Form 8-K - Current report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

November 20, 2023

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

Delaware

(STATE OF INCORPORATION)


001-35543						27-0298092
(COMMISSION FILE NUMBER)						(IRS EMPLOYER ID. NUMBER)


385 East Colorado Boulevard						91101
Pasadena, California						(ZIP CODE)
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

(626) 844-9400

(REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

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

ý Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

WMC

New York Stock Exchange

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On November 20, 2023, Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“WMC”), issued a press release announcing that its board of directors has declared a second interim fourth quarter dividend of $0.10 on WMC’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, in connection with the previously announced proposed acquisition of WMC by AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“MITT”), and in light of the adjournment of the special meeting of WMC stockholders until December 5, 2023.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits


Exhibit No.			Description
99.1			Press Release dated November 20, 2023.
104			Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed acquisition transaction contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 8, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among MITT, AGMIT Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of MITT (“Merger Sub”), WMC and, solely for the limited purposes set forth in the Merger Agreement, AG REIT Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions therein, WMC will be merged with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub continuing as the surviving company (such transaction, the “Merger”), MITT has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-274319) (the “Registration Statement”), which was declared effective by the SEC on September 29, 2023. The Registration Statement includes a prospectus of MITT and a joint proxy statement of MITT and WMC (the “joint proxy statement/prospectus”). The joint proxy statement/prospectus contains important information about MITT, WMC, the proposed Merger and related matters. MITT and WMC may file with the SEC other documents regarding the Merger. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus has been sent to the stockholders of MITT and WMC, and contains important information about MITT, WMC, the proposed Merger and related matters. This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement, registration statement, tender or exchange offer statement, prospectus or other document MITT or WMC has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed Merger and related matters. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE RELATED JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR MAY BE FILED BY MITT AND WMC WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MITT, WMC AND THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain copies of these documents free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by MITT with the SEC are also available free of charge on MITT’s website at www.agmit.com. Copies of the documents filed by WMC with the SEC are also available free of charge on WMC’s website at www.westernassetmcc.com.

Participants in the Solicitation Relating to the Merger

MITT, WMC and certain of their respective directors and executive officers and certain other affiliates of MITT and WMC may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the common stockholders of WMC in respect of the proposed Merger. Information regarding WMC and its directors and executive officers and their ownership of common stock of WMC can be found in WMC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 13, 2023, and in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on May 2, 2023. Information regarding MITT and its directors and executive officers and their ownership of common stock of MITT can be found in MITT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2023, and in its definitive proxy statement relating to its 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2023. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants in the Merger is included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents relating to the proposed Merger filed with the SEC. These documents are available free of charge on the SEC’s website and from MITT or WMC, as applicable, using the sources indicated above.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication and the information contained herein shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed Merger.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. MITT and WMC intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include this statement for purposes of complying with the safe harbor provisions. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “projects,” “could,” “estimates” or variations of such words and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature, but not all forward-looking statements include such identifying words. Forward-looking statements regarding MITT and WMC include, but are not limited to, statements related to the proposed Merger, including the anticipated timing, benefits and financial and operational impact thereof; other statements of management’s belief, intentions or goals; and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are based on each of the companies’ current plans, objectives, estimates, expectations and intentions and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: MITT’s and WMC’s ability to complete the proposed Merger on the proposed terms or on the anticipated timeline, or at all, including risks and uncertainties related to securing the necessary stockholder approval from WMC’s stockholders and satisfaction of other closing conditions to consummate the proposed Merger; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; risks related to diverting the attention of MITT and WMC management from ongoing business operations; failure to realize the expected benefits of the proposed Merger; significant transaction costs and/or unknown or inestimable liabilities; the risk of stockholder litigation in connection with the proposed Merger, including resulting expense or delay; the risk that MITT’s and WMC’s respective businesses will not be integrated successfully or that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; the amount and timing of MITT's remaining fourth quarter dividend; and effects relating to the announcement of the proposed Merger or any further announcements or the consummation of the proposed Merger on the market price of MITT’s or WMC’s common stock. Additional risks and uncertainties related to MITT’s and WMC’s business are included under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in MITT’s and WMC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, MITT’s and WMC’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023, the joint proxy statement/prospectus and in other reports and documents filed by either company with the SEC from time to time. Moreover, other risks and uncertainties of which MITT or WMC are not currently aware may also affect each of the companies’ forward-looking statements and may cause actual results and the timing of events to differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements made in this communication are made only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the forward-looking statements, even if they are subsequently made available by MITT or WMC on their respective websites or otherwise. Neither MITT nor WMC undertakes any obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information, future events, changes in its expectations or other circumstances that exist after the date as of which the forward-looking statements were made, except as required by law.

SIGNATURE

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

WESTERN ASSET MORTGAGE CAPITAL CORPORATION

By:

/s/ Robert W. Lehman

Name:

Robert W. Lehman

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 20, 2023

Exhibit 99.1

WESTERN ASSET MORTGAGE CAPITAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES SECOND INTERIM FOURTH QUARTER COMMON DIVIDEND OF $0.10 PER SHARE

PASADENA, California – November 20, 2023 – Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation (NYSE: WMC) (“WMC”) announced that its Board of Directors has declared a second interim fourth quarter dividend of $0.10 per common share in light of the adjournment of the special meeting of WMC stockholders until December 5, 2023. The dividend is payable on December 5, 2023 to stockholders of record as of November 30, 2023.

The second interim fourth quarter dividend is being made in connection with the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 8, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. (“MITT”), AGMIT Merger Sub, LLC (“Merger Sub”), WMC and, solely for the limited purposes set forth in the Merger Agreement, AG REIT Management, LLC, pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions therein, WMC will be merged with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub continuing as the surviving company (such transaction, the “Merger”). WMC previously declared an interim fourth quarter dividend in the amount of $0.14 to stockholders of record as of November 3, 2023, which was paid on November 8, 2023. This second interim fourth quarter dividend payment covers the period following the payment of the first interim fourth quarter dividend through the day prior to December 6, 2023, the expected closing date of the Merger. MITT is also distributing a similar partial payment dividend to its common stockholders of record.

Additional information regarding the proposed Merger is included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Merger that was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 29, 2023, and mailed to stockholders on or about October 3, 2023.

About Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation

WMC is a real estate investment trust that invests in, finances, and manages a diverse portfolio of assets consisting of Residential Whole Loans, Non-Agency RMBS, and to a lesser extent GSE Risk Transfer Securities, Commercial Loans, Non-Agency CMBS, Agency RMBS, Agency CMBS, and ABS. WMC is externally managed and advised by Western Asset Management Company, LLC, an investment advisor registered with the SEC and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed Merger, MITT has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-274319) (the “Registration Statement”), which was declared effective by the SEC on September 29, 2023. The Registration Statement includes a prospectus of MITT and a joint proxy statement of MITT and WMC (the “joint proxy statement/prospectus”). The joint proxy statement/prospectus contains important information about MITT, WMC, the proposed Merger and related matters. MITT and WMC may file with the SEC other documents regarding the Merger. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus has been sent to the stockholders of MITT and WMC, and contains important information about MITT, WMC, the proposed Merger and related matters. This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement, registration statement, tender or exchange offer statement, prospectus or other document MITT or WMC has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed Merger and related matters. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE RELATED JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR MAY BE FILED BY MITT AND WMC WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MITT, WMC AND THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain copies of these documents free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by MITT with the SEC are also available free of charge on MITT’s website at www.agmit.com. Copies of the documents filed by WMC with the SEC are also available free of charge on WMC’s website at www.westernassetmcc.com.

Participants in the Solicitation Relating to the Merger

No Offer or Solicitation

Forward-Looking Statements

Merger Agreement; risks related to diverting the attention of MITT and WMC management from ongoing business operations; failure to realize the expected benefits of the proposed Merger; significant transaction costs and/or unknown or inestimable liabilities; the risk of stockholder litigation in connection with the proposed Merger, including resulting expense or delay; the risk that MITT’s and WMC’s respective businesses will not be integrated successfully or that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; the amount and timing of MITT’s remaining fourth quarter dividend; and effects relating to the announcement of the proposed Merger or any further announcements or the consummation of the proposed Merger on the market price of MITT’s or WMC’s common stock. Additional risks and uncertainties related to MITT’s and WMC’s business are included under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in MITT’s and WMC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, MITT’s and WMC’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023, the joint proxy statement/prospectus and in other reports and documents filed by either company with the SEC from time to time. Moreover, other risks and uncertainties of which MITT or WMC are not currently aware may also affect each of the companies’ forward-looking statements and may cause actual results and the timing of events to differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements made in this communication are made only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the forward-looking statements, even if they are subsequently made available by MITT or WMC on their respective websites or otherwise. Neither MITT nor WMC undertakes any obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information, future events, changes in its expectations or other circumstances that exist after the date as of which the forward-looking statements were made, except as required by law.

Contact Information

Investors

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation

Larry Clark

Financial Profiles, Inc.

(310) 622-8223

lclark@finprofiles.com

Cover Page	Nov. 20, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Nov. 20, 2023
Entity Registrant Name	Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	001-35543
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-0298092
Entity Address, Address Line One	385 East Colorado Boulevard
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	91101
Entity Address, City or Town	Pasadena
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
City Area Code	626
Local Phone Number	844-9400
Written Communications	true
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	WMC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Central Index Key	0001465885
Amendment Flag	false