Prospectus excerpt: We are offering 2,000,000 shares of our 8.50% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, which we refer to in this prospectus supplement as the Series A Preferred Stock.
We will pay cumulative dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock in the amount of $2.125 per share each year, which is equivalent to the rate of 8.50% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per share. Dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock sold in this offering will be payable quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing October 15, 2012, to holders of record on the applicable record date. The Series A Preferred Stock has no maturity and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless redeemed or otherwise repurchased or converted into common stock pursuant to the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock. Except under circumstances intended to preserve our qualification as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income tax purposes, or, in accordance with our articles of incorporation, to avoid penalty taxes in respect of, or protect the tax status of, any real estate mortgage investment conduit, or REMIC, in which we have or plan to take an interest, the Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to July 31, 2017. On or after July 31, 2017, at any time and from time to time the Series A Preferred Stock will be redeemable in whole, or in part, at our option, at a cash redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) to, but not including, the redemption date.
In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined herein), we may, subject to certain conditions, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part and within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred by paying the liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date. If we exercise any of our redemption rights relating to the Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will not have the conversion rights described below with respect to those shares.