DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        The following description of the debt securities and terms of the indentures is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the debt securities and those portions of the indentures which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our debt securities. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the indentures, and not this summary, which define your rights as a debtholder. There may be other provisions in the indentures which are also important to you. You should read the indentures for a full description of the terms of the debt. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain copies of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture.

        The debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent to which the general provisions described below may apply to such debt securities will be outlined in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        We will issue the senior debt securities under a Senior Indenture, entered into between Allstate and U.S. Bank National Association (as successor in interest to State Street Bank and Trust Company), as trustee, dated December 16, 1997, as amended by a third supplemental indenture dated as of July 23, 1999 and as amended by a sixth supplemental indenture dated as of June 12, 2000 and as may be supplemented by one or more additional supplemental indentures. We will issue the subordinated debt securities under a separate Subordinated Indenture, entered into between Allstate and U.S. Bank National Association (as successor in interest to State Street Bank and Trust Company), as trustee, dated November 25, 1996, as amended by a third supplemental indenture dated as of July 23, 1999 and as amended by a fourth supplemental indenture dated as of June 12, 2000 and as may be supplemented by one or more additional supplemental indentures. The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are sometimes referred to collectively as the "indentures." The trustees under the Senior Indenture and under the Subordinated Indenture are referred to herein as the "indenture trustees."

        In addition, as described under "Description of Depositary Shares," we may, at our option, offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts, each representing a fractional interest in debt securities and deposited with a depositary. The fractional interest in the debt securities which each depositary share represents will be stated in the prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities offered through depositary shares.

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        Numerical references in parentheses below are to sections in the applicable indenture. Wherever we refer to particular sections or defined terms of an indenture, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this description as part of the statement made, and the statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

General

        The indentures provide that we may issue debt securities in separate series from time to time in an unlimited amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series. (Section 301) The debt securities will have terms and provisions that are not inconsistent with the applicable indenture, including our determination as to maturity, principal and interest. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will be our unsecured obligations and will rank on parity with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities will be our unsecured obligations, subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all our senior debt as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Our assets consist primarily of the common stock of AIC and other subsidiaries, and we conduct no substantial business or operations of our own. We derive substantially all of our income from our operating subsidiaries. Accordingly, our cash flows and consequent ability to service our obligations, including our debt securities, are dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries, and distributions of those earnings to us, and other payments or distributions of funds by our subsidiaries to us.

        Except to the extent we or our creditors have a priority or equal claim as a creditor directly against our subsidiaries, payments due on the debt securities and any distribution of assets of any of our subsidiaries upon liquidation or reorganization effectively will be subordinated to the debt and preferred stock of the subsidiaries because, as the common stockholder of those subsidiaries, we will be subject to the prior claims of their creditors. Our debt securities effectively will also be subordinated to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of any such security.

        If subordinated debt securities are issued to a trust in connection with the issuance of trust preferred securities, such subordinated debt securities may thereafter be distributed pro rata to the holders of such trust securities in connection with the dissolution of such trust upon the occurrence of certain events described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        We will prepare a prospectus supplement for each series of debt securities that we issue. Each prospectus supplement will set forth the applicable terms of the debt securities to which it relates. These terms will include some or all of the following:

•

the title of the debt securities;



•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities or the series of which they are a part;



•

the person to whom any interest on any of the debt securities will be payable, if other than the person in whose name that debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for such interest payment;



•

the dates on which the principal of any of the debt securities will be payable;



•

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



•

the places where the principal, interest and premium on any of such debt securities will be payable;



•

the definition of business day;

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•

the periods within which, the prices at which and the terms on which any debt securities may be redeemed at our option and, if other than by a resolution by our Board of Directors, the manner in which any election by us to redeem the debt securities will be evidenced;



•

any obligation we have to redeem or purchase any of the debt securities out of any sinking fund or, at the option of the holder, the periods within which, the prices and terms on which any of such debt securities will be redeemed or purchased;



•

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



•

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



•

if other than the currency of the United States, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal, interest or premium on any of the debt securities will be payable;



•

if the principal, interest or premium on any of the debt securities is to be payable, at our election or the election of the holder, in one or more currencies other than those in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the currencies in which payment of the principal, interest and premium on the debt securities as to which such election is made will be payable, the periods within which and the terms upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable;



•

if other than the entire principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities which will be payable upon trust agreement of acceleration of the maturity thereof;



•

if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any of the debt securities is not determinable upon original issuance, the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount of the debt securities for any other purpose thereunder or under the applicable indenture including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any date (or, in any such case, any manner in which such principal amount is to be determined);



•

any trustee (other than U.S. Bank National Association), depositary, authenticating or paying agent, transfer agent, registrar or other agent with respect to the debt securities;



•

if applicable, the extent to which the debt securities are defeasible, that is, capable of being made void;



•

whether any of the debt securities will be issuable in the form of global securities;



•

the terms and conditions of any obligation or right we would have or any option you would have to convert or exchange the debt securities into other securities or cash;



•

any addition to or change in the events of default applicable to any of the debt securities and any change in the right of an indenture trustee or the holders to declare the principal amount of any debt securities due and payable;



•

any addition to or change in the covenants described under "Certain Covenants with Respect to Senior Debt Securities" and "Certain Covenants with Respect to Subordinated Debt Securities" applicable to any of such debt securities; and



•

any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable indenture but which may modify or delete any provision of the indenture insofar as it applies to such series; provided that no term of any indenture may be modified or deleted if imposed under the Trust Indenture Act and that any modification or deletion of the rights, duties or

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immunities of the applicable indenture trustee shall have been consented to in writing by the indenture trustee.

(Section 301)

        Debt securities, including original issue discount securities, may be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities sold at an original issue discount or which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Form, Exchange And Transfer

        The debt securities of a series shall be issued as registered securities, unless a supplemental indenture, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement, provides that debt securities of a series may be issued as bearer securities (with or without coupons attached) or as both registered securities and bearer securities. Debt securities may be issuable in the form of global debt securities, as described below under "Global Securities."

        Registered securities of any series will be exchangeable for other registered securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. If the supplemental indenture permits debt securities of any series to be issuable as both registered securities and as bearer securities, then at the option of the holder and subject to the terms of the applicable indenture, bearer securities of such series will be exchangeable for registered securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any bearer security surrendered in exchange for a registered security between a record date or a special record date for defaulted interest and the relevant date for payment of interest will be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for payment of interest and interest represented by that coupon will not be payable in respect of the registered security issued in exchange for such bearer security, but will be payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture. Bearer securities will not be issued in exchange for registered securities.

        No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the security registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We have appointed the applicable indenture trustee as security registrar. Any transfer agent (in addition to the security registrar) initially designated by us for any debt securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Section 305)

        At any time, we may designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series. (Section 1002)

        In the event that we redeem in part debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

•

issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security of that series, or of that series and specified terms, as the case may be, during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 business days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such debt security selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing; or



•

register the transfer of or exchange any debt security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any such debt security being redeemed in part.

(Section 305)

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Global Securities

        The debt securities of any series may be represented by global securities which will have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of the debt securities they represent. We will deposit the debt securities with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. Each global security will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer as may be provided by the indentures. The depositary shall at all times be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). (Section 101)

        No global security may be exchanged for debt securities registered, and no transfer of a global security may be registered, in the name of any person other than the depositary for such global security unless:

•

the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such global security or has ceased to be qualified to act as such as required by the applicable indenture;



•

there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default with respect to the debt securities represented by such global security; or



•

there shall exist such circumstances as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        All debt securities issued in exchange for a global security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the depositary may direct. (Section 305) The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of debt securities take physical delivery of such debt securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

        As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered holder of a global security, the depositary or such nominee, will be considered the sole owner and holder of such global security and the debt securities represented by it. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have such global security or any debt securities represented thereby registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated debt securities in exchange therefor and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of such global security or any debt securities represented thereby for any purpose under the debt securities or the applicable indenture. All payments of principal, interest and premium on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as its holder.

        Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or to persons that may hold beneficial interests through institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or any such participant. Payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in a global security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the depositary from time to time. Neither Allstate, any indenture trustee or any agent of Allstate or of any indenture trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the depositary or any participant's records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the depositary's records or any participant's records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Payment And Paying Agents

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name such debt security is

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registered at the close of business on the record date for such interest, except in the case of defaulted interest. (Section 307)

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, interest and premium on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time. Notwithstanding, at our option, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears in the security register.

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a paying agent designated by us and located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York will act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. All paying agents initially designated by us for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series. (Section 1002)

        All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for the payment of the principal, interest or premium on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us upon request, and the holder of such debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof. (Section 1003)

Conversion or Exchange

        We may convert or exchange the debt securities into our common stock or other securities. If so, we will describe the specific terms on which the debt securities may be converted or exchanged in the applicable prospectus supplement. The conversion or exchange may be mandatory, at your option, or at our option. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the manner in which the shares of our common stock or other securities you would receive would be converted or exchanged.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

        Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to the subordinated debt securities.

        To the extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, the subordinated debt securities will be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness. (Section 1401 of the Subordinated Indenture) In the event of an insolvency, the holders of senior indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due in respect of all senior indebtedness (or provisions shall be made for such payment in cash) before the holders of subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any distribution on account of principal, interest or premium on subordinated debt securities. Consequently, the holders of senior indebtedness shall be entitled to receive all distributions of any kind which may be deliverable in respect of the subordinated debt securities in any insolvency, including any distribution which may be deliverable by reason of the payment of any of our other indebtedness being subordinated to the payment of subordinated debt securities. The holders of senior indebtedness shall apply such distributions to the payment of the senior indebtedness.

        "Insolvency" means any of the following events:

•

any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding, relative to us or to our creditors, or to our assets; or

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•

any liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up of Allstate, whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy; or



•

any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshaling of our assets and liabilities. (Section 1403 of the Subordinated Indenture)

        By reason of such subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency, our creditors may recover less, ratably, than holders of senior debt securities and may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the subordinated debt securities.

        In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities, the holders of all senior debt securities outstanding at the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the senior debt securities before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment of principal, interest or premium on the subordinated debt securities. (Section 1404 of the Subordinated Indenture)

        No payment of principal, interest or premium on the subordinated debt securities is permitted if any of our senior indebtedness is not paid when due and any applicable grace period with respect to such default has ended and such default has not been cured or waived or ceased to exist, or if the maturity of any of our senior indebtedness has been accelerated because of a default. (Section 1402 of the Subordinated Indenture)

        The Subordinated Indenture does not limit or prohibit the issuance of additional senior debt securities, which may include indebtedness that is senior to the subordinated debt securities, but subordinate to our other obligations.

        The term "Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to Allstate:

•

the principal, interest and premium in respect of our indebtedness for borrowed money and indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by us;



•

all of our capital lease obligations;



•

all of our obligations issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all of our conditional sale obligations and all of our obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business);



•

all of our obligations for the reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction;



•

all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons for the payment of which we are responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and



•

all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons secured by any lien on any of our property or assets whether or not such obligation is assumed by us, except for:



•

any such indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated to or ranks equal with the subordinated debt securities; and



•

any indebtedness between or among us or our affiliates (including all other debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt securities) issued to any of our wholly owned trust subsidiaries or any trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with us that is our financing vehicle in connection with the issuance by such financing entity of preferred securities unless otherwise expressly provided in the terms of such debt securities.

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Such senior indebtedness shall continue to be senior indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such senior indebtedness. (Sections 101 and 1408 of the Subordinated Indenture)

        The prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions applicable to the subordination of the subordinated debt securities of a particular series.

Certain Covenants With Respect To Senior Debt Securities

        Limitation on Liens of Stock of AIC.     The Senior Indenture prohibits us and our subsidiaries from directly or indirectly creating, assuming, incurring or permitting to exist any indebtedness secured by any lien on the capital stock of AIC unless the senior debt securities shall be secured equally and ratably with such indebtedness for at least the time period such indebtedness is so secured. (Section 1008 of the Senior Indenture)

        "Indebtedness" is defined in the Senior Indenture as the principal, premium and interest due on indebtedness of a person, whether outstanding on the date of such indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is indebtedness for borrowed money, and any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness. For purposes of this definition, "indebtedness for borrowed money" means:

•

any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, such person for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments;



•

any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, such person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar written instruments, including obligations assumed or incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses, provided, however, that the deferred purchase price of any property, assets or business shall not be considered indebtedness if the purchase price thereof is payable in full within 90 days from the date on which such indebtedness was created; and



•

any obligations of such person as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles and leases of property or assets made as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which such person is a party.

        For purposes of this covenant only, indebtedness also includes any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, any person for the payment of amounts due under a swap agreement or similar instrument or agreement, or under a foreign currency hedge exchange or similar instrument or agreement. (Sections 101 and 1008 of the Senior Indenture)

        Limitations on Disposition of Stock of AIC.     Subject to limited exceptions, the Senior Indenture provides that as long as any senior debt securities are outstanding, we will not issue, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of, securities convertible into, or warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of, capital stock of AIC, other than preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind, and that we will not permit AIC to issue any shares of, or securities convertible into, or warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of, capital stock of AIC, other than preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind if, after giving effect to any such transaction and the issuances of the maximum number of shares issuable upon the conversion or exercise of all such convertible securities, warrants, rights or options, we would own, directly or indirectly, less than 80% of the shares of AIC, other than preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind. The Senior Indenture also requires that any such issuance, sale, transfer or other disposition by AIC must be made for at least a fair market value consideration, as determined by our Board of Directors in good faith, and that the foregoing shall not prohibit any such issuance or disposition of securities if required by any law or any regulation or order of any governmental or insurance regulatory authority

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        Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may merge or consolidate AIC into or with another direct wholly owned subsidiary and we may, subject to the provisions set forth in "Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" below, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the entire capital stock of AIC at one time for at least a fair market value consideration as determined by our Board of Directors in good faith. (Section 1009 of the Senior Indenture)

Certain Covenants with Respect to Subordinated Debt Securities

        If subordinated debt securities are issued to a trust in connection with the issuance of trust securities and there has occurred an event of default under the applicable trust agreement, we are in default with respect to our payment of any obligations under the related preferred securities guarantee or common securities guarantee or we have given notice of our election to defer payments of interest on subordinated debt securities by extending the interest payment period as provided in the Subordinated Indenture, then we shall not:

•

declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to any of our capital stock;



•

make any guarantee payments with respect to our capital stock; or



•

make any payment of principal, interest, or premium on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) that rank equal with or junior to such subordinated debt securities.

        However, in such circumstances, we may:

•

declare and pay dividends on, or make distributions with respect to, our capital stock payable in our common stock;



•

redeem or repurchase any rights, declare a dividend of any rights or issue any security under any rights plan then in effect;



•

purchase or acquire shares of our common stock in order to satisfy our obligations under any employee benefit plan;



•

carry out any reclassification of our capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of our capital stock for another class or series of our capital stock; and



•

purchase 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.

(Section 1008 of the Subordinated Indenture)

        If subordinated debt securities are issued to a trust in connection with the issuance of trust securities, for so long as such securities remain outstanding, we covenant to:

•

directly or indirectly maintain 100% ownership of the common securities of such trust; provided, however, that any permitted successor under the applicable indenture may succeed to our ownership of such common securities;



•

use our reasonable efforts to cause such trust to remain a statutory business trust, except in connection with the distribution of subordinated debt securities to the holders of trust preferred securities in liquidation of such trust, the redemption of all of the trust securities of such trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the trust agreement of such trust, and to continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes; and

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•

use our reasonable efforts to cause each holder of trust preferred securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the subordinated debt securities.

(Section 1009 of the Subordinated Indenture)

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

        Without the consent of the holders of any of the outstanding debt securities under the indentures, we may consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets to any person and may permit any person to consolidate with or merge into us. However, in such event, any successor person must be a corporation, partnership, or trust organized and validly existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and must assume our obligations on the debt securities and under the applicable indenture. We agree that after giving effect to the transaction, 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 and that certain other conditions are met; provided such provisions will not be applicable to the direct or indirect transfer of the stock, assets or liabilities of any of our subsidiaries to another of our direct or indirect subsidiaries. (Section 801)

        Except as provided in this prospectus or as may otherwise be provided in the accompanying prospectus supplement, there are no "event risks" or similar provisions of the indentures or the debt securities that are intended to afford protection to holders in the event of a merger or other significant corporate event involving us or our subsidiaries.

Outstanding Debt Securities

        "Outstanding," when used with respect to debt securities, means, as of the date of determination, all debt securities authenticated and delivered under the applicable indenture, except:

•

debt securities canceled by the indenture trustee or delivered to the indenture trustee for cancellation;



•

debt securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been deposited with the indenture trustee or any paying agent (other than us) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by us (if we shall act as its own paying agent) for the holders of such debt securities and, if such debt securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been given according to the applicable indenture or provisions satisfactory to the indenture trustee have been made;



•

debt securities as to which defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 1302 of the applicable indenture; and



•

debt securities which have been paid pursuant to the applicable indenture or in exchange for or in lieu of which other debt securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the applicable indenture, other than any debt securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the indenture trustee proof satisfactory to it that such debt securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such debt securities are our valid obligations.

        Each indenture provides that in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding debt securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the applicable indenture:

•

the principal amount of an original issue discount security that shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the maturity to such date;

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•

the principal amount of a debt security denominated in one or more foreign currencies which shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of the date of original issuance of such debt security in the manner provided by the applicable indenture, of the principal amount of such debt security (or, in the case of an original issue discount security, of the amount determined as provided above);



•

if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any debt security is not determinable upon original issuance, the principal amount of such debt security that is deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount as specified by the applicable indenture; and



•

debt securities beneficially owned by us or any other obligor upon the debt securities or any of our affiliates or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the applicable indenture trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only debt securities which a responsible officer of the indenture trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.

        Debt securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the applicable indenture trustee the pledgee's right to act with respect to the debt securities and that the pledgee is not us or any other obligor upon the debt securities or any of our affiliates or of such other obligor. (Section 101)

Events of Default

        The following are events of default under the applicable indenture with respect to debt securities of any series:

•

we fail to pay the principal or premium on any debt security of that series when due;



•

we fail to pay any interest on any debt securities of that series when due, continued for 30 days;



•

we fail to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any debt security of that series;



•

we fail to perform any other covenant of ours in the applicable indenture, other than a covenant included in the applicable indenture solely for the benefit of a series other than that series, continued for 60 days after written notice has been given by the indenture trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, as provided in the applicable indenture;



•

in the event subordinated debt securities are issued to a trust in connection with the issuance of trust preferred securities, the dissolution, winding-up or termination of such trust, except in connection with the distribution of subordinated debt securities to the holders of trust preferred securities in liquidation of such trust, the redemption of all of the trust preferred securities of such trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations permitted by the trust agreement of such trust; and



•

certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

(Section 501)

        Each indenture provides that if an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series at the time outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the indenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. However, after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, under

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certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived. (Section 502) For information as to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver."

        Subject to the provisions of the applicable indenture relating to the duties of the indenture trustee in case an event of default shall occur and be continuing, the indenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless such holders shall have offered to the indenture trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603) Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the indenture trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the indenture trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the indenture trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 512)

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

•

such holder has previously given written notice to the indenture trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series;



•

the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series shall have made proper written request to the indenture trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default in its own name as trustee under the applicable indenture;



•

such holder or holders have offered to the indenture trustee reasonable indemnity against costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;



•

the indenture trustee has failed to institute such proceeding for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request or offer of indemnity; and



•

no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the indenture trustee during the 60-day period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series.

(Section 507)

        However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security for the enforcement of payment of the principal, interest or premium on such debt security on or after the due dates expressed in the debt security. (Section 508)

        Annually, we are required to furnish to each indenture trustee a statement by certain of our officers as to whether we are in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms of the applicable indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults. (Section 1004)

Modification and Waiver

        We and the trustee under each indenture may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, amend, waive or supplement the indenture for specified purposes, including to:

•

cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in an indenture, provided that the cure or correction does not adversely affect the holders of such debt securities;



•

secure any debt securities;



•

add covenants or any additional events of default for the protection of the holders of debt securities;

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•

add provisions to permit or facilitate the issuance of bearer securities (with or without coupons attached);



•

establish the forms or terms of debt securities of any series;



•

evidence the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations;



•

evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee; or



•

conform any provision in an indenture to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

(Section 901)

        Each of the indentures provide that we and the applicable indenture trustee may modify and amend the applicable indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

•

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security except to the extent provided in a prospectus supplement;



•

reduce the principal amount of or any premium or interest on any debt security;



•

reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security or any other debt security payable upon acceleration of the maturity;



•

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



•

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



•

reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the applicable indenture;



•

reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or



•

modify such provisions with respect to modification and waivers.

(Section 902)

        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the applicable indenture. (Section 1010 of the Senior Indenture and Section 1011 of the Subordinated Indenture) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default under the applicable indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and provisions of the applicable indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such series affected. (Section 513)

        We will be entitled, except in certain limited circumstances, to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding debt securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by the applicable indenture. To be effective, any such action for which we have set a record date must be taken by holders of the requisite principal amount of debt securities of the relevant series outstanding on such record date within 180 days after the record date, or within such shorter period as we may specify. (Section 104)

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Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

        We may elect, at our option, to have the provisions of Section 1302, relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, or Section 1303, relating to defeasance of certain covenants in the indentures, apply to the debt securities of any series, or to any specified part of a series. (Section 1301)

        Defeasance And Discharge.     Each indenture provides that we may elect to be discharged from obligations with respect to any particular debt securities. Such discharge will take effect when we deposit in trust for the benefit of the holders of such debt securities money or U.S. government obligations, or both which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal, interest and premium on such debt securities in accordance with their terms. However, such discharge shall not apply to our obligations to exchange or register the transfer of debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys in trust. Such defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the indenture trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that holders of the debt securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge were not to occur. (Sections 1302 and 1304)

        Defeasance Of Certain Covenants.     Each indenture provides that we may elect to defease certain covenants with respect to any particular debt securities. Such defeasance will take effect when we deposit, in trust for the benefit of the holders of such debt securities, money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal, interest and premium on such debt securities in accordance with their terms. Such defeasance may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the indenture trustee an opinion of counsel stating that holders of the debt securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance were not to occur. In the event we exercise this option with respect to any debt securities and such debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and U.S. government obligations so deposited in trust will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of their stated maturities but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities upon any acceleration resulting from such event of default. In such case, we will remain liable for such payments. (Sections 1303 and 1304)

Notices

        Notices to holders of debt securities will be given by mail to the addresses of such holders as they may appear in the security register. (Sections 101 and 106)

Title

        Allstate, the applicable indenture trustee and any agent of Allstate or the indenture trustee may treat the person in whose name a debt security is registered as the absolute owner for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308)

Governing Law

        The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York. (Section 112)

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Regarding the Indenture Trustee

        U.S. Bank National Association, which is the trustee under the indentures described in this prospectus, performs other services for us and our affiliates.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        The following description of our capital stock is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of our capital stock which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our capital stock. You should keep in mind, however, that it is our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and our Amended and Restated Bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law, and not this summary, which define your rights as a securityholder. There may be other provisions in these documents which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of our capital stock. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.

        Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes us to issue 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of March 30, 2012, there were 493,024,376 shares of common stock outstanding and we had no preferred stock issued or outstanding.

        The particular terms of the common stock or preferred stock offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent to which the general provisions described below may apply to such common stock or preferred stock will be outlined in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Common Stock

        Outstanding shares of our common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol "ALL." All outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock issued under this prospectus, will be, fully paid and non-assessable.

        Dividends.     Subject to the prior rights of the holders of shares of preferred stock that may be issued and outstanding, none of which are currently outstanding, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors. The issuance of dividends will depend upon, among other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors, our financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, future prospects, changes in tax or other applicable laws relating to the treatment of dividends and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends that apply under applicable insurance laws. Dividends may be paid in cash, stock or other form. Each such dividend shall be payable to holders of record as they appear on our stock books on such record dates as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

        Voting Rights.     Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters presented to a vote at a stockholders meeting, including the election of directors. The holders of common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights. Directors are elected if they receive the vote of the majority of the votes cast at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present. A majority of votes cast means the number of shares voted "for" a director exceeds 50% of the votes cast with respect to that director's election. Votes cast shall include votes to withhold authority in each case and exclude abstentions. Except as otherwise provided in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws or as required by law, all other matters can be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at a meeting and entitled to vote on the matter.

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        Liquidation Rights.     In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Allstate, the holders of common stock will share equally in the assets remaining after creditors and preferred stockholders are paid.

        Other Rights.     The holders of common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of common stock or other securities and there are no conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to the common stock.

Preferred Stock

        We are authorized to issue up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which is currently issued and outstanding. Our Board of Directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of the preferred stock in a series, to establish or change the number of shares to be included in each series and to fix the designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of each series, subject to such limitations as may be prescribed by law. In particular, our Board of Directors is authorized, without limitation, to determine the number of shares, the designation of the series, the dividend rate, voting rights, conversion and exchange rights, redemption provisions, liquidation rights and sinking fund provisions, all without further action by our stockholders. The rights of holders of the preferred stock offered may be adversely affected by the rights of holders of any shares of preferred stock that may be issued in the future. Our Board of Directors may cause shares of preferred stock to be issued in public or private transactions for any proper corporate purpose. Examples of proper corporate purposes include issuances to obtain additional financing in connection with acquisitions or otherwise, and issuances to officers, directors and employees of Allstate and its subsidiaries pursuant to benefit plans or otherwise. Shares of preferred stock issued by us may have the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging an acquisition of Allstate deemed undesirable by our Board of Directors.

        We will describe the terms, if any, on which shares of any series of preferred stock are convertible or exchangeable into our common stock or other securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering. The conversion or exchange may be mandatory, at your option or at our option. The applicable prospectus supplement will state the manner in which the shares of our common stock or other securities that you will receive as a holder of preferred stock would be converted or exchanged.

        The preferred stock will be fully paid and non-assessable. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, holders of preferred stock will not have preemptive or subscription rights to acquire more of our stock. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will have preference over our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of a liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of Allstate. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, each series of preferred stock will rank on a parity with each other series of preferred stock.

        In addition, as described under "Description of Depositary Shares," we may, at our option, instead of offering whole individual shares of any series of preferred stock, offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts, each representing a fraction of a share or some multiple of shares of the particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The fraction of a share of preferred stock which each depositary share represents will be stated in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock offered through depositary shares.

        Dividends.     Holders of shares of the preferred stock of each series shall be entitled to receive, as and when declared by our Board of Directors, cash or other dividends at such rates and on such dates as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each such dividend shall be payable to holders of record as they appear on our stock books or, if applicable, the records of the depositary referred to below under "Description of Depositary Shares," on such record dates as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

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        Dividends on any series of the preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our Board of Directors fails to declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of the preferred stock for which dividends are noncumulative, then the holders of such series of the preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of the dividend period ending on such dividend payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for such period, whether or not dividends on such series are declared payable on any future dividend payment date.

        Liquidation Rights.     In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Allstate, the holders of preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of our assets, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common stock, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation price per share, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Allstate, the amounts payable with respect to the preferred stock and any other shares of our stock ranking as to any such distribution on a parity with the preferred stock are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock and of such other shares will share ratably in any such distribution of our assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution the holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by us. A consolidation or merger of Allstate with or into any other corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Allstate shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Allstate.

        Redemption.     The preferred stock will be redeemable at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may not purchase or redeem any of the outstanding shares of any series of preferred stock unless full cumulative dividends, if any, have been paid or declared and set apart for payment upon all outstanding shares of any series of preferred stock for all past dividend periods, and unless all of our matured obligations with respect to all sinking funds, retirement funds or purchase funds for all series of preferred stock then outstanding have been met.

        Voting Rights.     The holders of the preferred stock will have no voting rights, except:

•

as otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement;



•

as otherwise stated in the certificate of designation establishing such series; and



•

as required by applicable law.

Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws that May Delay or Make More Difficult Unsolicited Acquisitions or Changes of Our Control

        Some provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws may delay or make more difficult unsolicited acquisitions or changes of our control. We believe that these provisions will enable us to develop our business in a manner that will foster long-term growth without disruption caused by the threat of a takeover not thought by our Board of Directors to be in the best interests of Allstate and its stockholders.

        Those provisions could have the effect of discouraging third parties from making proposals involving an unsolicited acquisition or change of control of our company, although the proposals, if made, might be considered desirable by a majority of our stockholders. Those provisions may also have the effect of making it more difficult for third parties to cause the replacement of our current management without the concurrence of our Board of Directors.

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        These provisions include:

•

our Amended and Restated Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before annual or special stockholders meetings;



•

special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by (i) the Secretary upon the written request of stockholders owning not less than 20% of all outstanding common stock, in accordance with the applicable requirements and procedures of the Amended and Restated Bylaws or (ii) the chairman of the Board of Directors; and



•

stockholders may not act by written consent. All actions required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders must be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders.

        In addition, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Generally, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" during the three years after the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A "business combination" includes a merger, asset sale or a transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is a person, who together with affiliates and associates, owns (or, in certain cases, within the preceding three years, did own) 15% or more of the corporation's outstanding voting stock. Under Section 203, a business combination between us and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:

•

before the stockholder became an interested stockholder, our Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;



•

upon the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding, for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and officers; or



•

the business combination is approved by our Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by at least 66 ² / 3 % of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Limitations on Liability

        Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits our directors' liability to the fullest extent permitted by law. Generally, our directors will not be held liable for their actions. However, they will be held liable for:

•

a breach of their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;



•

acts or omissions not in good faith or in a way which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;



•

payment of an improper dividend or improper repurchase of our stock; or



•

acting or not acting for improper personal benefit.

        Because of these limitations on liability, our stockholders may not sue one of our directors for money unless the stockholder can show the director committed one of the offenses listed above. These provisions do not affect our directors' liability under federal securities laws. Also, our directors still have a duty of care. The limitation of our directors' liability may discourage or deter stockholders or management from suing directors for a breach of their duties, even though such an action, if successful,

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might otherwise have benefited us or our stockholders. This limitation on our directors' liability should not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctions or rescissions based upon a director's breach of his or her duty of care.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

        The following description of the depositary shares and the terms of the deposit agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the depositary shares and those portions of the deposit agreement that we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our depositary shares. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the deposit agreement, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a holder of depositary shares. There may be other provisions in the deposit agreement that are also important to you. You should read the deposit agreement for a full description of the terms of the depositary shares. The form of the deposit agreement is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the deposit agreement.

        The particular terms of the depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent to which the general provisions described below may apply to such depositary shares will be outlined in the applicable prospectus supplement.

General

        We may choose to offer fractional interests in debt securities or fractional shares of our common stock or preferred stock. If we decide to do so, we will issue fractional interests in debt securities, or fractional shares of our common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share would represent a fractional interest in a security of a particular series of debt securities or a fraction of a share of common stock or of a particular series of preferred stock, as the case may be, and would be evidenced by a depositary receipt.

        We will deposit the debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock represented by depositary shares under a deposit agreement between us and a depositary which we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, as an owner of a depositary share you will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a debt security or share of common stock or preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the debt security, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary share, including, as the case may be, interest, dividend, voting, conversion, redemption, sinking fund, repayment at maturity, subscription and liquidation rights.

Interest, Dividends and Other Distributions

        The depositary will distribute all payments of interest, cash dividends or other cash distributions received on the debt securities or preferred stock, as the case may be, to you in proportion to the number of depositary shares that you own.

        In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to you in an equitable manner, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make a distribution. In that case, the depositary may sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to you.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

        If we redeem a debt security, common stock or series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the depositary will redeem your depositary shares from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the

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applicable fraction of the redemption price per debt security or share of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, payable in relation to the redeemed series of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock. Whenever we redeem debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing, as the case may be, fractional interests in the debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot, proportionately or by any other equitable method as the depositary may determine.

Exercise of Rights under the Indentures or Voting the Common Stock or Preferred Stock

        Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which you are entitled to vote, or of any request for instructions or directions from you as a holder of fractional interests in debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, the depositary will mail to you the information contained in that notice. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary how to give instructions or directions with respect to the debt securities represented by that holder's depositary shares or how to vote the amount of the common stock or preferred stock represented by that holder's depositary shares. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be. The depositary will endeavor, to the extent practicable, to give instructions or directions with respect to the debt securities or to vote the amount of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions. We will agree to take all reasonable action which the depositary may deem necessary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from giving instructions or directions with respect to your fractional interests in the debt securities or voting shares of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, if it does not receive specific instructions from you.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

        We and the depositary may amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement at any time. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of the depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding.

        The deposit agreement will terminate if:

•

all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed;



•

if applicable, the debt securities and the preferred stock represented by depository shares have been converted into or exchanged for our common stock; or



•

there has been a complete repayment or redemption of the debt securities or a final distribution in respect of the common stock or preferred stock, including in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, and the repayment, redemption or distribution proceeds, as the case may be, have been distributed to you.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

        The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so. We also may, at any time, remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. We must appoint the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. The successor

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depositary 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.

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 debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, and issuance of depositary receipts, all withdrawals of depositary shares of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, by you and any repayment or redemption of the debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be. You will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges, as well as the other charges that are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for your account.

Miscellaneous

        The depositary will forward all reports and communications from us which are delivered to the depositary and which we are required or otherwise determine to furnish to holders of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be.

        Neither we nor the depositary will be liable under the deposit agreement to you other than for its gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceedings relating to any depositary shares, debt securities, common stock or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock for deposit, you or other persons believed to be competent and on documents which we and the depositary believe to be genuine.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        The following description of the warrants and terms of the warrant agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the warrants and those portions of the warrant agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in our warrants. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to the warrants, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a warrantholder. There may be other provisions in the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to the warrants which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of the warrants. Forms of these documents are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.

        We may issue warrants for the purchase of our debt securities, preferred stock or common stock or units of two or more of these types of securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock and may be attached to or separate from these securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement that we will describe in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants that we offer.

Debt Warrants

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of warrants to purchase debt securities that we may offer, the warrant agreement relating to the debt warrants and the warrant certificates representing the debt warrants. These terms will include the following:

•

the title of the debt warrants;



•

the aggregate number of the debt warrants;

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•

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



•

the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the debt warrants;



•

if applicable, the number of warrants issued with a specified principal amount of debt securities or with other securities, including shares of preferred stock or common stock;



•

the date, if any, on and after which such debt warrants and the related debt securities will be separately transferable;



•

the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of each debt warrant and the price at which such principal amount of debt securities may be purchased;



•

the date on which the right to exercise such debt warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;



•

whether the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of such debt warrants are original issue discount debt securities, and discussion of applicable federal income tax considerations; and



•

any other material terms of the debt warrants and terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exercise of the debt warrants.

        We will also describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any provisions for a change in the exercise price or the expiration date of the debt warrants and the kind, frequency and timing of any notice to be given. You may exchange debt warrant certificates for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and may exercise debt warrants at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office that we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Other Warrants

        We may issue other warrants. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the following terms of those warrants:

•

the title of the warrants;



•

the aggregate number of the warrants;



•

the number of securities purchasable upon exercise of each warrant, and the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;



•

the securities, which may include preferred stock or common stock, for which the warrants are exercisable;



•

the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants;



•

the designation and terms of any related securities issued with the warrants, and the number of warrants issued with each security;



•

the date, if any, on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;



•

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;



•

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



•

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations; and

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•

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

        We will also describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any provisions for a change in the exercise price or the expiration date of the warrants and the kind, frequency and timing of any notice to be given. You may exchange warrant certificates for new warrant certificates of different denominations and may exercise warrants at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office that we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Exercise of Warrants

        Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or other securities, including shares of preferred stock or common stock, at the exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered in the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business of the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

        Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the debt securities or other securities, including shares of preferred stock or common stock, to be purchased upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.

        Prior to the exercise of any warrants to purchase debt securities or other securities, including shares of preferred stock or common stock, holders of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities or other securities, including shares of preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise, including:

•

in the case of warrants for the purchase of debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or any premium or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or



•

in the case of warrants for the purchase of shares of preferred stock or shares of common stock, the right to vote or to receive any payments of dividends on the shares of preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise.

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

        We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating you to purchase from us, and us to sell to you, a specified number of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or other property at a future date or dates. The consideration per share of common stock or preferred stock 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 purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units, often known as stock purchase units, consisting of a stock purchase contract and any combination of:

•

debt securities;



•

common stock;



•

preferred stock;



•

other stock purchase contracts;

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•

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



•

depositary shares representing fractional interests in debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock; or



•

preferred securities or debt obligations of third parties, including United States Treasury securities,

which may secure your obligations to purchase the common stock, preferred stock or other property under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to you or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require you to secure your obligations in a specified manner.

        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 TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

        The following description of the trust preferred securities and the form of trust agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the trust preferred securities and portions of the form of trust agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in the trust preferred securities. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the trust agreement, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a holder. There may be other provisions in the trust agreement which are also important to you. You should read the form of trust agreement itself for a full description of the terms of the preferred securities. The form of trust agreement is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the trust agreement.

        The trust preferred securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The particular terms of the trust preferred securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent to which the general provisions described below may apply to such securities will be outlined in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Each trust may issue, from time to time, only one series of preferred securities. The trust preferred securities will represent preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the related trust. Each of the trusts is a legally separate entity and the assets of one are not available to satisfy the obligations of any of the others. The trust agreement for each trust will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The trust preferred securities will have such terms, including distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation and such other preferred, deferred or other special rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth in the trust agreement or made part of the trust agreement by the Trust Indenture Act, and which will mirror the terms of the subordinated debt securities held by the trust and described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to the preferred securities of any trust for specific terms, including:

•

the distinctive designation of such trust preferred securities;



•

the number of trust preferred securities issued by such trust;



•

the annual distribution rate for trust preferred securities issued by such trust and the dates upon which distributions are payable; provided, however, that distributions on such trust preferred securities are payable on a quarterly basis to holders of the trust preferred securities as of a record date in each quarter during which such trust preferred securities are outstanding;

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•

whether distributions on trust preferred securities issued by such trust are cumulative and the dates from which distributions will be cumulative;



•

the amount which shall be paid out of the assets of such trust to the holders of trust preferred securities upon dissolution of the trust;



•

the obligation or the option of such trust to purchase or redeem trust preferred securities and the prices at which, the periods within which, and the terms upon which, trust preferred securities may be purchased or redeemed;



•

any voting rights of trust preferred securities in addition to those required by law, including the number of votes per trust preferred security and any requirement for the approval by the holders of trust preferred securities as a condition to specified action or amendments to the trust agreement of such trust;



•

the terms and conditions upon which the subordinated debt securities purchased by such trust may be distributed to holders of trust preferred securities;



•

whether any of the trust preferred securities will be issuable in the form of global securities;



•

any securities exchange upon which the trust preferred securities shall be listed; and



•

any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of trust preferred securities issued by such trust not inconsistent with its trust agreement or with applicable law.

        We will guarantee all trust preferred securities offered hereby to the extent set forth below under "Description of Preferred Securities Guarantees." Certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of trust preferred securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        In connection with the issuance of trust preferred securities, each trust will issue one series of common securities having such terms including distributions, redemption, voting and liquidation rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth in its trust agreement. The terms of the common securities will be substantially similar to the terms of the trust preferred securities issued by such trust and the common securities will rank equal with, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the trust preferred securities 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 trust preferred securities. Except in certain limited circumstances, the common securities will carry the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace any of the trustees of a trust. Directly or indirectly, we will own all of the common securities of each trust.

Enforcement Of Certain Rights By Holders Of Preferred Securities

        If an event of default under the trust agreement of a trust occurs and is continuing, then the holders of trust preferred securities of such trust would rely on the enforcement by the property trustee of its rights as a holder of the applicable series of subordinated debt securities against us. In addition, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities of such trust will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the property trustee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the property trustee to exercise the remedies available to it as a holder of the subordinated debt securities. If the property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the trust agreement, a holder of trust preferred securities of such trust may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce the property trustee's rights under the applicable series of subordinated debt securities without first instituting any legal proceeding against the property trustee or any other person or entity.

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        Notwithstanding, if an event of default under the applicable trust agreement has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to our failure to pay principal or interest on the applicable series of subordinated debt securities on the date such principal or interest is otherwise payable or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date, then a holder of trust preferred securities of such trust may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such holder of the principal or interest on the applicable series of subordinated debt securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities of such holder on or after the respective due date specified in the applicable series of subordinated debt securities. In connection with such direct action, we will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of trust preferred securities under the applicable trust agreement to the extent of any payment made by us to such holder of trust preferred securities in such direct action.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES

        The following description of the terms of the preferred securities guarantee is a summary. It summarizes only those portions of the preferred securities guarantee which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in the trust preferred securities. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the preferred securities guarantee, and not this summary, which defines your rights. There may be other provisions in the preferred securities guarantee which are also important to you. You should read the preferred securities guarantee itself for a full description of its terms. The preferred securities guarantee is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the preferred securities guarantee. When we refer in this summary to trust preferred securities, we mean the trust preferred securities issued by a trust to which the preferred securities guarantee relates.

        At the same time as the issuance by a trust of its preferred securities, we will execute and deliver a preferred securities guarantee for your benefit, as a holder of the trust preferred securities. Each preferred securities guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. U.S. Bank National Association will act as the independent preferred guarantee trustee under each preferred securities guarantee for purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of each preferred securities guarantee will be those set forth in such preferred securities guarantee. Each preferred securities guarantee will be held by the preferred guarantee trustee for the benefit of the holders of the trust preferred securities of the applicable trust.

General

        Pursuant to each preferred securities guarantee, we will agree to pay in full on a subordinated basis, to the holders of the trust preferred securities issued by a trust, the following guarantee payments, except to the extent paid by such trust, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which such trust may have or assert. The following payments with respect to trust preferred securities, to the extent not paid by such trust, will be subject to the preferred securities guarantee:

•

any accrued and unpaid distributions which are required to be paid on such trust preferred securities, to the extent such trust has funds available;



•

the redemption price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, which will not be lower than the liquidation amount, and all accrued and unpaid distributions, to the extent such trust has funds available therefor with respect to any trust preferred securities called for redemption by such trust; and



•

upon dissolution, winding-up or termination of such trust other than in connection with the distribution of subordinated debt securities to the holders of trust preferred securities or the redemption of all of the trust preferred securities, the lesser of (1) the aggregate of the

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liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions on such trust preferred securities to the date of payment, to the extent such trust has funds available and (2) the amount of assets of such trust remaining available for distribution to holders of such trust preferred securities in liquidation of such trust.

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

        The preferred securities guarantees will be guarantees on a subordinated basis of the related trust obligations under the preferred securities, but will apply only to the extent that the related trust has funds sufficient to make the payments. The preferred securities guarantees will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection. If we do not make interest payments on the corresponding subordinated debt securities held by the trust, we expect that the trust will not pay distributions on the preferred securities and will not have funds legally available for those payments.

        The preferred securities guarantee, when taken together with our obligations under the subordinated debt securities, the Subordinated Indenture and the trust agreement, including our obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of such trust other than with respect to the trust securities, will provide a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by us of payments due on the trust preferred securities.

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

Status of the Preferred Securities Guarantees

        Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred securities guarantees will constitute our unsecured obligations and will rank:

•

subordinate and junior in right of payment to all our other liabilities;



•

equal with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by us and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by us in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any of our affiliates; and



•

senior to common stock.

        The terms of the trust preferred securities provide that each holder agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of the preferred securities guarantee.

        The preferred securities guarantees will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection; that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against the guarantor to enforce its rights under the guarantee without instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity.

Certain Covenants of Allstate

        In each preferred securities guarantee, we will covenant that, so long as any trust preferred securities issued by the applicable trust remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred any event that would constitute an event of default under such preferred securities guarantee or the trust agreement of such trust, then, unless otherwise set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement, we shall not:

•

declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of our capital stock;

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•

make any guarantee payments with respect to any of our capital stock; or



•

make any payment of principal, interest, or premium on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) that rank equal with or junior to such subordinated debt securities.

        However, in such circumstances we may:

•

declare and pay dividends on, or make distributions with respect to, our capital stock payable in our common stock;



•

redeem or repurchase any rights, declare a dividend of any rights, or issue any security under any rights plan then in effect;



•

purchase or acquire shares of common stock in order to satisfy our obligations under any employee benefit plan;



•

carry out any reclassification of our capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of our capital stock for another class or series of our capital stock; and



•

purchase 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.

Modification of the Preferred Securities Guarantees; Assignment

        Each preferred securities guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding trust preferred securities issued by the applicable trust except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the rights of holders of trust preferred securities in which case no vote will be required. The manner of obtaining any such approval of holders of such trust preferred securities will be as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. All guarantees and agreements contained in a preferred securities guarantee shall bind our successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the trust preferred securities of the applicable trust then outstanding.

Termination

        Each preferred securities guarantee will terminate as to the trust preferred securities issued by the applicable trust:

•

upon full payment of the redemption price of all trust preferred securities of such trust;



•

upon distribution of the subordinated debt securities held by such trust to the holders of the trust preferred securities of such trust; or



•

upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the trust agreement of such trust upon liquidation of such trust.

        Each preferred securities guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of trust preferred securities issued by the applicable trust must restore payment of any sums paid under such trust preferred securities or such preferred securities guarantee.

        The subordination provisions of the subordinated debt securities provide that in the event payment is made on the subordinated debt securities or the preferred securities guarantee in contravention of such provisions, such payments shall be paid over to the holders of senior indebtedness.

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Events of Default

        An event of default under a preferred securities guarantee will occur upon our failure to perform any of our obligations thereunder.

        The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities relating to such preferred securities guarantee have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the preferred guarantee trustee in respect of the guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the preferred guarantee trustee under such trust preferred securities. If the preferred guarantee trustee fails to enforce such preferred securities guarantee, any holder of trust preferred securities relating to such guarantee may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce the preferred guarantee trustee's rights under such guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the relevant trust, the guarantee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding, if we fail to make a guarantee payment, a holder of trust preferred securities may directly institute a proceeding against us for enforcement of the preferred securities guarantee for such payment. We waive any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against such trust or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against us.

Information Concerning the Preferred Guarantee Trustee

        The preferred guarantee trustee, before the occurrence of a default with respect to a preferred securities guarantee, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in such preferred securities guarantee and, after default, shall exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The preferred guarantee trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by a preferred securities guarantee at the request of any holder of preferred securities, unless offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred.

Governing Law

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