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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-162335

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated January 20, 2010)

 

 

4,000,000 Shares

 

ExlService Holdings, Inc.

 

Common Stock

 

$        per share

 

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We are selling 1,000,000 shares of our common stock and the selling stockholders named in this prospectus supplement are selling 3,000,000 shares. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling stockholders. We intend to use the net proceeds to us from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, debt repayment, financing of possible acquisitions, working capital and/or capital expenditures.

 

We and the selling stockholders have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 600,000 additional shares.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “EXLS.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on September 12, 2011 was $24.89 per share.

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-3.

 

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

 

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		Per Share				Total
Public Offering Price		$				$
Underwriting Discount		$				$
Proceeds to ExlService Holdings, Inc. (before expenses)		$				$
Proceeds to the selling stockholders (before expenses)		$				$

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock to purchasers on or about                     , 2011 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.

 

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Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Citigroup		J.P. Morgan

 

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Co-Managers

 

Baird
		Stifel Nicolaus Weisel
				Janney Montgomery Scott

 

                    , 2011

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We are responsible for the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in any free-writing prospectus we prepare or authorize. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information, and we take no responsibility for any other information others may give you. We, the selling stockholders and the underwriters are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than its date.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
Prospectus Supplement
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			S-iii
Summary			S-1
Risk Factors			S-3
Use of Proceeds			S-5
Price Range of Common Stock			S-6
Capitalization			S-7
Selling Stockholders			S-8
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders			S-9
Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)			S-13
Validity of Securities			S-18
Experts			S-18
Where You Can Find More Information			S-19
Prospectus
About This Prospectus			1
The Company			2
Forward-Looking Statements			2
Risk Factors			3
Use of Proceeds			4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			4
Selling Stockholders			4
Description of Capital Stock			7
Description of the Debt Securities			10
Description of the Depositary Shares			20
Description of the Warrants			23
Description of the Rights			25
Description of the Purchase Contracts			26
Description of the Units			27
Plan of Distribution			28
Legal Matters			31
Experts			31
Where You Can Find More Information			31
Incorporation by Reference			32

 

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This prospectus supplement updates information in the prospectus dated January 20, 2010. You should read this prospectus supplement in conjunction with the prospectus. This prospectus supplement is not complete without, and may not be delivered or used except in conjunction with, the prospectus, including any amendments or supplements to it. This prospectus supplement is qualified by reference to the prospectus, except to the extent that the information provided by this prospectus supplement supersedes information contained in the prospectus.

 

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This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference important information. You should read the information incorporated by reference before deciding to invest in our common stock, and you may obtain this information incorporated by reference without charge by following the instructions under “Where You Can Find More Information” appearing below. In this prospectus supplement, the terms “ExlService,” “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to ExlService Holdings, Inc.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference contain forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our business strategy. These statements often include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” or similar expressions. These statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our experience in the industry as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. As you read and consider this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to:

 

•

our dependence on a limited number of clients in a limited number of industries;

 

•

worldwide political, economic or business conditions;

 

•

negative public reaction in the United States or elsewhere to offshore outsourcing;

 

•

fluctuations in our earnings;

 

•

our ability to attract and retain clients;

 

•

restrictions on immigration;

 

•

our ability to hire and retain enough sufficiently trained employees to support our operations;

 

•

our ability to grow our business or effectively manage growth and international operations;

 

•

increasing competition in our industry;

 

•

telecommunications or technology disruptions;

 

•

fluctuations in exchange rates between the currencies in which we receive our revenues and the currencies in which we incur our costs;

 

•

regulatory, legislative and judicial developments, including the withdrawal of governmental fiscal incentives;

 

•

technological innovation;

 

•

political or economic instability in the geographies in which we operate;

 

•

our ability to successfully consummate or integrate strategic acquisitions; and

 

•

adverse outcome of our disputes with the Indian tax authorities.

 

These and other factors are more fully discussed elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein.

 

You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference, or elsewhere, speaks only as of the date on which we make it. New risks and uncertainties may come up from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. We have no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement after the date of this prospectus supplement, except as required by federal securities laws.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our common stock involves risk. You should carefully consider the specific risks discussed in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with all the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011, incorporated by reference herein. These risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in the future.

 

Risks Relating to this Offering and our Common Stock

 

We do not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, and, because we are a holding company, we may be unable to pay dividends.

 

For the foreseeable future, we intend to retain any earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent on then-existing conditions, including our financial condition and results of operations, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, including restrictions under our credit agreement, business prospects and other factors that our board of directors considers relevant. Furthermore, because we are a holding company, any dividend payments would depend on the cash flow of our subsidiaries. Accordingly, we may not be able to pay dividends even if our board of directors would otherwise deem it appropriate. For the foregoing reasons, you will not be able to rely on dividends to receive a return on your investment.

 

Provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may delay or prevent our acquisition by a third party.

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws contain several provisions that may make it more difficult or expensive for a third party to acquire control of us without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions also may delay, prevent or deter a merger, acquisition, tender offer, proxy contest or other transaction that might otherwise result in our stockholders receiving a premium over the market price for their common stock. The provisions include, among others:

 

•

provisions relating to creating a board of directors that is divided into three classes with staggered terms;

 

•

provisions relating to the number and election of directors, the appointment of directors upon an increase in the number of directors or vacancy and provisions permitting the removal of directors only for cause and with a 66 2/3% stockholder vote;

 

•

provisions requiring a 66 2/3% stockholder vote for the amendment of certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and for the adoption, amendment and repeal of our by-laws;

 

•

provisions barring stockholders from calling a special meeting of stockholders or requiring one to be called;

 

•

elimination of the right of our stockholders to act by written consent; and

 

•

provisions that set forth advance notice procedures for stockholders’ nominations of directors and proposals for consideration at meetings of stockholders.

 

Additionally, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prevents an interested stockholder (defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock) of a Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination (as defined) for three years following the date that person

 

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became an interested stockholder unless various conditions are satisfied. For more information, see “Description of Capital Stock” in the accompanying prospectus. These provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, by-laws and Delaware law could discourage potential takeover attempts and reduce the price that investors might be willing to pay for shares of our common stock in the future which could reduce the market price of our stock.

 

Our stock price may be volatile and you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

The market price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly, in which case you may not be able to resell your shares at or above your purchase price. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate based on a number of factors in addition to those listed in this prospectus supplement, including:

 

•

our operating performance and the performance of our competitors and other similar companies;

 

•

the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;

 

•

changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by research analysts who track our common stock or the stocks of other companies in our industry;

 

•

changes in general economic conditions;

 

•

the number of our publicly traded shares;

 

•

actions of our current stockholders, including this offering;

 

•

the arrival or departure of key personnel or personal matters affecting our principal stockholders;

 

•

acquisitions, strategic alliances or joint ventures involving us or our competitors; and

 

•

other developments affecting us, our industry or our competitors.

 

In addition, in recent years the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations are often unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may cause declines in the market price of our common stock. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company or its performance, and these fluctuations could materially reduce our stock price.

 

Future sales of shares could cause our stock price to decline.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, or the perception that a large number of shares will be sold, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. As of September 9, 2011, we had 30,122,194 shares of our common stock outstanding. Of these, 10,597,497 shares (or 10,147,497 shares if the underwriters exercise their option in full) will be restricted pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act after giving effect to this offering. The holders of approximately 3,000,000 of these restricted shares of our common stock after giving effect to this offering (or 2,550,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their option in full) have caused their shares to be registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are parts. In addition, the restricted shares may be sold under Rule 144 from time to time subject to the volume, manner of sale and other conditions of Rule 144. Although the selling stockholders and our directors, executive officers and stockholders who beneficially own in the aggregate 10,597,497 shares of our common stock after giving effect to this offering (or 10,147,497 shares if the underwriters exercise their option in full) have entered into 90-day underwriter lock-up agreements, the underwriter may waive the lock-up restrictions at its discretion.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate the net proceeds from the sale of common stock by us in this offering will be approximately $        . We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common stock by the selling stockholders.

 

We expect to use a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to repay the outstanding borrowings under our $50 million revolving credit facility. The borrowings under the revolving credit facility were used to fund the OPI Acquisition. Following such repayment, the revolving credit facility will remain in effect with available borrowings of up to $50 million. The revolving credit facility bears interest at a variable rate based on our leverage ratio and either the prime rate or LIBOR, and will mature on May 26, 2014.

 

We intend to use the remaining net proceeds to us from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, financing of possible acquisitions, working capital and/or capital expenditures.

 

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

 

Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “EXLS.” The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock, as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market, for the periods indicated.

 

Period				High				Low
2009
First Quarter				$	9.49			$	5.86
Second Quarter					11.40				8.10
Third Quarter					14.99				9.75
Fourth Quarter					18.39				13.43
2010
First Quarter				$	19.51			$	15.64
Second Quarter					19.00				14.61
Third Quarter					20.00				15.96
Fourth Quarter					22.05				18.36
2011
First Quarter				$	22.49			$	18.63
Second Quarter					24.75				17.94
Third Quarter (through September 12, 2011)					26.55				21.89

 

The closing sale price of our common stock, as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market, on September 12, 2011 was $24.89. As of September 9, 2011, there were approximately 23 holders of record of our common stock.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of June 30, 2011 on an actual basis and as adjusted to give effect to this offering and the use of net proceeds thereof.

 

This table should be read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the financial statements and notes thereto set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, incorporated by reference herein.

 

		As of June 30, 2011
		Actual				As Adjusted
		(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	79,355			$
Short-term borrowings(1)		$	30,049			$
Capital lease obligations (less current portion)		$	5,752			$
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, none issued		$	—			$	—
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 30,312,901 shares issued and 29,989,504 shares outstanding			30
Additional paid-in capital			144,878
Retained earnings			129,102
Accumulated other comprehensive income			2,389
Total stockholders’ equity including shares held in treasury			276,399
Less: 323,397 shares held in treasury, at cost			(2,712	)
Total ExlService Holdings, Inc. stockholders’ equity			273,687
Total capitalization		$	279,439			$

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(1)

Represents borrowings under our revolving credit facility. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

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SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

The table below sets forth for each selling stockholder:

 

•

the selling stockholder’s name;

 

•

the number and percentage of shares of common stock owned by the selling stockholder prior to the offering;

 

•

the number of shares of common stock to be offered for the selling stockholder’s account; and

 

•

the number and percentage of shares of common stock to be owned by the selling stockholder after completion of the offering.

 

										Shares Offered Hereby								Shares Beneficially Owned Immediately After the Closing
Name of Beneficial Owner		Shares Beneficially Owned Before the Offering(1)								Offering				Underwriters’ Option				Assuming No Exercise of Underwriters’ Option								Assuming Full Exercise of Underwriters’ Option
		Shares				%												Shares				%				Shares				%
Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P.(2)			10,278,942				34.1				2,925,000				438,750				7,353,942				23.6				6,915,192				22.1
Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P.(2)			263,562				*				75,000				11,250				188,562				*				177,312				*

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Less than 1%.

 

(1)

Calculated pursuant to Rule 13(d)-l as of September 9, 2011, at which date there were 30,122,194 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

(2)

The business address of each of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. (together, the “Oak Hill Partnerships”) is 201 Main Street, Suite 1620, Fort Worth, TX 76102. OHCP MGP, LLC is the sole general partner of OHCP GenPar, L.P., which is the sole general partner of Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. OHCP MGP, LLC exercises voting and dispositive control over the shares held by Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. Investment and voting decisions with regard to the shares of the Company’s common stock owned by the Oak Hill Partnerships are made by an investment committee of OHCP MGP, LLC. The members of such committee are J. Taylor Crandall, Jonathan E. Friesel, Michael S. Green, Steven B. Gruber, Stratton R. Heath III, Robert L. Morse Jr. and Dennis J. Nayden. Each of these individuals disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the Oak Hill Partnerships.

 

Material Relationships with Selling Stockholders

 

The Oak Hill Partnerships are one of the Company’s significant stockholders. Steven B. Gruber, our Lead Director, is a Managing Partner of Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc., the investment advisor to Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P., and Edward V. Dardani, one of our directors, is a partner of Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc.

 

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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX

CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

 

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock by Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) that acquire our common stock pursuant to this offering and that hold such shares as capital assets (generally, for investment). This discussion is not a complete analysis or listing of all of the possible tax consequences of such transactions and does not address all tax considerations that might be relevant to particular holders in light of their personal circumstances or to persons that are subject to special tax rules. In addition, this description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences does not address the tax treatment of special classes of Non-U.S. Holders, such as:

 

•

financial institutions;

 

•

regulated investment companies;

 

•

real estate investment trusts;

 

•

tax-exempt entities;

 

•

insurance companies;

 

•

persons holding the shares as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, constructive sale or “straddle;”

 

•

persons who acquired common stock through the exercise or cancellation of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for their services;

 

•

U.S. expatriates;

 

•

persons subject to the alternative minimum tax; and

 

•

dealers or traders in securities or currencies.

 

This summary does not address estate and gift tax consequences (except to the extent specifically provided herein) or tax consequences under any state, local or foreign laws.

 

For purposes of this section, you are a “U.S. Holder” if you are: (1) an individual citizen of the United States or a resident alien of the United States as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (2) a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (3) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or (4) a trust (A) if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

The term “Non-U.S. Holder” means any Holder of our common stock that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership (including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).

 

If a partnership or other pass-through entity is a beneficial owner of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner or other owner will generally depend upon the status of the partner (or other owner) and the activities of the entity. If you are a partner (or other owner) of a pass-through entity that acquires our common stock, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of our common stock.

 

The following discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements and existing and proposed Treasury regulations, all as in effect as of the date hereof. All of the preceding authorities are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect,

 

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which may result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. We have not requested, and will not request, a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to any of the U.S. federal income tax consequences described below, and as a result there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with or challenge any of the conclusions we have reached and describe herein.

 

The following discussion is for general information only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any holder or prospective holder of our common stock and no opinion or representation with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences to any such holder or prospective holder is made. Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the particular consequences to them under U.S. federal, state and local, and applicable foreign tax laws of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

 

Distributions

 

Distributions of cash or property that we pay in respect of our common stock will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). We do not presently anticipate paying dividends on shares of our common stock in the foreseeable future. For more information, please see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to this Offering and our Common Stock” above. Subject to the discussion of U.S. trade or business income below, distributions of cash and property that constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding at a thirty percent (30%) rate unless a reduced rate is prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty. If the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess first will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of your tax basis in our common stock, and thereafter will be treated as capital gain. However, except to the extent that we elect (or the paying agent or other intermediary through which you hold your common stock elects) otherwise, we (or the intermediary) must generally withhold on the entire distribution, in which case you would be entitled to a refund from the IRS for the withholding tax on the portion of the distribution that exceeded our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

 

Subject to the discussion of FATCA below, in order to obtain a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty, you will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor form) certifying your entitlement to benefits under the treaty. If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for a refund with the IRS. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding your possible entitlement to benefits under an income tax treaty.

 

Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock

 

Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding and FATCA, you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of any gain on a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock unless:

 

•

the gain is U.S. trade or business income, in which case, such gain will be taxed as described in “U.S. Trade or Business Income,” below;

 

•

you are an individual who is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case you will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or a reduced rate under an applicable tax treaty) on the amount by which certain capital gains allocable to U.S. sources exceed certain capital losses allocable to U.S. sources; or

 

•

we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (a “USRPHC”) under section 897 of the Code at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition and your holding period for the common stock, in which case, subject to the exception set forth in the second sentence of the next paragraph, such gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as U.S. trade or business income.

 

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In general, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its “U.S. real property interests” equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. In the event that we are determined to be a USRPHC, gain will not be subject to tax as U.S. trade or business income if your holdings (direct and indirect) at all times during the applicable period constituted 5% or less of our common stock, provided that our common stock was regularly traded on an established securities market during such period. We believe that we are not currently, and we do not anticipate becoming in the future, a “U.S. real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

U.S. Trade or Business Income

 

For purposes of this discussion, dividend income and gain on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock will be considered to be “U.S. trade or business income” if (A) such income or gain is (i) effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States and (ii) if you are eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States, attributable to a permanent establishment (or, if you are an individual, a fixed base) that you maintain in the United States or (B) we are or have been a USRPHC at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition of your interest and your holding period for the common stock (subject to the exception set forth above in the second paragraph of “Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock”). Generally, U.S. trade or business income is not subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that you comply with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, including providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form); instead, you are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at regular U.S. federal income tax rates (in the same manner as a U.S. person) on your U.S. trade or business income. If you are a corporation, any U.S. trade or business income that you receive may also be subject to a “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate, or at a lower rate prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

U.S. Federal Estate Tax

 

If you are an individual Non-U.S. Holder who is treated as the owner of or has made certain lifetime transfers of an interest in our common stock, you will be required to include the value thereof in your gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, and you may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax

 

We must annually report to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder any dividend income that is subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, or that is exempt from such withholding pursuant to an income tax treaty. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides. Under certain circumstances, the Code imposes a backup withholding obligation on certain reportable payments. Dividends paid to you will generally be exempt from backup withholding if you provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor form) or otherwise establish an exemption and we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. person or that the conditions of such other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.

 

The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of our common stock to or through the U.S. office of any broker (U.S. or non-U.S.) will be subject to information reporting and possible backup withholding unless you certify as to your non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establish an exemption and the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied. The payment of proceeds from the disposition of our common stock to or through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding unless the non-U.S. broker has certain types of relationships with the United States (a “U.S. related financial intermediary”). In the case of the payment of proceeds from the disposition of our common stock to or through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is either a U.S. person or a U.S. related financial intermediary, the

 

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Treasury regulations require information reporting (but not backup withholding) on the payment unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that the owner is a Non-U.S. Holder and the broker has no knowledge to the contrary. You are urged to consult your tax advisor on the application of information reporting and backup withholding in light of your particular circumstances.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to you will be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

FATCA

 

Pursuant to Code provisions commonly referred to as “FATCA,” foreign financial institutions (which include most hedge funds, private equity funds, mutual funds, securitization vehicles and any other investment vehicles regardless of their size) must comply with certain information reporting rules with respect to their U.S. account holders and investors or be subject to a 30% withholding tax with respect to certain “withholdable payments.” For this purpose, withholdable payments are U.S.-source payments otherwise subject to nonresident withholding tax and also include the entire gross proceeds from the sale of any equity or debt instruments of U.S. issuers. The new FATCA withholding tax will apply even if the payment would otherwise not be subject to U.S. nonresident withholding tax (e.g., because it is capital gain treated as foreign source income under the Code). 2011 IRS guidance provides that regulations implementing this legislation will defer this withholding obligation until January 1, 2014 for payments of dividends on U.S. common stock and until January 1, 2015 for gross proceeds from dispositions of U.S. common stock. Treasury is authorized to provide rules for implementing the FATCA withholding regime and coordinating the FATCA withholding regime with the existing nonresident withholding tax rules.

 

FATCA withholding will not apply to withholdable payments made directly to foreign governments, international organizations, and foreign central banks of issue, and Treasury is authorized to provide additional exceptions.

 

Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of the FATCA provisions to them based on their particular circumstances.

 

Additional Tax on Investment Income

 

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain persons, including certain individuals, estates and trusts that do not qualify as “nonresident aliens” within the meaning of Section 1411 of the Code, will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare surtax on “net investment income” including, among other things, dividends and net gain from disposition of property (other than property held in a trade or business). The term “nonresident alien” is not defined in Section 1411 or elsewhere in the Code, and it is unclear whether the term refers only to nonresident alien individuals or whether the term also includes foreign estates and trusts. Accordingly, Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 on their ownership and disposition of our common stock.

 

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UNDERWRITING

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citigroup”) and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”) are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering and as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated as of the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we and the selling stockholders have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of shares set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

 

Underwriter		Number of Shares
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Total			4,000,000

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the shares included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares (other than those covered by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares described below) if they purchase any of the shares.

 

Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the initial public offering price not to exceed $             per share. If all the shares are not sold at the initial offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms.

 

If the underwriters sell more shares than the total number set forth in the table above, we and the selling stockholders have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to 600,000 additional shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment. Any shares issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other shares that are the subject of this offering.

 

We, our executive officers and directors, and the selling stockholders have agreed that for a period of 90 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Citigroup and J.P. Morgan, dispose of any shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock. The lock-up agreements are subject to certain exceptions, including, among others, (i) sales of shares of our common stock disposed of pursuant to written trading plans existing on the date of the lock-up agreements and meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, and (ii) distributions of shares of common stock or any security convertible into common stock to limited partners, members or stockholders of the person signing the agreement or to its affiliates or to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by it; provided that, in each case, each distributee shall sign and deliver a lock-up agreement. Citigroup and J.P. Morgan in their sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice.

 

The shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “EXLS.”

 

The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we and the selling stockholders 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.

 

Paid by ExlService

Paid by Selling Stockholders

No Exercise

Full Exercise

No Exercise

Full Exercise

Per share

$

$

$

$

Total

$

$

$

$

 

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We estimate that our portion of the total expenses of this offering will be $        .

 

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include short sales, purchases to cover short positions, which may include purchases pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares and stabilizing purchases.

 

•

Short sales involve secondary market sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering.

 

•

“Covered” short sales are sales of shares in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

•

“Naked” short sales are sales of shares in an amount in excess of the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

•

Covering transactions involve purchases of shares either pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares or in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions.

 

•

To close a naked short position, the underwriters must purchase shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

•

To close a covered short position, the underwriters must purchase shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or must exercise the option to purchase additional shares. In determining the source of shares to close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares.

 

•

Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase shares so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the shares. They may also cause the price of the shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

 

The underwriters are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and their respective affiliates have in the past performed commercial banking, investment banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which they have received customary fees and reimbursement of expenses and may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (which may include bank loans and/or credit default swaps) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments. In addition, affiliates of Citigroup and J.P. Morgan are lenders, and in some cases agents or managers for the lenders, under our revolving credit facility.

 

As a portion of the net proceeds of this offering will be used to reduce our indebtedness under our revolving credit facility and as affiliates of Citigroup and J.P. Morgan serve as lenders under that facility, Citigroup and J.P. Morgan are each deemed to have a “conflict of interest” as defined in Rule 5121 of the Conduct Rules (Rule 5121) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Accordingly, this offering will be made in compliance

 

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with the applicable provisions of Rule 5121. Citigroup and J.P. Morgan will not make sales to discretionary accounts without the prior written consent of the customer. The appointment of a “qualified independent underwriter” is not required in connection with this offering, as a “bona fide public market,” as defined in Rule 5121, exists for our common shares.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

 

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of shares described in this prospectus supplement may not be made to the public in that relevant member state other than:

 

•

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

 

•

to fewer than 100 or, if the relevant member state has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 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 relevant Dealer or Dealers nominated by us for any such offer; or

 

•

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

 

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

 

For purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of securities to the public” in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the shares, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the relevant member state) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the relevant member state. The expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EU.

 

The sellers of the shares have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of shares through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the shares as contemplated in this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, no purchaser of the shares, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the shares on behalf of the sellers or the underwriters.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are only being distributed to, and are only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (each such person being referred to as a “relevant person”). This prospectus supplement and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in France

 

Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering material relating to the shares described in this prospectus supplement has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or of the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering material relating to the shares has been or will be:

 

•

released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed to the public in France; or

 

•

used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the shares to the public in France.

 

Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:

 

•

to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or to a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with articles L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.734-1, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Code monétaire et financier;

 

•

to investment services providers authorized to engage in portfolio management on behalf of third parties; or

 

•

in a transaction that, in accordance with article L.411-2-II-1°-or-2°-or 3° of the French Code monétaire et financier and article 211-2 of the General Regulations (Règlement Général) of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, does not constitute a public offer (appel public à l’épargne).

 

The shares may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

 

The shares may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to 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 Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

 

The shares offered in this prospectus supplement have not been registered under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan. The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the account of any resident of Japan, except (i) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities and Exchange Law and (ii) in compliance with any other applicable requirements of Japanese law.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

 

This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor

 

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may the 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, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.

 

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

 

•

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

 

•

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,

 

shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures 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 shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

•

to an institutional investor (for corporations, under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or such rights and interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA;

 

•

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

 

•

where the transfer is by operation of law.

 

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VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon the validity of the common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for us. Shearman & Sterling LLP New York, New York, is representing the underwriters in connection with this offering. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has represented the Oak Hill Partnerships from time to time and certain members of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP own an indirect interest in Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of ExlService Holdings, Inc. appearing in ExlService Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2010, and the effectiveness of ExlService Holdings, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and ExlService Holdings Inc. management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Business Process Outsourcing, Inc. as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 have been audited by Ernst & Young, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon and incorporated herein by reference, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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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. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at http://www.exlservice.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room, 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 room.

 

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information we file with the SEC, 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 in this prospectus supplement is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement, except for any information superseded by information that is included directly in this document or incorporated by reference subsequent to the date of this document. This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents listed below (File No. 001-33089) and any future 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 (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed) until all the securities offered under this prospectus supplement are sold:

 

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, including information specifically incorporated by reference into our Form 10-K from our definitive proxy statement for our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;

 

•

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011;

 

•

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2011, June 2, 2011, June 6, 2011 (as amended on August 1, 2011), June 20, 2011 and September 13, 2011; and

 

•

The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on October 16, 2006, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

 

ExlService Holdings, Inc.

280 Park Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Investor Relations

Phone: (212) 277-7109

 

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PROSPECTUS

ExlService Holdings, Inc.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Rights

Purchase Contracts

Units

We may offer and sell from time to time up to an aggregate of $200,000,000 of shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants, rights, purchase contracts or units, or any combination thereof, in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms that we determine at the time of the offering. In addition, the selling stockholders to be named in a prospectus supplement may offer, from time to time and in one or more offerings, up to 6,000,000 shares of our common stock.

Each time we or the selling stockholders offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing more information about the particular offering together with this prospectus. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities without a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “EXLS.”

Investing in these securities involves significant risks. We strongly recommend that you read carefully the risks we describe in this prospectus as well as in any accompanying prospectus supplement and the risk factors that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus from our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus.

 

 

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 January 20, 2010

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
About This Prospectus			1
The Company			2
Forward-Looking Statements			2
Risk Factors			3
Use of Proceeds			4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			4
Selling Stockholders			4
Description of Capital Stock			7
Description of the Debt Securities			10
Description of the Depositary Shares			20
Description of the Warrants			23
Description of the Rights			25
Description of the Purchase Contracts			26
Description of the Units			27
Plan of Distribution			28
Legal Matters			31
Experts			31
Where You Can Find More Information			31
Incorporation by Reference			32

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell from time to time shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, warrants, rights, purchase contracts or units, or any combination thereof, in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms that we determine at the time of the offering, with an aggregate initial offering price of up to $200,000,000 and the selling stockholders may offer, from time to time in one or more offerings, up to an aggregate of 6,000,000 shares of our common stock. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities. Each time we offer the securities or the selling stockholders sell shares of common stock, we will provide a prospectus supplement that describes the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before making an investment decision, you should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus as described below under the heading “Incorporation by Reference.”

The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement and the information incorporated by reference, provides additional information about us and our securities. The registration statement can be read at the SEC web site (www.sec.gov) or at the SEC public reference room as discussed below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information provided in the registration statement, this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference. Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus is accurate at any date other than the date indicated on the cover page of these documents. Neither we nor the selling stockholders are making an offer to sell the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

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We and the selling stockholders may sell the securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. The securities may be sold for U.S. dollars, foreign-denominated currency or currency units. Amounts payable with respect to any securities may be payable in U.S. dollars or foreign-denominated currency or currency units as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We, the selling stockholders and our and their agents reserve the sole right to accept or reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of the securities. The prospectus supplement, which we will provide each time we or the selling stockholders offer the securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the securities, and any related fee, commission or discount arrangements. See “Plan of Distribution.”

The prospectus supplement may also contain information about any material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.

In this prospectus, the terms “ExlService,” “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to ExlService Holdings, Inc.

THE COMPANY

ExlService Holdings, Inc. is a leading provider of outsourcing and transformation services. Our outsourcing services include a full spectrum of business process outsourcing services from offshore delivery centers requiring ongoing process management skills. Transformation services enable continuous improvement of client processes by bringing together our capabilities in reengineering including decision analytics, risk and financial management and operations and process excellence services. Headquartered in New York, we primarily serves the needs of Global 1000 companies in the insurance, utilities, financial services and transportation and logistics sectors.

For a description of our business, financial condition, results of operations and other important information regarding ExlService, we refer you to our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus. For instructions on how to find copies of these documents, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” More information about us is also available through our website at www.exlservice.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

Our principal executive offices are located at 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, telephone (212) 277-7100.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference include forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, we may make other written and oral communications from time to time that contain such statements. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Forward looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our business strategy. These statements often include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” or similar expressions. These statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our experience in the industry as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. As you read and consider the information contained and incorporated by reference herein, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although we believe that these forward looking

 

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statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to:

 

•

our dependence on a limited number of clients in a limited number of industries;

 

•

worldwide political, economic or business conditions;

 

•

negative public reaction in the United States or elsewhere to offshore outsourcing

 

•

fluctuations in our earnings;

 

•

our ability to attract and retain clients;

 

•

restrictions on immigration;

 

•

our ability to hire and retain enough sufficiently trained employees to support our operations;

 

•

our ability to grow our business or effectively manage growth and international operations;

 

•

increasing competition in our industry;

 

•

telecommunications or technology disruptions;

 

•

fluctuations in exchange rates between the currencies in which we receive our revenues and the currencies in which we incur our costs;

 

•

regulatory, legislative and judicial developments, including the withdrawal of governmental fiscal incentives;

 

•

technological innovation;

 

•

political or economic instability in the geographies in which we operate;

 

•

our ability to successfully consummate or integrate strategic acquisitions; and

 

•

adverse outcome of our disputes with the Indian tax authorities.

These and other factors are more fully discussed elsewhere herein and in the documents incorporated by reference herein. These and other risks could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by forward looking statements herein and therein.

You should keep in mind that any forward looking statement made by us herein and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, or elsewhere, speaks only as of the date on which we make it. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. We have no obligation to update any forward looking statements herein or therein after the date hereof or thereof, except as required by federal securities laws.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully consider the specific risks discussed or incorporated by reference in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all the other information contained in the prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. These risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we specify another use in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, debt repayment, working capital and/or capital expenditures.

We may also use such proceeds to fund acquisitions of businesses, technologies or product lines that complement our current business. We may set forth additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of the securities we offer under this prospectus in a prospectus supplement related to a specific offering.

We will not receive any proceeds from the resale of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges are shown in the table below. For purposes of calculating the below ratios, earnings consist of income before taxes plus fixed charges plus amortization of capitalized interest less interest capitalized during the period. Fixed charges means the sum of the following: (a) interest expensed and capitalized, (b) amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness, (c) an estimate of the interest within rental expense, and (d) preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries. Preferred dividends include pre-tax amounts required to pay dividends in respect of our previously-outstanding Series A Preferred Stock.

 

		Nine Months Ended September 30,								Year Ended December 31,
		2009				2008				2008				2007				2006				2005(1)				2004
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges			6.7				6.2				6.5				16.0				7.5				—				2.7
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends			6.7				6.2				6.5				16.0				4.7				—				2.7

 

(1)	Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $1.7 million and were insufficient to cover fixed charges and preferred dividends by $1.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2005.

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The selling stockholders named in the table below may from time to time offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement up to 6,000,000 shares of our common stock. When we refer to “selling stockholders” in this prospectus, we mean those persons listed in the table below, as well as their transferees, pledgees or donees or their successors. The selling stockholders may sell all, a portion or none of their shares at any time. The information regarding shares beneficially owned after the offering assumes the sale of all shares offered by the selling stockholders. Except as otherwise indicated, each selling stockholder has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to such shares.

 

		Shares Beneficially Owned Before the Offering(1)						Maximum Number of Shares that May be Sold Hereunder				Shares Beneficially Owned After the Offering
Name of Beneficial Owner		Shares				%						Shares				%
Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P.(2)			10,278,942			35.3			4,875,000				5,403,942			18.6
Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P.(2)			263,562			*			125,000				138,562			*
The Talwar 1994 Trust(3)			920,229			3.2			500,000				420,229			1.4
Rohit Kapoor(4)			2,104,605			7.2			500,000				1,604,605			5.5

 

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*	Less than 1%

 

(1)	Calculated pursuant to Rule 13(d)-1 as of December 29, 2009, at which date there were 29,093,543 aggregate shares of common stock outstanding.

 

(2)

The business address of each of Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. (together, the “Oak Hill Partnerships”) is 201 Main Street, Suite 2415, Fort Worth, TX 76102. OHCP MGP, LLC is the sole general partner of OHCP GenPar, L.P., which is the sole general partner of Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. OHCP MGP, LLC exercises voting and dispositive control over the shares held by Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. Investment and voting decisions with regard to the shares of the Company’s common stock owned by the Oak Hill Partnerships is made by an investment committee of OHCP MGP, LLC. The members of such committee are J. Taylor Crandall, Steven B. Gruber, Dennis J. Nayden and Mark A. Wolfson. Each of these individuals disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the Oak Hill Partnerships. The shares registered hereunder by the Oak Hill Partnerships consist of shares of common stock that were acquired in transactions completed in connection with the acquisition of the Company’s business from Conseco in 2002 (the “Conseco Acquisition”) and shares of common stock that were issued in connection with a share split of our common stock completed prior to the completion of our initial public offering in October 2006 (the “Share Split”).

 

(3)

Vikram Talwar, our Executive Chairman, and his spouse are the trustees of this trust and share dispositive and voting control over the shares in the trust. The shares registered hereunder by this trust consist of shares of common stock acquired by this trust from Mr. Talwar in transactions completed prior to October 5, 2009.

 

(4)

This amount includes 84,000 shares of our common stock owned indirectly by Mr. Kapoor through a spousal lifetime access trust. Mr. Kapoor’s spouse and Mr. Kapoor’s sister-in-law are the trustees of this trust and share dispositive and voting control over the shares in the trust. This amount also includes 177,134 shares of our common stock owned indirectly by Mr. Kapoor through a three year grantor retained annuity trust. Mr. Kapoor is the sole trustee of this trust. This amount also includes 84,000 shares of our common stock owned indirectly by Mr. Kapoor through a spousal lifetime access trust for Mr. Kapoor’s spouse. Mr. Kapoor and Mr. Kapoor’s sister-in-law are the trustees of this trust and share dispositive and voting control over the shares in the trust. This amount includes 292,850 shares of our common stock of which Mr. Kapoor has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days of December 29, 2009. The shares registered hereunder by Mr. Kapoor consist of shares of common stock that were acquired in transactions completed in connection with the Conseco Acquisition, shares of common stock that were issued in connection with the Share Split and shares of common stock acquired pursuant to our equity compensation plans to the extent such shares were received prior to October 5, 2009.

Material Relationships with Selling Stockholders

Vikram Talwar, one of the co-trustees of The Talwar 1994 Trust, one of the selling stockholders included in this prospectus, has served as our Executive Chairman since May 2008. Mr. Talwar served as our Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of our board of directors from November 2002 to April 2008 and as Chief Executive Officer of EXL Inc. since April 1999.

Rohit Kapoor has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since May 2008 and as a director since November 2002. In addition, Mr. Kapoor served as our Chief Financial Officer from August 2006 to March 2007, as our Chief Operating Officer from June 2007 until April 2008 and as President and Chief Financial Officer of EXL Inc. since August 2000.

The Oak Hill Partnerships are one of the Company’s significant stockholders. Steven Gruber, our Chairman, is a Managing Partner of Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc., the investment advisor to Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P., and Ted Dardani, one of our directors, is a partner of Oak Hill Capital Management, Inc.

 

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Other Related Party Transactions

On January 15, 2008, the Company acquired net assets for a consideration of $1,508,049 plus contingent consideration earned during the year ended December 31, 2008 of $460,467, for a total of $1,968,516, from a company controlled by entities related to the Oak Hill Partnerships. The Company recorded expenses of $0 for year ended December 31, 2008 for transition services performed by the seller prior to acquisition. As of December 31, 2008 the Company had a balance payable of $0 related to these services.

We provide transformation services to Duane Reade Holdings, Inc., a New York City drugstore chain. Duane Reade Holdings, Inc. was indirectly owned by entities related to the Oak Hill Partnerships. We recognized revenue of approximately $628,090, $780,329 and $477,670 in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, for fees and expense reimbursements from Duane Reade Holdings, Inc. At December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we had accounts receivable of $88,790, $338,629 and $55,350, respectively, related to these services.

We provided advisory services related primarily to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to Williams Scotsman, Inc., a provider of mobile and modular building solutions in North America. Williams Scotsman, Inc. was controlled by entities related to the Oak Hill Partnerships until October 31, 2007. We recognized $0, $424,423 and $574,877 in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 respectively, in advisory fee revenue and expense reimbursements from Williams Scotsman, Inc. At December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we had an account receivable of $0, $0 and $59,633, respectively, related to these services.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

The following description of our capital stock summarizes certain terms and provisions of our common stock and preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, to which any prospectus supplement may relate. This section also summarizes relevant provisions of Delaware law. The following description of our common stock and preferred stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the applicable provisions of Delaware law and our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, copies of which have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Capital Stock

As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 15,000,000 of preferred stock. As of September 30, 2009, we had 28,931,983 outstanding shares of common stock, excluding 247,030 shares held in treasury and 405,380 shares of restricted stock, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

As of December 29, 2009, there were approximately 30 holders of record of our common stock.

Common Stock

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Holders of the common stock do not have any preemptive rights or cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding common stock voting for the election of directors can elect all directors then being elected. The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as, and if declared by our board out of legally available funds. Upon our liquidation or dissolution, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in those of our assets that are legally available for distribution to stockholders after payment of liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any holders of preferred stock then outstanding. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be sold in this offering when issued and paid for will be, fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that may be issued in the future.

Preferred Stock

We are authorized to issue up to 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Our board of directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation, to determine the terms and conditions of the preferred stock, including whether the shares of preferred stock will be issued in one or more series, the number of shares to be included in each series and the powers, designations, preferences and rights of the shares. Our board of directors also is authorized to designate any qualifications, limitations or restrictions on the shares without any further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company.

Certain Certificate of Incorporation, By-Law and Statutory Provisions

The provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and of the Delaware General Corporation Law summarized below may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt of the Company.

 

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Directors’ Liability; Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Our certificate of incorporation provides that a director will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except:

 

•

for any breach of the duty of loyalty;

 

•

for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law;

 

•

for liability under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (relating to unlawful dividends, stock repurchases, or stock redemptions); or

 

•

for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit.

This provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or those of any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care. The provisions do not alter the liability of directors under federal securities laws. In addition, our certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide that we indemnify each director and the officers, employees, and agents determined by our board of directors to the fullest extent provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

Special Meetings of Stockholders

Our certificate of incorporation provides that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by the chairman or by a majority of the members of our board. Stockholders are not permitted to call a special meeting of stockholders, to require that the chairman call such a special meeting, or to require that our board request the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.

Stockholder Action; Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations

Our certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders may not take action by written consent, but may only take action at duly called annual or special meetings, unless the action to be effected by written consent and the taking of such action by written consent have expressly been approved in advance by the board. In addition, our by-laws establish advance notice procedures for:

 

•

stockholders to nominate candidates for election as a director; and

 

•

stockholders to propose topics for consideration at stockholders’ meetings.

Stockholders must notify our corporate secretary in writing prior to the meeting at which the matters are to be acted upon or directors are to be elected. The notice must contain the information specified in our by-laws. To be timely, the notice must be received at our corporate headquarters not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders. If the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 70 days, from the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year or for the first annual meeting following this offering, notice by the stockholder, to be timely, must be received not earlier than the 120th day prior to the annual meeting and not later than the later of the 90th day prior to the annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which we notify stockholders of the date of the annual meeting, either by mail or other public disclosure. In the case of a special meeting of stockholders called to elect directors, the stockholder notice must be received not earlier than 120 days prior to the special meeting and not later than the later of the 90th day prior to the special meeting or 10th day following the day on which we notify stockholders of the date of the special meeting, either by mail or other public disclosure. Notwithstanding the above, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the board at an annual meeting is increased and we do not make any public announcement naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least 100 days before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder notice of nomination shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it is delivered not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made.

 

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Election and Removal of Directors

Our board is divided into three classes. The directors in each class serve for a three-year term, one class being elected each year by our stockholders. Our stockholders may only remove directors for cause and with the vote of at least 66 ²/3% of the total voting power of our issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors. Our board of directors may elect a director to fill a vacancy, including vacancies created by the expansion of the board of directors.

Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

Our certificate of incorporation provides that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 ²/3% of the voting power of our issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, is required to amend the following provisions of our certificate of incorporation:

 

•

the provisions relating to our classified board of directors;

 

•

the provisions relating to the number and election of directors, the appointment of directors upon an increase in the number of directors or vacancy, and the provisions relating to the removal of directors;

 

•

the provisions requiring a 66 2/3% stockholder vote for the amendment of certain provisions of our articles of incorporation and for the adoption, amendment or repeal of our by-laws;

 

•

the provisions relating to the restrictions on stockholder actions by written consent; and

 

•

the provisions relating to the calling of meetings of stockholders.

In addition, the board of directors is permitted to alter our by-laws without obtaining stockholder approval and the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 ²/3% of the voting power of our issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors will be required for any amendment to our by-laws by the stockholders.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prevents an interested stockholder (defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock) of a Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination (as defined) for three years following the date that person became an interested stockholder unless various conditions are satisfied.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

General

The following description of the terms of our senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities (together, the “debt securities”) sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. Unless otherwise noted, the general terms and provisions of our debt securities discussed below apply to both our senior debt securities and our subordinated debt securities. Our debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The particular terms of any series of debt securities and the extent to which the general provisions may apply to a particular series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series.

The senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as Senior Indenture Trustee (the “senior indenture”). The subordinated debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as Subordinated Indenture Trustee (the “subordinated indenture” and, together with the senior indenture, the “indentures”). The Senior Indenture Trustee and the Subordinated Indenture Trustee are both referred to, individually, as the “Trustee.” The senior debt securities will constitute our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and the subordinated debt securities will constitute our unsecured and subordinated obligations. A detailed description of the subordination provisions is provided below under the caption “—Ranking and Subordination—Subordination.” In general, however, if we declare bankruptcy, holders of the senior debt securities will be paid in full before the holders of subordinated debt securities will receive anything.

The statements set forth below are brief summaries of certain provisions contained in the indentures, which summaries do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the indentures, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits or filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Terms used herein that are otherwise not defined shall have the meanings given to them in the indentures. Such defined terms shall be incorporated herein by reference.

The indentures will not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued under the applicable indenture and debt securities may be issued under the applicable indenture up to the aggregate principal amount that may be authorized from time to time by us. Any such limit applicable to a particular series will be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to that series.

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities in respect to which this prospectus is being delivered will contain the following terms, among others, for each such series of debt securities:

 

•

the designation and issue date of the debt securities;

 

•

the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities is payable;

 

•

the rate or rates (or manner of calculation thereof), if any, per annum at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which interest will accrue and the interest payment date or dates for the debt securities;

 

•

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities which may be authenticated and delivered under the applicable indenture;

 

•

the period or periods within which, the redemption price or prices or the repayment price or prices, as the case may be, at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the debt securities may be redeemed at our option or the option of the holder of such debt securities;

 

•

the obligation, if any, of ExlService to purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of such debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

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•

if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the debt securities will be issuable;

 

•

provisions, if any, with regard to the conversion or exchange of the debt securities, at the option of the holders of such debt securities or the Company, as the case may be, for or into new securities of a different series, our common stock or other securities;

 

•

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies or units based on or related to currencies in which the debt securities will be denominated and in which payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, such debt securities shall or may be payable;

 

•

if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a holder of such debt securities, in a currency (including a composite currency) other than that in which such debt securities are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

 

•

if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index based on a currency (including a composite currency) other than that in which such debt securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

•

provisions, if any, related to the exchange of the debt securities, at the option of the holders of such debt securities, for other securities of the same series of the same aggregate principal amount or of a different authorized series or different authorized denomination or denominations, or both;

 

•

the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities, if other than the principal amount thereof, which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof as more fully described under the section “—Events of Default, Notice and Waiver” below;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary with respect to such global securities;

 

•

with respect to subordinated debt securities only, the amendment or modification of the subordination provisions in the subordinated indenture with respect to the debt securities; and

 

•

any other specific terms.

We may issue debt securities of any series at various times and we may reopen any series for further issuances from time to time without notice to existing holders of securities of that series.

Some of the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount debt securities. Original issue discount debt securities bear no interest or bear interest at below-market rates. These are sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. If we issue these securities, the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities will describe any special tax, accounting or other information which we think is important. We encourage you to consult with your own competent tax and financial advisors on these important matters.

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities, the covenants contained in the indentures will not provide special protection to holders of debt securities if we enter into a highly leveraged transaction, recapitalization or restructuring.

Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities, interest on outstanding debt securities will be paid to holders of record on the date that is 15 days prior to the date such interest is to be paid or, if not a business day, the next preceding business day. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, debt securities will be issued in fully registered form only. Unless otherwise specified in

 

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the prospectus supplement, the principal amount of the debt securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of the Trustee in New York, New York. The debt securities may be presented for transfer or exchange at such office unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, subject to the limitations provided in the applicable indenture, without any service charge, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charges payable in connection therewith.

Ranking and Subordination

General

The debt securities will effectively rank junior in right of payment to any of our current or future secured obligations to the extent of the value of the assets securing such obligations. The debt securities will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities, including indebtedness and trade payables, of our subsidiaries. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities, the indentures will not limit the amount of unsecured indebtedness or other liabilities that can be incurred by our subsidiaries.

Ranking of Debt Securities

The senior debt securities described in this prospectus will be unsecured, senior obligations of the Company and will rank equally with our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured, subordinated obligations of the Company.

Subordination

If issued, the indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities will be subordinate to the prior payment in full of all our Senior Indebtedness (as defined below). During the continuance beyond any applicable grace period of any default in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any of our Senior Indebtedness, we may not make any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities. In addition, upon any payment or distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, and interest on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all our Senior Indebtedness. Because of this subordination, if we dissolve or otherwise liquidate, holders of our subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than holders of our Senior Indebtedness. The subordination provisions do not prevent the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated indenture.

The term “Senior Indebtedness” of a person means with respect to such person the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following, whether outstanding on the date of the subordinated indenture or incurred by that person in the future:

 

•

all of the indebtedness of that person for borrowed money, including any indebtedness secured by a mortgage or other lien which is (1) given to secure all or part of the purchase price of property subject to the mortgage or lien, whether given to the vendor of that property or to another lender, or (2) existing on property at the time that person acquires it;

 

•

all of the indebtedness of that person evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments sold by that person for money;

 

•

all of the lease obligations which are capitalized on the books of that person in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

•

all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the first two bullet points above and all lease obligations of others of the kind described in the third bullet point above, in each case, that the person, in any manner, assumes or guarantees or that the person in effect guarantees through an agreement to purchase, whether that agreement is contingent or otherwise; and

 

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•

all renewals, extensions or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds described in the first, second or fourth bullet point above and all renewals or extensions of leases of the kinds described in the third or fourth bullet point above;

unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, lease, renewal, extension or refunding, the instrument or lease creating or evidencing it or the assumption or guarantee relating to it expressly provides that such indebtedness, lease, renewal, extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities. Our senior debt securities and any unsubordinated guarantee obligations of the Company constitute Senior Indebtedness for purposes of the subordinated indenture.

Pursuant to the subordinated indenture, the subordinated indenture may not be amended, at any time, to alter the subordination provisions of any outstanding subordinated debt securities without the consent of the requisite holders of each outstanding series or class of Senior Indebtedness (as determined in accordance with the instrument governing such Senior Indebtedness) that would be adversely affected thereby.

Optional Redemption

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may redeem any of the debt securities as a whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, on at least 15 days, but not more than 45 days, prior notice mailed to the registered address of each holder of the debt securities to be redeemed, at respective redemption prices equal to the greater of:

 

•

100% of the principal amount of the debt securities to be redeemed, and

 

•

the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments, as defined below, discounted to the redemption date, on a semi-annual basis, assuming a 360 day year consisting of twelve 30 day months, at the Treasury Rate, as defined below, plus the number, if any, of basis points specified in the applicable prospectus supplement;

plus, in each case, accrued interest to the date of redemption that has not been paid (such redemption price, the “Redemption Price”).

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means, with respect to the debt securities, the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Life”) of the debt securities being redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life of such debt securities.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date for the debt securities: (1) the average of two Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for that redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations; or (2) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all quotations obtained by the Trustee.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers, to be appointed by us.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means four primary U.S. Government securities dealers to be selected by us.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount, quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to each debt security to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related redemption

 

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date but for such redemption; provided, however, that, if such redemption date is not an interest payment date with respect to such debt security, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be deemed to be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such redemption date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date for the debt securities: (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(519)” or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury debt securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue; provided that if no maturity is within three months before or after the maturity date for the debt securities, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue will be determined and the Treasury Rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from those yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month; or (2) if that release, or any successor release, is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that redemption date. The Treasury Rate will be calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date.

On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the debt securities or any portion thereof called for redemption, unless we default in the payment of the Redemption Price, and accrued interest. On or before the redemption date, we shall deposit with a paying agent, or the applicable Trustee, money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued interest on the debt securities to be redeemed on such date. If we elect to redeem less than all of the debt securities of a series, then the Trustee will select the particular debt securities of such series to be redeemed in a manner it deems appropriate and fair.

Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance or Transfer on Certain Terms

For so long as any debt securities are outstanding, except as described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities, we will not consolidate with or merge into any other entity or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any entity, unless:

 

•

the entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the entity that acquires by conveyance or transfer the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety will expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the debt securities and the performance of every covenant of the applicable indenture (as supplemented from time to time) on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

 

•

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default (as defined below), and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

 

•

we have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this covenant and that all conditions precedent provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance or transfer of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety as set forth above, the successor person formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or to which such conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under the applicable indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company in the applicable indenture. In the event of any such

 

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conveyance or transfer, the Company as the predecessor shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the applicable indenture and the debt securities issued under such indenture and may be dissolved, wound up or liquidated at any time thereafter.

Certain Covenants

Any covenants of the Company pertaining to a series of debt securities will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities.

Except as described in the prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities, the indentures and the debt securities do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of a recapitalization or highly leveraged transaction involving us.

Certain Definitions

The following are certain of the terms defined in the indentures:

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as such principles are in effect in the United States as of the date of the applicable indenture.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as in effect on the date of the applicable indenture.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any person, any corporation more than 50% of the voting stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by such person, and any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such person owns more than 50% of the equity interests or has the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other governing body.

Defeasance

Except as otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities, each indenture will provide that we, at our option,

 

(a)

will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of any series of debt securities (except in each case for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, maintain paying agencies and hold monies for payment in trust), or

 

(b)

need not comply with any restrictive covenants described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities and certain Events of Default (other than those arising out of the failure to pay interest or principal on the debt securities of a particular series and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization) will no longer constitute Events of Default with respect to such series of debt securities,

in each case, if we deposit with the Trustee, in trust, money or the equivalent in securities of the government which issued the currency in which the debt securities are denominated or government agencies backed by the full faith and credit of such government, or a combination thereof, which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal (including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of, and interest on, such series on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of such series.

To exercise any such option, we are required, among other things, to deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of such series to

 

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recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes and, in the case of a discharge pursuant to clause (a) above, accompanied by a ruling to such effect received from or published by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

In addition, we are required to deliver to the Trustee an officers’ certificate stating that such deposit was not made by us with the intent of preferring the holders over other creditors of ours or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of ours or others.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

Except as otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities, each indenture will provide that, if an Event of Default specified therein with respect to any series of debt securities issued thereunder shall have happened and be continuing, either the Trustee thereunder or the holders of 33 ¹/3% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series (or 33 ¹/3% in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding debt securities under such indenture, in the case of certain Events of Default affecting all series of debt securities issued under such indenture) may declare the principal of all the debt securities of such series to be due and payable.

Except as otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities, an “Event of Default” in respect of any series will be defined in the indentures as being any one of the following events:

 

•

default for 30 days in payment of any interest installment with respect to such series;

 

•

default in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on, or any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligation with respect to, debt securities of such series when due at their stated maturity, by declaration or acceleration, when called for redemption or otherwise;

 

•

default for 90 days after written notice to us by the Trustee thereunder or by holders of 33 1/3% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty pertaining to debt securities of such series; and

 

•

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization with respect to us or any Significant Subsidiary of ours which is organized under the laws of the United States or any political sub-division thereof or the entry of an order ordering the winding up or liquidation of our affairs.

Each indenture will provide that the Trustee thereunder will, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default with respect to the debt securities of any series issued under such indenture, give to the holders of the debt securities of such series notice of all uncured and unwaived defaults known to it; provided, however, that, except in the case of default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any of the debt securities of such series, the Trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of the debt securities of such series. The term “default” for the purpose of this provision means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of such series.

Each indenture will contain provisions entitling the Trustee under such indenture, subject to the duty of the Trustee during an Event of Default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the holders of the debt securities before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the applicable indenture at the request of holders of such debt securities.

Each indenture will provide that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series issued under such indenture may direct the time, method and place of conducting proceedings for remedies available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee in respect of such series, subject to certain conditions.

 

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Except as otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities, in certain cases, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of such series, any past default or Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of such series except, among other things, a default not theretofore cured in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any of the senior debt securities of such series or payment of any sinking or purchase fund or analogous obligations with respect to such senior debt securities.

Each indenture will include a covenant that we will file annually with the Trustee a certificate of no default or specifying any default that exists.

Modification of the Indentures

Except as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities, we and the Trustee may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities issued under the indenture governing such debt securities, enter into indentures supplemental to the applicable indenture for, among others, one or more of the following purposes:

 

(1)

to evidence the succession of another person to us and the assumption by such successor of the Company’s obligations under the applicable indenture and the debt securities of any series;

 

(2)

to add to the covenants of the Company or to surrender any rights or powers of the Company for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of any or all series issued under such indenture;

 

(3)

to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in the applicable indenture which may be inconsistent with any other provision therein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under such indenture;

 

(4)

to add to the applicable indenture any provisions that may be expressly permitted by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”), excluding the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the TIA as in effect at the date as of which the applicable indenture was executed or any corresponding provision in any similar federal statute hereafter enacted;

 

(5)

to establish the form or terms of any series of debt securities to be issued under the applicable indenture, to provide for the issuance of any series of debt securities and/or to add to the rights of the holders of debt securities;

 

(6)

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of any successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of debt securities or to add or change any of the provisions of the applicable indenture as shall be necessary to facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by one or more trustees in accordance with the applicable indenture;

 

(7)

to provide any additional Events of Default;

 

(8)

to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities; provided that the uncertificated securities are issued in registered form for certain federal tax purposes;

 

(9)

to provide for the terms and conditions of converting those debt securities that are convertible into common stock or another such similar security;

 

(10)

to secure any series of debt securities;

 

(11)

to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the applicable indenture or any supplemental indenture under the TIA; and

 

(12)

to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of the holders of the debt securities.

 

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No supplemental indenture for the purpose identified in clauses (2), (3) or (5) above may be entered into if to do so would adversely affect the rights of the holders of debt securities of any series issued under the same indenture in any material respect.

Except as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities, each indenture will contain provisions permitting us and the Trustee under such indenture, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series issued under such indenture to be affected voting as a single class, to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating any of the provisions of applicable indenture or modifying the rights of the holders of the debt securities of such series to be affected, except that no such supplemental indenture may, without the consent of the holders of affected debt securities, among other things:

 

•

change the maturity of the principal of, or the maturity of any premium on, or any installment of interest on, any such debt security, or reduce the principal amount or the interest or any premium of any such debt securities, or change the method of computing the amount of principal or interest on any such debt securities on any date or change any place of payment where, or the currency in which, any debt securities or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the maturity of principal or premium, as the case may be;

 

•

reduce the percentage in principal amount of any such debt securities the consent of whose holders is required for any supplemental indenture, waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or certain defaults under the applicable indenture;

 

•

modify any of the provisions of applicable indenture related to (i) the requirement that the holders of debt securities issued under such indenture consent to certain amendments of the applicable indenture, (ii) the waiver of past defaults and (iii) the waiver of certain covenants, except to increase the percentage of holders required to make such amendments or grant such waivers; or

 

•

impair or adversely affect the right of any holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on, or with respect to, such senior debt securities on or after the maturity of such debt securities.

In addition, the subordinated indenture will provide that we may not make any change in the terms of the subordination of the subordinated debt securities of any series in a manner adverse in any material respect to the holders of any series of subordinated debt securities without the consent of each holder of subordinated debt securities that would be adversely affected.

The Trustee

U.S. Bank National Association is the Trustee under each indenture. The Trustee and its affiliates may also provide banking, trustee and other services for us, and transact other banking business with us, in the normal course of business.

Governing Law

The indentures will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Global Securities

We may issue debt securities through global securities. A global security is a security, typically held by a depositary, that represents the beneficial interests of a number of purchasers of the security. If we do issue global securities, the following procedures will apply.

We will deposit global securities with the depositary identified in the prospectus supplement. After we issue a global security, the depositary will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective

 

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principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of persons who have accounts with the depositary. These account holders are known as “participants.” The underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Only a participant or a person who holds an interest through a participant may be the beneficial owner of a global security. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary and its participants.

We and the Trustee will treat the depositary or its nominee as the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by a global security. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by the global security registered in their names. They also will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities.

Principal, any premium and any interest payments on debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security. None of us, the Trustee or any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary, upon receipt of any payments, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the depositary’s records. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street names,” and will be the responsibility of the participants.

If the depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue registered securities in exchange for the global security. In addition, we may at any time in our sole discretion determine not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by global securities. In that event, we will issue debt securities of that series in definitive form in exchange for the global securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares rather than full shares of the preferred stock of a series. In the event that we determine to do so, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock) of a share of a particular series of preferred stock as more fully described below.

The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under one or more deposit agreements among us, a depositary to be named in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the holders from time to time of depositary receipts issued thereunder. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented thereby (including, as applicable, dividend, voting, redemption, subscription and liquidation rights).

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock.

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the depositary shares so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the depositary shares or the deposit agreement described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement relating to such deposited shares. The forms of deposit agreement and depositary receipt will be filed as exhibits to the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

The following summary of certain provisions of the depositary shares and deposit agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, all the provisions of the deposit agreement and the applicable prospectus supplement, including the definitions.

Immediately following our issuance of shares of a series of preferred stock that will be offered as fractional shares, we will deposit the shares with the depositary, which will then issue and deliver the depositary receipts to the purchasers thereof. Depositary receipts will only be issued evidencing whole depositary shares. A depositary receipt may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.

Pending the preparation of definitive depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to (and entitling the holders thereof to all the rights pertaining to) the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. Definitive depositary receipts will be prepared thereafter without unreasonable delay, and such temporary depositary receipts will be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the related series of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the series of preferred stock in proportion to the number of the depositary shares owned by the holders.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled thereto in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the

 

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holders, unless the depositary determines that the distribution cannot be made proportionately among the holders or that it is not feasible to make the distributions, in which case the depositary may, with our approval, adopt any method as it deems equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting the distribution, including the sale (at public or private sale) of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, at the place or places and upon those terms as it may deem proper.

The amount distributed in any of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If any series of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from any redemption, in whole or in part, of the series of the preferred stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the series of the preferred stock. If we redeem shares of a series of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock so redeemed. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or substantially equivalent method determined by the depositary.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon such redemption, upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares. Any funds deposited by us with the depositary for any depositary shares that the holders thereof fail to redeem will be returned to us after a period of two years from the date the funds are so deposited.

Voting the Underlying Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the series of 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 related series of preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of the series of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, provided the depositary receives the instructions sufficiently in advance of the meeting to enable it to so vote or cause to be voted the shares of preferred stock, and we will agree to take all reasonable action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing the preferred stock.

Withdrawal of Stock

Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary and upon payment of the taxes, charges and fees provided for in the deposit agreement and subject to the terms thereof, the holder of the depositary shares evidenced thereby will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property, if any, represented by the depositary shares. Holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive whole shares of the related series of preferred stock, but holders of the whole shares of preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit the shares of preferred stock with the depositary or to receive depositary shares therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of

 

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depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder or upon his or her order at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.

Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares of any series and any provision of the applicable deposit agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares of any series will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares of the series then outstanding. Every holder of a depositary receipt at the time the amendment becomes effective will be deemed, by continuing to hold the depositary receipt, to be bound by the deposit agreement as so amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may any amendment impair the right of any holder of any depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares and subject to any conditions specified in the deposit agreement, to receive shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us at any time upon not less than 60 days prior written notice to the depositary, in which case, on a date that is not later than 30 days after the date of the notice, the depositary shall deliver or make available for delivery to holders of depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares. The deposit agreement shall automatically terminate after all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or there has been a final distribution in respect of the related series of preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us and the distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary shares.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and the governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay the charges of the depositary, including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the related series of preferred stock and the initial issuance of the depositary shares and all withdrawals of shares of the related series of preferred stock, except that holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us written notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary, which successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Miscellaneous

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the related preferred stock.

The depositary’s corporate trust office will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary will act as transfer agent and registrar for depositary receipts and if shares of a series of preferred stock are redeemable, the depositary will also act as redemption agent for the corresponding depositary receipts.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS

The following description of the terms of the warrants sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or depositary shares. Warrants may be issued independently or together with common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such warrants.

Debt Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of debt warrants will describe the terms of such debt warrants, including the following:

 

•

the title of such debt warrants;

 

•

the offering price for such debt warrants, if any;

 

•

the aggregate number of such debt warrants;

 

•

the designation and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of such debt warrants;

 

•

if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities with which such debt warrants are issued and the number of such debt warrants issued with each such debt security;

 

•

if applicable, the date from and after which such debt warrants and any debt securities issued therewith will be separately transferable;

 

•

the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of a debt warrant and the price at which such principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise (which price may be payable in cash, securities or other property);

 

•

the date on which the right to exercise such debt warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

•

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

•

whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the debt warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;

 

•

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

•

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

 

•

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

 

•

the antidilution or adjustment provisions of such debt warrants, if any;

 

•

the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such debt warrants; and

 

•

any additional terms of such debt warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such debt warrants.

 

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Stock Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issue of common stock warrants, preferred stock warrants or depositary share warrants will describe the terms of such warrants, including the following:

 

•

the title of such warrants;

 

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the offering price for such warrants, if any;

 

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the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

•

the designation and terms of the offered securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

•

if applicable, the designation and terms of the offered securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such offered security;

 

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if applicable, the date from and after which such warrants and any offered securities issued therewith will be separately transferable;

 

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the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which such shares may be purchased upon exercise;

 

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the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

•

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

•

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

 

•

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

 

•

the antidilution provisions of such warrants, if any;

 

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the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such warrants; and

 

•

any additional terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS

We may issue rights to purchase our common stock. The rights may or may not be transferable by the persons purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and one or more banks, trust companies or other financial institutions, as rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.

The prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among other matters:

 

•

the date of determining the security holders entitled to the rights distribution;

 

•

the aggregate number of rights issued and the aggregate number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights;

 

•

the exercise price;

 

•

the conditions to completion of the rights offering;

 

•

the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the rights will expire; and

 

•

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations.

Each right would entitle the holder of the rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of common stock at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will become void.

If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than our security holders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue, from time to time, purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us and us to sell to the holders, a specified principal amount of senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred stock, depositary shares, government securities, or any of the other securities that we may sell under this prospectus at a future date or dates. The consideration payable upon settlement of the purchase contracts may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by a specific reference to a formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a purchase contract and other securities or obligations issued by us or third parties, including United States treasury securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the relevant securities under the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts or units or vice versa, and the payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the purchase contracts.

The prospectus supplement related to any particular purchase contracts will describe, among other things, the material terms of the purchase contracts and of the securities being sold pursuant to such purchase contracts, a discussion, if appropriate, of any special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase contracts and any material provisions governing the purchase contracts that differ from those described above. The description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, relating to the purchase contracts.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE UNITS

We may, from time to time, issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. Each unit may also include debt obligations of third parties, such as U.S. Treasury securities. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

Any prospectus supplement related to any particular units will describe, among other things:

 

•

the material terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

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any material provisions relating to the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units;

 

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if appropriate, any special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

 

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any material provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described above.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or the selling stockholders may offer and sell the securities in any one or more of the following ways:

 

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to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers;

 

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directly to one or more other purchasers;

 

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upon the exercise of rights distributed or issued to our security holders;

 

•

through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

•

through agents on a best-efforts basis; or

 

•

otherwise through a combination of any of the above methods of sale.

In addition, we or the selling stockholders may enter into option, share lending or other types of transactions that require us or such selling stockholders, as applicable, to deliver shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who will then resell or transfer the shares of common stock under this prospectus. We or the selling stockholders may also enter into hedging transactions with respect to our securities or the securities of such selling stockholders, as applicable. For example, we or the selling stockholders may:

 

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enter into transactions involving short sales of the shares of common stock by underwriters, brokers or dealers;

 

•

sell shares of common stock short and deliver the shares to close out short positions;

 

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enter into option or other types of transactions that require us or the selling stockholders, as applicable, to deliver shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who will then resell or transfer the shares of common stock under this prospectus; or

 

•

loan or pledge the shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who may sell the loaned shares or, in the event of default, sell the pledged shares.

Any selling stockholder will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale of shares of common stock covered by this prospectus.

We or the selling stockholders may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or such selling stockholders, as applicable, or borrowed from us, such selling stockholders or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us or selling stockholders in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we or the selling stockholders may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or the securities of such selling stockholders, as applicable, or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

Shares of common stock may also be exchanged for satisfaction of the selling stockholders’ obligations or other liabilities to their creditors. Such transactions may or may not involve brokers or dealers.

 

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Each time we or the selling stockholders sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will name any underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will also set forth the terms of the offering, including:

 

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the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we and/or such selling stockholders, as applicable, will receive from the sale of the securities;

 

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any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

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any public offering or purchase price and any discounts or commissions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers;

 

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any commissions allowed or paid to agents;

 

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any other offering expenses;

 

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any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed;

 

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the method of distribution of the securities;

 

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the terms of any agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into with the underwriters, brokers or dealers; and

 

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any other information we think is important.

If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account. The securities may be sold from time to time by us or the selling stockholders in one or more transactions:

 

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at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

•

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

•

at prices related to such prevailing market prices;

 

•

at varying prices determined at the time of sale; or

 

•

at negotiated prices.

Such sales may be effected:

 

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in transactions on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

 

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in transactions in the over-the-counter market;

 

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in block transactions in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction, or in crosses, in which the same broker acts as an agent on both sides of the trade;

 

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through the writing of options; or

 

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through other types of transactions.

The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters or dealers to purchase the securities offered will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters or dealers will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if any are purchased. Any public offering price and any discount or concession allowed or reallowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

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The selling stockholders might not sell any shares of common stock under this prospectus. In addition, any shares of common stock covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

The securities may be sold directly by us or the selling stockholders or through agents designated by us or such selling stockholders, as applicable, from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us or such selling stockholders, as applicable, to such agent will be set forth in, the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

Offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus may be solicited, and sales of the securities may be made by us or by selling stockholders directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any resale of the securities. The terms of any offer made in this manner will be included in the prospectus supplement relating to the offer.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, underwriters, dealers or agents will be authorized to solicit offers by certain institutional investors to purchase securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Institutional investors with which these contracts may be made include, among others:

 

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commercial and savings banks;

 

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insurance companies;

 

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pension funds;

 

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investment companies; and

 

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educational and charitable institutions.

In all cases, these purchasers must be approved by us or the selling stockholders, as applicable. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of any purchaser under any of these contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that (a) the purchase of the securities must not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction to which that purchaser is subject, and (b) if the securities are also being sold to underwriters, we or the selling stockholders, as applicable, must have sold to these underwriters the securities not subject to delayed delivery. Underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.

Some of the underwriters, dealers or agents used by us or the selling stockholders in any offering of securities under this prospectus may be customers of, engage in transactions with, and perform services for us and/or such selling stockholders, as applicable, or affiliates of ours and/or theirs, as applicable, in the ordinary course of business. Underwriters, dealers, agents and other persons may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us and/or the selling stockholders to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, and to be reimbursed by us and/or such selling stockholders for certain expenses.

Subject to any restrictions relating to debt securities in bearer form, any securities initially sold outside the United States may be resold in the United States through underwriters, dealers or otherwise.

Any underwriters to which offered securities are sold by us or the selling stockholders for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but those underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time.

 

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The anticipated date of delivery of the securities offered by this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering.

If more than 10 percent of the net proceeds of any offering of securities made under this prospectus will be received by members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, participating in the offering or by affiliates or associated persons of such FINRA members, the offering will be conducted in accordance with NASD Conduct Rule 2710(h). The maximum compensation we will pay to underwriters in connection with any offering of the securities will not exceed 8% of the maximum proceeds of such offering.

To comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the securities may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, New York. If legal matters in connection with offerings made pursuant to this prospectus are passed upon by counsel for underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of ExlService Holdings, Inc. appearing in ExlService Holdings, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2008, and the effectiveness of ExlService Holdings, Inc. internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, ExlService filed a registration statement relating to the securities offered by this prospectus with the SEC. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, which includes additional information.

The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These filings are available to the public on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document the Company files at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. ExlService maintains a website at www.exlservice.com where the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports are available without charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC.

As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, exhibits and schedules for more information about us and the securities. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available through the SEC’s website or at its public reference room.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update information in this prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference the following documents which have been filed with the SEC:

 

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Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, including portions of our Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (filed on April 30, 2009) to the extent specifically incorporated by reference therein;

 

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Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009;

 

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Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2009, March 11, 2009 (with regard to Item 5.02 thereof only), April 7, 2009 and January 5, 2010; and

 

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The description of the Company’s common stock set forth in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on October 17, 2006.

All documents and reports that we file with the SEC (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed) pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended after the date of this prospectus and before the later of (1) the completion of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus and (2) the date we stop offering securities pursuant to this prospectus, shall be incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. The information contained on our website (www.exlservice.com) is not incorporated into this prospectus.

You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement, any applicable pricing supplement or any documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

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4,000,000 Shares

 

ExlService Holdings, Inc.

 

Common Stock

 

 

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PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

                    , 2011

 

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Citigroup		J.P. Morgan

 

Baird

 

Stifel Nicolaus Weisel

 

Janney Montgomery Scott

 

 

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