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8-K - 8-K CURRENT REPORT - PHOENIX COMPANIES INC/DEk342364_8k.htm
EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - PHOENIX COMPANIES INC/DEk342364_ex99-1.htm

Exhibit 99.2

 

  

 

April 24, 2013

  

 

Dear PFX Bondholder:

  

 

We are writing to request your consent to amend the indenture governing The Phoenix Companies, Inc. 7.45% Quarterly Interest Bonds due 2032 (CUSIP 71902E 20 8) (NYSE:PFX), and provide a related waiver. The approval of the amendments and waiver will allow Phoenix to extend the date for providing its third quarter 2012 Form 10-Q, its 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K and its first, second and third quarter 2013 Forms 10-Q to the bond trustee and will not alter its current obligation to pay principal and interest on the bonds as provided for in the indenture.

 

As you may know, Phoenix is restating its financial statements for several prior periods and, as a result, was not able to timely file with the SEC its third quarter 2012 Form 10-Q and its 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K. As a result, Phoenix was unable to file these 2012 SEC reports with the bond trustee pursuant to the terms of the indenture. In January 2013, holders representing a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the bonds consented to approve amendments to the indenture to extend to March 31, 2013 the date for Phoenix to provide its third quarter 2012 Form 10-Q to the bond trustee, and to provide a related waiver.

 

We have determined that additional time is required to complete the restatement and file the delayed 2012 SEC reports and provide them to the bond trustee. In addition, we believe we may not be able to timely file our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of 2013. Therefore, we are requesting an extension permitting all of the SEC reports to be filed with the bond trustee on or before December 31, 2013. We have made significant progress on the restatement and will provide further updates on timing and estimated financial impact on or before May 31, 2013.

 

We encourage you to review this Consent Solicitation Statement, which provides much more detail about the indenture, the first supplemental indenture, the proposed amendments and waiver, and what consenting to it would mean to you. Here is a summary of the main points:

 

·The current indenture governing the bonds requires Phoenix to provide the bond trustee with quarterly and annual reports within 15 days after the SEC filing deadline, except with respect to the third quarter 2012 Form 10-Q which was required to be filed with the bond trustee by March 31, 2013 pursuant to the first supplemental indenture. Our delay in providing our third quarter 2012 Form 10-Q and our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K to the bond trustee triggered a notice of default from the bond trustee.

 

·The proposed amendments to the indenture and waiver of the default would allow Phoenix to extend the date for delivering to the bond trustee the third quarter 2012 Form 10-Q, the 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the first, second and third quarter 2013 Forms 10-Q to December 31, 2013 and fix, or “cure,” any default relating to these reports and the reporting requirements through December 31, 2013.

 

 

One American Row

P.O. Box 5056

Hartford, CT 06102-5056

www.phoenixwm.com

 

 
 

 

·If the consent solicitation is successful, bondholders that deliver a valid consent will be compensated in the amount of $0.0625 for each $25 in principal amount.

 

·We appreciate the support bondholders have provided us in the past. Your consent is, once again, very important because these amendments and waiver will become effective only if we receive consents from holders representing a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the bonds before the deadline of May 21, 2013, unless extended.

 

Enclosed you will find consent instructions from the broker or bank where your bonds are held. If you have any questions or need help with voting, please call our Information and Tabulation Agent, D.F. King & Co., Inc., at 1-800-829-6551 or call your broker or bank. General questions also may be directed to our Solicitation Agent, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, at 1-800-624-1808.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

The Phoenix Companies, Inc.

 
 

 

 

 

THE PHOENIX COMPANIES, INC.
CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT

 

Solicitation of Consents to Amendments to Indenture and Waiver
With Respect to the
$300,000,000 7.45% Quarterly Interest Bonds due 2032 (CUSIP 71902E 20 8) (NYSE:PFX)
In Consideration of a Consent Fee of $0.0625 per $25 principal amount of the Securities

 

This Solicitation with respect to the Securities will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 21, 2013 (or such date and time to which we may extend it with respect to the Securities from time to time, the “Expiration Date”).

 

The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (“we” or the “Company”) is hereby soliciting (this “Solicitation”) a consent (with the accompanying form of Consent, the “Consent”) of holders of our 7.45% Quarterly Interest Bonds due 2032 (CUSIP 71902E 20 8) (the “Securities”) to certain amendments to the indenture, dated as of December 27, 2001 (the “Original Indenture”), between the Company, as issuer, and U.S. Bank, as successor trustee to SunTrust Bank (the “Trustee”), as amended by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 18, 2013, between the Company and the Trustee (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Original Indenture, the “Indenture”), governing the Securities as further described herein (the “Proposed Amendments”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Consent Solicitation Statement (this “Statement”) and the Consent. Each Holder that delivers a Consent will also be waiving certain defaults that may have occurred before the Proposed Amendments become effective (the “Proposed Waiver”). Other than a default under Section 704 of the Indenture as described herein, the Company is unaware of any default or Events of Default that have occurred under the Indenture as of the date hereof.

 

As reported on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 8, 2012, our management concluded that certain of the Company’s previously issued audited and unaudited financial statements should no longer be relied upon and should be restated because of certain errors in the consolidated statement of cash flows in those financial statements. We also announced in a news release issued on that date that we would not be able to timely file our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012 (the “Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q”). Our failure to timely deliver copies of the Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q to the Trustee resulted in a default under the Original Indenture. In January 2013, holders representing a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Securities consented to approve certain amendments to the Original Indenture, as set forth in the First Supplemental Indenture, and to provide a related waiver, extending the date for us to provide our Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q to the Trustee to March 31, 2013.

 

 
 

 

As reported on a Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on March 15, 2013 and in a news release issued on that date, in connection with our previously announced financial statement restatement, we identified additional errors, many of which have secondary impacts, such as the effect of adjustments on deferred policy acquisition costs, and we also identified limitations in existing systems and processes that need to be updated, supplemented or replaced. Accordingly, we concluded that we would not meet our previously announced timetable for filing our restated financial information or our Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q or timely file our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC and the Trustee (the “2012 Form 10-K” and together with the Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q, the “Delayed 2012 SEC Reports”).

 

We also believe that, in connection with the restatement, we may not be able to timely file our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013 with the SEC or the Trustee by their respective due dates (the “2013 SEC Reports” and together with the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports, the “Relevant SEC Reports”).

 

The reporting covenant in the Indenture relating to the Securities requires us to file with the Trustee, within fifteen (15) days after we are required to file with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (the “SEC Reports”) that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder (the “Exchange Act”), except with respect to the Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q, which was required to be filed with the Trustee by March 31, 2013 pursuant to the First Supplemental Indenture. This Indenture reporting covenant is referred to in this Statement as the “Reporting Covenant”. Because we have delayed the filing of our Delayed 2012 SEC Reports, the Trustee has sent us a notice of default under the Indenture, which has initiated the 60-day cure period provided for in the Indenture.

 

The Proposed Amendments will effectively provide that, until 5:30 p.m., New York City time on December 31, 2013, any failure to comply with the Reporting Covenant or failure to deliver any related notice of default to the Trustee will not constitute a default under the Indenture, and that our filing with the Trustee of the Relevant SEC Reports on a delayed basis on or prior to 5:30 p.m. New York City time on December 31, 2013 and payment of the consent fee as described herein would satisfy our obligations under the Reporting Covenant. The Proposed Waiver will provide that any and all defaults and Events of Default that will have occurred under the Indenture prior to the effectiveness of the Proposed Amendments are waived. We have made significant progress on the restatement and will provide further updates on timing and estimated financial impact on or before May 31, 2013. As a result of the delay in completing the restatement, we believe we may not be able to timely file the 2013 SEC Reports. Our ability to complete the restatement and resume a timely filing schedule with respect to our SEC filings reflecting the restatement is subject to a number of contingencies, including but not limited to, whether we continue to identify errors in our consolidated financial statements, whether existing systems and processes can be timely updated, supplemented or replaced, and the number and complexity of, and periods covered by, the periodic reports that we will have to file with the SEC to reflect the restatement. Even if we are successful in amending the Indenture and obtaining a waiver from the Holders, there can be no assurances that we will make our filings with the SEC and the Trustee by such date. See “Rationale for the Solicitation.”

 

 
 

 

In connection with the Proposed Amendments, the Company and the Trustee will enter into a supplement to the Indenture containing the Proposed Amendments (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”). See “The Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.” Subject to the terms and conditions described herein, the Consent, including the waivers contained therein, will become effective following receipt by the Company of Consents from Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities (excluding any Securities held by the Company or its affiliates) (the “Requisite Consents”).

 

If the Requisite Consents have been received on or before the Expiration Date and the Company has notified the Information and Tabulation Agent (as defined below) that each of the other conditions set forth herein is satisfied, including the execution and delivery of the Second Supplemental Indenture, the Company will pay to each Holder who has delivered a valid Consent a cash payment equal to $0.0625 per $25 principal amount of Securities to which the Consent relates (the “Consent Fee”). Subject to the conditions herein, the Consent Fee will be paid promptly after the Expiration Date (but no later than ten days after the Expiration Date) by deposit of funds with the Information and Tabulation Agent acting as agent for the Holders for the purpose of receiving payments from us and transmitting such payments to the Holders. With respect to any Consents validly received and accepted from a beneficial holder with holdings in an aggregate principal amount of Securities less than or equal to $250,000, the Company will pay, if applicable, any relevant Retail Processing Dealer (as defined herein) a cash payment equal to $0.0625 per $25 principal amount of Securities to which such Consent relates (the “Retail Processing Fee”). Calculations of the Consent Fee and the Retail Processing Fee will be rounded up to the nearest cent. Holders who do not provide Consent prior to the Expiration Date will not receive the Consent Fee.

 

This Solicitation is being made to Holders of the Securities. The term “Holders” or “Holder” means those record holders of Securities, and their duly appointed proxies, as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time on April 23, 2013 (as the same may be changed from time to time as provided herein, such time and date, the “Record Date”), as reflected in the records of the Company. As of the Record Date, all $268,620,300 principal amount of the Securities (representing $300,000,000 in principal amount originally issued less $31,379,700 in principal amount previously held by the Company and cancelled in March 2013) were held of record by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee on behalf of participants in DTC (“DTC Participants”). DTC has authorized DTC Participants set forth in the position listing of DTC as of the Record Date to execute and deliver Consents as if they were Holders of the Securities held of record in the name of DTC or in the name of its nominee.

 

In connection with this Solicitation, Holders cannot revoke Consents once delivered. Any Consent received in the circumstance where the Requisite Consents are not obtained by the Expiration Date will automatically terminate and not be effective and no payments of any Consent Fee or Retail Processing Fee will be made. From and after the Expiration Date, assuming we receive the Requisite Consents, each present and future holder of Securities will be bound by the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.

 

Capitalized terms used in this Statement that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Second Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture, as applicable. Please refer to the marked revisions of the Indenture contained in this Statement that reflect the

 

 
 

 

Proposed Amendments. See “The Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.” Holders may request a copy of the Indenture through the Information and Tabulation Agent.

 

The Solicitation Agent for this Solicitation is:

 

MORGAN STANLEY

 

April 24, 2013

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 1
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 3
THE PHOENIX COMPANIES, INC 7
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 8
rationale FOR THE SOLICITATION 14
THE SOLICITATION 16
RISK FACTORS 24
certain covenants 32
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AND PROPOSED WAIVER 32
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES 37
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 41
SOLICITATION AGENT;  INFORMATION AND TABULATION AGENT 43
ATTACHMENT A – April 2013 Form 8-K/A A-1
ATTACHMENT B – April 24 RELEASE A-1

 

 

 
 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

Holders should read and carefully consider the information contained herein before deciding whether to give their Consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.

 

Only Holders as of the Record Date may execute Consents and consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver. If the Requisite Consents are received by the Expiration Date and the other terms and conditions set forth herein have been met or waived, the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver will be binding on all subsequent transferees of the Securities. If the Record Date is changed, only Holders as of the revised Record Date will be entitled to execute Consents and consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.

 

Holders who wish to consent must deliver their properly completed and executed Consent Form to the Information and Tabulation Agent (as defined below) at the address set forth on the back cover of this Statement in accordance with the instructions set forth herein and in the Consent Form. Consents should not be delivered to us, the Trustee or the Solicitation Agent. However, we reserve the right to accept any Consent received by us, the Trustee or the Solicitation Agent. DTC has authorized DTC Participants set forth in the position listing of DTC as of the Record Date to execute and deliver Consents as if they were Holders of the Securities held of record in the name of DTC or in the name of its nominee.

 

Each beneficial owner of Securities desiring that a Consent be given with respect to such Securities must instruct the Holder of such Securities (i.e., the custodian bank, depositary, broker, trust company or other nominee that holds the Securities on behalf of the beneficial owner and is the DTC Participant with respect to such Securities) to execute a Consent and deliver it to the Information and Tabulation Agent on such beneficial owner’s behalf.

 

In connection with this Solicitation, Holders cannot revoke Consents once delivered.

 

Any questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of this Statement, the Consent or related documents may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., which will act as information agent, tabulation agent and paying agent (in such capacities, the “Information and Tabulation Agent”), at its telephone numbers set forth on the last page hereof. A Holder may also contact Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (the “Solicitation Agent”) at its telephone numbers set forth on the last page hereof or such Holder’s broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning this Solicitation.

 

No person has been authorized to give any information or make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this Statement and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us, the Trustee, the Solicitation Agent, the Information and Tabulation Agent or any other person.

 

The statements made in this Statement are made as of the date of this Statement and delivery of this Statement or the accompanying materials at any time does not imply that the information herein or therein is correct as of any subsequent date. The information provided in this Statement is based upon information provided solely by us. The Solicitation Agent has not

 

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independently verified and does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, or assume any responsibility, as to the accuracy or adequacy of the information contained herein.

 

This Solicitation is not being made to, and a Consent Form will not be accepted from or on behalf of, a Holder in any jurisdiction in which the making of this Solicitation or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. However, we may in our discretion take such action as we may deem necessary to lawfully make this Solicitation in any such jurisdiction and to extend this Solicitation to any Holder in such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the securities laws require this Solicitation to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, this Solicitation will be deemed to be made on behalf of us by the Solicitation Agent or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

 

This Statement has not been filed with or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or authority of any jurisdiction, nor has any such commission or authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Statement. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful and may be a criminal offense.

 

Recipients of this Statement and the Consent should not construe the contents hereof or thereof as legal, business or tax advice. Each recipient should consult its own attorney, business advisor and tax advisor as to legal, business, tax and related matters concerning this Statement.

 

Holders of Securities should not tender or deliver Securities at any time.

 

YOU SHOULD READ THIS STATEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING A DECISION WITH RESPECT TO PROVIDING OR NOT PROVIDING A CONSENT.

 

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STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The discussion in this Statement may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend for these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws relating to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to trends in, or representing management’s beliefs about our future transactions, strategies, operations and financial results, and often contain words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “is targeting,” “may,” “should” and other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning trends and future developments and their potential effects on us. They are not guarantees of future performance. Our actual business, financial condition or results of operations may differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties which include, among others:

 

 

·our ability to achieve the anticipated results of this Solicitation, including our ability to obtain the Requisite Consents for the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver or cure the existing breach of the Reporting Covenant within the 60-day cure period and, if we are unable to cure or to obtain such Consents, the possibility that the requisite number of Holders will accelerate the payment obligation of the Securities and the related consequences with respect to our financial statements and our business;

 

·the lack of current publicly available information concerning the results of operations and financial condition of the Company;

 

·the Company’s ability to produce restated financial results and provide final third quarter 2012, year-end 2012 and first, second and third quarter 2013 financial information in the anticipated timeframes, including risks associated with additional issues that may arise during the review being conducted by management and our independent registered public accounting firm and potential adverse effects to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations as a result of any required adjustments to prior period financial statements;

 

·the impact of being placed on negative credit watch and/or downgrades in our debt or financial strength ratings by certain rating agencies;

 

·the delay in filing the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports with the SEC and any failure to satisfy other NYSE listing requirements could cause the NYSE to commence suspension or delisting procedures with respect to securities issued by the Company;

 

·the impact of not being able to hedge our positions due to the inability to replace hedges as a result of our credit rating and the default under the Indenture covering the Securities;

 

·if we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, the accuracy and timing of our financial reporting may be adversely affected and, as previously

 

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reported, management believes it has identified multiple material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting;

 

·the incurrence of significant expenses related to the restatement and the remediation of deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, this Solicitation and our failure to timely file the Relevant SEC Reports with the SEC and deliver them to the Trustee;

 

·the longer the restatement process takes to complete, the more likely it is to continue to divert management and other human resources from the operation of the business, and the absence of timely and accurate financial information may hinder our ability to effectively manage the business of the Company;

 

·the impact that the restatement, the events which caused the need for this Solicitation, and the Relevant SEC Reports may have on our ability to access alternate financing arrangements to fund our ongoing operations, particularly in the event the payment obligation with respect to the Securities is accelerated as provided in the Indenture;

 

·the impact of our limited ability to register our securities for offer and sale until we have filed with the SEC the Relevant SEC Reports and the filings contemplated to be made to effect the restatement and we otherwise are current with our relevant SEC filing obligations;

 

·our insurance company subsidiaries are also in the process of restating their respective United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) financial statements for certain historical fiscal periods, and such restatements may have a material adverse impact on the business and financial condition of the Company;

 

·the impact, which may be adverse, on the market value of the Securities if the Requisite Consents are received and the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver are given effect;

 

·the outcome of litigation and other claims is unpredictable and any rulings not in our favor could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or consolidated financial statements;

 

·the federal income tax consequences of the consent fee;

 

·unfavorable general economic developments including, but not limited to, specific related factors such as the performance of the debt and equity markets;

 

·the potential adverse effect of interest rate fluctuations on our business and results of operations;

 

·the impact on our results of operations and financial condition of any required increase in our reserves for future policyholder benefits and claims if such reserves prove to be inadequate;

 

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·the possibility that mortality rates, persistency rates, funding levels or other factors may differ significantly from our assumptions used in pricing products;

 

·the effect of guaranteed benefits within our products that protect policyholders against significant downturns in equity markets may decrease our earnings, increase the volatility of our results if hedging strategies prove ineffective, result in higher hedging costs and expose us to increased counterparty risk, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity;

 

·potential exposure to unidentified or unanticipated risk that could adversely affect our businesses or result in losses;

 

·the consequences related to variations in the amount of our statutory capital could adversely affect our business;

 

·the possibility that we may not be successful in our efforts to implement a business plan focused on new market segments;

 

·changes in our investment valuations based on changes in our valuation methodologies, estimations and assumptions;

 

·the availability, pricing and terms of reinsurance coverage generally and the inability or unwillingness of our reinsurers to meet their obligations to us specifically;

 

·our ability to attract and retain key personnel in a competitive environment;

 

·our dependence on third parties to maintain critical business and administrative functions;

 

·the strong competition we face in our business from banks, insurance companies and other financial services firms;

 

·our reliance, as a holding company, on dividends and other payments from our subsidiaries to meet our financial obligations and pay future dividends, particularly since our insurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends is subject to regulatory restrictions;

 

·the potential need to fund deficiencies in our closed block;

 

·tax developments may affect us directly or indirectly through the cost of, the demand for or profitability of our products or services;

 

·the possibility that the actions and initiatives of the federal and state governments, including those that we elect to participate in, may not improve adverse economic and market conditions generally or our business, financial condition and results of operations specifically;

 

·regulatory developments or actions may harm our business;

 

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·legal actions could adversely affect our business or reputation;

 

·potential future material losses from our discontinued reinsurance business;

 

·changes in accounting standards under GAAP;

 

·the expected benefits of the reverse stock split may not be realized or maintained; and

 

·other risks and uncertainties described in this Statement or in any of our filings with the SEC.

 

You are urged to carefully consider all such factors. We do not undertake or plan to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in plans, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this Statement even if such results changes or circumstances make it clear that any forward-looking information will not be realized. If we make any future public statements or disclosures which modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this Statement such statements or disclosures will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this Statement.

 

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THE PHOENIX COMPANIES, INC.

 

Overview

 

We are a holding company incorporated in Delaware. Our operating subsidiaries provide life insurance and annuity products through independent agents and financial advisors. Our policyholder base includes both affluent and middle market consumers, with our more recent business concentrated in the middle market. Most of our life insurance in force is permanent life insurance (whole life, universal life and variable universal life) insuring one or more lives. Our annuity products include deferred fixed and variable annuities with a variety of death benefit and guaranteed living benefit options.

 

We believe our competitive strengths include:

 

·competitive and innovative products;
·underwriting and mortality risk management expertise;
·ability to develop business partnerships; and
·value-added support provided to distributors by our wholesalers and operating personnel.

 

Since 2009, we have focused on selling products and services that are less capital intensive and less sensitive to our ratings. In 2011 and 2012, our product sales were primarily in fixed indexed annuities. Sales of other insurance companies’ policies were expanded through our distribution subsidiary, Saybrus Partners, Inc. (“Saybrus”).

 

We operate two businesses segments: Life and Annuity, and Saybrus. The Life and Annuity segment includes individual life insurance and annuity products, including our closed block. Saybrus provides dedicated life insurance and other consulting services to financial advisors in partner companies, as well as support for sales of our product line through independent distribution organizations.

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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

Previous Consent Solicitation and First Supplemental Indenture

 

On December 12, 2012, we commenced a solicitation of consents from Holders of the Securities seeking their consent to amend the Original Indenture and provide a related waiver that would allow us to extend the date for providing our Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q to the Trustee to March 31, 2013 (the “Previous Consent Solicitation”). We received valid consents from Holders representing consents in excess of the majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Securities required to approve such amendment and waiver. As a result, on January 18, 2013, we and the Trustee executed the First Supplemental Indenture, which amended the Original Indenture to give effect to the extension of the due date for providing the Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q. The waiver obtained from Holders in the Previous Consent Solicitation waived any and all defaults and events of default occurring under the Indenture prior to the effectiveness of the First Supplemental Indenture.

 

Restatement

 

On November 8, 2012, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC reporting under Item 4.02 (the “Original Form 8-K”) that on November 7, 2012, our management concluded that the Company’s previously issued audited financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the unaudited financial statements for the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and September 30, June 30 and March 31 of 2011 included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (the “Previously Issued Financial Statements”) filed with the SEC, should no longer be relied upon and should be restated (the “Restatement”). The Company subsequently amended the Original Form 8-K and provided updated Item 4.02 disclosure on Forms 8-K/A filed with the SEC on March 15, 2013 and April 24, 2013 (the “April 2013 Form 8-K/A”), respectively (together, the “Forms 8-K/A” and collectively with the Original Form 8-K, the “Restatement Forms 8-K”).

 

As reported in the Restatement Forms 8-K, (i) management evaluated these errors and determined that they had a material impact on the Previously Issued Financial Statements, and (ii) the errors to be corrected by the Restatement are not expected to have a material impact on the financial results of the Company’s insurance company subsidiaries prepared in accordance with Statements of Statutory Accounting Principles and filed with the state insurance regulators, or the subsidiaries’ risk based capital computations, for any of the periods noted.

 

The Company also disclosed that: (i) the Previously Issued Financial Statements will be restated in one or more future filings with the SEC; (ii) management continues to assess its disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; (iii) management believes that it has currently identified multiple material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that will be reported in its Annual Report on Form 10-K; and (iv) since the date of the Original Form 8-K and in connection with the Restatement, management has identified additional errors, many of which have secondary impacts, such as the effect of certain adjustments on deferred policy acquisition costs, and

 

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management has also identified limitations in existing systems and processes that will need to be updated, supplemented or replaced.

 

The April 2013 Form 8-K/A sets forth the status of the Restatement as of that date as reported by the Company. For a discussion regarding the Restatement, including the currently identified errors, adjustments and reclassifications relating to the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity, the retrospective adoption of amended accounting guidance and other related matters, please see the April 2013 Form 8-K/A, a copy of which is attached to this Statement as Attachment A.

 

Status of Restatement

 

In our news release dated April 24, 2013 (the “April 24 Release”), we provided an update on the Restatement and the filing of our GAAP financial results as of such date. In the April 24 Release, we said that we have made significant progress on the Restatement and will provide further updates on timing and estimated financial impact on or before May 31, 2013. More details regarding the Restatement are contained in our April 2013 Form 8-K/A.

 

The April 24 Release, which was furnished to the SEC as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on April 24, 2013, is attached hereto as Attachment B.

 

Financial Results

 

Our news release dated March 15, 2013 (the “March 15 Release”), included the following information regarding our fourth quarter and full year estimated operating metrics and full year 2012 statutory results for our principal operating subsidiary, Phoenix Life Insurance Company (“PLIC”):

 

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012 Estimated Operating Metrics For the Company

 

The following are currently estimated operating metrics for the fourth quarter and full year 2012:

 

·Annuity deposits of $193.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $830.0 million for full year 2012.

 

·Net annuity flows (deposits less surrenders) of $62.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $294.6 million for full year 2012.

 

·Annuity funds under management of $5.0 billion at Dec. 31, 2012.

 

·Life insurance annualized premium of $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $2.7 million for the full year 2012. Gross life insurance in-force at Dec. 31, 2012 of $113.3 billion.

 

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·Fourth quarter 2012 mortality that was $8 million unfavorable to expectations. Full year 2012 mortality that was modestly unfavorable to expectations, and two-year results that were modestly favorable.

 

·Fourth quarter 2012 total individual life surrenders at an annualized rate of 6.2%, and closed block life policies at an annualized rate of 5.8%. Full year 2012 total individual life surrenders at 5.8%, and closed block life policies at 5.4%.

 

·Fourth quarter 2012 annuity surrenders at an annualized rate of 10.5%, and full year 2012 annuity surrenders at 11.1%.

 

·Holding company cash and securities of $144.5 million at Dec. 31, 2012.

 

·Saybrus Partners EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization), including inter-company revenues, of $1.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $3.3 million of EBITDA for full year 2012.

 

Full Year 2012 Statutory Results For Phoenix Life Insurance Company*

 

The following are highlights from the unaudited statutory financial results of PLIC for the year ended Dec. 31, 2012 filed with the New York Department of Financial Services on March 1, 2013:

 

·Statutory surplus and asset valuation reserve was $922.5 million at Dec. 31, 2012, net of the $71.8 million in dividends paid to the holding company during the year and the repurchase of $48.3 million par amount of PLIC’s outstanding 7.15% surplus notes due 2034. Statutory surplus and asset valuation reserve was $845.7 million at Dec. 31, 2011.

 

·Risk-based capital ratio was 379% at Dec. 31, 2012.

 

·Statutory net gain from operations was $160.5 million, and statutory net income was $156.2 million for the year ended Dec. 31, 2012.

 

* PLIC’s statutory financial statements are not a replacement for GAAP financial information of the Company. Variances between PLIC’s statutory financial information and its or the Company’s GAAP financial information are likely to be material.

 

In connection with this Solicitation, you should not rely on any financial information of the Company or its subsidiaries other than such financial information that is contained herein or in information furnished to you after the date hereof by the Company, the Information Agent or the Solicitation Agent in connection with this Solicitation. Except as provided herein or pursuant to this Statement, you are cautioned not to rely upon estimated GAAP financial information provided by the Company since the announcement of the Restatement, including in the March 15 Release, as the Company continues to progress through the Restatement process.

 

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Notification from the NYSE

 

As previously reported under Item 3.01 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2013, we received from NYSE Regulation, Inc. (the "NYSE") a notice of failure to satisfy a continued listing rule or standard and related monitoring. This notice informed the Company that, as a result of its failure to timely file its 2012 Form 10-K, it is subject to the procedures specified in Section 802.01E (SEC Annual Report Timely Filing Criteria) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

 

Under the Section 802.01E procedures, the NYSE will monitor the status of the filing of the 2012 Form 10-K and related public disclosures for up to a six-month period from its due date. If the Company has not filed the 2012 Form 10-K within six months from the filing due date, the NYSE may, in its sole discretion, allow the Company's common stock to trade for up to an additional six months pending the filing of the 2012 Form 10-K prior to commencing suspension or delisting procedures, depending on the Company's specific circumstances.

 

Notifications from Credit Rating Agencies

 

On April 9, 2013, A.M. Best Company, Inc. downgraded the senior debt ratings of the Company one notch from bb- to b+. The financial strength ratings for the Company’s life insurance subsidiaries and the debt rating of one of the Company’s subsidiaries were maintained and all ratings remain under review with negative implications. The downgrades and outlook reflect A.M. Best’s current view of the Company’s overall financial flexibility given the continuing delays in the filing of its GAAP financials. On December 7, 2012, all ratings of the Company and its subsidiaries were placed under review with negative implications. This rating action was prompted by the Company’s breach of the Reporting Covenant related to the delay in the filing the Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q.

 

On March 20, 2013, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the senior debt rating of the Company one notch from B3 to Caa1. The financial strength ratings for the Company’s life insurance subsidiaries and the debt rating of one of the Company’s subsidiaries were maintained and all ratings remain on review for downgrade. The rating action was prompted by the Company’s announcement of continued delays in the filing of its GAAP financial statements. On December 12, 2012, the senior debt and financial strength ratings of the Company were placed on review for downgrade. This rating action was prompted by the Company’s breach of the Reporting Covenant related to delay in filing the Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q.

 

On March 8, 2013, Standard & Poor’s placed the senior debt and financial strength ratings for the Company and its subsidiaries on CreditWatch with negative implications. The placement on CreditWatch with negative implications reflected their view that the potential for the Company not being able to complete its Restatement and to further delay its filing had increased. On January 16, 2013, the senior debt and financial strength ratings for the Company and its subsidiaries were affirmed and all ratings were removed from CreditWatch with negative implications. This rating action occurred after the Company received the Requisite Consents to approve the First Supplemental Indenture. On December 7, 2012, they affirmed all ratings of the Company and its subsidiaries, and then placed them on CreditWatch with negative implications. The placement on CreditWatch with negative implications resulted from the Company’s

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violation of the Reporting Covenant and announced intention to seek Consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.

 

Litigation Update

 

On April 17, 2013, Robert Strougo, et al. filed a complaint against the Company, James D. Wehr and Peter A. Hofmann in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (Case No. 13-CV-547-RNC) (the “Strougo Litigation”). The complaint is styled as a class action consisting of all persons (other than the defendants) who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between May 5, 2009 and November 6, 2012 and arises out of the Company's announced intent to restate previously filed financial statements. The plaintiff alleges that, throughout the class period, the Company made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operational and compliance policies. The plaintiff is seeking damages and attorneys’ fees. We believe we have meritorious defenses against the lawsuit and we intend to vigorously defend against these claims. The outcome of this litigation is uncertain and any potential losses cannot be reasonably estimated.

 

On August 2, 2012, Lima LS PLC, filed a complaint against PHL Variable Insurance Company (“PHLVIC”), PLIC, the Company, James D. Wehr, Philip K. Polkinghorn, Edward W. Cassidy, Dona D. Young, and other unnamed defendants, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (Case No. CV12-01122). The plaintiff alleges that the Company promoted certain policy sales knowing that the policies would ultimately be owned by investors and then challenging the validity of these policies or denying claims submitted on the same. Plaintiff is seeking damages, including punitive and treble damages, attorneys’ fees and a declaratory judgment. We believe we have meritorious defenses against the lawsuit and we intend to vigorously defend against these claims. The outcome of this litigation is uncertain and any potential losses cannot be reasonably estimated.

 

On June 5, 2012, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as successor in interest to Christiana Bank & Trust Company and as trustee of 60 unnamed trusts, filed a complaint against PHLVIC, PLIC and the Company in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (Case No. CV12-04926). The plaintiffs allege that the Company promoted certain policy sales knowing that the policies would ultimately be owned by investors and then challenging the validity of these policies or denying claims submitted on the same. Plaintiffs are seeking damages, including punitive and treble damages, attorneys’ fees and a declaratory judgment. A motion to dismiss has been filed and is pending. By order dated March 28, 2013, the venue of this case has been transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (Post Transfer Case No. 1:13CV499). We believe we have meritorious defenses against the lawsuit and we intend to vigorously defend against these claims. The outcome of this litigation is uncertain and any potential losses cannot be reasonably estimated.

 

In September 2009, Carol Curran, et al. filed a putative class action complaint against certain subsidiaries of the Company, including AGL Life Assurance Company and Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation, as well as an officer of such subsidiaries, and two unrelated parties (Agile Group, LLC and Neal Greenberg), in the District Court (state court), Boulder County, Colorado (Case Number 2009CV907). Plaintiffs asserted claims for relief arising under Colorado statutory and common law and sought to recover damages, including punitive and

 

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treble damages, attorneys’ fees and a declaratory judgment. While the case was pending, the Company sold the subsidiaries named in the action and agreed to indemnify such subsidiaries and the officer in the action. This case was settled in the first quarter of 2013 and is subject to court approval. Pursuant to the settlement, the Company has made a payment of $3,000,000 of the settlement amount on behalf of PFG and its affiliates, which is subject to court approval. A hearing to seek final approval of the settlement is scheduled for May 28, 2013. There can be no assurances that the settlement will be approved.

 

We intend to disclose the foregoing in the Relevant SEC Reports when filed.

 

Reinsurer Notice of Claim

 

On June 6, 2012, one of the reinsurers of a Company insurance subsidiary provided notice of a claim, seeking relief under two treaties.  The relief sought is in an amount currently estimated to be approximately $20 million.  The Company established a partial reserve in the third quarter of 2012 and expects the matter to be resolved without material impact on the consolidated financial results of the Company.

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Rationale FOR THE SOLICITATION

 

The description of certain terms of the Indenture and the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver set forth below is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to (i) the terms and conditions of the Indenture as currently in effect, a copy of which was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 4.1 to our 2001 Form 10-K, as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on January 18, 2013, and (ii) the relevant provisions of the Indenture as proposed to be amended by the Proposed Amendments. See “Certain Covenants” and “The Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.” Holders of the Securities are urged to read carefully and in its entirety this Statement, including the description of the Proposed Amendments and the Proposed Waiver set forth below and the proposed amendments to the Indenture reflecting the Proposed Amendments before determining whether to grant a Consent.

 

Background

 

The Indenture requires us to file with the Trustee, within fifteen (15) days after we are required to file with the SEC, copies of the SEC Reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

We previously announced that we would not be able to timely file our Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q with the SEC or the Trustee. Our failure to timely deliver copies of the Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q to the Trustee resulted in a default under the Original Indenture. Holders representing a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Securities previously consented to approve the First Supplemental Indenture that amended the Original Indenture and to provide a related waiver extending the date for us to provide our Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q to the Trustee to March 31, 2013.

 

We announced on March 15, 2013 that we would not meet our timetable for filing our restated financial information and the Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q with the SEC or the Trustee by March 31, 2013, and we would also not timely file our 2012 Form 10-K with the SEC or the Trustee. We refer to our delayed Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q and 2012 Form 10-K together in this Statement as the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports. Our failure to timely deliver copies of the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports to the Trustee resulted in a default under the Indenture. The Trustee has sent us a Notice of Default, dated April 1, 2013, indicating that the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports have resulted in our failure to comply with the Reporting Covenant and that the 60-day cure period provided for in the Indenture would commence from the date of the Notice of Default.

 

If we fail to file the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports by May 31, 2013, as a result of the failure to comply with the Reporting Covenant, the maturity of the Securities could be accelerated under the Indenture at any time if: (i) the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver with respect to the Securities do not become effective, and (ii) following the 60-day cure period, the Trustee or the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the Securities deliver an acceleration notice to us in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. The acceleration of the maturity of the Securities would permit the holders of the Securities to cause the outstanding

 

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principal amount to become immediately due and payable. For the risks associated with an acceleration of the maturity of the Securities, see “Risk Factors.”

 

We have made significant progress on the restatement and will provide further updates on timing and estimated financial impact on or before May 31, 2013. As a result of the delay in completing the Restatement, we believe we may not be able to timely file our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of 2013. We believe it is in the best interests of the Company to obtain additional flexibility permitting the Relevant SEC Reports to be filed with the Trustee on or prior to December 31, 2013. Our ability to complete the Restatement and resume a timely filing schedule with respect to our SEC filings reflecting the Restatement is subject to a number of contingencies, including but not limited to, whether we continue to identify errors in our consolidated financial statements, whether existing systems and processes can be timely updated, supplemented or replaced, and the number and complexity of, and periods covered by, the periodic reports that we will have to file with the SEC to reflect the Restatement. Even if we are successful in amending the Indenture and obtaining a waiver from Holders, there can be no assurances that we will make our filings with the SEC and the Trustee by such date.

 

The Proposed Amendments will effectively provide that, until 5:30 p.m., New York City time on December 31, 2013, any failure to comply with the Reporting Covenant or failure to deliver any related notice of default to the Trustee will not constitute a default under the Indenture, and that our filing with the Trustee of the Relevant SEC Reports on a delayed basis prior to 5:30 p.m. New York City time on December 31, 2013 and payment of the Consent Fee would satisfy our obligations under the Reporting Covenant. The Proposed Waiver will provide that any and all defaults, and any Events of Default arising therefrom, that will have occurred under the Indenture prior to the effectiveness of the Proposed Amendments are waived. For a more detailed description of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver, see “The Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.”

 

This Solicitation is being made upon the terms and is subject to the conditions set forth in this Statement and the Consent. Approval of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver with respect to the Indenture requires receipt by the Company of the Requisite Consents. Promptly following the receipt of the Requisite Consents with respect to the Securities, and in compliance with the conditions contained in the Indenture, we and the Trustee will execute the Second Supplemental Indenture containing the Proposed Amendments.

 

Subject to the terms hereof, we reserve the right, in our sole discretion, (i) to terminate or amend, waive or modify any of the terms of this Solicitation, including increasing the Consent Fee or the Retail Processing Fee, or changing the Record Date, at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date and for any reason, by giving notice to the Solicitation Agent and the Information and Tabulation Agent; (ii) to extend this Solicitation for any reason; and (iii) not to extend this Solicitation beyond the original Expiration Date or any date to which this Solicitation has been previously extended. See “The Solicitation—Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendment.”

 

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THE SOLICITATION

 

General

 

We must receive the Requisite Consents of the Holders of the Securities in order for the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver to be effective with respect to the Securities.

 

This Solicitation is being made to Holders as shown in the records maintained by DTC as of the Record Date, and their duly appointed proxies. As of the Record Date, all $268,620,300 principal amount of the Securities (representing $300,000,000 in principal amount originally issued less $31,379,700 in principal amount previously held by the Company and cancelled in March 2013) were held of record by DTC on behalf of DTC Participants. DTC has authorized DTC Participants set forth in the position listing of DTC as of the Record Date to execute and deliver Consents as if they were Holders of the Securities held of record in the name of DTC or in the name of its nominee.

 

As of the Record Date, for purposes of determining whether the Requisite Consents have been obtained in connection with this Solicitation, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Securities is $252,682,375. Any Securities owned by us, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with us, will be disregarded as such Securities are not deemed to be “outstanding” for purposes hereof. As of the Record Date, the Company and its affiliates held $15,937,925 in aggregate principal amount of the Securities.

 

If all of the conditions set forth herein have been satisfied, including the execution and delivery of the Second Supplemental Indenture, we will pay the Consent Fee promptly after the Expiration Date (but no later than ten days after the Expiration Date) by deposit of funds with the Information and Tabulation Agent, which will act as agent for the Holders for the purpose of receiving payments from us and transmitting such payments to the Holders. The Consent Fee is $0.0625 per $25 principal amount of Securities in respect of which a Consent has been delivered.

 

With respect to any Consents validly received and accepted from a beneficial owner with holdings in an aggregate principal amount of Securities less than or equal to $250,000, the Company will pay, if applicable, any relevant Retail Processing Dealer (as defined herein) a cash payment equal to $0.0625 per $25 principal amount of the Securities to which such Consent relates (the “Retail Processing Fee”). Calculations of the Consent Fee and the Retail Processing Fee will be rounded up to the nearest cent.

 

Holders who do not provide their Consent prior to the Expiration Date will not receive the Consent Fee. The Company will not be obligated to pay a Consent Fee or a Retail Processing Fee if the Solicitation is terminated. The Company’s obligation to pay a Consent Fee or a Retail Processing Fee is subject to conditions as set forth below, including the receipt of the Requisite Consents by the Company on or before the Expiration Date and the execution and delivery of the Second Supplemental Indenture. The Proposed Amendments and the Proposed Waiver constitute a single proposal. Accordingly, any Consent validly delivered will constitute consent and approval to all of the Proposed Amendments and the Proposed Waiver. If all of the conditions set forth herein have been

 

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satisfied, the Company will promptly pay the Consent Fee and the Retail Processing Fee following the Expiration Date.

 

If the Requisite Consents have been received with respect to the Securities on or before the Expiration Date, the Trustee and the Company will execute the Second Supplemental Indenture promptly following receipt of the Requisite Consents in compliance with the conditions contained in the Indenture. The Consent, including the waivers contained therein, will become effective following receipt by the Company of the Requisite Consents on or before the Expiration Date. Our execution of the Second Supplemental Indenture will not require us to pay for any Consent until after the Expiration Date. If we fail to pay the Consent Fee as described herein, the Proposed Amendments and the Proposed Waiver will cease to have any effect with respect to the Securities beginning on the date of such failure.

 

The delivery of a Consent will not affect a Holder’s right to sell or transfer any Securities, and a sale or transfer of any Securities after the Record Date will not have the effect of revoking any Consent properly given by the Holder of such Securities. Therefore, each properly executed and delivered Consent will be counted notwithstanding any sale or transfer of any Securities to which such Consent relates. In connection with this Solicitation, Holders cannot revoke Consents once delivered. Failure to deliver a Consent will have the same effect as if a Holder had voted “No” to the Proposed Amendments and the Proposed Waiver. From and after the Expiration Date, assuming our receipt of the Requisite Consents with respect to the Securities and subject to all other conditions contained herein, each present and future holder of the Securities will be bound by the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.

 

Prior to the Expiration Date, the Company may issue a press release and/or notify Holders through the Information and Tabulation Agent: (1) upon the receipt of the Requisite Consents; (2) upon the execution and delivery of the Second Supplemental Indenture, (3) upon the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions set forth herein, or (4) as we deem necessary or appropriate from time to time. Notwithstanding any such notice, Holders will continue to be permitted to submit Consents until the Expiration Date and receive the corresponding Consent Fees, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

This Solicitation may be terminated by the Company, in its sole discretion, at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. If this Solicitation is terminated, all Consents received shall be void, and the Company will not be obligated to pay the Consent Fee or the Retail Processing Fee to any Holders or Retail Processing Dealers.

 

D.F. King & Co., Inc., in its capacity as paying agent in respect of the Solicitation, will receive the Consent Fees from the Company and transmit such payments to D.F. King & Co., Inc., in its capacity as Information and Tabulation Agent, for further credit to the DTC Participants. The DTC Participants will be responsible for distributing the Consent Fees to beneficial owners entitled to receive Consent Fees as appropriate, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Information and Tabulation Agent, the Solicitation Agent or any other party will be responsible for making such distribution or for ensuring that DTC or the DTC Participants make such distribution. Under no circumstances will any interest or other charges be payable by the Company as a result of any delay in the transmission or crediting of the Consent Fees by the Information and Tabulation Agent, DTC or any DTC Participants.

 

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None of the Company, the Trustee, the Information and Tabulation Agent or the Solicitation Agent is making any recommendation as to whether or not Holders should deliver Consents.

 

Any questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of this Statement, the Consent or related documents may be directed to the Information and Tabulation Agent at its telephone numbers set forth on the last page hereof. A Holder may also contact the Solicitation Agent at the telephone numbers set forth on the last page hereof or such Holder’s broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Solicitation.

 

Conditions to the Payment of the Consent Fee, the Retail Processing Fee and the Effectiveness of the Consents

 

The Consent, including the waivers contained therein, will become effective following receipt by the Company of the Requisite Consents on or before the Expiration Date.

 

Our obligation to pay the Consent Fee and the Retail Processing Fee is conditioned on:

 

Requisite Consents having been received by the Expiration Date;
the execution and delivery of the Second Supplemental Indenture; and
the absence of any law or regulation that would, and the absence of any injunction or action or other proceeding (pending or threatened) that could, in our sole judgment, make unlawful or invalid the Consents or the Second Supplemental Indenture or make unlawful or invalid or enjoin the payment of any Consent Fee or Retail Processing Fee or that would, in our sole judgment, question the legality or validity of any of the foregoing.

 

In the event that any of the foregoing conditions is not satisfied, we may, in our sole discretion, allow this Solicitation to expire, extend this Solicitation and continue soliciting Consents pursuant to this Solicitation or otherwise amend the terms of this Solicitation. Neither the Consent Fee nor the Retail Processing Fee will be paid if any of the conditions listed above is not satisfied for any reason. See “The Solicitation–Consent Fee” and “The Solicitation–Retail Processing Fee.”

 

We will also pay the Retail Processing Fee to Retail Processing Dealers for Consents which have been received and accepted from a beneficial owner as described below. Calculations of the Consent Fee and the Retail Processing Fee will be rounded up to the nearest cent.

 

Record Date

 

This Statement and the Consent (the “Solicitation Materials”) are being sent to all Holders of record as of the Record Date. Such date has been fixed as the date for the determination of Holders entitled to give Consent and receive the Consent Fee, if payable, pursuant to this Solicitation. We reserve the right to establish, from time to time, but in all cases prior to receipt of the Requisite Consents, any new date as such Record Date with respect to any

 

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issue of Securities or any combination thereof and, thereupon, any such new date will be deemed to be the Record Date for purposes of this Solicitation for the Securities.

 

Consent Fee

 

The Consent Fee will be paid to each Holder of Securities as to which we have received and accepted a Consent prior to the Expiration Date.

 

If all of the conditions set forth herein have been satisfied, we will pay the Consent Fee promptly after the Expiration Date, but no later than ten days after the Expiration Date (by deposit of funds with the Information and Tabulation Agent) which will act as agent for the Holders for the purpose of receiving payments from us and transmitting such payments to the Holders.

 

The right to receive a Consent Fee is not transferable with any Securities. We will only make payments of a Consent Fee to Holders who have properly delivered Consents that are in effect at the Expiration Date pursuant to the terms hereof. No other holder of any Securities will be entitled to receive any portion of the Consent Fee.

 

Interest will not accrue on or be payable with respect to any Consent Fee.

 

Consents with respect to the Securities will expire if the Requisite Consents with respect to the Securities have not been obtained on or before the Expiration Date.

 

Calculations of the Consent Fee will be rounded up to the nearest cent.

 

Retail Processing Fee

 

With respect to any Consents received by a beneficial owner of Securities as of the Record Date with holdings in an aggregate principal amount of Securities less than or equal to $250,000, we will pay, if applicable, any relevant Retail Processing Dealer a cash payment equal to the Retail Processing Fee. Our obligation to pay a Retail Processing Fee is subject to conditions as set forth above under “– Conditions to the Payment of the Consent Fee, the Retail Processing Fee and the Effectiveness of the Consents.” In order to be eligible to receive the Retail Processing Fee, a properly completed Consent, as described below, must be received by the Information and Tabulation Agent prior to the Expiration Date, in accordance with the procedures for delivering Consents further described herein. We will, in our sole discretion, determine whether a broker has satisfied the criteria for receiving a Retail Processing Fee (including, without limitation, the submission of the appropriate documentation without defects or irregularities and in respect of bona fide Consents). Other than the foregoing, no fees or commissions have been or will be paid by us to any broker, dealer or other person in connection with this offer, with the exception of the Solicitation Agent and the Information and Tabulation Agent.

 

A “Retail Processing Dealer” is a retail broker designated in the soliciting of Consents and is:

 

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a broker or dealer in securities which is a member of any internationally-recognized national securities exchange or, in the United States, of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”); or
a bank or trust company.

 

Retail Processing Dealers will include any of the organizations described above even when the activities of such organization in connection with the Consent consist solely of forwarding to clients materials relating to this Solicitation and delivering Consents as directed by beneficial owners thereof. Each soliciting dealer will confirm with each beneficial owner of Securities that it processes has received a copy of this Statement, or concurrently with such solicitation will provide such holder with a copy of this Statement. No Retail Processing Dealer is required to make any recommendation to holders of Securities as to whether to Consent. No assumption is made, in making payment to any Retail Processing Dealer, that its activities in connection with the Consent included any activities other than those described in this paragraph. For all purposes noted in materials relating to the Consent, the term “process” will be deemed to mean no more than “processing Securities Consented” or “forwarding to customers material regarding the Securities.”

 

Procedures for Providing Consents

 

Any Holder desiring to provide Consent should complete, sign and date the Consent in accordance with the instructions therein and, as required therein, mail, fax, e-mail or deliver it and any other required documents to the Information and Tabulation Agent at its address set forth in the Consent for receipt on or prior to the Expiration Date pursuant to the procedures set forth herein and therein.

 

Only Holders as of the Record Date may execute Consents in connection with this Solicitation and such Consents will be binding on all beneficial owners and subsequent transferees of the Securities with respect to which such Consents were given. DTC has authorized DTC Participants set forth in the position listing of DTC as of the Record Date to execute and deliver Consents as if they were Holders of the Securities held of record in the name of DTC or in the name of its nominee. Accordingly, for purposes of this Solicitation, the term “Holder” includes any DTC Participant for whom DTC held Securities as of the Record Date. To cause a Consent to be given with respect to the Securities held through DTC, DTC Participants must complete and sign the Consent and mail, fax, e-mail or deliver it and any other required documents to the Information and Tabulation Agent at its mailing address, e-mail address or facsimile number set forth in the Consent for receipt on or prior to the Expiration Date pursuant to the procedures set forth herein and therein.

 

Each beneficial owner of Securities desiring that a Consent be given with respect to such Securities must instruct the Holder of such Securities (i.e., the custodian bank, depositary, broker, trust company or other nominee that is the DTC Participant with respect to such Securities) as of the Record Date to execute a Consent and deliver it to the Information and Tabulation Agent on such beneficial owner’s behalf.

 

HOLDERS WHO WISH TO CONSENT SHOULD MAIL, HAND DELIVER, SEND BY OVERNIGHT COURIER OR SEND BY FACSIMILE OR E-MAIL (CONFIRMED BY

 

 

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PHYSICAL DELIVERY) THEIR PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED CONSENT TO THE INFORMATION AND TABULATION AGENT AT THE ADDRESS OR FACSIMILE NUMBER SET FORTH ON THE BACK COVER PAGE HEREOF AND ON FRONT PAGE OF THE CONSENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH HEREIN AND THEREIN. CONSENTS SHOULD BE DELIVERED TO THE INFORMATION AND TABULATION AGENT AND NOT TO THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE OR THE SOLICITATION AGENT.

 

HOLDERS SHOULD NOT TENDER OR DELIVER SECURITIES TO THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE, THE INFORMATION AND TABULATION AGENT, THE SOLICITATION AGENT OR ANY OTHER PARTY AT ANY TIME.

 

All questions as to the form of documents and validity, eligibility (including time of receipt), conformity and regularity of and revocation of Consents will be determined by us, in our sole discretion, and our determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all Consents that we determine are not in proper form or payment for which may, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the absolute right in our sole discretion to waive any defect or irregularity in the Consent of any particular Holder, whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of any other Holders. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of this Solicitation (including the instructions in the Consent) will be final and binding. None of the Trustee, the Information and Tabulation Agent, the Solicitation Agent, us or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in Consents or will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification.

 

In connection with this Solicitation, Holders cannot revoke Consents once delivered.

 

If the Securities to which a Consent relates are held by two or more joint Holders, each such Holder must sign the Consent. If a signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other Holder acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence satisfactory to us of such person’s authority so to act. If Securities are held in different names, a separate Consent must be executed covering each name.

 

If a Consent relates to fewer than all Securities held of record as of the Record Date by the Holder providing such Consent, such Holder must indicate on the Consent the aggregate dollar amount (in integral multiples of $25) of such Securities to which the Consent relates. Otherwise, the Consent will be deemed to relate to all Securities held by such Holder. The Consent Fee will be paid only for such portion of the Securities to which a Consent relates. Calculations of the Consent Fee will be rounded up to the nearest cent.

 

Consent; Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Holders of Securities

 

Upon the submission of the Consent, or agreement to the terms of the Consent, each Holder, or the beneficial owner of such Securities on behalf of which the Holder has consented, will be deemed to acknowledge, represent, warrant and agree that (i) such Holder, or duly designated proxy, of the Securities indicated in the Signature Annex in the Consent has full

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power and authority to take the action indicated in the Consent in respect of such Securities, (ii) in evaluating this Solicitation, such Holder has made its own independent appraisal of this Solicitation and is not relying on any statement, representation or warranty, express or implied, made by the Trustee, the Solicitation Agent or the Information and Tabulation Agent not contained in this Statement or the Consent, (iii) such Holder is not a person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, and (iv) the Company has made available to the Holder or its agents all documents and information requested by it or on its behalf relating to the Proposed Amendments and the Proposed Waiver, including this Statement. These representations shall be deemed to be repeated and reconfirmed on the Expiration Date (if not already elapsed at the time of giving the Consent).

 

Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendment

 

Subject to the terms hereof, we reserve the right, in our sole discretion:

 

to terminate or amend, waive or modify any of the terms of this Solicitation, including increasing the Consent Fee or the Retail Processing Fee, or changing the Record Date, at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date and for any reason, by giving notice to the Solicitation Agent and the Information and Tabulation Agent;

 

to extend this Solicitation for any reason; and

 

not to extend this Solicitation beyond the original Expiration Date or any date to which this Solicitation has been previously extended.

 

Consents submitted prior to the public announcement of an extension of this Solicitation as provided below will continue to remain in effect after the public announcement of such extension. In the event we determine to extend the Expiration Date, we will notify the Information and Tabulation Agent in writing or orally (confirmed in writing) of any extension, amendment or termination and will make a public announcement thereof, each not later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the first business day following the previously scheduled Expiration Date. We may extend this Solicitation on a daily basis or for such specified period of time as we may determine in our sole discretion. Failure by any Holder or beneficial owner of the Securities to be so notified or learn of such public announcement will not affect the extension of this Solicitation. Each properly executed and delivered Consent by a Holder will be counted notwithstanding any subsequent extension of this Solicitation.

 

If we, in our sole determination, make a material change in the terms of this Solicitation or in the information concerning this Solicitation or if we waive a material condition to this Solicitation, or terminate this Solicitation prior to the Expiration Date, we will disclose such change or waiver in a public announcement and, if required by applicable law, disseminate additional solicitation materials. However, if we, in our sole determination, make a material change in the terms of the Proposed Amendments or Proposed Waiver or reduce the Consent Fee (a “Specified Material Event”), we will notify the Information and Tabulation Agent and the Solicitation Agent of such Specified Material Event and, thereafter, disseminate additional

 

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solicitation materials such that Holders will be given an opportunity to change their previously delivered Consent and deliver a new Consent in connection with such Specified Material Event.

 

Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make any public announcements, we will have no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by issuing a news release to any appropriate news agency.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

We will bear the costs of this Solicitation, including the fees and expenses of the Solicitation Agent, the Solicitation Agent’s counsel and the Information and Tabulation Agent (other than printing and mailing expenses). We will pay the Trustee under the Indenture reasonable and customary compensation for its services in connection with this Solicitation, plus reimbursement for expenses.

 

Brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees will be reimbursed by the Information and Tabulation Agent, by application of funds provided by us, for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by them in forwarding material to their customers. In addition to the Consent Fee, we will pay, if applicable, any relevant Retail Processing Dealer a cash payment equal to the Retail Processing Fee. We will pay all other fees and expenses attributable to this Solicitation and the execution of the Proposed Amendments, other than expenses incurred by Holders or beneficial owners of Securities.

 

Other

 

This Solicitation may also be made by mail, telephone, facsimile or electronic means or in person by our directors, officers and employees and our affiliates, who will not receive additional compensation therefor.

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RISK FACTORS

 

We are subject to risks and uncertainties, any of which could have a significant or material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity or consolidated financial statements. In addition, participating in this Solicitation involves certain risks. Before deciding whether or not to grant the Consent, you should carefully consider the risk factors described below. We also refer you to the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K as updated by the risk factor disclosed in Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2012. The risks described herein are not the only ones we face. For additional considerations with respect to the Restatement, this Solicitation and the Company, we refer you to our disclosure in our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed April 24, 2013, the Notification of Late Filing on Form 12b-25 filed with the SEC on November 8, 2012 and the Notification of Late Filing on Form 12b-25 filed with the SEC on March 19, 2013, as well as the risk factors and other risks and uncertainties discussed in our periodic reports filed with the SEC. This information should be considered carefully together with the other information contained in this Statement and the reports and materials we file with the SEC.

 

If we fail to obtain the Requisite Consents for the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver, holders of the Securities could call for accelerated payment of the Securities in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity and financial condition.

 

Under the Indenture, the Trustee or the holders of 25% or more of the outstanding principal amount of the Securities have the right to notify us if they believe we have breached a covenant under the Indenture and may, following any applicable cure periods, declare an Event of Default and cause the outstanding principal amount of the Securities to become immediately due and payable. The Trustee has sent us a Notice of Default, dated April 1, 2013, indicating that the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports have resulted in our failure to comply with the Reporting Covenant and that the 60-day cure period provided for in the Original Indenture would commence from the date of the Notice of Default. There can be no assurance that we will receive the Requisite Consents to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver on a timely basis, or at all, or that the extension of the Reporting Covenant for the Relevant SEC Reports will extend for a sufficient period of time to avoid an Event of Default, an acceleration event or other adverse impact on our business operations that may result therefrom. If we are unsuccessful in curing the default or obtaining the Requisite Consents to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver, the Trustee or the holders of 25% or more of the outstanding principal amount of the Securities will be able to accelerate payment of outstanding principal on the Securities for the existing breach of the Reporting Covenant in accordance with the Indenture. In the event that Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities do not provide us with the Requisite Consents to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver and determine to accelerate payment of the Securities, we would likely lack the ability to meet those obligations out of our currently available cash and liquid assets available at our holding company. Although we believe that we could take actions designed to satisfy such obligations, we can provide no assurance that any of these actions would be sufficient, available or available on satisfactory terms, any of which could materially and adversely impact our business, liquidity and financial position. We cannot assure

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you that we will be able to continue as a going concern if we receive a notice of acceleration with respect to the Securities and at the same time are unable to secure needed funding resources.

 

As a result of the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports, we do not have current financial information available.

 

As described above, we have not yet filed the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports or the Restatement and may not timely file certain 2013 SEC Reports. Until we file the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports and the filings contemplated to be made to effect the Restatement and are otherwise current in our SEC filing requirements, there is a lack of current publicly available information concerning the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of the Company. The Previously Issued Financial Statements that are the subject of the Restatement can no longer be relied upon. We are seeking an extension to file Relevant SEC Reports with the Trustee on or prior to December 31, 2013. Our ability to complete the restatement and resume a timely filing schedule with respect to our SEC filings reflecting the restatement is subject to a number of contingencies, including but not limited to, whether we continue to identify errors in our consolidated financial statements, whether existing systems and processes can be timely updated, supplemented or replaced, and the number and complexity of, and periods covered by, the periodic reports that we will have to file with the SEC to reflect the restatement. Even if we are successful in amending the Indenture and obtaining a waiver from the Holders, there can be no assurances that we will make our filings with the SEC and the Trustee by such date, which would further limit investor insight into our results of operations and financial condition and could result in a default under the Indenture. Investors must evaluate certain decisions with respect to our securities in light of the lack of current financial information. We are not in a position to predict at what date current financial information will be available. Accordingly, until current periodic reports and financial statements are filed with the SEC, any investment in our securities involves a higher degree of risk. The lack of recent public consolidated financial information may have a number of adverse effects on the Securities, including increased volatility in the market price of the Securities and a decrease in such market price. In addition, until current periodic reports and financial statements are filed, we will be precluded from registering our securities with the SEC for offer and sale. This precludes us from raising debt or equity financing in the public markets and will limit our ability to use stock options and other equity-based awards to attract, retain and provide incentives to our employees.

 

We face risks related to the Restatement, including risks associated with additional issues that may arise during the review being conducted by management and our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with the Restatement, and the potential adverse effects to our financial condition and results of operations as a result of any required adjustments to prior period financial statements.

 

As discussed in this Statement under “Recent Developments – Restatement” (and as previously reported in the Restatement Forms 8-K), we concluded that the Company's Previously Issued Financial Statements should no longer be relied upon and should be restated.  Management and our independent registered public accounting firm have not completed their review of the Previously Issued Financial Statements and it is possible that additional adjustments or other issues with respect to such financial statements may be revealed which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, such additional adjustments

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or issues could impact or delay our ability to produce restated financial results and provide final third quarter and year-end 2012 financial information and first, second and third quarter 2013 financial information in the anticipated timeframes, which may negatively affect the market’s perception of the value of our common stock and the Securities. In addition, companies that restate their financial statements may be subject to litigation claims and/or SEC proceedings following such restatement, and the Strougo Litigation, as well any future claims and/or proceedings, could result in unfavorable judgments, awards and settlements, regulatory fines and an increase in our related legal expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or consolidated financial statements in particular quarterly or annual periods. For a more detailed discussion of certain current litigation and other proceedings refer to “Recent Developments – Litigation Update” in this Statement.

 

The events which caused the need for this Solicitation have resulted in certain rating agencies placing us on negative credit watch and/or downgrading our credit and debt ratings, and could, if we fail to obtain (or if it appears to such ratings agencies that it is unlikely that we will obtain) the Requisite Consents for the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver, result in further credit rating downgrades of our debt or financial strength ratings, which could increase policy surrenders and withdrawals, adversely affect relationships with distributors, reduce new sales, limit our ability to trade in derivatives and increase our costs of, or reduce our access to, future borrowings.

 

As discussed in this Statement under “Recent Developments – Notifications from Credit Rating Agencies”, the Company, its subsidiaries and the Securities have been placed on negative credit ratings watch and/or downgraded by certain rating agencies in connection with the events which caused the need for this Solicitation. Failure to obtain, or the appearance to such ratings agencies that it is unlikely that we will obtain, the Requisite Consents for the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver, may result in further downgrades by these and other ratings agencies. We could also become subject to further downgrades of our debt or financial strength credit ratings in connection with the Restatement. These recent developments and any future rating downgrades may cause reputational damage, which could materially and adversely affect our ability to distribute our products through unaffiliated third parties, new sales of our products, the persistency of existing customers, and our ability to borrow. We cannot predict what actions rating agencies may take, or what actions we may take in response. At this time, we cannot estimate the impact of specific future rating agency actions on sales or persistency. If our credit ratings were to fall below a specified credit rating threshold, certain derivative counterparties could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing full collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions, or trigger a termination of existing derivatives and/or future derivative transactions. Any rating downgrades may also result in a lack of access to or increased interest costs in connection with future borrowings. Such an increase would decrease our earnings and could reduce access to financing and have a material adverse effect on our operations.

 

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The delay in filing the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports with the SEC and any failure to satisfy other NYSE listing requirements could cause the NYSE to commence suspension or delisting procedures with respect to securities issued by us, including our common stock and the Securities.

 

As discussed in this Statement under “Recent Developments - Notification from the NYSE,” as a result of our failure to timely file the 2012 Form 10-K, we received from the NYSE a notice of failure to satisfy a continued listing rule or standard and related monitoring. The 2012 Form 10-K was due March 18, 2013. Under the Section 802.01E procedures, the NYSE will monitor the status of the filing of the 2012 Form 10-K and related public disclosures for up to a six-month period from its due date. If the Company has not filed the 2012 Form 10-K within six months from the filing due date, the NYSE may, in its sole discretion, allow the Company's common stock to trade for up to an additional six months pending the filing of the 2012 Form 10-K prior to commencing suspension or delisting procedures, depending on the Company's specific circumstances. If we are unable to complete the Restatement and file the applicable Delayed 2012 SEC Reports with the SEC on or before September 18, 2013, we will apply to the NYSE for an additional six-month extension on the filing date for the applicable Delayed 2012 SEC Reports. In the event that the NYSE does not grant our request for extension, it could take action to delist our common stock which would result in there being a limited trading market for the stock.

 

Any other failure to satisfy NYSE listing requirements, if not waived by the NYSE, could cause the NYSE to commence suspension or delisting procedures with respect to our common stock or the Securities. When a company which has fallen below any of the NYSE continued listing criteria has more than one class of securities listed, the NYSE will give consideration to delisting all such classes. However, the NYSE may continue the listing of one class of securities regardless of its decision to delist another class. This circumstance would usually occur when a class of listed securities falls below certain of the NYSE’s distribution criteria. The commencement of any suspension or delisting procedures by the NYSE remains, at all times, at the discretion of the NYSE and would be publicly announced by the NYSE. The delisting of our common stock from the NYSE may have a material adverse effect on us by, among other things, limiting:

 

·the liquidity of our common stock;

 

·the market price of our common stock;

 

·the number of institutional and other investors that will consider investing in our common stock;

 

·the availability of information concerning the trading prices and volume of our common stock;

 

·the number of broker-dealers willing to execute trades in shares of our common stock; and

 

·our ability to obtain equity financing for the continuation of our operations.

 

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We may not be able to hedge our positions due to the inability to replace hedges as a result of our credit rating and the default under the Indenture covering the Securities.

 

We use derivative instruments to hedge the liability exposure and the volatility of earnings associated with certain variable and fixed indexed annuity liabilities.

 

Certain derivative counterparty agreements of certain subsidiaries contain provisions that permit the parties to terminate the agreements upon the occurrence of a default under the Indenture covering the Securities. In addition, certain of these agreements require our insurance companies’ financial strength rating to be above a certain threshold. If our financial strength ratings were to fall below the specified threshold, the counterparties could request immediate payment, demand immediate and ongoing full collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions, or trigger a termination of existing derivatives and/or future derivative transactions. In certain derivative counterparty agreements, our financial strength ratings are below the specified threshold levels and have been since March 2009.

 

The Company held no derivative instruments as of March 29, 2013 in an aggregate net liability position payable to any counterparty (i.e., the fair value of derivative instruments with each counterparty was in an aggregate net asset position payable to the Company if such holdings were liquidated).

 

If we are forced to terminate any derivative agreements, we may be unable to replace the derivative positions, thereby increasing our exposure to periods of significant and sustained downturns in equity markets, increased equity volatility, or reduced interest rates, which could result in an increase in the valuation of the future policy benefit associated with such products and result in a material adverse effect on our earnings and financial condition.

 

As previously reported, management believes it has identified multiple material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, the accuracy and timing of our financial reporting may be adversely affected.

 

We have reported material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and, as previously reported, management believes it has identified multiple material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide timely and reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. Any inability to provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud could harm our business. If we fail to maintain adequate internal controls, our financial statements may not accurately reflect our financial condition, which could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, cause our securities to trade at a decreased price and have an adverse effect on our business.

 

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We expect to continue to incur significant expenses related to the Restatement and the remediation of deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, this Solicitation and our failure to timely file our Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q and our year-end 2012 Form 10-K, and the possibility that we may not timely file our first, second and third quarter 2013 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, with the SEC and deliver them to the Trustee.  

 

We have devoted and expect to continue to devote substantial internal and external resources to the completion of the Restatement, the PHLVIC restatement and this Solicitation. As a result of these efforts, we have incurred and expect that we will continue to incur significant incremental fees and expenses for additional auditor services, financial and other consulting services, legal services, consent waivers as well as the implementation and maintenance of systems and processes that will need to be updated, supplemented or replaced. These expenses, as well as the substantial time devoted by our management towards identifying and addressing any internal weaknesses, could have a material adverse effect on our business, profitability and financial condition.

 

The longer the restatement process takes to complete, the more likely it is to continue to divert management and other human resources from the operation of the business, and the absence of timely and accurate financial information may hinder our ability to effectively manage the business of the Company.

 

The Restatement has diverted, and is likely to continue to divert, significant management and other human resources from the management and operations of the business of the Company. As a result of the delay in completing the Restatement, we believe we may not be able to timely file our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of 2013. The board of directors of the Company, members of management, the accounting, legal, administrative and other staff have spent, and continue to spend, significant time on the restatement of the financial statements, related disclosures and remediation of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its subsidiaries. These resources have been, and will likely continue to be, diverted from the strategic and day-to-day management of our business. In addition, current, accurate financial information is essential to the management of our complex business, including controlling the financial risk associated with the products that the Company offers and sells through its subsidiaries. The restatement and the absence of publicly available financial information may make it more difficult to accomplish the strategic objectives of the Company.

 

The Restatement, the events which caused the need for this Solicitation, and the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports will adversely impact our ability to access alternate financing arrangements to fund our ongoing operations, particularly in the event the payment obligation with respect to the Securities is accelerated as provided in the Indenture. In addition, we will be limited in our ability to register our securities for offer and sale with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, until we have filed the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports and the filings contemplated to be made to effect the Restatement and we otherwise are current with our relevant SEC filing obligations.

 

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Our ability to obtain financing, if needed, depends upon many factors, including our business prospects and creditworthiness as well as external economic conditions and general liquidity in the credit and capital markets. In light of the Restatement, the events which caused the need for this Solicitation, the Delayed 2012 SEC Reports and our failure to be current with our relevant SEC filing obligations, we may be unable, if needed, to secure outside financing to fund ongoing operations, in particular in the event that our payment obligation with respect to the Securities is accelerated as provided in the Indenture. Any sources of financing that may be available to us could also be at higher costs and require us to satisfy more restrictive covenants, which could limit or restrict our operations, cash flows and earnings. We cannot assure that additional financing would be available to us, or be sufficient or available on satisfactory terms. In addition, until current periodic reports and financial statements are filed with the SEC, we will be precluded from registering our securities with the SEC for offer and sale.

 

Our insurance company subsidiaries are also in the process of restating their respective GAAP financial statements for certain historical fiscal periods, and this ongoing restatement process may have a material adverse impact on the business and financial condition of the Company.

 

We conduct the majority of our business through PLIC and its indirect subsidiary, PHLVIC. As previously reported, on September 18, 2012, the audit committee of PHLVIC concluded that PHLVIC’s previously issued audited GAAP financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 included in PHLVIC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the unaudited GAAP financial statements for the first and second quarters of 2012 and the interim periods for 2011, included in PHLVIC’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, should be restated because of certain errors in those financial statements and, as a result, the related financial information in those financial statements should no longer be relied upon. As a result of the restatement, PHLVIC has delayed filing its third quarter 2012 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC and also believes that it may not be able to timely file its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of 2013.

 

PHLVIC has previously announced that until it completes its restatement, becomes current in its SEC reporting requirements and has filed with the SEC amendments to its product registration statements to include updated financial information, it will continue to not issue any new SEC-registered life insurance and annuity contracts. PLIC similarly has announced that it will continue to not issue any new SEC-registered life insurance and annuity contracts until it has filed with the SEC amendments to its product registration statements to include updated financial information. In addition, until the Company and the insurance company subsidiaries complete their restatement process, PHLVIC becomes current in its SEC reporting requirements, and the insurance company subsidiaries have filed amendments to their product registration statements, there will be ongoing uncertainty regarding our ability to continue to accept premiums, or to process certain other investment transaction requests, associated with the outstanding SEC-registered annuity and life contracts of our insurance company subsidiaries and in such event, these actions may have a material adverse impact on our competitive position and consumer perception of our products, and our retention of existing contracts, and may result in claims related to these SEC-registered products against us and our insurance company subsidiaries, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results.

 

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Although the errors to be corrected by the insurance company subsidiaries’ restatements are not expected to have a material impact on their respective financial results prepared in accordance with Statements of Statutory Accounting Principles filed with the state insurance regulators or their respective risk based capital computations for any of the periods noted, the fact of the insurance company subsidiaries’ restatements and the delay in PHLVIC’s filing of periodic reports with the SEC, the Company’s Restatement and the events which caused the need for this Solicitation could result in various regulatory bodies conducting examinations or investigations and/or making inquiries of the insurance company subsidiaries and the Company concerning compliance with applicable laws and regulations and may increase our compliance costs and the potential for regulatory investigations or proceedings or other claims. The Strougo Litigation and any future litigation, investigations, proceedings or claims that we and the insurance company subsidiaries could become involved in, or become the subject of, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or consolidated financial statements. For a more detailed discussion of certain current litigation and other proceedings refer to “Recent Developments – Litigation Update” in this Statement.

 

If the Requisite Consents are received, the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver with respect to the Indenture will be binding on all holders of the Securities and may adversely impact the market value of the Securities.

 

The Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver, which relate to the failure to comply with the covenant to timely deliver SEC reports and information to the Trustee, may adversely affect the market value of the Securities or otherwise be adverse to the interests of the Holders. If the Requisite Consents are received, the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver will be binding on all current and future holders of the Securities.

 

The outcome of litigation and other claims is unpredictable and any rulings not in our favor could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or consolidated financial statements.

 

We are regularly involved in litigation and arbitration, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. In addition, various regulatory bodies regularly make inquiries of us and, from time to time, conduct examinations or investigations concerning our compliance with, among other things, insurance laws, securities laws, laws governing the activities of broker-dealers and other laws and regulations affecting our registered products. It is not feasible to predict or determine the ultimate outcome of all legal or regulatory proceedings or to provide reasonable ranges of potential losses. We believe that the outcomes of our litigation and regulatory matters are not likely, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. However, given the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation and regulatory matters, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or consolidated financial statements, in particular quarterly or annual periods. For a more detailed discussion of certain current litigation and other proceedings refer to “Recent Developments – Litigation Update” in this Statement.

 

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Federal Income Tax Consequences of Consent Fee. 

 

Generally, the adoption of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver and the receipt of the Consent Fee by a holder of the Securities will only result in a “deemed exchange” of the Securities for new securities if there is a significant modification of the outstanding debt security. Although not entirely free from doubt, the adoption of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver and receipt of the Consent Fee should not result in a significant modification. Accordingly, the holder should have no gain or loss or change in its basis in such Securities as a result of a deemed exchange. The applicable rules, however, are complex and holders of Securities should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible federal income tax effects of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver and Consent Fee. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

 

certain covenants

 

Section 704 of the Indenture requires us to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, except with respect to the Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q, which was required to be filed with the Trustee by March 31, 2013 pursuant to the First Supplemental Indenture. Section 1004 of the Indenture requires us to file with the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement regarding compliance with the obligations under the Indenture, and, if a default shall have occurred under the Indenture, describing all such defaults of which our officers have knowledge and their status.

 

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AND PROPOSED WAIVER

 

The Proposed Amendments and Related Provisions

 

The Indenture provides that the Trustee and the Company may enter into a supplemental indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner any of the provisions of the Indenture with the written consent of Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities issued under the Indenture. Consequently, we are soliciting Consents from Holders of the Securities with respect to the Proposed Amendments.

 

Text of the Proposed Amendments to Indenture and Related Provisions: Below are certain excerpts of relevant provisions from the Indenture, substantially as such excerpts currently exist, along with the form of the Proposed Amendments to the provisions marked to show changes from the current provisions of the Indenture. Text that is proposed to be added to the Indenture by the form of the Proposed Amendments is bold and underlined, text that is proposed to be deleted is stricken, and text that remains unchanged is unmarked but is included herein for contextual reasons. We reserve the right to change the actual language of the Proposed Amendments, provided that such change does not materially alter the purpose or substance of the Proposed Amendments as described in this Statement.

 

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A. Amendment of Section 101 of the Indenture:

 

The following definitions contained in Section 101 of the Indenture will be revised as follows:

 

“Consent Fee” means the payment defined as such with respect to the Securities in the Solicitation Documents.

 

“Covenant Reversion Date” means 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on the earlier of (i) the Business Day following the Company’s failure to pay the Consent Fee, if due, for the Securities in accordance with the Solicitation Documents, and (ii) March December 31, 2013.

 

“Solicitation Documents” means the Consent Solicitation Statement, dated as of December 12, 2012 April 24, 2013, and the accompanying form of consent and waiver, each as may be amended and supplemented from time to time.

 

 

 

B. Amendment of Section 704 of the Indenture:

 

Section 704 of the Indenture is amended as follows:

 

Section 704. Reports by Company.

 

The Company shall, except as otherwise provided in this Section 704,:

 

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

 

(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

 

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(3) transmit by mail, to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Clauses (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 704 or this Indenture, the documents and reports referred to in this Section 704 that the Company would have been required to file with the Trustee on any date on or before the Covenant Reversion Date, but for this sentence, will not be required to be filed by the Company until the Covenant Reversion Date, and the filing by the Company with the Commission of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013 on or prior to the Covenant Reversion Date shall fully satisfy the requirement to file reports with the Trustee for any periods prior to the Covenant Reversion Date.

34
 

 

C. Text of Section 1004 of the Indenture:

 

Section 1004 of the Indenture was previously amended pursuant to the First Supplemental Indenture. The proposed amendment to the definition of Covenant Reversion Date impacts this provision. A copy of Section 1004 of the Indenture is included below:

 

Section 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default.

 

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers’ Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1004 or this Indenture, the Company will have no obligation to deliver an Officer’s Certificate, as referred to in the preceding sentence, relating to the breach of a covenant contained in Sections 704 or 1004 of this Indenture that occurred prior to the Covenant Reversion Date.

 

D. Text of Section 501 of the Indenture:

 

Section 501 of the Indenture was previously amended pursuant to the First Supplemental Indenture. The proposed amendment to the definition of Covenant Reversion Date impacts this provision. A copy of Section 501 of the Indenture is included below:

 

Section 501. Events of Default.

 

“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to the Securities, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

 

(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security when it becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days; or

 

(2) default in the payment of the principal or premium, if any, of any Security at its Maturity; or

 

35
 

 

(3) except as otherwise provided in this Section 501, default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

 

*                                             *                                             *

 

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the failure of the Company to comply with Sections 704 and 1004 of this Indenture on or prior to the Covenant Reversion Date shall not constitute an Event of Default under clause (3) above.

 

The Proposed Waiver

 

Section 513 of the Indenture provides that Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding may waive any past default and its consequences on behalf of Holders of all the Securities (except with respect to certain specified defaults). Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the Indenture. Consequently, the Company is soliciting the Proposed Waiver, which is set forth in the Consent and provides that each Holder that executes a Consent will waive, in accordance with Section 513 of the Indenture, any and all defaults and Events of Default relating to the Securities and the Indenture described above that shall have occurred under the Indenture before the effectiveness of the Proposed Amendments. If the Proposed Waiver is approved by the Requisite Consents on or prior to the Expiration Date, any and all such defaults and Events of Default that have occurred before the effectiveness of the Proposed Amendments will be deemed to have been cured for all purposes. Other than defaults under Sections 704 and 1004 of the Indenture described herein, the Company is unaware of any defaults or Events of Default that have occurred under the Indenture as of the date hereof.

 

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

 

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Proposed Amendments and payment of the Consent Fee that may be relevant to a beneficial owner of Securities as of the Record Date.  The summary is based on laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change.  The discussion does not deal with classes of beneficial owners subject to special tax rules, and does not describe any tax consequences arising out of the laws of any state or local or foreign jurisdiction.  We have not sought any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in this discussion, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions.  Accordingly, each Holder should consult its own tax advisor with regard to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver, the payment of the Consent Fee and the application of U.S. federal income tax laws, as well as the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdictions, to its particular situation.

 

*            *            *            *            *

 

Any discussion of U.S. federal tax issues set forth in this Statement is written in connection with the promotion and marketing by us and the Solicitation Agent of the transactions described in this Statement.  Such discussion is not intended or written to be legal or tax advice to any person and is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of avoiding any U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed on such person.  Each Holder should seek advice based on its particular circumstances from its own independent tax advisor.

 

*            *            *            *            *

 

For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of the Securities who or which is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

·an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

·a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of Columbia;

 

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

 

·a trust that (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more U.S. persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of the Securities who or which is not a U.S. Holder or an entity treated as a domestic or foreign partnership.

 

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Special rules, not discussed in this Statement, may apply to persons holding Securities through entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and those persons should consult their own tax advisors in that regard.

 

Tax Consequences of Consenting to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver

 

Consent Fee.  The tax consequences of a U.S. Holder’s receipt of the Consent Fee are unclear.  We intend to treat the Consent Fee for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a fee paid to a U.S. Holder in consideration of such holder’s consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.  Alternatively, the Consent Fee might be treated as a payment of additional interest on the Securities.  In either case, a U.S. Holder would recognize ordinary income in the amount of the Consent Fee received, without any reduction by any portion of a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Securities. In addition, depending on how the Consent Fee is characterized, the payment may be subject to an additional 3.8% tax which is imposed on net investment income for individual taxpayers above certain income thresholds. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine whether this tax applies to the Consent Fee.

 

Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.  The tax treatment of a U.S. Holder will depend upon whether, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the adoption of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver and the receipt of the Consent Fee constitute a “significant modification” to the Securities, which would result in a deemed exchange (the “Deemed Exchange”) of the Securities for new securities (the “New Securities”). 

 

If neither the adoption of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver nor the receipt of the Consent Fee results in a significant modification with respect to the Securities, such events will not constitute a Deemed Exchange. 

 

Treasury regulations specifically address whether or not the modifications to the terms of a debt instrument will result in a deemed exchange of that debt instrument for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Generally, the modification of the terms of a debt instrument will be treated as a deemed exchange of an old debt instrument for a new debt instrument if such modification is a significant modification.  Under applicable Treasury regulations, the modification of a debt instrument generally is a significant modification only if, among other things, based on all the facts and circumstances and taking into account all modifications (other than certain specified modifications) of the debt instrument collectively, the modification effects an alteration of the legal rights and obligations under such instruments in a manner that is “economically significant.”  Two or more modifications of a debt instrument over any period of time constitute a significant modification if, had they been done as a single change, the change would have resulted in a significant modification. Accordingly, the amendment to the Indenture and related consent fee payment made pursuant to the Previous Consent Solicitation must be considered together with the modifications contemplated in this Statement.

 

The regulations, however, provide that a modification of a debt instrument that adds, deletes or alters customary accounting or financial covenants is not a significant modification.  The Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver and similar amendments and waiver made pursuant to the Previous Consent Solicitation should be viewed as merely altering or deleting customary accounting or financial covenants and therefore not a significant modification.

 

38
 

 

In addition, the regulations provide specific rules for determining whether a change in yield constitutes a significant modification. A change in the yield of a debt instrument is a significant modification under the regulations if the yield of the modified instrument (determined by taking into account any payments made to the U.S. Holder as consideration for the modification) varies from the yield on the unmodified instrument (determined as of the date of the modification) by more than the greater of 25 basis points or 5 percent of the annual yield of the unmodified instrument. Due to the amount of the Consent Fee and the consent fee paid pursuant to the Previous Consent Solicitation, the payment of such fees would not result in a significant modification.

 

Accordingly, U.S. Holders should not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the adoption of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver and should have the same adjusted tax basis and holding period in their Securities after the adoption of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver that such U.S. Holders had in such Securities immediately before such adoption. Even if the IRS took the position that there was a significant modification, the Deemed Exchange would likely be treated as a recapitalization and therefore have the same U.S. federal income tax consequences as those described in the preceding sentence. However, U.S. Holders should be aware that the conclusions set forth above are not binding on the IRS or the courts, and no ruling is being requested from the IRS.

 

In light of the complexity of the applicable rules, U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the risk that the adoption of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver constitutes a significant modification for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the tax consequences to them if the events are so treated.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Information returns may be filed with the IRS in connection with the payment of a Consent Fee to a U.S. Holder. A U.S. Holder generally will be subject to backup withholding on the Consent Fee, if paid, unless such U.S. Holder (i) certifies that it is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories, or (ii) provides a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.  The amount of any backup withholding from the Consent Fee, if paid, will be allowed as a credit against such U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

Non-U.S. Holders

 

Although it is not entirely clear that withholding of U.S. federal income tax is applicable to the payment of the Consent Fee to a Non-U.S. Holder, we intend to withhold such tax from any Consent Fee paid to a Non-U.S. Holder at a rate of 30 percent, unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides to the applicable withholding Agent a properly executed (a) IRS Form W-8BEN (or a permissible substitute) claiming an exemption from (or reduction in) withholding under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty or (b) IRS Form W-8ECI stating that the Consent Fee is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s

 

39
 

 

conduct of a trade or business in the United States.  Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of a refund of any tax withheld.

 

40
 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document that we file at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, and at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. In addition, the Company’s filings with the SEC are available on its website, www.phoenixwm.com in the Investor Relations section, under the heading “SEC Filings.” As described above, we have not yet filed our Delayed 2012 SEC Reports and have announced that we have concluded that certain Previously Issued Financial Statements can no longer be relied upon. See “Recent Developments – Restatement,” “Recent Developments – Status of Restatement,” and “Risk Factors.”

 

We refer you to the following documents, which we have filed with, or furnished to, the SEC:

 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished on November 16, 2012, January 16, 2013, January 18, 2013, April 5, 2013 and April 24, 2013;

 

our Form 12b-25 Notification of Late Filing of a Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012; and

 

our Form 12b-25 Notification of Late Filing of a Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

In connection with this Solicitation, you should not rely on any financial information of the Company or its subsidiaries other than such financial information that is contained herein or in information furnished to you after the date hereof by the Company, the Information Agent or the Solicitation Agent in connection with this Solicitation. Except as provided herein or pursuant to this Statement, you are cautioned not to rely upon estimated GAAP financial information provided by the Company since the announcement of the Restatement, including in the March 15 Release, as the Company continues to progress through the Restatement process. We specifically do not incorporate any of our historical financial statements and related materials in this Statement. If we, in our sole determination, make a material change in the terms of this Solicitation or in the information concerning this Solicitation or if we waive a material condition to this Solicitation, or terminate this Solicitation prior to the Expiration Date, we will disclose such change or waiver in a public announcement and, if required by applicable law, disseminate additional solicitation materials. However, if a Specified Material Event occurs, we will notify the Information and Tabulation Agent and the Solicitation Agent of such Specified Material Event and, thereafter, disseminate additional solicitation materials such that Holders will be given an opportunity to change their previously delivered Consent and deliver a new Consent in connection with such Specified Material Event. Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make any public announcements, we will have no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by issuing a news release to any appropriate news agency.

 

41
 

 

You may request a copy of these filings by writing, or telephoning, e-mailing or downloading documents.

 

The Phoenix Companies, Inc.
One American Row
Hartford, CT 06102-5056
Attention: Corporate Secretary

Telephone: (860) 403-7100
E-mail: corporate.secretary@phoenixwm.com

The information on any web site which might be accessible through a hyperlink resulting from this or any other URL referenced in this Statement is not intended to be part of this Statement and is not incorporated herein by reference.

 

You should rely only on the information provided in this Statement and in our referenced filings. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this Statement is accurate as of any date other than that on the front cover of this Statement.

  

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SOLICITATION AGENT; INFORMATION AND TABULATION AGENT

 

In connection with this Solicitation, we have retained Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC to serve as our Solicitation Agent and D.F. King & Co., Inc. to serve as our Information and Tabulation Agent. We have agreed to indemnify the Information and Tabulation Agent and the Solicitation Agent against certain liabilities and expenses. At any time, the Solicitation Agent may trade the Securities for its own account or for the accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may have a long or short position in the Securities. The Solicitation Agent and its affiliates have provided in the past, and may be currently providing, other investment banking, commercial banking and/or financial advisory services to us.

 

We have not authorized any person (including the Information and Tabulation Agent and the Solicitation Agent) to give any information or make any representations in connection with this Solicitation other than as set forth herein and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us, the Trustee, the Information and Tabulation Agent, the Solicitation Agent or any other person.

 

Requests for assistance in filling out and delivering Consents or for additional copies of this Statement or the Consent may be directed to the Information and Tabulation Agent at its address and telephone number set forth on the back cover of this Statement. Holders may request a copy of the Indenture from the Information and Tabulation Agent.

 

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ATTACHMENT A

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

———————

FORM 8-K/A

Amendment No. 2

———————

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 24, 2013

 

 

The Phoenix Companies, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware 001-16517 06-1599088
    A-1   (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation)   Identification No.)

 

One American Row, Hartford, CT 06102 -5056
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
   
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (860) 403-5000

 

 

NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 

A-1
 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K/A (this “Amendment No. 2”) amends and supplements the Current Reports on Form 8-K and Form 8-K/A filed by The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (the “Company”) on November 8, 2012 and March 15, 2013, respectively, to update the Company’s expectations in connection with the timing of its filing of the Restatement (as defined herein), the Company’s delayed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012 (the “Delayed Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q”), the Company’s delayed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “Delayed 2012 Form 10-K” and together with the Delayed Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q, the “Delayed 2012 SEC Reports”), and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ending March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013.

 

Item 4.02 Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements or a Related Audit Report or Completed Interim Review

 

On November 7, 2012, management of the Company concluded that the Company’s previously issued audited financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the unaudited financial statements for the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and September 30, June 30 and March 31 of 2011 included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (the “Previously Issued Financial Statements”) filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), should no longer be relied upon and should be restated (the “Restatement”) because of certain errors in the consolidated statement of cash flows in those financial statements. Management evaluated these errors and determined that they had a material impact on the Previously Issued Financial Statements.  The errors to be corrected by the Restatement are not expected to have a material impact on the financial results of the Company’s insurance company subsidiaries prepared in accordance with Statements of Statutory Accounting Principles and filed with the state insurance regulators, or the subsidiaries’ risk based capital computations, for any of the periods noted.

 

Update of Restatement Timing

 

The Company has made significant progress on its financial statement restatement and will provide further updates on timing and estimated financial impact on or before May 31, 2013. As a result of the delay in completing the Restatement, the Company believes that it may not be able to timely file its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of 2013. The Company’s ability to complete the Restatement and resume a timely filing schedule with respect to its SEC filings reflecting the Restatement is subject to a number of contingencies, including but not limited to, whether the Company continues to identify errors in its consolidated financial statements, whether existing systems and processes can be timely updated, supplemented or replaced, and the number and complexity of, and periods covered by, the periodic reports that the Company will have to file with the SEC to reflect the Restatement.

 

The Company is seeking, pursuant to a solicitation of consents (the “Consent Solicitation”) from holders of record as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on April 23, 2013 (the “Holders”) of the Company’s outstanding 7.45% Quarterly Interest Bonds due 2032 (the “Securities”), the consent

A-2
 

 

of Holders representing a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Securities to amend the indenture relating to the Securities (the “Indenture”) and to provide a related waiver that will allow the Company to extend the date for providing its Delayed 2012 SEC Reports and its first, second and third quarter 2013 Forms 10-Q to the trustee under the Indenture (the “Trustee”) to a date on or prior to December 31, 2013. However, even if the Company is successful in amending the Indenture and obtaining a waiver from the Holders, there can be no assurances that the Company will make its filings with the SEC or the Trustee by such date. The Company is providing additional information concerning the Consent Solicitation in a Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2013 and the exhibits thereto.

 

Information Regarding Currently Identified Errors, Adjustments and Reclassifications Relating to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

During the preparation of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012, certain errors were identified in the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as well as for the Previously Issued Financial Statements.  These errors primarily consisted of (i) the incorrect classification of deposits and withdrawals of universal life and variable universal life products as cash flows used for continuing operations, (ii) the incorrect classification of capitalized interest on policy loans as an investing activity, and (iii) certain other classification errors within cash flows, primarily from investing activities.  In addition to these errors, the Company expects to make certain changes in presentation to enhance disclosure of certain cash activity.

 

The Company also expects to make reclassifications to correct the presentation of certain items as cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the Previously Issued Financial Statements, as appropriate.  These corrections include the reclassification of restricted cash to other assets and certain negative cash balances from other liabilities. The Company expects these reclassifications to have a material impact on the total beginning and ending cash balances, as well as the total change in cash and cash equivalents reported on the consolidated statement of cash flows reported in the Previously Issued Financial Statements.

 

Information Regarding Currently Identified Errors, Adjustments and Reclassifications Relating to the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statement of Income and Other Comprehensive Income

 

As part of the Restatement, the Company is adjusting the Previously Issued Financial Statements for errors identified and corrected during prior periods, and recording the adjustments in the appropriate historical period.  The Company also has identified, assessed for materiality and corrected additional errors affecting prior periods including actuarial valuation of certain insurance liabilities and deferred policy acquisition cost assets, accounting for complex reinsurance transactions, and valuation of certain private debt securities and derivative instruments. The Company expects that it will continue to identify, assess for materiality and correct additional errors during the course of the Restatement, some of which may be material and adverse.  Some errors which have been identified have not yet been quantified or analyzed completely.

 

A-3
 

 

Retrospective Adoption of Amended Accounting Guidance

 

As disclosed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2012, in October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued amended guidance to ASC 944, “Financial Services – Insurance”, to address the diversity in practice for accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. The amendment clarifies the definition of acquisition costs (i.e., costs which qualify for deferral) to include only incremental direct costs that result directly from, and are essential to, a contract and would not have been incurred by the insurance entity had the contract transaction not occurred. Therefore, only costs related to successful efforts of acquiring a new, or renewal, contract should be deferred. This guidance was retrospectively adopted on January 1, 2012 and such retrospective adoption will result in amendments to previously reported balances in all applicable reporting periods as if the guidance was applied at the inception of all policies in force.  Adjustments for the retrospective adoption will reflect the impact of the adoption after consideration of the correction of errors identified in connection with the Restatement.

 

Additional Information

 

The Audit Committee and management discussed these matters with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Company’s previously issued audited financial statements and other financial information for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, and the Company’s interim financial statements for the periods ended June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012, September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011 and March 31, 2011 will be restated in one or more future filings with the SEC.

 

Since November 7, 2012 and in connection with the Restatement, the Company has identified additional errors, many of which have secondary impacts, such as the effect of these adjustments on deferred policy acquisition costs, and it has also identified limitations in existing systems and processes that will need to be updated, supplemented or replaced.  

 

The Company continues to assess its disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.  Management believes that it has currently identified multiple material weaknesses that will be reported in the Delayed 2012 Form 10-K.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The foregoing contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws relating to forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements include statements relating to, or representing management’s beliefs about, our future transactions, strategies, operations and financial results, including, without limitation, our expectation to provide information within anticipated timeframes.  Such forward-looking statements often contain words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “is targeting,” “may,” “should” and other similar words or expressions.  Forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s current expectations and beliefs and are not guarantees of future performance.  Our ability to

A-4
 

 

complete the Restatement and resume a timely filing schedule with respect to our SEC filings reflecting the Restatement is subject to a number of contingencies, including but not limited to, whether we continue to identify errors in our consolidated financial statements, whether existing systems and processes can be timely updated, supplemented or replaced, and the number and complexity of, and periods covered by, the periodic reports that we will have to file with the SEC to reflect the Restatement. Our actual business, financial condition or results of operations may differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties which include, among others, those risks and uncertainties described in any of our other filings with the SEC.  Certain other factors which may impact our business, financial condition or results of operations or which may cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements are discussed or included in our periodic and other reports filed with the SEC and are available on our website at www.phoenixwm.com under “Investor Relations”.  You are urged to carefully consider all such factors.  We do not undertake or plan to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in plans, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this discussion, even if such results, changes or circumstances make it clear that any forward-looking information will not be realized.  If we make any future public statements or disclosures which modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this discussion, such statements or disclosures will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this discussion.

 

 * * * * *

 

 

 

A-5
 

  

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  THE PHOENIX COMPANIES, INC.
     
Date:  April 24, 2013 By: /s/ Bonnie J. Malley
  Name: Bonnie J. Malley
  Title:

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

 

A-6
 

 

ATTACHMENT B

 

NEWS RELEASE Description: PNX_cent_rgb_2x1 

 

 

For Immediate Release One American Row
  PO Box 5056
  Hartford CT 06102-5056
  www.phoenixwm.com

 

 

Contacts:  

Media Relations

Alice Ericson, 860-403-5946

alice.ericson@phoenixwm.com

Investor Relations

Naomi Baline Kleinman 860-403-7100

pnx.ir@phoenixwm.com

 

The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (NYSE:PNX) Announces Consent Solicitation Relating to 7.45% Quarterly Interest Bonds due 2032 and Provides Restatement Update

 

·Begins solicitation of bondholders to extend certain reporting deadlines
·Significant progress on restatement made
·Further update on timing and estimated financial impact on or before May 31, 2013

 

Hartford, Conn., April 24, 2013 – The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (NYSE: PNX) today announced it is seeking consent of bondholders holding the majority in principal amount of its 7.45% Quarterly Interest Bonds due 2032 (CUSIP 71902E 20 8) (NYSE:PFX) to amend the indenture governing the bonds and provide a related waiver. The consent would allow the company to extend the date for providing the bond trustee with its third quarter 2012 Form 10-Q, 2012 Form 10-K, and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of 2013 to December 31, 2013. The solicitation follows management’s conclusion that it requires additional time to provide the 2012 reports and its belief that this extension provides adequate time to resume a timely filing schedule.

 

Also today, the company updated the status of its restatement of prior period GAAP financial statements and the filing of its third quarter 2012 Form 10-Q and 2012 Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), saying it will comment on both timing and estimated financial impact on or before May 31, 2013. At that time, the company also will provide estimated operating metrics for the first quarter of 2013 and comment on statutory financial results for Phoenix Life Insurance Company (PLIC), its principal operating subsidiary.

 

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B-1
 

  

7.45% QUARTERLY INTEREST BONDS DUE 2032

 

·Phoenix is required to file its quarterly and annual reports with the bond trustee within 15 days after the applicable filing deadline. After each deadline, the trustee or holders representing 25% or more in outstanding principal amount of the bonds may then initiate a 60-day “cure” period. If the reports are not delivered to the trustee before the cure period expires, the trustee or holders representing 25% or more in outstanding principal amount of the bonds can request acceleration of maturity.
   
·In January 2013, Phoenix received valid consents from bondholders that allowed the company to extend the date for providing its third quarter 2012 Form 10-Q to the bond trustee to March 31, 2013. The consents were in excess of the majority of the outstanding principal amount of the bonds required for approval.
   
·Phoenix did not meet the respective deadlines for providing the trustee with its third quarter 2012 Form 10-Q or its 2012 Form 10-K and does not expect to deliver these reports within the cure period.
   
·In addition, because of the length of time required to complete the restatement, the company believes it may not be able to timely file its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the first, second and third quarters of 2013. As a result, today the company began soliciting its bondholders for another consent that would extend to December 31, 2013 the deadline for providing the trustee with the required SEC reports for the third quarter and full-year 2012 and the first, second and third quarters of 2013.
   
·The solicitation will expire at 5 p.m., EDT, on May 21, 2013, or such date and time to which the company may extend it. Only bondholders of record as of 5 p.m., EDT, on April 23, 2013 may provide consents and receive the consent fee.
   
·Phoenix is making a Consent Solicitation Statement available to its bondholders through the bank or broker where their bonds are held and will begin outreach for their consent to the amendments. If the consent solicitation is successful, and subject to the conditions described in the Consent Solicitation Statement, bondholders will be compensated for their consent in the amount of $0.0625 for each $25 in principal amount.
   
 ·Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as Solicitation Agent and D.F. King & Co., Inc. is serving as Information and Tabulation Agent for this solicitation. Bondholders needing assistance or additional copies of the Consent Solicitation Statement should call D.F. King at 1-800-829-6551. Bankers and brokers should call D.F. King at 1-212-269-5550. Inquiries to D.F. King also may be sent via email to pfx@dfking.com. General questions may be directed to Morgan Stanley at 1-800-624-1808.

 

 

 

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B-2
 

 

·The company believes it will obtain bondholder consent to this extension. Even if the solicitation is unsuccessful, the company believes acceleration to be unlikely because of, among other things, the favorable interest rate paid on the bonds. However, the company believes it would have adequate liquidity in the holding company to meet its obligations if an acceleration occurs directly after the expiration of the cure period.

 

This announcement is not a solicitation of consents with respect to any bonds. The consent solicitation is being made solely by a Consent Solicitation Statement and related documents.

 

UPDATE ON RESTATEMENT AND FILING OF GAAP AND STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

·Phoenix said today it has made significant progress on the restatement and will provide further updates on both timing and estimated financial impact on or before May 31, 2013. At that time, the company also will provide estimated operating metrics for the first quarter of 2013 and comment on PLIC’s statutory financial results. PLIC plans to file its unaudited statutory financial results for the first quarter of 2013 with the New York Department of Financial Services by May 15, 2013.
   
·On Nov. 8, 2012, Phoenix announced it would restate previously issued GAAP financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the interim periods for 2011, and the first and second quarters of 2012. In its announcement, the company said it was delaying filing its third quarter 2012 Form 10-Q pending the filing of restated financial results. The company last provided an update on the restatement and filing of GAAP financial results on March 15, 2013.
   
·More details regarding the restatement are contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC today.

 

NEWS RELEASE OF MARCH 15, 2013

 

The company advises that the “Full Year 2012 Statutory Results for Phoenix Life Insurance Company” and “Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012 Estimated Operating Metrics for The Phoenix Companies, Inc.” reported on March 15, 2013 can continue to be relied upon. Investors are cautioned not to rely upon other estimated GAAP financial information provided by the company since the announcement of the restatement, including in the March 15, 2013 news release, as the company continues to progress through the restatement process.

 

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B-3
 

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

Phoenix plans to announce the date for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders when it files its 2012 Form 10-K.

 

ABOUT PHOENIX

 

Headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (NYSE:PNX) is a boutique life insurance and annuity company serving customers’ retirement and protection needs through select independent distributors. For more information, visit www.phoenixwm.com.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The foregoing contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws relating to forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements include statements relating to, or representing management’s beliefs about, our future transactions, strategies, operations and financial results, including, without limitation, our expectation to provide information within anticipated timeframes.  Such forward-looking statements often contain words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “is targeting,” “may,” “should” and other similar words or expressions.  Forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s current expectations and beliefs and are not guarantees of future performance.  Our ability to complete the restatement and resume a timely filing schedule with respect to our SEC filings reflecting the restatement is subject to a number of contingencies, including but not limited to, whether we continue to identify errors in our consolidated financial statements, whether existing systems and processes can be timely updated, supplemented or replaced, and the number and complexity of, and periods covered by, the periodic reports that we will have to file with the SEC to reflect the restatement. Our actual business, financial condition or results of operations may differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties which include, among others, those risks and uncertainties described in any of our other filings with the SEC.  Certain other factors which may impact our business, financial condition or results of operations or which may cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements are discussed or included in our periodic and other reports filed with the SEC and are available on our website at www.phoenixwm.com under “Investor Relations”.  You are urged to carefully consider all such factors.  We do not undertake or plan to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in plans, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this news release, even if such results, changes or circumstances make it clear that any forward-looking information will not be realized.  If we make any future public statements or disclosures which modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this news release, such statements or disclosures will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this news release.

 

 

 

 

 

 

###

B-4
 

 

The Information and Tabulation Agent for this Solicitation is:

 

D.F. KING & CO., INC.

 

48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10005
Banks and brokers call (collect): +1 (212) 269-5550
All others call toll free: +1 (800) 829-6551
Fax: +1 (212) 809-8838
Email: pfx@dfking.com

 

Any questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of this Statement or related documents may be directed to the Information and Tabulation Agent at one of its telephone numbers set forth above. A Holder (or a beneficial owner that is not a Holder) may also contact the Solicitation Agent or the Information and Tabulation Agent at their respective telephone numbers set forth above and below or its broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning this Solicitation.

 

_________________________________

 

The Solicitation Agent for this Solicitation is:

 

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC


1585 Broadway | Floor 04
New York, NY 10036
Attn: Liability Management
Toll-Free: +1 (800) 624-1808
Collect: +1 (212) 761-1057

_________________________________

 

 

 
 

 

THE PHOENIX COMPANIES, INC.

 

FORM OF CONSENT

 

For Consents to the Amendments to Indenture and Waiver

With Respect to

$300,000,000 7.45% Quarterly Interest Bonds due 2032 (CUSIP 71902E 20 8) (NYSE:PFX)

 

In Consideration of a Consent Fee of $0.0625 per $25 principal amount of the Securities

 

Pursuant to the Consent Solicitation Statement, dated April 24, 2013

 

To D.F. King & Co., Inc., as Information and Tabulation Agent

 

By facsimile transmission:
(for Eligible Institutions only)
+1 (212) 809-8838
Confirmation:
+1 (212) 493-6996
Attn: Elton Bagley

By e-mail:
pfx@dfking.com

 

By Registered Mail, Overnight Courier or by Hand:

48 Wall Street, 22nd floor
New York, New York 10005

 

 

THE SOLICITATION WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITIES WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MAY 21, 2013 (OR SUCH DATE AND TIME TO WHICH THE COMPANY MAY EXTEND IT WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITIES FROM TIME TO TIME, THE “EXPIRATION DATE”).

 

CONSENTS ARE TO BE DELIVERED TO THE INFORMATION AND TABULATION AGENT ON OR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.

 

IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION, HOLDERS CANNOT REVOKE CONSENTS ONCE DELIVERED.

 

 

 

The Solicitation is being made by The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (the “Company”) pursuant to the Consent Solicitation Statement dated April 24, 2013 (the “Statement”) only to Holders of record of the Securities as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on April 23, 2013 (as the same may be changed from time to time as provided in the Statement, such time and date, the “Record Date”). In connection with the Solicitation, Holders cannot revoke Consents once delivered. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this form of Consent (this “Consent”) have the meanings set forth in the Statement, unless otherwise defined herein.

 

The instructions contained in the Statement and this Consent should be read carefully before this Consent is completed. None of the Company, the Solicitation Agent, the Information and Tabulation Agent, the Trustee or any of their affiliates is making any recommendation as to whether or not you should Consent. You must make your own decision after reading the Statement, this Consent, and any other materials disseminated to you, or to which the Company refers you, in connection with the Solicitation, and after consulting with your financial and other advisors.

 
 

 

As of the Record Date, all $268,620,300 principal amount of the Securities (representing $300,000,000 in principal amount originally issued less $31,379,700 in principal amount previously held by the Company and cancelled in March 2013) were held of record by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee on behalf of participants in DTC (“DTC Participants”). For purposes of the Solicitation, DTC has authorized DTC Participants set forth in the position listing of DTC as of the Record Date to execute and deliver Consents as if they were Holders of the Securities held of record in the name of DTC or in the name of its nominee. Any beneficial owner whose Securities are held through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who wishes to deliver a Consent should contact the Holder of its Securities promptly and instruct such Holder to deliver a Consent on its behalf.

 

Holders who wish to deliver a Consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver should mail, hand deliver, send by overnight courier or send by facsimile or e-mail (confirmed by physical delivery) their properly completed and duly executed Consent and any other required documents to the Information and Tabulation Agent at its facsimile number, e-mail address or mailing address set forth above for receipt on or prior to the relevant Expiration Date. The method of delivery of this Consent and all other required documents to the Information and Tabulation Agent is at the risk of the Holder, and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Information and Tabulation Agent. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely delivery. No Consent should be sent to any person other than the Information and Tabulation Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company reserves the right (but is not obligated) to accept any Consent received by it, the Trustee or the Solicitation Agent and by any other reasonable means or in any form that reasonably evidences the giving of Consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.

 

If certain conditions set forth in the Statement are satisfied, the Company will pay to each Holder who has delivered a valid Consent a cash payment equal to $0.0625 per $25 principal amount of Securities to which the Consent relates (the “Consent Fee”). Subject to the conditions set forth in the Statement, the Consent Fee will be paid promptly after the Expiration Date (but no later than ten days after the Expiration Date) by deposit of funds with the Information and Tabulation Agent acting as agent for the Holders for the purpose of receiving payments from the Company and transmitting such payments to the Holders. With respect to any Consents validly received and accepted from a beneficial owner with holdings in an aggregate principal amount of Securities less than or equal to $250,000, the Company will pay, if applicable, any relevant Retail Processing Dealer (as defined in the Statement) a cash payment equal to $0.0625 per $25 principal amount of Securities to which such Consent relates (the “Retail Processing Fee”). Calculations of the Consent Fee and the Retail Processing Fee will be rounded up to the nearest cent. Holders who do not provide Consent prior to the Expiration Date will not receive the Consent Fee.

 

 
 

 

CONSENT

 

NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW. PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Statement and that the terms and conditions of the Statement shall be incorporated in, and form a part of, this Consent which shall be read and construed accordingly. The effectiveness of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver and payment of any Consent Fee is subject to the conditions set forth in the Statement under “The Solicitation – Conditions to the Payment of the Consent Fee, the Retail Processing Fee and the Effectiveness of the Consents.”

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges, represents, warrants and agrees that (i) the undersigned is a Holder, or duly designated proxy, of the Securities indicated in the Signature Annex and has full power and authority to take the action indicated below in respect of such Securities, (ii) in evaluating the Solicitation, the undersigned has made its own independent appraisal of the Solicitation and is not relying on any statement, representation or warranty, express or implied, made by the Trustee, the Solicitation Agent or the Information and Tabulation Agent not contained in the Statement or this Consent, (iii) the undersigned is not a person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company, and (iv) the Company has made available to the undersigned or its agents all documents and information requested by it or on its behalf relating to the Proposed Amendments and the Proposed Waiver, including the Statement. The representations of the undersigned shall be deemed to be repeated and reconfirmed on the Expiration Date (if not already elapsed at the time of giving this Consent). The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to properly deliver the undersigned’s Consent.

 

In addition, the undersigned acknowledges that, (i) the undersigned must comply with the provisions of this Consent, and complete the information required herein, to validly deliver a Consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver, (ii) a Consent delivered pursuant to any one of the procedures described under the heading “The Solicitation – Procedures for Providing Consents” in the Statement will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company subject to the terms and conditions of the Solicitation contained in the Statement and herein, and (iii)  in connection with the Solicitation, the undersigned cannot revoke a Consent once delivered.

 

The undersigned acknowledges that by submitting this Consent it hereby waives, in accordance with Section 513 of the Indenture, any and all defaults and Events of Default relating to the Securities and the Indenture described in the Statement that have occurred under the Indenture before the effectiveness of the Proposed Amendments. By delivering its Consent, the undersigned further acknowledges that it is and shall be deemed to be agreeing and acknowledging that it approves the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver in their entirety and the substance of the Second Supplemental Indenture, the execution and delivery thereof, the adoption and implementation thereof and all related matters (and directs the Trustee to enter into the Second Supplemental Indenture), and waives and releases any objections, claims and causes of action in respect of or related to any of the foregoing against any of the Company, the Solicitation Agent, the Trustee or the Information and Tabulation Agent and their respective officers, employees, attorneys, advisors, directors and affiliates.

 

Execution and delivery of a Consent by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities shall constitute notice to the Trustee of the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.

 

The undersigned acknowledges that by submitting this Consent, it is giving its Consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver with respect to the aggregate principal amount of Securities specified in the Signature Annex, and that this Consent relates to the aggregate principal amount of Securities the undersigned specified by completing the appropriate spaces in the Signature Annex.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the Signature Annex below, this Consent relates to the total aggregate principal amount of Securities held of record by the undersigned as of the close of business on the Record Date. If this Consent relates to less than the total aggregate principal amount of Securities so held, the undersigned must list on the relevant table in the Signature Annex below the principal amount of Securities for which its Consent is given.

 

The undersigned authorizes the Information and Tabulation Agent to deliver this Consent and any proxy delivered in connection herewith to the Company and the Trustee as evidence of the undersigned’s actions with respect to this Consent.

 

 
 

 

In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Consent and the Statement, the terms of the Statement shall govern. The undersigned acknowledges that the Company expressly reserves the right to terminate the Solicitation in respect of the Securities for any reason on or prior to the Expiration Date. If the Solicitation in respect of the Securities is terminated, then each Consent in respect of the Securities will be voided and no Consent Fee will be paid.

 

All questions as to the form of documents and validity, eligibility (including time of receipt), delivery and revocation of the Consent will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, and the Company’s determination will be final and binding absent a finding to the contrary by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

HOLDERS OF SECURITIES SHOULD NOT TENDER OR DELIVER SECURITIES AT ANY TIME.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURE ANNEX

 

THE PHOENIX COMPANIES, INC. – Consent Solicitation Statement, dated April 24, 2013

 

A DTC Participant must execute this Consent exactly as its name appears on DTC’s position listing as of the Record Date.

 

1. The DTC Participant signing this Signature Annex is:
     
  DTC Participant Account
Number
 
     
  Name:  
     
  Address:  
     
  Contact Person:  
     
  Tax Identification Number:  
     
  Telephone:  
     
  E-mail address:  
     
     
       

 

2. By executing this Consent, the Holder hereby:
   

 

  ¨ provides its Consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver; or
     
  ¨ withholds its Consent.
     
  If this Consent is executed and no election is made with respect to this Item 2, the undersigned will be deemed to have consented to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.

  

3. The Securities with respect to which this Signature Annex relates and with respect to which you Consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver are:

 

 

 

 

Securities   CUSIP    Principal Amount of Securities for which Consent is being given 
7.45% Quarterly Interest Bonds due 2032   71902E 20 8   $ 

 

If no principal amount is indicated in this Item 3, this Consent will be deemed to relate to the entire aggregate principal amount of Securities beneficially owned by the undersigned as set forth in the position listing of DTC as of the Record Date.

 

 
 

 

 

4. The undersigned hereby makes all acknowledgments, representations, warranties, agreements and authorizations described in this Consent and the Statement to which this Signature Annex relates.
     
  Signature of Authorized Signatory:  
     
  Name of Authorized Signatory and Title:  
     
  Name of Firm:  
     
  Address:  
     
  Telephone:  
     
  E-mail address:  
     
  Date:  

 

 
 

 

5. The Consent Fee may be paid by wire transfer or by check.  Please indicate below and if applicable please indicate in the boxes below any special payment instructions or special delivery instructions.
   

For payment by wire transfer: Complete Wire Transfer Instructions.

  

  WIRE TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS  
  (Please Print)  
     
  Bank Name:      
     
  City, State:      
     
  ABA/Routing #:      
     
  SWIFT #:      
     
  IBAN#:      
     
  Account Name:      
     
  Checking A/C #:      
     
  f/f/c #:      
     
  Re:      
       

 

  For payment by check: Complete Special Payment or Special Delivery Instructions, as applicable.

 

    SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS       SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS  
               
    To be completed ONLY if a check for Consent Fee is to be issued in the name of and sent to someone other than the undersigned.       To be completed ONLY if a check for Consent Fee is to be sent to someone other than the undersigned, or the undersigned at an address other than that indicated on the “Signature Annex” to this document.  
               
    Issue Check to:         Mail Check to:    
               
    Name:         Name:    
    (Please Print)       (Please Print)  
               
    Address:            
            Address:    
               
    (Include Zip Code)          
               
               
    (Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number(s)* of Payee)       (Include Zip Code)  
               
  * Please also complete the enclosed Substitute Form W-9 or applicable IRS Form W-8, as appropriate.          

 

 

 

 
 

 

PAYER’S NAME:

SUBSTITUTE

 

FORM W-9

 

 

 

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

 

Part 1 — PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT THE RIGHT OR, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TIN, WRITE “APPLIED FOR” AND SIGN THE CERTIFICATION BELOW.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________

Social Security Number
OR

 

_______________________________

Taxpayer Identification Number

 

¨ Exempt

 

Payer’s Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

 

Please fill in your name and address below.

 

 

Name

 

 

 

Business Name

 

 

 

Address (number and street)

 

 

 

City, State and Zip Code

 

 

Part 2 — Certification — Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:

(1)  The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me),
 
(2)  I am not subject to backup withholding either because (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, (b) I have not been notified by the IRS that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and
 
(3)  I am a U.S. person (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
 

Certification Instructions — You must cross out item (2) in Part 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of under reporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding, you received another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item (2). If you are exempt from backup withholding, check the box in Part 1 and see the enclosed “Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9”.

 

 

Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____________________

 

  

 

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATION IF YOU WROTE “APPLIED FOR” ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

 

I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (b) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number before payments are made, all reportable payments made to me will be subject to backup withholding.

 

Signature:________________________ Date:______________________________

 


THE IRS DOES NOT REQUIRE YOUR CONSENT TO ANY PROVISION OF THIS DOCUMENT OTHER THAN THE CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO AVOID BACKUP WITHHOLDING.

 
 

 

GUIDELINES FOR REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

 

What Name and Number to Give the Requester

 

Name

 

If you are an individual, you must generally enter the name shown on your Social Security card. However, if you have changed your last name, for instance, due to marriage, without informing the Social Security Administration of the name change, enter your first name, the last name shown on your Social Security card, and your new last name. If the account is in joint names, list first and then circle the name of the person or entity whose number you enter in Part I of the form.

 

Sole Proprietor—You must enter your individual name as shown on your Social Security card. You may enter your business, trade or “doing business as” name on the business name line.

 

Limited Liability Company (LLC)—If you are a single-member LLC (including a foreign LLC with a domestic owner) that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner under Treasury regulations § 301.7701-3, enter the owner’s name. Enter the LLC’s name on the business name line. A disregarded domestic entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.

 

Other Entities—Enter the business name as shown on required federal income tax documents. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business, trade or “doing business as” name on the business name line.

 

Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

 

You must enter your taxpayer identification number in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get a Social Security number, your taxpayer identification number is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the Social Security number box. If you do not have an individual taxpayer identification number, see How to Get a TIN below. If you are a sole proprietor and you have an employer identification number, you may enter either your Social Security number or employer identification number. However, using your employer identification number may result in unnecessary notices to the requester, and the IRS prefers that you use your Social Security number. If you are an LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner under Treasury regulations § 301.7701-3, and are owned by an individual, enter the owner’s Social Security number. If the owner of a disregarded LLC is a corporation, partnership, etc., enter the owner’s employer identification number. See the chart below for further clarification of name and TIN combinations.

 

Social Security numbers (SSN’s) have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e. 000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers (EIN’s) have nine digits separated by only one hyphen: i.e. 00-0000000.

 

The table below will help determine the number to give the requester.

 

 
 

 

GUIDELINES FOR REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

 

 

For this type of account:   Give Name
and TIN of:
  For this type of account:   Give Name
and TIN of:
                 
1. Individual   The individual   6. A valid trust, estate or pension trust   Legal entity(4)
                 
2. Two or more individuals (joint account)   The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account(1)  

7. Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on IRS Form 8832

 

8. Association, club, religious, charitable, educational or other tax-exempt organization

 

The corporation

 

 

The organization

                 
3. Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)   The minor(2)   9. Partnership or multimember LLC   The partnership or LLC
                 
4. a. The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee)   The grantor-trustee(1)   10. A broker or registered nominee   The broker or nominee
                 
  b. The so-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law  

The actual owner(1)

 

  11. Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a state or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments   The public entity
                 
5. Sole proprietorship or single owner LLC not described in 7   The owner(3)        

 

 

(1)List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has a Social Security number, that person’s number must be furnished.
(2)Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s Social Security number.
(3)You must show your individual name, but you may also enter your business or “doing business as” name. You may use either your Social Security number or employer identification number (if you have one).
(4)List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate or pension trust. (Do not furnish the taxpayer identification number of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.)

 

Note: If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.

 

How to Get a TIN

 

If you do not have a taxpayer identification number, apply for one immediately. To apply for a Social Security number, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, from your local Social Security Administration office. Get Form W-7 to apply for an individual taxpayer identification number or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an employer identification number. You can get Forms W-7 and SS-4 from the IRS.

 

If you do not have a taxpayer identification number, write “Applied For” in the space for the taxpayer identification number, sign and date the form (including the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number), and give it to the requester.

 

Note: Writing “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a taxpayer identification number or that you intend to apply for one soon.

 

Exemption From Backup Withholding

 

Payees Exempt From Backup Withholding
Individuals (including sole proprietors and LLCs disregarded as entities separate from their individual owners) are NOT automatically exempt from backup withholding.

 

For interest and dividends, the following payees are generally exempt from backup withholding:

 

1)   An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), an individual retirement account (IRA), or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) of the Code if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2) of the Code.

 

2)   The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

 

  

 

 
 

  

GUIDELINES FOR REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

             
3) A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.     Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under section 852 of the Code).
4) A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities.     Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) of the Code to nonresident aliens.
5) An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.     Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451 of the Code.
6) A corporation.     Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
7) A foreign bank of central issue.        
8) A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia or a possession of the United States.  

Payments that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup withholding. For details, see sections 6041, 6041A, 6042, 6044, 6045, 6049, 6050A and 6050N of the Code, and the Treasury regulations thereunder.

 

If you are exempt from backup withholding, you should still complete and Me Substitute Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. Enter your correct taxpayer identification number in Part 1, write “Exempt” in Part 2, and sign and date the form and return it to the requester.

 

If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity not subject to backup withholding, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8.

Privacy Act Notice.–Section 6109 of the Code requires you to give your correct taxpayer identification number to persons who must file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends and certain other income paid to you. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of your tax return. The IRS may also provide this information to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states, and the District of Columbia to carry out their tax laws. You must provide your taxpayer identification number whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Payers must generally withhold at the applicable rate on payments of taxable interest, dividends and certain other items to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.

 

PENALTIES

 

(1) Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number.–If you fail to furnish your correct taxpayer identification number to a requester, you are subject to a penalty of $50.00 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

(2) Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect to Withholding.–If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500.00 penalty.

(3) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information.–Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR TAX ADVISOR OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

 

9) A real estate investment trust.  
10) An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  
11) A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a) of the Code.  
12) A financial institution (as defined for purposes of section 3406 of the Code).  
13) A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or who is listed in the most recent publication of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries, Inc., Nominee List.  
14) A trust exempt from tax under section 664 of the Code or described in section 4947 of the Code.  

 

For broker transactions, persons listed in items 1-12, above, as well the persons listed in items 15-16, below, are exempt from backup withholding.

 

 
15) A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.  
16) A person registered under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 who regularly acts as a broker.  

 

Payments Exempt From Backup Withholding Dividends and patronage dividends that are generally exempt from backup withholding include:

 

 
  Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section 1441 of the Code.  
  Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the United States and that have at least one nonresident alien partner.  
  Payments of patronage dividends not paid in money.  
  Payments made by certain foreign organizations.  
  Payments made by an ESOP pursuant to section 404(k) of the Code.  

 

Interest payments that are generally exempt from backup withholding include:

 

 
  Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note, however, that such a payment may be subject to backup withholding if the amount of interest paid during a taxable year in the course of the payor’s trade or business is $600 or more, and you have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number or you have provided an incorrect taxpayer identification number to the payer.  
             

 

 
 

 

RETAIL PROCESSING DEALER FORM

 

As described in the Statement, any Consents received by a beneficial owner with holdings in an aggregate principal amount of Securities less than or equal to $250,000, The Phoenix Companies, Inc. will pay, if applicable, any relevant Retail Processing Dealer (as defined in the Statement) a cash payment equal to the Retail Processing Fee (as defined in the Statement). In order to be eligible to receive the Retail Processing Fee, a properly completed Consent must be received by the Information and Tabulation Agent prior to the Expiration Date, in accordance with the procedures for delivering Consents further described in the Consent and the Statement. We will, in our sole discretion, determine whether a broker has satisfied the criteria for receiving a Retail Processing Fee (including, without limitation, the submission of the appropriate documentation without defects or irregularities and in respect of bona fide Consents). Other than the foregoing, no fees or commissions have been or will be paid by us to any broker, dealer or other person in connection with this offer, with the exception of the Solicitation Agent and the Information and Tabulation Agent.

 

NAME AND ADDRESS OF BROKER, DEALER, COMMERCIAL BANK, TRUST COMPANY OR ANY OTHER ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT THAT SOLICITED INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBMIT

 

Name of Firm  
(Please Print)
   
Attention of Individual at Firm  
(Please Print)
   
Address: (Street)  
   
(City, State/Province/Region and Zip/Postal Code)  
   
 
   
(Country)  
   
Telephone Number  
   
If payment of the retail processing fee is to be made by wire transfer, include wire transfer instructions below:
   
Bank Name:     ABA#:  
         
Account Name:     Account #:  
                         


Beneficial Owners tendering Securities

 

Beneficial Owners   Transaction Code Reference Number   Aggregate Principal Amount
Beneficial Owner #1        
Beneficial Owner #2        
Beneficial Owner #3        
Beneficial Owner #4        
Beneficial Owner #5        
         

Attach additional list, if necessary and affix the list to this Retail Processing Dealer Form

 

Aggregate Retail Processing Dealer Fee:  

 

 

 
 


* * * *
RETURN THIS RETAIL PROCESSING DEALER FORM TO THE INFORMATION AND TABULATION AGENT

 

The acceptance of compensation by such Retail Processing Dealer will constitute a representation by it that (a) it has complied with the applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, in connection with such processing; (b) it is entitled to such compensation for such processing under the terms and conditions of the Solicitation; (c) in processing a Consent, it has used no solicitation materials other than those furnished by The Phoenix Companies, Inc. in connection with the Solicitation and (d) if it is a foreign broker or dealer not eligible for membership in the Financial Institution Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), it has agreed to conform to the FINRA’s Rules of Fair Practice in processing a Consent.

 

 
 

 

INSTRUCTIONS

 

(FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONSENT SOLICITATION)

 

1. Delivery of this Consent. Holders who wish to deliver a Consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver should mail, hand deliver, send by overnight courier or send by facsimile or e-mail (confirmed by physical delivery) their properly completed and duly executed Consent and any other required documents to the Information and Tabulation Agent at its facsimile number, e-mail address or mailing address set forth above for receipt on or prior to the relevant Expiration Date. The method of delivery of this Consent and all other required documents to the Information and Tabulation Agent is at the risk of the Holder, and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Information and Tabulation Agent. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely delivery. No Consent should be sent to any person other than the Information and Tabulation Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company reserves the right (but is not obligated) to accept any Consent received by it, the Trustee or the Solicitation Agent and by any other reasonable means or in any form that reasonably evidences the giving of Consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver.

 

All Holders, by execution and delivery of this Consent or a facsimile hereof, waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their Consent for the Solicitation.

 

2. Expiration Date. The Solicitation in respect of the Securities expires at 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on May 21, 2013, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, extends the Expiration Date. In the event the Company determines to extend the Expiration Date, it will notify the Information and Tabulation Agent in writing or orally (confirmed in writing) of any extension and will make a public announcement thereof, not later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the first business day following the previously scheduled Expiration Date. The Company may extend the Solicitation on a daily basis or for such specified period of time as it may determine in its sole discretion. Failure by any Holder or beneficial owner of the Securities to be so notified or learn of such public announcement will not affect the extension of the Solicitation.

 

3. Questions Regarding Validity, Form, Legality, etc. All questions as to the form of documents and validity, eligibility (including time of receipt), conformity and regularity of and revocation of Consents will be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, and its determination will be final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Consents that it determines are not in proper form or payment for which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right in its sole discretion to waive any defect or irregularity in the Consent of any particular Holder, whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of any other Holders. The Company’s interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Solicitation (including the instructions in the Consent) will be final and binding. None of the Trustee, the Information and Tabulation Agent, the Solicitation Agent, the Company or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in Consents or will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification.

 

4. Holders Entitled to Consent. Only Holders, or their duly designated proxies, are eligible to Consent to the Proposed Amendments and Proposed Waiver. Any beneficial owner whose Securities are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who wishes to deliver a Consent with respect to the Securities so registered must contact such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, as the Holder of such Securities, and instruct the nominee to complete, execute and deliver the Consent on the beneficial owner’s behalf on or prior to the Expiration Date. A beneficial owner of an interest in the Securities held in the account of a DTC Participant who wishes to deliver a Consent must properly instruct such DTC Participant to cause this Consent to be validly completed, executed and delivered on behalf of such beneficial owner.

 

The delivery of a Consent will not affect a Holder’s right to sell or transfer any Securities, and a sale or transfer of any Securities after the Record Date will not have the effect of revoking any Consent properly given by the Holder of such Securities. Each properly executed and delivered Consent will be counted notwithstanding any sale or transfer of any Securities to which such Consent relates. In connection with the Solicitation, Holders cannot revoke Consents once delivered. 

 

5. Signatures on this Consent. This Consent must be executed in the name of the Holder in the same manner as the name of such Holder appears in the appropriate records of the Company as of the Record Date. If this Consent

 

 
 

 

is signed by a DTC Participant whose name is shown on a security position listing as the Holder of the Securities to which this Consent relates, the signature must correspond with the name shown on the security position listing as the owner of such Securities.  

 

If any of the Securities with respect to which this Consent relates are held by two or more joint Holders, each such Holder must sign this Consent. If a signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other Holder acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of such person’s authority to so act. If Securities are held in different names, a separate Consent must be executed covering each name.

 

6. Irrevocable Nature of Consent. In connection with the Solicitation, Holders cannot revoke consents once delivered. Each properly executed and delivered Consent by a Holder will be counted notwithstanding any subsequent extension of the Expiration Date.

 

7. Waiver of Conditions; Amendment of Terms; Termination. The Company reserves the right, subject to the terms set forth in the Statement, in its sole discretion: (i) to terminate or amend, waive or modify any of the terms of the Solicitation, including increasing the Consent Fee or Retail Processing Fee, or changing the Record Date, at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date and for any reason, by giving notice to the Solicitation Agent and the Information and Tabulation Agent; (ii) to extend the Solicitation for any reason; and (iii) not to extend the Solicitation beyond the original Expiration Date or any date to which the Solicitation has been previously extended.

 

If the Company, in its sole determination, makes a material change in the terms of the Solicitation or in the information concerning the Solicitation or if it waives a material condition to the Solicitation, or terminates the Solicitation prior to the Expiration Date, it will disclose such change or waiver in a public announcement and, if required by applicable law, disseminate additional solicitation materials. However, if a Specified Material Event occurs, the Company will notify the Information and Tabulation Agent and the Solicitation Agent of such Specified Material Event and, thereafter, disseminate additional solicitation materials such that Holders will be given an opportunity to change their previously delivered Consent and deliver a new Consent in connection with such Specified Material Event.

 

8. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies.

 

Any questions or requests for assistance in filling out and delivering the Consent or for additional copies of the Statement or the Consent and other related documents may be directed to the Information and Tabulation Agent at its address, telephone number or e-mail address set forth on the back cover of the Statement or the front page of the Consent. A Holder (or a beneficial owner that is not a Holder) may also contact the Solicitation Agent at its telephone number set forth on the back cover of the Statement or its broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Solicitation.

 

9. Transfer Taxes. The Company will not pay or cause to be paid any transfer taxes with respect to the Solicitation.

 

10. Withholding Tax; Internal Revenue Service Forms. To avoid the application of 28% backup withholding on any payments made to Consenting Holders (or other payees), each Consenting Holder (or other payee) should complete and provide to the Information and Tabulation Agent Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-9, in the case of a Holder that is a U.S. Person (as defined below) (a “U.S. Holder”), or an IRS Form W- 8BEN or other appropriate IRS Form W-8, in the case of a Holder that is not a U.S. Person (a “Non-U.S. Holder”). For purposes of IRS Form W-9, a U.S. Person is an individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien, a partnership, corporation or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or state or the District of Columbia, an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source, or a trust if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust and U.S. Persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. U.S. Holders may obtain an IRS Form W-9 and instructions from the Information and Tabulation Agent or from the IRS’s website (http://www.irs.gov).

 

Each U.S. Holder, when completing an IRS Form W-9, is required to provide the U.S. Holder’s correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) (generally the U.S. Holder’s Social Security or Employer Identification Number), along with certain other information, and to certify under penalties of perjury that the U.S. Holder is a U.S. Person, that such TIN is correct (or that such U.S. Holder is awaiting a TIN) and that the U.S. Holder is not subject to backup withholding. Alternatively, a U.S. Holder can prevent backup withholding by providing a basis for

 

 
 

 

exemption from backup withholding. Failure to provide the correct information on IRS Form W-9 or an adequate basis for an exemption from the obligation to provide such information may subject the tendering U.S. Holder to a $50 penalty imposed by the IRS and backup withholding at a rate of 28% of the gross proceeds paid pursuant to the Statement. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may be obtained, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

Non-U.S. Holders should not complete IRS Form W-9. Instead, each Non-U.S. Holder should complete an IRS Form W-8BEN (or other appropriate type of IRS Form W-8). In the case of Non-U.S. Holders for which IRS Form W-8BEN is the appropriate form, IRS Form W-8BEN requires a Non-U.S. Holder to provide such Non-U.S. Holder’s name and address, along with certain other information, and to certify, under penalties of perjury, that such Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. Person. Non-U.S. Holders may obtain an IRS Form W-8BEN and instructions (or other appropriate IRS Form W-8) from the Information or Tabulation Agent or from the IRS’s website (http://www.irs.gov).

 

Failure to include a properly completed Form W-9 or IRS Form W-8 may result in the application of U.S. backup withholding.

 

A Consent Fee paid to a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to 30% U.S. federal withholding tax unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN claiming a reduction of or exemption from such withholding tax under the “business profits,” “other income” or similar article of a U.S. income tax treaty or provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI claiming that the Consent Fee is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. In addition, payments attributable to accrued but unpaid stated interest made to a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to 30% U.S. federal withholding tax unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides proper certification on an applicable IRS Form W-8. Please see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying Statement.

 

Treasury Department Circular 230 Disclosure: Any discussion of tax issues set forth in this Consent was written in connection with the promotion and marketing of the transactions described in this Consent. Such discussion was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of avoiding any tax penalties that may be imposed on such person. Each Holder should seek advice based on its particular circumstances from an independent tax adviser.