No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted, and no fractional shares of Common Stock will be purchased. By executing this Letter of Transmittal, the tendering stockholder waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance for payment of the Common Stock.
If the space provided in the box captioned “Description of Common Stock Tendered” above is inadequate, the DRS Transaction Advice Number(s), if available, and/or the number of shares of Common Stock should be listed on a separate signed schedule and attached to this Letter of Transmittal.
3.Partial Tenders (not applicable to stockholders who tender by book-entry delivery). If fewer than all the shares of Common Stock represented or held on the books of The Bank of New York Mellon through its DRS are to be tendered, fill in the number of shares of Common Stock which are to be tendered in the box entitled “Number of Shares of Common Stock Held in the DRS that are Tendered” in the box captioned “Description of Common Stock Tendered” above. In such case, if any tendered Common Stock is purchased, a new DRS Transaction Advice for the remainder of the Common Stock not tendered will be sent to the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration or termination of the Offer. All Common Stock delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
If any tendered Common Stock is not accepted for payment pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Offer for any reason, or if any tendered Common Stock is not accepted because of an invalid tender, or if more Common Stock is tendered than is accepted, or if any tendered Common Stock is properly withdrawn, (i) Common Stock held through the DRS will be returned to your account through the DRS, and ( ii) Common Stock held by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s distribution reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) will be returned to the DRIP account maintained by the transfer agent, in any such case, without charge by the Fund to the tendering stockholder, as soon as practicable following expiration or termination of the Offer or the proper withdrawal of the Common Stock.
4. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Common Stock tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as registered in the DRS without alteration or any change whatsoever.
If any of the Common Stock tendered hereby is held of record by two or more persons, all such persons must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any of the Common Stock tendered hereby is registered in different names on different Direct Registration Accounts, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different accounts.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Common Stock tendered hereby, no separate stock powers are required unless payment of the purchase price is to be made, or Common Stock not tendered or not purchased is to be returned, in the name of any person other than the registered holder(s). Signatures on any such stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
11
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of the Common Stock tendered hereby, the Letter of Transmittal must be accompanied by appropriate stock powers, signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the Direct Registration Accounts for such Common Stock. Signature(s) on any such stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any stock power is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the Fund of the authority of such person so to act must be submitted.
5. Stock Transfer Taxes. The Fund will pay any stock transfer taxes with respect to the sale and transfer of any Common Stock to it or its order pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment of the purchase price is to be made to, or Common Stock not tendered or not purchased are to be returned in the name of, any person other than the registered holder(s), or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the sale or transfer of Common Stock to the Fund pursuant to the Offer, then the amount of any stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s), such other person or otherwise) will be deducted from the purchase price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted herewith.
6. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions (not applicable to stockholders who tender by book-entry delivery). If the check for the purchase price of any Common Stock purchased is to be issued, or any Common Stock not tendered or not purchased or not delivered to the Depositary is to be returned, in the name of a person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or if the check or any Direct Registration Transaction Advice for Common Stock not tendered or not purchased is to be mailed to someone other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal at an address other than that shown above on page 2, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.
7. Substitute Form W-9. Under the federal income tax laws, the Depositary will be required to withhold 28% of the amount of any payments made to certain stockholders pursuant to the Offer. In order to avoid such backup withholding, each tendering stockholder, and, if applicable, each other payee, must provide the Depositary with such stockholder’s or payee’s correct taxpayer identification number and certify that such stockholder or payee is not subject to such backup withholding by completing the Substitute Form W-9 set forth above. In general, if a stockholder or payee is an individual, the taxpayer identification number is the Social Security number of such individual. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct taxpayer identification number, the stockholder or payee may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Certain stockholders or payees (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. In order to satisfy the Depositary that a foreign individual qualifies as an exempt recipient, such stockholder or payee must submit a statement, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that individual’s exempt status. Such statements can be obtained from the Depositary. For further information concerning backup withholding and instructions for completing the Substitute Form W-9 (including how to obtain a taxpayer identification number if you do not have one and how to complete the Substitute Form W-9 if Common Stock is held in more than one name), consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9.
12
Failure to complete the Substitute Form W-9 will not, by itself, cause Common Stock to be deemed invalidly tendered, but may require the Depositary to withhold 28% of the amount of any payments made pursuant to the Offer. Backup withholding is not an additional federal income tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service. NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN IRS PENALTIES AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 28% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
8. Waiver of Conditions. Subject to the Offer to Purchase, the conditions of the Offer may be waived, in whole or in part, by the Fund, at any time and from time to time, in the case of any Common Stock tendered.
9. Irregularities. The Fund will determine, in its sole discretion, all questions as to the number of shares of Common Stock to be accepted, and the validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance for payment of any tender of Common Stock. The Fund’s determination will be final and binding on all parties. The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders it determines not to be in proper form or the acceptance of or payment for which it determines may be unlawful. The Fund also reserves the absolute right to waive any defect or irregularity in the tender of any particular shares of Common Stock or any particular stockholder. No tender of Common Stock will be deemed to be properly made until all defects or irregularities have been cured by the tendering stockholder or waived by the Fund. None of the Fund, the Depositary, the Information Agent, or any other person will be under any duty to give notice of any defects or irregularities in any tender, or incur any liability for failure to give any such notice. The Fund’s interpretation of the terms of and conditions to the Offer, including this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto, will be final and binding. By tendering Common Stock to the Fund, you agree to accept all decisions the Fund makes concerning these matters and waive any right you might otherwise have to challenge those decisions.
10. Odd Lots. If a stockholder owns beneficially or is the registered owner in the aggregate of less than one hundred shares of Common Stock (i.e., an “odd lot”) and tenders all his or her Common Stock, all such Common Stock tendered will be accepted and will not be taken into account in prorating the remaining Common Stock. This preference is not available to partial tenders or to beneficial holders or registered owners of an aggregate of 100 or more shares of Common Stock. In order to qualify for Odd Lot treatment, the section at the beginning of this Letter of Transmittal must be completed.
11. Proration. If a stockholder holds less than one hundred shares of Common Stock (i.e., an “odd lot”) and tenders all his or her Common Stock in accordance with the provisions herein, all such Common Stock tendered will be accepted and will not be taken into account in prorating the remaining Common Stock. The Fund’s determination of the proration factor will be final and binding on all parties. By tendering Common Stock to the Fund, you agree to accept all decisions the Fund makes concerning proration matters and waive any right you might otherwise have to challenge those decisions.
13
12. Procedures for Participants in the DRIP. Stockholders who acquired Common Stock through the DRIP may instruct the Depositary to tender such Common Stock by completing the appropriate section of this Letter of Transmittal. If a stockholder tenders Common Stock acquired through the DRIP, all such Common Stock credited to such stockholder’s account(s) will be tendered unless the stockholder otherwise specifies in this Letter of Transmittal. If a stockholder does not complete the section of this Letter of Transmittal instructing the Depositary to tender Common Stock acquired through the DRIP, no Common Stock acquired by that stockholder through the DRIP will be tendered.
* * * * *
Any questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its addresses and telephone number set forth on the first page of this Letter of Transmittal. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the Information Agent at its addresses and telephone number set forth on the first page of this Letter of Transmittal. Stockholders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.
14
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number for the Payee (You) to Give the Payer.—Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e., 000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give the payer. All “Section” references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. “IRS” is the Internal Revenue Service.
| | Give the SOCIAL SECURITY |
For this type of account: | | NUMBER of— |
1. The individual | | The individual |
| | |
2. Two or more individuals (joint account) | | The actual owner of the account, or if combined funds, the first individual on the account(1) |
| | |
3. Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Transfers/Gift to Minors Act) | | The minor(2) |
| | |
4. a The usual revocable savings trust account (grantor is also trustee) | | The grantor-trustee(1) |
| | |
b So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under State law | | The actual owner(1) |
| | |
5. Sole proprietorship or single-owner limited liability company (“LLC”) | | The owner(3) |
| | EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION |
For this type of account: | | NUMBER of— |
6. A valid trust, estate, or pension trust | | The legal entity(4) |
| | |
7. Corporation or entity electing corporate status on IRS Form 8832 | | The corporation or entity |
| | |
8. Religious, charitable, or educational organization or association, club or other tax-exempt organization | | The organization |
| | |
9. Partnership or multi-member LLC | | The partnership or LLC |
| | |
10. A broker or registered nominee | | The broker or nominee |
| | |
11. Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a State or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments | | The public entity |
15
| (1) | | List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has a social security number, that person’s number must be furnished. |
| |
| (2) | | Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s social security number. |
| |
| (3) | | You must show your individual name, but you may also enter your business or “doing business as” name. You may use either your social security number or your employer identification number (if you have one). If you are a sole proprietor, the IRS encourages you to use your social security number. |
| |
| (4) | | List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension trust. |
(Do not furnish the taxpayer identification number of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.)
Note: | | If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed. |
16
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Obtaining a Number
If you do not have a taxpayer identification number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, at the local Social Security Administration office, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, by calling (800) TAX-FORM, and apply for a number.
Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on all reportable payments include the following:
- An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), an individual retirement account (IRA), or a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7), if the account satisfies the requirements of Section 401(f)(2).
- The United States or a state thereof, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or a political subdivision or wholly-owned agency or instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing.
- An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
- A foreign government and any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof.
Payees that may be specifically exempted from backup withholding include the following:
- A corporation.
- A financial institution.
- A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States.
- A real estate investment trust.
- A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
- An entity registered at all times during the taxable year under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
- A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian.
- A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
- A foreign central bank of issue.
- A trust exempt from tax under Section 664 or described in Section 4947.
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends generally exempt from backup withholding include:
- Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under Section 1441.
- Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the United States and that have at least one nonresident alien partner.
- Payments of patronage dividends not paid in money.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
- Section 404(k) payments made by an ESOP.
Payments of interest generally exempt from backup withholding include:
- Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and you have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.
- Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under section 852).
- Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens.
- Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451.
- Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
- Mortgage interest paid to you.
17
Certain payments, other than payments of interest, dividends, and patronage dividends, that are exempt from information reporting are also exempt from backup withholding. For details, see sections 6041, 6041A, 6042, 6044, 6045, 6049, 6050A and 6050N.
EXEMPT PAYEES DESCRIBED ABOVE MUST FILE FORM W-9 OR A SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 TO AVOID POSSIBLE ERRONEOUS BACKUP WITHHOLDING. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER. FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE “EXEMPT” ON THE FORM, AND RETURN TO THE PAYER. ALSO SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.
Privacy Act Notice.—Section 6109 requires you to provide your correct taxpayer identification number to payers, who must report the payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the number for identification purposes and may also provide this information to various government agencies for tax enforcement or litigation purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 28% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.
Penalties
(1) Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number.—If you fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
(2) Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect To Withholding.—If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.
(3) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information.—Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.
(4) Misuse of Taxpayer Identification Number.—If the requester discloses or uses taxpayer identification numbers in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
18
J0427 09/09