Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-132606

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 25, 2007

The information contained in this preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not offers to sell nor do they seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 21, 2006

State Street Corporation

$700,000,000

$        % Fixed Rate Notes Due April      , 2017

$     Floating Rate Notes Due April      , 2012

$     Floating Rate Notes Due April      , 2017

We will pay interest on the fixed rate notes due April      , 2017, which we refer to as the “fixed rate notes,” at a rate of    % per annum, and will pay such interest semi-annually in arrears on April       and October       each year, commencing October      , 2007, and at maturity. We will pay interest on the floating rate notes due April      , 2012, which we refer to as the “2012 floating rate notes,” at a rate equal to the then applicable U.S. dollar three-month LIBOR rate plus    % per annum. We will pay interest on the floating rate notes due April      , 2017, which we refer to as the “2017 floating rate notes,” at a rate equal to the then applicable U.S. dollar three-month LIBOR rate plus    % per annum. We will pay interest on the 2012 floating rate notes and the 2017 floating rate notes quarterly in arrears on January      , April      , July      , and October      , commencing July      , 2007, and at maturity. We refer to the 2012 floating rate notes and the 2017 floating rate notes collectively as the “floating rate notes” and the fixed rate notes and the floating rate notes collectively as the “notes.” We may not redeem the notes prior to their maturity. There is no sinking fund for the notes. The notes will be issued only in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Each owner of a beneficial interest in a note will be required to hold such beneficial interest in a minimum principal amount of $1,000.

The notes are our unsecured debt obligations. The notes are not deposits or other obligations of a depository institution and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Bank Insurance Fund or any other governmental agency. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on the New York Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange.

 

(1)          Plus accrued interest, if any, from April   , 2007.

Delivery of the notes will be made in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company and its direct and indirect participants, including Eurcoclear Bank S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, on or about April      , 2007, against payment therefore in immediately available funds.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission or other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Sole Book-Running Manager

LEHMAN BROTHERS

MORGAN STANLEY

SIEBERT CAPITAL MARKETS

THE WILLIAMS CAPITAL GROUP, L.P.

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is April   , 2007.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

		Page
STATE STREET CORPORATION		S-1
USE OF PROCEEDS		S-1
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES		S-1
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES		S-1
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS		S-7
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS		S-11
UNDERWRITING		S-14
LEGAL MATTERS		S-17

 

PROSPECTUS

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		1
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE		1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		2
RISK FACTORS		3
STATE STREET CORPORATION		7
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES		7
USE OF PROCEEDS		8
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES		8
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUSTS		17
DESCRIPTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES		18
DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES		30
COMMON SECURITIES		41
DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEES		41
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE CORRESPONDING JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEES		44
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK		46
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES		49
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK		51
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS		52
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS		53
GLOBAL SECURITIES		54
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		61
VALIDITY OF SECURITIES		62
EXPERTS		62

 

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You should read this prospectus supplement along with the accompanying prospectus carefully before you invest. Both documents contain important information you should consider when making your investment decision. This prospectus supplement contains information about the notes and the accompanying prospectus contains information about our securities generally, some of which does not apply to the notes. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, on the other hand, the information contained in this prospectus supplement shall control.

In this prospectus supplement, “State Street,” “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to State Street Corporation, and not State Street Corporation together with any of its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the respective date of the document in which the information is contained. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

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STATE STREET CORPORATION

We are a financial holding company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a leading provider of services to institutional investors worldwide. We were organized in 1970 and conduct our business primarily through our principal bank subsidiary, State Street Bank and Trust Company, which traces its beginnings to the founding of Union Bank in 1792. The charter under which State Street Bank and Trust Company now operates was authorized by a special act of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1891, and its present name was adopted in 1960. We are also a bank holding company. Our executive offices are located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 and our telephone number is (617) 786-3000.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds (after payment of underwriting commissions and expenses) of approximately $    million from the sale of the notes. We intend to use these net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, investments in our various businesses, repurchases of our common stock and other uses.

CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges were as follows for the five most recent fiscal years:

 

Under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and for the purposes of calculating these ratios, earnings consist primarily of income from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on indebtedness, including deposits, amortization of debt issuance costs and the interest component of rental expense.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

This description of the terms of the notes adds information to the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities in the accompanying prospectus. If this summary differs in any way from the summary in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the description of notes in this prospectus supplement.

General

The fixed rate notes will initially be limited to a total principal amount of $     , the 2012 floating rate notes will initially be limited to a total principal amount of $      and the 2017 floating rate notes will initially be limited to a total principal amount of $     . The notes will be our unsecured senior obligations. The fixed rate notes will mature on April      , 2017, the 2012 floating rate notes will mature on April      , 2012 and the 2017 floating rate notes will mature on April      , 2017. We may not redeem the notes prior to their maturity. There is no sinking fund for the notes. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.

We may, without the consent of the holders of the notes, issue additional fixed rate notes, 2012 floating rate notes or 2017 floating rate notes having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity date and other terms (except for the price to public and issue date) as the notes offered by this prospectus supplement. Any such additional notes, together with the fixed rate notes, 2012 floating rate notes or 2017 floating rate notes offered by this prospectus supplement, as the case may be, will constitute a single series

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of senior debt securities under the indenture. No additional notes may be issued if an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing with respect to the same series of notes. Neither the fixed rate notes nor the floating rate notes will restrict our ability to issue other series of senior or subordinated indebtedness.

We will not pay any additional amounts on the notes to compensate any beneficial owner for any United States tax withheld from payments of principal or interest on the notes.

The notes are subject to defeasance in the manner described under the heading “Description of Debt Securities—Defeasance” in the accompanying prospectus.

Fixed Rate Notes

The fixed rate notes will bear interest from April      , 2007 or from the most recent fixed rate interest payment date (as defined below) on which we paid or provided for interest on the fixed rate notes, at the rate of     % per annum. We will pay interest on each fixed rate note semi-annually in arrears on April       and October       of each year. We will refer to each of these dates as a “fixed rate interest payment date.”  The first fixed rate interest payment date will be October      , 2007. We will pay interest on a fixed rate note to the person in whose name that note was registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day, whether or not a business day, prior to the applicable fixed rate interest payment date. Interest on the fixed rate notes will be paid on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. In the event that a fixed rate interest payment date is not a business day, we will pay interest on the next day that is a business day, with the same force and effect as if made on the fixed rate interest payment date, and without any interest or other payment with respect to the delay. If the date of maturity for the fixed rate notes is not a business day, payment of principal and interest on the fixed rate notes will be made on the following day that is a business day and no interest will accrue for the period from and after such date of maturity. For purposes of the fixed rate notes, “business day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York and Boston, Massachusetts are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.

Floating Rate Notes

The floating rate notes will bear interest from April   , 2007 or from the most recent three-month LIBOR interest payment date (as defined below) on which we have paid or provided for interest on the floating rate notes. The interest rate per annum for the floating rate notes will be reset quarterly on the first day of each three-month LIBOR interest period (as defined below) and will be equal to three-month LIBOR (as defined below) plus     %, as determined by the calculation agent. U.S. Bank National Association will initially act as calculation agent. The amount of interest for each day the floating rate notes are outstanding, which we refer to as the “daily interest amount,” will be calculated by dividing the interest rate in effect for that day by 360 and multiplying the result by the principal amount of the floating rate notes. The amount of interest to be paid on the floating rate notes for each three-month LIBOR interest period will be calculated by adding the daily interest amounts for each day in the three-month LIBOR interest period.

We will pay interest on the floating rate notes quarterly in arrears on January      , April      , July      , and October     , and at maturity. Each of these dates on which we will pay interest is referred to as a “three-month LIBOR interest payment date.”  The first three-month LIBOR interest payment date will be July     , 2007. If any three-month LIBOR interest payment date would fall on a day that is not a business day, other than the three-month LIBOR interest payment date that is also the date of maturity for the applicable floating rate notes, that three-month LIBOR interest payment date will be postponed to the following day that is a business day, except that if such next business day is in a different month, then that three-month LIBOR interest payment date will be the immediately preceding day that is a business day. If

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the date of maturity for the applicable floating rate notes is not a business day, payment of principal and interest on the applicable floating rate notes will be made on the following day that is a business day and no interest will accrue for the period from and after such date of maturity. Interest on floating rate notes will be paid to the person in whose name such note was registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day, whether or not a business day, prior to the applicable three-month LIBOR interest payment date. For purposes of the floating rate notes, “business day” means any London business day other than any Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York and Boston, Massachusetts are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed. A “London business day” is any day on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.

Except as described below for the first three-month LIBOR interest period, on each three-month LIBOR interest payment date, we will pay interest for the period commencing on and including the immediately preceding three-month LIBOR interest payment date and ending on and including the next day preceding that three-month LIBOR interest payment date. We will refer to this period as a “three-month LIBOR interest period.”  The first three-month LIBOR interest period will begin on and include April       , 2007 and will end on and include July      , 2007.

·       “three-month LIBOR” means, with respect to any three-month LIBOR interest period, the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum) for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period commencing on the first day of that three-month LIBOR interest period that appears on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the LIBOR determination date for that three-month LIBOR interest period. If such rate does not appear on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page, three-month LIBOR will be determined on the basis of the rates at which deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period commencing on the first day of that three-month LIBOR interest period and in a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000 are offered to prime banks in the London interbank market by four major banks in the London interbank market selected by the calculation agent (after consultation with State Street), at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the LIBOR determination date for that three-month LIBOR interest period. The calculation agent will request the principal London office of each of such banks to provide a quotation of its rate. If at least two such quotations are provided, three-month LIBOR with respect to that three-month LIBOR interest period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest whole multiple of 0.00001%) of such quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, three-month LIBOR with respect to that three-month LIBOR interest period will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary to the nearest whole multiple of 0.00001%) of the rates quoted by three major banks in New York City selected by the calculation agent, at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the first day of that three-month LIBOR interest period, as applicable, for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three-month period commencing on the first day of that three-month LIBOR interest period and in a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000. However, if fewer than three banks selected by the calculation agent to provide quotations are quoting as described above, three-month LIBOR for that three-month LIBOR interest period, as applicable, will be the same as three-month LIBOR as determined for the previous three-month LIBOR interest period. The establishment of three-month LIBOR for each three-month LIBOR interest period by the calculation agent shall (in the absence of manifest error) be final and binding.

·       “Calculation agent” means U.S. Bank National Association, or any other firm appointed by State Street, acting as calculation agent.

·       “LIBOR determination date” means the second London banking day immediately preceding the first day of the three-month LIBOR interest period.

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·       “Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page” means the display designated on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or such other page as may replace Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page on the service or such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates for U.S. Dollar deposits).

All percentages resulting from any of the above calculations will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards (e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655)) and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upwards).

The interest rate on the notes will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law of general application. Under present New York law, the maximum rate of interest is 25% per annum on a simple interest basis. This limit may not apply to notes in which $2,500,000 or more has been invested.

The calculation agent will, upon the request of the holder of any note, provide the interest rate then in effect. All calculations of the calculation agent, in the absence of manifest error, shall be conclusive for all purposes and binding on us and holders of the notes. We may appoint a successor calculation agent with the written consent of the paying agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

The Depository Trust Company, or “DTC,” will act as securities depositary for the notes. The notes will be issued only as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s nominee, or such other nominee as selected by DTC. One or more fully registered global notes certificates, which we refer to herein as “global certificates,” representing the total aggregate number of either the fixed rate notes or the floating rate notes, will be issued and will be deposited with DTC.

The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global notes as represented by a global certificate.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear transactions through or maintain a direct or indirect custodial relationship with a direct participant either directly or indirectly, which are referred to as indirect participants. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Purchases of notes within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the notes on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each note, or beneficial owner is in turn to be recorded on the direct participants’ and indirect participants’ records, including Euroclear and Clearstream. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation

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from DTC of their purchases, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owners purchased notes. Transfers of ownership interests in the notes are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the notes, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the notes is discontinued. Transfers between participants will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

Cross-market transfers between participants, on the one hand, and Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected in DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its respective depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries for Euroclear or Clearstream.

Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a note from a participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear participant or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day, which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream, as the case may be, immediately following the DTC settlement date. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a direct participant in DTC will be received with value on the DTC settlement date, but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following the DTC settlement date.

DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the notes. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts such notes are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of a global certificate, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented thereby for all purposes under the notes. No beneficial owner of an interest in a global certificate will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures.

DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes (including the presentation of notes for exchange as described below) only at the direction of one or more direct participants to whose account the DTC interests in the global certificates are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate liquidation amount of notes as to which such direct participant or direct participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of default under the notes, DTC will exchange the applicable global certificates for certificated securities, which it will distribute to its direct participants.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be

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governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices in respect of the notes held in book-entry form will be sent to Cede & Co. as the registered holder of the notes. If less than all of the notes of a series are being redeemed, DTC’s current practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant to be redeemed.

Although voting with respect to the notes is limited, in those cases where a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with respect to the notes. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to the relevant trustee as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the notes are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

Distributions on the notes held in book-entry form will be made by the relevant trustee to DTC in immediately available funds. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on such payment date. Payments by the participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participants and not of us or DTC, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is our responsibility, disbursement of such payments to participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of the direct and indirect participants.

Except as provided in this prospectus supplement, a beneficial owner of an interest in a global certificate will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of notes. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights under the notes.

Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the global certificates among participants of DTC, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither State Street nor our subsidiaries will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants under the rules and procedures governing DTC. DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to a series of notes at any time by giving notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depositary is not obtained, note certificates are required to be printed and delivered, and we will appoint a paying agent with respect to the applicable notes.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book entry system has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable by us, but we do not take responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

Trustee, Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent and Registrar

U.S. Bank National Association will act as trustee for the notes, which will be issued under an indenture dated as of August 2, 1993, as amended or supplemented from time to time, between us and the trustee. The indenture is a senior indenture as described in the accompanying prospectus. You should read the accompanying prospectus for a general discussion of the terms and provisions of the indenture.

Notices

Any notices required to be given to the holders of the notes will be given to DTC.

Governing Law

The indenture and the notes are governed by and will be construed in accordance with New York law.

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion summarizes certain of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of notes. This summary:

·       is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations issued under the Code, judicial decisions and administrative pronouncements, all of which are subject to different interpretation or to change. Any such change may be applied retroactively and may adversely affect the federal income tax consequences described in this prospectus supplement;

·       addresses only tax consequences to investors that purchase the notes upon their original issuance for cash at their initial offering price, and hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (that is, for investment purposes);

·       assumes that the offering price of the notes equals their stated principal amount;

·       does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to particular investors in light of their particular circumstances (such as the application of the alternative minimum tax);

·       does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to investors that are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws (such as insurance companies, financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, retirement plans, regulated investment companies, dealers in securities or currencies, holders whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar, persons holding the notes as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale, conversion or other integrated transaction, former U.S. citizens or long-term residents subject to taxation as expatriates under Section 877 of the Code, or traders in securities that have elected to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings);

·       does not discuss the effect of other U.S. federal tax laws (such as estate and gift tax laws) except to the limited extent specifically indicated below, and does not discuss any state, local or foreign laws; and

·       does not discuss the tax consequences to a person holding notes through a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).

We have not sought and will not seek a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to any matters discussed in this section, and we cannot assure you that the IRS will not take a different position concerning the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the notes, or that any such position would not be sustained.

If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds the notes, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership or a partner in a partnership holding notes, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the notes.

Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the application of the tax consequences discussed below to their particular situation and the application of any other U.S. federal as well as state or local or foreign tax laws and tax treaties, including gift and estate tax laws.

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Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences To U.S. Holders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes by a holder that is a “U.S. Holder.”  For purposes of this summary, “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note or notes that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

·       an individual a citizen or resident of the United States, including an alien individual who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States or who meets the “substantial presence” test under Section 7701(b) of the Code;

·       a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States (or any state thereof or the District of Columbia);

·       an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

·       a trust if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons (within the meaning of the Code) have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (ii) such trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

Under the “substantial presence” test referred to above, an individual may, subject to certain exceptions, be deemed to be a resident of the United States by reason of being present in the United States for at least 31 days in the calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period ending in the current calendar year (counting for such purposes all of the days present in the current year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding year and one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding year).

Treatment of Interest

Stated interest on the notes will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income as the interest accrues or is paid in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method of tax accounting.

Treatment of Dispositions of Notes

Upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition (collectively, a “disposition”) of a note, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount received on such disposition (other than amounts received in respect of accrued and unpaid interest, which will generally be taxable to that U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at that time if not previously included in the U.S. Holder’s income) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note will be, in general, the cost of the note to the U.S. Holder. Gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange or retirement of a note generally will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such sale, exchange or retirement, the note has been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such gain or loss generally will be short-term capital gain or loss. Net long-term capital gain recognized by a non-corporate U.S. Holder generally eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

If a U.S. Holder disposes of a note between interest payment dates, a portion of the amount received by the U.S. Holder will reflect interest that has accrued on the note but has not been paid as of the disposition date. That portion is treated as ordinary interest income and not as sale proceeds.

Certain U.S. Federal Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the purchase,  ownership and disposition of the notes by a holder that is a “Non-U.S. Holder.”  For purposes of this

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summary, “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note or notes, other than a partnership (or an entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes), who is not a U.S. Holder.

Special rules may apply to Non-U.S. Holders that are subject to special treatment under the Code, including “controlled foreign corporations” and “passive foreign investment companies.”  Such Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.

Treatment of Interest

Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of interest income on the notes if  the interest income qualifies for the “portfolio interest exception.”  Interest income will qualify for the “portfolio interest exception” if each of the following requirements is satisfied:

·       The interest is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

·       The Non-U.S. Holder appropriately certifies its status as a non-U.S. person (as described below).

·       The Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total  combined voting power of our stock entitled to vote.

·       The Non-U.S. Holder is not a “controlled foreign corporation” that is actually or constructively related to us through stock ownership.

·       The Non-U.S. Holder is not a bank which acquired the notes in consideration for an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business.

The certification requirement referred to above generally will be satisfied if the Non-U.S. Holder provides us or our paying agent with a statement on IRS Form W-8BEN (or suitable substitute or successor form), together with all appropriate attachments, signed under penalties of perjury, identifying the Non-U.S. Holder and stating, among other things, that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a United States person (within the meaning of the Code). If the Non-U.S. Holder holds its notes through a financial institution or other agent acting on the holder’s behalf, the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to that agent, and that agent will then be required to provide appropriate documentation to us or our paying agent (either directly or through other intermediaries). For payments made to foreign partnerships and certain other pass-through entities, the certification requirement will generally apply to the partners or other interest holders rather than the partnership or other pass-through entity. We may be required to report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder the amount of interest paid to, and the tax withheld, if any, with respect to each Non-U.S. Holder. Prospective Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding this certification requirement, and alternative methods for satisfying the certification requirement.

If the requirements of the “portfolio interest exception” are not satisfied with respect to a Non-U.S. Holder, payments of interest to that Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless another exemption or a reduced withholding rate applies. For example, an applicable income tax treaty may reduce or eliminate such tax, in which event a Non-U.S. Holder claiming the benefit of such treaty must provide the withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or suitable substitute or successor form) claiming the benefit of the applicable tax treaty. Alternatively, an exemption applies to the 30% U.S. withholding tax if the interest is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States and the Non-U.S. Holder provides an appropriate statement to that effect on a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or suitable substitute or successor form). In the latter

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case, such Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to all income from the notes in the same manner as U.S. Holders, as described above, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. In addition, such a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation may be subject to a branch profits tax with respect to any such U.S. trade or business income at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty).

Treatment of Dispositions of Notes

Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on gain realized upon the disposition of a note unless:

·       the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the  disposition and certain other conditions are met, or

·       the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (or, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States)

If the second exception applies, the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as U.S. Holders, as described above, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. If the first exception applies, the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount by which capital gains allocable to U.S. sources (including gains from the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of the notes) exceed capital losses allocable to U.S. sources. Additionally, Non-U.S. Holders that are corporations could be subject to a branch profits tax with respect to such gain at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty).

Treatment of Notes for U.S. Federal Estate Tax Purposes

A note held, or beneficially held, by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States  at the time of his or her death will not be includable in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, provided that (i) the Non-U.S. Holder does not at the time of death actually or constructively own 10% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote and (ii) at the time of death, payments with respect to such note would not have been effectively connected with the conduct by such holder of a trade or business in the United States. In addition, under the terms of an applicable estate tax treaty, U.S. federal estate tax may not apply with respect to a note.

U.S. Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding Tax

U.S. Holders

We, or if a U.S. Holder holds notes through a broker or other securities intermediary, the intermediary, may be required to file information returns with respect to payments made to the U.S. Holder of interest, and, in some cases, disposition proceeds on the notes.

In addition, U.S. Holders may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28% on those payments if they do not provide their taxpayer identification numbers in the manner required, fail to certify that they are not subject to backup withholding, fail to properly report in full their dividend and interest income, or otherwise fail to comply with the applicable requirements of backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (or refund) provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Prospective U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors concerning the application of information reporting and backup withholding rules.

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Non-U.S. Holders

Information reporting will generally apply to payments of interest made to a Non-U.S, Holder and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to such payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or agreement.

In general, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to a distribution on a note to a Non-U.S. Holder, or to proceeds from the disposition of a note by a Non-U.S. Holder, in each case, if the holder satisfies the certification requirements described under “—Certain U.S. Federal Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders—Treatment of Interest” above and neither we nor our paying agent nor an intermediary knows or has reason to know that the Non-U.S. Holder is not entitled to an exemption from backup withholding or information reporting.

Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a disposition of notes by a Non-U.S. Holder within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a Non-U.S. Holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that it is a United States person) or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (or a refund) provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Prospective Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors concerning the application of information reporting and backup withholding rules.

THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, IS NOT TAX ADVICE AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER’S PARTICULAR SITUATION. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER U.S. FEDERAL NON-INCOME, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS (AND ANY PROPOSED CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAW).

ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the purchase of notes by employee benefit plans within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), including (a) private U.S.-based retirement and welfare plans, (ii) plans described in Section 4975 of the Code, including individual retirement arrangement under Section 408 of the Code, (iii) plans (such as governmental, church or non-U.S. plans) not subject to Title I of ERISA but subject to provisions under applicable federal state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to the provisions of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (“Similar Laws”), and (iv) any entity of which the underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts and arrangements under U.S. Department of Labor regulations or Section 3(42) of ERISA, as enacted by Section 611(f) of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (each, a “Benefit Plan Investor”). This summary is based on the provisions of ERISA, and the Code, and the related regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations as of the date hereof. This summary does not purport to be complete, and no assurance can be given that future legislation, court decisions, administrative regulations, rulings or administrative pronouncements will not significantly modify the provisions summarized herein. Any such changes may be retroactive and may thereby apply to transactions entered into prior to the date of their enactment or release.

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General Fiduciary Matters

ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on a person who is a fiduciary with respect to a Benefit Plan Investor subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (an “ERISA Plan”) and makes any such person liable for a violation of such duty, and ERISA and the Code prohibit certain transactions between an ERISA Plan and other interested parties (a “disqualified person” or “party in interest”) and can impose sanctions on any party in interest or disqualified person who engages in any such transactions.

Specifically, ERISA imposes certain duties on persons (including individuals and entities) who are fiduciaries of an ERISA Plan. Under ERISA, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of such ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to such an ERISA Plan, generally is considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan. An ERISA Plan may purchase the notes subject to the investing fiduciary’s determination that the investment satisfies ERISA’s fiduciary standards and other requirements under ERISA, the Code or similar laws applicable to investments by the ERISA Plan. In considering an investment of ERISA Plan assets in the notes, a fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Benefit Plan Investor and the applicable provision of ERISA, the Code or any similar law relating to a fiduciary’s duties.

Any insurance company proposing to invest assets of its general account in the notes should consider the extent that such investment would be subject to the requirements of ERISA in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Harris Trust and Savings Bank and under any subsequent legislation or other guidance that has or may become available relating to that decision, including the enactment of Section 401(c) of ERISA by the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

In addition, an ERISA Plan fiduciary considering the purchase or holding of the notes should be aware that assets of an entity may be considered “plan assets” of the ERISA Plan under ERISA if a ERISA Plan makes an “equity” investment in the entity unless either participation by Benefit Plan Investors is not significant or the assets meet the conditions for the “publicly offered security” exception to the Department of Labor’s plan asset regulations as set forth in 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 (“Plan Asset Regulations”). An “equity interest” is defined under the plan assets regulations as any interest in an entity other than an instrument that is treated as indebtedness under applicable local law and which has no substantial equity features. While no assurances can be given, we believe that the notes should not be treated as an “equity interest” for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations.

Prohibited Transaction Issues

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit ERISA Plans subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code from engaging in specified transactions involving ERISA Plan assets with any party in interest or disqualified person, unless an exemption is available. We and our affiliates may be a party in interest or a disqualified person with respect to a ERISA Plan which purchases or holds the notes. A prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code includes a direct or indirect sale or exchange, or leasing, of any property between the ERISA Plan and a party in interest or a disqualified person with respect to such ERISA Plan. In addition, a prohibited transaction may occur in connection with a direct or indirect loan or other extension of credit between a ERISA Plan and a party in interest or a disqualified person with respect to such ERISA Plan. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of an ERISA Plan that engaged in such non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code, including an obligation to correct the transaction.

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A purchase or holding of the notes by a ERISA Plan may constitute or result in a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless such notes are acquired pursuant to and in accordance with an applicable class prohibited transaction exemption, such as Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption, or PTCE, 84-14 (an exemption for certain transactions determined by an independent qualified professional asset manager), PTCE 90-1 (an exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTCE 91-38 (an exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 95-60 (an exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts) or PTCE 96-23 (an exemption for certain transactions determined by an in-house asset manager). Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA, added by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, provides an exemption for transactions between a ERISA Plan and a person who is a party in interest (other than a fiduciary who has or exercises any discretionary authority or control with respect to investment of the plan assets involved in the transaction or renders investment advice with respect thereto) solely by reason of providing services to the ERISA Plan (or by reason of a relationship to such a service provider), if, in connection with the transaction, the ERISA Plan receives no less, nor pays no more, than “adequate consideration” (within the meaning of Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA). Consequently, before investing in the notes, any person who is acquiring such securities for, or on behalf of an ERISA Plan should determine that either a statutory or an administrative exemption from the prohibited transaction rules is applicable to such investment in the notes, or that such purchase and holding of such securities will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction.

Benefit Plan Investors that are governmental plans, as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA, certain church plans, as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA, and foreign plans, as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA, are not subject to the requirements of ERISA, or Section 4975 of the Code, but these plans may be subject to other Similar Laws that may affect their investment in the notes. Any fiduciary of such a governmental, non-U.S. or church plan considering an investment in the notes should consult with its counsel before purchasing notes to consider the applicable fiduciary standards and to determine the need for, and the availability, if necessary, of any exemptive relief under such Similar Laws.

In addition, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 changes the methodology for determining whether certain pooled funds are Benefit Plan Investors.

Representations

Each purchaser and/or holder (including without limitation any transferee) of the notes will be deemed to have represented by its purchase or holding thereof that (a) it is not a Benefit Plan Investor and no portion of the assets used by such purchaser or transferee to acquire and hold the notes constitutes assets of any Benefit Plan Investor or (b) such purchase or holding of the notes by such purchaser or transferee will not constitute a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or Similar Laws without regard to the availability of any prohibited transaction exemption or (c) such purchase or holding of the notes does not constitute a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or Similar Laws, because a prohibited transaction exemption is available with respect to such purchase or holding and the conditions of such exemption have been satisfied with respect to such purchase or holding.

The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all-inclusive. The sale of the notes shall not be deemed a representation by us that this investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to any Benefit Plan Investor. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed on persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transaction, it is particularly important that fiduciaries and other persons considering purchasing the notes (and holding the notes) on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Benefit Plan Investor, consult with their legal counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an investment would apply to the purchase and holding of the notes.

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UNDERWRITING

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated April       , 2007, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters named below, for whom Lehman Brothers Inc. is acting as representative, the following respective principal amounts of the notes.

 

The underwriting agreement provides that, subject to certain conditions, the underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the notes if they purchase any notes.

The underwriters propose to offer the notes initially at the public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and may offer the notes to other dealers at that price less a selling concession of     % of the principal amount per fixed rate note,     % of the principal amount per 2012 floating rate note and     % of the principal amount per 2017 floating rate note. Any underwriter may allow, and any such dealer may reallow, a concession of     % of the principal amount of the fixed rate notes to certain other dealers; a concession of     % of the principal amount of the 2012 floating rate notes to certain other dealers; and a concession of     % of the principal amount of the 2017 floating rate notes to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering the representative may change the public offering price and concession and discount to dealers.

The following table summarizes the compensation we will pay to the underwriters.

 

Not including compensation paid to the underwriters by us, our offering expenses are estimated to be approximately $          .

The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. One or more of the underwriters intends to make a secondary market for the notes. However, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue making a secondary market for the notes at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to how liquid the trading market for the notes will be.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against liabilities under the Securities Act or contribute to payments which the underwriter may be required to make in that respect.

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In connection with the offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

·       Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

·       Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters of notes in excess of the principal amount of the notes the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The underwriters may close out any short position by purchasing the notes in the open market.

·       Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. A short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the notes in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

·       Penalty bids permit the representatives to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the notes originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing transaction or a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

These stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the notes or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the notes. As a result the price of the notes may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each underwriter represents and agrees that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) it has not made and will not make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the notes which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time,

(a)           to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

(b)          to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

(c)           to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the manager for any such offer; or

(d)          in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by the Issuer of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of notes to the public” in relation to any notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to

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purchase or subscribe the notes, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

Notice to Investors in the United Kingdom

Each of the underwriters severally represents, warrants and agrees as follows:

(a)          it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) to persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling with Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 or in circumstances in which section 21 of FSMA does not apply to the company; and

(b)         it has complied with, and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Notice to Residents of Japan

The underwriters will not offer or sell any of the notes directly or indirectly in Japan or to, or for the benefit of any Japanese person or to others, for re-offering or re-sale directly or indirectly in Japan or to any Japanese person, except in each case pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and any other applicable laws and regulations of Japan. For purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese person” means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

Notice to Residents of Hong Kong

The underwriters and each of their affiliates have not (i) offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, the notes other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance or (ii) issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance or any rules made under that Ordinance. The contents of this prospectus supplement have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this prospectus supplement, you should obtain independent professional advice.

Notice to Residents of Singapore

This prospectus supplement or any other offering material relating to the notes has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the notes will be offered in Singapore pursuant to exemptions under Section 274 and Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “Securities and Futures Act”). Accordingly the notes may not be offered or sold, or be the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, nor may this prospectus supplement or

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any other offering material relating to the notes be circulated or distributed, whether directly or indirectly, to the public or any member of the public in Singapore other than (a) to an institutional investor or other person specified in Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, (b) to a sophisticated investor, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act or (c) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the Securities and Futures Act.

The offering of the notes is being made in compliance with Conduct Rule 2810 of the NASD. Under Rule 2810, none of the named underwriters is permitted to sell notes in this offering to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior written approval of the customer to which the account relates.

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have in the past provided, and may in the future from time to time provide, investment banking and other financing and banking services to us and our subsidiaries, for which they have in the past received, and may in the future receive, customary fees and expenses.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the notes will be passed upon for us by Ropes & Gray LLP. The underwriters have been represented by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, which is also representing us in another matter.

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State Street Corporation

Debt Securities
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Common Stock
Stock Purchase Contracts
Stock Purchase Units
Warrants

State Street Capital Trust III
State Street Capital Trust IV

Capital Securities Fully and Unconditionally
Guaranteed by State Street Corporation

State Street Corporation may offer and sell Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock, Stock Purchase Contracts, Stock Purchase Units and Warrants. The Debt Securities and shares of our Preferred Stock may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our Common Stock or other securities.

The trusts are Delaware statutory trusts. Each trust may from time to time:

·     sell capital securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the trust to the public;

·     sell common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the trust to State Street Corporation;

·     use the proceeds from these sales to buy an equal principal amount of junior subordinated debentures of State Street Corporation; and

·     distribute the cash payments it receives on the junior subordinated debentures it owns to the holders of the capital and common securities.

State Street Corporation will fully and unconditionally guarantee the payment by the trusts of the capital securities based on obligations discussed in this prospectus. This is called the capital securities guarantee.

The common stock of State Street Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Boston Stock Exchange and the Archipelago Stock Exchange under the symbol “STT.”

We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before you invest.

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You should fully consider the risk factors beginning on page 9 in this prospectus and in the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any, prior to investing in the offered securities.

A security is not a deposit and the securities are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

This prospectus may be used to offer and sell securities only if accompanied by the prospectus supplement for those securities.

Our principal executive offices are located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 and our telephone number is (617) 786-3000.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is March 21, 2006

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND
THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

We provide information to you about the securities in two separate documents that progressively provide more detail:

·     this prospectus, which provides general information, some of which may not apply to your securities; and

·     the accompanying prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of the securities.

If the terms of your securities vary between the prospectus supplement and this prospectus, you should rely on the information in the following order of priority:

·     the prospectus supplement; and

·     this prospectus.

We include cross-references in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement to captions in these materials where you can find further related discussions. The Table of Contents included in this prospectus and the Table of Contents included in the accompanying prospectus supplement provide the pages on which these captions are located.

Neither we nor the underwriters have taken any action that would permit us to publicly sell these securities in any jurisdiction outside the United States. If you are an investor outside the United States, you should inform yourself about and comply with any restrictions as to the offering of the securities and the distribution of this prospectus.

i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may offer any of the following securities: debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, capital securities and related guarantees. We may also offer warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” The prospectus supplement may also contain information about certain United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “State Street,” “we ,” “us,” “our” or similar references mean State Street Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 that registers, among other securities, the offer and sale of the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit certain information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.

In addition, we file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. You may read and copy this information at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.

The SEC also maintains an Internet worldwide web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at http://www.statestreet.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus.

You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document or in a more recent incorporated document.

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This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC. They contain important information about us and our financial condition.

 

We incorporate by reference additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this prospectus and the date we sell all of the securities. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this document through us, or from the SEC through the SEC’s Internet web site at the address described previously. Documents incorporated by reference are available from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement. You may obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the following address:

State Street Corporation

Investor Relations

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

(617) 664-3477

We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, the information and representations contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have incorporated into this prospectus. If anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including information incorporated by reference, contains statements that are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. In addition, we may make other written or oral communications from time to time that contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, including statements as to industry trends, future expectations of State Street and other matters that do not relate strictly to historical facts, are based on certain assumptions by management, and are often identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “look,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may,” “will,” “trend” and “goal,” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Forward-looking statements may include statements about our confidence and strategies and our expectations about revenue and market growth, acquisitions and divestitures, new technologies, services and opportunities, and earnings. Forward-looking statements are based on information we have

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when those statements are made or on management’s belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which change over time, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.

RISK FACTORS

Before you invest in our securities, you should understand and carefully consider the risks below, as well as all other information contained in this prospectus and in our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto. You also should consider the risks set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as the same may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by our future filings with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Any of these risks could materially adversely affect our business, our consolidated financial condition and our consolidated results of operations and cause our future results to differ materially from our historical performance.

If market interest rates rise, our securities finance and net interest revenues can be negatively affected in the short term.

The levels of global market interest rates, the shape of the yield curve, the direction and speed of interest rate changes, and the asset and liability spreads relative to the currency and geographic mix of our interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities affect our securities finance and net interest revenue. In the short term, our net interest revenue and securities finance revenue benefit from falling interest rates and are negatively affected by rising interest rates because our interest-bearing liabilities generally reprice sooner than our interest-earning assets. The rate of adjustment to higher or lower rates will depend on the relative duration of assets and liabilities. In general, sustained lower interest rates, a flat yield curve and narrow interest-rate spreads have a constraining effect on net interest revenue and securities finance revenue growth. Market interest rates, which affect the economic value of our demand deposits, also impact the value of certain derivative financial instruments whose changes in value are reflected in trading services and processing fees and other revenue in our consolidated statement of income.

If values in worldwide securities markets decline, our revenue and earnings can be adversely affected.

As asset values in worldwide financial markets increase or decrease, our opportunities to invest and service financial assets change. Because a portion of our fees is based on the value of assets under custody and management, fluctuations in the valuation of worldwide securities markets will affect revenue. We estimate that a 10% increase or decrease in worldwide equity values would result in a corresponding change in our total revenue of approximately 2%. If fixed income security values worldwide were to increase or decrease by 10%, we would anticipate a corresponding change of approximately 1% in our total revenue. Because many of the costs of providing our services are relatively fixed, a decline in revenue could have a disproportionate effect on our earnings.

If foreign exchange rate volatility decreases, our revenue can be adversely affected.

The degree of volatility in foreign exchange rates can affect our foreign exchange trading revenue. In general, we benefit from currency volatility, and foreign exchange revenue is likely to decrease during times of decreased currency volatility. In addition, as our business grows globally, our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates could impact our level of revenue, expense and net income and the value of our investments in our non-U.S. operations.

If we do not maintain our capital requirements and our status as a “well-capitalized” financial holding company, there could be an adverse effect on the manner in which we do business and on the confidence of our customers in us.

Under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines, we and our principal banking subsidiary, State Street Bank and Trust Company, or “State Street Bank,” must meet guidelines that involve quantitative measures

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of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements could have a material effect on our financial condition and could subject us to a variety of enforcement actions, as well as certain restrictions on our business. Failure to maintain the status of “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework could affect our status as a financial holding company and eligibility for a streamlined review process for acquisition proposals, and deterioration in the confidence that our customers have in us, which can lead to a decline in the demand for our products and affect the prices that we are able to charge for our services. In addition to being well-capitalized, State Street and State Street Bank are subject to guidelines that involve qualitative judgments by regulators about the entities’ status as well-managed and the entities’ compliance with Community Reinvestment Act obligations.

If there is a decline in individual savings rates, our business can be adversely affected.

We generally benefit when individuals invest their savings in mutual funds, other collective funds and defined contribution plans. Changes in savings rates or investment styles may affect revenue. If there is a decline in the savings rates of individuals, or if there is a change in investment preferences that leads to fewer investments in mutual funds, other collective investment funds, and defined contribution plans, our revenue may be adversely affected.

While increased cross-border investing by our customers worldwide benefits our revenue, increased worldwide economic and political instability can adversely affect our business.

Our revenue may increase or decrease depending upon the extent of increases or decreases in cross-border investments made by our customers. The terrorist attacks that took place in the United States on September 11, 2001, and subsequent military action and terrorist activities, have caused economic and political uncertainties. These activities and the national and global efforts to combat terrorism, and other military activities and outbreaks of hostilities have affected and may further adversely affect economic growth. Such events could result in decreased cross-border investment activities and may have other adverse effects on many companies, including ours, in ways that are not predictable.

If there is a decline in the pace at which customers outsource their middle office or investment management operations, our business can be adversely affected.

In recent years, investment manager and hedge fund manager operations outsourcing have been areas of rapid growth in our business. If the demand for these types of services declines, we could see a slowing in the growth rate of our revenue.

If we do not perform effectively under our outsourcing contracts, we may not generate the operating margins that we expect, or we may lose customers before we earn back our investment in the contracts.

We enter into long-term contracts to provide middle office or investment manager and hedge fund manager operations outsourcing services to customers. Services that we provide include trade order management, trade support and fail management, reconciliations, cash reporting and management, custodian communications for settlements, accounting systems, collateral management and information technology development. These contracts often extend eight to ten years and require considerable up-front investments by us, including technology and conversion costs. Performance risk exists in each contract, since these contracts are dependent upon the successful conversion and implementation of the activities onto our own operating platforms. Our operating margins, and as a result our profitability, are largely a function of our ability to accurately calculate pricing for our services, our ability to control our costs and our ability to maintain the relationship with the customer for an adequate period of time to recover the up-front investment. The long-term nature of these contracts creates a risk that our pricing for the products and services we provide might not be adequate to generate expected operating margins.

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If we do not successfully integrate businesses that we acquire, or successfully complete divestitures, we may not realize the expected benefits of the transaction.

Acquisitions of complementary businesses and technologies, development of strategic alliances and divestitures of portions of our business are an active part of our overall business strategy. We have completed several acquisitions, alliances and divestitures in recent years. However, there can be no assurance that services, technologies, key personnel or businesses of acquired companies will be effectively assimilated into our business or service offerings, that alliances will be successful, or that related expectations concerning future revenue growth or cost savings will be achieved. In addition, we may not be able to successfully manage the conversion of divested businesses to the buyer on satisfactory terms, if at all, and divestitures may result in a reduction of total revenue and net income.

If we are subject to changes in tax legislation, the interpretation of existing tax laws worldwide or changes in accounting principles, we may be required to report a material charge to our results of operations.

In the normal course of business, we are subject to challenges from U.S. and non-U.S. tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due. These challenges may result in adjustments to the timing or amount of taxable income or deductions or the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions. In recent years, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or “IRS,” has proposed to disallow tax deductions related to cross-border leasing transactions, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. Additionally, the Financial Accounting Standards Board has been considering making changes to the accounting guidance related to uncertain tax positions and leveraged leases. While such changes may not have an economic impact on our business, these changes could affect the attainment of our current financial goals.

If the pace of pension reform slows, or if pension reform does not occur, our revenue and earnings can be adversely affected.

We expect our business to benefit from worldwide pension reform that creates additional pools of assets that use custody and related services, and investment management services. The pace of pension reform and resulting programs, including public and private pension schemes, may affect the pace of our revenue growth.

If we do not maintain compliance with governmental regulation, we can be subject to fines, penalties or restrictions of business in the jurisdiction where the violation occurred, which can adversely impact our business.

Our businesses are subject to stringent regulation and examination by U.S. federal and state governmental and regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations (including securities exchanges), and by non-U.S. governmental and regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations. In addition, our customers have a broad array of complex and specialized servicing, confidentiality and fiduciary requirements. We have established policies, procedures and systems designed to comply with these regulatory and operational risk requirements. However, as a global financial services institution, we face complexity and costs in our worldwide compliance efforts. We also face the potential for loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, employee supervisory or monitoring mechanisms, or other systems or controls, and from external events, which could have a material impact on our future results of operations. Also, adverse publicity and damage to our reputation arising from the failure or perceived failure to comply with legal, regulatory or contractual requirements could affect our ability to attract and retain customers or maintain access to capital markets, or could result in enforcement actions, fines, penalties and lawsuits.

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If, for regulatory reasons, we are limited in our ability to invest additional capital in subsidiaries outside the United States, we may not be able to stay competitive in those markets, and our business could suffer.

Federal laws and related regulations limit the amount that banks, including State Street Bank, may invest in non-U.S. subsidiaries. This limitation could affect the pace of future international expansion by State Street Bank through this type of subsidiary.

Investigations into the financial services industry can adversely affect our business.

We are broadly involved with the global securities industry including, in particular, the mutual fund industry. Financial reporting irregularities involving large and well-known companies, and governmental and regulatory investigations of securities and mutual fund industry practices and behavior, may have adverse effects on us in ways that are not predictable. Governmental and regulatory agencies have sought information from us in connection with investigations relating to that industry that has resulted in additional expenses and staffing resources in providing responses.

If the business continuity and disaster recovery plans that we have in place are not adequate to continue our operations in the event of a disaster, the business disruption can adversely impact our operations.

External events, including terrorist or military actions, or an outbreak of disease, such as Asian Influenza, or “bird flu,” and resulting political and social turmoil could cause unforeseen damage to our physical facilities, or could cause delays or disruptions to operational functions, including information processing and financial market settlement functions. Additionally, our customers, vendors and counterparties could suffer from such events. Should these events affect us, or the customers, vendors or counterparties with which we conduct business, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

If we are not able to anticipate and keep pace with rapid changes in technology, or do not respond to rapid technological changes in our industry, or if growth in the use of technology in business is not as rapid as in the past, our business can be adversely affected.

Technological change often creates opportunities for product differentiation and reduced costs, as well as the possibility of increased expenses. Developments in the securities processing industry, including shortened settlement cycles and straight-through-processing, will result in changes to existing procedures. Alternative delivery systems have emerged, including the widespread use of the Internet. Our financial performance depends, in part, on our ability to develop and market new and innovative services, and to adopt or develop new technologies that differentiate our products or provide cost efficiencies. The risks inherent in this process include rapid technological change in the industry, our ability to access technical and other information from customers, and the significant and ongoing investments required to bring new services to market in a timely fashion at competitive prices. A further risk is the introduction by competitors of services that could replace or provide lower-cost alternatives to our services.

If we are unsuccessful in protecting our proprietary rights, or if we are found to have violated the proprietary rights of others, we can experience a decline in revenue or an increase in expenses.

We use trademark, trade secret, copyright, patent and other proprietary rights procedures to protect our technology. Despite these efforts, we cannot be certain that the steps taken by us to prevent unauthorized use of proprietary rights are sufficient to prevent misappropriation of technology, particularly outside the United States where laws or law enforcement practices may not protect proprietary rights as fully as in the U.S. In addition, no assurance can be given that the courts will adequately enforce contractual agreements that we have entered into to protect our proprietary technology. If any of our proprietary information were misappropriated by, or otherwise disclosed to, our competitors, our competitive position could be adversely affected. In the event a third party asserts a claim of infringement of its proprietary rights, obtained through patents or otherwise, against us, we may be required to spend significant resources to defend against such claims, develop a non-infringing program or process, or obtain a license to the infringed process.

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If our access to the capital markets is limited, our capital resources and liquidity could be adversely affected.

We depend on access to global capital markets to provide us with sufficient capital resources and liquidity to meet our commitments and business needs and accommodate the transaction and cash management needs of our customers. Any occurrence that may limit our access to the capital markets, such as a decline in the confidence of debt purchasers, depositors or counterparties participating in the capital markets in general or with us in particular, or a downgrade of our debt rating, may adversely affect our capital costs and our ability to raise capital and, in turn, our liquidity.

If there is a significant economic downturn in either a country or a region, or the failure of a significant individual counterparty, our credit and counterparty risk profile could be adversely affected and result in loss.

Our focus on large institutional investors and their businesses requires that we assume credit and counterparty risk, both on- and off-balance sheet, in a variety of forms. We provide, on a limited basis, traditional loan products to customers, based upon credit quality and other factors. We also provide customers with off-balance sheet liquidity and credit enhancement facilities in the form of letters of credit, lines of credit and liquidity asset purchase agreements, subject to credit analysis and an approval and review process. We invest in financial instruments, including investment securities and derivative instruments, which are also subject to risk management processes.

The credit quality of our on- and off-balance sheet exposures may be affected by many factors, such as economic and business conditions or deterioration in the financial condition of an individual counterparty or group of counterparties. In the event of poor economic conditions in a particular country or region, or the failure of a significant counterparty or group of counterparties, there is a greater likelihood that more of our customers or counterparties could become delinquent on their loans or other obligations to us, or that the special purpose entities we administer could experience deterioration in asset performance. This could result in higher levels of credit-related losses, which could adversely affect our earnings.

STATE STREET CORPORATION

We are a bank holding company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a leading provider of services to institutional investors and investment managers worldwide. We were organized in 1970 and conduct our business principally through our subsidiary, State Street Bank which traces its beginnings to the founding of Union Bank in 1792. The charter under which State Street Bank now operates was authorized by a special act of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1891, and its present name was adopted in 1960. We are also a financial holding company. Our executive offices are located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 and our telephone number is (617) 786-3000.

CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges were as follows for the five most recent fiscal years:

 

Under SEC regulations and for the purposes of calculating these ratios, earnings consist primarily of income from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on indebtedness, amortization of debt issuance costs and the interest component of rental expense.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement or term sheet relating to a specific issue of securities. Our general corporate purposes may include extending credit to, or funding investments in, our subsidiaries. The precise amounts and the timing of our use of the net proceeds will depend upon our subsidiaries’ funding requirements and the availability of other funds. Until we use the net proceeds from the sale of any of our securities for general corporate purposes, we will use the net proceeds to reduce our short-term indebtedness or for temporary investments. We expect that we will, on a recurrent basis, engage in additional financings as the need arises to finance our growth, through acquisitions or otherwise, or to fund our subsidiaries. We and State Street Bank regularly investigate possible acquisitions.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of August 2, 1993 (the senior indenture) between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as successor senior trustee. The subordinated debt securities (other than the junior subordinated debentures) will be issued under an indenture dated as of June 15, 2000 (the subordinated indenture) between us and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., as subordinated trustee and as successor in interest to Bank One Trust Company, N.A. A copy of each indenture is included as an exhibit to the registration statement that contains this prospectus.

The following summaries of all material terms of the indentures are not complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the respective indentures, including the definitions of terms. The following summaries describe the general terms and provisions of the debt securities to be offered by any prospectus supplement. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the debt securities so offered, will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such offered securities.

The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of State Street. The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated to all existing and future senior indebtedness and other financial obligations of State Street as described under “Subordinated Debt Securities-Subordination” beginning on page 21. Because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors, including the holders of the debt securities we are offering under this prospectus, to participate in the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain of our banking subsidiaries to us and our non-banking subsidiaries are restricted by federal and state statutes and regulations.

General

We may issue the debt securities from time to time, without limitation as to aggregate principal amount and in one or more series. We expect from time to time to incur additional indebtedness that may be senior to the debt securities. Neither the indentures nor the debt securities will limit or otherwise restrict the amount of other indebtedness which may be incurred or other securities which may be issued by us or our subsidiaries, including indebtedness which may rank senior to the debt securities. The debt securities will not be secured.

We may issue debt securities upon the satisfaction of conditions contained in the indentures. The applicable prospectus supplement will include the terms of that issue of debt securities, including:

·     the title and series designation;

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·     the aggregate principal amount and the limit, if any, on the aggregate principal amount or initial public offering price of the debt securities which may be issued under the applicable indenture;

·     any fixed or variable interest rate or rates per annum;

·     the date from which any interest shall accrue;

·     any interest payment dates;

·     whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated;

·     the stated maturity date;

·     whether the debt securities are to be issued in global form;

·     any sinking fund requirements;

·     any provisions for redemption, the redemption price and any remarketing arrangements;

·     the minimum denominations;

·     whether the debt securities are denominated or payable in United States dollars or a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies;

·     the place or places where payments or deliveries on the debt securities shall be made and the debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange;

·     whether any of the debt securities will be subject to defeasance in advance of the date for redemption or the stated maturity date;

·     if other than the principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities;

·     any index used to determine the amount of payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities;

·     the person to whom any interest on the debt securities of the series shall be payable if other than the registered holder thereof;

·     the manner in which the amount that shall be deemed to be the principal amount of the debt securities on or prior to the maturity date shall be determined;

·     any additional or different events of default that apply to any debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the required holders of those debt securities to declare the principal thereof due and payable;

·     the terms, if any, pursuant to which debt securities may be converted into or exchanged for shares of our capital stock or other of our securities;

·     any additional or different covenants that apply to any debt securities of the series; and

·     any other terms of the debt securities that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable indenture.

Please see the accompanying prospectus supplement or the term sheet you have received or will receive for the terms of the specific debt securities we are offering. We may deliver this prospectus before

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or concurrently with the delivery of a term sheet. We may issue debt securities under the indentures upon the exercise of warrants to purchase debt securities. Please see “Description of Warrants.” Nothing in the indentures or in the terms of the debt securities will prohibit the issuance of securities representing subordinated indebtedness that is senior or junior to the subordinated debt securities.

Prospective purchasers of debt securities should be aware that special federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to instruments such as the debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to an issue of debt securities will describe these considerations, if they apply.

Debt securities may be issued as original issue discount securities which bear no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates and which will be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. In the event that the maturity of any original issue discount security is accelerated, the amount payable to the holder of the original issue discount security upon acceleration will be determined in accordance with the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of such security and the relevant indenture, but will be an amount less than the amount payable at the maturity of the principal of such original issue discount security. Special federal income tax and other considerations relating to original issue discount securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The indentures provide that without the consent of any holders, we and the trustee may enter into one or more supplemental indentures for certain purposes, including:

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

·     to add any additional events of default, in the case of the senior indenture, and events of default or defaults, in the case of the subordinated indenture.

In the event any sinking fund is established for the retirement of debt securities of any series, we may satisfy all or any part of the sinking fund payments with debt securities of such series under certain circumstances and to the extent provided for by the terms of such debt securities.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the covenants contained in the indentures and the debt securities will not protect holders in the event of a sudden decline in our creditworthiness that might result from a recapitalization, restructuring or other highly leveraged transaction.

Registration and Transfer

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue each series of debt securities in registered form only, without coupons and in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. Holders may present debt securities in registered form for transfer or exchange for other debt securities of the same series at the office or agency of State Street maintained for such purpose.

No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the debt securities but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any transfer or exchange.

Payment and Place of Payment

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities at the office or agency of State Street maintained for such purpose. However, at our option, we may pay any interest by check mailed to the holders of registered debt securities at their registered addresses.

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Events of Default

The following are “events of default” under the senior indenture and “defaults” under the subordinated indenture with respect to any series of debt securities:

·     default in the payment of any principal or premium when due;

·     default in the payment of any interest when due, which continues for 30 days;

·     default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due;

·     default in the performance of any other obligation contained in the senior indenture for the benefit of debt securities of that series, which continues for 60 days after written notice;

·     acceleration of other indebtedness of at least $20,000,000 of us or of State Street Bank, which is not annulled within 30 days after written notice;

·     specified events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and

·     any other default or event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series.

If an event of default under the senior indenture occurs and is continuing for any series of debt securities, the senior trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount or issue price of the outstanding securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the securities of that series, or any lesser amount provided for in the debt securities of that series, to be due and payable or deliverable immediately. At any time after the senior trustee or the holders have accelerated any series of debt securities, but before the senior trustee has obtained a judgment or decree for payment of money due or delivery of the maturity consideration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount or issue price of outstanding debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration.

Under the subordinated indenture, an “event of default” is limited to certain events involving the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of State Street. The subordinated debt securities will automatically be accelerated upon the occurrence of an “event of default” resulting from bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. In the case of a default in the payment of interest or principal, or premium, if any, State Street will be required, upon the demand of the trustee, to pay to it, for the benefit of the holders of the subordinated debt securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such subordinated debt securities for principal, including any sinking fund payment or analogous obligations, and premium, if any, and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal, and premium, if any, and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed in such subordinated debt securities. In the case of any default with respect to the subordinated debt securities, the trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the holders of the subordinated debt securities by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any such covenant or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in the subordinated indenture, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

The holders of a majority in principal amount or aggregate issue price of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive an event of default with respect to that series, except a default:

·     in the payment of any amounts due and payable or deliverable under the debt securities of that series; or

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·     in an obligation contained in, or a provision of, an indenture which cannot be modified under the terms of that indenture without the consent of each holder of each series of debt securities affected.

The holders of a majority in principal amount or issue price of the outstanding debt securities of a series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to debt securities of that series, provided that any such direction is not in conflict with any rule of law or the indenture. Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the indenture at the direction of the holders, the trustee is entitled to receive from those holders reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in complying with any direction.

A holder of any debt security of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy thereunder, if:

·     that holder previously gives to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series;

·     the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount or issue price of the outstanding debt securities of that series also shall have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity and made written request to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee;

·     the trustee shall not have received from the holders of a majority in principal amount or issue price of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request; and

·     the trustee shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days.

However, any holder of a debt security has the absolute right to institute suit for any defaulted payment after the due dates for payment under that debt security.

We are required to furnish to the trustees annually a statement as to the performance of our obligations under the indentures and as to any default in such performance.

Modification and Waiver

Each indenture may be modified and amended by us and the applicable trustee with the consent of holders of at least 662¤3% in principal amount or issue price of each series of debt securities affected. However, without the consent of each holder of any debt security affected, we may not amend or modify any indenture to:

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

·     reduce the principal amount or the rate of interest on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of, any debt security;

·     reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security payable upon acceleration of its maturity;

·     change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any debt security;

·     impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or delivery on or with respect to any debt security;

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·     in the case of the subordinated indenture, modify the subordination provisions in a manner adverse to the holders of the subordinated debt securities;

·     reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required to modify or amend the indenture or to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture; or

·     reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required to waive any past default.

From time to time we and the applicable trustee may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, waive or supplement each indenture for specified purposes, including, among other things:

·     evidencing the succession of another person to State Street;

·     adding to the covenants of State Street for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities;

·     adding any additional events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities;

·     adding to, changing or eliminating any of the provisions of the indentures, provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall not apply to any outstanding debt securities nor modify the rights of any holder of any such outstanding debt securities, or shall become effective only when there is no debt security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision;

·     curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies without materially and adversely affecting the holders of the debt securities; and

·     evidencing and providing for the acceptance of appointment under the indentures by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and adding to or changing any of the provisions of the indentures as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indentures by more than one trustee.

The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, with respect to that series, waive past defaults under the applicable indenture, except as described under “Events of Default” beginning on page 17.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation, and we may sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to any corporation, provided that:

·     the resulting corporation, if other than us, is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any U.S. state and assumes all of our obligations on the debt securities under the indentures;

·     we are not, or any successor corporation, as the case may be, is not, immediately after any consolidation or merger, in default under the indentures; and

·     certain other conditions are met.

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Regarding the Trustees

U.S. Bank National Association is the trustee under the senior indenture. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., as successor in interest to Bank One Trust Company, N.A., is the trustee under the subordinated indenture. We and certain of our subsidiaries, including State Street Bank, maintain banking relations with the trustees in the ordinary course of business.

International Offering

If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue debt securities outside the United States. Such debt securities may be issued in bearer form and will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with any offering outside the United States, we will designate paying agents, registrars or other agents with respect to the debt securities, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Debt securities issued outside the United States may be subject to certain selling restrictions which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. These debt securities may be listed on one or more foreign stock exchanges as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Special United States tax and other considerations, if any, applicable to an offering outside the United States will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Limitation Upon Disposition of Voting Stock or Assets of State Street Bank

The senior indenture prohibits us and State Street Bank, so long as any of the senior debt securities are outstanding, from selling or otherwise disposing of, or granting a security interest in or permitting the issuance of, any voting stock or any security convertible or exercisable into voting stock of State Street Bank or any of our subsidiaries that owns voting stock or any security convertible or exercisable into voting stock of State Street Bank.

This restriction does not apply to dispositions made by us or any subsidiary:

·     if such disposition or issuance is for fair market value as determined by our board of directors; and

·     if after giving effect to such disposition or issuance and any potential dilution, we and our wholly-owned subsidiaries will own directly not less than 80% of the voting stock of such principal constituent bank or any subsidiary which owns a principal constituent bank.

The subordinated indenture does not contain a similar restriction on our ability to engage in or permit such transactions to occur.

Defeasance

We may terminate or “defease” our obligations under the indentures of any series of debt securities, provided that certain conditions are met, including:

·     we shall have deposited irrevocably with the trustee as trust funds in trust, in each case, in an amount, in U.S. dollars or U.S. government obligations, which through the payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide an amount sufficient to pay the entire amount of the debt securities;

·     an opinion of independent counsel shall have been delivered to the trustee to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of such series will have no federal income tax consequences as a result of such deposit and termination;

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·     no event of default under the senior indenture or default under the subordinated indenture may exist or be caused by the defeasance; and

·     the defeasance shall not cause an event of default under any of our other agreements or instruments.

Subordinated Debt Securities

The subordinated debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the subordinated debt securities will rank equally with all of our outstanding subordinated indebtedness that is not specifically stated to be junior to the subordinated debt securities.

Subordination

The subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to all senior indebtedness (as defined below). In certain events of insolvency, payments on the subordinated debt securities will also be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all “other financial obligations,” (as defined below). In certain circumstances relating to our liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, insolvency or similar proceedings, the holders of all senior indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in full before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment on the subordinated debt securities. If, after all payments have been made to the holders of senior indebtedness, (A) there are amounts available for payment on the subordinated debt securities and (B) any person entitled to payment according to the terms of our other financial obligations has not received full payment, then amounts available for payments on the subordinated debt securities will first be used to pay in full such other financial obligations before any payment may be made on the subordinated debt securities.

In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any debt securities, all senior indebtedness and other financial obligations will have to be repaid before any payment can be made on the subordinated debt securities.

In addition, no payment may be made on the subordinated debt securities in the event:

·     there is a default in any payment or delivery with respect to any senior indebtedness; or

·     there is an event of default with respect to any senior indebtedness which permits the holders of such senior indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of the senior indebtedness.

By reason of this subordination in favor of the holders of senior indebtedness, in the event of an insolvency, our creditors who are not holders of senior indebtedness or the subordinated debt securities may recover proportionately less than holders of senior indebtedness and may recover proportionately more than holders of the subordinated debt securities. By reason of the obligation of the holders of subordinated debt securities to pay over any amount remaining after payment of senior indebtedness to persons in respect of our other financial obligations, in the event of insolvency, holders of our existing subordinated indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated debt securities.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of subordinated debt securities, senior indebtedness is defined in the subordinated indenture as the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on:

·     all of our “indebtedness” (as defined below), except (A) subordinated debt securities issued under the subordinated indenture, (B) such indebtedness that is expressly stated to be junior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities and (C) indebtedness that is expressly stated to rank equal with the subordinated debt securities; and

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·     any deferrals, renewals or extensions of any senior indebtedness.

The term indebtedness means indebtedness, whether secured or unsecured, for which we or any corporation that succeeds to our business as permitted under the subordinated indenture, is liable directly or indirectly by guarantee, letter of credit, obligation to purchase or otherwise:

·     for borrowed money; or

·     incurred in connection with the acquisition by us of assets other than in the ordinary course of business.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of subordinated debt securities offered thereby, other financial obligations means:

·     our obligations under direct credit substitutes;

·     our obligations, or any obligation directly or indirectly guaranteed by us, for purchased money or funds;

·     any of our deferred obligations, or any such obligations directly or indirectly guaranteed by us, incurred in connection with the acquisition by us of assets; and

·     all of our obligations to make payment pursuant to the terms of financial instruments, such as: (A) securities contracts and foreign currency exchange contracts; (B) derivative instruments, such as swap agreements, including interest rate and foreign exchange rate swap agreements, cap agreements, floor agreements, collar agreements, interest rate agreements, foreign exchange rate agreements, options, commodity futures contracts, commodity option contracts; and (C) similar financial instruments, other than obligations on account of senior indebtedness and obligations on account of indebtedness for money borrowed ranking equal with or subordinate to the subordinated debt securities, including our existing subordinated indebtedness.

As of December 31, 2005, we had approximately $1,985,000,000 in subordinated debt outstanding and approximately $674,000,000 of senior indebtedness and other financial obligations outstanding.

The subordinated indenture does not limit or prohibit the incurrence by us or any of our subsidiaries, including State Street Bank, of additional senior indebtedness or other financial obligations, which may include indebtedness that is senior to the subordinated debt securities, but subordinate to our other obligations. Any prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of subordinated debt securities will set forth the aggregate amount of our indebtedness senior to the subordinated debt securities as of a recent date.

The subordinated debt securities shall rank equal in right of payment with each other and with our existing subordinated indebtedness, subject to the obligations of the holders of subordinated debt securities to pay over amounts remaining after payment of senior indebtedness to persons in respect of other financial obligations.

The prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, which may apply to the subordination of the subordinated debt securities of a particular series.

Restrictive Covenants

The subordinated indenture does not contain any significant restrictive covenants. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of subordinated debt securities may describe certain restrictive covenants, if any, to which we may be bound under the subordinated indenture.

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Governing Law

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

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUSTS

Each of the trusts is a statutory trust formed under Delaware law pursuant to a trust agreement, signed by State Street, as depositor of each trust, and the property trustee, the Delaware trustee and the administrative trustees (each as defined below), and the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State. The trust agreement of each trust will be amended and restated in its entirety (each as so amended and restated, a trust agreement) prior to the issuance of capital securities by the trust, substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Each trust agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Each trust exists for the exclusive purposes of:

·                  issuing the capital securities and common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trust;

·                  investing the gross proceeds of the capital securities and the common securities (together, the trust securities) in junior subordinated debentures; and

·                  engaging in only those activities necessary or incidental thereto.

All of the common securities will be directly or indirectly owned by us. The common securities of each trust will rank equally, and payments will be made pro rata with the capital securities of that trust, except that upon an event of default under the trust agreement, the rights of the holders of the common securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the capital securities. We will acquire common securities of each trust in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least three percent of the total capital of each trust.

Each trust’s business and affairs will be conducted by its trustees, each appointed by State Street as holder of the common securities. The trustees of each trust will be J.P Morgan Chase and Co. (as successor in interest to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.), as the property trustee, Chase Bank USA, National Association, as the Delaware trustee and two individual trustees, the administrative trustees, who are employees or officers of or affiliated with State Street. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., as property trustee, will act as sole trustee under each trust agreement for purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. will also act as trustee under the guarantees and the junior subordinated indenture. See “Description of the Capital Securities Guarantees” and “Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures.”

The holder of the common securities of each trust, or the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the trust’s capital securities if an event of default under the trust agreement has occurred and is continuing, will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace the property trustee and/or the Delaware trustee for such trust. The right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the administrative trustees is vested exclusively in the holders of the common securities, and in no event will the holders of capital securities have such right.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each trust has a term of approximately 55 years, but may be terminated earlier as provided in the applicable trust agreement.

State Street will pay all fees and expenses related to the trusts and the offering of trust securities.

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The principal executive office of each trust is c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., Two World Financial Center, 225 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10281, telephone number (917) 790-4000.

DESCRIPTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

We may issue junior subordinated debentures from time to time in one or more series under a junior subordinated indenture, dated as of December 15, 1996, as supplemented from time to time between us and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (as successor in interest to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, who we refer to as the debenture trustee. The junior subordinated indenture is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and terms of the junior subordinated debentures will include those stated in the junior subordinated indenture and those made part of the junior subordinated indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act.

Set forth below is a description of the general terms of the junior subordinated debentures in which the trusts will invest the proceeds from the issuance and sale of the trust securities. The particular terms of the junior subordinated debentures will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular capital securities being offered. The following description is not intended to be complete and is qualified by the junior subordinated indenture, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement which contains this prospectus, and the Trust Indenture Act.

General

We will issue the junior subordinated debentures as unsecured debt. The junior subordinated debentures will be fully subordinated as set forth in the junior subordinated indenture. See “Subordination” below. Each series of junior subordinated debentures will rank equally with all other series of junior subordinated indentures. The junior subordinated indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated debentures which may be issued and provides that the junior subordinated debentures may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors, including the holders of the junior subordinated debentures, to participate in the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the junior subordinated indenture does not limit the incurrence or issuance by us of other secured or unsecured debt.

The prospectus supplement relating to the particular junior subordinated debentures being offered will describe the terms of those securities, which may include:

·     the title of the junior subordinated debentures;

·     any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated debentures;

·     the date or dates on which the principal of the junior subordinated debentures is payable or the method of determination thereof;

·     any fixed or variable interest rate or rates per annum;

·     any interest payment dates;

·     any provisions relating to the deferral of payment of any interest;

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·     the place where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the junior subordinated debentures will be payable and where the junior subordinated debentures may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange;

·     any provisions for redemption, the redemption price and any remarketing arrangements;

·     the minimum denominations;

·     whether the debt securities are denominated or payable in United States dollars or a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies;

·     if other than the principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities;

·     any index used to determine the amount of payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities;

·     any additional or different events of default that apply to any debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the required holders of those debt securities to declare the principal thereof due and payable;

·     any additional or different covenants that apply to any debt securities of the series;

·     any additions or changes to the junior subordinated indenture with respect to such junior subordinated debentures necessary to permit the issuance of the junior subordinated debentures in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;

·     the terms and conditions relating to the issuance of a temporary global security representing all of the junior subordinated debentures and the exchange of such temporary global security for definitive junior subordinated debentures;

·     whether the junior subordinated debentures will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and the depositary for any such global securities;

·     the appointment of any paying agent or agents;

·     the terms and conditions of any obligation or right of State Street or a holder to convert or exchange the junior subordinated debentures into capital securities; and

·     any other terms of the debt securities that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable indenture.

Junior subordinated debentures may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. Material United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such junior subordinated debentures will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If a prospectus supplement specifies that the junior subordinated debentures will be denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars, the prospectus supplement shall also specify the denomination in which the junior subordinated debentures will be issued and the coin or currency in which the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the junior subordinated debentures will be payable, which may be U.S. dollars based upon the exchange rate for such other currency or currency unit existing on or about the time a payment is due.

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If any index is used to determine the amount of payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any series of junior subordinated debentures, special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Additional Interest

If, at any time a trust is required to pay any taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature, other than withholding taxes, imposed by the United States, or any other taxing authority, then we will be required to pay additional interest on the junior subordinated debentures. The amount of any additional interest will be an amount sufficient so that the net amounts received and retained by the trust after paying any such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges will be not less than the amounts that the trust would have received had no such taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges been imposed. This means that the trust will be in the same position it would have been in if it did not have to pay such taxes, duties, assessments or other charges.

Denominations, Registration and Transfer

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue the junior subordinated debentures in registered form only, without coupons. Junior subordinated debentures of any series will be exchangeable for other junior subordinated debentures of the same issue and series, of any authorized denominations, of a like principal amount, of the same original issue date and stated maturity and bearing the same interest rate.

Junior subordinated debentures may be presented for exchange as provided above, and may be presented for registration of transfer at the office of the appropriate securities registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for such purposes. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the junior subordinated debentures. However, we or the debenture trustee may require a holder to pay an amount sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange. We will appoint the debenture trustee as securities registrar under the junior subordinated indenture. If the applicable prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agents, in addition to the securities registrar, initially designated by us with respect to any series of junior subordinated debentures, we may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts, provided that we maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment of such series. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of junior subordinated debentures.

In the event of any redemption, neither we nor the debenture trustee will be required to:

·     issue, register the transfer of, or exchange, junior subordinated debentures of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of selection for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of notice of redemption; or

·     transfer or exchange any junior subordinated debentures so selected for redemption, except, in the case of any junior subordinated debentures being redeemed in part, any portion thereof not to be redeemed.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay principal and any premium and interest on junior subordinated debentures (other than those in global form) at the office of the debenture trustee in the city of New York or at the office of any paying agent that we may designate from time to time.

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However, at our option, we may pay any interest by check mailed to the holders of registered junior subordinated debentures at their registered addresses or by transfer to an account maintained by a holder of registered junior subordinated debentures, as specified in the securities register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of any interest on junior subordinated debentures will be made to the person in whose name the junior subordinated debentures are registered on the applicable record date, except in the case of defaulted interest. We may, at any time, designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent, provided that we at all times maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for each series of junior subordinated debentures.

Any amounts deposited with the debenture trustee or any paying agent, or then held by us in trust, for the payment of the principal of any premium, if any, or interest on any junior subordinated debentures and remaining unclaimed for two years after such amounts have become due and payable shall, at our request, be repaid to us, and the holder of the junior subordinated debenture will be able to look only to us for payment, as a general unsecured creditor.

Option to Defer Interest Payments

If provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will have the right from time to time during the term of any series of junior subordinated debentures to defer payment of interest for up to such number of consecutive interest payment periods as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, subject to the terms, conditions and covenants, if any, specified in such prospectus supplement. Such deferral, however, may not extend beyond the stated maturity of such series of junior subordinated debentures. Certain U.S. federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such junior subordinated debentures will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the junior subordinated debentures will not be subject to any sinking fund.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may, at our option and subject to receipt of prior approval by the Federal Reserve, if required, redeem the junior subordinated debentures of any series in whole at any time or in part from time to time. If the junior subordinated debentures of any series are so redeemable only on or after a specified date or upon the satisfaction of additional conditions, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify such date or describe such conditions. Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the redemption price for any junior subordinated debenture so redeemed will equal any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date, plus 100% of the principal amount thereof.

Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if a tax event (as defined below) in respect of a series of junior subordinated debentures or an investment company event or capital treatment event (each as defined below) shall occur and be continuing, we may, at our option and subject to receipt of prior approval by the Federal Reserve, if required, redeem such series of junior subordinated debentures in whole, but not in part, at any time within 90 days following of the occurrence of such tax event, investment company event or capital treatment event, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such junior subordinated debentures then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption, except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Tax event means the receipt by the trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced proposed change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the U.S. or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or

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therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which proposed change, pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of such capital securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued on the corresponding series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures, (ii) interest payable by State Street on such series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by State Street, in whole or in part, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or (iii) such trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

Investment company event means the receipt by the trust of an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a written change (including any announced prospective change) in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the trust is or will be considered an “investment company” that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which change or prospective change becomes effective or would become effective, as the case may be, on or after the date of the issuance of the capital securities.

Capital treatment event means our reasonable determination that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any proposed change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as a result of any official or administrative pronouncement or action or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which proposed change, pronouncement, action or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the applicable capital securities under the applicable trust agreement, there is more than an insubstantial risk that we will not be entitled to treat an amount equal to the liquidation amount of the applicable capital securities as “Tier I Capital” (or the then equivalent thereof) for purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then in effect and applicable to us.

Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days, but not more than 60 days, before the redemption date to each holder of junior subordinated debentures to be redeemed at its registered address. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on such junior subordinated debentures or portions thereof called for redemption.

Restrictions on Certain Payments

If junior subordinated debentures are issued to a trust or a trustee of a trust in connection with the issuance of trust securities by a trust and:

·     there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default with respect to the junior subordinated debentures of which we have actual knowledge and which we have not taken reasonable steps to cure;

·     we shall be in default relating to our payment of any obligations under the guarantee; or

·     we shall have given notice of our election to defer payments of interest on the junior subordinated debentures by extending the interest payment period and such period, or any extension of such period, shall be continuing;

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·     we shall not declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any shares of our capital stock, other than:

(1)                       repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of our capital stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of any one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of our capital stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock, as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable extension period;

(2)                       as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of our capital stock for any capital stock of our subsidiaries or for any class or series of our capital stock, or of any class or series of our indebtedness for any class or series of our capital stock;

(3)                       the purchase of fractional interests in shares of our capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged;

(4)                       any declaration of a dividend in connection with any rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto; or

(5)                       any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks equally with or junior to such stock; and

·     we shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by us that rank equally in all respects with or junior to the junior subordinated debentures of such series.

Limitation on Mergers and Sales of Assets

The junior subordinated indenture provides that we may not consolidate with, or merge into, any other corporation or convey or transfer our properties and assets substantially as an entirety unless:

·     the successor entity is a corporation, partnership or trust organized in the United States and expressly assumes our obligations under the junior subordinated indenture;

·     after giving effect thereto, no event of default and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing under the junior subordinated indenture;

·     such transaction is permitted under the related trust agreement and guarantee; and

·     certain other conditions as prescribed by the junior subordinated indenture are met.

The covenants contained in the indenture would not necessarily protect holders of the junior subordinated debentures in the event of a decline in credit quality resulting from takeovers, recapitalizations or similar restructurings.

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Events of Default, Waiver and Notice

The junior subordinated indenture provides that the following are events of default relating to the junior subordinated debentures:

·     default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, any junior subordinated debentures at maturity;

·     default for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on any junior subordinated debentures;

·     default for 90 days after written notice in the performance of any other covenant in respect of the junior subordinated debentures; and

·     specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of State Street.

If an event of default (other than specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) under the junior subordinated indenture shall occur and be continuing, either the debenture trustee or the holders of not less than 25 percent in aggregate principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures of that series then outstanding may declare the principal of all junior subordinated debentures of that series to be due and payable immediately. If the holders of junior subordinated debentures fail to make such declaration, the holders of at least 25 percent in aggregate liquidation amount of the related capital securities shall have such right. If an event of default arising from specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization shall occur, the principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures of that series then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.

Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of that series of junior subordinated debentures may annul the declaration and waive the default. If the holders of junior subordinated debentures fail to annul such declaration and waive such default, the holders of a majority of the aggregate liquidation amount of the related capital securities shall have such right.

The holders of a majority of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of that series of junior subordinated debentures may waive any default, except (i) a default in payment of principal or interest (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due other than by acceleration has been deposited with the debenture trustee) or (ii) a default in respect of a covenant or provision that under the junior subordinated indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding junior subordinated debenture. If the holders of junior subordinated debentures fail to waive such default, the holders of a majority of the aggregate liquidation amount of the related capital securities shall have such right.

The holders of a majority of the principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures of any series affected shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee under the junior subordinated indenture.

We are required to furnish to the debenture trustee annually a statement as to the performance of our obligations under the junior subordinated indenture and as to any default in such performance.

If a debenture event of default shall have occurred and be continuing, the property trustee will have the right to declare the principal of and the interest on the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, and any other amounts payable under the junior subordinated indenture, to be due and payable and to enforce its other rights as a creditor with respect to the corresponding junior subordinated debentures.

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Distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures

Under circumstances discussed more fully in the prospectus supplement involving the dissolution of a trust, provided that any required regulatory approval is obtained, junior subordinated debentures will be distributed to the holders of the trust securities in liquidation of that trust. See “Description of the Capital Securities—Liquidation Distribution upon Dissolution.”

If the junior subordinated debentures are distributed to the holders of the capital securities, we will use our best efforts to have the junior subordinated debentures listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other national securities exchange or similar organization on which the capital securities are then listed or quoted.

Modification of Junior Subordinated Indenture

From time to time we and the debenture trustee may, without the consent of the holders of the junior subordinated debentures, waive or supplement the junior subordinated indenture for specified purposes, including, among other things:

·     evidencing the succession of another person to State Street;

·     conveying, transferring, assigning, mortgaging or pledging any property to or with the debenture trustee or surrendering any right or power conferred upon us in the junior subordinated indenture;

·     adding to the covenants of State Street for the benefit of other holders of all or any series of securities;

·     adding any additional events of default for the benefit of other holders of all or any series of securities;

·     changing or eliminating any of the provisions of the junior subordinated indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall not apply to any outstanding securities, or shall become effective only when there is no security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision;

·     curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies without materially and adversely affecting the holders of the junior subordinated debentures or the related capital securities;

·     evidencing and providing for the acceptance of appointment under the junior subordinated indenture by a successor trustee with respect to the securities of one or more series and adding to or changing any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee; and

·     qualifying the junior subordinated indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

We and the debenture trustee may make modifications and amendments to the indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the junior subordinated debentures at the time outstanding. However, no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each junior subordinated debenture affected thereby:

·     modify the payment terms of the junior subordinated debentures; or

·     reduce the percentage of holders of junior subordinated debentures necessary to modify or amend the indenture or waive compliance by us with any covenant or past default.

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If the junior subordinated debentures are held by a trust or a trustee of a trust, no modification maybe made that adversely affects the holders of the related capital securities, and no termination of the junior subordinated indenture may occur, and no waiver of any event of default or compliance with any covenant will be effective without the prior consent of a majority in liquidation preference of trust securities of that trust. If the consent of the holder of each outstanding junior subordinated debenture is required, no modification shall be effective without the prior consent of each holder of related capital securities.

In addition, we and the debenture trustee may execute, without the consent of any holder of junior subordinated debentures, any supplemental junior subordinated indenture for the purpose of creating any new series of junior subordinated debentures.

Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Capital Securities

If a debenture event of default with respect to a series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures has occurred and is continuing and such event of default is the result of our failure to pay interest or principal on the corresponding junior subordinated debentures when due, a holder of related capital securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against us for enforcement of payment to such holder of the principal of or interest on such corresponding junior subordinated debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the related capital securities. We may not amend the junior subordinated indenture to remove this right without the prior written consent of the holders of all of the capital securities outstanding. If such right is removed, the applicable trust may become subject to reporting obligations under the Exchange Act. We will have the right under the junior subordinated indenture to set off any payment made by us to such holder of capital securities in connection with any such direct action.

The holders of the capital securities will not be able to exercise directly any remedies other than those set forth in the preceding paragraph unless there shall have been an event of default under the applicable trust agreement. Please see “Description of the Capital Securities—Events of Default; Notice.”

Defeasance and Discharge

The junior subordinated indenture provides that when:

(1)                       all junior subordinated debentures not previously delivered to the debenture trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in our name and at our expense;

(2)                       we deposit with the debenture trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay all the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on the junior subordinated debentures when such payments are due;

(3)                       we have paid all other sums payable under the indenture by us; and

(4)                       we have delivered to the debenture trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel each stating that all conditions precedent in the indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been complied with,

then the junior subordinated indenture will cease to be of further effect (except as to our obligations to pay all other sums due under the junior subordinated indenture and to provide the officers’ certificates and opinions of counsel described therein), and we will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the junior subordinated indenture.

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Conversion or Exchange

The junior subordinated debentures may be convertible or exchangeable into junior subordinated debentures of another series or into capital securities of another series, on the terms provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at our option, in which case the number of shares of capital securities or other securities to be received by the holders of junior subordinated debentures would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Subordination

The junior subordinated indenture contains a covenant by us that any junior subordinated debentures issued thereunder will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all senior debt (as defined below) to the extent provided therein. If we make any payment or distribution of our assets upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding, the holders of senior debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of principal of and premium and interest, if any, on such senior debt before the holders of junior subordinated debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the junior subordinated debentures. However, holders of senior debt will not be entitled to receive payment of any such amounts if the subordination provisions of such senior debt would require holders to pay such amounts over to the obligees on trade accounts payable or other liabilities arising in the ordinary course of our business.

In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any junior subordinated debentures, the holders of all senior debt outstanding at the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon, including any amounts due upon acceleration, before the holders of the junior subordinated debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of or premium or interest, if any, on the junior subordinated debentures. However, the holders of senior debt will not be entitled to receive payment of any such amounts if the subordination provisions of such senior debt would require holders to pay such amounts over to the obligees on trade accounts payable or other liabilities arising in the ordinary course of State Street’s business.

No payments on account of principal or premium, if any, or interest in respect of the junior subordinated debentures may be made if there shall have occurred and be continuing a default in any payment with respect to senior debt or an event of default with respect to any senior debt resulting in the acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if any judicial proceedings are pending with respect to any such default.

Debt means, with respect to any person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such person and whether or not contingent:

·     every obligation of such person for money borrowed;

·     every obligation of such person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses;

·     every reimbursement obligation of such person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such person;

·     every obligation of such person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services other than trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business;

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·     every capital lease obligation of such person;

·     every obligation of such person for claims in respect of derivative products such as interest and foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity forward contracts and similar arrangements; and

·     every obligation of the type referred to above of another person and all dividends of another person the payment of which, in either case, such person has guaranteed or is responsible or liable for, directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise.

Senior debt means the principal of and premium and interest, if any, including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to us whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding, on debt, whether incurred on or prior to the date of the junior subordinated indenture or thereafter incurred, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not superior in right of payment to the junior subordinated debentures or to other debt that is equal or subordinated to the junior subordinated debentures, other than:

·     any debt of State Street which when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended, was without recourse to State Street;

·     any debt of State Street to any of its subsidiaries;

·     any debt to any of our employees;

·     any debt which by its terms is subordinated to trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business to the extent that payments made to the holders of such debt by the holders of the junior subordinated debentures as a result of the subordination provisions of the junior subordinated indenture would be greater than such payments otherwise would have been as a result of any obligation of such holders of such debt to pay amounts over to the obligees on such trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business as a result of subordination provisions to which such debt is subject; and

·     any other debt securities issued pursuant to the junior subordinated indenture.

The junior subordinated indenture places no limitation on the amount of senior debt that we may incur. We expect from time to time to incur additional indebtedness and other obligations constituting senior debt.

The junior subordinated indenture provides that any of the subordination provisions described above that relate to any particular issue of junior subordinated debentures may be changed prior to such issuance. Any such change would be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Governing Law

The junior subordinated indenture and the junior subordinated debentures will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

The Debenture Trustee

The debenture trustee will have all of the duties and responsibilities specified under the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to those provisions, the debenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the junior subordinated indenture at the request of any holder of junior subordinated debentures unless offered reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses

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and liabilities that might be incurred thereby. The debenture trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of its duties if the debenture trustee reasonably believes that repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured it.

Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures

State Street may issue one or more series of junior subordinated debentures under the junior subordinated indenture with terms corresponding to the terms of a series of related capital securities. In each such instance, concurrently with the issuance of each trust’s capital securities, the trust will invest the proceeds thereof and the consideration paid by us for the common securities in the series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures issued by us to such trust. Each series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures will be in the principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the related capital securities and the common securities of the trust and will rank equally with all other series of junior subordinated debentures. Holders of the related capital securities for a series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures will have the rights, in connection with modifications to the junior subordinated indenture or upon occurrence of debenture. events of default as described under “—Modification of Junior Subordinated Indenture,” “—Events of Default, Waiver and Notice” and “—Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Capital Securities.”

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if a tax event relating to a trust shall occur and be continuing, we may, at our option and subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve (if required), redeem the corresponding junior subordinated debentures at any time within 90 days of the occurrence of such tax event, in whole but not in part, subject to the provisions of the junior subordinated indenture and whether or not such corresponding junior subordinated debentures are then redeemable at our option. The redemption price for any corresponding junior subordinated debentures shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of such corresponding junior subordinated debentures then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. For so long as the applicable trust is the holder of all the outstanding corresponding junior subordinated debentures of such series, the proceeds of any such redemption will be used by the trust to redeem the corresponding trust securities in accordance with their terms. We may not redeem a series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures in part unless all accrued and unpaid interest has been paid in full on all outstanding corresponding junior subordinated debentures of such series for all interest proceeds terminating on or prior to the date of redemption.

We will covenant, as to each series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures:

(1)                       to directly or indirectly maintain 100% ownership of the common securities of the trust unless a permitted successor succeeds to ownership of the common securities;

(2)                       not to voluntarily terminate, windup or liquidate any trust, except, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and upon prior approval of the Federal Reserve (if required):

·     in connection with a distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debentures to the holders of the capital securities in exchange therefor upon liquidation of the trust, or

·     in connection with certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the related trust agreement, in either such case, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement upon prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then so required under applicable capital guidelines or policies; and

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(3)                       to use our reasonable efforts, consistent with the terms and provisions of the related trust agreement, to cause such trust to remain classified as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES

The capital securities will be issued pursuant to the terms of an amended and restated trust agreement. The trust agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The property trustee, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., will act as trustee for the capital securities under the trust agreement for purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of the capital securities will include those stated in the trust agreement and those made part of the trust agreement by the Trust Indenture Act.

Set forth below is a summary of the material terms and provisions of the capital securities. This summary, which describes the material provisions of the capital securities, is not intended to be complete and is qualified by the trust agreement, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement which contains this prospectus supplement, the Delaware Business Trust Act and the Trust Indenture Act.

General

The declaration of trust authorizes the trustees to issue the trust securities on behalf of the trust. The trust securities represent undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trust. We will own, directly or indirectly, all of the common securities. The common securities rank equally, and payments will be made on a pro rata basis, with the capital securities. However, if an event of default under a trust’s trust agreement occurs and is continuing, the rights of the holders of the common securities to receive payments will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the capital securities.

The trust agreement does not permit the trust to issue any securities other than the trust securities or to incur any indebtedness. Under the trust agreement, the property trustee will own the junior subordinated debentures purchased by the trust for the benefit of the holders of the trust securities. Each guarantee agreement executed by us for the benefit of the holders of a trust’s trust securities, each a guarantee, will be a guarantee on a subordinated basis with respect to the related trust securities but will not guarantee payment of distributions or amounts payable on redemption or liquidation of such trust securities when the related trust does not have funds on hand available to make such payments. Please see “Descriptions of the Capital Securities Guarantees.”

Distributions

Distributions on the capital securities:

·     will be cumulative;

·     will accumulate from the date of original issuance; and

·     will be payable on such dates as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

In the event that any date on which distributions are payable on the capital securities is not a business day, then payment of the distribution will be made on the next succeeding business day, and without any interest or other payment in respect to any such delay, except that, if such business day is in the next calendar year, payment of the distribution will be made on the immediately preceding business day. Each date on which distributions are payable in accordance with the foregoing is referred to as a distribution date. The term distribution includes any interest payable on unpaid distributions unless otherwise stated.

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The amount of distributions payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of distributions payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly period will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month. Distributions to which holders of capital securities are entitled will accumulate additional distributions at the rate per annum if and as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we have the right under the junior subordinated indenture, pursuant to which we will issue the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, to defer the payment of interest on any series of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures for up to a number of consecutive interest payment periods that will be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series (an extension period), provided that no extension period may extend beyond the stated maturity of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures.

As a consequence of any such deferral, distributions on the related capital securities would be deferred, but would continue to accumulate additional distributions at the rate per annum, if any, set forth in the prospectus supplement for such capital securities, by the trust during any extension period. If we exercise our deferral right, then during any extension period, we may not:

·     make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities that rank equally in all respects with or junior in interest to the junior subordinated debentures of such series; or

·     declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any shares of our capital stock, other than:

·      repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of our capital stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of any one or more employees, officers, directors or consultants, in connection with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or in connection with the issuance of our capital stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock, as consideration in an acquisition transaction entered into prior to the applicable extension period,

·      as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of our capital stock or any capital stock of our subsidiaries, for any class or series of our capital stock, or of any class or series of our indebtedness for any class or series of our capital stock,

·      the purchase of fractional interests in shares of our capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the securities being converted or exchanged,

·      any declaration of a dividend in connection with any rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or

·      any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where the dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options or other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid or ranks equally with or junior to such stock.

The revenue of each trust available for distribution to holders of its capital securities will be limited to payments under the corresponding junior subordinated debentures in which the trust will invest the proceeds from the issuance and sale of its trust securities. Please see “Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures—Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures.”  If we do not make interest payments on such corresponding junior subordinated debentures, the property trustee will not have funds available to

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pay distributions on the related capital securities. The payment of distributions, if and to the extent the trust has funds legally available for the payment of such distributions and cash sufficient to make such payments, is guaranteed by us on the basis set forth under “Description of the Capital Securities Guarantees.”

Distributions on the capital securities will be payable to the holders thereof as they appear on the register of such trust on the relevant record dates, which, as long as the capital securities remain in book-entry form, will be one business day prior to the relevant date of distribution. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of the applicable trust agreement, each such payment will be made as described under “Global Securities—Book-Entry Issuance.”  In the event any capital securities are not in book-entry form, the relevant record date for such capital securities shall be the date at least 15 days prior to the relevant date of distribution, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption or Exchange

Mandatory Redemption

Upon the repayment or redemption, in whole or in part, of any corresponding junior subordinated debentures, whether at maturity or upon earlier redemption as provided in the junior subordinated indenture, the property trustee shall apply the proceeds from such repayment or redemption to redeem a like amount (as defined below) of the trust securities, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of such trust securities plus accumulated but unpaid distributions to the date of redemption and the related amount of the premium, if any, paid by us upon the concurrent redemption of such corresponding junior subordinated debentures. Please see “Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures—Redemption.”  If less than all of any series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures are to be repaid or redeemed on a redemption date, then the proceeds from such repayment or redemption will be allocated pro rata to the redemption of the related capital securities and the common securities. The amount of premium, if any, paid by us upon the redemption of all or any part of any series of any corresponding junior subordinated debentures to be repaid or redeemed on a redemption date shall be allocated pro rata to the redemption of the related capital securities and the common securities.

We will have the right to redeem any series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures:

·     on or after such date as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in whole at any time or in part from time to time; or

·     at any time, in whole, but not in part, upon the occurrence of a tax event, investment company event or capital treatment event, in any case subject to receipt of prior approval by the Federal Reserve (if required). Please see “Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures—Redemption.”

If any tax event, investment company event or capital treatment event in respect of a series of capital securities and common securities shall occur and be continuing, then within 90 days of such occurrence we will have the right to redeem the corresponding junior subordinated debentures in whole, but not in part, and thereby cause a mandatory redemption of such capital securities and common securities in whole, but not in part, at the redemption price. In the event a tax event, investment company event or capital treatment event in respect of a series of capital securities and common securities has occurred and is continuing and we do not elect to redeem the corresponding junior subordinated debentures and thereby cause a mandatory redemption of such capital securities and common securities or to dissolve the related trust and cause the corresponding junior subordinated debentures to be distributed to holders of such capital securities and common securities in exchange therefor upon liquidation of the trust as described below, such capital securities will remain outstanding.

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Like amount means:

·     with respect to a redemption of any series of trust securities, trust securities of such series having a liquidation amount (as defined below) equal to that portion of the principal amount of corresponding junior subordinated debentures to be contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the junior subordinated indenture, the proceeds of which will be used to pay the redemption price of such trust securities; and

·     with respect to a distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debentures to holders of any series of trust securities in exchange therefor in connection with a dissolution or liquidation of the related trust, corresponding junior subordinated debentures having a principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of the trust securities of the holder to whom such corresponding junior subordinated debentures would be distributed.

Liquidation amount means the stated amount per trust security as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures

We have the right at any time to dissolve any trust and, after satisfaction of the liabilities of creditors of such trust as provided by applicable law, cause such corresponding junior subordinated debentures in respect of the related capital securities and common securities issued by such trust to be distributed to the holders of such related capital securities and common securities in exchange for such trust securities. This may require the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board.

After the liquidation date fixed for any distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debentures for any series of capital securities:

·     such series of capital securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding;

·     the depositary or its nominee, as the record holder of such series of capital securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the corresponding junior subordinated debentures to be delivered upon such distribution; and

·     any certificates representing such series of capital securities not held by The Depository Trust Company (DTC) or its nominee will be deemed to represent the corresponding junior subordinated debentures having a principal amount equal to the stated liquidation amount of such series of capital securities, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid distributions on such series of capital securities until such certificates are presented to the administrative trustees or their agent for transfer or reissuance.

We cannot assure you as to the market prices for the capital securities or the corresponding junior subordinated debentures that may be distributed in exchange for capital securities if a dissolution and liquidation of a trust were to occur. Accordingly, the capital securities that an investor may purchase, or the corresponding junior subordinated debentures that the investor may receive on dissolution and liquidation of a trust, may trade at a discount to the price that the investor paid to purchase the capital securities.

Redemption Procedures

Capital securities redeemed on each redemption date will be redeemed at the redemption price with the applicable proceeds from the contemporaneous redemption of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures. Redemptions of the capital securities shall be made and the redemption price shall be payable

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on each redemption date only to the extent that the related trust has funds on hand available for the payment of such redemption price. See also “—Subordination of Common Securities.”

If a trust gives a notice of redemption of its capital securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption date, to the extent funds are available, the property trustee will deposit irrevocably with DTC funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price and will give DTC irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the holders of such capital securities. Please see “Global Securities—Book-Entry Issuance.”  If such capital securities are no longer in book-entry form, the property trustee, to the extent funds are available, will irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for such capital securities funds sufficient to pay the applicable redemption price and will give such paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the holders thereof upon surrender of their certificates evidencing such capital securities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions payable on or prior to the redemption date for any capital securities called for redemption will be payable to the holders of such capital securities on the relevant record dates for the related distribution dates. If notice of redemption shall have been given and funds deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit:

·     all rights of the holders of such capital securities will cease, except the right of the holders of such capital securities to receive the redemption price and any distribution payable in respect of such capital securities on or prior to the redemption date, but without interest; and

·     such capital securities will cease to be outstanding.

In the event that any date fixed for redemption of capital securities is not a business day, then payment of the redemption price will be made on the next succeeding business day, and without any interest or any other payment in respect of any such delay, except that, if such business day falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately preceding business day. In the event that payment of the redemption price in respect of capital securities called for redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the trust or by us pursuant to the relevant guarantee as described under “Description of the Capital Securities Guarantees,” distributions on such capital securities will continue to accrue at the then applicable rate, from the redemption date originally established by the trust for such capital securities to the date such redemption price is actually paid, in which case the actual payment date will be the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the redemption price.

Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, U.S. federal securities law), we or our subsidiaries may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding capital securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement.

Payment of the redemption price on the capital securities and any distribution of corresponding junior subordinated debentures to holders of capital securities will be made to the applicable recordholders as they appear on the register for such capital securities on the relevant record date. However, if any capital securities are not in book-entry form, the relevant record date for such capital securities will be a date at least 15 days prior to the redemption date or liquidation date, as applicable, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If less than all of the capital securities and common securities issued by a trust are to be redeemed on a redemption date, then the aggregate liquidation amount of such capital securities and common securities to be redeemed shall be allocated pro rata to the capital securities and the common securities based upon the relative liquidation amounts of such classes. The property trustee will select the particular capital securities to be redeemed on a pro rata basis not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date from the outstanding capital securities not previously called for redemption, using any method that the property trustee deems fair and appropriate, including the selection for redemption of portions of the liquidation

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amount of capital securities in the minimum amounts that are specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The property trustee shall promptly notify the trust registrar in writing of the capital securities selected for redemption and the liquidation amount to be redeemed. For all purposes of each trust agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of capital securities shall relate, in the case of any capital securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the aggregate liquidation amount of capital securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to the registered address of each holder of trust securities to be redeemed.

Subordination of Common Securities

Payment of distributions on, and the redemption price of, each trust’s capital securities and common securities, as applicable, shall be made pro rata based on the liquidation amount of such capital securities and common securities. If, however, on any distribution date or redemption date a debenture event of default shall have occurred and be continuing, no payment of any distribution on, or redemption price of, any of the trust’s common securities, and no other payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of such common securities, shall be made unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated and unpaid distributions on all of the trust’s outstanding capital securities for all distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the redemption price the full amount of such redemption price on all of the trust’s outstanding capital securities then called for redemption, shall have been made or provided for, and all funds available to the property trustee shall first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all distributions on, or redemption price of, the trust’s capital securities then due and payable.

In the case of any event of default under the applicable trust agreement resulting from a debenture event of default, we as holder of such trust’s common securities, will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to any such event of default under the applicable trust agreement until the effect of all such events of default with respect to such capital securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until all events of default under the applicable trust agreement with respect to the capital securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the property trustee shall act solely on behalf of the holders of such capital securities and not on our behalf, and only the holders of such capital securities will have the right to direct the property trustee to act on their behalf.

Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution

Pursuant to each trust agreement, each trust shall automatically dissolve upon expiration of its term and shall dissolve on the first to occur of:

·     certain events of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation of State Street;

·     the distribution of a like amount of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures to the holders of its trust securities, if we, as depositor, have given written direction to the property trustee to dissolve such trust, subject to our having received prior approval of the Federal Reserve, if required;

·     redemption of all of the trust’s capital securities as described under “Redemption or Exchange—Mandatory Redemption;” and

·     the entry of an order for the dissolution of the trust by a court of competent jurisdiction.

If an early dissolution occurs as described above, the trustees will liquidate the trust as expeditiously as possible by distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of such trust as provided by applicable law, to the holders of such trust securities a like amount of the corresponding junior subordinated

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debentures. If the property trustee determines that such distribution is not practical, then the holders will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the trust available for distribution to holders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of such trust as provided by applicable law, an amount equal to, in the case of holders of capital securities, the aggregate liquidation amount plus accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of payment (such amount being the liquidation distribution). If the trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the aggregate liquidation distribution, then the amounts payable directly by such trust on its capital securities shall be paid on a pro rata basis. The holder(s) of such trust’s common securities will be entitled to receive distributions upon any such liquidation pro rata with the holders of its capital securities, except that if a debenture event of default has occurred and is continuing, the capital securities shall have a priority over the common securities.

Events of Default; Notice

Any one of the following events constitutes an event of default under the trust agreement of a trust (a trust event of default) regardless of the reason for such event of default and whether it shall 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:

·     the occurrence of a debenture event of default with respect to the corresponding junior subordinated debentures held by such trust (please see “Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures—Events of Default, Waiver and Notice”);

·     the default by the property trustee in the payment of any distribution on any trust security of such trust when such becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default for a period of 30 days;

·     the default by the property trustee in the payment of any redemption price of any trust security of such trust when such becomes due and payable;

·     the default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any covenant or warranty of the trustees in such trust agreement, other than a covenant or warranty of default in the performance of which or the breach of which is dealt with above, and continuation of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the defaulting trustee or trustees by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding capital securities of the applicable trust, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” under such trust agreement; or

·     the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the property trustee and our failure to appoint a successor property trustee within 90 days.

Within the 90 days after the occurrence of any event of default actually known to the property trustee, the property trustee will transmit notice of such event of default to the holders of such trust’s capital securities, the administrative trustees and to us, as depositor, unless such event of default shall have been cured or waived. We, as depositor, and the administrative trustees are required to file annually with the property trustee a certificate as to whether or not we or they are in compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to us and to them under each trust agreement.

If a debenture event of default with respect to the corresponding junior subordinated debentures held by a trust has occurred and is continuing, the capital securities of such trust shall have a preference over such trust’s common securities as described above. See “—Subordination of Common Securities” and “—Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution.”  The existence of an event of default does not entitle the holders of capital securities to accelerate the maturity of such securities.

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Removal of Trustees

Unless a debenture event of default shall have occurred and be continuing, any trustee may be removed at any time by the holder of the common securities. If a debenture event of default has occurred and is continuing, the property trustee and the Delaware trustee may be removed by the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding capital securities. In no event will the holders of the capital securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the administrative trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in us, as the holder of the common securities. No resignation or removal of a trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee shall be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the applicable trust agreement.

Co-Trustees and Separate Property Trustee

Unless an event of default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time or from time to time, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the trust property may at the time be located, we, as the holder of the common securities, and the administrative trustees shall have the power to appoint one or more persons either to act as a co-trustee, jointly with the property trustee, of all or any part of such trust property, or to act as separate trustee of any such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such person or persons in such capacity any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the provisions of the applicable trust agreement. If a debenture event of default has occurred and is continuing, the property trustee alone shall have power to make such appointment.

Merger or Consolidation of Trustees

Any person into which the property trustee, the Delaware trustee or any administrative trustee that is not a natural person may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such trustee shall be a party, or any person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of such trustee, shall be the successor of such trustee under each trust agreement, provided such person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible.

Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the Trusts

A trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to us or any other person, except as described below or as otherwise described in the trust agreement. A trust may, at our request, with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the capital securities and without the consent of the administrative trustees, the property trustee or the Delaware trustee, merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, a trust organized as such under the laws of any state if:

·     such successor entity either:

(1)                       expressly assumes all of the obligations of such trust with respect to the capital securities, or

(2)                       substitutes for the capital securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the capital securities, the successor securities, so long as the successor securities rank the same as the capital securities in priority with respect to distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise;

·     we expressly appoint a trustee of such successor entity possessing the same powers and duties as the property trustee as the holder of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures;

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·     the successor securities are listed, or any successor securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any national securities exchange or other organization on which the capital securities are then listed, if any;

·     such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not cause the capital securities to be downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization;

·     such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the capital securities (including any successor securities) in any material respect;

·     such successor entity has a purpose substantially identical to that of the trust;

·     prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, we have received an opinion from independent counsel to the trust experienced in such matters to the effect that:

(1)                       such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of the capital securities (including any successor securities) in any material respect, and

(2)                       following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither the trust nor such successor entity will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and

·     we or any permitted successor or assignee owns all of the common securities of such successor entity and guarantees the obligations of such successor entity under the successor securities at least to the extent provided by the guarantee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a trust may not, except with the consent of holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the capital securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the trust or the successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

Voting Rights; Amendment of Each Trust Agreement

Except as provided below and under “Description of the Capital Securities Guarantees—Amendments and Assignment” and as otherwise required by law and the applicable trust agreement, the holders of the capital securities will have no voting rights.

We and the administrative trustees may amend each trust agreement without the consent of the holders of the capital securities, unless such amendment will materially and adversely affect the interests of any holder of capital securities:

·     to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provisions in such trust agreement that may be inconsistent with any other provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under such trust agreement, which may not be inconsistent with the other provisions of such trust agreement; or

·     to modify, eliminate or add to any provisions of such trust agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to ensure that the trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any trust securities are outstanding or to ensure that the trust will

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not be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Any such amendments will become effective when notice thereof is given to the holders of trust securities.

We, the administrative trustees and the property trustee may amend each trust agreement with:

·     the consent of holders representing not less than a majority (based upon liquidation amounts) of the outstanding trust securities; and

·     receipt by the trustees of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendment or the exercise of any power granted to the trustees in accordance with such amendment will not affect the trust’s status as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes or the trust’s exemption from status as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act.

Without the consent of each holder of trust securities, the trust agreement may not be amended to:

·     change the amount or timing of any distribution required to be made in respect of the trust securities as of a specified dates; or

·     restrict the right of a holder of trust securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date.

So long as the property trustee holds any corresponding junior subordinated debentures, the trustees may not, without obtaining the prior approval of the holders of a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of all outstanding capital securities:

·     direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee, or executing any trust or power conferred on the property trustee with respect to such corresponding junior subordinated debentures;

·     waive any past default that is waivable under the junior subordinated indenture;

·     exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the corresponding junior subordinated debentures is due and payable; or

·     consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the junior subordinated indenture or such corresponding junior subordinated debentures, where such consent shall be required.

If a consent under the junior subordinated indenture would require the consent of each holder of corresponding junior subordinated debentures affected thereby, no such consent may be given by the property trustee without the prior consent of each holder of the corresponding capital securities. The trustees may not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the holders of the capital securities except by subsequent vote of the holders of the capital securities. The property trustee will notify each holder of the capital securities of any notice of default with respect to the corresponding junior subordinated debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of the holders of the capital securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the trustees will obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that such action would not cause the trust to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

Any required approval of holders of capital securities may be given at a meeting of holders of capital securities convened for such purpose or pursuant to written consent. The property trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which holders of capital securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such holders is to be taken, to be given to each holder of record of capital securities in the manner set forth in each trust agreement.

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No vote or consent of the holders of capital securities will be required for a trust to redeem and cancel its capital securities in accordance with the applicable trust agreement.

Notwithstanding that holders of capital securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the capital securities that are owned by us or our affiliates or the trustees or any of their affiliates, shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.

Payment and Paying Agency

Payments on the capital securities shall be made to the depositary, which shall credit the relevant accounts at the depositary on the applicable distribution dates. If any trust’s capital securities are not held by the depositary, such payments shall be made by check mailed to the address of the holder as such address shall appear on the register.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the paying agent shall initially be the property trustee and any co-paying agent chosen by the property trustee and acceptable to us and to the administrative trustees. The paying agent shall be permitted to resign as paying agent upon 30 days’ written notice to us and to the property trustee. In the event that the property trustee shall no longer be the paying agent, the administrative trustees will appoint a successor, which will be a bank or trust company acceptable to the administrative trustees and to us, to act as paying agent.

Registrar and Transfer Agent

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the property trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the capital securities.

Registration of transfers of capital securities will be effected without charge by or on behalf of each trust, but upon payment of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange. The trusts will not be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of their capital securities after such capital securities have been called for redemption.

Information Concerning the Property Trustee

The property trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default, undertakes to perform only the duties that are specifically set forth in each trust agreement. After an event of default, the property trustee must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent individual would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the property trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the applicable trust agreement at the request of any holder of capital securities unless offered indemnity satisfactory to it by such holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred. If no event of default has occurred and is continuing and the property trustee is required to decide between alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous provisions in the applicable trust agreement or is unsure of the application of any provision of the applicable trust agreement, and the matter is not one on which holders of capital securities are entitled under such trust agreement to vote, then the property trustee will take any action that we direct. If we do not provide direction, the property trustee may take any action that it deems advisable and in the best interests of the holders of the trust securities and will have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.

Trust Expenses

Pursuant to the trust agreement of each trust, we, as depositor, agree to pay:

·     all debts and other obligations of each trust (other than with respect to the capital securities);

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·     all costs and expenses of each trust (including costs and expenses relating to the organization of each trust, the fees and expenses of the trustees and the cost and expenses relating to the operation of each trust); and

·     any and all taxes and costs and expenses with respect thereto (other than United States withholding taxes) to which each trust might become subject.

Governing Law

Each trust agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Delaware.

Miscellaneous

The administrative trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of and to operate the trusts in such a way that no trust will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act or characterized as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes. The administrative trustees are authorized and directed to conduct their affairs so that the corresponding junior subordinated debentures will be treated as indebtedness of State Street for United States federal income tax purposes. In this connection, we and the administrative trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of each trust or each trust agreement, that we and the administrative trustees determine to be necessary or desirable to achieve such end, as long as such action does not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the related capital securities.

Holders of the capital securities have no preemptive or similar rights.

No trust may borrow money or issue debt or mortgage or pledge any of its assets.

COMMON SECURITIES

In connection with the issuance of capital securities, each trust will issue one series of common securities having the terms, including distributions, redemption, voting and liquidation rights, set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except for voting rights, the terms of the common securities will be substantially identical to the terms of the capital securities. The common securities will rank equally, and payments will be made on the common securities pro rata, with the capital securities, except that, upon an event of default, the rights of the holders of the common securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the capital securities. Except in limited circumstances, the common securities of a trust carry the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace any of the trustees of that trust. We will own, directly or indirectly, all of the common securities of each trust.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEES

Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the capital securities guarantees that we will execute and deliver for the benefit of the holders of capital securities. Each capital securities guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. will act as the guarantee trustee for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of each capital securities guarantee will be those set forth in the capital securities guarantee and those made part of the capital securities guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act. The summary of the material terms of the capital securities guarantees is not intended to be complete and is qualified in all respects by the provisions of the form of capital securities guarantee which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement which contains this prospectus, and the Trust Indenture Act. The guarantee trustee will hold each capital securities guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the capital securities of the applicable trust.

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General

Pursuant to and to the extent set forth in the capital securities guarantee, we will irrevocably and unconditionally agree to pay in full to the holders of the trust securities, except to the extent paid by the trust, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the trust may have or assert, the following payments, which are referred to as guarantee payments, without duplication:

·     any accrued and unpaid distributions that are required to be paid on the capital securities, to the extent the trust has funds available for distributions;

·     the redemption price, plus all accrued and unpaid distributions, to the extent the trust has funds available for redemptions, relating to any capital securities called for redemption by the trust; and

·     upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the trust, other than in connection with the distribution of junior subordinated debentures to the holders of capital securities or the redemption of all of the capital securities, the lesser of:

(1)                       the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions on the capital securities to the date of payment; and

(2)                       the amount of assets of the trust remaining for distribution to holders of the capital securities in liquidation of the trust.

The redemption price and liquidation amount will be fixed at the time the capital securities are issued.

Our obligation to make a guarantee payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts to the holders of capital securities or by causing the trust to pay such amounts to such holders.

The capital securities guarantees will not apply to any payment of distributions except to the extent a trust shall have funds available for such payments. If we do not make interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures purchased by a trust, the trust will not pay distributions on the capital securities and will not have funds available for such payments. Please see “—Status of the Guarantees.”  Because we are a holding company, our rights to participate in the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the capital securities guarantees do not limit the incurrence or issuance by us of other secured or unsecured debt.

The capital securities guarantees, when taken together with our obligations under the junior subordinated debentures, the indentures and the trust agreements, including our obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the trusts, other than those relating to trust securities, will provide a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis of payments due on the capital securities.

We have also agreed separately to irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the obligations of the trusts with respect to the common securities to the same extent as the capital securities guarantees, except that upon an event of default under the indenture, holders of capital securities shall have priority over holders of common securities with respect to distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise.

Status of the Guarantees

Each capital security guarantee will be unsecured and will rank:

·     subordinate and junior in right of payment to all our other liabilities in the same manner as the junior subordinated debentures; and

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·     equally with all other capital security guarantees that we issue.

Each capital securities guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection. This means that the guaranteed party may sue the guarantor to enforce its rights under the guarantee without suing any other person or entity. Each capital securities guarantee will be held for the benefit of the holders of the related trust securities and will be discharged only by payment of the guarantee payments in full to the extent not paid by the trust or upon the junior subordinated debentures.

Amendments and Assignment

The capital securities guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the outstanding capital securities. No vote will be required, however, for any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of holders of capital securities. All guarantees and agreements contained in the capital securities guarantee will bind our successors, assignees, receivers, trustees and representatives and will be for the benefit of the holders of the capital securities then outstanding.

Termination of the Guarantees

Each capital securities guarantee will terminate upon full payment of the redemption price of all capital securities, upon distribution of the junior subordinated debentures to the holders of the trust securities or upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the trust agreement upon liquidation of such trust. Each capital securities guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of capital securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the capital securities or the capital securities guarantee.

Events of Default

An event of default under a capital securities guarantee will occur if we fail to perform any payment or other obligations under the capital securities guarantee.

The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the capital securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the guarantee trustee in respect of the capital securities guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the guarantee trustee under the capital securities guarantee. Any holder of capital securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce the guarantee trustee’s rights and our obligations under the capital securities guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the relevant trust, the guarantee trustee or any other person or entity.

As guarantor, we are required to file annually with the guarantee trustee a certificate as to whether or not we are in compliance with all applicable conditions and covenants applicable under the capital securities guarantee.

Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee

Prior to the occurrence of a default relating to a capital securities guarantee, the guarantee trustee is required to perform only the duties that are specifically set forth in the capital securities guarantee. Following the occurrence of a default, the guarantee trustee will exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. If the foregoing requirements have been met, the guarantee trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by a capital securities guarantee at the request of any holder of capital securities, unless offered indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby.

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We and our affiliates maintain certain accounts and other banking relationships with the guarantee trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

Governing Law

The capital securities guarantees will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE CORRESPONDING JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEES

As set forth in the trust agreements, the sole purpose of the trusts is to issue the trust securities and to invest the proceeds in the junior subordinated debentures.

As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on the junior subordinated debentures, those payments will be sufficient to cover the distributions and payments due on the trust securities. This is due to the following factors:

·     the aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated debentures will be equal to the sum of the aggregate stated liquidation amount of the trust securities;

·     the interest rate and the interest and other payment dates on the junior subordinated debentures will match the distribution rate and distribution and other payment dates for the trust securities;

·     under the junior subordinated indenture, we will pay, and the trusts will not be obligated to pay, directly or indirectly, all costs, expenses, debts and obligations of the trusts, other than those relating to the trust securities; and

·     the trust agreements further provide that the trustees may not cause or permit the trusts to engage in any activity that is not consistent with the purposes of the trusts.

To the extent that funds are available, we guarantee payments of distributions and other payments due on the capital securities to the extent described in this prospectus. If we do not make interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures, the trust will not have sufficient funds to pay distributions on the capital securities. Each capital securities guarantee is a subordinated guarantee in relation to the capital securities. The capital securities guarantee does not apply to any payment of distributions unless and until the trust has sufficient funds for the payment of such distributions. Please see “Description of the Capital Securities Guarantees.”

We have the right to set off any payment that we are otherwise required to make under the junior subordinated indenture with any payment that we have previously made or are concurrently on the date of such payment making under a related guarantee.

The capital securities guarantees cover the payment of distributions and other payments on the capital securities only if and to the extent that we have made a payment of interest or principal or other payments on the junior subordinated debentures. The capital securities guarantees, when taken together with our obligations under the junior subordinated debentures and the indenture and our obligations under the trust agreement, will provide a full and unconditional guarantee of distributions, redemption payments and liquidation payments on the capital securities.

If we fail to make interest or other payments on the junior subordinated debentures when due, taking account of any extension period, the trust agreements allow the holders of the capital securities to direct the property trustee to enforce its rights under the junior subordinated debentures. If the property trustee fails to enforce these rights, any holder of capital securities may directly sue us to enforce such rights without first suing the property trustee or any other person or entity.

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A holder of capital securities may institute a direct action if a trust agreement event of default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to our failure to pay interest or principal on the junior subordinated debentures when due. A direct action may be brought without first (1) directing the property trustee to enforce the terms of the junior subordinated debentures or (2) suing us to enforce the property trustee’s rights under the junior subordinated debentures. In connection with such direct action, we will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of capital securities under the trust agreement to the extent of any payment made by us to such holder of capital securities. Consequently, we will be entitled to payment of amounts that a holder of capital securities receives in respect of an unpaid distribution to the extent that such holder receives or has already received full payment relating to such unpaid distribution from a trust.

We acknowledge that the guarantee trustee will enforce the capital securities guarantees on behalf of the holders of the capital securities. If we fail to make payments under the capital securities guarantees, the holders of the capital securities may direct the guarantee trustee to enforce its rights thereunder. If the guarantee trustee fails to enforce the capital securities guarantees, any holder of capital securities may directly sue us to enforce the guarantee trustee’s rights under the capital securities guarantees. Such holder need not first sue the trust, the guarantee trustee, or any other person or entity. A holder of capital securities may also directly sue us to enforce such holder’s right to receive payment under the capital securities guarantees. Such holder need not first (1) direct the guarantee trustee to enforce the terms of the capital securities guarantee or (2) sue the trust or any other person or entity.

A default or event of default under any of our senior debt would not constitute a default or event of default under the junior subordinated indenture. However, in the event of payment defaults under, or acceleration of, our senior debt, the subordination provisions of the junior subordinated indenture provide that no payments may be made in respect of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures until such senior debt has been paid in full or any payment default thereunder has been cured or waived. Failure to make required payments on any series of corresponding junior subordinated debentures would constitute an event of default under the junior subordinated indenture.

We and the trusts believe that the above mechanisms and obligations, taken together, are equivalent to a full and unconditional guarantee by us of payments due on the capital securities. Please see “Description of the Capital Securities Guarantees—General.”

Limited Purpose of Trusts

Each trust’s capital securities evidence a beneficial interest in such trust, and each trust exists for the sole purpose of issuing its capital securities and common securities and investing the proceeds in corresponding junior subordinated debentures. A principal difference between the rights of a holder of a capital security and a holder of a corresponding junior subordinated debenture is that a holder of a corresponding junior subordinated debenture is entitled to receive from us the principal amount of and interest accrued on corresponding junior subordinated debentures held, while a holder of capital securities is entitled to receive distributions from such trust (or from us under the applicable guarantee) if and to the extent such trust has funds available for the payment of such distributions.

Rights Upon Dissolution

Upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of any trust involving the liquidation of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the trust, the holders of the related capital securities will be entitled to receive, out of the assets held by such trust, the liquidation distribution in cash. Please see “Description of the Capital Securities—Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution.”  Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy of State Street, the property trustee, as holder of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, would

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be a subordinated creditor of State Street, subordinated in right of payment to all senior debt as set forth in the junior subordinated indenture, but entitled to receive payment in full of principal and interest before any of our stockholders receive distributions. Since we are the guarantor under each guarantee and have agreed to pay for all costs, expenses and liabilities of each trust, other than the trusts’ obligations to the holders of its capital securities, the positions of a holder of such capital securities and a holder of such corresponding junior subordinated debentures relative to other creditors and to our stockholders in the event of liquidation or bankruptcy are expected to be substantially the same.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following summary contains a description of the general terms of the preferred stock that we may issue. Other terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. The terms of any series of preferred stock may differ from the terms described below. Certain provisions of the preferred stock described below and in any prospectus supplement are not complete. You should refer to our Restated Articles of Organization, as amended, and the certificate of designation which will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of the series of preferred stock.

General

Our articles of organization permit our board of directors to authorize the issuance of up to 3,500,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, in one or more series, without shareholder action. The board of directors can determine the rights, preferences and limitations of each series. Therefore, without shareholder approval, our board of directors can authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting, conversion and other rights that could dilute the voting power and other rights of our common stockholders. None of our preferred stock is currently outstanding.

The preferred stock has the terms described below unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of the preferred stock. You should read the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of the preferred stock being offered for specific terms, including:

·     the designation and stated value per share of the preferred stock and the number of shares offered;

·     the amount of liquidation preference per share;

·     the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;

·     the dividend rate, or method of calculation, the dates on which dividends will be payable, whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will commence to accumulate;

·     any redemption or sinking fund provisions;

·     any conversion provisions;

·     whether we have elected to offer depositary shares as described under “Description of Depositary Shares;” and

·     any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions on the preferred stock.

The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of the preferred stock will rank equally as to dividends and

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liquidation rights in all respects with each other series of preferred stock. The rights of holders of shares of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.

As described under “Description of Depositary Shares,” we may, at our option, with respect to any series of the preferred stock, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, and provide for the issuance of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest in a share of the series of the preferred stock. The fractional interest will be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of the preferred stock.

Rank

Any series of the preferred stock will, with respect to the priority of the payment of dividends and the priority of payments upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, rank:

·     senior to all classes of common stock and all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank junior to the preferred stock (the junior securities);

·     equally with all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank equally with the preferred stock (the parity securities); and

·     junior to all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities will rank senior to the preferred stock.

Dividends

Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates described in the prospectus supplement. Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different rates or based on different methods of calculation. The dividend rate may be fixed or variable or both. Dividends will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on our stock books on record dates fixed by our board of directors, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Dividends on any series of the preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors does not declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of noncumulative preferred stock, then the holders of that noncumulative preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend for that dividend payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not dividends on that series are declared payable on any future dividend payment dates. Dividends on any series of cumulative preferred stock will accrue from the date we initially issue shares of such series or such other date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No full dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of any dividends on any parity securities unless dividends have been paid or set apart for payment on the preferred stock. If full dividends are not paid, the preferred stock will share dividends pro rata with the parity securities. No dividends may be declared or paid or funds set apart for the payment of dividends on any junior securities unless full cumulative dividends for all dividend periods terminating on or prior to the date of the declaration or payment will have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment set apart for payment on the preferred stock.

Our ability to pay dividends on our preferred stock is subject to policies established by the Federal Reserve Board.

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Rights Upon Liquidation

If we dissolve, liquidate or wind up our affairs, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive, before any payment or distribution of assets is made to holders of junior securities, liquidating distributions in the amount described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of the preferred stock, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and, if the series of the preferred stock is cumulative, for all dividend periods prior to that point in time. If the amounts payable with respect to the preferred stock of any series and any other parity securities are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock of that series and of the parity securities will share proportionately in the distribution of our assets in proportion to the full liquidation preferences to which they are entitled. After the holders of preferred stock and the parity securities are paid in full, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.

Because we are a bank holding company, our rights, the rights of our creditors and of our stockholders, including the holders of the preferred stock offered by this prospectus, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.

Redemption

A series of the preferred stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option with prior Federal Reserve Board approval. In addition, a series of preferred stock may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise. The redemption provisions that may apply to a series of preferred stock, including the redemption dates and the redemption prices for that series, will be described in the prospectus supplement.

In the event of partial redemptions of preferred stock, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, our board of directors will determine the method for selecting the shares to be redeemed, which may be by lot or pro rata or by any other method determined to be equitable.

On or after a redemption date, unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue on shares of preferred stock called for redemption. In addition, all rights of holders of the shares will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for any series of preferred stock, if any dividends on any other series of preferred stock ranking equally as to payment of dividends and liquidation rights with such series of preferred stock are in arrears, no shares of any such series of preferred stock may be redeemed, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, unless all shares of preferred stock are redeemed, and we will not purchase any shares of such series of preferred stock. This requirement, however, will not prevent us from acquiring such shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all such shares outstanding.

Under current regulations, bank holding companies, except in certain narrowly defined circumstances, may not exercise any option to redeem shares of preferred stock included as Tier 1 capital without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board. Ordinarily, the Federal Reserve Board would not permit such a redemption unless (1) the shares are redeemed with the proceeds of a sale by the bank holding company of common stock or perpetual preferred stock or (2) the Federal Reserve determines that the bank holding company’s condition and circumstances warrant the reduction of a source of permanent capital.

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Voting Rights

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the preferred stock will have no voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise required by law or in our articles of organization.

Under regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, if the holders of any series of the preferred stock are or become entitled to vote for the election of directors, such series may then be deemed a “class of voting securities” and a holder of 25% or more of such series, or a holder of 5% or more if it otherwise exercises a “controlling influence” over us, may then be subject to regulation as a bank holding company in accordance with the Bank Holding Company Act. In addition, at such time as such series is deemed a class of voting securities, (a) any other bank holding company may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire or retain 5% or more of that series and (b) any person other than a bank holding company may be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire or retain 10% or more of that series.

Exchangeability

The holders of shares of preferred stock of any series may be required at any time or at maturity to exchange those shares for our debt securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the terms of any such exchange.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Computershare, an affiliate of State Street, will be the transfer agent, dividend and redemption price disbursement agent and registrar for shares of each series of the preferred stock.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, which we call depositary shares, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue to the public receipts, called depositary receipts, for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction, to be described in the prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.

The shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary named in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by those holders.

If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

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Withdrawal of Stock

Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the office of the depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery, at the office of the depositary to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the depositary deliver fractional shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, so long as we have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable on the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be determined by the depositary.

After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the moneys payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.

Voting the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock. The record date for the depositary receipts relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent it receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of preferred stock.

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 charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

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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 remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Notices

The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and other communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, which are delivered to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.

Limitation of Liability

Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our and their duties thereunder. We and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

Inspection of Books

Any record holder of depositary shares who has been a holder for at least six months or who holds at least five percent of our outstanding shares of capital stock will be entitled to inspect the transfer books relating to the depositary shares and the list of record holders of depositary shares upon certification to the depositary that the holder is acting in good faith and that the inspection is for a proper purpose.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

General

We have 500,000,000 shares of authorized common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which 335,192,584 shares were outstanding as of January 31, 2006.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of any funds legally available for dividends. Holders of our common stock are also entitled, upon our liquidation, and after claims of creditors and preferences of preferred stock, and any other class or series of preferred stock outstanding at the time of liquidation, to receive pro rata our net assets. We pay dividends on our common stock only if we have paid or provided for all dividends on our outstanding series of preferred stock, for the then current period and, in the case of any cumulative preferred stock, all prior periods.

Our preferred stock has, or upon issuance will have, preference over our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of our liquidation or dissolution. Our preferred stock also has such other preferences as may be fixed by our board of directors.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share that they hold and are vested with all of the voting power except as our board of directors has provided, or may provide in the future,

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with respect to preferred stock or any other class or series of preferred stock that the board of directors may hereafter authorize. See “Description of Preferred Stock.” Shares of our common stock are not redeemable, and have no subscription, conversion or preemptive rights.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Boston Stock Exchange and the Archipelago Stock Exchange. Outstanding shares of our common stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Holders of our common stock are not, and will not be, subject to any liability as stockholders.

Shareholders’ Rights Plan

In 1988, State Street declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock pursuant to a Shareholders’ Rights Agreement. On June 18, 1998, State Street adopted an amendment to the Rights Agreement and has restated the Rights Agreement. Under the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, a right may be exercised, under certain conditions, to purchase one four-hundredths share of a series of participating preferred stock at an exercise price of $265, subject to adjustment. The rights become exercisable if a party acquires or obtains the right to acquire 10% or more of State Street’s common stock or after commencement or public announcement of an offer for 10% or more of State Street’s common stock. When exercisable, under certain conditions, each right also entitles the holder thereof to purchase shares of common stock, of either State Street or of the acquiror, having a market value of two times the then current exercise price of that right.

The rights expire in September 2008, and may be redeemed at a price of $.0025 per right at any time prior to expiration or the acquisition of 10% of State Street’s common stock. Under certain circumstances, the rights may be redeemed after they become exercisable and may be subject to automatic redemption.

The Rights Agreement may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of State Street Corporation.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare, an affiliate of State Street.

Restrictions on Ownership

The Bank Holding Company Act requires any “bank holding company,” as defined in the Bank Holding Company Act, to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board prior to the acquisition of 5% or more of our common stock. Any person, other than a bank holding company, is required to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire 10% or more of our common stock under the Change in Bank Control Act. Any holder of 25% or more of our common stock, or a holder of 5% or more if such holder otherwise exercises a “controlling influence” over us, is subject to regulation as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act. Chapter 167A of the General Laws of Massachusetts requires any “bank holding company,” as defined in Chapter 167A, to obtain prior approval of the board of bank incorporation before (i) acquiring 5% or more of our common stock, (ii) acquiring all or substantially all of our assets or (iii) merging or consolidating with us.

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and us to sell to or purchase from the holders, a specified number of shares of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares and the number of shares of each may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock

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purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units, often known as stock purchase units, consisting of one or more stock purchase contracts and beneficial interests in:

·     debt securities,

·     debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, or

·     capital securities issued by trusts, all of whose common securities are owned by us or by one of our subsidiaries,

securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under those contracts in a specified manner, including without limitation by pledging their interest in another stock purchase contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units, including, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

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

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

·     the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the warrants;

·     the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

·     the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants;

·     whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit;

·     any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences;

·     the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents;

·     the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange;

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·     the designation and terms of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

·     the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency and terms of the debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;  .

·     if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock with which the warrants are issued and, the number of warrants issued with each security;

·     if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock will be separately transferable;

·     the number of shares of preferred stock, the number of depositary shares or the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which those shares may be purchased;

·     if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

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

·     the antidilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

·     any redemption or call provisions;

·     whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; and

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

GLOBAL SECURITIES

General

The debt securities and the capital securities may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more fully-registered global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository which, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement for such securities, will be DTC. Global capital securities may be issued in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for securities in certificated form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole in the following manner:

·     by the depository for such global security to a nominee of such depository, or

·     by a nominee of such depository to such depository or another nominee of such depository, or

·     by such depository or any such nominee to a successor of such depository or a nominee of such successor, or

·     in the manner provided below under “—Book-Entry Issuance.”

The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to any debt securities or capital securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depository arrangements.

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Upon the issuance of a global security and the deposit of such global security with or on behalf of the depository, the depository for such global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by such global security, or, in the case of capital securities, the respective aggregate liquidation amounts of the capital securities represented by such global security, to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such depository (each such person, a participant), which may include Euroclear and Clearstream. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of such debt securities or capital securities or by us if we have offered and sold such debt securities or capital securities directly. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants.

Ownership of a beneficial interest in such global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depository for such global security (with respect to interests of participants) or by participants or persons that hold through participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in certificated form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in a global security.

So long as the depository for a global security, or its nominee, is the holder of such global security, such depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities or capital securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture or trust agreement. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have debt securities or capital securities represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of securities in certificated form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable indenture or trust agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depository for such global security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture or trust agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture or trust agreement, the depository for such global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interest to give or take such action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

Payments of principal of or premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities or distributions or other payments on capital securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to such depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner or the holder of the global security representing such debt securities or capital securities. None of State Street, the trustee for such securities, any paying agent for such securities, the property trustee or the securities registrar, as applicable, will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security for such securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depository for any debt securities represented by a global debt security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit immediately participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global debt security as shown on the records of such depository. We also expect that the depository for a series of capital securities or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of liquidation amount, redemption price, premium or distributions in respect of a permanent global capital security representing

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any of such capital securities, immediately will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interest in the aggregate liquidation amount of such global capital security for such capital securities as shown on the records of such depositary or its nominee. We further expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in any such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participants.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, no global debt security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and no transfer of a global debt security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any person other than the depository for such global debt security or a nominee thereof unless:

(a)          such depository has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for such global debt security or has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act;

(b)         there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default or a default, as the case may be, with respect to such global debt security; or

(c)          there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as contemplated by the indentures.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if a depository for a series of capital securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the trust within 90 days, the trust will issue individual capital securities of such series in exchange for the global capital security representing such series of capital securities. In addition, the trust may at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to such capital securities, determine not to have any capital securities of such series represented by one or more global capital securities and, in such event, will issue individual capital securities of such series in exchange for the global capital security or securities representing such series of capital securities. Further, if the trust so specifies with respect to the capital securities of a series, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global capital security representing capital securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to the trust, the property trustee and the depository for such global capital security, receive individual capital securities of such series in exchange for such beneficial interests, subject to any limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to such capital securities. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global capital security will be entitled to a physical delivery of individual capital securities of the series represented by such global capital security equal in liquidation amount to such beneficial interest and to have such capital securities registered in its name.

Book-Entry Issuance

We expect DTC to act as securities depository for all of the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued only as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s nominee. DTC will thus be the only registered holder of the debt securities and will be considered the sole owner of the debt securities. One or more fully-registered global certificates will be issued for the debt securities, representing in the aggregate the aggregate principal balance of debt securities.

We also expect DTC to act as securities depository for all of the capital securities, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement. The capital securities will be issued only as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. One or more fully-registered global certificates will be issued for the capital securities of each trust, representing in the aggregate the total number of such trust’s capital securities, and will be deposited with the property trustee as custodian for DTC.

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In this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, for book-entry debt securities, references to actions taken by debt security holders will mean actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and reference to payments and notices of redemptions to debt security holders will mean payments and notices of redemption to DTC as the registered holder of the debt securities for distribution to the participants in accordance with DTC’s procedures.

DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain custodial relationships with direct participants, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of debt securities or capital securities within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities or capital securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each debt security or capital security (each a beneficial owner) is in turn to be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records, including Euroclear and Clearstream. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owners purchased their securities. Transfers of ownership interests in the securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in their securities, except in limited circumstances.

Transfers between participants will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

Cross-market transfers between participants, on the one hand, and Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected by DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its respective depository; however, such cross-market transaction will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depository to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the debt securities or capital securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures.

Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a debt security or capital security from a participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear participant or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream, as the case may be) immediately following the DTC settlement date. Cash received in Euroclear or

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Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a debt security or capital security by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a participant in DTC will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following the DTC settlement date.

Links have been established among DTC, Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. to facilitate the initial issuance of the debt securities and capital securities sold outside of the United States and cross-market transfers of the notes associated with secondary market trading.

Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the procedures provided below in order to facilitate transfers, they are under no obligation to perform these procedures, and these procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Clearstream and Euroclear will record the ownership interests of their participants in much the same way as DTC, and DTC will record the total ownership of each of the U.S. agents of Clearstream and Euroclear, as participants in DTC. When debt securities or capital securities are to be transferred from the account of a DTC participant to the account of a Clearstream participant or a Euroclear participant, the purchaser must send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a participant at least one day prior to settlement. Clearstream or Euroclear, as the case may be, will instruct its U.S. agent to receive debt securities or capital securities against payment. After settlement, Clearstream or Euroclear will credit its participant’s account. Credit for the debt securities or capital securities will appear on the next day.

Because settlement is taking place during New York business hours, DTC participants will be able to employ their usual procedures for sending debt securities or capital securities to the relevant U.S. agent acting for the benefit of Clearstream or Euroclear participants. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC seller on the settlement date. As a result, to the DTC participant, a cross-market transaction will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC participants.

When a Clearstream or Euroclear participant wishes to transfer debt securities or capital securities to a DTC participant, the seller will be required to send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a participant at least one business day prior to settlement. In these cases, Clearstream or Euroclear will instruct its U.S. agent to transfer these notes against payment for them. The payment will then be reflected in the account of the Clearstream or Euroclear participant the following day, with the proceeds back-valued to the value date, which would be the preceding day, when settlement occurs in New York. If settlement is not completed on the intended value date, that is, the trade fails, proceeds credited to the Clearstream or Euroclear participant’s account will instead be valued as of the actual settlement date.

You should be aware that you will only be able to make and receive deliveries, payments and other communications involving the debt securities or capital securities through Clearstream and Euroclear on the days when those clearing 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 there may be problems with completing transactions involving Clearstream and Euroclear on the same business day as in the United States.

Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thus eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Transactions may now be settled through Euroclear in many currencies, including U.S. dollars and Japanese yen. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries generally similar to the arrangements for cross-market transfers with DTC.

Euroclear is operated by the Euroclear Operator, under contract with Euroclear Clearance System plc, a U.K. corporation, or the “Euroclear Clearance System”. The Euroclear Operator conducts all

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operations, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not Euroclear Clearance System. The Euroclear Clearance System establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters of the debt securities offered by this prospectus or one or more of their affiliates. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly. Euroclear is an indirect participant in DTC.

The Euroclear Operator is a Belgian bank, which is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking Commission and the National Bank of Belgium.

The Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of Euroclear and applicable Belgian law govern securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator. Specifically, these terms and conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawal of securities and cash from Euroclear and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear.

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

Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear participants in accordance with Euroclear’s terms and conditions, to the extent received by the Euroclear Operator and by Euroclear.

Clearstream was incorporated as a limited liability company under Luxembourg law. Clearstream is owned by Cedel International, société anonyme, and Deutsche Börse AG. The shareholders of these two entities are banks, securities dealers and financial institutions. Clearstream holds securities for its customers and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream customers through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream customers, thus eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to its customers, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities, securities lending and borrowing and collateral management. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in a number of countries. Clearstream has established an electronic bridge with the Euroclear Operator to facilitate settlement of trades between Clearstream and Euroclear.

As a registered bank in Luxembourg, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector. Clearstream participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations. In the United States, Clearstream participants are limited to securities brokers and dealers and banks, and may include the underwriters of the debt securities offered by means of this prospectus or one or more of their affiliates. Other institutions that maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream participant may obtain indirect access to Clearstream. Clearstream is an indirect participant in DTC.

Distributions with respect to the debt securities held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by Clearstream.

DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities or capital securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts such debt securities or

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capital securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners and the voting rights of direct participants, indirect participants and beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to Cede & Co. as the registered holder of the debt securities or capital securities. If less than all of the debt securities are being redeemed, or less than all of a trust’s capital securities are being redeemed, DTC will determine the amount of the interest of each direct participant to be redeemed in accordance with its then current procedures.

Although voting with respect to the debt securities and capital securities is limited to the holders of record of the debt securities and capital securities, respectively, in those instances in which a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with respect to the debt securities or capital securities, as applicable. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to the relevant trustee as soon as possible after the record date. Such omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts such debt securities or capital securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

Distribution payments on the debt securities and capital securities will be made by the relevant trustee to DTC. DTC’s usual practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on such payment date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participant and not of DTC, the relevant trustee, the trust thereof (in the case of capital securities) or State Street, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the responsibility of the relevant trustee, and disbursements of such payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to any of the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the relevant trustee and to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, definitive certificates representing such debt securities are required to be printed and delivered. Additionally, we, at our option, may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor depository). After an event of default, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities may determine to discontinue the system of book-entry transfers through DTC. In any such event, definitive certificates for such debt securities will be printed and delivered.

DTC may also discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to any of the capital securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the relevant trustee and to us. In the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, definitive capital security certificates representing such capital securities are required to be printed or delivered. Additionally, we, at our option, may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor depository). After an event of default, the holders of a majority in liquidation preference of capital securities may determine to discontinue the system of book-entry transfers through DTC. In any such event, definitive certificates for such capital securities will be printed and delivered.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system, Euroclear and Clearstream has been obtained from sources that we and the trusts believe to be accurate, but we and the trusts assume no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. Neither we nor the trusts have any responsibility

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for the performance by DTC or its participants of their respective obligations as described herein or under the rules and procedures governing their respective operations.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We and the trusts may sell securities:

·     to the public through a group of underwriters managed or co-managed by, one or more underwriters, which may be affiliates;

·     through one or more agents, which may be affiliates; or

·     directly to purchasers.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

·     at a fixed price, or prices, which may be changed from time to time;

·     at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

·     at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

·     at negotiated prices.

Each prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the securities and any applicable restrictions.

The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

·     the name of the agent or the name or names of any underwriters;

·     the public offering or purchase price;

·     any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters;

·     all other items constituting underwriting compensation;

·     any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and

·     any exchanges on which the securities will be listed.

Only the agents or underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are agents or underwriters in connection with the securities being offered.

We may agree to enter into an agreement to indemnify the agents and the several underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or to contribute to payments the agents or the underwriters may be required to make.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable

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institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:

·     the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and

·     if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts.

Certain of the underwriters and their associates and affiliates may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, and/or perform services, including investment banking services, for, us or one or more of our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

Certain of the underwriters may use this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement for offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the securities. These underwriters may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale.

The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.

VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the capital securities, the enforceability of the applicable trust agreement and the creation of each trust will be passed upon for State Street and for the trusts by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., special Delaware counsel to State Street and the trusts. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, certain legal matters will be passed upon by Ropes & Gray LLP for State Street and the trusts. Truman S. Casner, a partner of Ropes & Gray LLP, is a director of State Street. Mr. Casner owns beneficially a total of 53,347 shares of common stock of State Street. Ropes & Gray LLP performs services for State Street from time to time. Ropes & Gray LLP will rely on Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. as to all matters of Delaware law.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of State Street Corporation appearing in State Street Corporation’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2005, and State Street Corporation management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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$700,000,000

State Street Corporation

$          % Fixed Rate Notes Due April      , 2017

$       Floating Rate Notes Due April      , 2012

$       Floating Rate Notes Due April      , 2017

Prospectus Supplement

April   , 2007

Sole Book-Running Manager

LEHMAN BROTHERS

MORGAN STANLEY