BK Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

DESCRIPTION OF THE SERIES F PREFERRED STOCK

The depositary will be the sole holder of the Series F Preferred Stock, as described under “Description of the Depositary Shares” below, and all references in this prospectus supplement to the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock shall mean the depositary. However, the holders of the depositary shares will be entitled, through the depositary, to exercise the rights and preferences of the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock, as described under the “Description of the Depositary Shares.”

The following is a brief description of the material terms of the Series F Preferred Stock. The following summary of the terms and provisions of the Series F Preferred Stock does not purport to be complete in all respects, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the pertinent sections of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, including the certificate of designations creating the Series F Preferred Stock, copies of which are available upon request from us, and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and federal law governing bank holding companies.

General

Under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, we have authority to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board) is authorized without further stockholder action to cause the issuance of shares of preferred stock, including the Series F Preferred Stock. Any additional preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, each with powers, rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations, restrictions, dividend rights, dissolution rights, conversion rights, exchange rights and redemption rights and other rights as our board (or a duly authorized committee of the board) may determine prior to the time of issuance. Prior to the issuance of the Series F Preferred Stock, we will have filed the certificate of designations with respect to the Series F Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, 5,001 shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, 5,825 shares of the Series C Preferred Stock, 5,000 shares of the Series D Preferred Stock and 10,000 shares of the Series E Preferred Stock are the only issued and outstanding shares of our preferred stock.

The Series F Preferred Stock represents a single series of our authorized preferred stock. We are offering 1,000,000 depositary shares, representing 10,000 shares of the Series F Preferred Stock, by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Shares of the Series F Preferred Stock, upon issuance against full payment of the purchase price for the depositary shares, will be fully paid and nonassessable.

The Series F Preferred Stock will not be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of our common stock or any other class or series of our other securities and will not be subject to any sinking fund or any other obligation of us for their repurchase or retirement. The Series F Preferred Stock represents non-withdrawable capital, will not be an account of an insurable type, and will not be insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other governmental agency or instrumentality.

The authorized number of shares of the Series F Preferred Stock initially is 10,000. Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board), without the vote or consent of the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock.

We reserve the right to re-open this series and issue additional shares of Series F Preferred Stock and related depositary shares either through public or private sales at any time and from time to time, provided that such additional shares will only be issued if they are fungible with the original shares for tax purposes. The additional shares of Series F Preferred Stock and related depositary shares would be deemed to form a single series with the Series F Preferred Stock and the depositary shares, respectively, offered by this prospectus supplement. In the event that we issue additional shares of the Series F Preferred Stock and the related depositary shares after the original issue date, any dividends on such additional shares will accrue from the issue date of such additional shares.

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Ranking

With respect to the payment of dividends and distributions of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the Series F Preferred Stock will rank:

Dividends

Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of our common stock and of any other junior stock, will be entitled to receive, only when, as and if declared by our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board), out of funds legally available for payment, noncumulative cash dividends applied to the Series F liquidation amount of $100,000 per share of the Series F Preferred Stock at a rate per annum equal to (i) 4.625% on each dividend payment date relating to a fixed rate period (and for each such fixed rate period) and (ii) Three-month LIBOR plus 3.131% on each dividend payment date relating to a floating rate period (and for each such floating rate period). A “dividend payment date” means (i) each March 20 and September 20, commencing March 20, 2017, to and ending September 20, 2026, and (ii) each March 20, June 20, September 20 and December 20, commencing December 20, 2026, except as provided below. If any such date on or before September 20, 2026 is not a business day, then such date will nevertheless be a dividend payment date but dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock, when, as and if declared, will be paid on the next succeeding business day (without adjustment in the amount of the dividend per share of the Series F Preferred Stock). If any such date after September 20, 2026 is not a business day, then the next succeeding business day will be the applicable dividend payment date and dividends, when, as and if declared, will be paid on such next succeeding business day.

A “business day” means each weekday on which banking institutions in New York, New York are not authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

A “dividend period” means each period from and including a dividend payment date (except that the initial dividend period shall commence on the original issue date of the Series F Preferred Stock) and continuing to but not including the next succeeding dividend payment date. As that term is used in this prospectus supplement, each dividend payment date “relates” to the dividend period most recently ending before such dividend payment date.

Dividends will be paid to holders of record of the Series F Preferred Stock as they appear on our books on the applicable record date, which shall be the 15 ^th calendar day before such dividend payment date, or such other record date fixed for that purpose by our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board) that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to such dividend payment date, in advance of payment of each particular dividend.

The amount of dividends payable per share of the Series F Preferred Stock will be computed by the calculation agent (a) in respect of a fixed rate period, on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and (b) in respect of a floating rate period, by multiplying the per annum dividend rate in effect for that floating rate period by a fraction, the numerator of which will be the actual number of days in the floating rate period and the denominator of which will be 360, and multiplying the rate obtained by $100,000.

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Dividends on shares of the Series F Preferred Stock will not be cumulative and will not be mandatory. If our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board) does not declare a dividend on the Series F Preferred Stock in respect of a dividend period, then no dividend will be deemed to have accrued for such dividend period, be payable on the related dividend payment date, or accumulate, and we will have no obligation to pay any dividend accrued for such dividend period, whether or not our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board) declares a dividend on the Series F Preferred Stock or any other series of our preferred stock or on our common stock for any future dividend period. References to the “accrual” (or similar terms) of dividends in this prospectus supplement refer only to the determination of the amount of such dividend and do not imply that any right to a dividend arises prior to the date on which a dividend is declared.

“Three-month LIBOR” means, with respect to any floating rate period, the offered rate expressed as a percentage per annum for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period commencing on the first day of that floating rate period, as that rate appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on the second London banking day immediately preceding the first day of that floating rate period. If Three-month LIBOR does not appear on Reuters Screen LIBOR01, Three-month LIBOR will be determined on the basis of the rates at which deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period, commencing on the first day of that floating rate period, and in a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000 are offered to prime banks in the London interbank market by four major banks in that market selected by us and identified to the calculation agent, at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on the second London banking day immediately preceding the first day of that floating rate period. The calculation agent will request the principal London office of each of these banks to provide a quotation of its rate. If at least two quotations are provided, Three-month LIBOR for that floating rate period will be the arithmetic mean of those quotations (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001%). If fewer than two quotations are provided, Three-month LIBOR with respect to that floating rate period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest 0.00001%) of the rates quoted by three major banks in New York City selected by us and identified to the calculation agent, at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the first day of that floating rate period for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three-month period, commencing on the first day of that floating rate period and in a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000. If fewer than three banks selected by us and identified to the calculation agent to provide quotations are quoting as described above, Three-month LIBOR with respect to that floating rate period will be the Three-month LIBOR in effect for the prior floating rate period or, in the case of the first floating rate period, the most recent rate that could have been determined had the floating rate period been applicable prior to first floating rate period. The calculation agent’s determination of Three-month LIBOR for each floating rate period and the calculation of the amount of dividends for each dividend period will be final and binding in the absence of manifest error.

“London banking day” means any day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars) in London.

“Reuters Screen LIBOR01” means the display on the Reuters Eikon (or any successor service) on the “LIBOR01” page (or any other page as may replace such page on such service for the purpose of displaying the London interbank rates of major banks for U.S. Dollar deposits).

Restrictions on dividends

So long as any share of the Series F Preferred Stock remains outstanding, no dividend will be declared or paid on the common stock or any other shares of junior stock (other than (1) a dividend payable solely in junior stock or (2) any dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan or the redemption or repurchase of any rights under any such plan), unless (i) full dividends for the last preceding dividend period on all outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock have been declared and paid (or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside) and (ii) we are not in default on our obligation to redeem any shares of Series F Preferred Stock that have been called for redemption. The Company will not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, for consideration any shares of common stock or other junior stock (other than (1) as a result of a reclassification of such junior stock for or into other junior stock, (2) the

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exchange or conversion of one share of such junior stock for or into another share of such junior stock, (3) through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of junior stock, (4) purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of junior stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors or consultants, (5) purchases of shares of junior stock pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy junior stock existing prior to the preceding dividend period, including under a contractually binding stock repurchase plan, or (6) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of junior stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such securities or the security being converted or exchanged) nor will we pay or make available any monies for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of common stock or any other shares of junior stock during a dividend period, unless the full dividends for the most recently completed dividend period on all outstanding shares of Series F Preferred Stock have been declared and paid (or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside). However, the foregoing will not restrict the ability of us or any of our other affiliates to engage in any market-making transactions in junior stock in the ordinary course of business.

When dividends are not paid in full upon the shares of the Series F Preferred Stock and any dividend parity stock, all dividends paid or declared for payment on that dividend payment date with respect to the Series F Preferred Stock and the dividend parity stock will be shared (a) first ratably by the holders of any dividend parity stock who have the right to receive dividends with respect to past dividend periods for which such dividends were not declared and paid, in proportion to the respective amounts of the undeclared and unpaid dividends relating to past dividend periods, and (b) thereafter ratably by the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock and any dividend parity stock, in proportion to the respective amounts of the undeclared and unpaid dividends relating to the current dividend period. To the extent a dividend period with respect to any dividend parity stock coincides with more than one dividend period with respect to the Series F Preferred Stock, for purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, our board of directors will treat such dividend period as two or more consecutive dividend periods, none of which coincides with more than one dividend period with respect to the Series F Preferred Stock, or shall treat such dividend period(s) with respect to any dividend parity stock and dividend period(s) with respect to the Series F Preferred Stock for purposes of the immediately preceding sentence in any other manner that it deems to be fair and equitable in order to achieve ratable payments on such dividend parity stock and the Series F Preferred Stock. To the extent a dividend period with respect to the Series F Preferred Stock coincides with more than one dividend period with respect to any dividend parity stock, for purposes of the first sentence of this paragraph the board of directors shall treat such dividend period as two or more consecutive dividend periods, none of which coincides with more than one dividend period with respect to such dividend parity stock, or shall treat such dividend period(s) with respect to the Series F Preferred Stock and dividend period(s) with respect to any dividend parity stock for purposes of the first sentence of this paragraph in any other manner that it deems to be fair and equitable in order to achieve ratable payments of dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock and such dividend parity stock. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “dividend period” as used with respect to any dividend parity stock means such dividend periods as are provided for in the terms of such dividend parity stock.

Subject to the foregoing, such dividends (payable in cash, stock or otherwise) as may be determined by our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board) may be declared and paid on our common stock, any other junior stock and any dividend parity stock from time to time out of funds legally available for such payment, and the Series F Preferred Stock will not be entitled to participate in any such dividend.

Dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock will not be declared, paid or set aside for payment if we fail to comply, or if and to the extent such act would cause us to fail to comply, with applicable laws, rules and regulations, and the certificate of designations creating the Series F Preferred Stock provides that dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock may not be declared or set aside for payment if and to the extent such dividends would cause us to fail to comply with the applicable capital adequacy rules.

Redemption

The Series F Preferred Stock is perpetual and has no maturity date. We may, at our option, with the prior approval of the FRB or any successor appropriate federal banking agency, redeem the shares of the Series F

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Preferred Stock (i) in whole or in part, from time to time, on any dividend payment date on or after the dividend payment date in September 2026, or (ii) in whole but not in part at any time within 90 days following a Regulatory Capital Treatment Event, in each case at a cash redemption price of $100,000 per share (equivalent to $1,000 per depositary share), plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without regard to any undeclared dividends, to but excluding the redemption date, on the shares of the Series F Preferred Stock called for redemption. Dividends will cease to accrue on the shares of the Series F Preferred Stock called for redemption from and including the redemption date. Any declared but unpaid dividends payable on a redemption date that occurs subsequent to the applicable record date for a dividend period shall not be paid to the holder entitled to receive the redemption price on the redemption date, but rather shall be paid to the holder of record of the redeemed shares on such record date relating to the applicable dividend payment date. Under the capital adequacy rules currently applicable to us, prior to exercising our right to redeem the Series F Preferred Stock, we must either (i) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FRB that, following redemption, we will continue to hold capital commensurate with our risk; or (ii) replace the Series F Preferred Stock redeemed or to be redeemed with an equal amount of instruments that will qualify tier 1 capital under regulations of the FRB immediately following or concurrent with redemption.

A “Regulatory Capital Treatment Event” means the good faith determination by The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation that, as a result of (i) any amendment to, or change in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any agency or instrumentality of the United States, including the FRB and other federal bank regulatory agencies) or any political subdivision of or in the United States that is enacted or becomes effective after the initial issuance of any share of the Series F Preferred Stock, (ii) any proposed change in those laws, rules or regulations that is announced or becomes effective after the initial issuance of any share of the Series F Preferred Stock, or (iii) any official administrative decision or judicial decision or administrative action or other official pronouncement interpreting or applying those laws, rules or regulations or policies with respect thereto that is announced after the initial issuance of any share of the Series F Preferred Stock, there is more than an insubstantial risk that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will not be entitled to treat the full liquidation preference amount of $100,000 per share of the Series F Preferred Stock then outstanding as “tier 1 capital” (or its equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy rules of the FRB (or, as and if applicable, the capital adequacy rules or regulations of any successor appropriate federal banking agency) as then in effect and applicable, for so long as any share of the Series F Preferred Stock is outstanding. “Appropriate federal banking agency” means the “appropriate federal banking agency” with respect to us as that term is defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or any successor provision.

If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of the Series F Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed will be selected either pro rata from the holders of record of shares of the Series F Preferred Stock in proportion to the number of shares held by those holders or by lot or in such other manner as our board of directors or a committee thereof may determine to be fair and equitable.

We will mail notice of every redemption of the Series F Preferred Stock by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the holders of record of the Series F Preferred Stock to be redeemed at their respective last addresses appearing on our books. This mailing will be at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption (provided that if the Series F Preferred Stock is held in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), we may give this notice in any manner permitted by DTC). Any notice mailed or otherwise given as provided in this paragraph will be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives this notice, and failure duly to give this notice by mail or otherwise, or any defect in this notice or in the mailing or provision of this notice, to any holder of the Series F Preferred Stock designated for redemption will not affect the validity of the redemption of any other shares of Series F Preferred Stock.

Each notice will state:

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If notice of redemption of any Series F Preferred Stock has been duly given and if, on or before the redemption date specified in the notice, we have set aside all funds necessary for the redemption in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of record of any shares of Series F Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then, notwithstanding that any certificate for any share called for redemption has not been surrendered for cancellation, from and after the redemption date, those shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights of the holders of those shares (including the right to receive any dividends) will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.

Our right to redeem the Series F Preferred Stock once issued is subject to the prior approval of the FRB or any successor appropriate federal banking agency as required under the capital rules applicable to us. We cannot assure you that the appropriate federal banking agency will approve any redemption of the Series F Preferred Stock that we may propose. Moreover, unless the FRB authorizes us to do otherwise in writing, we will redeem the Series F Preferred Stock only if it is replaced with other tier 1 capital that is not a restricted core capital element—for example, common stock or another series of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock.

Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock will not have the right to require the redemption or repurchase of the Series F Preferred Stock.

Liquidation rights

In the event that we voluntarily or involuntarily liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs, holders of the Series F Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive an amount per share (the “total liquidation amount”) equal to the Series F liquidation amount of $100,000 per share, plus any dividends that have been declared but not paid prior to the date of payment of distributions to shareholders, without regard to any undeclared dividends. Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive the total liquidation amount out of our assets that are available for distribution to shareholders, after payment or provision for payment of our debts and other liabilities but before any distribution of assets is made to holders of our common stock or any other junior stock. In addition, the Series F Preferred Stock may be fully subordinate to interests held by the U.S. government in the event we enter into a receivership, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding, including a proceeding under the “orderly liquidation authority” provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

If our assets are not sufficient to pay the total liquidation amount in full to all holders of the Series F Preferred Stock and all holders of any of our stock ranking equally with the Series F Preferred Stock as to distributions of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, the amounts paid to the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock and to such other stock will be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective total liquidation amount for those holders. If the total liquidation amount per Series F Preferred Stock has been paid in full to all holders of the Series F Preferred Stock and such other stock, the holders of our common stock or any other junior stock will be entitled to receive all of our remaining assets according to their respective rights and preferences.

For purposes of the liquidation rights, neither the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of our property and assets, nor the consolidation or merger by us with or into any other corporation or by another corporation with or into us, will constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs.

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Voting rights

Except as indicated below or otherwise required by law, the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights.

Right to Elect Two Directors upon Non-Payment of Dividends . If and when the dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock and any other class or series of our preferred stock, whether bearing dividends on a noncumulative or cumulative basis but otherwise ranking on a parity with the Series F Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends and that has voting rights equivalent to those described in this paragraph (“voting parity stock”), have not been declared and paid (i) in the case of the Series F Preferred Stock and voting parity stock bearing noncumulative dividends, in full for at least three semi-annual or six quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive); or (ii) in the case of voting parity stock bearing cumulative dividends, in an aggregate amount equal to full dividends for at least three semi-annual or six quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive), the authorized number of directors then constituting our board of directors will be increased by two. Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of voting parity stock, voting as a single class, will be entitled to elect the two additional members of our board of directors (the “preferred stock directors”) at any annual or special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected or any special meeting of the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock and any voting parity stock for which dividends have not been paid, called as provided below, but only if the election of any preferred stock directors would not cause us to violate the corporate governance requirement of the NYSE (or any other exchange on which our securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors. In addition, our board of directors shall at no time have more than two preferred stock directors.

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

Whenever full dividends have been paid on the Series F Preferred Stock and any noncumulative voting parity stock for at least one year and all dividends on any cumulative voting parity stock have been paid in full, then the right of the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock to elect the preferred stock directors will cease (but subject always to the same provisions for the vesting of these voting rights in the case of any similar non-payment of dividends in respect of future dividend periods), the terms of office of all preferred stock directors will immediately terminate and the number of directors constituting our board of directors will be reduced accordingly.

Under the FRB’s regulations implementing the Bank Holding Company Act (the “BHC Act”), if any holder of any series of preferred stock (including the Series F Preferred Stock) is or becomes entitled to vote for the election of directors, such series will be deemed a class of voting securities and a company holding 25% or more

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of the series, or such lower amount of the series as may be deemed, when coupled with other factors, to constitute a “controlling influence” over the issuer, will be subject to regulation as a bank holding company under the BHC Act. In addition, at the time the series is deemed a class of voting securities, any other bank holding company will be required to obtain the approval of the FRB under the BHC Act to acquire or maintain more than 5% of that series. Any other person (other than the bank holding company) will be required to obtain the non-objection of the FRB under the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, to acquire or maintain 10% or more of that series.

Other voting rights

So long as any shares of the Series F Preferred Stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of shareholders required by law or by our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of the Series F Preferred Stock at the time outstanding and entitled to vote, voting separately as a single class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating:

Each holder of the Series F Preferred Stock will have one vote per share on any matter on which holders of the Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, including any action by written consent.

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

Under current provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the holders of issued and outstanding preferred stock are entitled to vote as a class, with the consent of the majority of the class being required to approve an amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation if the amendment would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of such class, increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such

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class, or alter or change the powers, preferences, or special rights of the shares of such class so as to affect them adversely. If any amendment, alteration, repeal, share exchange, reclassification, merger or consolidation specified above would adversely affect the Series F Preferred Stock and one or more but not all other series of our preferred stock, then only the Series F Preferred Stock and such series of preferred stock as are adversely affected by and entitled to vote on the matter shall vote on the matter together as a single class in proportion to their respective stated liquidation amounts (in lieu of all other series of our preferred stock).

No preemptive and conversion rights

Holders of the Series F Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights. The Series F Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for property or shares of any other series or class of our capital stock.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES

In this prospectus supplement, references to “holders” of the depositary shares mean those who own the depositary shares registered in their own names, on the books that we or the depositary maintain for this purpose, and not indirect holders who own beneficial interest in the depositary shares registered in street name or issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company. Please review the special considerations that apply to indirect holders described in the “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance” section of this prospectus supplement.

This prospectus supplement summarizes specific terms and provisions of the depositary shares relating to our Series F Preferred Stock. As described above under “Description of the Series F Preferred Stock”, we are issuing fractional interests in shares of the preferred stock in the form of the depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent a 1/100 ^th ownership interest in a share of the Series F Preferred Stock, and will be evidenced by a depositary receipt. The shares of the Series F Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement among us, Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., jointly as depositary, and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each holder of depositary shares will be entitled, through the depositary, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of the Series F Preferred Stock represented by such depositary shares, to all the rights and preferences of the Series F Preferred Stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights).

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

Dividends and other distributions

The depositary will distribute any cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited Series F Preferred Stock to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the underlying Series F Preferred Stock in proportion to the number of the depositary shares held by the holders. The depositary will distribute any property received by it other than cash to the record holders of the depositary shares entitled to those distributions, unless it determines that the distribution cannot be made proportionally among those holders or that it is not feasible to make a distribution. In that event, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the number of the depositary shares they hold.

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

The amounts distributed to holders of the depositary shares will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by the depositary or by us on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

Redemption of the depositary shares

If we redeem the Series F Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption of the Series F Preferred Stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to 1/100 ^th of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the Series F Preferred Stock (equivalent to $1,000 per depositary share), plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, on the shares of the Series F Preferred Stock. Whenever we redeem shares of the Series F Preferred Stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of the depositary shares representing shares of the Series F Preferred Stock so redeemed.

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In case of any redemption of less than all of the outstanding depositary shares, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by us pro rata, by lot or in such other manner we determine to be equitable. In any such case, we will redeem the depositary shares only in increments of 100 shares and any integral multiple thereof.

Voting of the Series F Preferred Stock

When the depositary receives notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Series F Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail (or otherwise transmit by an authorized method) the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the Series F Preferred Stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the Series F Preferred Stock, may instruct the depositary to vote the amount of the Series F Preferred Stock represented by the holder’s depositary shares. To the extent possible, the depositary will vote the amount of the Series F Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with the instructions it receives. We will agree to take all reasonable actions that the depositary determines are necessary to enable the depositary to vote as instructed. If the depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of any depositary shares, it will not vote the amount of the Series F Preferred Stock represented by such depositary shares.

No Listing

Neither shares of the Series F Preferred Stock nor the depositary shares will be listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system.

Form of the depositary shares

The depositary shares will be issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company, as described under “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance” below. The Series F Preferred Stock will be issued in registered form to the depositary.

Depositary

Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will be the joint depositary for the depositary shares as of the original issue date. We may terminate such appointment and may appoint a successor depositary at any time and from time to time, provided that we will use our best efforts to ensure that there is, at all relevant times when the Series F Preferred Stock is outstanding, a person or entity appointed and serving as such depositary.

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LEGAL OWNERSHIP AND BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE

We will issue the depositary shares under a book-entry system in the form of one or more global depositary receipts. We will register the global depositary receipts in the name of Cede & Co., as a nominee for The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC and deposit the global depositary receipts with the depositary. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global depositary receipt will be limited to institutions who have accounts with DTC (“participants”) or persons who hold interests through such participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to interests of participants) and records of participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants).

Following the issuance of the depositary shares in book-entry only form, DTC will credit the accounts of its participants with the depositary shares upon our instructions. In order to own a beneficial interest in a depositary receipt, you must be an organization that participates in DTC or have an account with an organization that participates in DTC, including Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream”) and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”). Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream and Euroclear’s names on the books of their U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in U.S. depositaries’ names on the books of DTC.

As long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of the global depositary receipts, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and holder of the global depositary receipts and all depositary shares represented by these depositary receipts for all purposes under the instruments governing the rights and obligations of holders of depositary shares. Except in the limited circumstances described elsewhere in this section, owners of beneficial interests in global depositary receipts:

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the depositary shares, so long as the depositary shares are represented by global depositary receipts.

Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the depositary receipts must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its beneficial interest, in order to exercise any rights of a holder of depositary shares.

As long as the depositary shares are represented by the global depositary receipts, we will pay dividends on the Series F Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares to the relevant agent who in turn will make payments to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of the global depositary receipts. Payments to DTC will be in immediately available funds by wire transfer. DTC will credit the relevant accounts of their participants on the applicable date. Neither we nor the depositary or our agent will be responsible for making any payments to participants or customers of participants or for maintaining any records relating to the holdings of participants and their customers, and you will have to rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants.

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If we discontinue the book-entry only form of registration, we will replace the global depositary receipt with definitive depositary receipts.

Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments that DTC’s participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among direct participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between direct participants’ accounts. Direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies.

DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The DTC rules applicable to its participants are on file with the SEC.

Indirect access to the DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly (indirect participants).

Although DTC is expected to follow the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in a global security among its participants, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, the depositary, the transfer agent or the registrar will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security and a successor depositary is not appointed by The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation within 90 days, The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will issue certificated depositary receipts in exchange for the global depositary receipts. Holders of an interest in a global security may receive certificated shares, at the option of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, in accordance with the rules and procedures of DTC in addition to those provided for under the preceding sentence. Beneficial interests in global depositary receipts held by any direct or indirect participant may also be exchanged for certificated shares upon request to DTC by such direct participant (for itself or on behalf of an indirect participant), to the transfer agent in accordance with their respective customary procedures.

Clearstream has advised us that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry transfers between their accounts. Clearstream provides its participants with, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic securities markets in several countries through established depository and custodial relationships. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission

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for the Supervision of the Financial Sector, also known as the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. Clearstream participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. Clearstream’s participants in the U.S. are limited to securities brokers and dealers and banks and may include the underwriters for the depositary shares. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to other institutions such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with Clearstream participants. Distributions with respect to interests in global securities held through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of its customers in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.

Euroclear has advised us that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for its participants and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing, and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (the “Euroclear operator”) under contract with Euroclear plc, a U.K. corporation. Euroclear participants include banks, including central banks, securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters for the depositary shares. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.

As long as the depositary shares are represented by a global depositary receipt registered in the name of DTC, or its nominee, the depositary shares will trade in the DTC Same-Day Funds Settlement System. DTC requires secondary market trading activity in the depositary shares to settle in immediately available funds. This requirement may affect trading activity in the depositary shares. Secondary market trading between Clearstream customers and/or Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear and will be settled using the applicable procedures in immediately available funds.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be effected by DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by the U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines. The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving depositary shares in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream customers and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.

So long as the global depositary receipts are held on behalf of DTC or any other clearing system, notices to holders of depositary shares represented by a beneficial interest in the global depositary receipts may be given by delivery of the relevant notice to DTC or the alternative clearing system, as the case may be.

The information in this section concerning DTC and its book-entry system, Euroclear and Clearstream has been obtained from sources that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation believes to be reliable, but The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Summary

The following description of the terms of the Senior Debt Securities and the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities to be issued by the Company (sometimes referred to as the “Debt Securities” in this “Description of Debt Securities”) sets forth certain general terms and provisions. The particular terms of Debt Securities of any series will be contained in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the Debt Securities:

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The terms of any Debt Security of a series may differ from the terms of other Debt Securities of the same series. The matters referenced above may be established and set forth or determined as described with respect to all or any specific Debt Securities of a series (in each case to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act).

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Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the Debt Securities of each series will be represented by fully registered global certificates issued as global Debt Securities to be deposited with a depositary with respect to that series, instead of paper certificates issued to each individual owner. The depositary arrangements that will apply, including the manner in which principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities of any series and other payments will be payable are discussed in more detail under the heading “Book-Entry Issuance.”

The Senior Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series under the Senior Indenture, dated as of February 9, 2016, between BNY Mellon and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee, as supplemented from time to time (the “Senior Indenture”). The Senior Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of February 9, 2016, between BNY Mellon and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, as supplemented from time to time (the “Senior Subordinated Indenture”).

We will appoint The Bank of New York Mellon, our affiliate, as paying agent, authenticating agent and security registrar under each of the Senior Indenture and the Senior Subordinated Indenture, unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement.

The Senior Indenture and the Senior Subordinated Indenture are sometimes referred to collectively as the “Indentures.” The Indentures are qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. The Debt Securities of each series will be established under the applicable Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture, resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof or officers’ certificate. The Trustee on the applicable Indenture is referred to as the “Trustee.”

The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities or of any particular series of Debt Securities that may be issued thereunder and provide that Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in series. In addition, a series of Debt Securities may be reopened in order to issue additional Debt Securities of that series in the future without the consent of the holders of Debt Securities of that series.

The following summaries of certain provisions of the Senior Debt Securities, the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities and the Indentures are not complete. For a complete description of these Debt Securities you should read the Indenture applicable to a particular series of Debt Securities (the “Applicable Indenture”), including the definitions therein of certain terms. Each Indenture is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and the following summaries do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Indentures.

Debt Securities Issued by the Company under the Senior Indenture or the Senior Subordinated Indenture

Wherever we refer to particular sections, articles or defined terms of the Applicable Indenture we are incorporating those sections, articles or defined terms into this prospectus by reference. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to them in the Applicable Indenture.

General

The Senior Debt Securities issued by the Company will be unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. As of December 31, 2015, indebtedness of the Company that would have ranked equally with the Senior Debt Securities totaled approximately $19.7 billion. As of December 31, 2015, no indebtedness of the Company would have ranked senior to the Senior Debt Securities. The Senior Subordinated Debt Securities issued by the Company will be unsecured subordinated obligations of the Company.

Because the Company is a holding company, its rights and the rights of its creditors, including the holders of the Debt Securities, to a share of the assets of any subsidiary upon the liquidation or recapitalization of the

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subsidiary will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors (including, in the case of bank subsidiaries, their depositors), except to the extent that the Company may itself be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. Accordingly, the Debt Securities will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries, and holders of Debt Securities should look only to the assets of the Company for payments on the Debt Securities.

Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement:

No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. (Section 305).

Debt Securities may be issued with original issue discount if they are sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Special federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. (Section 101).

If any index or formula is used to determine the amount of payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any series of Debt Securities, special United States federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

If the Debt Securities are denominated in whole or in part in any currency, currencies, composite currency, composite currencies or currency units other than the currency of the United States of America, if the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities are to be payable at the election of the Company or a holder thereof, in any currency, currencies, composite currency, composite currencies or currency units other than that in which such Debt Securities are to be payable, or if any index is used to determine the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities of any series, special federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

The Indentures do not contain any provisions that would provide protection to holders of the Debt Securities against a sudden and dramatic decline in credit quality of the Company resulting from any highly leveraged transaction, takeover, merger, recapitalization or similar restructuring or change in control.

The Indentures allow us to merge or consolidate with another company, or to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another company, provided that certain conditions are satisfied. If these events occur, the other

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company will be required to assume our responsibilities relating to the Debt Securities, and we will be released from all liabilities and obligations. See “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” for a more detailed discussion.

The Indentures provide that holders of a majority of the total principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of any series may vote to change certain of our obligations or certain of your rights concerning the Debt Securities of that series. However, to change the amount or timing of principal, interest or other payments under the Debt Securities, every holder in the series must consent. See “—Modification of the Indentures” for a more detailed discussion.

Subordination of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities

The payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the Senior Subordinated Indenture, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Senior Subordinated Indenture). Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings of the Company, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due thereon before the holders of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will be entitled to receive any payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon before the holders of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will be entitled to receive any payment upon the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. No payments on account of principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities or on account of the purchase or acquisition of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities may be made if there shall have occurred and be continuing either a default in any payment with respect to Senior Indebtedness or any event of default permitting the holders of any Senior Indebtedness to declare such Senior Indebtedness due and payable prior to the date on which such Senior Indebtedness would otherwise have become due and payable, or if any judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such default. However, none of the foregoing will prevent the satisfaction of any sinking fund payment with respect to certain Securities, as described in the Senior Subordinated Indenture, which have been acquired prior to such default. (Article Thirteen of the Senior Subordinated Indenture).

By reason of such subordination in favor of the holders of Senior Indebtedness, in the event of insolvency, creditors of the Company who are not holders of Senior Indebtedness or of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities may recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior Indebtedness and may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to Senior Subordinated Debt Securities of a particular series offered thereby, Senior Indebtedness is defined in the Senior Subordinated Indenture as (a) all indebtedness and obligations (other than the Securities) of, or guaranteed or assumed by, the Company that are for borrowed money, or are evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, or are deferred obligations for the payment of the purchase price of property or assets, in each case, whether outstanding on the date of the Senior Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, (b) obligations of the Company that are similar to those in clause (a) above and arise from off-balance sheet guarantees and direct credit substitutes, in each case, whether outstanding on the date of the Senior Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, and (c) all obligations of the Company associated with derivative products such as interest rate and foreign exchange contracts, commodity contracts and similar arrangements, in each case, whether outstanding on the date of the Senior Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, and, in the case of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c) above, all amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refunding of such indebtedness and obligations. However,

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in each case Senior Indebtedness shall not include (i) the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, (ii) the Existing Senior Subordinated Indebtedness (as defined in the Senior Subordinated Indenture), (iii) the Existing Junior Subordinated Indebtedness (as defined in the Senior Subordinated Indenture) and (iv) such other indebtedness of the Company as is by its terms expressly stated (A) not to be senior in right of payment to, or (B) to rank pari passu with, or (C) to rank junior in right of payment to, the Securities or the other securities referred to in clause (ii). (Section 101 of the Senior Subordinated Indenture).

The Company’s obligations under the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities shall rank equally in right of payment with each other.

As of December 31, 2015, indebtedness of the Company that would have been senior to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities totaled approximately $19.7 billion.

A Senior Subordinated Indenture does not limit or prohibit the incurrence of additional Senior Indebtedness, which may include indebtedness that is senior to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities but subordinate to other obligations of the Company. When issued, the Senior Debt Securities will constitute Senior Indebtedness.

In addition, the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities may be fully subordinate to interests held by the U.S. government in the event we enter into a receivership, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding, including a proceeding under the “orderly liquidation authority” provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”).

The prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, applicable to the subordination of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities of a particular series.

Conversion or Exchange

If and to the extent indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Debt Securities of any series may be convertible or exchangeable into securities or other property other than Debt Securities of the same series. The provisions necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance, payment or conversion of such Debt Securities of any series will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at the option of the Company, in which case the number or principal amount of such other securities to be received by the holders of Debt Securities would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

If the Debt Securities of a series may be subject to legal defeasance or covenant defeasance or either type of defeasance under the Applicable Indenture, the prospectus supplement relating to that series will so indicate.

If applicable to the Debt Securities of a series, “legal defeasance” means that the Company elects to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such Debt Securities (including, in the case of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, the provisions described under “—Subordination of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities”), except for the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to maintain an office or agency in respect of the Debt Securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust.

If applicable to the Debt Securities of a series, “covenant defeasance” means that the Company elects to be released from its obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under Section 1005 of the Senior Indenture (and any covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(xviii), 901(2) or 901(7) of the Applicable Indenture for the benefit of the holders of such Debt Securities) and the consequences of the occurrence of an event specified in, in the case of Senior Debt Securities, Section 501(4) of the Senior Indenture, and in the case of Senior Subordinated

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Debt Securities, Section 503(c) of the Senior Subordinated Indenture (with respect to Section 1005 of the Senior Indenture and any covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(xviii), 901(2) or 901(7) of the Applicable Indenture), and, if applicable, in the case of Senior Debt Securities, pursuant to Section 501(7) of the Senior Indenture, and in the case of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, pursuant to Section 503(d) of the Senior Subordinated Indenture.

Legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, will only occur upon the deposit with the applicable Trustee (or other qualifying trustee), in trust for such purpose, of (A) money in an amount, (B) U.S. Government Obligations that, through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount, (C) other obligations or arrangements as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to the such Debt Securities, or (D) a combination of thereof, in each case, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the applicable Trustee, to pay and discharge (i) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Debt Securities on the due dates thereof. Before such a deposit the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date or dates. As a condition to legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, the Company must deliver to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (as specified in the Applicable Indenture) to the effect that the holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance, such opinion must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service issued to the Company or published as a revenue ruling or upon a change in applicable federal income tax law, in any such case after the date of the Applicable Indenture.

The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option with respect to such Debt Securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of such Debt Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of such Senior Debt Securities may not be accelerated by reference to the covenants noted in the description of covenant defeasance, and, with respect Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, there may not be any default with respect to the covenants noted in the description of covenant defeasance. (Article 13 of the Applicable Indenture). However, with respect to such Senior Debt Securities, if such an acceleration were to occur, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the money and U.S. Government Obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the principal and interest then due on such Debt Securities, in that the required deposit in the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flows rather than market value, which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.

A prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, applicable to legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the Debt Securities of a particular series.

Limitation on Disposition of Stock of the Bank

The Senior Indenture contains a covenant by the Company that, so long as any of the Senior Debt Securities are outstanding, but subject to the rights of the Company in connection with its consolidation with or merger into another Person or a sale of the Company’s assets, neither the Company nor any Intermediate Subsidiary will sell, assign, transfer, grant a security interest in or otherwise dispose of any shares of, or securities convertible into, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Voting Stock of the Bank (except to the Company or an Intermediate Subsidiary) nor will the Company or any Intermediate Subsidiary permit the Bank to issue any shares of, or securities convertible into, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Voting Stock of the Bank, unless (a) any such sale, assignment, transfer, grant of a security interest or other disposition is made for fair market value, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company or any Intermediate Subsidiary, as the case may be, and evidenced by a duly adopted resolution thereof and (b) the

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Company and any one or more Intermediate Subsidiaries will collectively own at least 80% of the issued and outstanding Voting Stock of the Bank (or any successor to the Bank) free and clear of any security interest after giving effect to such transaction. The foregoing, however, will not preclude the Bank from being consolidated with or merged into another banking corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, if after such merger or consolidation the Company (or any successor thereto in a permissible merger) and any one or more Intermediate Subsidiaries own at least 80% of the Voting Stock of the resulting bank and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default and no event which would become an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. The Company further covenants that it will not permit any Intermediate Subsidiary that owns any shares of, or securities convertible into, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Voting Stock of the Bank to cease to be an Intermediate Subsidiary. “Intermediate Subsidiary” means a subsidiary (i) that is organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and (ii) of which all the shares of each class of capital stock issued and outstanding, and all securities convertible into, and options, warrants and rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, such capital stock, are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any security interest. (Section 1005 of the Senior Indenture). “Voting Stock” means stock of the class or classes having a general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of a corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency). (Section 101 of the Senior Indenture).

Defaults

The Senior Indenture

The Senior Indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to any series of Senior Debt Securities as any one of the following events:

If an Event of Default (other than certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company) occurs with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee or holders of 25% of the outstanding principal amount of that series may declare the principal amount of all Senior Debt Securities of that series (or in the case of any Senior Debt Security of that series which specifies an amount to be due and payable thereon upon acceleration of its maturity, such amount as may be specified by the terms of such Senior Debt Security) of the series immediately payable. However, upon certain conditions such declaration may be annulled, and past defaults (except, unless theretofore cured, a default in payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on the Senior Debt Securities of that series and certain other specified defaults) may be waived, by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Senior Debt Securities of any series on behalf of the holders of all Senior Debt Securities of such series.

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If an Event of Default occurs resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company occurs with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of any series, the principal amount of all the Senior Debt Securities of that series (or in the case of any Senior Debt Security of that series which specifies an amount to be due and payable thereon upon acceleration of its maturity, such amount as may be specified by the terms of such Senior Debt Security) will automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any holder, become immediately due and payable. (Sections 502 and 513).

The Senior Subordinated Indenture

The Senior Subordinated Indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to any series of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities as being certain events involving the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company and any other Event of Default provided with respect to Senior Subordinated Debt Securities of that series. (Section 501).

If an Event of Default occurs with respect to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the principal amount of all the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities of that series (or in the case of any Senior Subordinated Debt Security of that series which specifies an amount to be due and payable thereon upon acceleration of its maturity, such amount as may be specified by the terms of such Senior Subordinated Debt Security) will automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any holder, become immediately due and payable. (Sections 502 and 513).

The Senior Subordinated Indenture defines a Default with respect to Senior Subordinated Debt Securities of any series as any one of the following events:

In case a Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the holders by appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee deems most effectual.

The Indentures

The Indentures provide that, if a default occurs with respect to Debt Securities of any series, within 90 days after the receipt by the applicable Trustee of written notice of a default, the applicable trustee will deliver to the holders of Debt Securities of that series notice of such default if uncured and not waived as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any Debt Security of such series or payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to the Debt Securities of such series the Trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of notice is in the best interest of the

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holders of the Debt Securities of such series. In addition, under the Senior Indenture, such notice shall not be given until 90 days after the occurrence of a default with respect to outstanding Senior Debt Securities of any series or breach of a covenant in the Senior Indenture (other than for a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on any Senior Debt Security of such series or payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to the Senior Debt Securities of such series. The term default with respect to any series of outstanding Debt Securities for the purpose only of this provision means the happening of any of the Events of Default (or any event which, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default) or, in the case of the Senior Subordinated Indenture, Defaults, specified in the Applicable Indenture and relating to such series of outstanding Debt Securities. (Section 602).

The Indentures provide that, subject to the duty of the Trustees during a default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustees will not be under an obligation to exercise any of their rights or powers under the Indentures at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustees reasonable security or indemnity. (Sections 601 and 603). The Indentures provide that the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee for that series, or exercising any trust or other power conferred on such Trustee, provided that such Trustee may decline to act if such direction is contrary to law or the Applicable Indenture and may take any other action deemed proper which is not inconsistent with such direction. (Section 512).

Modification of the Indentures

From time to time the Company and the applicable Trustee may, without the consent of the holders of any series of Debt Securities, amend, waive or supplement each Indenture for specified purposes, including, among other things:

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In addition, modification and amendments of each Indenture may be made by the Company and the Trustee under the Applicable Indenture, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of each series of outstanding Debt Securities issued under such Indenture and affected thereby, by executing supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating any of the provisions of the Applicable Indenture or modifying the rights of the holders of outstanding Debt Securities of such series, except that no such supplemental indenture may:

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The Indentures provide, however, that each of the amendments and modifications listed in the first ten items above and, in the case of the Senior Subordinated Indenture the eleventh item above, may be made with respect to all or any specific Debt Securities of any series with the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debt Security affected thereby. (Section 902 of the Indentures and Section 907 of the Senior Subordinated Indenture).

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

The Company, without the consent of the holders of any of the Debt Securities under either of the Indentures, may consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, or permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company, provided that:

Upon any consolidation or merger into any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the Company’s assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Company under the Indentures, and the Company, except in the case of a lease, shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Indentures and the Debt Securities to the extent it was the predecessor Person.

Our Relationships with the Trustees

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas is the trustee under the Senior Indenture. Wilmington Trust, National Association is the trustee under the Senior Subordinated Indenture. We and certain of our subsidiaries, including The Bank of New York Mellon, maintain banking relations with the trustees in the ordinary course of business.

In addition, affiliates of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas have underwritten our securities from time to time in the past and may underwrite our securities from time to time in the future. Such Trustee may have to resign if a default occurs with respect to the Senior Debt Securities within one year after any offering of our securities underwritten by an affiliate of such Trustee, such as Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., since such Trustee would likely be considered to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. In that event, except in very limited circumstances, such Trustee would be required to resign as Trustee under the Senior Indenture and we would be required to appoint a successor trustee, unless the default is cured or waived within 90 days. During the period of time until a successor is appointed, such Trustee will have both (a) duties to holders of Debt Securities under the Senior Indenture and (b) a conflicting interest under the Senior Indenture for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.

In addition, each applicable Trustee can resign for any reason with 30 days’ notice, and we would be required to appoint a successor trustee. If within one year of such resignation, no successor Trustee has been appointed by the Company the holders of a majority in principal of the outstanding amount of Debt Securities of such series may appoint a successor Trustee. If no applicable successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series is appointed by the Company or the holders of Debt Securities of such series, a holder of Debt Securities of such series who has been a bona fide holder for at least six months may, on behalf of himself

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or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series. If the applicable Trustee resigns following a default or for any other reason, it may be difficult to identify and appoint a qualified successor trustee. The applicable Trustee will remain the trustee under the Applicable Indenture until a successor is appointed.

Outstanding Debt Securities

The Indentures provide that, in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the Applicable Indenture, as of any date:

Governing Law

The Indentures are, and the Debt Securities will be, governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Waiver of Jury Trial

Under the Indentures, each of the Company, the Trustees and the holders of the Debt Securities irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the applicable Indenture, the Debt Securities or the transactions contemplated thereby.

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

Summary

The following summary contains a description of certain general terms of the Preferred Stock of the Company. The particular terms of any series of Preferred Stock will be contained in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the Preferred Stock:

The terms of any series of Preferred Stock being offered may differ from the terms set forth below. If the terms differ, those terms will also be disclosed in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of Preferred Stock. The following summary is not complete. You should refer to the Certificate of Designations relating to the series of the Preferred Stock, the applicable provisions of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws and the Delaware General Corporation Law for a complete statement of the terms and rights of that series of Preferred Stock. That Certificate of Designations will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of the series of Preferred Stock.

General

Under the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue up to 3,600,000,000 shares of capital stock of which 3,500,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock par value $0.01 per share, and 100,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”), par value $0.01 per share. The Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series and the Company’s Board of Directors will have the power to fix various terms with respect to each series, including voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional and/or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. The holders of the Company’s Common Stock are not entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares which may be issued.

In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock would be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of all of its debts and liabilities, all of the assets of the Company available for distribution. The holders of the Company’s Preferred Stock, if any, may have a priority over the holders of the Company’s Common Stock in the event of liquidation or dissolution.

Rank

Any series of Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution rank (i) senior to all classes of common stock of the Company and all equity securities issued by the Company, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities will rank junior to the Preferred Stock (collectively referred to as the “Junior Securities”); (ii) on a parity with all equity securities issued by the Company, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities will rank on a parity with the Preferred Stock (collectively referred to as the “Parity Securities”); and (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by the Company, the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities will rank senior to the Preferred Stock. All shares of Preferred Stock will, regardless of series, be of equal rank. As used in any Certificate of Designations for these purposes, the term “equity securities” will not include Debt Securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities.

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In addition, the Preferred Stock may be fully subordinate to interests held by the U.S. government in the event we enter into a receivership, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding, including a proceeding under the “orderly liquidation authority” provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Dividends

Holders of each series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company out of funds legally available therefor, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates as are set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of Preferred Stock. Dividends will be payable to holders of record of Preferred Stock as they appear on the books of the Company (or, if applicable, the records of the Depositary referred to below under “Description of Depositary Shares”) on such record dates as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. Dividends on any series of Preferred Stock may be cumulative or non-cumulative.

The Company’s ability to pay dividends on its Preferred Stock is subject to policies established by the Federal Reserve. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Supervision and Regulation—Capital Planning and Stress Testing—Payment of Dividends, Stock Repurchases and Other Capital Distributions” in our 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders, and Part I, “Item 1. Business—Supervision and Regulation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, both of which are incorporated herein by reference (and similar items in any of our annual, quarterly or current reports that we file with the SEC in the future and that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus).

No full dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of dividends on any Parity Securities unless dividends shall have been paid or set apart for such payment on the Preferred Stock. If full dividends are not so paid, the Preferred Stock shall share dividends pro rata with the Parity Securities.

Conversion

The prospectus supplement for any series of Preferred Stock will state the terms, if any, on which shares of that series are convertible into shares of another series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock.

For any series of Preferred Stock that is convertible, the Company will at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of the aggregate of its authorized but unissued Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, or shares held in its treasury or both, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of such series of Preferred Stock, the full number of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, then deliverable upon the conversion of all outstanding shares of such series.

No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock will be issued upon the conversion of shares of any series of convertible Preferred Stock. Each holder to whom fractional shares would otherwise be issued will instead be entitled to receive, at the Company’s election, either (a) a cash payment equal to the current market price of such holder’s fractional interest or (b) a cash payment equal to such holder’s proportionate interest in the net proceeds (following the deduction of applicable transaction costs) from the sale promptly by an agent, on behalf of such holders, of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, representing the aggregate of such fractional shares.

The holders of any series of shares of Preferred Stock at the close of business on a dividend payment record date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable on such shares (except that holders of shares called for redemption on a redemption date occurring between such record date and the dividend payment date shall not be entitled to receive such dividend on such dividend payment date but instead will receive accrued and unpaid dividends to such redemption date) on the corresponding dividend payment date notwithstanding the conversion thereof or the Company’s default in payment of the dividend due. Except as provided above, the Company will make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on converted shares or for dividends on the shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock issued upon conversion.

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Exchangeability

The holders of shares of Preferred Stock of any series may be obligated at any time or at a specified time or times to exchange such shares for Common Stock or Debt Securities of the Company. The terms of any such exchange and any such Debt Securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of Preferred Stock.

Redemption

A series of Preferred Stock may be redeemable at any time or at a specified time or times, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company or the holder thereof upon terms and at the redemption prices set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series.

In the event of partial redemptions of Preferred Stock, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, the shares to be redeemed will be determined by lot or pro rata, as may be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company or by any other method determined to be equitable by the Board of Directors.

On and after a redemption date, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue on shares of Preferred Stock called for redemption and all rights of holders of such shares will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.

Our right to redeem the Preferred Stock once issued is subject to the prior approval of the Federal Reserve or any successor appropriate federal banking agency as required under the capital rules applicable to us. We cannot assure you that the Federal Reserve or any successor appropriate federal banking agency will approve any redemption of the Preferred Stock that we may propose. Moreover, unless the Federal Reserve authorizes us to do otherwise in writing, we will redeem the Preferred Stock only if it is replaced with other Tier 1 capital that is not a restricted core capital element—for example, common stock or another series of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock.

Under the capital adequacy rules currently applicable to us, prior to exercising our right to redeem the Preferred Stock, we must either (i) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Federal Reserve that, following redemption, we will continue to hold capital commensurate with our risk; or (ii) replace the Preferred Stock redeemed or to be redeemed with an equal amount of instruments that will qualify Tier 1 capital under regulations of the Federal Reserve immediately following or concurrent with redemption.

Liquidation Preference

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of each series of Preferred Stock that ranks senior to the Junior Securities will be entitled to receive out of assets of the Company available for distribution to shareholders, before any distribution is made on any Junior Securities, including Common Stock, distributions upon liquidation in the amount set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of Preferred Stock, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends. If upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the amounts payable with respect to the Preferred Stock of any series and any other Parity Securities are not paid in full, the holders of the Preferred Stock of such series and the Parity Securities will share ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Company in proportion to the full liquidation preferences to which each is entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidation preference to which they are entitled, the holders of such series of Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets of the Company.

Voting Rights

Except as indicated below or in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of Preferred Stock or except as expressly required by applicable law, the holders of shares of Preferred Stock will have no voting rights.

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Under the Federal Reserve’s regulations implementing the Bank Holding Company Act, if any holder of any series of preferred stock is or becomes entitled to vote for the election of directors, such series will be deemed a class of voting securities and a company holding 25% or more of the series, or 5% or more if it otherwise exercises a “controlling influence” over the issuer, will be subject to regulation as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act. In addition, at the time the series is deemed a class of voting securities, any other bank holding company will be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act to acquire or maintain more than 5% of that series. Any other person (other than the bank holding company) will be required to obtain the non-objection of the Federal Reserve under the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, to acquire or maintain 10% or more of that series.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following summary is not complete. You should refer to the applicable provisions of the forms of the Company’s Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt relating to the Preferred Stock for a complete statement of the terms and rights of the Depositary Shares. The following description and any description of the Deposit Agreement, Depositary Receipt and Depositary Shares in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Depositary Agreement and form of Depositary Receipt, which we will file with the SEC (and incorporate by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part) in connection with the offering of Depositary Shares.

General

The Company may, at its option, elect to offer fractional shares of Preferred Stock, rather than full shares of Preferred Stock. In the event such option is exercised, the Company will issue Depositary Receipts, each of which will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of Preferred Stock) of a share of a particular series of Preferred Stock as described below.

The shares of any series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares will be deposited under a Deposit Agreement (the “Deposit Agreement”) between the Company and a bank or trust company selected by the Company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (the “Depositary”). Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Share, to all the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights).

The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the Deposit Agreement (the “Depositary Receipts”). Depositary Receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.

Pending the preparation of definitive Depositary Receipts, the Depositary may, upon the written order of the Company or any holder of deposited Preferred Stock, execute and deliver temporary Depositary Receipts which are substantially identical to, and entitle the holders thereof to all the rights pertaining to, the definitive Depositary Receipts. Definitive Depositary Receipts will be prepared thereafter without unreasonable delay, and temporary Depositary Receipts will be exchangeable for definitive Depositary Receipts at the Company’s expense.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited Preferred Stock to the record holders of Depositary Shares relating to such Preferred Stock in proportion to the numbers of such Depositary Shares owned by such holders, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of Depositary Shares entitled thereto. If the Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, it may, with the approval of the Company, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

Redemption or Exchange of Stock

If a series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares is to be redeemed or exchanged, the Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the Depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of such series of Preferred Stock held by the Depositary, or exchanged for the Common Stock

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or Debt Securities to be issued in exchange for the Preferred Stock (as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of such series of Preferred Stock). The Depositary Shares will be redeemed or exchanged by the Depositary at a price per Depositary Share equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share or market value of Common Stock or Debt Securities per Depositary Share paid in respect of the shares of Preferred Stock so redeemed or exchanged. Whenever the Company redeems or exchanges shares of Preferred Stock held by the Depositary, the Depositary will redeem or exchange as of the same date the number of Depositary Shares representing shares of Preferred Stock so redeemed or exchanged. If fewer than all the Depositary Shares are to be redeemed or exchanged, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed or exchanged will be selected by the Depositary by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the Company.

Withdrawal of Stock

Any holder of Depositary Shares may, upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts at the corporate trust office of the Depositary (unless the related Depositary Shares have previously been called for redemption), receive the number of whole shares of the related series of Preferred Stock and any money or other property represented by such Depositary Receipts. Holders of Depositary Shares making such withdrawals will be entitled to receive whole shares of Preferred Stock on the basis set forth in the related prospectus supplement for such series of Preferred Stock, but holders of such whole shares of Preferred Stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such Preferred Stock under the Deposit Agreement or to receive Depositary Receipts therefor. If the Depositary Shares surrendered by the holder in connection with such withdrawal exceed the number of Depositary Shares that represent the number of whole shares of Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new Depositary Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares.

Voting Deposited Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of deposited Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, the Depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the Depositary Shares relating to such series of Preferred Stock. Each record holder of such Depositary Shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the relevant series of Preferred Stock) will be entitled to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the Preferred Stock represented by such holder’s Depositary Shares. The Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of such series of Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Shares in accordance with such instructions, and the Company will agree to take all reasonable actions which may be deemed necessary by the Depositary in order to enable the Depositary to do so. The Depositary will abstain from voting shares of the Preferred Stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holder of Depositary Shares representing such Preferred Stock.

Conversion Rights of Convertible Depositary Shares

Any holder of Depositary Shares which are convertible into Common Stock or into shares of another series of Preferred Stock, upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts therefor and delivery of instructions to the Depositary, may cause the Company to convert any specified number of whole or fractional shares of Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares into the number of whole shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock) of the Company obtained by dividing the aggregate liquidation preference of such Depositary Shares by the Conversion Price (as such term is defined in the Certificate of Designations) then in effect, as such Conversion Price may be adjusted by the Company from time to time as provided in the Certificate of Designations. In the event that a holder delivers Depositary Receipts to the Depositary for conversion which in the aggregate are convertible either into less than one whole share of such Common Stock or Preferred Stock or into any number of whole shares of such Common Stock or Preferred Stock plus an excess constituting less than one whole share of such Common Stock or Preferred Stock, the holder shall receive payment in lieu of such fractional share.

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Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares and any provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of Depositary Shares representing Preferred Stock of any series will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least 66  ² / ₃ % of the Depositary Shares then outstanding representing Preferred Stock of such series. Every holder of an outstanding Depositary Receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective, or any transferee of such holder, shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Depositary Receipt, or by reason of the acquisition thereof, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. The Deposit Agreement may be terminated immediately and without notice if (i) all outstanding Depositary Shares have been redeemed; or (ii) if applicable, each share of Preferred Stock has been converted into Common Stock or Preferred Stock or has been exchanged for Common Stock or Debt Securities; or (iii) there has been a final distribution in respect of the Preferred Stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of Depositary Shares; or (iv) with the consent of the holders of at least 66  ² / ₃ % of the Depositary Shares then outstanding representing Preferred Stock of such series; or (v) the Depositary materially breaches any of its obligations with regard to the treatment of personal information (as defined in the Depositary Agreement).

Charges of Depositary

The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. The Company will pay all charges of the Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the relevant series of Preferred Stock and any redemption or exchange of such Preferred Stock. Holders of Depositary Receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges or expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

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

Miscellaneous

The Depositary will forward all reports and communications from the Company which are delivered to the Depositary and which the Company is required to furnish to the holders of the deposited Preferred Stock.

Neither the Depositary nor the Company will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the Company and the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of their duties thereunder and they will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any Depositary Shares, Depositary Receipts or shares of Preferred Stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. They may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by holders of Depositary Receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

General

We may issue Common Stock, separately or together with or upon conversion of or in exchange for other Company securities, all as set forth in a prospectus supplement. The following summary is not complete. You should refer to the applicable provisions of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws, and to the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) for a complete statement of the terms and rights of the Common Stock.

The Company is authorized to issue 3,500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share. The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BK.”

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the Common Stock including, where applicable, the following:

The Common Stock will be, when issued against payment therefor, fully paid and nonassessable. The rights of holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any Preferred Stock that has been issued and may be issued in the future.

Dividends

The holders of the Common Stock of the Company are entitled to receive dividends, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of any funds legally available therefor, subject to the preferences applicable to any outstanding Preferred Stock.

The Company’s ability to pay dividends on its Common Stock:

Voting

Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters as to which shareholders are entitled to vote. The holders of the Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights.

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Directors will be elected under a majority voting standard as opposed to a plurality voting standard. Under a majority voting standard, a nominee for director is elected if the votes cast “for” such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast “against” such nominee’s election (with “abstentions” not counted as a vote cast either “for” or “against” that director’s election). Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, in an election of directors, any incumbent director who fails to receive more “for” votes than “against” or “withhold” votes must promptly tender his or her resignation to the Lead Director (or such other director designated by the Board if the director failing to receive the majority of votes cast is the Lead Director) promptly after the certification of the stockholder vote. The Lead Director will then refer the matter to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will promptly consider the resignation submitted by such director and will recommend to the full Board whether to accept such resignation. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider all factors that it deems relevant in making its recommendation, including the stated reasons for “withhold” or “against” votes, the length of service and qualifications of the director, the director’s contributions to the Company, and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. A director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to the above-described Corporate Governance Guidelines will not vote on the issue of whether his or her tendered resignation will be accepted or rejected.

Liquidation Rights

Upon liquidation of the Company, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive pro rata the net assets of the Company after satisfaction in full of the prior rights of creditors (including holders of the Company’s Debt Securities) of the Company and holders of any Preferred Stock.

Miscellaneous

Holders of Common Stock do not have any preferential or preemptive right with respect to any securities of the Company or any conversion rights. The Common Stock is not subject to redemption. The outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Computershare Shareowner Services LLC is the Transfer Agent, Registrar and Dividend Disbursement Agent for the Common Stock of the Company.

Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and the Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws

We are also subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. Section 203 prohibits us from engaging in any business combination (as defined in Section 203) with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years subsequent to the date on which the stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:

For purposes of Section 203, an “interested stockholder” is defined as an entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock, based on voting power, and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such an entity or person.

A “business combination” includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in financial benefit to a stockholder. Section 203 could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change of control attempts with respect to us and, accordingly, may discourage attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.

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Such provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control of management or us.

Under the provisions of the statute, a corporation can expressly elect not to be governed by the business combination provisions in its Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated By-Laws, but, as of the date of this prospectus, the Company has not done so. (DGCL § 203).

The Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws establish an advance notice procedure with regard to nomination by stockholders of candidates for election as directors and with regard to proposals by stockholders to be brought before a meeting of stockholders. In general, written notice must be received by the Secretary of the Company (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not fewer than 90 days or more than 120 days before the anniversary date of the previous year’s proxy statement; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days from the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder will be timely if it is received (A) on or before the later of (1) 120 calendar days before the date of the annual meeting at which such business is to be presented or such election is to take place, as the case may be, or (2) 30 calendar days following the first public announcement by the Company of the annual meeting date and (B) not later than 15 calendar days prior to the scheduled mailing date of the Company’s proxy materials for that annual meeting or (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected, not later than the close of business on the tenth calendar day following the earlier of the day on which notice of the meeting date was mailed and the day on which public announcement of the meeting date was made.

The notice associated with a stockholder nominee for the board of directors must also provide certain information set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws. Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, the Board of Directors is not required to nominate in the annual proxy statement any person so proposed. Compliance with this procedure would permit a stockholder to nominate the individual(s) at the stockholders meeting, and any stockholder may vote in person or by proxy for any individual that stockholder desires. In addition, the Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws permit a stockholder, or a group of up to 20 stockholders, owning 3% or more of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock continuously for at least three years, to nominate and include in the Company’s proxy materials for an annual meeting directors constituting up to two individuals or 20% of the Board or Directors, whichever is greater, provided that the stockholder(s) and the nominee(s) satisfy the requirements specified in the Amended and Restated By-Laws.

The advance notice of the stockholder’s proposal must set forth a description of the business that the stockholder intends to bring before the meeting, including the text of the proposal, and certain information regarding the proposing stockholder, including the name and address of the stockholder, the class and number of shares of the Company’s capital stock beneficially owned by each such stockholder, a representation that such stockholder will be a holder of record of the Company’s common stock who is entitled to vote at the meeting on the date of the meeting and that such stockholder will appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present such proposal(s), any material interest of the stockholder in the business proposed at the meeting and information on hedging, derivative, or other similar transactions with respect to the Company’s securities or credit ratings.

Our Amended and Restated By-Laws provide stockholders holding an aggregate “net long position” (as defined in the Amended and Restated By-Laws) representing at least 20% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company the right to request that the Secretary of the Company call a special meeting of stockholders. The amendments also set forth the requirements and procedures of such a stockholder special meeting request, including with respect to (i) when multiple requests will be considered together, (ii) the information required when submitting a request, (iii) limitations on when requests may be made, (iv) the time for holding a special meeting following a request and (v) the appropriate scope of business at any meeting held pursuant to a request.

Our Amended and Restated By-Laws also provide that vacancies on our board of directors may only be filled by a majority of directors then remaining in office, except that those vacancies resulting from removal from office by a vote of the stockholders may be filled by a vote of the stockholders at the same meeting at which such removal occurs.

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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

Description of Stock Purchase Contracts

We may issue stock purchase contracts, representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, or obligating us to purchase from or sell to the holders, a specified or variable number of shares of our Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares, as applicable, at a future date or dates. The price per share of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or per Depositary Share, as applicable, may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula contained in the stock purchase contracts. We may issue stock purchase contracts in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units, which we refer to in this prospectus as stock purchase units. Units may consist of a stock purchase contract and beneficial interests in other securities described in this prospectus or of third parties, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase from or sell shares to us under the stock purchase contracts. These other securities may consist of debt securities, junior subordinated debentures, Preferred Stock, Common Stock or Depositary Shares of the Company, trust preferred securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase contracts or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under those contracts in a specified manner. Any stock purchase contract may include anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares issuable pursuant to such stock purchase contract upon the occurrence of certain events.

The applicable prospectus supplement may contain, where applicable, the following information about the stock purchase contracts issued under it:

Description of Stock Purchase Units

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

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The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any stock purchase units. The preceding description and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the relevant unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units that we will file with the SEC in connection with the offering of stock purchase units.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock. We may offer warrants separately or together with one or more additional warrants, debt securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock, or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we issue warrants as part of a unit, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify whether those warrants may be separated from the other securities in the unit prior to the warrants’ expiration date. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Further terms of the warrants will be described in a prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:

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BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE

If any Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or other securities registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part (collectively, “Book Entry Securities”) are to be represented by global certificates, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) will act as securities depositary for all of the Book Entry Securities, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to an offering of a particular series of Book Entry Securities.

The following is a summary of the depository arrangements applicable to such securities issued in global form and for which DTC, or its successor, acts as depositary (in the United States) or for which either Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., or its successor, as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as Euroclear, or Clearstream Banking, sociéte anonyme, or its successor, which we refer to as Clearstream, Luxembourg, acts as depositary (outside of the United States). If there are any changes from this summary, they will appear in a prospectus supplement.

DTC

If any securities are to be issued in global form, you will not receive a paper certificate representing the securities you have purchased. Instead the Company will deposit with DTC or its custodian one or more fully-registered global certificates (“Global Certificates”) registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s nominee) for the Book Entry Securities, representing the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities, or the total number of shares of Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares or the other securities, respectively.

Since the Global Certificate is registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, DTC or its nominee is said to have legal or record ownership of the Global Certificate. Persons who buy interests in the Global Security by purchasing securities are said to own a beneficial interest in the Global Security.

Only institutions (sometimes referred to as “participants”) that have accounts with DTC or its nominee or persons that may hold interests through participants, such as individual members of the public, may own beneficial interests in a Global Certificate. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Certificate by participants will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Certificate by persons that hold through participants will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership interest within that participant will be effected only through, records maintained by that participant.

DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the Book Entry Securities. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the participants through which the beneficial owners purchased the securities.

DTC alone is responsible for any aspect of its records, any nominee or any participant relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Certificate or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the records of DTC, any nominee or any participant relating to such beneficial interests.

The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Certificate.

We have been advised by DTC that upon the issuance of a Global Certificate and the deposit of that Global Certificate with DTC, DTC will immediately credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts or numbers of shares represented by that Global Certificate to the accounts of its participants.

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You will be required to make your initial payment for the Debt Securities in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System.

The Company will pay principal of, and premium, interest or dividends on, securities represented by a Global Certificate registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee to the relevant paying agent who in turn will make payments to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the Global Certificate representing those securities in immediately available funds. We have been advised by DTC that upon receipt of any payment of principal of, or interest or premium (or contract adjustment payments) on, a Global Certificate, DTC will immediately credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, accounts of participants with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal or stated amount of that Global Certificate as shown in the records of DTC. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Certificate held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name”, and will be the sole responsibility of those participants, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. If an issue of Book Entry Securities is denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, we will make payments of principal and any interest, as applicable, in the foreign currency in which the Book Entry Securities are denominated or in U.S. dollars. DTC has elected to have all payments of principal and interest paid in U.S. dollars unless notified by any of its participants through which an interest in the Book Entry Securities is held that it elects, in accordance with, and to the extent permitted by, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the Book Entry Security, to receive payment of principal or interest in the foreign currency. On or prior to the third business day after the record date for payment of interest and 12 days prior to the date for payment of principal, a participant will be required to notify DTC of (a) its election to receive all, or the specified portion, of payment in the foreign currency and (b) its instructions for wire transfer of payment to a foreign currency account.

Global Certificates are generally not transferable. A Global Certificate is exchangeable for definitive securities (paper certificates) registered in the name of, and a transfer of a Global Certificate may be registered to, any person other than DTC or its nominee, only if:

Any Global Certificate representing a Debt Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding paragraph will be exchangeable in whole for definitive Debt Securities in registered form, of like tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount as the Global Certificate, in denominations specified in the applicable prospectus supplement (if other than $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000). The definitive Debt Securities will be registered by the registrar in the name or names instructed by DTC. We expect that such instructions may be based upon directions received by DTC from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Certificate. Any principal, premium and interest will be payable, the transfer of the definitive Debt Securities will be registerable and the definitive Debt Securities will be exchangeable at the office specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, provided that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to that interest payment as of the record date and as shown on the register for the Debt Securities. In the event definitive securities are issued, (i) holders of definitive securities will be able to transfer their debt securities, in whole or in part, by surrendering the debt

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securities for registration of transfer at the corporate trust office of the applicable security registrar. We will not charge any fee for the registration or transfer or exchange, except that we may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any applicable tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the transfer and (ii) any moneys we pay to our paying agents for the payment of principal and interest on a Debt Security that remains unclaimed at the second anniversary of the date such payment was due will be returned to us, and thereafter holders of definitive securities may look only to us, as general unsecured creditors, for payment.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to any of the Book Entry Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the relevant Trustee (or agent) and the Company. In the event that a successor securities depositary is not obtained, definitive Debt Security or Preferred Stock certificates representing such Debt Security or Preferred Stock will be printed and delivered. The Company, at its option, may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor depositary).

Except as provided above, owners of the beneficial interests in a Global Security representing a Debt Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Debt Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the holders of securities for any purpose under the Indentures.

No Global Security shall be exchangeable except for another Global Security of like denomination and tenor to be registered in the name of DTC or its nominee. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a Global Security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the Global Security or the Indentures.

Redemption notices will be sent to Cede & Co. as the registered holder of the Book Entry Securities. If less than all of a series of the Debt Securities are being redeemed, DTC will determine the amount of the interest of each direct participant to be redeemed in accordance with its then-current procedures.

Although voting with respect to the Book Entry Securities is limited to the holders of record of the Book Entry Securities, in those instances in which a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with respect to Book Entry Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy (the “Omnibus Proxy”) to the relevant Trustee (or agent) as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts such Book Entry Securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

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Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear

We have been advised by Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear, respectively, as follows:

The Euroclear operator is a Belgian bank. The Belgian Banking Commission and the National Bank of Belgium regulate and examine the Euroclear operator.

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The Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, or the Euroclear Terms and Conditions, and applicable Belgian law govern securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear operator. Specifically, these terms and conditions govern:

All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear operator acts under the terms and conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding securities through Euroclear participants.

Distributions with respect to Book Entry Securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear participants in accordance with the Euroclear Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the Euroclear operator.

Secondary market trading between Clearstream, Luxembourg customers and/or Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding Book Entry Securities directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream, Luxembourg customers or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by a U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (based on European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to the U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving Book Entry Securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream, Luxembourg customers and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.

Because of time-zone differences, credits of Book Entry Securities received in Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such Book Entry Securities settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Clearstream, Luxembourg customers or Euroclear participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear as a result of sales of Book Entry Securities by or through a Clearstream, Luxembourg customer or a Euroclear participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform the procedures described above and such procedures may be discontinued at any time.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system as well as Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear and their respective book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be accurate, but the Company assumes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. The Company does not have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg, Euroclear or participants therein of their respective obligations as described herein or under the rules and procedures governing their respective operations.

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