Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 2023

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

CBRE GROUP, INC.

CBRE SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

SEE TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS

 

 

 

Delaware
Delaware
  94-3391143
52-1616016

2100 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1250, Dallas, Texas 75201

(214) 979-6100

 

 

Chad Doellinger

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

CBRE Group, Inc.

2100 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1250, Dallas, Texas 75201

(214) 979-6100

 

 

With a copy to:

William B. Brentani

Kelli Schultz-Panas

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

2475 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, California 94304

(650) 251-5000

Fax: (650) 251-5002

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Larger accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

 


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LOGO

 

CBRE Group, Inc.

Debt Securities

Guarantees of Debt Securities and Warrants

Class A Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Units

 

CBRE Services, Inc.

Debt Securities

Guarantees of Debt Securities and Warrants

Warrants

Units

This prospectus relates to the sale from time to time in one or more offerings of:

 

   

debt securities of CBRE Group, Inc. or CBRE Services, Inc., which may be senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

 

   

guarantees of any debt securities or warrants to purchase any equity or debt securities of CBRE Group, Inc.;

 

   

guarantees of any debt securities or warrants to purchase any debt securities of CBRE Services, Inc.;

 

   

Class A common stock of CBRE Group, Inc.;

 

   

preferred stock of CBRE Group, Inc.;

 

   

depositary shares representing fractional interests in preferred stock of CBRE Group, Inc.;

 

   

warrants to purchase any equity or debt securities of CBRE Group, Inc.;

 

   

warrants to purchase any debt securities of CBRE Services, Inc.; or

 

   

units, comprised of two or more of any of the securities referred to herein, in any combination.

Debt securities and warrants issued by CBRE Group, Inc. may be guaranteed by CBRE Services, Inc. Debt securities and warrants issued by CBRE Services, Inc. may be guaranteed by CBRE Group, Inc.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. The specific terms of any securities to be offered will be described in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. We will not receive any proceeds from the securities sold by any selling securityholder.

When securities are offered under this prospectus, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the specific securities being offered, the manner in which they are being offered and the offering price of the securities. The securities may be offered separately or together in any combination or as a separate series. You should read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. We or any selling securityholder may sell these securities to or through underwriters, and also to other purchasers or through dealers or agents, or through any combination of those methods, on a continuous or delayed basis. The names of the underwriters and selling securityholders, if any, will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (Symbol: CBRE).

Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 7 contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus and under similar headings in the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is December 19, 2023


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

About this Prospectus

     1  

Where You Can Find More Information

     1  

Forward Looking Statements

     3  

The Company

     6  

Risk Factors

     7  

Use of Proceeds

     8  

General Description of Securities That May Be Sold

     9  

Description of Debt Securities

     9  

Description of Preferred Stock

     23  

Description of Depositary Shares

     24  

Description of Warrants

     29  

Description of Units

     30  

Plan of Distribution

     31  

Legal Matters

     31  

Experts

     31  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. By using a shelf registration statement, we or any of the selling securityholders may sell, at any time and from time to time over the next three years, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we or any of the selling securityholders may offer. Each time we or the selling securityholders sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered and information regarding the selling securityholders, if any. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. The exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we or any of the selling securityholders may offer, you should review the full text of these documents. The registration statement and the exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus filed with the SEC. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with additional or different information. No offer to sell these securities will be made in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the cover page. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospectus may have changed since that date.

In this prospectus, the terms “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to CBRE Group, Inc. and include all of its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise. The phrase “this prospectus” refers to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, unless the context otherwise requires.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Available Information

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website http://www.sec.gov.

Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: CBRE), and reports, proxy statements and other information concerning us can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange at 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005. Our website at http://www.cbre.com contains information concerning us. We routinely use our website as a channel of distribution for our information, including financial and other material information. On the Investor Relations page of that website, we provide access to all of our SEC filings, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC. The information at our website is not incorporated in this prospectus by reference, and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus.

 

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Incorporation by Reference

We will “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus by disclosing important information to you by referring you to another document that is filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that have been previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important information about us.

 

   

Our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed on February 27, 2023;

 

   

Our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March  31, 2023, June  30, 2023 and September 30, 2023;

 

   

Our current reports on Form 8-K, filed on January  25, 2023, February  17, 2023, March  15, 2023, May  22, 2023, June  23, 2023, July  10, 2023 and November 17, 2023 (with respect to Item 5.03 only);

 

   

Those portions of our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders that are incorporated by reference in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022; and

 

   

The description of our Class  A common stock filed as Exhibit 4.3 to our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed on March 2, 2020.

We are also incorporating by reference additional documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date of this prospectus; provided, however, that nothing contained herein, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, a copy of any and all of these filings. You may request a copy of these filings by contacting us at:

Investor Relations

CBRE Group, Inc.

2100 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1250

Dallas, Texas 75201

E-mail: investorrelations@cbre.com

(214) 863-3145

 

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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement includes or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements. These statements, which are not statements of historical fact, may contain estimates, assumptions, projections and/or expectations regarding future events, which may or may not occur. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “should,” “propose,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will” and similar terms and phrases are used in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus to identify forward-looking statements. These statements relate to analyses and other information based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements also relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies.

These forward-looking statements are made based on our management’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us and are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. These uncertainties and factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements.

The following factors are among those, but are not only those, that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements:

 

   

disruptions in general economic, political and regulatory conditions, particularly in geographies or industry sectors where our business may be concentrated;

 

   

volatility or adverse developments in the securities, capital or credit markets, interest rate increases and conditions affecting the value of real estate assets, inside and outside the United States;

 

   

poor performance of real estate investments or other conditions that negatively impact clients’ willingness to make real estate or long-term contractual commitments and the cost and availability of capital for investment in real estate;

 

   

foreign currency fluctuations and changes in currency restrictions, trade sanctions and import/export and transfer pricing rules;

 

   

our ability to compete globally, or in specific geographic markets or business segments that are material to us;

 

   

our ability to identify, acquire and integrate accretive businesses;

 

   

costs and potential future capital requirements relating to businesses we may acquire;

 

   

integration challenges arising out of companies we may acquire;

 

   

increases in unemployment and general slowdowns in commercial activity;

 

   

trends in pricing and risk assumption for commercial real estate services;

 

   

the effect of significant changes in capitalization rates across different property types;

 

   

a reduction by companies in their reliance on outsourcing for their commercial real estate needs, which would affect our revenues and operating performance;

 

   

client actions to restrain project spending and reduce outsourced staffing levels;

 

   

our ability to further diversify our revenue model to offset cyclical economic trends in the commercial real estate industry;

 

   

our ability to attract new occupier and investor clients;

 

   

our ability to retain major clients and renew related contracts;

 

   

our ability to leverage our global services platform to maximize and sustain long-term cash flow;

 

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our ability to continue investing in our platform and client service offerings;

 

   

our ability to maintain expense discipline;

 

   

the emergence of disruptive business models and technologies;

 

   

negative publicity or harm to our brand and reputation;

 

   

the failure by third parties to comply with service level agreements or regulatory or legal requirements;

 

   

the ability of our investment management business to maintain and grow assets under management and achieve desired investment returns for our investors, and any potential related litigation, liabilities or reputational harm possible if we fail to do so;

 

   

our ability to manage fluctuations in net earnings and cash flow, which could result from poor performance in our investment programs, including our participation as a principal in real estate investments;

 

   

the ability of CBRE Capital Markets, Inc. to periodically amend, or replace, on satisfactory terms, the agreements for its warehouse lines of credit;

 

   

declines in lending activity of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises, regulatory oversight of such activity and our mortgage servicing revenue from the commercial real estate mortgage market;

 

   

changes in U.S. and international law and regulatory environments (including relating to anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, trade sanctions, tariffs, currency controls and other trade control laws), particularly in Asia, Africa, Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, due to the level of political instability in those regions;

 

   

litigation and its financial and reputational risks to us;

 

   

our exposure to liabilities in connection with real estate advisory and property management activities and our ability to procure sufficient insurance coverage on acceptable terms;

 

   

our ability to retain, attract and incentivize key personnel;

 

   

our ability to manage organizational challenges associated with our size;

 

   

liabilities under guarantees, or for construction defects, that we incur in our development services business;

 

   

variations in historically customary seasonal patterns that cause our business not to perform as expected;

 

   

our leverage under our debt instruments as well as the limited restrictions therein on our ability to incur additional debt, and the potential increased borrowing costs to us from a credit-ratings downgrade;

 

   

our and our employees’ ability to execute on, and adapt to, information technology strategies and trends;

 

   

cybersecurity threats or other threats to our information technology networks, including the potential misappropriation of assets or sensitive information, corruption of data or operational disruption;

 

   

our ability to comply with laws and regulations related to our global operations, including real estate licensure, tax, labor and employment laws and regulations, fire and safety building requirements and regulations, as well as data privacy and protection regulations, ESG matters, and the anti-corruption laws and trade sanctions of the U.S. and other countries;

 

   

changes in applicable tax or accounting requirements;

 

   

any inability for us to implement and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting;

 

   

the effect of implementation of new accounting rules and standards or the impairment of our goodwill and intangible assets;

 

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the performance of our equity investments in companies we do not control; and

 

   

the other factors described elsewhere in this prospectus or any document incorporated by reference herein, including our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other documents or reports we file with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties is contained in our other periodic filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

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THE COMPANY

We are the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, based on 2022 revenue, with leading global market positions in our leasing, property sales, occupier outsourcing and valuation businesses. As of December 31, 2022, the company had approximately 115,000 employees (excluding Turner & Townsend Holdings Limited employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries.

We provide services to real estate investors and occupiers. For investors, our services include capital markets (property sales and mortgage origination), mortgage sales and servicing, property leasing, investment management, property management, valuation and development services, among others. For occupiers, our services include facilities management, project management, transaction (property sales and leasing) and consulting services, among others. We provide services under the following brand names: “CBRE” (real estate advisory and outsourcing services); “CBRE Investment Management” (investment management); “Trammell Crow Company” (primarily U.S. development); “Telford Homes” (U.K. development); and “Turner & Townsend Holdings Limited” (Turner & Townsend, project management).

We generate revenue from stable, recurring sources (large multi-year portfolio and per project contracts) and from cyclical, non-recurring sources, including commissions on transactions. Our revenue mix has become more weighted towards stable revenue sources, particularly occupier outsourcing, and we are less dependent on cyclical property sales and lease transaction revenue than we were a decade or more ago. We believe we are well-positioned to capture a substantial and growing share of market opportunities at a time when investors and occupiers increasingly prefer to purchase integrated, account-based services on a national and global basis.

In 2022, we generated revenue from a highly diversified base of clients, including more than 95 of the Fortune 100 companies. We have been an S&P 500 company since 2006 and are currently ranked #135 on the Fortune 500. We have been voted the most recognized commercial real estate brand in the Lipsey Company survey for 22 years in a row. We have also been rated a World’s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute for ten consecutive years and included in the Dow Jones World Sustainability Index for four years in a row (including 2022, the most recent year this ranking is available) and the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for four years in a row.

Our principal executive offices are located at 2100 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1250, Dallas, Texas 75201, and our telephone number is (214) 979-6100.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Our business is subject to uncertainties and risks. Before deciding whether to purchase any of our securities, you should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings we make with the SEC. Our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as may be described otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will add the net proceeds from any sale of securities to which this prospectus relates to our general funds and will use them for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment of debt, acquisitions, additions to working capital, capital expenditures, investments in our subsidiaries and co-investments in our investment funds.

We may designate a specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities by us to a specific purpose, if any, at the time of the offering and will describe any allocation in the related prospectus supplement. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested prior to use.

 

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES THAT MAY BE SOLD

This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference summary descriptions of the debt securities, Class A common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants and units that we and any securityholder may sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the related prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We have summarized below general terms and conditions of the debt securities or guarantees of debt securities that CBRE Group, Inc. or CBRE Services, Inc. may offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus. The debt securities (and any associated guarantees) will either be senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or subordinated debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms and conditions of the series in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus, including the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, preferred stock or other debt securities. We will also indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement whether the general terms and conditions described in this prospectus apply to the series of debt securities. In addition, the terms and conditions of the debt securities of a series may be different in one or more respects from the terms and conditions described below. If so, those differences will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, but need not, describe any additional or different terms and conditions of such debt securities in an annual report on Form 10-K, a quarterly report on Form 10-Q or a current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC, the information in which would be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and such report will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will issue the debt securities in one or more series under indentures among CBRE Group, Inc., CBRE Services, Inc., subsidiary guarantors named therein, and, in the case of debt securities issued by CBRE Group, Inc., Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, and, in the case of debt securities issued by CBRE Services, Inc., Computershare Trust Company, as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.

The following summary of provisions of the indentures does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indentures, including definitions therein of certain terms. This summary may not contain all of the information that you may find useful.

The terms and conditions of the debt securities of each series will be set forth in those debt securities and in the applicable indenture. For a comprehensive description of any series of debt securities being offered to you pursuant to this prospectus, you should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

We have filed the forms of the indentures as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. A form of each debt security, reflecting the specific terms and provisions of that series of debt securities, will be filed with the SEC in connection with each offering and will be incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

You may obtain a copy of the indentures and any form of debt security that has been filed in the manner described under “Where You Can Find More Information.” Capitalized terms used and not defined in this summary have the meanings specified in the indenture. For purposes of this section of this prospectus, references to “we,” “us” and “our” are to either CBRE Group, Inc. or CBRE Services, Inc. (depending on the applicable issuer of debt securities) and not to any of their respective subsidiaries. References to the “applicable prospectus supplement” are to the prospectus supplement to this prospectus that describes the specific terms and conditions of a series of debt securities.

 

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General

We may offer the debt securities from time to time in as many distinct series as we may determine. All debt securities will be our senior obligations, senior subordinated obligations or subordinated obligations, as the case may be.

The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue under such indentures. We may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of any series, issue additional debt securities ranking equally with, and otherwise similar in all respects to, the debt securities of the series (except for the public offering price and the issue date) so that those additional debt securities will be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of the series previously offered and sold under a particular indenture.

The debt securities of each series will be issued in fully registered form without interest coupons. We currently anticipate that the debt securities of each series offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus will be issued as global debt securities as described under “—Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities” and will trade in book-entry form only.

Debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the debt securities of a series are denominated in a foreign or composite currency, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify the denomination or denominations in which those debt securities will be issued.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will repay the debt securities of each series at 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon at maturity, except if those debt securities have been previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of each series will not be listed on any securities exchange.

Provisions of Indentures

The indentures provide that debt securities may be issued under such indentures from time to time in one or more series. For each series of debt securities, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms and conditions of that series of debt securities:

 

   

the title of the series;

 

   

the maximum aggregate principal amount, if any, established for debt securities of the series;

 

   

whether the debt securities of the series will rank as senior securities, senior subordinated securities or subordinated securities or any combination thereof and the terms of such subordination;

 

   

the person to whom any interest on a debt security of the series will be payable, if other than the person in whose name that debt security (or one or more predecessor debt securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest;

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal of any debt securities of the series will be payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates;

 

   

the rate or rates at which any debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which any such interest will be payable and the regular record date for any such interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

   

the place or places where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on any debt securities of the series will be payable and the manner in which any payment may be made;

 

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the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option and, if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by us to redeem the debt securities will be evidenced;

 

   

our obligation or right, if any, to redeem or purchase any debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or at the option of the holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

   

if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which any debt securities of the series will be issuable;

 

   

if the amount of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to a financial or economic measure or index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

 

   

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series will be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. dollars for any purpose;

 

   

if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series is to be payable, at our election or the election of the holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such debt securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on such debt securities as to which such election is made will be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount will be determined);

 

   

if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any debt securities of the series which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the indenture;

 

   

if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any debt securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount of such debt securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any date prior to the stated maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount will be determined);

 

   

if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by us to defease any debt securities of the series pursuant to the indenture will be evidenced; whether any debt securities of the series other than debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate are to be subject to the defeasance provisions of the indenture; or, in the case of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate, if applicable, that the debt securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, will not be defeasible pursuant to the indenture;

 

   

if applicable, that any debt securities of the series will be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and, in such case, the respective depositaries for such global securities and the form of any legend or legends which will be borne by any such global securities, and any circumstances in which any such global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and any transfer of such global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of persons other than the depositary for such global security or a nominee thereof;

 

   

any addition to, deletion from or change in the events of default applicable to any debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of such debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable;

 

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any addition to, deletion from or change in the covenants applicable to debt securities of the series;

 

   

if the debt securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for cash and/or any securities or other property of any person (including us), the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable;

 

   

whether the debt securities of the series will be guaranteed by any persons and, if so, the identity of such persons, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors;

 

   

whether the debt securities of the series will be secured by any collateral and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be secured and, if applicable, upon which such liens may be subordinated to other liens securing other indebtedness of us or of any guarantor; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities of the series and the guarantees thereof (which terms will not be inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable indenture, except as permitted thereunder).

Interest

In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the debt securities of a series as being either debt securities bearing interest at a fixed rate of interest or debt securities bearing interest at a floating rate of interest at the rate specified or determined in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each debt security will begin to accrue interest from the date on which it is originally issued. Interest on each such debt security will be payable in arrears on the interest payment dates set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and at maturity or, if earlier, the redemption date described below. Interest will be payable to the holder of record of the debt securities at the close of business on the record date for each interest payment date, which record dates will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Optional Redemption

Redemption at Our Option

If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect to redeem all or part of the outstanding debt securities of a series from time to time before the maturity date of the debt securities of that series. Upon such election, we will notify the trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of debt securities of the series to be redeemed. If less than all the debt securities of the series are to be redeemed, the particular debt securities of that series to be redeemed will be selected by the trustee by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate and in accordance with The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) procedures. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the redemption price for the debt securities to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such price), in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of those debt securities.

Notice of redemption will be given to each holder of the debt securities to be redeemed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date set for such redemption. This notice will include the following information: the redemption date; the redemption price (or the method of calculating such price); if less than all of the outstanding debt securities of such series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the respective principal amounts) of the particular debt securities to be redeemed; the place or places where such debt securities are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; and, if applicable, the CUSIP number of the debt securities to be redeemed.

By no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption date, we will deposit or cause to be deposited with the trustee or with a paying agent (or, if we are acting as our own paying agent with respect to the debt securities being redeemed, we will segregate and hold in trust as provided in the indenture) an amount of money sufficient to pay the aggregate redemption price of, and (except if the redemption date shall be an interest

 

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payment date or the debt securities of such series provide otherwise) accrued interest on, all of the debt securities or the part thereof to be redeemed on that date. On the redemption date, the redemption price will become due and payable upon all of the debt securities to be redeemed, and interest, if any, on the debt securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue from and after that date. Upon surrender of any such debt securities for redemption, we will pay those debt securities surrendered at the redemption price together, if applicable, with accrued interest to the redemption date.

Any debt securities to be redeemed only in part must be surrendered at the office or agency established by us for such purpose, and we will execute, and the trustee will authenticate and deliver to a holder without service charge, new debt securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested by such holder, in a principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the debt securities that holder surrenders.

Repayment at Holder’s Option

If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holders of the debt securities of a series will have the option to elect repayment of those debt securities by us prior to the stated maturity of the debt securities of that series at a time or times, and subject to the conditions, specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the holders of those debt securities have that option, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify the optional repayment date or dates on which the debt security may be repaid and the optional repayment price, or the method by which such price will be determined. The optional repayment price is the price at which, together with accrued interest to the optional repayment date, the debt security may be repaid at the holder’s option on each such optional repayment date.

Any tender of a debt security by the holder for repayment will be irrevocable. Any repayment option of a holder may be exercised by the holder of debt securities for less than the entire principal amount of the debt security; provided that the principal amount of the debt security remaining outstanding after repayment will be an authorized denomination. Upon such partial repayment, the debt securities will be canceled and new debt securities for the remaining principal amount will be issued in the name of the holder of the repaid debt securities.

If debt securities are represented by a global security as described under “—Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities,” the securities depository for the global security or its nominee will be the holder of the debt security and, therefore, will be the only person that can exercise a right to repayment. In order to ensure that the depository or its nominee will timely exercise a right to repayment relating to a particular debt security, the beneficial owner of the debt security must instruct the broker or other direct or indirect participant in the depository through which it holds an interest in the debt security to notify the depository of its desire to exercise a right to repayment by the appropriate cut-off time for notifying the participant. Different firms have different cut-off times for accepting instructions from their customers. Accordingly, you should consult the broker or other direct or indirect participant through which you hold an interest in a debt security in order to ascertain the cut-off time by which such an instruction must be given for timely notice to be delivered to the appropriate depository.

Payment and Transfer or Exchange

Principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of each series will be payable, and the debt securities may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or agency maintained by us for such purpose which initially will be the trustee’s office located at 1505 Energy Park Drive, St Paul, MN 55108 Attention: Corporate Trust Department – CBRE Group, Inc. Administrator. Payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on a global security registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global security. If any of the debt securities is no longer represented by a global security, payment of interest on certificated debt securities in definitive form may, at our option, be made by check mailed directly to holders at their registered addresses. See “—Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities.”

 

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A holder may transfer or exchange any certificated debt securities in definitive form at the same location given in the preceding paragraph. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

We are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption for a period of 15 days before mailing of a notice of redemption of the debt security to be redeemed.

The transferor shall provide, or cause to be provided, to the trustee all information necessary to allow the trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation, any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The trustee may rely on any such information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

The registered holder of a debt security will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

All amounts of principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities paid by us that remain unclaimed two years after such payment was due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holders of such debt securities will thereafter look solely to us for payment.

Guarantees

Each prospectus supplement will describe, as to the debt securities to which it relates, any guarantees by us, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees. Any such guarantees will be full and unconditional.

Covenants

Each indenture sets forth limited covenants, including the covenant described below, that will apply to each series of debt securities issued under such indenture, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The debt securities and related guarantees may contain certain additional restrictive covenants to be set forth in an applicable officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Each indenture provides that we may consolidate with or merge with or into any other person, and may sell, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets to another person; provided that the following conditions are satisfied:

 

   

we are the continuing entity, or the resulting, surviving or transferee person (the “Successor”) is a person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor (if not us) will expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, all of our obligations under the debt securities and the applicable indenture and, for each security that by its terms provides for conversion, provide for the right to convert such security in accordance with its terms;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default under the applicable indenture has occurred and is continuing; and

 

   

the trustee receives from us an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel that the merger, consolidation or transfer and such supplemental indenture, as the case may be, complies with the applicable provisions of the applicable indenture.

 

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If we consolidate or merge with or into any other person or sell, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets in accordance with the applicable indenture, the Successor will be substituted for us in such indenture, with the same effect as if it had been an original party to such indenture. As a result, the Successor may exercise our rights and powers under such indenture, and we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under such indenture and under the debt securities.

Any substitution of the Successor for us might be deemed for federal income tax purposes to be an exchange of the debt securities for “new” debt securities, resulting in recognition of gain or loss for such purposes and possibly certain other adverse tax consequences to beneficial owners of the debt securities. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of any such substitution.

For purposes of this covenant, “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

Events of Default

Each of the following events are defined in the indenture as an “event of default” (whatever the reason for such event of default and whether or not it will be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) with respect to the debt securities of any series:

(1) default in the payment of any installment of interest on any debt securities of that series for 30 days after becoming due;

(2) default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any debt securities of that series when it becomes due and payable at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon declaration or otherwise;

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any debt securities of that series;

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of ours in the indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series (other than as referred to in clause (1), (2) or (3) above), which continues for a period of 90 days (except that, in the case of a default in the performance or breach of a reporting covenant, such period shall be of 180 days) after written notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series;

(5) we, pursuant to or within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Law:

 

   

commence a voluntary case or proceeding;

 

   

consent to the entry of an order for relief against us in an involuntary case or proceeding;

 

   

consent to the appointment of a Custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property;

 

   

make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors;

 

   

file a petition in bankruptcy or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief;

 

   

consent to the filing of such petition or the appointment of or taking possession by a Custodian; or

 

   

take any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;

(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

   

is for relief against us in an involuntary case, or adjudicates us insolvent or bankrupt;

 

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appoints a Custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property; or

 

   

orders the winding-up or liquidation of us (or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws), and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

(7) any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series occurs.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code or any similar federal or state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

“Custodian” means any custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series (other than an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of us) occurs and is continuing, the trustee by notice to us, or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series by notice to us and the trustee, may, and the trustee at the request of these holders will, declare the principal of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of us occurs and is continuing, the principal of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the debt securities of that series will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders.

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind a declaration of acceleration and its consequences, if we have deposited certain sums with the trustee and all events of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal or interest which have become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived, as provided in the applicable indenture.

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under any indenture.

We are required to furnish the trustee annually a statement by certain of our officers to the effect that, to their knowledge, we are not in default in the fulfillment of any of our obligations under the indentures or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default and the status of each such default.

No holder of any debt securities of any series will have any right to institute any judicial or other proceeding with respect to the applicable indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy unless:

(1) an event of default has occurred and is continuing and such holder has given the trustee prior written notice of such continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series;

(2) the holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have requested the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default;

(3) such holder or holders have offered to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against its costs, fees, expenses, losses and liabilities in complying with such request;

(4) the trustee has failed to institute proceedings 60 days after the receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and

 

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(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given for 60 days by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of a series will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series or exercising any trust or power conferred to the trustee, and to waive certain defaults. The indentures provide that if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such of its rights and powers under the applicable indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities of a series unless they will have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, fees, expenses, losses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

Modification and Waivers

Modification and amendments of an indenture and the debt securities of any series may be made by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series affected thereby; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of that series affected thereby:

 

   

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or installment of interest on, any debt security;

 

   

reduce the principal amount of any debt security or reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or reduce the rate of interest on any debt security;

 

   

reduce any premium payable on the redemption of any debt security or change the date on which any debt security may or must be redeemed;

 

   

change the coin or currency in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt security is payable;

 

   

impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the stated maturity of any debt security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date);

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required in order to take certain actions;

 

   

reduce the requirements for quorum or voting by holders of debt securities in such indenture or the debt security;

 

   

modify any of the provisions in such indenture regarding the waiver of past defaults and the waiver of certain covenants by the holders of debt securities except to increase any percentage vote required or to provide that certain other provisions of such indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected thereby;

 

   

make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any debt security or decreases the conversion or exchange rate or increases the conversion price of any convertible or exchangeable debt security, unless such decrease or increase is permitted by the terms of the debt securities; or

 

   

modify any of the above provisions.

 

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We and the trustee may, without the consent of any holders, modify or amend the terms of an indenture and the debt securities of any series with respect to the following:

 

   

to add to our covenants for the benefit of holders of the debt securities of all or any series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us;

 

   

to evidence the succession of another person to, and the assumption by the successor of our covenants, agreements and obligations under, such indenture pursuant to the covenant described under “—Covenants—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets;”

 

   

to add any additional events of default for the benefit of holders of the debt securities of all or any series;

 

   

to add additional guarantees or additional guarantors in respect of debt securities, and to evidence the release and discharge of any guarantor from its obligations under its guarantee of debt securities and its obligations under the applicable indenture in accordance with the terms of such indenture;

 

   

to secure the debt securities pursuant to the covenants of such indenture;

 

   

to add or appoint a successor or separate trustee or other agent;

 

   

to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series;

 

   

to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted by such indenture;

 

   

to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depository;

 

   

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

 

   

to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of such indenture in respect of one or more series of debt securities; provided that any such addition, change or elimination (a) shall neither (1) apply to any debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (2) modify the rights of the holder of any such debt security with respect to such provision or (b) shall become effective only when there is no debt security described in clause (1) outstanding;

 

   

to conform the text of such indenture and the debt securities of such series to this “Description of Debt Securities” or the comparable provisions in the applicable prospectus supplement to the extent this “Description of Debt Securities” or such comparable provision in such applicable prospectus supplement was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of such indenture or debt securities of such series, which intent may be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate to that effect;

 

   

to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; or

 

   

to change any other provision; provided that the change does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of any series in any material respect.

The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the applicable indenture. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive any past default and its consequences under the applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series, except a default (1) in the payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest on debt securities of that series or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision of the applicable indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each debt security of that series. Upon any such waiver, such default will cease to exist, and any event of default arising therefrom will be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the applicable indenture; however, no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other default or event of default or impair any rights consequent thereon.

 

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Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We may discharge certain obligations to holders of the debt securities of a series that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that either have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by depositing with the trustee, in trust, funds in U.S. dollars in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness including the principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit (if the debt securities have become due and payable) or to the maturity thereof or the redemption date of the debt securities of that series, as the case may be.

The indentures provide that we may elect either (1) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the debt securities of a series (except for, among other things, obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency with respect to the debt securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust) (“legal defeasance”) or (2) to be released from our obligations to comply with the restrictive covenants under such indentures, and any omission to comply with such obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of a series and clauses (4) and (7) under “—Events of Default” will no longer be applied (“covenant defeasance”). Legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, will be conditioned upon, among other things, the irrevocable deposit by us with the trustee, in trust, of an amount in U.S. dollars, or U.S. government obligations, or both, applicable to the debt securities of that series which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient (and in the case of a deposit of U.S. government obligations, as certified by an independent qualified party) to pay the principal or premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities on the scheduled due dates therefor.

If we effect covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of any series, the amount in U.S. dollars, or U.S. government obligations, or both, on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from an event of default. However, we would remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.

We will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance will not cause the holders and beneficial owners of the debt securities of that series to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will trade in the same-day funds settlement system of DTC until maturity or until we issue the debt securities in certificated form. DTC will therefore require secondary market trading activity in the debt securities to settle in immediately available funds. We can give no assurance as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in the debt securities.

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of each series will be issued in the form of one or more global debt securities, in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons, each of which we refer to as a “global security.” Each such global security will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC in New York, New York for the accounts of participants in DTC.

 

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Investors may hold their interests in a global security directly through DTC if they are DTC participants, or indirectly through organizations that are DTC participants. Except in the limited circumstances described below, holders of debt securities represented by interests in a global security will not be entitled to receive their debt securities in fully registered certificated form.

DTC has advised us as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under 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 Exchange Act. DTC holds securities of institutions that have accounts with DTC (“participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s book-entry 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 participant, whether directly or indirectly.

Ownership of Beneficial Interests

Upon the issuance of each global security, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amount of the individual beneficial interests represented by the global security to the accounts of participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in each global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in each global security will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to participants’ interests) and such participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the global security other than participants).

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered holder and owner of a global security, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole legal owner of the debt security represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture, the debt securities and applicable law. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to receive certificated debt securities and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of any debt securities represented by the global security. We understand that under existing industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to take any actions that DTC, as the holder of the global security, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the participants to take such action, and that participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them. No beneficial owner of an interest in a global security will be able to transfer such interest except in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures, in addition to those provided for under the indenture. Because DTC can only act on behalf of participants, who in turn act on behalf of others, the ability of a person having a beneficial interest in a global security to pledge that interest to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of that interest, may be impaired by the lack of a physical certificate representing that interest.

All payments on the debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of and held by DTC or its nominee will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global security.

We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest in respect of a global security, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security

 

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held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices as is now the case with securities held for accounts for customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. These payments, however, will be the responsibility of such participants and indirect participants, and neither we, the trustee nor any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in any global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants or the relationship between such participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the global security.

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for certificated debt securities, each global security may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC. 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.

We expect that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of debt securities only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account the DTC interests in a global security are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of default under the debt securities, DTC may exchange each global security for certificated debt securities, which it will distribute to its participants.

Although we expect that DTC will agree to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in each global security among participants of DTC, DTC is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither we, the underwriters nor the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance or nonperformance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

The indentures provide that the global securities will be exchanged for debt securities in certificated form of like tenor and of an equal principal amount, in authorized denominations in the following limited circumstances:

(1) DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable or no longer permitted under applicable law to continue as depository or if DTC ceases to be eligible to act as depository under the indentures and we do not appoint a successor depository within 90 days;

(2) we determine that the debt securities will no longer be represented by global securities and execute and deliver to the trustee an order to such effect; or

(3) an event of default with respect to the debt securities will have occurred and be continuing.

These certificated debt securities will be registered in such name or names as DTC will instruct the trustee. It is expected that such instructions may be based upon directions received by DTC from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in global securities.

The information in this section of this prospectus concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we do not take responsibility for this information.

Euroclear and Clearstream

If the depositary for a global security is DTC, you may hold interests in the global security through Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, which we refer to as “Clearstream,” or Euroclear Bank SA/ NV, as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as “Euroclear,” in each case, as a participant in DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests, in each case, on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in the names of Euroclear and Clearstream on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities in the depositaries’ names on DTC’s books.

 

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Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the debt securities made through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Those systems could change their rules and procedures at any time. We have no control over those systems or their participants, and we take no responsibility for their activities. Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on one hand, and other participants in DTC, on the other hand, would also be subject to DTC’s rules and procedures.

Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other transactions involving any securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.

In addition, because of time-zone differences, U.S. investors who hold their interests in the debt securities through these systems and wish on a particular day, to transfer their interests, or to receive or make a payment or delivery or exercise any other right with respect to their interests, may find that the transaction will not be effected until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, as applicable. Thus, investors who wish to exercise rights that expire on a particular day may need to act before the expiration date. In addition, investors who hold their interests through both DTC and Euroclear or Clearstream may need to make special arrangements to finance any purchase or sales of their interests between the U.S. and European clearing systems, and those transactions may settle later than transactions within one clearing system.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Regarding the Trustee

Computershare Trust Company, National Association, is the trustee under the indenture relating to debt securities issued by CBRE Group, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, is the trustee under the indenture relating to debt securities issued by CBRE Services, Inc.

The trustee is permitted to engage in transactions, including commercial banking and other transactions, with us and our subsidiaries from time to time; provided that if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict upon the occurrence of an event of default, or else resign.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following description summarizes information regarding our preferred stock. This information does not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects to the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, and our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our amended and restated by-laws. You are urged to read our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our amended and restated by-laws in their entirety. For purposes of this section of this prospectus, references to “we,” “us” and “our” are to CBRE Group, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries.

Our board of directors is authorized, subject to any limitations imposed by law, without the approval of our securityholders, to issue from time to time up to a total of 25,000,000 shares of our preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, in one or more series, with each such series having rights and preferences, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, as our board of directors may determine. The issuance of our preferred stock, while potentially providing us with flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from attempting to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.

As of December 19, 2023, we had 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock available for issuance.

We will include in a prospectus supplement the terms relating to any series of preferred stock being offered. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

   

the title of the series and the number of shares in the series;

 

   

the price at which the preferred stock will be offered;

 

   

the dividend rate or rates or method of calculating the rates, the dates on which the dividends will be payable, whether or not dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends on the preferred stock being offered will cumulate;

 

   

the voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the preferred stock being offered;

 

   

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, and the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of the preferred stock being offered;

 

   

the liquidation preference per share;

 

   

the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock being offered will be convertible into our common stock, including the conversion price, or the manner of calculating the conversion price, and the conversion period;

 

   

any listing of the preferred stock being offered on any securities exchange;

 

   

whether interests in the shares of the series will be represented by depositary shares;

 

   

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock being offered;

 

   

the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution, or the winding up of our affairs;

 

   

any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior or equal to the series of preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs; and

 

   

any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of the series.

Upon issuance, the shares of preferred stock will be fully paid and nonassessable, which means that its holders will have paid their purchase price in full and we may not require them to pay additional funds. Holders of preferred stock will not have any preemptive rights.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

We summarize below some of the provisions that will apply to depositary shares unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise. This summary does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. The complete terms of the depositary shares will be set forth in the depositary agreement and depositary receipt for the applicable depositary shares. The forms of depositary agreement and related depositary receipt that will be entered into with respect to a particular offering of depositary shares will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as documents that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read the depositary agreement and the depositary receipt. The particular terms of any depositary shares and the related depositary receipts and depositary agreement will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should read the applicable prospectus supplement, which will contain additional information and which may update or change some of the information below. For purposes of this section of this prospectus, references to “we,” “us” and “our” are to CBRE Group, Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries.

General

We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock of any class or series of CBRE Group, Inc., rather than full preferred shares. If we do, we will deposit preferred stock of such class or series with a bank, trust company or other financial institution as depositary, with respect to such depositary agreement (the “Depositary”) and cause such Depositary to issue depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest (to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) of a share of such class or series, as the case may be, of preferred stock.

The preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate depositary agreement between us and the applicable Depositary, which shall have an office in the United States and which has, or whose parent entity has, a combined capital and surplus (calculated on a consolidated basis) of at least $50,000,000. Subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, each holder of a depositary receipt issued under that depositary agreement will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a preferred share represented by the related depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented thereby (including, if applicable and subject to the matters discussed below, any distribution, voting, redemption, conversion, exchange and liquidation rights).

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares offered thereby will set forth their specific terms, including, when applicable:

 

   

the terms of the class or series of preferred stock deposited by us under the related depositary agreement, the number of such depositary shares and the fraction of one share of such preferred stock represented by one such depositary share,

 

   

whether such depositary shares will be listed on any securities exchange; and

 

   

any other specific terms of such depositary shares and the related depositary agreement.

Depositary receipts may be surrendered for transfer or exchange at any office or agency of the relevant Depositary maintained for that purpose, subject to the terms of the related depositary agreement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, depositary receipts will be issued in denominations evidencing any whole number of depositary shares. No service charge will be made for any permitted transfer or exchange of depositary receipts, but we or the Depositary may require payment of any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Pending the preparation of definitive depositary receipts, the Depositary may, upon our written order, execute and deliver temporary depositary receipts which are substantially similar to, and entitle the holders

 

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thereof to all the rights pertaining to, the definitive depositary receipts. Depositary receipts will be prepared thereafter and, when definitive depositary receipts are available, temporary depositary receipts will be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.

Dividends and Other Distributions

If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Depositary will distribute all cash distributions received in respect of the deposited preferred shares to the record holders, as of the relevant record date, of depositary receipts relating to such preferred shares in proportion, insofar as possible, to the numbers of such depositary shares owned by such holders on such record date. The Depositary will distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without distributing to any holder of depositary receipts a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of the next sum, if any, received by the Depositary for distribution to record holders of those depositary receipts.

In the event of a distribution in property other than in cash, the Depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders, as of the relevant record date, of depositary receipts entitled thereto in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by such holders on such record date. If, however, the Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, it may, with our approval, adopt such method as it deems equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including the sale (public or private) of such property and the distribution of the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

The deposit agreement may also contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights offering offered by us to holders of the related class or series of preferred shares will be made available to holders of depositary receipts.

The amount distributed in any of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by us or the Depositary on account of taxes.

Redemption and Repurchase of Preferred Stock

If we redeem a class or series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the Depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of such class or series of preferred shares held by the Depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price and of any other amounts or property per share payable upon such redemption with respect to the preferred stock so redeemed. Whenever we redeem preferred shares held by the Depositary, the Depositary will redeem as of the same date the number of depositary shares representing the preferred shares so redeemed, provided that we have paid in full to the Depositary the redemption price of the preferred shares to be redeemed plus any other amounts or property payable upon such redemption with respect to the shares to be so redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed at our option, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by the Depositary by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the Depositary. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be redeemed in part only, a new depositary receipt will be issued for any depositary shares not so redeemed.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the related depositary receipts with respect to the depositary shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any monies or other property payable upon redemption upon surrender of such depositary receipts to the Depositary.

Depositary shares, as such, are not subject to repurchase by us at the option of the holders. Nevertheless, if the preferred stock represented by depositary shares is subject to repurchase at the option of the holders, then, on the terms and subject to the conditions applicable to such preferred stock, the related depositary receipts may be

 

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surrendered by the holders thereof to the Depositary with written instructions to the Depositary to instruct us to repurchase the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts at the applicable repurchase price. Upon receipt of such instructions and subject to our having funds legally available therefor, we will repurchase the requisite whole number of shares of such preferred stock from the Depositary, who in turn will repurchase such depositary receipts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders shall only be entitled to request the repurchase of depositary shares representing one or more whole shares of the related preferred stock. The repurchase price per depositary share will be equal to the repurchase price and any other amounts or property payable per share upon such redemption with respect to the preferred shares multiplied by the fraction of a preferred share represented by one depositary share. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be repurchased in part only, one or more new depositary receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be repurchased.

Withdrawal of Preferred Shares

Except as may be otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, any holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the applicable office or agency of the Depositary (unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption), subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of the related class or series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by such depositary receipts. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. Holders shall only be entitled to request the withdrawal of one or more whole shares of the related preferred stock and must surrender depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares that in turn represent such whole shares of preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts making such withdrawals will be entitled to receive whole preferred shares on the basis set forth in the related prospectus supplement, but holders of such whole shares of preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such preferred stock under the depositary agreement or to receive depositary receipts therefor. If the depositary receipts surrendered by the holder in connection with such withdrawal evidence a number of depositary shares representing more than the number of whole preferred shares 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 Shares

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any class or 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 class or 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 class or series of preferred stock) may instruct the Depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will take all reasonable actions that may be deemed necessary by the Depositary in order to enable the Depositary to do so. The Depositary will abstain from voting preferred shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock.

Conversion and Exchange of Preferred Shares

If the preferred stock represented by depositary shares is exchangeable at our option for other securities, then, whenever we exercise our option to exchange all or a portion of such preferred stock held by the Depositary, the Depositary will exchange as of the same date a number of such depositary shares representing such preferred stock so exchanged, provided we shall have issued and delivered to the Depositary the securities for which such preferred stock is to be exchanged. The exchange rate per depositary share shall be equal to the exchange rate per preferred share multiplied by the fraction of a preferred share represented by one depositary share. If less than all of the depositary shares are to be exchanged, the depositary shares to be exchanged will be selected by the Depositary by lot or pro rata or other equitable method, in each case as may be determined by us.

 

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If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be exchanged in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be exchanged.

Depositary shares, as such, are not convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holders into other securities or property. Nevertheless, if the preferred stock represented by depositary shares is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property at the option of the holders, then, on the terms and subject to the conditions applicable to such preferred stock, the related depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the Depositary with written instructions to the Depositary to instruct us to cause conversion or exchange, as the case may be, of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts into such number or amount of other securities, in authorized denominations, or other property, as the case may be, as specified in the related prospectus supplement. We, upon receipt of such instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, will cause the conversion or exchange, as the case may be, and will deliver to the holders (or cause the Depositary to deliver to the holders) such number or amount of other securities, in authorized denominations, or other property, as the case may be (and, if required by the terms of the applicable preferred stock, cash in lieu of any fractional share). Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders shall only be entitled to request the conversion or exchange of depositary shares representing one or more whole shares of the related preferred stock. The exchange or conversion rate per depositary share shall be equal to the exchange or conversion rate per share of preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a preferred share represented by one depositary share. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted or exchanged in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted or exchanged.

Amendment and Termination of Depositary Agreement

Unless otherwise provided in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement or required by law, the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the Depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of the depositary receipts issued under any depositary agreement or the related depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of such depositary shares then outstanding (or such greater proportion as may be required by the rules of any securities exchange on which such depositary shares may be listed). In no event may any such amendment impair the right of any holder of depositary receipts, subject to the conditions specified in the deposit agreement, to receive the related preferred shares upon surrender of such depositary receipts as described above under “—Withdrawal of Preferred Shares.” 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 depositary agreement as amended thereby.

The depositary agreement automatically terminates if:

 

   

all outstanding depositary shares issued thereunder have been redeemed or repurchased by us;

 

   

each preferred share deposited thereunder has been converted into or exchanged for other securities or other property or has been withdrawn; or

 

   

there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred shares deposited thereunder in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of related depositary receipts.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay all fees and expenses of the Depositary in connection with the initial

 

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deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock or arising in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts will pay all other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges, including any fee for withdrawal of their shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the depositary agreement to be for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the Depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment by us of a successor Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor Depositary must be a bank, trust company or other financial institution selected by us having an office in the United States and otherwise meeting the requirements of the depositary agreement.

Miscellaneous

The Depositary will forward to the holders of the applicable depositary receipts all reports and communications from us which are delivered to the Depositary and which are intended for delivery to holders of the deposited preferred stock.

Neither the Depositary nor we will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our respective control in performing our respective obligations under the depositary agreement. The obligations of us and the Depositary under the depositary agreement will be limited to performance of our respective duties thereunder in good faith and without gross negligence and willful misconduct and neither of us will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares, depositary receipts or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the Depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants or upon information provided by holders of depositary receipts or other person believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

CBRE Group, Inc. may issue warrants to purchase equity or debt securities. CBRE Services, Inc. may issue warrants to purchase debt securities. Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash the amount of equity or debt securities, as applicable, at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. We may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. For purposes of this section of this prospectus, references to “we,” “us” and “our” are to either CBRE Group, Inc. or CBRE Services, Inc. (depending on the applicable issuer of warrants) and not to any of their respective subsidiaries.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include the following:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable;

 

   

the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security;

 

   

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

   

the aggregate number of warrants;

 

   

any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;

 

   

the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and

 

   

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue, as applicable, units consisting of one or more debt securities, shares of Class A common stock, preferred stock or warrants, or any combination of such securities. For purposes of this section of this prospectus, references to “we,” “us” and “our” are to either CBRE Group, Inc. or CBRE Services, Inc. (depending on the applicable issuer of units) and not to any of their respective subsidiaries.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

 

   

the terms of the units and of the debt securities, common stock, depository shares, preferred stock and/or warrants comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately;

 

   

a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and

 

   

a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of the plan of distribution of the securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus.

LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Palo Alto, California, or other counsel who is satisfactory to us. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own counsel.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of CBRE Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by the undersigned Registrants in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $ *  

Trustee’s fees and expenses

     **  

Printing and engraving expenses

     **  

Legal fees and expenses

     **  

FINRA filing fees

     **  

Accounting fees and expenses

     **  

Rating agency fees

     **  

Listing fees

     **  

Miscellaneous

     **  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ **  
  

 

 

 

 

(*)

An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price and number or amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon conversion of, or in exchange for, or upon exercise of, convertible or exchangeable securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrants are deferring payment of all of the registration fee.

(**)

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the estimated aggregate amount of expenses payable in respect of any offering of securities.

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

CBRE Group, Inc. and CBRE Services, Inc. (each a Delaware corporation and, collectively referred to herein as the “Delaware Corporations”)

Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), as amended, allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damage for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his or her duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of the DGCL or obtained an improper personal benefit.

Section 145 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Delaware corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, agent or employee of the Delaware corporation or is or was serving at its request as a director, officer, agent or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgment, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding. The power to indemnify applies (1) if the person is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding or (2) if the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interest, or not opposed to the best interest, of the Delaware corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right of the Delaware corporation as well, but only to the extent of defense expenses (including attorneys’ fees but excluding amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred

 

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and not to any satisfaction of judgment or settlement of the claim itself, and with the further limitation that in these actions no indemnification shall be made in the event of any adjudication of negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duties to the Delaware corporation, unless the court believes that in light of all the circumstances indemnification should apply.

Section 174 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that a director who willfully or negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption may be held liable for these actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the time may avoid liability by causing his or her dissent to these actions to be entered in the books containing the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time the action occurred or immediately after the absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.

The Delaware Corporations’ certificates of incorporation include a provision that limits the personal liability of their directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such limitation is not permitted under the DGCL.

The Delaware Corporations’ certificates of incorporation and/or by-laws provide that each Delaware Corporation must indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The Delaware Corporations’ certificates of incorporation and/or by-laws provide that they may additionally indemnify their agents and employees to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, but if such agent or employee is serving at another entity at the request of any such Delaware Corporation, then the Delaware Corporation must indemnify such agent or employee.

The certificates of incorporation and/or by-laws of the Delaware Corporations provide that they must advance expenses, as incurred, to their directors and officers in connection with a legal proceeding.

The indemnification provisions contained in the certificates of incorporation and/or by-laws of CBRE Group, Inc. are not exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

In addition, the Delaware Corporations maintain insurance on behalf of their directors and officers insuring them against any liability asserted against them in their capacities as directors or officers or arising out of such status.

 

Item 16.

Exhibits.

Reference is made to the information contained in the Exhibit Index filed as part of this Registration Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference pursuant to Rule 411 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Item 17.

Undertakings.

(a) Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement;

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”);

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration

 

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Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement; and

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered hereby which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Act to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; and

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

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(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of an undersigned Registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Act, each filing of Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

         Incorporated by Reference     

Exhibit
No.

 

Exhibit Description

   Form    SEC File No.    Exhibit   Filing Date    Filed
Herewith
    1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement              
    2.1   Share Sale Agreement, dated November  12, 2013, by and among William Investments Limited, the individuals named therein, CBRE Holdings Limited, CBRE UK Acquisition Company Limited and CBRE Group, Inc.    8-K    001-32205    1.01   11/13/2013   
    2.2   Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2015, by and between Johnson Controls, Inc. and CBRE, Inc.    8-K    001-32205    2.1   04/03/2015   
    2.3   Acquisition Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2021, among Turner  & Townsend Partners LLP, CBRE Titan Acquisition Co. Limited, CBRE Group, Inc.    8-K    001-32205    2.1   07/29/2021   
    2.4   Amended and Restated Variation Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2021, between Turner  & Townsend Partners LLP, CBRE Titan Acquisition Co. Limited, CBRE Group, Inc. and Turner & Townsend Holdings Limited    10-K    001-32205    2.4   03/01/2022   
    4.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CBRE Group, Inc.    8-K    001-32205    3.1   05/23/2018   
    4.2   Amended and Restated By-Laws of CBRE Group, Inc.    8-K    001-32205    3.1   11/17/2023   
    4.3
  Form of Class A common stock certificate of CBRE Group, Inc.    10-Q    001-32205    4.1   08/09/2017   
    4.4   Description of Securities    10-K    001-32205    4.3   02/24/2023   
    4.5(a)   Indenture, dated as of March  14, 2013, among CBRE Group, Inc., CBRE Services, Inc., certain subsidiaries of CBRE Services, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee    10-Q    001-32205    4.4(a)   05/10/2013   
    4.5(b)   Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August  13, 2015, between CBRE Services, Inc., CBRE Group, Inc., certain subsidiaries of CBRE Services, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, for the issuance of 4.875% Senior Notes due 2026, including the Form of 4.875% Senior Notes due 2026    8-K    001-32205    4.2   08/13/2015   

 

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         Incorporated by Reference     

Exhibit
No.

 

Exhibit Description

   Form    SEC File No.    Exhibit    Filing Date    Filed
Herewith
    4.5(c)   Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March  18, 2021, among CBRE Group, Inc., CBRE Services, Inc., certain subsidiaries of CBRE Services, Inc. named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, for the issuance of 2.500% Senior Notes due 2031, including the Form of 2.500% Senior Notes due 2031    8-K    001-32205    4.2    03/18/2021   
    4.5(d)   Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June  23, 2023, among CBRE Group, Inc., CBRE Services, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, for the issuance of 5.950% Senior Notes due 2034, including the Form of 5.950% Senior Notes due 2034    8-K    001-32205    4.2    06/23/2023   
    4.6*   Form of Debt Security (CBRE Services, Inc. as issuer)               
    4.7   Form of Indenture (CBRE Group, Inc. as issuer)                X
    4.8*   Form of Debt Security (CBRE Group, Inc. as issuer)               
    4.9*   Certificate of designation, preferences and rights with respect to any preferred stock issued hereunder               
    4.10*   Form of Depositary Agreement for Depositary Shares               
    4.11*   Form of Depositary Receipt               
    4.12*   Form of Stock Warrant Agreement               
    4.13*   Form of Stock Warrant Certificate               
    4.14*   Form of Debt Warrant Agreement               
    4.15*   Form of Debt Warrant Certificate               
    4.16*   Form of Unit Agreement               
    5.1   Legal opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP                X
  22.1   Subsidiary Issuers and Guarantors of CBRE Group, Inc.’s Registered Debt    10-Q    001-32205    22.1    10/27/2023   
  23.1   Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm                X
  23.2   Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)                X

 

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          Incorporated by Reference       

Exhibit
No.

  

Exhibit Description

   Form      SEC File No.      Exhibit      Filing
Date
     Filed
Herewith
  24    Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages to this registration statement)                X
  25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, with respect to Indenture (CBRE Group, Inc. as issuer)                X
  25.2    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, with respect to Indenture (CBRE Services, Inc. as issuer)                X
  107    Filing Fee Table                X

 

*

To be filed, if necessary, by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on December 19, 2023.

 

CBRE GROUP, INC.

CBRE SERVICES, INC.

By:   /s/ EMMA E. GIAMARTINO
  Name: Emma E. Giamartino
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned directors and officers of CBRE Group, Inc. and CBRE Services, Inc., do hereby constitute and appoint Robert E. Sulentic, Emma Giamartino and Chad Doellinger, or any of them, our true and lawful attorneys and agents, each with the power of substitution to do any and all acts and things in our name and on our behalf in our capacities as directors and officers and to execute any and all instruments for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys and agents, or either of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said registrants to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement, including specifically, but without limitation, power and authority to sign for us or any of us in our names in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) hereto and we do hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys and agents, or any of them, or their respective substitute or substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by or on behalf of the following persons in the capacities indicated on December 19, 2023.

 

Signature

  

Title

/S/ ROBERT E. SULENTIC

Robert E. Sulentic

  

President, Chief Executive Officer

and Chair of the Board of Directors
(Principal Executive Officer)

/S/ EMMA E. GIAMARTINO

Emma E. Giamartino

   Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

/S/ LINDSEY S. CAPLAN

Lindsey S. Caplan

   Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

/S/ BRANDON B. BOZE

Brandon B. Boze

   Director

/S/ BETH F. COBERT

Beth F. Cobert

   Director

/S/ REGINALD H. GILYARD

Reginald H. Gilyard

   Director

 

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Signature

  

Title

/S/ SHIRA D. GOODMAN

Shira D. Goodman

   Lead Independent Director

/S/ E.M. BLAKE HUTCHESON

E.M. Blake Hutcheson

   Director

/S/ CHRISTOPHER T. JENNY

Christopher T. Jenny

   Director

/S/ GERARDO I. LOPEZ

Gerardo I. Lopez

   Director

/S/ SUSAN MEANEY

Susan Meaney

   Director

/S/ OSCAR MUNOZ

Oscar Munoz

   Director

/S/ SANJIV YAJNIK

Sanjiv Yajnik

   Director

 

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