     % Series D Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depositary share) (the “Preferred Stock”). As a holder of depositary shares, you will be entitled to all proportional rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights). You must exercise such rights through Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc., jointly as the depositary for the shares of the Preferred Stock.

Dividends on the Preferred Stock will be payable quarterly in arrears, when, as and if authorized by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board and declared by us, at an annual rate of     % per year on the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, equivalent to $25 per depositary share. The dividend payment dates will be the fifteenth day of each January, April, July and October, commencing on July 15, 2016, or the next business day if any such day is not a business day.

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

The Preferred Stock is perpetual and has no maturity date. We may redeem the Preferred Stock at our option, (i) in whole or in part, from time to time, on any dividend payment date on or after April 15, 2021 or (ii) in whole but not in part, within 90 days following a regulatory capital treatment event (as defined herein), in each case, at a redemption price equal to $1,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depositary share), plus any declared and unpaid dividends and, in the case of a redemption following a regulatory capital treatment event, the pro rated portion of dividends, whether or not declared, for the dividend period in which such redemption occurs. If we redeem the Preferred Stock, the depositary will redeem a proportional number of depositary shares. Neither the holders of Preferred Stock nor holders of depositary shares will have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the Preferred Stock or the depositary shares. Any redemption of the Preferred Stock is subject to our receipt of any required prior approval by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”).

The Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights, except as set forth under “Description of the Preferred Stock—Voting Rights” on page S-19.

We intend to apply to list the depositary shares on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “HBANO.” If the application is approved, we expect trading of the depositary shares on the NASDAQ to begin within the 30-day period after the initial delivery of the depositary shares.

Investing in the depositary shares involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement and in “Item 1-A—Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to read about factors you should consider before investing in the depositary shares.

 

Price to Public

Underwriting Discounts(1)

Proceeds, Before Expenses, to Huntington(2)

Per Depositary Share

$

$

$

Total

$

$

$

 

(1)

Reflects             depositary shares sold to institutional investors, for which the underwriters received an underwriting discount of $         per share, and             depositary shares sold to retail investors, for which the underwriters received an underwriting discount of $         per share.

 

(2)	Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional depositary shares described below.

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The depositary shares are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any of our bank or non-bank subsidiaries and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality.

The underwriters expect to deliver the depositary shares in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, including Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, against payment in New York, New York on or about                 , 2016.

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional                 depositary shares within 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

Our affiliates may use this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in connection with offers and sales of the depositary shares in the secondary market. These affiliates may act as principal or agent in those transactions. Secondary market sales will be made at prices related to market prices at the time of sale.

 

 

 

 

BofA Merrill Lynch		Morgan Stanley
UBS Investment Bank		Wells Fargo Securities

 

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 

 

Huntington Investment Company

Prospectus Supplement dated                 , 2016

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT			S-ii
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			S-iii
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			S-iv
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			S-1
SUMMARY OF THE OFFERING			S-3
RISK FACTORS			S-7
CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES			S-13
CAPITALIZATION			S-14
USE OF PROCEEDS			S-15
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED STOCK			S-16
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES			S-22
DESCRIPTION OF HUNTINGTON CAPITAL STOCK			S-24
BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE			S-28
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS			S-31
CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS			S-36
UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)			S-37
VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES			S-43
EXPERTS			S-43
		Page
PROSPECTUS
RISK FACTORS			1
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			3
EXPLANATORY NOTE			3
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE			4
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			5
HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED			5
SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER			6
USE OF PROCEEDS			8
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS			8
LEGAL MATTERS			9
EXPERTS			9

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document consists of two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part is the prospectus, which describes more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Unless otherwise mentioned or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus supplement to “Huntington,” “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Issuer” or similar references mean Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and its successors and include our consolidated subsidiaries only where specifically so stated. When we refer to the “Bank” in this document we mean our only bank subsidiary, The Huntington National Bank, and its subsidiaries.

If the information set forth in this prospectus supplement differs in any way from the information set forth in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information set forth in this prospectus supplement.

Currency amounts in this prospectus supplement are stated in U.S. dollars.

We have not, and the underwriters and their affiliates and agents have not, authorized any person to provide any information or represent anything about us other than what is contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We do not, and the underwriters and their affiliates and agents do not, take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, information that others may provide you. You should assume that information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any related free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf and the documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the depositary shares in any circumstances under which the offer or solicitation is unlawful.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and on the investor relations page of our website at http://www.huntington.com. Except for those SEC filings incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, none of the other information on our website is part of this prospectus supplement. You may also read and copy any document that we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and information that we subsequently file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus supplement and in our other filings with the SEC. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or “Exchange Act,” until the termination of the offering of the depositary shares (in each case, except as specifically included below, other than information that is deemed, under SEC rules, not to have been filed):

 

•

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 17, 2016;

 

•

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on January 28, 2016 and March 9, 2016; and

 

•

Our Definitive Proxy Statement filed on March 10, 2016, pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act.

You may request a copy of these filings (other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing) at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address:

Investor Relations

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

41 South High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43287

Phone: (614) 480-5676

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference contain certain forward-looking statements, including certain plans, expectations, goals, projections, and statements, which are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Statements that do not describe historical or current facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “target,” “goal,” or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “would,” “could,” or similar variations. The forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, below are certain factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements: (1) worsening of credit quality performance due to a number of factors such as the underlying value of collateral that could prove less valuable than otherwise assumed and assumed cash flows that may be worse than expected; (2) changes in economic, political, or industry conditions, uncertainty in U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve, volatility and disruptions in global capital and credit markets; (3) movements in interest rates; (4) competitive pressures on product pricing and services; (5) success, impact, and timing of our business strategies, including market acceptance of any new products or services implementing our “Fair Play” banking philosophy; (6) changes in accounting policies and principles and the accuracy of our assumptions and estimates used to prepare our financial statements; (7) extended disruption of vital infrastructure; (8) the final outcome of significant litigation or adverse legal developments in the proceedings; (9) the nature, extent, timing, and results of governmental actions, examinations, reviews, reforms, regulations, and interpretations, including those related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Basel III regulatory capital reforms, as well as those involving the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; (10) the possibility that the proposed acquisition of FirstMerit Corporation does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, shareholder or other approvals are not received or other conditions to the closing are not satisfied on a timely basis or at all; (11) the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of FirstMerit Corporation are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of us and FirstMerit Corporation or as a result of the strength of the economy and competitive factors in the areas where we and FirstMerit Corporation do business; (12) the possibility that the acquisition of FirstMerit Corporation may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (13) diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities as a result of the acquisition of FirstMerit Corporation; (14) potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationship, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the acquisition of FirstMerit Corporation; (15) and our ability to complete the acquisition and integration of FirstMerit Corporation successfully. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and documents subsequently filed by us with the SEC. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. For discussion of these and other factors that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, look under the captions “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC, and in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

We encourage you to understand forward-looking statements to be strategic objectives rather than absolute forecasts of future performance. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements. Please carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this document, in the accompanying prospectus and in our other reports filed with the SEC for more information about the risks and other factors that may affect our business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our depositary shares involves certain risks. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment decision. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. This prospectus supplement also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks faced by us described below and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Risks Related to the Preferred Stock and the Related Depositary Shares

You are making an investment decision about the depositary shares as well as our Preferred Stock.

As described in this prospectus supplement, we are issuing depositary shares representing proportional interests in shares of our Preferred Stock. The depositary will rely solely on the dividend payments on the Preferred Stock it receives from us to fund all dividend payments on the depositary shares. You should review carefully the information in this prospectus supplement regarding our depositary shares and the Preferred Stock.

The Preferred Stock is an equity security and is subordinate to our existing and future indebtedness.

The shares of the Preferred Stock are our equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. This means that the Preferred Stock will rank junior to all of our indebtedness and to other non-equity claims on us and our assets available to satisfy claims on us, including claims in our liquidation. Our existing and future indebtedness may restrict payment of dividends on the Preferred Stock. Additionally, unlike indebtedness, where principal and interest customarily are payable on specified due dates, in the case of preferred stock like the Preferred Stock, (1) dividends are payable only if authorized by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors and declared by us and (2) as a corporation, we are subject to restrictions on dividend payments and redemption payments out of lawfully available assets. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of any senior preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive distributions of our available assets prior to the holders of our Preferred Stock. Further, the Preferred Stock places no restrictions on our business or operations or on our ability to incur indebtedness or engage in any transactions, subject only to the limited voting rights referred to below under “—Holders of the Preferred Stock will have limited voting rights.”

Dividends on the Preferred Stock are discretionary and non-cumulative.

Dividends on the Preferred Stock are discretionary and non-cumulative. Consequently, if our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors does not authorize and we do not declare a dividend for any dividend period prior to the related dividend payment date, holders of the Preferred Stock would not be entitled to receive a dividend for that dividend period, and the unpaid dividend will cease to accrue and be payable. We will have no obligation to pay dividends accumulated for a dividend period after the dividend payment date for that period if our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors has not authorized and we have not declared a dividend before the related dividend payment date, whether or not dividends on the Preferred Stock or any other class or series of our preferred stock or our common stock are authorized and declared for any future dividend period.

Investors should not expect us to redeem the Preferred Stock on the date it becomes redeemable at our election or on any particular date after it becomes redeemable at our election.

The Preferred Stock is a perpetual equity security. This means that it has no maturity or mandatory redemption date and is not redeemable at the option of investors, including the holders of the depositary shares.

 

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The Preferred Stock may be redeemed by us at our option, either in whole or in part, on any dividend payment date on or after April 15, 2021 or upon the occurrence of certain regulatory events, each as described below under “Description of the Preferred Stock—Redemption.” Any decision we may make at any time to propose a redemption of the Preferred Stock will depend upon, among other things, our evaluation of our capital position, the composition of our stockholders’ equity, applicable law and general market conditions at that time.

Our right to redeem the Preferred Stock is subject to limitations. Under the Federal Reserve’s risk-based capital guidelines applicable to bank holding companies, any redemption of the Preferred Stock is subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve. We cannot assure you that the Federal Reserve will approve any redemption of the Preferred Stock that we may propose.

If we are deferring payments on our outstanding junior subordinated notes or are in default under the indentures governing those securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions on or redeeming the Preferred Stock.

The terms of our outstanding junior subordinated notes prohibit us from declaring or paying any dividends or distributions on our preferred stock, including the Preferred Stock, or redeeming, purchasing, acquiring, or making a liquidation payment on the Preferred Stock, if an event of default under the indenture governing those junior subordinated notes has occurred and is continuing or at any time when we have deferred payment of interest on those junior subordinated notes.

Holders of the Preferred Stock will have limited voting rights.

Holders of the Preferred Stock will have no voting rights with respect to matters that generally require the approval of voting stockholders. Holders of the Preferred Stock will have voting rights only as specifically required by the terms of the Preferred Stock, as described below under “Description of the Preferred Stock—Voting Rights.” Holders of depositary shares must act through the depositary to exercise any voting rights of the Preferred Stock.

Our ability to pay dividends depends upon the results of operations of our subsidiaries.

We are a holding company that conducts substantially all of our operations through our bank and non-bank subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make dividend payments on the Preferred Stock will depend primarily upon the receipt of dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries. If we do not receive sufficient cash dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries, it is unlikely that we will have sufficient funds to make dividend payments on the Preferred Stock.

Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Our subsidiaries have no obligation to provide us with funds to make dividend payments on the Preferred Stock, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or other payments. In addition, any dividend payments, distributions, loans or advances to us by our subsidiaries in the future will require the generation of future earnings by our subsidiaries and may require regulatory approval. There are statutory and regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends by the Bank to us, as well as by us to our stockholders. The Bank may not, without prior regulatory approval, pay a dividend in an amount greater than its undivided profits. If the Bank is unable to make dividend payments to us and sufficient capital is not otherwise available, we may not be able to make dividend payments on the Preferred Stock.

In addition, our right to participate in any distribution of assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or otherwise will generally be subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary. Your ability as a holder of the depositary shares representing the Preferred Stock to benefit indirectly from that distribution also will be subject to these prior claims. As a result, the Preferred Stock will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities and obligations of our subsidiaries, including deposits. You should look only to our assets as the source of payment for the depositary shares representing the Preferred Stock.

 

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Our ability to pay dividends on the Preferred Stock, and therefore your ability to receive distributions on the depositary shares, may be limited by federal regulatory considerations.

Our ability to make dividend payments may also be restricted by federal regulations applicable to us as a bank holding company and to our banking subsidiaries. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) requires federal banking agencies to establish more stringent risk-based capital guidelines and leverage limits applicable to banks and bank holding companies, and especially those institutions with consolidated assets equal to or greater than $50 billion. The federal banking agencies have approved final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s regulatory capital guidelines in the United States, including the reforms known as Basel III. The Federal Reserve’s final rule sets forth the proposed criteria for qualifying additional Tier 1 capital instruments consistent with Basel III, including the requirement that any dividends on such instruments be paid out of the banking organization’s net income, retained earnings and surplus, if any, related to additional Tier 1 capital instruments, and introduces a new capital conservation buffer requirement. The failure to maintain the capital conservation buffer, once effective, may result in limitations or restrictions on the ability of Huntington and our banking subsidiaries to make capital distributions, such as the payment of dividends. In addition, under its Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (“CCAR”), the Federal Reserve requires large bank holding companies, including us, to submit annual capital plans and to obtain non-objection or regulatory approval before making capital distributions, such as the payment of dividends. The Federal Reserve may object to a capital plan if the plan does not show that the covered bank holding company will maintain minimum capital ratios on a pro forma basis under expected and stressed conditions throughout the nine-quarter planning horizon covered by the capital plan. The Federal Reserve has also instructed that capital plans contemplating dividend payout ratios exceeding 30% of after-tax net income will receive particularly close scrutiny. Federal banking laws also regulate the amount of dividends that may be paid by our banking subsidiaries without prior regulatory approval. The above or any future rules, regulations or capital distribution constraints could adversely affect the ability of our banking subsidiaries to pay dividends to us, our ability to pay dividends on the Preferred Stock and your ability to receive distributions on the depositary shares.

An active trading market for the Preferred Stock and the related depositary shares does not exist and may not develop and the market price and liquidity of the depositary shares may be adversely affected.

The Preferred Stock and the related depositary shares are new issues of securities with no established trading market. We plan to apply for the listing of the depositary shares representing proportional interests in our Preferred Stock on the NASDAQ. However, we cannot be certain that the depositary shares will qualify for listing. If they do not qualify for listing, or if an active trading market does not develop, you may have difficulty selling any of the depositary shares representing proportional interests in our Preferred Stock. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in the depositary shares will lead to the development of an active trading market on the NASDAQ, any other national securities exchange or otherwise, or how liquid that market might become. If an active, liquid market does not develop for the depositary shares, the market price and liquidity of the depositary shares may be adversely affected.

Holders of depositary shares may be unable to use the dividends received deduction.

Distributions paid to corporate U.S. holders of the depositary shares may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction if we have current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Although we presently have accumulated earnings and profits, we may not have sufficient current or accumulated earnings and profits during future taxable years for the distributions on the Preferred Stock to qualify, in whole or in part, as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” There may also be future changes in tax law that impact the availability of the dividends-received deduction. If any distributions on the Preferred Stock with respect to any taxable year are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction because of insufficient current or accumulated earnings and profits or otherwise, the market value of the depositary shares may decline.

 

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Additional issuances of preferred stock or securities convertible into preferred stock may further dilute existing holders of our Preferred Stock.

We may, in the future, determine that it is advisable, or we may encounter circumstances where we determine it is necessary, to issue additional shares of preferred stock, securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of preferred stock, or preferred stock-equivalent securities to fund strategic initiatives or other business needs or to build additional capital. Our board of directors is authorized to cause us to issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock from time to time without any action on the part of the stockholders. Our board of directors also has the power, without stockholder approval, to set the terms of any such classes or series of preferred stock that may be issued, including voting rights, dividend rights, and preferences over our Preferred Stock with respect to dividends or upon our dissolution, winding up and liquidation and other terms. Though the approval of a supermajority of the holders of Preferred Stock will be needed to issue any equity security ranking above the Preferred Stock, if we issue preferred stock in the future that has a preference over our Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or upon liquidation, or if we issue preferred stock with voting rights that dilute the voting power of the Preferred Stock, the rights of holders of our Preferred Stock or the market price of our Preferred Stock could be adversely affected. The market price of our Preferred Stock could decline as a result of sales of Preferred Stock made after this offering or other offerings, as well as other sales of a large block of shares of our Preferred Stock or similar securities in the market thereafter, or the perception that such sales could occur. We may need to increase our authorized capital in order to raise such equity capital.

One rating agency is expected to rate the Preferred Stock below investment grade.

Because one rating agency is expected to assign the Preferred Stock a non-investment grade rating, the depositary shares may be subject to a higher risk of price volatility than similar, higher-rated securities. Furthermore, increases in leverage or deteriorating outlooks for an issuer, or volatile markets, could lead to continued significant deterioration in market prices of below-investment grade rated securities.

Ratings only reflect the views of the issuing rating agency or agencies and such ratings could at any time be revised downward or withdrawn entirely at the discretion of the issuing rating agency. Further, a rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any particular security, including the Preferred Stock and related depositary shares. In addition, ratings do not reflect market prices or suitability of a security for a particular investor and any rating of Preferred Stock may not reflect all risks related to Huntington and its business, or the structure or market value of the Preferred Stock

Risks Related to the Merger

Regulatory approvals for the acquisition of FirstMerit may not be received, may take longer than expected, or may impose conditions that are not presently anticipated or that could have an adverse effect on the combined company following the acquisition.

Before our acquisition of FirstMerit (the “FirstMerit acquisition”) may be completed, we and FirstMerit must obtain approvals from the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the United States Department of Justice. Other approvals, waivers, or consents from regulators may also be required. An adverse development in either party’s regulatory standing or the factors considered by relevant governmental authorities could result in an inability to obtain approval or delay receipt of required approvals. The relevant governmental entities may impose conditions, limitations, obligations or restrictions on the conduct of the combined company’s business or require branch divestitures or changes to the terms of the FirstMerit acquisition. There can be no assurance that relevant government entities will not impose conditions, limitations, obligations or restrictions and that such conditions, limitations, obligations or restrictions will not have the effect of delaying the completion of the FirstMerit acquisition, imposing material additional costs on or materially limiting the revenues of the combined company following the FirstMerit acquisition or otherwise reduce the anticipated benefits of the FirstMerit acquisition. Additionally, the completion of the FirstMerit acquisition is conditioned on the absence of certain orders, injunctions or decrees by any court or regulatory agency of competent jurisdiction that would prohibit or make illegal the completion of the FirstMerit acquisition.

 

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The success of the FirstMerit acquisition and integration of Huntington and FirstMerit will depend on a number of uncertain factors.

The success of the FirstMerit acquisition will depend on a number of factors, including, without limitation:

 

•

our ability to integrate the business acquired from FirstMerit Bank in the FirstMerit acquisition (the “acquired business”) into the Bank’s current operations;

 

•

our ability to limit the outflow of deposits held by our new customers in the acquired business and to successfully retain and manage interest-earning assets (i.e., loans) acquired in the FirstMerit acquisition;

 

•

our ability to control the incremental non-interest expense from the acquired business in a manner that enables us to maintain a favorable overall efficiency ratio;

 

•

our ability to retain and attract the key employees and appropriate personnel;

 

•

our ability to earn acceptable levels of interest and non-interest income, including fee income, from the acquired business;

 

•

our ability to retain the customer relationships from the acquired business; and

 

•

the possibility that divestitures may be required by regulatory authorities in certain markets in which we and FirstMerit compete.

Integrating the acquired business will be an operation of substantial size and expense, and may be affected by general market and economic conditions or government actions affecting the financial industry generally. Integration efforts will also likely divert our management’s attention and resources. No assurance can be given that we will be able to integrate the acquired business successfully, and the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of ongoing business, or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with clients, customers, depositors and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the FirstMerit acquisition. We may also encounter unexpected difficulties or costs during the integration that could adversely affect our earnings and financial condition, perhaps materially. Additionally, no assurance can be given that the operation of the acquired business will not adversely affect our existing profitability, that we will be able to achieve results in the future similar to those achieved by our existing banking business, or that we will be able to manage any growth resulting from the FirstMerit acquisition effectively.

Combining Huntington and FirstMerit may be more difficult, costly or time consuming than expected and the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the acquisition may not be realized.

Huntington and FirstMerit have operated and, until the completion of the FirstMerit acquisition, will continue to operate, independently. The success of the FirstMerit acquisition, including anticipated benefits and cost savings, will depend, in part, on our ability to successfully combine and integrate our business and FirstMerit’s business in a manner that permits growth opportunities, and does not materially disrupt existing customer relations nor result in decreased revenues due to loss of customers. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of either company’s ongoing businesses, or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, and policies that adversely affect the combined company’s ability to maintain relationships with clients, customers, depositors, and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the FirstMerit acquisition. The loss of key employees could adversely affect our ability to successfully conduct our business, which could have an adverse effect on our financial results. If we experience difficulties with the integration process and attendant systems conversion, the anticipated benefits of the FirstMerit acquisition may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected. As with any merger of financial institutions, there also may be business disruptions that cause us and/or FirstMerit to lose customers or cause customers to remove their accounts from us and/or FirstMerit and move their business to competing financial institutions. Integration efforts between the two companies will also divert management

 

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attention and resources. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on each of FirstMerit and us during this transition period and for an undetermined period after completion of the FirstMerit acquisition on the combined company. In addition, the actual cost savings of the FirstMerit acquisition could be less than anticipated.

We will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the FirstMerit acquisition is pending.

Uncertainty about the effect of the FirstMerit acquisition on employees and customers may have an adverse effect on us. These uncertainties may impair our ability to attract, retain, and motivate key personnel until the FirstMerit acquisition is completed, and could cause customers and others that deal with us to seek to change existing business relationships with us. Retention of certain employees by us may be challenging while the FirstMerit acquisition is pending, as certain employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company. If key employees depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration, or a desire not to remain with us, our business could be harmed.

 

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CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The table below sets forth Huntington’s consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented. For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings represent income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges include all interest expense and the portion deemed representative of the interest factor of rent expense. These ratios are presented both including and excluding interest on deposits.

 

Year Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

Excluding interest on deposits

7.71x

9.01x

10.41x

8.54x

6.38x

Including interest on deposits

5.13x

5.34x

5.08x

3.99x

2.77x

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth Huntington’s consolidated cash and cash equivalents and consolidated capitalization as of December 31, 2015, on an actual basis and on an adjusted basis giving effect to the issuance and sale of the depositary shares offered by this prospectus supplement and the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the depositary shares as described under “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and our other offering fees and expenses, as well as our Notes Offering. You should read the following table together with “Use of Proceeds” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Huntington’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This table does not take account for the Merger.

 

(dollar amounts in thousands, except number of shares)		December 31, 2015 (actual)				December 31, 2015 (adjusted)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	847,156			$
Liabilities
Deposits		$	55,294,979			$	55,294,979
Short-term borrowings			615,279				615,279
Long-term debt			7,067,614				8,059,826
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			1,472,073				1,472,073
Total liabilities		$	64,449,945			$	65,442,157
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock—authorized 6,617,808 shares:
8.50% Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, $1,000 liquidation preference per share, 575,000 authorized and 362,506 issued and outstanding on an actual basis and on an adjusted basis			362,506				362,506
Floating Rate Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value of $0.01 per share, $1,000 liquidation preference per share, 35,500 authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis and on an adjusted basis			23,785				23,785
% Series D Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, $1,000 liquidation preference per share, none authorized and outstanding on an actual basis and         authorized and outstanding on an adjusted basis			—
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 1,500,000,000 authorized, 796,969,694 issued and 794,928,886 outstanding			7,970				7,970
Capital surplus			7,038,502				7,038,502
Less treasury shares, at cost			(17,932	)			(17,932	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(226,158	)			(226,158	)
Retained (deficit) earnings			(594,067	)			(594,067	)
Total shareholders’ equity			6,594,606
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity		$	71,044,551			$

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $         million (or approximately $         million if the underwriters exercise in full their over-allotment option to purchase additional depositary shares), after underwriting commissions and expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, supporting asset growth of our subsidiaries. The precise amounts and timing of the application of proceeds will depend on the requirements of Huntington and its subsidiaries and affiliates. This offering of the depositary shares is not conditioned on the consummation of the Merger.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED STOCK

This prospectus supplement summarizes specific terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock. Terms that apply generally to our preferred stock are described under “Description of Huntington Capital Stock—Preferred Stock.” The following summary of the terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the pertinent sections of our charter, including the articles supplementary classifying the Preferred Stock, which are incorporated by reference in the registration statement that we have filed with the SEC or which will be included in filings with the SEC. You should read our charter, including the articles supplementary, for the provisions that are important to you.

General

Our charter authorizes the issuance of 6,617,808 shares of serial preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. When issued, the Preferred Stock will constitute a single series of our serial preferred stock, consisting of up to                  shares, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. The holders of the Preferred Stock will have no preemptive rights. All of the shares of the Preferred Stock, when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

The Preferred Stock will rank, with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, (1) on a parity with (A) our 8.50% Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, par value of $0.01 and liquidation value per share of $1,000 (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), (B) our Floating Rate Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value of $0.01 and liquidation value per share of $1,000 (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), and (C) each class or series of preferred stock we may issue in the future the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution of Huntington (collectively, the “parity securities”) and (2) senior to our common stock and each other class or series of preferred stock we may issue in the future the terms of which do not expressly provide that it ranks on a parity with or senior to the Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of Huntington (collectively, the “junior securities”). Prior to the issuance of the Preferred Stock, 362,506 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock and 35,500 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock are outstanding. See “Description of Huntington Capital Stock—Preferred Stock” for a description of our authorized preferred shares.

We will not be entitled to issue any class or series of our capital stock, the terms of which provide that such class or series will rank senior to the Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends or distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, without the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of our Preferred Stock then outstanding and any class or series of parity securities then outstanding, voting together as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series. See “—Voting Rights.”

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we are authorized to issue up to 1,500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of December 31, 2015, 794,928,886 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding.

Dividends

Under Maryland law, we may declare or pay dividends on the Preferred Stock only if, after payment of such dividends, we would be able to pay our liabilities as they become due in the usual course of business and only to the extent by which our total assets after payment of such dividends exceed the sum of our total liabilities. When the need to make these determinations arises, our board of directors will determine the amount of our total assets, total liabilities and preference amount in accordance with Maryland law.

Dividends on the Preferred Stock will be payable quarterly in arrears, when, as and if authorized by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board and declared by us out of legally available funds,

 

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on a non-cumulative basis on the $1,000 per share liquidation preference, at an annual rate equal to     %. Subject to the foregoing, dividends will be payable in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year (each, a “dividend payment date”) commencing on July 15, 2016 or, if any such day is not a business day, the next business day. Each dividend will be payable to holders of record as they appear on our stock register on the first day of the month in which the relevant dividend payment date occurs. Each period from and including a dividend payment date to but excluding the following dividend payment date is herein referred to as a “dividend period,” except that the initial dividend period will commence on and include the date on which shares of the Preferred Stock are first issued to but excluding July 15, 2016. Dividends payable for each dividend period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. If a scheduled dividend payment date falls on a day that is not a business day, the dividend will be paid on the next business day as if it were paid on the scheduled dividend payment date, and no additional dividends will accrue in respect of—the dividend so payable for the period from and after that dividend payment date to the date the dividend is paid.

Dividends on the Preferred Stock will be non-cumulative. If for any reason our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board does not authorize and we do not declare cash dividends on the Preferred Stock for a dividend period, we will have no obligation to pay any dividends for that period, whether or not our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board authorizes and we declare dividends on the Preferred Stock for any subsequent dividend period.

We are not obligated to and will not pay holders of the Preferred Stock any interest or sum of money in lieu of interest on any dividend not paid on a dividend payment date. We are also not obligated to and will not pay holders of the Preferred Stock any dividend in excess of the dividends on the Preferred Stock that are payable as described above.

There is no sinking fund with respect to dividends.

Dividend Stopper

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

 

(i)

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

 

(ii)

any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders’ rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto; and

 

(iii)

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

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

 

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Maturity

The Preferred Stock does not have a maturity date, and we are not required to redeem the Preferred Stock. Accordingly, the Preferred Stock and the related depositary shares will remain outstanding indefinitely, unless and until we decide to redeem it.

Redemption

The Preferred Stock will be redeemable, in whole or in part, from time to time, at our option on any dividend payment date on or after April 15, 2021 at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends. Neither the holders of Preferred Stock nor holders of depositary shares will have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the Preferred Stock.

Redemption upon a Regulatory Capital Treatment Event

The Preferred Stock will be redeemable, in whole but not in part, within 90 days following a regulatory capital treatment event at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends from the prior dividend period and the pro rated portion of dividends, whether or not declared, for the dividend period in which such redemption occurs. A “regulatory capital treatment event” means our good faith determination that, as a result of (i) any amendment to, or change in, the laws or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision of or in the United States that is enacted or becomes effective after the initial issuance of any share of Preferred Stock; (ii) any proposed change in those laws or regulations that is announced after the initial issuance of any share of Preferred Stock; or (iii) any official administrative decision or judicial decision or administrative action or other official pronouncement interpreting or applying those laws or regulations that is announced after the initial issuance of any share of Preferred Stock, there is more than an insubstantial risk that Huntington will not be entitled to treat the full liquidation value of the shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding as “Tier 1 Capital” (or its equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of Federal Reserve Regulation Y, 12 C.F.R. 225 (or, as and if applicable, the capital adequacy guidelines or regulations of any successor appropriate federal banking agency), as then in effect and applicable, for as long as any share of Preferred Stock is outstanding.

The Preferred Stock will not be subject to any sinking fund or other obligation to redeem, repurchase or retire the Preferred Stock.

Redemption Procedures

If shares of the Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, notice of redemption shall be given by first class mail to the holders of record of the Preferred Stock to be redeemed at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption (provided that, if the depositary shares are held in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) we may give such notice in any manner permitted by DTC). Each notice of redemption will include a statement setting forth:

 

(a)

the redemption date;

 

(b)

the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if less than all the shares of a holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed;

 

(c)

the redemption price;

 

(d)

the place or places where the certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; and

 

(e)

that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the redemption date.

If notice of redemption of any shares of the Preferred Stock has been duly given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by us for the benefit of the holders of shares of the Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then, on and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on such shares of the

 

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Preferred Stock, such shares of the Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price plus any declared and unpaid dividends and, in the case of a redemption following a regulatory capital treatment event, the pro rated portion of dividends, whether or not declared, for the dividend period in which such redemption occurs. See “Description of the Depositary Shares” below for information about redemption of the depositary shares relating to the Preferred Stock.

In case of any redemption of only part of the shares of the Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected either pro rata, by lot or in such other manner as we may determine to be equitable and permitted by the rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred Stock or related depositary shares are listed. Subject to the provisions hereof, our board of directors shall have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of the Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time to time.

Under the Federal Reserve’s current risk-based capital guidelines applicable to bank holding companies, any redemption of the Preferred Stock is subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve. See “Risk Factors—Investors should not expect us to redeem the Preferred Stock on the date it becomes redeemable or on any particular date after it becomes redeemable” in this prospectus supplement. Any redemption of the Preferred Stock is subject to our receipt of any required prior approval by the Federal Reserve (including any successor bank regulatory authority that may become our appropriate federal banking agency) and to the satisfaction of any conditions set forth in the capital guidelines or regulations of the Federal Reserve (or another successor bank regulatory authority that may become our appropriate federal banking agency) applicable to redemption of the Preferred Stock.

Any notice of redemption, once given, shall be irrevocable.

Neither the holders of the Preferred Stock nor the holders of the related depositary shares have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the Preferred Stock.

Liquidation Rights

In the event that we voluntarily or involuntarily liquidate, dissolve or wind up, the holders of the Preferred Stock at the time outstanding will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions in the amount of $1,000 per share of the Preferred Stock (equivalent to $25 per depositary share), plus an amount equal to any authorized and declared but unpaid dividends thereon to and including the date of such liquidation, out of assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders, before any distribution of assets is made to the holders of our common stock or any other junior securities. After payment of the full amount of such liquidating distributions, the holders of the Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by us, and will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.

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

For such purposes, our consolidation or merger with or into any other entity, the consolidation or merger of any other entity with or into us, or the sale of all or substantially all of our property or business, will not be deemed to constitute our liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up.

Voting Rights

Except as indicated below, the holders of the Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights.

 

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Right to Elect Two Directors upon Non-Payment of Dividends. If and when the dividends on the Preferred Stock or on any other class or series of our parity securities that has voting rights equivalent to those of the Preferred Stock, have not been authorized, declared and paid (i) in the case of the Preferred Stock and parity securities bearing non-cumulative dividends, in full for at least six quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive), or (ii) in the case of parity securities bearing cumulative dividends, in an aggregate amount equal to full dividends for at least six quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive), the authorized number of directors then constituting our board of directors will be automatically increased by two. Holders of the Preferred Stock and the holders of all other classes and series of parity securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote for the election of the two additional directors, voting together as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, will be entitled to elect the two additional members of our board of directors (the “Preferred Stock Directors”) at any annual or special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected or any special meeting of the holders of the Preferred Stock and any parity securities for which dividends have not been paid, called as provided below, but only if the election of any Preferred Stock Directors would not cause us to violate the corporate governance requirement of the NASDAQ (or any other exchange on which our securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors. In addition, our board of directors shall at no time have more than two Preferred Stock Directors.

At any time after this voting power has vested as described above, our Secretary may, and upon the written request of holders of record of at least 20% of the outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock and such parity securities (addressed to the Secretary at our principal office) must, call a special meeting of the holders of Preferred Stock and such parity securities for the election of the Preferred Stock Directors. Notice for a special meeting will be given in a similar manner to that provided in our bylaws for a special meeting of the stockholders, which we will provide upon request, or as required by law. If our Secretary is required to call a meeting but does not do so within 20 days after receipt of any such request, then any holder of shares of the Preferred Stock may (at our expense) call such meeting, upon notice as provided in this section, and for that purpose will have access to our stock books. The Preferred Stock Directors elected at any such special meeting will hold office until the next annual meeting of our stockholders unless they have been previously terminated as described below. In case any vacancy occurs among the Preferred Stock Directors, a successor will be elected by our board of directors to serve until the next annual meeting of the stockholders upon the nomination by the remaining Preferred Stock Director or if none remains in office, by the vote of the holders of record of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock and all parity securities, voting as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series. The Preferred Stock Directors shall each be entitled to one vote per director on any matter.

Whenever full dividends have been paid or set aside for payment on the Preferred Stock and any non-cumulative parity securities for at least four consecutive dividend periods and all dividends on any cumulative parity securities have been paid in full, then the right of the holders of the Preferred Stock and any parity security to elect the Preferred Stock Directors will cease (but subject always to the same provisions for the vesting of these voting rights in the case of any similar non-payment of dividends in respect of future dividend periods), the terms of office of all Preferred Stock Directors will immediately terminate and the number of directors constituting our board of directors will be automatically reduced accordingly.

Other Voting Rights

So long as any shares of the Preferred Stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by our charter, the vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock and any class or series of parity securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and are then outstanding, voting together as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such

 

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class or series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating:

 

•

Certain Charter Amendments. Any amendment of our charter to authorize, or increase the authorized amount of, any shares of any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or distribution of assets on our liquidation, as well as any amendment of our charter that would alter or change the voting powers, preferences or special rights of the Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely; provided that the amendment of the charter so as to authorize or create, or to increase the authorized amount of any shares of any class or series or any securities convertible into shares of any class or series of our stock ranking on a parity with or junior to the Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and in the distribution of assets on our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up shall not be deemed to affect adversely the voting powers, preferences or special rights of the Preferred Stock; or

 

•

Certain Mergers and Consolidations. Any merger or consolidation of us with or into any entity other than a corporation (or comparable foreign entity), or any merger or consolidation of us with or into any corporation (or comparable foreign entity) unless (i) we are the surviving corporation in such merger or consolidation and the Preferred Stock remains outstanding or (ii) we are not the surviving entity in such merger or consolidation but the Preferred Stock is not changed in such merger or consolidation into anything other than a class or series of preferred stock or similar security of the surviving or resulting entity, or the entity controlling such entity, having voting powers, preferences and special rights that, if such change were effected by amendment of our charter, would not require a vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock under the preceding paragraph.

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which the vote would otherwise be required, all outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been set aside by us for the benefit of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock to effect the redemption.

The holders of Preferred Stock shall have exclusive voting rights on any charter amendment that would alter only the contract rights, as expressly set forth in our charter, of the Preferred Stock.

Depositary

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc. will be the depositary for the depositary shares.

Transfer Agent, Registrar, and Paying Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will act as initial transfer agent, registrar and paying agent for the payment of dividends for the Preferred Stock.

Title

We and the transfer agent, registrar and paying agent may treat the registered holder of the Preferred Stock as the absolute owner of the Preferred Stock for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We are issuing depositary shares representing proportional fractional interests in shares of the Preferred Stock. Each depositary share represents a 1/40th interest in a share of our Preferred Stock, and will be evidenced by depositary receipts. We will deposit the underlying shares of the Preferred Stock with a depositary pursuant to a deposit agreement among us, Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., jointly acting as depositary. The holders of depositary shares from time to time shall be deemed to be parties to the deposit agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions thereto by their acceptance of delivery of the depositary shares to the same extent as though they had executed the deposit agreement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each holder of the depositary shares will be entitled, through the depositary, to all the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock, as applicable, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of Preferred Stock those depositary shares represent.

In this prospectus supplement, references to “holders” of depositary shares mean those who own depositary shares registered in their own names on the books maintained by the depositary and not indirect holders who own beneficial interests in depositary shares registered in the street name, or issued in book-entry form through DTC. You should review the special considerations that apply to indirect holders described in this “Book-Entry Issuance.”

Immediately following the issuance of the Preferred Stock, we will deposit the Preferred Stock with the depositary, which will then issue the depositary shares to the underwriters. Copies of the forms of deposit agreement and the depositary receipt may be obtained from us upon request and in the manner described in the “Where You Can Find More Information” section of this prospectus supplement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

Each dividend payable on a depositary share will be in an amount equal to 1/40th of the dividend declared and payable on the related share of the Preferred Stock.

The depositary will distribute any cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited Preferred Stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the underlying Preferred Stock in proportion to the number of depositary shares held by the holders. If we make a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute any securities or property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled to those distributions, unless it determines that the distribution cannot be made proportionally among those holders or that (after consultation with us) it is not feasible to make a distribution, in which case the depositary may, with our approval, adopt a method of distribution that it deems equitable and practicable, including the sale of the securities or property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares they hold.

Record dates for the payment of dividends and other matters relating to the depositary shares will be the same as the corresponding record dates for the Preferred Stock.

 

The amounts distributed to holders of depositary shares will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of taxes or other governmental charges. The depositary may refuse to make any payment or distribution, or any transfer, exchange, or withdrawal of any depositary shares or the shares of the Preferred Stock until such taxes or other governmental charges are paid.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If we redeem the Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares, in whole or in part, as described above under “Description of the Preferred Stock—Redemption” and “Description of the Preferred Stock—Redemption upon a Regulatory Capital Treatment Event,” the depositary shares will be redeemed with the

 

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proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption of the Preferred Stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to 1/40th of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the Preferred Stock (or $25 per depositary share), plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of undeclared dividends, except in the case of a redemption pursuant to a regulatory capital treatment event.

Whenever we redeem shares of the Preferred Stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing those shares of the Preferred Stock so redeemed. If fewer than all of the outstanding depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary will select the shares to be redeemed pro rata or by lot. The depositary will mail notice of redemption to record holders of the depositary receipts not less than 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of the Preferred Stock and the related depositary shares.

Voting the Preferred Stock

Because each depositary share represents a 1/40th interest in a share of the Preferred Stock, holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to 1/40th of a vote per depositary share under those limited circumstances in which holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to a vote, as described above in “Description of the Preferred Stock—Voting Rights.”

When the depositary receives notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the Preferred Stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the Preferred Stock, may instruct the depositary to vote the amount of the Preferred Stock represented by the holder’s depositary shares. Insofar as practicable, the depositary will vote the amount of the Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares in accordance with the instructions it receives. We will agree to take all reasonable actions that the depositary determines are necessary to enable the depositary to vote as instructed. If the depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of any depositary shares representing proportional interests in the Preferred Stock, it will not vote the amount of the Preferred Stock represented by such depositary shares.

Form and Notices

The Preferred Stock will be issued in registered form to the depositary, and the depositary shares will be issued in book-entry form through DTC, as described below in “Book-Entry Issuance.” The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports, notices, and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the Preferred Stock.

Preemptive and Conversion Rights

The holders of the depositary shares and the Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive or conversion rights.

Listing

We intend to apply to list the depositary shares on the NASDAQ under the symbol “HBANO.” If the application is approved, trading of the depositary shares on the NASDAQ is expected to commence within 30 days after they are first issued.

Depositary, Dividend Disbursing Agent, Registrar and Redemption Agent

Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will be the depositary, and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will be the dividend disbursing agent, registrar and redemption agent for the depositary shares.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF HUNTINGTON CAPITAL STOCK

Huntington is authorized to issue a total of 1,506,617,808 shares of all classes of stock. Of the total number of authorized shares of stock, 1,500,000,000 shares are common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 6,617,808 shares are serial preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. A statement of the designations of the authorized classes of preferred stock or of any series thereof, and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of that stock, or of the authority of Huntington’s board of directors to authorize those designations and other terms, is as follows.

The following description of the terms of our stock is only a summary. For a complete description, we refer you to the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter and our bylaws.

Preferred Stock

Shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Huntington’s board of directors is authorized, within the limitations and restrictions stated in article fifth of Huntington’s charter, to establish the serial designations of the preferred stock and any such series of preferred stock, which (a) may have such voting powers full or limited, or may be without voting powers; (b) may be subject to redemption at such time or times and at such prices; (c) may be entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or noncumulative) at such rate or rates, on such conditions, and at such times and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock; (d) may have such rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, Huntington; (e) may be made convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of Huntington, at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange, and with such adjustments; and (f) shall have such other preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, terms or conditions of redemption or other rights, all as are authorized by the board of directors and stated and expressed in the articles supplementary or other charter document providing for the issuance of such serial preferred stock.

Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, (1) on a parity with (A) our Series B Preferred Stock, (B) the Preferred Stock, and (C) each class or series of preferred stock we may issue in the future the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on our liquidation, winding up and dissolution of Huntington and (2) senior to our common stock and each other class or series of preferred stock we may issue in the future the terms of which do not expressly provide that it ranks on a parity with or senior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on our liquidation, winding-up and dissolution.

Each share of the Series A Preferred Stock may be converted at any time, at the option of the holder, into 83.6680 shares of our common stock (which reflects an approximate initial conversion price of $11.95 per share of common stock) plus cash in lieu of fractional shares, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. On or after April 15, 2013, we may, at our option, at any time or from time to time cause some or all of the Series A Preferred Stock to be converted into shares of our common stock at the then applicable conversion rate. We may exercise our conversion right if, for 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days, including the last trading day of such period, ending on the trading day preceding the date we give notice of mandatory conversion, the closing price of our common stock exceeds 130% of the then applicable conversion price of the Series A Preferred Stock.

Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are payable quarterly in arrears, when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of legally available funds, on a non-cumulative basis on the $1,000 per share liquidation preference, at an annual rate equal to 8.50%.

 

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The Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable either at our option or at the option of the holders. The Series A Preferred Stock is not subject to any sinking fund or other obligation to redeem, repurchase or retire the Series A Preferred Stock.

Except as indicated below, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock do not have any voting rights:

 

•

If and when the dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock or on any other class or series of preferred stock that ranks on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock and has voting rights equivalent to those described below (which includes the Preferred Stock) have not been declared and paid (i) in the case of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other class or series of preferred stock that ranks on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock bearing non-cumulative dividends, in full for at least six quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive), or (ii) in the case of any class or series of preferred stock that ranks on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock bearing cumulative dividends, in an aggregate amount equal to full dividends for at least six quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, will be entitled to elect the two additional members of our board of directors;

 

•

So long as any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by our charter, the vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding that ranks on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock and has similar rights (which includes the Preferred Stock), voting together as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating certain charter amendments and certain mergers and consolidations.

Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, (1) on a parity with (A) our Series A Preferred Stock, (B) the Preferred Stock, and (C) each class or series of preferred stock we may issue in the future the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on our liquidation, winding up and dissolution and (2) senior to our common stock and each other class or series of preferred stock we may issue in the future the terms of which do not expressly provide that it ranks on a parity with or senior to the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on our liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of Huntington.

The Series B Preferred Stock does not entitle the holder to any preemptive or conversion rights.

Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock are payable when, as and if authorized by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of our board and declared by us out of legally available funds, on a non-cumulative basis on the $1,000 per share liquidation preference, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 2.70% per annum payable quarterly, in arrears.

The Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable, in whole or in part, from time to time, at our option on any dividend payment date on or after January 15, 2017 at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference, plus any declared and unpaid dividends. The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock do not have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock is also redeemable, in whole but not in part, at any time following a regulatory capital treatment event (as defined in the articles supplementary classifying the Series B Preferred Stock) at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference,

 

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plus any declared and unpaid dividends from the prior dividend period and the pro rated portion of dividends, whether or not declared, for the dividend period in which such redemption occurs.

Except as indicated below, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock do not have any voting rights:

 

•

If and when the dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock or on any other class or series of our preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock that has voting rights equivalent to those of the Series B Preferred Stock (which includes the Preferred Stock), have not been authorized, declared and paid (i) in the case of the Series B Preferred Stock and any class or series of our preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock and bearing non-cumulative dividends, in full for at least six quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive), or (ii) in the case of any class or series of our preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock and bearing cumulative dividends, in an aggregate amount equal to full dividends for at least six quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, will be entitled to elect the two additional members of our board of directors;

 

•

So long as any shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by our charter, the vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock and any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding that ranks on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock and has similar rights, voting together as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating certain charter amendments and certain mergers and consolidations.

Common Stock

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. They are also entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or after payment of or adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock, including the Preferred Stock.

Except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of common stock, each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

Holders of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights, have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities and generally have no appraisal rights except in certain limited transactions. All shares of common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations.

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, convert, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the

 

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ordinary course of business, unless declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter does not provide for a lesser percentage in these situations.

The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Computershare Investor Services, Inc.

 

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BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE

DTC will act as securities depositary for all of the depositary shares. We will issue the depositary shares only as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s nominee). We will issue and deposit with DTC one or more fully-registered global certificates for the depositary shares representing, in the aggregate, the total number of the depositary shares to be sold in this offering.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a banking organization under the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing corporation under the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a clearing agency registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, like transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in the participants’ accounts, eliminating in this manner the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Others, like securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain custodial relationships with direct participants, either directly or indirectly, are indirect participants and also have access to the DTC system. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Clearstream has advised us that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry transfers between their accounts. Clearstream provides its participants with, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic securities markets in several countries through established depository and custodial relationships. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector, also known as the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. Clearstream participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. Clearstream’s participants in the U.S. are limited to securities brokers and dealers and banks. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to other institutions such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with Clearstream participants. Distributions with respect to interests in global securities held through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of its customers in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.

Euroclear has advised us that it was created to hold securities for its participants and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing, and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (the “Euroclear operator”) under contract with Euroclear plc, a U.K. corporation. Euroclear participants include banks, including central banks, securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.

Purchases of depositary shares within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, who will receive a credit for the depositary shares on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each depositary share is in turn to be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. DTC will not send written confirmation to beneficial owners of their purchases, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from

 

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the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owners purchased depositary shares. Transfers of ownership interests in the depositary shares are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in depositary shares, unless the book-entry system for the depositary shares is discontinued. Interests held through Clearstream and Euroclear will be recorded on DTC’s books as being held by the U.S. depositary for each of Clearstream and Euroclear, which U.S. depositaries will in turn hold interests on behalf of their participants’ customers’ securities accounts.

DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the depositary shares. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the depositary shares are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners and the voting rights of direct participants, indirect participants and beneficial owners, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as is in effect from time to time, will be governed by arrangements among them.

We will send redemption notices to Cede & Co. as the registered holder of the depositary shares. If less than all of these depositary shares are redeemed, DTC’s current practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant to be redeemed.

Although voting on the depositary shares is limited to the holders of record of the depositary shares, in those instances in which a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote on depositary shares. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to direct participants for whose accounts the depositary shares are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

We will make distribution payments on the depositary shares to DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on the payment date. Standing instructions and customary practices will govern payments from participants to beneficial owners. Subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements, participants, and neither DTC nor we, will be responsible for the payment. We and any paying agent will be responsible for payment of distributions to DTC. Direct and indirect participants are responsible for the disbursement of the payments to the beneficial owners.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary on any of the depositary shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. If a successor securities depositary is not obtained, final depositary shares certificates must be printed and delivered. We may at our option decide to discontinue the use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor depositary). In this case, final certificates for the depositary shares will be printed and delivered.

We have obtained the information in this section about DTC and DTC’s book-entry system from sources that we believe to be accurate, but we assume no responsibility for the accuracy of the information. We have no responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants of their respective obligations as described in this prospectus supplement or under the rules and procedures governing their respective operations.

“Beneficial owner” refers to the ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each depositary share.

“Direct participants” refers to securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations who, with the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and the Financial Industry Regulatory

 

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Authority, Inc., own DTC. Purchases of depositary shares within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants who will receive a credit for the depositary shares on DTC’s records.

“Indirect participants” refers to others, like securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain custodial relationships with direct participants, either directly or indirectly, and who also have access to the DTC system.

 

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

General

The following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the depositary shares. The following summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial opinions, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and other applicable authorities, each as in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect, and any such change or interpretation could affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth herein.

This summary is for general information only and does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular investor in light of that investor’s individual circumstances, nor does it address the effects of any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws, any tax treaty or any U.S. federal estate, gift, generation-skipping transfer or alternative minimum tax considerations. This summary is limited to taxpayers who will hold the depositary shares as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, and it does not purport to be applicable to special classes of investors including, but not limited to, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, banks or other financial institutions, grantor trusts, partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and investors therein), subchapter S corporations, retirement plans, individual retirement accounts or other tax-deferred accounts, controlled foreign corporations, dealers in securities or currencies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, passive foreign investment companies for U.S. federal income tax purposes, persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, U.S. expatriates, persons liable for the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, and persons that will hold the depositary shares as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion,” “wash sale,” “constructive sale,” “integrated transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes or other risk reduction transaction. This summary does not address the tax considerations that may be relevant to subsequent purchasers of the depositary shares and does not address any tax consequences arising under the unearned income Medicare contribution tax pursuant to the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 nor any considerations with respect to any withholding required pursuant to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2010 (including the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and intergovernmental agreements entered in connection therewith).

If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds the depositary shares, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner and the partnership holding the depositary shares should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax considerations of acquiring, holding and disposing of the depositary shares.

We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in this discussion, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions.

The remainder of this discussion assumes that beneficial owners of the depositary shares will be treated as owners of the underlying Preferred Stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

U.S. Holders

As used in this discussion, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of the depositary shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

•

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

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•

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof or the District of Columbia (and certain non-U.S. entities taxed as U.S. corporations under specialized sections of the Code);

 

•

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

•

a trust if (1) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Distributions. Distributions with respect to the depositary shares will be taxable as dividend income to the extent paid out of our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that the amount of a distribution with respect to the depositary shares exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such depositary shares, and thereafter as capital gain.

Distributions with respect to the depositary shares taxable as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes paid to a corporate U.S. holder will generally qualify for a 70% dividends-received deduction. However, a corporate U.S. holder may not be entitled to take the 70% dividends-received deduction in all circumstances, and, even if it is so entitled, may be subject to special rules in respect of its ownership of the depositary shares. Corporate U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the holding period and other requirements that must be satisfied in order to qualify for the dividends-received deduction and with respect to the possible application of the extraordinary dividend provisions of the federal income tax law to their ownership or disposition of the depositary shares in their particular circumstances.

Distributions with respect to the depositary shares taxable as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes paid to a noncorporate U.S. holder will generally represent “qualified dividend income.” Qualified dividend income is taxable at preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that certain holding period requirements are met and certain other conditions are satisfied.

Sale, Exchange, or Certain Other Taxable Dispositions of the Depositary Shares. A U.S. holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss on a sale or exchange or other taxable disposition (other than certain redemptions described under “U.S. Holders—Redemptions of the Depositary Shares”) of the depositary shares equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized upon the sale or exchange and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the depositary shares sold or exchanged. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the depositary shares sold or exchanged is more than one year. Long-term capital gains of noncorporate taxpayers are generally taxed at preferential rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Redemptions of the Depositary Shares. The tax treatment accorded to any redemption by us of our depositary shares from a U.S. holder can only be determined on the basis of the particular facts as to each U.S. holder of our depositary shares at the time of redemption.

In general, a U.S. holder of our depositary shares will recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the amount received by the U.S. holder of such depositary shares upon the redemption and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the depositary shares redeemed if such redemption is considered to:

 

•

result in a complete termination of the U.S. holder’s stock interest in us;

 

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be substantially disproportionate with respect to the U.S. holder;

 

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be not essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to the U.S. holder; or

 

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•

be a redemption of stock held by a shareholder who is not a corporation and where such redemption results in a partial liquidation of us.

In applying these tests, there must be taken into account not only the depositary shares being redeemed, but also such U.S. holder’s ownership of other classes and series of our capital stock and any options (including stock purchase rights) to acquire any of the foregoing. A U.S. holder of our depositary shares also must take into account any such securities (including options) which are considered to be owned by such U.S. holder by reason of the constructive ownership rules set forth in Section 318 of the Code.

If the redemption does not meet any of the tests described above, then the redemption proceeds received from our depositary shares will be treated as a distribution on our shares and will be taxable as described under the caption “U.S. Holders—Distributions” above. If a redemption of the depositary shares is treated as a distribution that is taxable as a dividend, U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the allocation of their tax basis in the redeemed and remaining depositary shares.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Information returns will generally be filed with the IRS in connection with the payment of dividends or other taxable distributions on the depositary shares to noncorporate U.S. holders and certain payments of proceeds to U.S. holders on the sale, exchange or redemption of the depositary shares. Additionally, such payments may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%) unless such U.S. holder (a) comes within certain exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact in the manner required, or (b) within a reasonable period of time, provides a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S. holder is allowable as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax, which may entitle the U.S. holder to a refund, provided that the U.S. holder provides the required information to the IRS in a timely manner.

Non-U.S. Holders

As used in this discussion, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of the depositary shares other than a U.S. holder as defined above or an entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Dividends. Distributions with respect to the depositary shares taxable as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes paid to a non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless such dividends are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business of the non-U.S. holder within the United States and, where an applicable tax treaty so provides, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment. In order to claim the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty, a non-U.S. holder generally must furnish us or other payor with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable IRS Form W-8) before the distribution date. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty and the requirements for claiming any such benefits.

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder that are effectively connected with such non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder in the United States) generally are not subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that the non-U.S. holder furnishes us or other payor with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI before the distribution date. Instead, such dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the graduated U.S. federal income tax rates in the same manner as if such non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation

 

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may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty, subject to certain adjustments.

A non-U.S. holder eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

Sale, Exchange, or Certain Other Taxable Dispositions of the Depositary Shares. Subject to the discussion below under “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding on Non-U.S. Holders,” a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding on gain realized on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the depositary shares so long as:

 

•

the gain is not effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and if required by an applicable tax treaty, the gain is not attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by such non-U.S. holder in the United States);

 

•

in the case of a nonresident alien individual, such non-U.S. holder is not present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the sale or disposition (and certain other conditions are met); and

 

•

the depositary shares do not constitute U.S. real property interests in a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (a “USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the period that the non-U.S. holder held the depositary shares. We do not believe that we currently are a USRPHC or that we will become one in the future.

Gain described in the first bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates in the same manner as if such non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person. A non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may, under certain circumstances be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty of its “effectively connected earnings and profits” for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments.

Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the disposition (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S.-source capital losses, if any, for the taxable year, provided that the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

As discussed above under “U.S. Holders—Redemption of the Depositary Shares,” an amount paid to a holder of depositary shares in connection with a redemption of the depositary shares may, under certain circumstances, be treated as a dividend. In that case, the payment would be subject to the rules for dividends described above under “Non-U.S. Holders—Dividends.”

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Payment of dividends and the tax withheld with respect thereto are subject to information reporting requirements. These information reporting requirements apply regardless of whether withholding was reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty or withholding was not required because the dividends were effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States conducted by the non-U.S. holder. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides.

U.S. backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%) will generally apply on payment of dividends to a non-U.S. holder unless such non-U.S. holder furnishes to the payor a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable IRS Form W-8) or otherwise establishes an exemption.

Payment by a U.S. office of a broker of the proceeds of a sale of the depositary shares by a non-U.S. holder is subject to both backup withholding and information reporting unless the non-U.S. holder provides a properly

 

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executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable IRS Form W-8) certifying its non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an exemption. The payment of proceeds from the disposition of depositary shares by a non-U.S. holder effected at a non-U.S. office of a U.S. broker or a non-U.S. broker with certain specified U.S. connections generally will be subject to information reporting (but not backup withholding) unless the non-U.S. holder provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable IRS Form W-8) certifying the non-U.S. holder’s non-U.S. status or by otherwise establishing an exemption. Backup withholding will apply if the sale is subject to information reporting and the broker has actual knowledge that the recipient a U.S. person.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from a payment to a non-U.S. holder under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against that holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the holder furnishes the required information to the IRS. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to their particular circumstances.

 

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CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), imposes certain requirements on employee benefit plans subject to Title I of ERISA and on entities that are deemed to hold the assets of such plans (“ERISA Plans”), and on those persons who are fiduciaries with respect to ERISA Plans. Investments by ERISA Plans are subject to ERISA’s general fiduciary requirements, including, but not limited to, the requirement of investment prudence and diversification and the requirement that an ERISA Plan’s investments be made in accordance with the documents governing the ERISA Plan.

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA Plan (as well as those plans that are not subject to ERISA but which are subject to Section 4975 of the Code, such as individual retirement accounts or an entity deemed to hold the assets of such plans (together with ERISA Plans, “Plans”)) and certain persons (referred to as “parties in interest” or “disqualified persons”) having certain relationships to such Plans, unless a statutory or administrative exemption is applicable to the transaction. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code.

Any Plan fiduciary that proposes to cause a Plan to purchase the depositary shares should consult with its counsel regarding the applicability of the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code to such an investment, and to confirm that such purchase will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction or any other violation of an applicable requirement of ERISA or the Code.

Non-U.S. plans, governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA) and certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA), while not subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA or the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, may nevertheless be subject to other federal, state, local or foreign laws or regulations that are substantially similar to the foregoing provisions of ERISA and the Code (“Similar Law”). Fiduciaries of any such plans should consult with their counsel before purchasing the depositary shares to determine the need for and the availability of, any exemptive relief under any Similar Law.

Each purchaser of the depositary shares will be deemed to have represented and agreed that (i) either (A) it is not and is not acting on behalf of a (1) Plan or (2) a non-U.S., governmental or church plan subject to Similar Laws; or (B) its purchase of the depositary shares is not a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code and is otherwise permissible under all applicable Similar Laws; and (ii) it will not sell or otherwise transfer the depositary shares or any interest therein otherwise than to a purchaser or transferee that is deemed to make these same representations, warranties and agreements with respect to its purchase of such depositary shares.

 

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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, UBS Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a firm commitment underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the number of depositary shares set forth opposite its name below.

 

Underwriter		Numbers of Depositary Shares
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
UBS Securities LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
The Huntington Investment Company
Total

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the depositary shares offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the depositary shares offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus if any shares are taken. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

We have agreed for a period from the date of this prospectus supplement through, and including, the date 30 days after the date hereof that we will not, without the prior written consent of the representatives, 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 of our securities that are substantially similar to the Preferred Stock or the depositary shares, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent rights to receive, Preferred Stock, depositary shares or substantially similar securities. This limitation does not apply to the securities to be issued in exchange for securities of FirstMerit.

The underwriters propose to offer some of the depositary shares directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and may offer some of the depositary shares to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed $         per depositary share sold to retail investors and $         per depositary share sold to institutional investors. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $         per depositary share sold to retail investors. After the initial offering of the depositary shares to the public, the representatives may change the public offering price, concession and discount.

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an aggregate of             additional depositary shares at the public offering price listed on the cover of this prospectus supplement, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option; to the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of the additional depositary shares as the number listed next to the underwriter’s name in the preceding table bears to the total number of depositary shares listed next to the names of all underwriters in the preceding table.

 

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The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional depositary shares:

 

		Paid by Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
		No Exercise(1)				Full Exercise
Per depositary share		$				$

 

(1)

Reflects             depositary shares sold to institutional investors, for which the underwriters received an underwriting discount of $         per share, and             depositary shares sold to retail investors, for which the underwriters received an underwriting discount of $         per share.

The expenses of this offering, not including the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $         and are payable by us.

Certain directors and employees of Huntington may purchase depositary shares in this offering.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the depositary shares. We do not expect that there will be any separate public trading market for the shares of the Preferred Stock except as represented by the depositary shares. We intend to apply to list the depositary shares on NASDAQ under the symbol “HBANO.” If the application is approved, we expect trading of the depositary shares on NASDAQ to begin within the 30-day period after the initial delivery of the depositary shares.

To facilitate the offering of the depositary shares, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the depositary shares. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more depositary shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short position may involve either “covered” short sales or “naked” short sales. Covered short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional depositary shares as described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option or purchasing depositary shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of depositary shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase depositary shares from us through the option. Naked short sales are sales in excess of the option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing depositary shares 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 depositary shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. As an additional means of facilitating the offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, depositary shares in the open market to stabilize the price of the depositary shares. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of the depositary shares above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the depositary shares. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased depositary shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilizing or reducing a syndicate short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might otherwise be in the absence of such purchases.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the depositary shares. In addition,

 

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neither we nor the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in such transactions or that such transactions will not be discontinued without notice, once they are commenced.

In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectus supplements by electronic means, such as email.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters and their controlling persons against certain liabilities in connection with this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to us and to persons and entities with relationships with us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities and/or instruments of us (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) and/or persons and entities with relationships with us. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies.

Typically, these underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the securities offered hereby. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend.

The underwriters expect to deliver the depositary shares to purchasers on or about March     , 2016, which will be the fifth business day following the pricing of the depositary shares (such settlement cycle being herein referred to as “T + 5”). Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade depositary shares on the date of pricing or the next business day will be required, by virtue of the fact that the depositary shares initially will settle T + 5, to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the depositary shares who wish to trade the depositary shares on the date of pricing of the depositary shares or the next business day should consult their own adviser.

Conflicts of Interest

Our affiliate, The Huntington Investment Company, is a member of FINRA and is participating in the distribution of the depositary shares. The distribution arrangements for this offering comply with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121, regarding a FINRA member firm’s participation in the distribution of securities of an affiliate. In accordance with that rule, no FINRA member firm that has a “conflict of interest,” as defined therein, may make sales in this offering to any discretionary account without the prior approval of the customer.

 

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Our affiliates, including The Huntington Investment Company, may use this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in connection with offers and sales of the depositary shares in the secondary market. These affiliates may act as principal or agent in those transactions. Secondary market sales will be made at prices related to market prices at the time of sale.

Selling Restrictions

Canada

The depositary shares may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the depositary shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal adviser.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a “Member State”) an offer to the public of the depositary shares may not be made in that Member State except that an offer to the public in that Member State may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive:

(a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

(b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives of the several underwriters; or

(c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of depositary shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any depositary shares in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the depositary shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the depositary shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State. The expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, including by Directive 2010/73/EU) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Member State.

This EEA Selling restriction is in addition to any other selling restrictions set out in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus.

 

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This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of depositary shares in any Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of depositary shares.

United Kingdom

Each underwriter has represented, warranted and agreed that,

(a) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) with respect to anything done by it in relation to the depositary shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom; and

(b) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue and sale of such depositary shares in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us.

This document is for distribution only to persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the ‘‘Financial Promotion Order’’), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (‘‘high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc’’) of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) are outside the United Kingdom, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as ‘‘relevant persons’’). This document is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended, “the FIEL”). Each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any Japanese person or to others, for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a Japanese person, except for persons who are “qualified institutional investors” as defined in the Cabinet Ordinance Concerning Definitions under Article 2 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Ordinance No. 14 of 1993 of the Ministry of Finance of Japan, as amended) or otherwise in compliance with the FIEL and other applicable laws, regulations and governmental guidelines in 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.

Hong Kong

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that (a) it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell in Hong Kong any depositary shares by means of any document other than (i) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (“SFO”) and any rules made thereunder or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies (Winding up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong, or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance and (b) it has not issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not have in its possession for the purpose of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the depositary shares, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong

 

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(except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to depositary shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the SFO and any rules made thereunder.

Singapore

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the depositary shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the depositary shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the depositary shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

(a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

(b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the depositary shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

(1) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

(2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

(3) where the transfer is by operation of law;

(4) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

(5) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

 

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VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES

The validity of the Preferred Stock as well as certain legal matters relating to the offering will be passed upon for us by Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland. Additionally, the validity of the depositary shares and certain legal matters relating to the offering will be passed upon for us by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, New York, New York. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Shearman  & Sterling LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 2015 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in the Report of Management’s Assessment of Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting) as of December 31, 2015 incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of FirstMerit as of December 31, 2015 and for the year then ended, appearing in Huntington’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 9, 2016 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Senior Debt Securities

Subordinated Debt Securities

Warrants

Purchase Contracts for Securities

Guarantees

Units

Huntington Center

41 South High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43287

(614) 480-8300

 

 

The securities listed above may be offered and sold, from time to time, by Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (which may be referred to as “we” or “us” or “our” or the “Issuer”) and/or one or more selling security holders to be identified in the future in amounts, at prices, and on other terms to be determined at the time of the offering. The Issuer will describe the specific terms and manner of offering of these securities in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents or directly to purchasers on a continued or delayed basis.

Our common stock is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “HBAN.” Our 8.50% Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock is listed and traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol “HBANP.”

 

 

Investing in the offered securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus.

These securities will be equity securities or unsecured obligations of the Issuer and will not be savings accounts, deposits, or other obligations of any of our bank or nonbank subsidiaries and will not be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the bank insurance fund or any other governmental agency or instrumentality.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is July 22, 2013.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
RISK FACTORS			1
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			3
EXPLANATORY NOTE			3
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE			4
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			5
HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED			5
SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER			6
USE OF PROCEEDS			8
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS			8
LEGAL MATTERS			9
EXPERTS			9

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RISK FACTORS

Prior to making any investment decision with respect to the securities that we may offer, prospective investors should carefully consider the specific factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that are incorporated by reference herein, together with all of the other information appearing in this prospectus or in the applicable prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference into this prospectus in light of their particular investment objectives and financial circumstances.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration or continuous offering process. Under this shelf process, we or one or more selling security holders to be identified in the future may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

The following securities may be offered from time to time:

 

•

common stock;

 

•

preferred stock;

 

•

depositary shares;

 

•

senior debt securities;

 

•

units;

 

•

subordinated debt securities;

 

•

warrants;

 

•

guarantees; or

 

•

stock purchase contracts for securities.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we or any selling security holder may offer as well as other information you should know before investing in our securities. Each time that we or any selling security holder offer securities, we will file with the SEC a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change the information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference.”

The registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be read at the SEC website or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

We have not, and the underwriters and their affiliates and agents have not, authorized any person to provide any information or represent anything about us other than what is contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We do not, and the underwriters and their affiliates and agents do not, take any responsibility for, and can

 

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provide no assurance as to the reliability of, information that others may provide you. The Issuer may only use this prospectus to sell securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement which includes the specific terms of that offering. The Issuer is only offering these securities in jurisdictions where the offer is permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the dates on the front of those documents.

The Issuer may sell securities to underwriters who will sell the securities to the public on terms fixed at the time of sale. In addition, the securities may be sold by the Issuer directly or through dealers or agents designated from time to time. If the Issuer, directly or through agents, solicits offers to purchase the securities, the Issuer reserves the sole right to accept and, together with its agents, to reject, in whole or in part, any of those offers.

The prospectus supplement will contain the names of the underwriters, dealers, or agents, if any, together with the terms of offering, the compensation of those underwriters, dealers, or agents, and the net proceeds to us. Any underwriters, dealers, or agents participating in the offering may be deemed “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

One or more of our subsidiaries, including The Huntington Investment Company, may buy and sell any of the securities after the securities are issued as part of their business as a broker-dealer. Those subsidiaries may use this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement in those transactions. Any sale by a subsidiary will be made at the prevailing market price at the time of sale.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and on the investor relations page of our website at http://www.huntington.com. Except for those SEC filings incorporated by reference in this prospectus, none of the other information on our website is part of this prospectus. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.

This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits included in the registration statement for further information about us and the securities offered by us. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

RETROSPECTIVE PRESENTATION FOR CHANGE IN

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

Effective January 1, 2013, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities beginning with our 2013 first quarter Form 10-Q filed on April 29, 2013. The ASU amends Topic 210 by requiring additional improved information to be disclosed regarding financial instruments and derivative instruments that are offset in accordance with the conditions under ASC 210-20-45 or ASC 810-10-45 or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement.

The following tables present the gross amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to arrive at the net amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2011:

 

Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets (Unaudited)
														Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheet
(dollar amounts in thousands)		Gross amounts of recognized assets				Gross amounts offset in the consolidated balance sheet				Net amounts of assets presented in the consolidated balance sheet				Financial instruments				cash collateral received				Net amount
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
December 31, 2011 Derivatives		$	492,659			$	(96,428	)		$	396,231			$	(33,199	)		$	(610	)		$	362,422
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities
														Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheet
(dollar amounts in thousands)		Gross amounts of recognized liabilities				Gross amounts offset in the consolidated balance sheet				Net amounts of assets presented in the consolidated balance sheet				Financial instruments				cash collateral received				Net amount
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities
December 31, 2011 Derivatives		$	259,626			$	(2,346	)		$	257,280			$	(189,001	)		$	—			$	68,279

 

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INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Some information contained in this prospectus updates the information incorporated by reference, and information that we file in the future with the SEC will automatically modify, supersede or update this prospectus. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between information in this prospectus and/or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later.

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Securities Exchange Act”) (other than those “furnished” pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 in any Current Report on Form 8-K or other information deemed to have been “furnished” rather than filed in accordance with the SEC’s rules) after the initial filing of the registration statement related to this prospectus until the termination of the offering of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement:

 

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (including information specifically incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K from our definitive proxy statement filed on March 7, 2013);

 

•

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2013;

 

•

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2013, April 23, 2013 and March 15, 2013;

 

•

The description of our common stock, which is registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act, in our Form 8-A filed with the SEC on April 28, 1967, including any subsequently filed amendments and reports updating such description; and

 

•

The description of our 8.50% Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, which is registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act, in our Form 8-A filed with the SEC on May 19, 2008, including any subsequently filed amendments and reports updating such description.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not incorporating any document or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules.

Upon written or oral request, we will provide — at no cost to the requester — a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus. You may make a request by writing to the following address or calling the following telephone number:

Todd Beekman

Investor Relations

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

41 South High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43287

Phone: (614) 480-3878

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements about the Issuer that are intended to be subject to the safe harbors created under U.S. federal securities laws. The use of words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans” and “believes,” among others, generally identify forward-looking statements; however, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.

By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual conditions, events, or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, those which may be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement and those under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and other factors described in our periodic reports filed from time to time with the SEC. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including, without limitation, those discussed under “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and in other information contained in our publicly available filings with the SEC. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have a material adverse effect on us and our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We encourage you to understand forward-looking statements to be strategic objectives rather than absolute forecasts of future performance. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. We are not under any obligation to, or intend to, publicly update or review any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. Please carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our other reports filed with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects.

HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED

We are a regional bank holding company organized under Maryland law and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, and its subsidiaries (the “Bank”) provide full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial products and services. The principal market for these services is our six-state banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of more than 700 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and more than 1,400 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking franchise area and selected other Midwest and New England states, we also provide commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.

As a registered financial holding company, we are subject to the supervision of the Federal Reserve. We are required to file with the Federal Reserve reports and other information regarding our business operations and the business operations of our subsidiaries.

At June 30, 2013, we had, on a consolidated basis, total assets of approximately $56.1 billion, total deposits of approximately $46.3 billion and total shareholder’s equity of approximately $5.8 billion.

Our principal executive offices are located at 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43287, and our telephone number is (614) 480-8300.

 

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SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

We may use this prospectus to offer securities in one or more offerings. A prospectus supplement, which we will provide each time we offer securities, will describe the amounts, prices and detailed terms of the securities and may describe risks associated with an investment in the securities. We will also include in the prospectus supplement, where applicable, information about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities. Terms used in this prospectus will have the meanings described in this prospectus unless otherwise specified. The securities of each class as described in this prospectus may also be offered and sold, from time to time, by one or more selling security holders to be identified in the future.

We may sell the securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. We, as well as any agents acting on our behalf, reserve the sole right to accept or to reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of our securities. Each prospectus supplement will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of our securities described in that prospectus supplement and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them.

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.

Common Stock

We may sell our common stock, par value $0.01 per share. In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the aggregate number of shares offered and the offering price or prices of the shares.

Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares

We may sell shares of our preferred stock in one or more series. In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the specific designation, the aggregate number of shares offered, the dividend rate or manner of calculating the dividend rate, the dividend periods or manner of calculating the dividend periods, the ranking of the shares of the series with respect to dividends, liquidation and dissolution, the stated value of the shares of the series, the voting rights of the shares of the series, if any, whether and on what terms the shares of the series will be convertible or exchangeable, whether and on what terms we can redeem the shares of the series, whether we will offer depositary shares representing shares of the series and if so, the fraction or multiple of a share of preferred stock represented by each depositary share, whether we will list the preferred stock or depositary shares on a securities exchange and any other specific terms of the series of preferred stock.

Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities

Our notes, including senior notes and subordinated notes, may be senior or subordinated in priority of payment. We will provide a prospectus supplement that describes the ranking, whether senior or subordinated, the level of seniority or subordination (as applicable), the specific designation, the aggregate principal amount, the purchase price, the maturity, the redemption terms, the interest rate or manner of calculating the interest rate, the time of payment of interest, if any, the terms for any conversion or exchange, including the terms relating to the adjustment of any conversion or exchange mechanism, the listing, if any, on a securities exchange and any other specific terms of the notes.

Warrants

We may sell warrants to purchase our senior notes, subordinated notes, shares of preferred stock, shares of our common stock or units. In a prospectus supplement, we will inform you of the exercise price and other specific terms of the warrants, including whether our or your obligations, if any, under any warrants may be satisfied by delivering or purchasing the underlying securities or their cash value.

 

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Purchase Contracts

We may issue purchase contracts, including purchase contracts issued as part of a unit with one or more other securities, for the purchase or sale of our senior notes, subordinated notes, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock.

Guarantees

We may issue guarantees of indebtedness issued by our subsidiaries.

Units

We may sell any combination of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus, together as units. In a prospectus supplement, we will describe the particular combination of securities constituting any units and any other specific terms of the units.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, we anticipate using the net proceeds from the sale of the securities by the Issuer will be added to our general funds and will be available for general corporate purposes, including, among other things:

 

•

the repayment of existing indebtedness,

 

•

the repurchase of our common stock,

 

•

investments in, or extensions of credit to, our existing or future subsidiaries, and

 

•

the financing of possible acquisitions.

Pending such use, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds in short-term securities or reduce our short-term indebtedness, or we may hold the net proceeds in deposit accounts in our subsidiary bank.

Based upon our historical and anticipated future growth and our financial needs, we may engage in additional financings of a character and amount that we determine as the need arises.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND OF

EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED

STOCK DIVIDENDS

Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the last five fiscal years, and for the latest interim period for which financial statements are presented in this document, are indicated below.

 

(Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

20091

2008

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Excluding interest on deposits

16.20 x

12.09 x

8.29 x

4.42 x

(22.69) x

0.16 x

Including interest on deposits

5.49 x

4.49 x

2.98 x

1.65 x

(3.43) x

0.77 x

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

Excluding interest on deposits

10.17 x

8.46 x

6.29 x

1.66 x

(10.67) x

0.14 x

Including interest on deposits

4.67 x

3.95 x

2.74 x

1.25 x

(2.84) x

0.74 x

 

1

During the first quarter of 2009, Huntington experienced a sustained decline in its stock price, which was primarily attributable to the continuing economic slowdown and increased market concern surrounding financial institutions’ credit risks and capital positions as well as uncertainty related to increased regulatory supervision and intervention. Huntington determined that these changes would more likely than not reduce the fair value of certain reporting units below their carrying amounts. Therefore, Huntington performed a goodwill impairment test, which resulted in a goodwill impairment charge of $2.6 billion in the first quarter of 2009.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Issuer by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Venable LLP. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters will be passed upon for any underwriters or agents by their own counsel.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the effectiveness of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated and its subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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Depositary Shares, Each Representing a 1/40th Interest in a Share of

    % Series D Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock

 

 

 

                , 2016

 

 

 

BofA Merrill Lynch

Morgan Stanley

UBS Investment Bank

Wells Fargo Securities

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Huntington Investment Company