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| CMA > SEC Filings for CMA > Form 8-K on 8-Jan-2009 | All Recent SEC Filings |
8-Jan-2009
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
Effective January 5, 2009, Comerica Securities, Inc. ("Comerica Securities"), an indirect subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated ("Comerica"), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") finalized the settlement of FINRA's auction rate securities ("ARS") investigation of Comerica Securities pursuant to the terms of a Letter of Acceptance Waiver and Consent (the "AWC") executed by the parties. The AWC formalized the agreement in principle between Comerica Securities and FINRA previously announced on September 18, 2008.
Among other things, the AWC requires Comerica Securities, or an affiliate, to offer to repurchase at par ARS that are subject to auctions that have not been successful as of September 16, 2008 and that are not subject to current calls or redemptions ("Eligible ARS") from the following types of investors who purchased ARS through Comerica Securities at any time between May 31, 2006 and February 28, 2008 into accounts maintained at Comerica Securities: (i) natural persons, (ii) non-profit charitable organizations and (iii) religious corporations or entities, as well as other beneficial holders, including corporations, trusts, pension plans and other entities with total ARS account values held at Comerica Securities of up to $10 million (collectively, the "Retail Investors") (the "Buyback"). The Buyback of Eligible ARS from Retail Investors must commence no later than thirty (30) days following the date the AWC is accepted by FINRA and be completed no later than sixty (60) days thereafter such AWC acceptance date. The AWC notes that on October 1, 2008, Comerica Securities commenced the Buyback of Eligible ARS. Such Buyback was completed on December 19, 2008.
The AWC also provides that Comerica Securities: (1) within six (6) months following the date an AWC is accepted by FINRA, shall make its "best efforts" to provide liquidity to all other investors who are not Retail Investors and who purchased Eligible ARS from Comerica Securities at any time between May 31, 2006 and February 28, 2008, (2) shall pay the difference between par and the price at which a Retail Investor sold ARS below par between February 28, 2008 and September 16, 2008, (3) notified Retail Investors that an independent arbitrator selected under the auspices of FINRA will be available to arbitrate any Retail Investor consequential damages claims, and (4) neither admits nor denies any allegations of wrongdoing. Furthermore, Comerica Securities agreed to the imposition of a censure and the payment to FINRA of a $750,000 fine. The AWC notes that on October 1, 2008, Comerica Securities offered to purchase Eligible ARS from all other investors who were not Retail Investors and who purchased Eligible ARS at any time between May 31, 2006 and February 28, 2008 through Comerica Securities. Comerica Securities concluded such repurchase offer on December 19, 2008.
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