Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-236463

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated February 24, 2020)

1,300,000 Depositary Shares

_____________________

Each Representing 1/1000th of a Share of 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock
(Liquidation Preference Equivalent to $25.00 Per Depositary Share)

B. Riley Financial, Inc. is offering 1,300,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/1000th fractional interest in a share of 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), which we refer to in this prospectus as the depositary shares. 1,300 shares of Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as depositary. As a holder of the depositary shares, you will be entitled to all proportional rights, preferences and privileges of the Series B Preferred Stock represented thereby, including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights and preferences. The proportionate liquidation preference of each depositary share is $25.00.

We will pay cumulative distributions on the Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares, from, and including, the date of original issuance, in the amount of $1.84375 per depositary share each year, which is equivalent to 7.375% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per depositary share. Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock will be payable quarterly in arrears, on or about the last day of January, April, July and October of each year (or, if not on a business day, on the next succeeding business day). The first dividend on the depositary shares sold in this offering will be paid on or about October 31, 2020.

Investing in the depositary shares and our preferred stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

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

_____________________

 

Per Share

 

Total

Public offering price(1)

 

$

25.00 

 

$

32,500,000 

Underwriting discount(2)

 

$

0.7875 

 

$

1,023,750 

Proceeds, before expenses, to us(3)

 

$

24.2125 

 

$

31,476,250 

____________

(1)      Plus accrued dividends, if any, from the original date of issue.

(2)     See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)” for a description of all underwriting compensation payable in connection with this offering.

(3)      Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option described below.

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 195,000 depositary shares within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement solely to cover overallotments, if any.

The underwriters expect to deliver the depositary shares to purchasers on or about September 4, 2020.

Book-Running Managers

B. Riley FBR

 

Incapital

 

Ladenburg Thalmann

 

William Blair

Co-Managers

Boenning & Scattergood

 

Aegis Capital Corp.

 

Wedbush Securities

The date of this prospectus supplement is September 1, 2020.

 

Generally, we may not redeem the Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares until September 4, 2025, and except as described below upon the occurrence of a Delisting Event or Change of Control (each as defined herein), as applicable. On or after September 4, 2025, we may, at our option, redeem the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares, in whole or from time to time in part, by paying $25,000.00 per share ($25.00 per depositary share), plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, upon the occurrence of a Delisting Event or a Change of Control (each as defined herein), we may, subject to certain conditions, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares, in whole or in part within 90 days after the first date on which such Delisting Event occurred or within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, as applicable, by paying $25,000.00 per share ($25.00 per depositary share), plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the redemption date. If we exercise any of our redemption rights relating to the Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares, the holders of the depositary shares representing the Series B Preferred Stock will not have the conversion right described below.

Upon the occurrence of a Delisting Event or a Change of Control, as applicable, each holder of a depositary share of the underlying Series B Preferred Stock will have the right (unless, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date (each as defined herein), we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock) to direct the depositary, on such holder’s behalf, to convert some or all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares held by such holder on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, into a number of shares of our common stock per depositary share equal to the lesser of:

•        the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the $25.00 liquidation preference plus the amount of any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable (unless the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, is after a record date for a Series B Preferred Stock dividend payment and prior to the corresponding Series B Preferred Stock dividend payment date, in which case no additional amount for such accumulated and unpaid dividend will be included in this sum) by (ii) the Common Stock Price (as defined herein); and

•        1.8671 (i.e., the “Share Cap”), subject to certain adjustments;

subject, in each case, to the conditions described in this prospectus supplement, including, under specified circumstances, an aggregate cap on the total number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion and to provisions for the receipt of alternative consideration.

The Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares has no maturity date and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless redeemed by us or converted into shares of common stock in connection with a Delisting Event or Change of Control by the holders of the depositary shares representing the Series B Preferred Stock. Investors in the depositary shares generally will have no voting rights, but will have limited voting rights if we fail to pay dividends for six or more quarters (whether or not declared or consecutive) and in certain other events.

We will apply to list the depositary shares on the NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYL.” If the application is approved, we expect trading on the NASDAQ will commence within 30 days after the initial delivery of the depositary shares to the underwriters.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

S-ii

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

S-iii

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

S-1

THE OFFERING

 

S-3

RISK FACTORS

 

S-8

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

S-12

CAPITALIZATION

 

S-13

DESCRIPTION OF SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK AND THE DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

S-14

BOOK ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM

 

S-25

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

S-26

UNDERWRITING (Conflicts of Interest)

 

S-30

EXPERTS

 

S-33

LEGAL MATTERS

 

S-33

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

S-33

Prospectus

 

Page

ABOUT B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.

 

1

RISK FACTORS

 

3

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

3

DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

 

3

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

3

SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

 

4

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

4

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

7

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

8

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

15

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

18

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

19

LEGAL MATTERS

 

21

EXPERTS

 

21

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

21

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

22

S-i

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, provides more general information. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. We urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, before buying any of the securities being offered under this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement may add or update information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein. To the extent that any statement we make in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in the accompanying prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference therein that were filed before the date of this prospectus supplement, the statements made in this prospectus supplement will be deemed to modify or supersede those made in the accompanying prospectus and such documents incorporated by reference therein.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, or incorporated by reference herein or therein. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You should not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus supplement is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume that the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the applicable document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the date of delivery of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or any sale of a security.

As used in this prospectus, unless the context indicates or otherwise requires, “the Company,” “B. Riley,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to the combined business of B. Riley Financial, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

S-ii

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our future financial performance, the growth of the market for our services, expansion plans and opportunities and statements regarding our intended uses of the proceeds of the securities offered hereby. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” “will,” “would,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. The statements we make regarding the following subject matters are forward-looking by their nature: plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other factors discussed in “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus.

The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement reflect our current views about future events, are based on assumptions, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Many important factors could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from any future results or achievements expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements, including the factors listed below. Many of the factors that will determine future events or achievements are beyond our ability to control or predict. Certain of these are important factors that could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from the results or achievements reflected in our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:

•        volatility in our revenues and results of operations;

•        changing conditions in the financial markets;

•        our ability to generate sufficient revenues to achieve and maintain profitability;

•        the unpredictable and ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;

•        the short term nature of our engagements;

•        the accuracy of our estimates and valuations of inventory or assets in “guarantee” based engagements;

•        competition in the asset management business;

•        potential losses related to our auction or liquidation engagements;

•        our dependence on communications, information and other systems and third parties;

•        potential losses related to purchase transactions in our Auction and Liquidations business;

•        the potential loss of financial institution clients;

•        potential losses from or illiquidity of our proprietary investments;

•        changing economic and market conditions;

•        potential liability and harm to our reputation if we were to provide an inaccurate appraisal or valuation;

•        potential mark-downs in inventory in connection with purchase transactions;

•        failure to successfully compete in any of our segments;

•        loss of key personnel;

•        our ability to borrow under our credit facilities as necessary;

•        failure to comply with the terms of our credit agreements;

•        our ability to meet future capital requirements;

S-iii

•        our ability to realize the benefits of our completed and proposed acquisitions, including our ability to achieve anticipated opportunities and operating cost savings, and accretion to reported earnings estimated to result from completed and proposed acquisitions in the time frame expected by management or at all;

•        our ability to promptly and effectively integrate our business with that of magicJack; and

•        the diversion of management time on acquisition-related issues.

The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement reflect our views and assumptions only as of the date of this prospectus supplement. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we assume no responsibility for updating any forward-looking statements nor do we intend to do so. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. The risks included in this section are not exhaustive. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8.

S-iv

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. You should read this summary together with the entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including our financial statements, the notes to those financial statements and the other documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment decision. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement for a discussion of the risks involved in investing in our securities.

Our Business

B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY) and its subsidiaries provide collaborative financial services and solutions through several operating subsidiaries including:

•        B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“BRS”), formerly B. Riley FBR, Inc., is a leading, full service investment bank providing financial advisory, corporate finance, research, securities lending and sales and trading services to corporate, institutional and high net worth individual clients. BRS is currently in the process of transitioning its marketing name from “B. Riley FBR” to “B. Riley Securities”.

•        B. Riley Wealth Management, Inc. provides comprehensive wealth management and brokerage services to individuals and families, corporations and non-profit organizations, including qualified retirement plans, trusts, foundations and endowments.

•        B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, a Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registered investment advisor, which includes:

•        B. Riley Asset Management, an advisor to certain private funds and to institutional and high net worth investors;

•        Great American Capital Partners, LLC (“GACP”), the general partner of two private funds, GACP I, L.P. and GACP II, L.P., both direct lending funds that provide senior secured loans and second lien secured loan facilities to middle market public and private U.S. companies.

•        GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group LLC (“GlassRatner”), a specialty financial advisory services firm that provides consulting services to shareholders, creditors and companies, including due diligence, fraud investigations, corporate litigation support, crisis management and bankruptcy services.

•        Great American Group, LLC, a leading provider of asset disposition and auction solutions to a wide range of retail and industrial clients.

•        Great American Group Advisory and Valuation Services, LLC, a leading provider of appraisal and valuation services for asset based lenders, private equity firms and corporate clients.

We also pursue a strategy of investing in or acquiring companies which we believe have attractive investment return characteristics. We acquired United Online, Inc. (“UOL”) on July 1, 2016 and magicJack VocalTec Ltd. (“magicJack”) on November 14, 2018 as part of our principal investment strategy.

•        UOL is a communications company that offers consumer subscription services and products, consisting of Internet access services and devices under the NetZero and Juno brands primarily sold in the United States.

•        magicJack is a Voice over IP (“VoIP”) cloud-based technology and services communications provider.

BR Brand, in which the Company owns a majority interest, provides licensing of a brand investment portfolio. BR Brand owns the assets and intellectual property related to licenses of six brands: Catherine Malandrino, English Laundry, Joan Vass, Kensie Girl, Limited Too and Nanette Lepore

We are headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in major cities throughout the United States including New York, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Memphis, Metro Washington D.C. and West Palm Beach.

S-1

For financial reporting purposes we classify our businesses into five operating segments: (i) Capital Markets, (ii) Auction and Liquidation, (iii) Valuation and Appraisal, (iv) Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack and (v) Brands.

Capital Markets Segment.    Our Capital Markets segment provides a full array of investment banking, corporate finance, consulting, financial advisory, research, securities lending, wealth management and sales and trading services to corporate, institutional and high net worth clients. Our corporate finance and investment banking services include merger and acquisitions as well as restructuring advisory services to public and private companies, initial and secondary public offerings, and institutional private placements. In addition, we trade equity securities as a principal for our account, including investments in funds managed by our subsidiaries. Our Capital Markets segment also includes our asset management businesses that manage various private and public funds for institutional and individual investors.

Auction and Liquidation Segment.    Our Auction and Liquidation segment utilizes our significant industry experience, a scalable network of independent contractors and industry-specific advisors to tailor our services to the specific needs of a multitude of clients, logistical challenges and distressed circumstances. Furthermore, our scale and pool of resources allow us to offer our services across North American as well as parts of Europe, Asia and Australia. Our Auction and Liquidation segment operates through two main divisions, retail store liquidations and wholesale and industrial assets dispositions. Our wholesale and industrial assets dispositions division operates through limited liability companies that are controlled by us.

Valuation and Appraisal Segment.    Our Valuation and Appraisal segment provides valuation and appraisal services to financial institutions, lenders, private equity firms and other providers of capital. These services primarily include the valuation of assets (i) for purposes of determining and monitoring the value of collateral securing financial transactions and loan arrangements and (ii) in connection with potential business combinations. Our Valuation and Appraisal segment operates through limited liability companies that are majority owned by us.

Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack Segment.    Our Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment consists of businesses which have been acquired primarily for attractive investment return characteristics. Currently, this segment includes UOL, through which we provide consumer Internet access, and magicJack, through which we provide VoIP communication and related product and subscription services.

Brands Segment.    Our Brands segment consists of our brand investment portfolio that is focused on generating revenue through the licensing of trademarks and is held by BR Brand.

Recent Developments

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus (the “COVID-19 outbreak”). In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. The full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and related advisories and restrictions. These developments and the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the financial markets and the overall economy are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial markets and/or the overall economy are impacted for an extended period, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.

Our Corporate Information

We are a Delaware corporation. Our executive offices are located at 11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 800, Los Angeles, California, 90025, and the telephone number at our principal executive office is (310) 966-1444. Our website addresses are http://www.brileyfin.com, https://brileyfbr.com, http://www.greatamerican.com, https://www.glassratner.com, http://www.unitedonline.net, http://www.magicjack.com and http://www.vocaltec.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this document.

S-2

THE OFFERING

For a more complete description of the rights, preferences and other terms of the Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares specified in the following summary, please see the information under the caption “Description of Series B Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares” beginning on page S-14 in this prospectus supplement.

Issuer

 

B. Riley Financial, Inc.

Securities Offered

 

1,300,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/1000th fractional interest in a share of 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, plus up to 195,000 additional depositary shares if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option.

We reserve the right to re-open this series of preferred stock and issue additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock either through public or private sales at any time and from time to time, without notice to or consent of holders of the Series B Preferred Stock. The additional shares would form a single series together with all previously issued shares of Series B Preferred Stock. In the event we issue additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock, we will cause a corresponding number of additional depositary shares to be issued.

Ranking

 

The Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares will rank, as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up:

(1)    Senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other equity securities issued by us expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock;

(2)    On parity with our 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”), and with any future class or series of our equity securities expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock;

(3)    Junior to all equity securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity securities rank senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, none of which exists on the date hereof; and

(4)    Effectively junior to all our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our common stock or preferred stock) and to the indebtedness and other liabilities of (as well as any preferred equity interests held by others in) our existing or future subsidiaries.

Dividends

 

We will pay cumulative cash dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock, when and as declared by our Board of Directors, at the rate of 7.375% of the $25,000.00 liquidation preference ($25.00 per depositary share) per year (equivalent to $1,843.75 per year or $1.84375 per depositary share).

Dividends will be payable quarterly in arrears, on or about the last day of January, April, July and October, beginning on or about October 31, 2020; provided that if any dividend payment date is not a business day, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that dividend payment date may be paid on the next succeeding business day, and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accumulate. Dividends will accumulate and be cumulative from, and including, the date of original issuance, which is expected to be September 4, 2020. The first dividend, which is scheduled to be paid on or about October 31, 2020 in the amount of $0.29193 per depositary share, will be for less than a full quarter and will cover the period from, and including, the first date we issue and sell the depositary shares through, but not including, October 31, 2020. Dividends on the Series B Preferred

S-3

 

Stock underlying the depositary shares will continue to accumulate whether or not (i) any of our agreements prohibit the current payment of dividends, (ii) we have earnings or funds legally available to pay the dividends, or (iii) our Board of Directors does not declare the payment of the dividends.

Liquidation Preference

 

The liquidation preference of each share of Series B Preferred Stock is $25,000.00 ($25.00 per depositary share). Upon liquidation, Series B preferred shareholders will be entitled to receive the liquidation preference with respect to their shares of Series B Preferred Stock plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends with respect to such shares. We may only issue equity securities ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution and winding up if we obtain the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and each other class or series of preferred stock ranking on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up upon which like voting rights have been conferred, including our Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class. The rights of holders of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock to receive their liquidation preference will be subject to the proportionate rights of any other class or series of our capital stock ranking on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to liquidation, dissolution or winding up and junior to the rights of any class or series of our equity securities expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Stock. See “Description of Series B Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares — Liquidation Preference” on page S-16 of this prospectus supplement.

Optional Redemption

 

We may not redeem the Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares prior to September 4, 2025, except as described below under “Special Optional Redemption.” At any time on or after September 4, 2025, we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or from time to time in part, by paying $25,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share), plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of redemption, and the depositary will redeem a proportional number of depositary shares representing the shares redeemed. We refer to this redemption as an “optional redemption.”

Special Optional Redemption

 

Upon the occurrence of a Delisting Event (as defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, within 90 days after the first date on which such Delisting Event occurred, for cash, at a redemption price of $25,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share), plus any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of redemption, and the depositary will redeem a proportional number of depositary shares representing the shares redeemed.

A “Delisting Event” occurs when, after the original issuance of Series B Preferred Stock, both (i) the shares of Series B Preferred Stock (or the depositary shares) are no longer listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE AMER”) or the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”), or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE AMER or NASDAQ, and (ii) we are not subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, but any Series B Preferred Stock is still outstanding.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares, in whole or in part within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, for cash, at a redemption price of $25,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share), plus any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of redemption, and the depositary will redeem a proportional number of depositary shares representing the shares redeemed.

S-4

 

A “Change of Control” occurs when, after the original issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock, the following have occurred and are continuing:

•   the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of shares of our company entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of our company entitled to vote generally in elections of directors (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and

   

•   following the closing of any transaction referred to in the bullet point above, neither we nor any acquiring or surviving entity (or if, in connection with such transaction shares of our common stock are converted into or exchanged for (in whole or in part) common equity securities of another entity), has a class of common securities (or ADRs representing such securities) listed on the NYSE, the NYSE AMER or NASDAQ, or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE AMER or NASDAQ.

We refer to redemption following a Delisting Event or Change of Control as a “special optional redemption.” If, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or the Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of exercise of any of our redemption rights relating to the Series B Preferred Stock (whether our optional redemption right or our special optional redemption right), the holders of depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock will not have the conversion right described below.

Conversion Rights

 

Upon the occurrence of a Delisting Event or a Change of Control, as applicable, each holder of depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock will have the right (unless, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock) to direct the depositary, on such holder’s behalf, to convert some or all of the Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares held by such holder on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable into a number of shares of our common stock (or equivalent value of alternative consideration) per depositary share equal to the lesser of:

•   the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the $25.00 per depositary share liquidation preference plus the amount of any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable (unless the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable is after a record date for a Series B Preferred Stock dividend payment and prior to the corresponding Series B Preferred Stock dividend payment date, in which case no additional amount for such accumulated and unpaid dividend will be included in this sum) by (2) the Common Stock Price (as defined herein); and

•   1.8671 (i.e., the Share Cap), subject to certain adjustments;

and subject, in each case, to the conditions described in this prospectus supplement, including, under specified circumstances, an aggregate cap on the total number of shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion and to provisions for the receipt of alternative consideration.

S-5

 

If, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide a redemption notice, whether pursuant to our special optional redemption right or our optional redemption right, holders of depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock will not have any right to direct the depositary to convert the Series B Preferred Stock, and any Series B Preferred Stock subsequently selected for redemption that has been tendered for conversion will be redeemed on the related date of redemption instead of converted on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable.

   

Because each depositary share represents a 1/1000th interest in a share of the Series B Preferred Stock, the number of shares of common stock ultimately received for each depositary share will be equal to the number of shares of common stock received upon conversion of each share of Series B Preferred Stock divided by 1000. In the event that the conversion would result in the issuance of fractional shares of common stock, we will pay the holder of depositary shares cash in lieu of such fractional shares.

For a definition of “Change of Control Conversion Right”, “Change of Control Conversion Date,” “Common Stock Price,” “Delisting Event Conversion Right,” and “Delisting Event Conversion Date” and for a description of the adjustments and provisions for the receipt of alternative consideration that may be applicable to the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right described above, see “Description of Series B Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares — Conversion Rights.”

Except as provided above in connection with a Delisting Event or Change of Control, shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property.

No Maturity, Sinking Fund or Mandatory Redemption

 


The Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares does not have any stated maturity date and is not subject to mandatory redemption at the option of the holder or any sinking fund. We are not required to set aside funds to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock. Accordingly, the Series B Preferred Stock and depositary shares will remain outstanding indefinitely unless we decide to redeem them pursuant to our optional redemption or special optional redemption rights, or they are converted in connection with a Delisting Event or Change of Control.

Limited Voting Rights

 

Holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock generally will have no voting rights. However, if we do not pay dividends on any outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly dividend periods (whether or not declared or consecutive), holders of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock and the holders of preferred stock of all other classes and series ranking on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and upon which like voting rights have been conferred, including our Series A Preferred Stock, and are exercisable, which we refer to as our parity preferred stock, and with which the holders of Series B Preferred Stock and all classes and series of parity preferred stock are entitled to vote together as a single class, voting together as a single class will be entitled to elect two additional directors to our Board of Directors to serve until all unpaid dividends have been fully paid or declared and set apart for payment. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock and any other class or series of parity preferred stock with which the holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class, including our Series A Preferred Stock, is required for us to create, authorize or issue any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Stock or to amend any provision of our charter so as to materially and adversely affect the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock. If the proposed charter amendments would materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock disproportionately relative to any other class or series of

S-6

 

parity preferred stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, is also required. See “Description of Series B Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares — Limited Voting Rights” beginning on page S-22 of this prospectus supplement. In any matter in which the Series B Preferred Stock may vote, each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote. As a result, each depositary share will be entitled to 1/1000th of a vote.

Conflicts of Interest

 

B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“BRS”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, will participate in the offering of the depositary shares as a joint book-running manager.

Therefore, BRS has a “conflict of interest” in this offering within the meaning of Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Accordingly, this offering will be made in compliance with the applicable provisions of FINRA Rule 5121(a)(2), which requires that a “qualified independent underwriter” as defined in FINRA Rule 5121(f)(5), participate in the preparation of the registration statement and prospectus and exercise its usual standards for due diligence in respect thereto. Incapital LLC (“Incapital”) has agreed to act as the qualified independent underwriter for this offering and has agreed in so acting to undertake the legal responsibilities and liabilities of an underwriter under the Securities Act, specifically including those inherent in Section 11 thereof. Incapital will not receive a fee for acting as the qualified independent underwriter for this offering. See “Underwriting (Conflict of Interest).”

Use of Proceeds

 

We anticipate using the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including funding future acquisitions and investments, repaying indebtedness, making capital expenditures and funding working capital. Pending such use, we may invest the net proceeds in short-term interest-bearing accounts, securities or similar investments. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Listing

 

No current market exists for the depositary shares. We will apply to list the depositary shares on the NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYL.” If the application is approved, we expect trading on the NASDAQ will commence within 30 days after the initial delivery of the depositary shares to the underwriters. We cannot assure you that our listing application will be approved within 30 days or at all.

Form

 

The depositary shares will be issued and maintained in book-entry form registered in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Company, except under limited circumstances.

Depositary

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Risk Factors

 

An investment in the depositary shares involves significant risks. Please refer to “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 and other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before investing in the depositary shares.

Material Federal Income Tax Considerations

 


Material federal income tax considerations of purchasing, owning and disposing of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock are summarized in “Material Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus supplement.

S-7

RISK FACTORS

An investment in the depositary shares involves significant risks, including the risks described below and discussed under the section captioned “Risk Factors” contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, and as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in their entirety. Before purchasing the depositary shares, you should carefully consider each of the following risk factors as well as the other information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes. Each of these risk factors, either alone or taken together, could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in the depositary shares. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks of which we are not presently aware or that we currently believe are immaterial which may also impair our business operations and financial position. If any of the events described below were to occur, our financial condition, our results of operations and/or our future growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected. As a result, you could lose some or all of any investment you may have made or may make in our Company.

Risks Related to this Offering

There is no established market for the depositary shares and the market value of the depositary shares could be substantially affected by various factors.

The depositary shares are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We intend to apply to list the depositary shares on the NASDAQ. Our listing application may not be approved by the NASDAQ. Further, even if approved for listing by the NASDAQ, an active trading market on the NASDAQ for the depositary shares may not develop or last, in which case the trading price of the depositary shares could be adversely affected. If an active trading market does develop on the NASDAQ, the depositary shares may trade at prices higher or lower than their initial offering price.

The trading price of the depositary shares would also depend on many factors, including:

•        prevailing interest rates;

•        the market for similar securities;

•        general economic and financial market conditions;

•        our financial condition, results of operations and prospects; and

•        the matters discussed in this prospectus supplement under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 under the caption “Risk Factors.”

We have been advised by some of the underwriters that they intend to make a market in the depositary shares, but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market-making at any time without notice.

The Series B Preferred Stock and the depositary shares rank junior to all of our indebtedness and other liabilities and are effectively junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, our assets will be available to pay obligations on the Series B Preferred Stock only after all of our indebtedness and other liabilities have been paid. The rights of holders of the Series B Preferred Stock to participate in the distribution of our assets will rank junior to the prior claims of our current and future creditors and any future series or class of preferred stock we may issue that ranks senior to the Series B Preferred Stock. In addition, the Series B Preferred Stock effectively ranks junior to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of (as well as any preferred equity interests held by others in) our existing subsidiaries and any future subsidiaries. Our existing subsidiaries are and any future subsidiaries would be separate legal entities and have no legal obligation to pay any amounts to us in respect of dividends due on the Series B Preferred Stock. If we are forced to liquidate our assets to pay our creditors, we may not have sufficient assets to pay amounts due on any or all of the Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding. We and our subsidiaries have incurred and

S-8

may in the future incur substantial amounts of debt and other obligations that will rank senior to the Series B Preferred Stock. We may incur additional indebtedness and become more highly leveraged in the future, which could harm our financial position and potentially limit our cash available to pay dividends. As a result, we may not have sufficient funds remaining to satisfy our dividend obligations relating to our Series B Preferred Stock if we incur additional indebtedness.

Future offerings of debt or senior equity securities may adversely affect the market price of the depositary shares. If we decide to issue debt or senior equity securities in the future, it is possible that these securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of the Series B Preferred Stock and may result in dilution to owners of the depositary shares. We and, indirectly, our shareholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus holders of the depositary shares will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of the depositary shares and diluting the value of their holdings in us.

We may issue additional shares of the Series B Preferred Stock and additional series of preferred stock that rank on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights, rights upon liquidation or voting rights.

We are allowed to issue additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock and additional series of preferred stock that would rank on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend payments and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs pursuant to our articles of incorporation and the certificate of designation for the Series B Preferred Stock without any vote of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock. Our articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series on terms determined by our Board of Directors. Prior to this offering, we have no outstanding series of preferred stock. However, the use of depositary shares enables us to issue significant amounts of preferred stock, notwithstanding the number of shares authorized by our articles of incorporation. The issuance of additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock and additional series of parity preferred stock could have the effect of reducing the amounts available to the Series B Preferred Stock issued in this offering upon our liquidation or dissolution or the winding up of our affairs. It also may reduce dividend payments on the Series B Preferred Stock issued in this offering if we do not have sufficient funds to pay dividends on all Series B Preferred Stock outstanding and other classes of stock with equal priority with respect to dividends.

In addition, although holders of the depositary shares are entitled to limited voting rights, as described in “Description of Series B Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares — Voting Rights,” with respect to such matters, the holders of the depositary shares will vote separately as a class along with all other outstanding series of our preferred stock that we may issue upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable. As a result, the voting rights of holders of the depositary shares may be significantly diluted, and the holders of such other series of preferred stock that we may issue may be able to control or significantly influence the outcome of any vote.

Future issuances and sales of parity preferred stock, or the perception that such issuances and sales could occur, may cause prevailing market prices for the depositary shares and our common stock to decline and may adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital in the financial markets at times and prices favorable to us. Such issuances may also reduce or eliminate our ability to pay dividends on our common stock.

As a holder of depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock, you will have extremely limited voting rights.

Your voting rights as a holder of depositary shares will be limited. Our common stock is the only class of our securities that carries full voting rights. Voting rights for holders of depositary shares will exist primarily with respect to the ability to elect (together with the holders of other outstanding series of our preferred stock, or depositary shares representing interests in our preferred stock, or additional series of preferred stock we may issue in the future and upon which similar voting rights have been or are in the future conferred and are exercisable) two additional directors to our Board of Directors in the event that six quarterly dividends (whether or not declared or consecutive) payable on the Series B Preferred Stock are in arrears, and with respect to voting on amendments to our articles of incorporation or certificate of designation (in some cases voting together with the holders of other outstanding series of our preferred stock as a single class) that materially and adversely affect the rights of the holders of depositary shares representing

S-9

interests in the Series B Preferred Stock (and other series of preferred stock, as applicable) or create additional classes or series of our stock that are senior to the Series B Preferred Stock, provided that in any event adequate provision for redemption has not been made. Other than the limited circumstances described in this prospectus supplement, holders of depositary shares will not have any voting rights. See “Description of Series B Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares — Limited Voting Rights.”

The depositary shares have not been rated.

The Series B Preferred Stock and the depositary shares have not been rated and may never be rated. It is possible, however, that one or more rating agencies might independently decide to assign a rating to the depositary shares or that we may elect to obtain a rating of the depositary shares in the future. Furthermore, we may elect to issue other securities for which we may seek to obtain a rating. If any ratings are assigned to the depositary shares in the future or if we issue other securities with a rating, such ratings, if they are lower than market expectations or are subsequently lowered or withdrawn, could adversely affect the market for, or the market value of, the depositary shares.

Ratings reflect the views of the issuing rating agency or agencies, and such ratings could at any time be revised downward, placed on negative outlook or withdrawn entirely at the discretion of the issuing rating agency or agencies. Furthermore, a rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any particular security, including the depositary shares. Ratings do not reflect market prices or the suitability of a security for a particular investor, and any future rating of the depositary shares may not reflect all risks related to us and our business, or the structure or market value of the depositary shares.

The conversion feature may not adequately compensate you, and the conversion and redemption features of the Series B Preferred Stock and the depositary shares may make it more difficult for a party to take over our company and may discourage a party from taking over our company.

Upon the occurrence of a Delisting Event or Change of Control, holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock will have the right (unless, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock) to direct the depositary to convert some or all of the Series B Preferred Stock underlying their depositary shares into our common stock (or equivalent value of alternative consideration), and under these circumstances we will also have a special optional redemption right to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock. See “Description of Series B Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares — Conversion Rights” and “— Special Optional Redemption.” Upon such a conversion, the holders will be limited to a maximum number of shares of our common stock equal to the Share Cap multiplied by the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock converted. If the Common Stock Price is less than $13.39 (which is approximately 50% of the closing sale price per share of our common stock on August 31, 2020), subject to adjustment, the holders will receive a maximum of shares of our common stock per depositary share, which may result in a holder receiving value that is less than the liquidation preference of the depositary shares. In addition, those features of the Series B Preferred Stock and depositary shares may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making an acquisition proposal for our company or of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of our company under circumstances that otherwise could provide the holders of our common stock and depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock with the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-current market price or that shareholders may otherwise believe is in their best interests.

The market price of the depositary shares could be substantially affected by various factors.

The market price of the depositary shares will depend on many factors, which may change from time to time, including:

•        prevailing interest rates, increases in which may have an adverse effect on the market price of the depositary shares;

•        the annual yield from distributions on the depositary shares as compared to yields on other financial instruments;

•        general economic and financial market conditions;

•        government action or regulation;

S-10

•        the financial condition, performance and prospects of us and our competitors;

•        changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts with respect to us, our competitors or our industry;

•        our issuance of additional preferred equity or debt securities; and

•        actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results of us and our competitors.

As a result of these and other factors, investors who purchase the depositary shares in this offering may experience a decrease, which could be substantial and rapid, in the market price of the depositary shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects.

S-11

USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds from the sale of the depositary shares in this offering, after deducting the underwriting discount and other estimated expenses of this offering payable by us, are estimated to be approximately $31.03 million (approximately $35.75 million if the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase up to 195,000 additional depositary shares is exercised in full).

We will use the net proceeds from the sale of depositary shares for general corporate purposes, including funding future acquisitions and investments, repaying indebtedness, capital expenditures and funding working capital. Pending such use, we may invest the net proceeds in short-term interest-bearing accounts, securities or similar investments.

S-12

CAPITALIZATION

The following table shows our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of June 30, 2020:

•        on an actual basis; and

•        on an as adjusted basis, after giving effect to the sale of depositary shares in this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional depositary shares).

 

As of June 30, 2020

   

Actual

 

As Adjusted

   

(dollars in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

106,253

 

 

$

137,279

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

4,301

 

 

$

4,301

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

106,531

 

 

 

106,531

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

71,017

 

 

 

71,017

 

Due to related parties and partners

 

 

617

 

 

 

617

 

Securities sold not yet purchased

 

 

9,804

 

 

 

9,804

 

Securities loaned

 

 

779,013

 

 

 

779,013

 

Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

4,351

 

 

 

4,351

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

57,364

 

 

 

57,364

 

Notes payable

 

 

714

 

 

 

714

 

Loan participations sold

 

 

14,109

 

 

 

14,109

 

Term loan

 

 

57,195

 

 

 

57,195

 

Senior notes payable

 

 

854,037

 

 

 

854,037

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

1,959,053

 

 

 

1,959,053

 

B. Riley Financial, Inc. stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Preferred Stock, 2,531 shares issued and outstanding with $63,273 liquidation preference as of June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series B Preferred Stock, no shares issued and outstanding (actual), 1,300 shares issued and outstanding with $32,500 liquidation preference (as adjusted)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 25,864,393 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2020

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

306,772

 

 

 

337,798

 

Retained earnings

 

 

5,927

 

 

 

5,927

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(2,693

)

 

 

(2,693

)

Total B. Riley Financial, Inc. stockholders’ equity

 

 

310,009

 

 

 

341,035

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

26,210

 

 

 

26,210

 

Total Capitalization

 

$

2,295,272

 

 

$

2,326,298

 

S-13

DESCRIPTION OF SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK AND THE DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following is a summary of the material terms and provisions of the Series B Preferred Stock and the depositary shares. The statements below describing our Series B Preferred Stock are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of our articles of incorporation, including the certificate of designation establishing the Series B Preferred Stock, and our bylaws, each of which is available from us as described in the “Where You Can Find More Information” section of this prospectus supplement and is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. See also “Description of Depositary Shares” in the accompanying prospectus. This description of the particular terms of the Series B Preferred Stock and the depositary shares supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of our preferred stock set forth in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Preferred Stock” and under “Description of Depositary Shares.” For a description of the common stock into which the Series B Preferred Stock is convertible, see “Description of Capital Stock — Common Stock” in the accompanying prospectus.

General

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, provides that we are authorized to issue 101,000,000 shares of capital stock. Our authorized capital stock is comprised of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Shares of preferred stock and related depositary shares may be offered and sold from time to time, in one or more series, as authorized by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is authorized to set for each series of preferred stock and related depositary shares the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption. The Series B Preferred Stock is being issued pursuant to the certificate of designation that sets forth the terms of a series of preferred stock consisting of up to 10,000 shares, designated 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock.

The registrar, transfer agent and distributions disbursing agent for the Series B Preferred Stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Each depositary share represents a 1/1000th fractional interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock. The Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as depositary, under a deposit agreement among us, the depositary and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts issued by the depositary under the deposit agreement. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each record holder of depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares will be entitled, proportionately, to all the rights and preferences of, and subject to all of the limitations of, the interest in the Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights and preferences). See “Description of Depositary Shares” of the accompanying prospectus.

Ranking

The Series B Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares will, as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, rank:

(1)    Senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other equity securities issued by us expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock;

(2)    On parity with our Series A Preferred Stock, and with any future class or series of our equity securities expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock;

(3)    Junior to all equity securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity securities rank senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, none of which exists on the date hereof; and

(4)    Effectively junior to all our existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our common stock or preferred stock) and to the indebtedness and other liabilities of (as well as any preferred equity interests held by others in) our existing or future subsidiaries.

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Dividends

Holders of depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when and as declared by our Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 7.375% of the $25,000.00 liquidation preference ($25.00 per depositary share) per year (equivalent to $1,843.75 per year or $1.84375 per year per depositary share). Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock will accumulate and be cumulative from, and including, the date of original issue by us of the Series B Preferred Stock. Dividends will be payable quarterly in arrears on or about the last day of January, April, July and October, beginning on or about October 31, 2020; provided that if any dividend payment date is not a business day, as defined in the certificate of designation, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that dividend payment date may be paid on the next succeeding business day and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accumulate on the amounts so payable for the period from and after that dividend payment date to that next succeeding business day. Whenever we pay dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock held by the depositary, the depositary will pay dividends on the same date on the depositary shares. We refer to each such date as a Dividend Payment Date. The first dividend on the Series B Preferred Stock is scheduled to be paid on or about October 31, 2020, which will be for less than a full quarter and will cover the period from the first date we issue and sell depositary shares through, but not including, October 31, 2020.

Any dividend, including any dividend payable on the Series B Preferred Stock for any partial dividend period, will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends are payable to holders of record of depositary shares as they appear in the depositary’s records at the close of business on the applicable record date, which will be the date that our Board of Directors designates for the payment of a dividend that is not more than 30 nor less than 10 days prior to the Dividend Payment Date, which we refer to as a Dividend Payment Record Date.

Our Board of Directors will not authorize, pay or set apart for payment by us any dividend on the Series B Preferred Stock at any time that:

•        the terms and provisions of any of our agreements, including any agreement relating to our indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, payment or setting apart for payment;

•        the terms and provisions of any of our agreements, including any agreement relating to our indebtedness, provides that such authorization, payment or setting apart for payment thereof would constitute a breach of, or a default under, such agreement; or

•        the law restricts or prohibits the authorization or payment.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock will accumulate whether or not:

•        the terms and provisions of any of our agreements relating to our indebtedness prohibit such authorization, payment or setting apart for payment;

•        we have earnings;

•        there are funds legally available for the payment of the dividends; and

•        the dividends are authorized.

No interest, or sums in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series B Preferred Stock, which may be in arrears, and holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any dividends in excess of the full cumulative dividends described above. Any dividend payment made on the Series B Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividends due with respect to those shares.

If, for any taxable year, we elect to designate as “capital gain dividends” (as defined in Section 857 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code) a portion, which we refer to as the Capital Gains Amount, of the dividends not in excess of our earning and profits that are paid or made available for the year to the holders of all classes of shares, or the Total Dividends, then the portion of the Capital Gains Amount that will be allocable to the holders of depositary shares will be the Capital Gains Amount multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which will be the total dividends (within the meaning of the Code) paid or made available to the holders of depositary shares for the year and the denominator of which will be the Total Dividends.

S-15

We will not pay or declare and set apart for payment any dividends (other than a dividend paid in common stock or other stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up) or declare or make any distribution of cash or other property on common stock or other stock that ranks junior to or on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up or redeem or otherwise acquire common stock or other stock that ranks junior to or on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up (except (i) by conversion into or exchange for common stock or other stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (ii) for the redemption of shares of our stock pursuant to the provisions of our charter relating to the restrictions upon ownership and transfer of our stock and (iii) for a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and any other stock that ranks on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up), unless we also have either paid or declared and set apart for payment full cumulative dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we do not either pay or declare and set apart for payment full cumulative dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock and all stock that ranks on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the amount which we have declared will be allocated pro rata to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock and to each equally ranked class or series of stock, so that the amount declared for each share of Series B Preferred Stock and for each share of each equally ranked class or series of stock is proportionate to the accrued and unpaid dividends on those shares. Any dividend payment made on the Series B Preferred Stock will first be credited against the earliest accrued and unpaid dividend.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders a liquidation preference of $25,000.00 per share (or $25.00 per depositary share), plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of payment (whether or not declared), before any distribution or payment may be made to holders of shares of common stock or any other class or series of our equity stock ranking, as to liquidation rights, junior to the Series B Preferred Stock.

If, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our available assets are insufficient to pay the full amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of each other class or series of capital stock ranking, as to liquidation rights, on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock including our Series A Preferred Stock, then the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock and each such other class or series of capital stock ranking, as to liquidation rights, on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to written notice of any liquidation no fewer than 30 days and no more than 60 days prior to the payment date. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock and depositary shares will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.

Our consolidation or merger with or into any other entity or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business will not be deemed to constitute our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Series B Preferred Stock will rank senior to the common stock as to priority for receiving liquidating distributions and on a parity with any existing and future equity securities which, by their terms, rank on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock.

Optional Redemption

The Series B Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to September 4, 2025, except under the circumstances described below. On or after September 4, 2025, the Series B Preferred Stock may be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part, from time to time, at a redemption price of $25,000.00 per share ($25.00 per depositary share), plus all dividends accumulated and unpaid (whether or not declared) on the Series B Preferred Stock up to, but not including, the date of such redemption, upon the giving of notice, as provided below. Whenever we redeem shares

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of our Series B Preferred Stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date a number of depositary shares representing the shares so redeemed and the depositary receipts evidencing such depositary shares.

If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed will be determined pro rata or by lot.

We shall give the depositary not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior written notice of redemption of the deposited Series B Preferred Stock. A similar notice of redemption will be mailed by the depositary not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to each holder of record of depositary shares that is to be redeemed. The notice will notify the holder of the election to redeem the shares and will state at least the following:

•        the date fixed for redemption thereof, which we refer to as the Redemption Date;

•        the redemption price;

•        the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock and depositary shares to be redeemed (and, if fewer than all the shares are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed from such holder);

•        the place(s) where the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares are to be surrendered for payment; and

•        that dividends on the depositary shares will cease to accumulate on the date prior to the Redemption Date.

On or after the Redemption Date, each holder of depositary shares to be redeemed must present and surrender the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares to the depositary at the place designated in the notice of redemption. The redemption price of the shares will then be paid to or on the order of the person whose name appears on such depositary receipts as the owner thereof. Each surrendered depositary receipt will be canceled. In the event that fewer than all the depositary receipts are to be redeemed, a new depositary receipt will be issued representing the unredeemed depositary shares.

From and after the Redemption Date (unless we default in payment of the redemption price):

•        all dividends on the shares designated for redemption in the notice will cease to accumulate;

•        all rights of the holders of the shares, except the right to receive the redemption price thereof (including all accumulated and unpaid dividends up to the date prior to the Redemption Date), will cease and terminate;

•        the shares will not thereafter be transferred (except with our consent) on the depositary’s books; and

•        the shares will not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever.

Unless full cumulative dividends on all shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been or contemporaneously is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, no shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed and we shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Series B Preferred Stock (except by exchanging it for our capital stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition by us of shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock.

Special Optional Redemption

During any period of time (whether before or after September 4, 2025) that both (i) the Series B Preferred Stock (or the depositary shares) are no longer listed on the NYSE, the NYSE AMER or NASDAQ, or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE AMER or NASDAQ, and (ii) we are not subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, but any Series B Preferred Stock is still outstanding (which we refer to collectively as a “Delisting Event”), we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part and within 90 days after the date of the Delisting Event, by paying $25,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share), plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of redemption.

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In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part and within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, by paying $25,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share), plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of redemption (other than any dividend with a record date before the applicable redemption date and a payment date after the applicable redemption date, which will be paid on the payment date notwithstanding prior redemption of such shares).

If, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date (each as defined below), as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of redemption with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock (whether pursuant to our optional redemption right described above or our special optional redemption), the holders of depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock will not be permitted to exercise the conversion right described below under “— Conversion Rights” in respect of their shares called for redemption.

The depositary will mail to you, if you are a record holder of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock, a notice of redemption, furnished by us, no fewer than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the redemption date. The depositary will send the notice to your address shown on the records of the depositary. No failure to give the notice or any defect in the notice or in the mailing of the notice will affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any depositary shares or shares of our Series B Preferred Stock except as to a holder to whom notice was defective or not given. Each notice will state the following:

•        the redemption date;

•        the redemption price;

•        the number of depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed;

•        the place(s) where the depositary receipts (or Series B Preferred Stock certificates, if no longer held in depositary form) are to be surrendered for payment;

•        that the Series B Preferred Stock is being redeemed pursuant to our special optional redemption right in connection with the occurrence of a Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, and a brief description of the transaction or transactions or circumstances constituting such Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable;

•        that the holders of depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock to which the notice relates will not be able to convert such shares of Series B Preferred Stock in connection with the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, and each share of Series B Preferred Stock tendered for conversion that is selected, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, for redemption will be redeemed on the related date of redemption instead of converted on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable; and

•        that dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on the date prior to the redemption date.

A “Change of Control” is when, after the original issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock, the following have occurred and are continuing:

•        the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of shares of our company entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of our company entitled to vote generally in elections of directors (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and

•        following the closing of any transaction referred to in the bullet point above, neither we nor any acquiring or surviving entity (or if, in connection with such transaction shares of our common stock are converted into or exchanged for (in whole or in part) common equity securities of another entity, such other entity) has a class of common securities (or ADRs representing such securities) listed on the NYSE, the NYSE AMER or NASDAQ, or listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to the NYSE, the NYSE AMER or NASDAQ.

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If we redeem fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the notice of redemption mailed to each record holder of depositary shares will also specify the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that we will redeem from such record holder. In this case, we will determine the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed on a pro rata basis or by lot.

If we have given a notice of redemption and have irrevocably set aside sufficient funds for the redemption for the benefit of the holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date, those depositary shares will be treated as no longer being outstanding, no further dividends will accumulate on the underlying Series B Preferred Stock and all other rights of the holders of those depositary shares will terminate. If any redemption date is not a business day, then the redemption price and accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, payable upon redemption may be paid on the next business day and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accumulate on the amount payable for the period from and after that redemption date to that next business day. The holders of those depositary shares will retain their right to receive the redemption price for their underlying shares of Series B Preferred Stock (including any accumulated and unpaid dividends to but excluding the redemption date).

The holders of depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock at the close of business on a dividend record date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock on the corresponding payment date notwithstanding the redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock between such record date and the corresponding payment date or our default in the payment of the dividend due. Except as provided above, we will make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed.

Unless full cumulative dividends on all shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been or contemporaneously is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, no shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are simultaneously redeemed and we shall not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of Series B Preferred Stock (except by exchanging it for our capital stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation); provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition by us of shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock.

Conversion Rights

Upon the occurrence of a Delisting Event or a Change of Control, as applicable, each holder of depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock will have the right (unless, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem the depositary shares or the Series B Preferred Stock as described above under “— Optional Redemption” or “— Special Optional Redemption”) to direct the depositary, on such holder’s behalf, to convert some or all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares held by such holder (the “Delisting Event Conversion Right” or “Change of Control Conversion Right,” as applicable) on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, into a number of shares of our common stock (or equivalent value of alternative consideration) per depositary share, or the “Common Stock Conversion Consideration,” equal to the lesser of:

•        the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the $25.00 per depositary share liquidation preference plus the amount of any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable (unless the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, is after a record date for a Series B Preferred Stock dividend payment and prior to the corresponding Series B Preferred Stock dividend payment date, in which case no additional amount for such accumulated and then remaining unpaid dividend will be included in this sum) by (2) the Common Stock Price (such quotient, the “Conversion Rate”); and

•        1.8671 (i.e., the Share Cap), subject to certain adjustments described below.

The Share Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any share splits (including those effected pursuant to a distribution of shares of our common stock to existing holders of common stock), subdivisions or combinations (in each case, a “Share Split”) with respect to our common stock as follows: the adjusted Share Cap as the result of a Share Split will be the number of shares of our common stock that is equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying

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(1) the Share Cap in effect immediately prior to such Share Split by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding after giving effect to such Share Split and the denominator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such Share Split.

In the case of a Delisting Event or Change of Control pursuant to, or in connection with, which our common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the “Alternative Form Consideration”), a holder of depositary shares representing interests in Series B Preferred Stock will receive upon conversion of such Series B Preferred Stock the kind and amount of Alternative Form Consideration which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, had such holder held a number of shares of our common stock equal to the Common Stock Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable (the “Alternative Conversion Consideration,” and the Common Stock Conversion Consideration or the Alternative Conversion Consideration, as may be applicable to a Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, is referred to as the “Conversion Consideration”).

If the holders of our common stock have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Delisting Event or Change of Control, the Conversion Consideration that the holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock will receive will be the form and proportion of the aggregate consideration elected by the holders of our common stock who participate in the determination (based on the weighted average of elections) and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of our common stock are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in, or in connection with, the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable.

We will not issue fractional shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock. Because each depositary share represents a 1/1000th interest in a share of the Series B Preferred Stock, the number of shares of common stock ultimately received for each depositary share will be equal to the number of shares of common stock received upon conversion of each share of Series B Preferred Stock divided by 1000. In the event that the conversion would result in the issuance of fractional shares of common stock, we will pay the holder of depositary shares the cash value of such fractional shares in lieu of such fractional shares.

Within 15 days following the occurrence of a Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, we will provide to holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock a notice of occurrence of the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, that describes the resulting Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable. This notice will state the following:

•        the events constituting the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable;

•        the date of the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable;

•        the last date on which the holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock may exercise their Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable;

•        the method and period for calculating the Common Stock Price;

•        the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable;

•        that if, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem all or any portion of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock, holders will not be able to convert the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock and such shares will be redeemed on the related redemption date, even if such shares have already been tendered for conversion pursuant to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable;

•        if applicable, the type and amount of Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per share of Series B Preferred Stock;

•        the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent;

•        the procedures that the holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock must follow to exercise the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable; and

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•        the last date on which holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock may withdraw shares surrendered for conversion and the procedures that such holders must follow to effect such a withdrawal.

We will issue a press release for publication on the Dow Jones & Company, Inc., Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if these organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of the press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), or post notice on our website, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first business day following any date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock.

To exercise the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, each holder of depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock will be required to deliver, on or before the close of business on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, the depositary receipts or certificates, if any, evidencing the interests in Series B Preferred Stock to be converted, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written conversion notice completed, to the depositary. The conversion notice must state:

•        the “Delisting Event Conversion Date” or “Change of Control Conversion Date”, as applicable, which will be a business day fixed by our board of directors that is not fewer than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock;

•        the number of depositary shares representing interests in the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be converted; and

•        that the depositary shares are to be converted pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Series B Preferred Stock.

The “Common Stock Price” for any Change of Control will be: (1) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of our common stock is solely cash, the amount of cash consideration per share of common stock; and (2) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of our common stock is other than solely cash (x) the average of the closing prices for our common stock on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which our common stock is then traded (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices per share or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices per share) for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of Control occurred as reported on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which our common stock is then traded, or (y) the average of the last quoted bid prices for our common stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or similar organization for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of Control occurred, if our common stock is not then listed for trading on a U.S. securities exchange.

The “Common Stock Price” for any Delisting Event will be the average of the closing price per share of our common stock on the 10 consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Delisting Event.

Holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock may withdraw any notice of exercise of a Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable (in whole or in part), by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the depositary prior to the close of business on the business day prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable. The notice of withdrawal must state:

•        the number of withdrawn depositary shares;

•        if certificated depositary shares have been issued, the receipt or certificate numbers of the withdrawn depositary shares; and

•        the number of depositary shares, if any, which remain subject to the conversion notice.

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Series B Preferred Stock is held in global form, the conversion notice and/or the notice of withdrawal, as applicable, must comply with applicable procedures of The Depository Trust Company or a similar depositary, and the conversion notice and/or the notice of withdrawal, as applicable, must comply with applicable procedures, if any, of the applicable depositary.

Shares of Series B Preferred Stock as to which the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, has been properly exercised and for which the conversion notice has not been properly withdrawn will be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration in accordance with the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, unless prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem such shares of Series B Preferred Stock, whether pursuant to our optional redemption right or our special optional redemption right. If we elect to redeem shares of Series B Preferred Stock that would otherwise be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration on a Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, such shares of Series B Preferred Stock will not be so converted and the holders of such shares will be entitled to receive on the applicable redemption date $25,000.00 per share (or $25.00 per depositary share), plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the redemption date. See “— Optional Redemption” and “— Special Optional Redemption.”

We will deliver the applicable Conversion Consideration no later than the third business day following the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable.

In connection with the exercise of any Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, we will comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws and stock exchange rules in connection with any conversion of Series B Preferred Stock into our common stock.

The Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or discourage a party from acquiring us. See “Risk Factors — The conversion feature may not adequately compensate you, and the conversion and redemption features of the Series B Preferred Stock and the depositary shares may make it more difficult for a party to take over our company and may discourage a party from taking over our company.”

Neither the Series B Preferred Stock nor the depositary shares are convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property, except as provided above.

Limited Voting Rights

Except as described below, holders of depositary shares will generally have no voting rights. In any matter in which the Series B Preferred Stock may vote (as expressly provided herein, or as may be required by law), each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote. As a result, each depositary share will be entitled to 1/1000th of a vote.

If dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock are in arrears, whether or not declared, for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not these quarterly periods are consecutive, holders of Series B Preferred Stock and holders of all other classes or series of parity preferred stock with which the holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class, including our Series A Preferred Stock, and are exercisable, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to vote, at a special meeting called by the holders of record of at least 10% of any series of preferred stock as to which dividends are so in arrears or at the next annual meeting of shareholders, for the election of two additional directors to serve on our Board of Directors until all dividend arrearages have been paid. If and when all accumulated dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods shall have been paid in full, holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be divested of the voting rights set forth above (subject to re-vesting in the event of each and every preferred dividend default) and, unless outstanding shares of parity preferred stock remain entitled to vote in the election of preferred stock directors, the term of office of such preferred stock directors so elected will terminate and the number of directors will be reduced accordingly.

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In addition, so long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding, we will not, without the consent or the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and each other class or series of parity preferred stock with which the holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a single class on such matter, including our Series A Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class):

•        authorize, create or issue, or increase the number of authorized or issued number of shares of, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or reclassify any of our authorized capital stock into any such shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or

•        amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our charter, including the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, whether by merger, consolidation, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of our assets or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock,

except that, with respect to the occurrence of any of the events described in the second bullet point immediately above, so long as the Series B Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock materially unchanged, taking into account that, upon the occurrence of an event described in the second bullet point above, we may not be the surviving entity and the surviving entity may not be a corporation, the occurrence of such event will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock, and in such case such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the events described in the second bullet point immediately above. Furthermore, if holders of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock receive the greater of the full trading price of the Series B Preferred Stock on the date of an event described in the second bullet point immediately above or the $25,000 per share of the Series B Preferred Stock liquidation preference plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon pursuant to the occurrence of any of the events described in the second bullet point immediately above, then such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the events described in the second bullet point immediately above. If any event described in the second bullet point above would materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series B Preferred Stock disproportionately relative to any other class or series of parity preferred stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will also be required.

The following actions are not deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, powers or privileges of the Series B Preferred Stock:

•        any increase in the amount of our authorized common stock or preferred stock or the creation or issuance of equity securities of any class or series ranking, as to dividends or liquidation preference, on a parity with, or junior to, the Series B Preferred Stock; or

•        the amendment, alteration or repeal or change of any provision of our articles of incorporation, including the certificate of designation establishing the Series B Preferred Stock, as a result of a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other business combination, if the Series B Preferred Stock (or shares into which the Series B Preferred Stock have been converted in any successor entity to us) remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged.

No Maturity, Sinking Fund or Mandatory Redemption

The Series B Preferred Stock has no maturity date and we are not required to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock at any time. Accordingly, the Series B Preferred Stock will remain outstanding indefinitely, unless we decide, at our option, to exercise our redemption right or, under circumstances where the holders of the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock have a conversion right, such holders convert the Series B Preferred Stock into our common stock. The Series B Preferred Stock is not subject to any sinking fund.

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Surrender of Depositary Shares for Shares of Series B Preferred Stock

Under certain circumstances, holders may be required to surrender depositary receipts to the depositary or us. In the event of such a surrender of depositary shares, the holder will be entitled to receive the number of whole or fractional shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares. See “Description of Depositary Shares — Withdrawal of Stock” and “— Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.

Depositary Share Listing

No current market exists for the depositary shares. We will apply to list the depositary shares on the NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYL.” If this application is approved, we expect trading in the depositary shares to commence within 30 days of the initial delivery of the depositary shares to the underwriters. The Series B Preferred Stock underlying the depositary shares will not be listed, and we do not expect any trading market will develop for the Series B Preferred Stock except as represented by the depositary shares.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for the Series B Preferred Stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

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Book-entry, delivery and form

The depositary shares will be issued in fully registered form in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). One or more fully registered global depositary receipts will be issued representing in the aggregate the total number of the depositary shares. Such global depositary receipt will be deposited with or on behalf of DTC and may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor.

So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global depositary receipt, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the depositary shares represented by such global depositary receipts for all purposes under the Deposit Agreement. Except as set forth in the accompanying prospectus, owners of beneficial interests in a global depositary receipt will not be entitled to have the depositary shares represented by such global receipt registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such depositary shares in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC for such global receipt and, if such person is not a participant in DTC (as described below), on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder.

As long as the depositary shares are represented by the global depositary receipts, we will pay dividends, if any, on the Series B Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares to or as directed by DTC as the registered holder of the global depositary receipts. Payments to DTC will be in immediately available funds by wire transfer. DTC will credit the relevant accounts of their participants on the applicable date. Neither we nor Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company will be responsible for making any payments to participants or customers of participants or for maintaining any records relating to the holdings of participants and their customers, and each person owning a beneficial interest will have to rely on the procedures of the depositary and its participants.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. DTC holds securities deposited with it by its participants and facilitates the settlement of transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. According to DTC, the foregoing information with respect to DTC has been provided to the financial community for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract modification of any kind.

Settlement

Investors in the depositary shares will be required to make their initial payment for the depositary shares in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable (including DTC), but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

Neither us, the Depositary nor the underwriters will have any responsibility or obligation to participants, or the persons for whom they act as nominees, with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC, its nominee or any participant with respect to any ownership interest in the depositary shares or payments to, or the providing of notice to participants or beneficial owners.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

This section describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning the depositary shares. It applies to you only if you acquire depositary shares upon their original issuance at their original offering price and you hold your depositary shares as capital assets for tax purposes. This section does not describe other U.S. federal tax consequences, nor does it describe any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction.

This section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing and proposed regulations under the Code, and published rulings and court decisions currently in effect, all of which are subject to change. Any such change may be applied retroactively and may adversely affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences described herein.

This section does not describe all of the consequences that may be relevant to you if you are a member of a class of holders subject to special rules, including, but not limited to, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, banks or other financial institutions, partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, dealers in securities or currencies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, U.S. persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, non-U.S. holders (as defined below) subject to the Medicare contribution tax, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, and persons that will hold the depositary shares as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction.

If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Depositary Shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner of that partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership or a partner of a partnership holding Depositary Shares, you should consult your tax advisors as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of Depositary Shares.

This discussion applies only to purchasers who purchase and hold the Depositary Shares as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally property held for investment).

In general, and assuming that each obligation in the Deposit Agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms, for United States federal income tax purposes, if you hold depositary shares, you will be treated as the owner of the underlying Series B Preferred Stock represented by those depositary shares. Accordingly, the following discussion addresses the tax consequences of owning share of Series B Preferred Stock as if you owned such shares directly rather than through the ownership interests represented by the depositary shares which are being sold in this offering.

Tax consequences may vary depending upon the particular status of an investor. Potential investors should consult with their own tax advisers in determining the specific tax consequences and risks to them of purchasing, holding and disposing of depositary shares, including the application to their particular situation of the U.S. federal income tax considerations discussed below, as well as the application of state, local, foreign or other tax laws.

U.S. Holders

For purposes of this discussion, a U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of depositary shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (1) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (2) a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (3) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (4) a trust if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

Dividends.    Distributions with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock will be taxable as dividend income when paid to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that the amount of a distribution with respect to the shares of Series B Preferred Stock exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such Series B Preferred Stock and thereafter as gain from the disposition of the Series B Preferred Stock as described under “U.S. Holders — Dispositions.”

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Although we presently have accumulated earnings and profits, we may not have sufficient current or accumulated earnings and profits during future years for distributions with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock to be treated as dividend income.

Distributions constituting dividend income received by an individual U.S. holder in respect of Series B Preferred Stock will be “qualified dividend income” if the Series B Preferred Stock has been held for more than 90 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before the ex-dividend date. Qualified dividend income is generally taxed at favorable rates applicable to long-term capital gains. In addition, if a dividend received by an individual holder that qualifies for the “qualified dividend income” rate is an “extraordinary dividend” within the meaning of Section 1059 of the Code, any loss recognized by such individual holder on a subsequent disposition of the stock will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such “extraordinary dividend,” irrespective of such holder’s holding period for the stock.

Distributions with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock constituting dividend income paid to holders that are U.S. corporations or entities taxed as corporations will generally qualify for the dividends-received deduction if the applicable holding period is met. Corporate holders of Series B Preferred Stock should also consider the effect of Section 246A of the Code, which reduces the dividends-received deduction allowed to a corporate shareholder that has incurred indebtedness that is “directly attributable” to an investment in portfolio stock such as preferred stock. Also, if a corporate holder of Series B Preferred Stock receives a dividend on the Series B Preferred Stock that is an “extraordinary dividend” within the meaning of Section 1059 of the Code, such holder in certain instances must reduce its tax basis in the Series B Preferred Stock by the amount of the “nontaxed portion” of such “extraordinary dividend” that results from the application of the dividends-received deduction. If the “nontaxed portion” of such “extraordinary dividend” exceeds such corporate holder’s basis, any excess will be taxed as gain as if such holder had disposed of its Series B Preferred Stock in the year the “extraordinary dividend” is paid. Each domestic corporate holder of Series B Preferred Stock is urged to consult with its tax advisors with respect to the eligibility for and amount of any dividends received deduction and the application of Sections 246A and 1059 of the Code to any dividends it receives.

The availability of the reduced dividend tax rate for individuals and the dividends-received deduction for U.S. corporations are subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions and other applicable limitations. You should consult your own tax adviser regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate and the dividends-received deduction in light of your particular circumstances.

Holder’s Conversion Option in connection with a Change of Control.    In the event of a U.S. holder’s conversion of Series B Preferred Stock in connection with a Change of Control, the tax consequences of such conversion will depend, in part, upon the facts underlying the transaction in which the Change of Control occurs. A U.S. holder should consult the holder’s tax advisor regarding the tax consequences to the U.S. holder of the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock under a Change of Control transaction.

Dispositions.    A U.S. holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss on a sale or exchange of the Series B Preferred Stock equal to the difference between the amount realized (which does not include any declared but unpaid distributions, which will be treated in the manner described above) upon the sale or exchange and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the securities sold or exchanged. A U.S. holder’s initial tax basis in the Series B Preferred Stock will equal its cost. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the securities sold or exchanged is more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers are generally taxed at the same lower maximum tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income summarized above. Net capital gains of a U.S. holder other than long-term capital gains are taxed at the rates applicable to ordinary income. The deductibility of net capital losses is subject to limitations.

Although a U.S. holder receiving cash in a redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock is generally expected to be taxed in the same manner described for any other disposition, that treatment is subject to certain exceptions, particularly in the case of a holder actually or constructively owning other shares of our stock. A U.S. holder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the application of these rules in light of its particular circumstances.

Medicare Tax.    In addition, a U.S. holder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of its “net investment income”, which will generally include its dividend income and its net gains from the disposition of Series B Preferred Stock, unless such dividend income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct

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of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). If you are a U.S. holder that is an individual, estate, or trust, you are urged to consult your tax adviser regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in the Series B Preferred Stock.

Backup withholding on U.S. holders.    U.S. holders may be subject to backup withholding with respect to the payment of dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock and to payments of proceeds on the disposition of the Series B Preferred Stock unless such U.S. holders provide proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number, and otherwise comply with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S. holder is allowable as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax, which may entitle the U.S. holder to a refund, provided that the U.S. holder provides the required information to the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) in a timely manner. Moreover, certain penalties may be imposed by the IRS on a U.S. holder who is required to furnish information, but does not do so in the proper manner.

Information reporting.    Information returns will generally be filed with the IRS in connection with the payment of dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock to non-corporate U.S. holders and certain payments of proceeds to non-corporate U.S. holders on the disposition of the Series B Preferred Stock.

Non-U.S. holders

The discussion in this section is addressed to non-U.S. holders of the Series B Preferred Stock. For this purpose, a non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of Series B Preferred Stock other than a U.S. holder or partnership.

Dividends.    Generally, dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, provided the non-U.S. holder furnishes the payor with a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) certifying under penalty of perjury that such holder is eligible for treaty benefits. The 30% withholding does not apply if the dividends are effectively connected with a trade or business carried on by the non-U.S. holder within the United States and, if a tax treaty applies, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder and the non-U.S. holder provides the payor with a properly completed IRS Form W-8ECI. In such case, the dividends will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at applicable individual or corporate rates and, in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation, may be subject to a “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

Dispositions.    A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized on the sale or exchange of the Series B Preferred Stock unless: (1) the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder (and if a tax treaty applies, the gain is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by such non-U.S. holder); (2) in the case of an individual, such non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the sale or disposition and certain other conditions exist; or (3) we have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition of the Series B Preferred Stock and certain other conditions are met. We believe that we are not currently, and we do not anticipate becoming, a U.S. real property holding corporation.

Cash received by a non-U.S. holder in a disposition that is in respect of dividends in arrears on the Series B Preferred Stock should generally be treated as provided under “Non-U.S. holders — Dividends.”

Although a non-U.S. holder receiving cash in a redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock is generally expected to be taxed in the same manner described for any other disposition, that treatment is subject to certain exceptions, particularly in the case of a non-U.S. holder actually or constructively owning other shares of our stock. A non-U.S. holder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the application of these rules in light of its particular circumstances.

Information reporting and backup withholding on non-U.S. holders.    Payment of dividends and the tax withheld with respect thereto are subject to information reporting requirements. These information reporting requirements apply regardless of whether withholding was reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty, or withholding was not required because the dividends were effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States conducted by the non-U.S. holder. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available by the IRS under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or agreement to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides. U.S. backup withholding will generally apply on payment of dividends

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to non-U.S. holders unless such non-U.S. holders furnish to the payor an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) certifying, under penalty of perjury, that the person is a non-U.S. person, or such non-U.S. holders otherwise establish an exemption.

Payment by a U.S. office of a broker of the proceeds of a sale of the Series B Preferred Stock is subject to both backup withholding and information reporting unless the non-U.S. holder, or beneficial owner thereof, as applicable, certifies that it is a non-U.S. holder on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form), or otherwise establishes an exemption. Subject to certain exceptions, backup withholding and information reporting generally will not apply to a payment of proceeds from the sale of the Series B Preferred Stock if such sale is effected through a foreign office of a broker without certain specified U.S. connections.).

FATCA withholding

Pursuant to sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, commonly known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a 30% withholding tax (“FATCA withholding”) may be imposed on certain payments to a holder or to certain foreign financial institutions, investment funds and other non-U.S. persons receiving payments on the holder’s behalf if the holder or such persons fail to comply with certain information reporting requirements. Such payments will include U.S.-source dividends. Payments of dividends received in respect of the Series B Preferred Stock could be affected by this withholding if a holder is subject to the FATCA information reporting requirements and fails to comply with them or holds the Series B Preferred Stock through a non-U.S. person (e.g., a foreign bank or broker) that fails to comply with them (even if payments to the holder would not otherwise have been subject to FATCA withholding). Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the relevant U.S. law and other official guidance on FATCA withholding, including the possible application of an intergovernmental agreement that alters the general FATCA requirements.

If any amount of, or in respect of, U.S. withholding tax were to be deducted or withheld from payments on the Series B Preferred Stock as a result of a failure by a holder (or by an institution through which a holder holds the Series B Preferred Stock) to comply with FATCA, neither us nor any paying agent nor any other person would, pursuant to the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, be required to pay additional amounts with respect to any Series B Preferred Stock as a result of the deduction or withholding of such tax. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to a refund or credit in respect of some or all of this withholding. However, even if a holder is entitled to have such withholding refunded, the required procedures could be cumbersome and significantly delay the holder’s receipt of any amounts withheld.

This summary is for general information only and is not intended to constitute a complete description of all tax consequences for non-U.S. holders relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Series B Preferred Stock. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Series B Preferred Stock.

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UNDERWRITING (Conflicts of Interest)

BRS is acting as joint book-running manager and representative of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters dated September 1, 2020 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the respective number of depositary shares set forth opposite the underwriter’s name below.

Underwriter

 

Principal
Amount of
Depositary
Shares

B. Riley Securities, Inc.

 

$

13,325,000

Incapital LLC

 

 

5,850,000

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

 

 

4,875,000

William Blair & Company, L.L.C.

 

 

3,818,750

Boenning & Scattergood, Inc.

 

 

1,950,000

Aegis Capital Corp.

 

 

1,706,250

Wedbush Securities Inc.

 

 

975,000

Total

 

$

32,500,000

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the depositary shares included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel, including the validity of the depositary shares, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the depositary shares if any of the depositary shares are purchased (other than those covered by the over-allotment option as described below). If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of delivery of the depositary shares initially purchased, to purchase up to an aggregate of 195,000 additional depositary shares at the public offering price set forth on the cover page hereof, less underwriting discounts and commissions and less an amount per depositary share equal to any dividends per depositary share payable by us on the depositary shares that are not payable by us on these option shares. The underwriters may exercise such option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with offering the depositary shares. To the extent this option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of such additional depositary shares as the number set forth next to such underwriter’s name in the preceding table bears to the total number of depositary shares set forth next to the names of all underwriters in the preceding table.

The underwriters propose to offer part of the depositary shares to the public directly at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and part to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $0.50 per share. After the initial offering of depositary shares, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the underwriters.

The following table shows the per share and total public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions that we will pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering and proceeds, before expenses, to us. The amounts are shown assuming both no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option to purchase up to additional depositary shares.

 

Per
Depositary
Share

 

No Exercise

 

Full
Exercise

Public offering price

 

$

25.00

 

$

32,500,000

 

$

37,375,000

Underwriting discount

 

 

0.7875

 

 

1,023,750

 

 

1,177,313

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

 

$

24.2125

 

$

31,476,250

 

$

36,197,687

In addition, we estimate that our share of the total expenses of this offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $450,000. We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees, up to $75,000.

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We will apply to list the depositary shares on the NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYL.” If this application is approved, we expect trading in the depositary shares to commence within 30 days of the initial delivery of the depositary shares to the underwriters. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the depositary shares prior to the commencement of trading on the NASDAQ. The underwriters will have no obligation to make a market in the depositary shares, however, and may cease market making activities, if commenced, at any time.

Until the distribution of depositary shares is complete, SEC rules may limit the ability of the underwriters to bid for and purchase depositary shares. As an exception to these rules, underwriters are permitted to engage in certain transactions which stabilize the price of the depositary shares, which may include short sales, covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve sales of depositary shares in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a short position. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares from us in the offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional depositary shares or purchasing depositary shares in the open market. In determining the source of depositary shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of depositary shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the depositary shares price at which they may purchase through the over-allotment option. “Naked” short sales are any sales in excess of such option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing depositary shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the depositary shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of the depositary shares made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the other underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above might have on the depositary shares. Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the depositary shares. They may also cause the price of the depositary shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NASDAQ or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time without notice.

We have agreed that, for a period of 60 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, we will not, without the prior written consent of the representative, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of any debt securities issued or guaranteed by us or shares of any class of our capital stock (other than the depositary shares) ranking senior to the shares of Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights, or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

We expect that delivery of the depositary shares will be made to investors on or about September 4, 2020 (such settlement being referred to as “T+2 ”).

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (which may include bank loans and/or credit default swaps) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. A typical such hedging strategy would include these underwriters or their affiliates hedging such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the depositary shares representing interests in the Series B Preferred Stock. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

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We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

A prospectus supplement in electronic format may be made available on web sites maintained by one or more underwriters. Other than the prospectus supplement in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s web site and any information contained in any other web site maintained by an underwriter is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

Additional Relationships and Conflicts of Interest

The underwriters and their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. The underwriters and their affiliates may provide from time to time in the future in the ordinary course of their business certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services to us for which they will be entitled to receive customary fees and expenses. The underwriters have in the past and may in the future borrow money from or obtain other financial and non-financial services from us for which we will be entitled to receive customary fees and expenses.

BRS, our wholly-owned subsidiary, will participate in the offering of the depositary shares as a joint book-running manager.

Because of the foregoing, BRS may be deemed to have a “conflict of interest” within the meaning of Rule 5121 of the FINRA, and this offering will be conducted in accordance with Rule 5121. That rule requires that a “qualified independent underwriter” meeting specified requirements must participate in the preparation of this prospectus and exercise its usual standard of due diligence with respect thereto. Incapital has agreed to act as the qualified independent underwriter for this offering and has agreed in so acting to undertake the legal responsibilities and liabilities of an underwriter under the Securities Act, specifically including those inherent in Section 11 thereof. Incapital will not receive a fee for acting as the qualified independent underwriter for this offering.

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EXPERTS

Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, as well as the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, as stated in its report incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, and such audited consolidated financial statements have been incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon its authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The combined financial statements of BR Brand Group as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of Mayer Hoffman McCann CPAs, The New York Practice of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C., independent auditor of BR Brand Group, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by The NBD Group, Inc., Los Angeles, California, and for the underwriters by Duane Morris LLP, New York, New York.

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the date we file that document. Any documents filed by us under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement and before the date that the offering of depositary shares by means of this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

•        Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on May 11, 2020 and August 3, 2020, respectively;

•        Our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2020 and Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 23, 2020;

•        Our current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 9, 2020, February 10, 2020, February 12, 2020, February 21, 2020, April 13, 2020, May 6, 2020, May 15, 2020, June 24, 2020 and September 1, 2020; and

•        the description of our Series A Preferred Stock including in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on October 7, 2019.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred to above that have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You may request those documents from us by contacting us at: B. Riley Financial, Inc., 11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 800, Los Angeles, California 90025, Attention: Investor Relations, telephone (310) 966-1444.

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PROSPECTUS

B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.

$350,000,000
COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
WARRANTS
DEBT SECURITIES
DEPOSITARY SHARES
UNITS

We may offer and sell from time to time the above securities in one or more classes, in one or more transactions, separately or together in any combination and as separate series, and in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the times of the offerings. We may also offer any of these securities that may be issuable upon the conversion, exercise or exchange of debt securities, preferred stock or warrants. The aggregate initial offering price of the securities that we may offer through this prospectus will be up to $350,000,000.

We will provide specific terms of any offering in supplements to this prospectus, which we will deliver together with the prospectus at the time of sale. The supplements may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “RILY”. On February 13, 2020, the last reported sales price of our common stock as quoted on NASDAQ was $26.88 per share.

On February 13, 2020, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates was $521.6 million.

Investing in our securities involves risks. Risks associated with an investment in our securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and certain of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as described under the caption “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus.

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

The date of this prospectus is February 24, 2020.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

ABOUT B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.

 

1

RISK FACTORS

 

3

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

3

DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

 

3

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

3

SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

 

4

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

4

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

7

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

8

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

15

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

18

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

19

LEGAL MATTERS

 

21

EXPERTS

 

21

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

21

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

22

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell the securities or combinations of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings in amounts that we will determine from time to time. For further information about our business and the securities, you should refer to the registration statement containing this prospectus and its exhibits. The exhibits to our registration statement contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we offer, you should review the full text of these documents. We have filed and plan to continue to file other documents with the SEC that contain information about us and our business. Also, we will file legal documents that control the terms of the securities offered by this prospectus as exhibits to the reports we file by the SEC. The registration statement and other reports can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we offer securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement and/or other offering material that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. When we refer to a “prospectus supplement,” we are also referring to any free writing prospectus or other offering material authorized by us. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement or incorporated information having a later date. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement, or any other offering material that we authorize, including the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any supplement to this prospectus, or any other offering material that we authorize, is accurate at any date other than the date indicated on the cover page of these documents or the date of the statement contained in any incorporated documents, respectively. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities referred to in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should not interpret the delivery of this prospectus, or any sale of securities, as an indication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus. You should also be aware that information in this prospectus may change after this date. The information contained in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement or amendment, or incorporated herein or therein by reference, is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus or prospectus supplement or amendment, as applicable, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or prospectus supplement or amendment, as applicable, or of any sale of the shares.

As used in this prospectus, unless the context indicates or otherwise requires, “the Company,” “B. Riley,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to the combined business of B. Riley Financial, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.

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ABOUT B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.

Our Business

B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY) and its subsidiaries provide collaborative financial services and solutions through several operating subsidiaries including:

•        B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley FBR”) is a leading, full service investment bank providing financial advisory, corporate finance, research, securities lending and sales and trading services to corporate, institutional and high net worth individual clients.

•        B. Riley Wealth Management, Inc. provides comprehensive wealth management and brokerage services to individuals and families, corporations and non-profit organizations, including qualified retirement plans, trusts, foundations and endowments.

•        B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, a Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registered investment advisor, which includes:

•        B. Riley Asset Management, an advisor to certain private funds and to institutional and high net worth investors.

•        Great American Capital Partners, LLC (“GACP”), the general partner of two private funds, GACP I, L.P. and GACP II, L.P., both direct lending funds that provide senior secured loans and second lien secured loan facilities to middle market public and private U.S. companies.

•        GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group LLC (“GlassRatner”), a specialty financial advisory services firm that provides consulting services to shareholders, creditors and companies, including due diligence, fraud investigations, corporate litigation support, crisis management and bankruptcy services. We acquired GlassRatner on August 1, 2018. GlassRatner strengthens B. Riley’s diverse platform and complements the restructuring services provided by B. Riley FBR.

•        Great American Group, LLC, a leading provider of asset disposition and auction solutions to a wide range of retail and industrial clients.

•        Great American Group Advisory and Valuation Services, LLC, a leading provider of appraisal and valuation services for asset based lenders, private equity firms and corporate clients.

We also pursue a strategy of investing in or acquiring companies which we believe have attractive investment return characteristics. As part of this strategy, we have completed the following acquisitions or investments.

•        UOL is a communications company that offers consumer subscription services and products, consisting of Internet access services and devices under the NetZero and Juno brands primarily sold in the United States.

•        magicJack is a Voice over IP (“VoIP”) cloud-based technology and services communications provider.

•        BR Brand Holdings LLC, in which we acquired a majority investment interest on October 28, 2019, is a brand investment portfolio.

We are headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in major cities throughout the United States including New York, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Memphis, Metro Washington D.C. and West Palm Beach.

For financial reporting purposes we classify our businesses into five operating segments: (i) Capital Markets, (ii) Auction and Liquidation, (iii) Valuation and Appraisal, (iv) Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack and (v) Brands segment as a result of acquiring a majority investment interest in BR Brands Holdings LLC on October 28, 2019.

Capital Markets Segment.    Our Capital Markets segment provides a full array of investment banking, corporate finance, consulting, financial advisory, research, securities lending, wealth management and sales and trading services to corporate, institutional and high net worth clients. Our corporate finance and investment banking services include merger and acquisitions as well as restructuring advisory services to public and private companies, initial and secondary

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public offerings, and institutional private placements. In addition, we trade equity securities as a principal for our account, including investments in funds managed by our subsidiaries. Our Capital Markets segment also includes our asset management businesses that manage various private and public funds for institutional and individual investors.

Auction and Liquidation Segment.    Our Auction and Liquidation segment utilizes our significant industry experience, a scalable network of independent contractors and industry-specific advisors to tailor our services to the specific needs of a multitude of clients, logistical challenges and distressed circumstances. Furthermore, our scale and pool of resources allow us to offer our services across North American as well as parts of Europe, Asia and Australia. Our Auction and Liquidation segment operates through two main divisions, retail store liquidations and wholesale and industrial assets dispositions. Our wholesale and industrial assets dispositions division operates through limited liability companies that are controlled by us.

Valuation and Appraisal Segment.    Our Valuation and Appraisal segment provides valuation and appraisal services to financial institutions, lenders, private equity firms and other providers of capital. These services primarily include the valuation of assets (i) for purposes of determining and monitoring the value of collateral securing financial transactions and loan arrangements and (ii) in connection with potential business combinations. Our Valuation and Appraisal segment operates through limited liability companies that are majority owned by us.

Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack Segment.    Our Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment consists of businesses which have been acquired primarily for attractive investment return characteristics. Currently, this segment includes UOL, through which we provide consumer Internet access, magicJack, through which we provide VoIP communication and related product and subscription services.

Brands Segment.    Our Brands segment consists of a brand investment portfolio that is focused on generating revenue through the licensing of trademarks held by BR Brand Holdings LLC, which we own a majority of the equity interests. We license intellectual property of six brands: Catherine Malandrino, English Laundry, Joan Vass, Kensie Girl, Limited Too and Nanette Lepore.

Our Corporate Information

We are a Delaware corporation. Our executive offices are located at 21255 Burbank Blvd, Suite 400, Woodland Hills, California 91367, and the telephone number at our principal executive office is (310) 966-1444. Our website addresses are http://www.brileyfin.com, https://brileyfbr.com, http://www.greatamerican.com, https://www.glassratner.com, http://www.unitedonline.net, http://www.magicjack.com and http://www.vocaltec.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this document.

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, together with all of the other information appearing in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations and financial condition. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this prospectus that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price could be materially negatively affected. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated include those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors.”

We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment and new risks emerge from time to time. As a result, it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus speak only as of the date hereof, and except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.

DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

The terms of any particular offering by us, the initial offering price and the net proceeds to us will be contained in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, relating to such offering.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, which may include funding future acquisitions and investments, repaying indebtedness, making capital expenditures and funding working capital. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest the net proceeds in short-term marketable securities.

We have not determined the amounts we plan to spend on the areas listed above or the timing of these expenditures. As a result, our management will have broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds of any offering.

3

SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

We may issue from time to time, in one or more offerings the following securities:

•        shares of common stock;

•        shares of preferred stock;

•        warrants exercisable for debt securities, common stock or preferred stock;

•        debt securities;

•        depositary shares; and

•        units of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities or depositary shares, in any combination.

This prospectus contains a summary of the material general terms of the various securities that we may offer. The specific terms of the securities will be described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or free writing prospectus, which may be in addition to or different from the general terms summarized in this prospectus. Where applicable, the prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus will also describe any material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities offered and indicate whether the securities offered are or will be listed on any securities exchange. The summaries contained in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplements, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus may not contain all of the information that you would find useful. Accordingly, you should read the actual documents relating to any securities sold pursuant to this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” for information about how to obtain copies of those documents.

The terms of any particular offering, the initial offering price and the net proceeds to us will be contained in the prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, relating to such offering.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, provides that we are authorized to issue 101,000,000 shares of capital stock. Our authorized capital stock is comprised of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

The following description is a summary of the material terms of our capital stock and certain provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended. This description does not purport to be complete. For information on how you can obtain our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Common Stock

We are authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the shares voting are able to elect all of our directors. Subject to preferences that may apply to any then outstanding shares of preferred stock, the holders of outstanding shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available for distribution at the times and in the amounts, if any, that our Board of Directors may determine from time to time. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, subject to the rights of each series of our preferred stock, which may, from time to time come into existence, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets remaining after we pay our liabilities. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or other subscription or conversion rights. Our common stock is not redeemable and there are no sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock.

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Preferred Stock

Our Board of Directors is authorized, subject to limitations imposed by Delaware law, to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, in one or more series, without stockholder approval. Our Board of Directors is authorized to fix the number of shares of preferred stock and to determine or (so long as no shares of such series are then outstanding) alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by Delaware General Corporation Law. The rights, privileges, preferences and restrictions of any such additional series may be subordinated to, pari passu with, or senior to any of those of any present or future class or series of our capital stock. Our Board of Directors is also authorized to decrease the number of shares of any series, prior or subsequent to the issue of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be so decreased, the shares constituting any decrease shall resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

This section describes the general terms and provisions of our preferred stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any shares of preferred stock offered through that prospectus supplement, as well as any general terms described in this section that will not apply to those shares of preferred stock. We will file a copy of the certificate of designation that contains the terms of each new series of preferred stock with the SEC each time we issue a new series of preferred stock. Each certificate of designation will establish the number of shares included in a designated series and fix the designation, powers, privileges, preferences and rights of the shares of each series as well as any applicable qualifications, limitations or restrictions. You should refer to the applicable certificate of designation as well as our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation before deciding to buy shares of our preferred stock as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and Charter Provisions

Interested Stockholder Transactions

We are subject to Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

•        before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested holder;

•        upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding, for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

•        on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines “business combination” to include the following:

•        any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

•        any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

•        subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

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•        any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

•        the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines “interested stockholder” as an entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Provisions in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, may have the effect of discouraging certain transactions that may result in a change in control of our company. Some of these provisions provide that stockholders cannot act by written consent and impose advance notice requirements and procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation allows us to issue shares of preferred stock (see “Blank Check Preferred Stock”) or common stock without any action by stockholders. Our directors and our officers are indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law pursuant to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Our Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our Amended and Restated Bylaws. These provisions may make it more difficult for stockholders to take specific corporate actions and may make it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Blank Check Preferred Stock

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, authorizes our Board of Directors to approve the issuance of up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without further approval of the stockholders, and to determine the rights and preferences of any series of preferred stock. The Board of Directors could issue one or more series of preferred stock with voting, conversion, dividend, liquidation or other rights that would adversely affect the voting power and ownership interest of holders of our common stock. This authority may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers, delaying or preventing a change in control and discouraging bids for our common stock at a premium over the market price.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or other securities described in this prospectus. We may issue warrants independently or as part of a unit with other securities. Warrants sold with other securities as a unit may be attached to or separate from the other securities. The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants we are offering will describe specific terms relating to the offering, including a description of any other securities sold together with the warrants. These terms will include some or all of the following:

•        the title of the warrants;

•        the aggregate number of warrants offered;

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

•        the designation, number and terms of any common stock, preferred stock or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and procedures by which those numbers may be adjusted;

•        the exercise price of the warrants, including any provisions for changes or adjustments to the exercise price, and terms relating to the currency in which such price is payable;

•        the dates or periods during which the warrants are exercisable;

•        the designation and terms of any securities with which the warrants are issued as a unit;

•        if the warrants are issued as a unit with another security, the date on or after which the warrants and the other security will be separately transferable;

•        any minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

•        any terms relating to the modification of the warrants;

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

•        any other terms of the warrants and any other securities sold together with the warrants, including, but not limited to, the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange, exercise or redemption of the warrants.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any warrant units.

The descriptions of the warrants in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreements. These descriptions do not restate those agreements in their entirety and do not contain all of the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, define many of your rights as holders of the warrants or any warrant units. For more information, please review the form of the relevant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of warrants or warrant units and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The senior debt securities will rank equally with any other unsubordinated debt that we may have and may be secured or unsecured. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner described in the instrument governing the debt, to all or some portion of our senior indebtedness. Any convertible debt securities that we may issue will be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, preferred stock or other securities of ours or of a third party. Conversion may be mandatory or at your option and would be at prescribed conversion rates.

The debt securities will be issued either (i) pursuant to our existing indenture, dated as of November 2, 2016, as supplemented, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (our “2016 Indenture”), (ii) pursuant to our existing indenture, dated as of May 7, 2019, as supplemented, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (our “2019 Indenture” and together with the 2016 Indenture, the “existing indentures”), or (iii) pursuant to a subordinated debt indenture that we will enter into with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (“new subordinated debt indenture”). While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in a prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus).

We have incorporated by reference our existing indentures and filed forms of our new subordinated debt indenture as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We use the term “indentures” to refer collectively to our existing indentures and our new subordinated debt indenture.

The indentures, to the extent not already qualified, will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

The following summaries of the material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the indentures, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the form of our new subordinated debt indenture filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part, as it may be supplemented, amended or modified from time to time, as well as our existing indentures that are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part. You should read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of debt securities being offered, as well as the complete indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities.

The following are some of the terms relating to our existing indentures and our new subordinated debt indenture of debt securities that could be described in a prospectus supplement:

•        title;

•        principal amount being offered, and, if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;

•        any limit on the amount that may be issued;

•        whether we will issue the series of debt securities in global form and, if so, the terms and who the depositary will be;

•        maturity date;

•        principal amount due at maturity, and whether the debt securities will be issued with any original issue discount;

•        whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a United States person for tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts;

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•        annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate, the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

•        whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

•        terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;

•        place where payments will be payable;

•        restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

•        our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

•        date, if any, after which, the conditions upon which, and the price at which we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions, and any other applicable terms of those redemption provisions;

•        provisions for a sinking fund, purchase or other analogous fund, if any;

•        date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities;

•        whether the indenture will restrict our ability or the ability of our subsidiaries to:

•        incur additional indebtedness;

•        issue additional securities;

•        create liens;

•        pay dividends or make distributions in respect of our capital stock or the capital stock of our subsidiaries;

•        redeem capital stock;

•        place restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets;

•        make investments or other restricted payments;

•        sell or otherwise dispose of assets;

•        enter into sale-leaseback transactions;

•        engage in transactions with shareholders or affiliates;

•        issue or sell stock of our subsidiaries; or

•        effect a consolidation or merger;

•        whether the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios;

•        a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities;

•        information describing any book-entry features;

•        procedures for any auction or remarketing, if any;

•        whether the debt securities are to be offered at a price such that they will be deemed to be offered at an “original issue discount” as defined in paragraph (a) of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

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

•        if other than dollars, the currency in which the series of debt securities will be denominated; and

•        any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any events of default that are in addition to those described in this prospectus or any covenants provided with respect to the debt securities that are in addition to those described above, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the debt securities.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, preferred stock or other securities of ours, including the conversion or exchange rate, as applicable, or how it will be calculated, and the applicable conversion or exchange period. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of our securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive upon conversion or exchange would, under the circumstances described in those provisions, be subject to adjustment, or pursuant to which those holders would, under those circumstances, receive other property upon conversion or exchange, for example in the event of our merger or consolidation with another entity.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

The terms of any securities that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus may limit our ability to merge or consolidate or otherwise sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, which terms would be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and supplemental indenture. Any successor of ours or acquiror of such assets would have to assume all of our obligations under the indentures and the debt securities, as appropriate.

If the debt securities are convertible for our other securities, the person with whom we consolidate or merge or to whom we sell all of our property would have to make provisions for the conversion of the debt securities into securities that the holders of the debt securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation, merger or sale.

Events of Default Under the Indenture

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

•        if we fail to pay interest when due and payable and our failure continues for 30 days and the time for payment has not been extended or deferred;

•        if we fail to pay the principal or premium, if any, when due and payable and the time for payment has not been extended or deferred;

•        if we fail to deposit any sinking fund payment, to the extent applicable, when and as due;

•        if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt securities or the indentures, and our failure continues for 60 days after we receive notice from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and

•        if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable

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immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding would be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture occurs and continues, the trustee would be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee. The holders of a majority in 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 trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

•        the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture, nor subject the trustee to a risk of personal liability in respect of which the trustee has not received indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses, liabilities and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action; and

•        the trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

•        the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

•        the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered indemnity satisfactory to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and

•        the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 60 days after the notice, request and offer.

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indentures.

Supplemental Indentures

We and the trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or supplemental indenture without the consent of any holders for one or more of the following purposes:

•        to evidence the succession of another corporation, and the assumption by the successor corporation of our covenants, agreements and obligations under the indenture and debt securities;

•        to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default;

•        to modify, eliminate or add to any of the provisions of the indenture to such extent as necessary to effect the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and to add to the indenture such other provisions as may be expressly permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, excluding however, the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act;

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•        to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained in the indenture or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with other provisions;

•        to make provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the indenture, so long such other provisions to do not adversely affect the interest of any other holder of debt securities in any material respect;

•        to secure any series of security;

•        to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment of a successor trustee and to add or change any provisions of the indenture as necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trust by more than one trustee; and

•        to establish the form or terms of securities of any series as permitted under the indenture, including any subordination provisions.

In addition, we and the trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected, may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or supplemental indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner the rights of the holders of the securities of such series and any related coupons of the indenture, provided that no such supplemental indenture shall:

•        extend the fixed maturity of any securities, or reduce the principal amount thereof or premium, if any, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest, without the extent of the holder so affected;

•        reduce the aforesaid percentage of securities, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of all holders of outstanding series of debt securities; or

•        modify any of the above provisions.

Discharge

Each indenture will provide that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:

•        register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;

•        replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;

•        maintain paying agencies; and

•        hold monies for payment in trust.

In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations, or a combination thereof, sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The indentures will provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company or another depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus with respect to that series.

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

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Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will make no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time 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.

If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

•        issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of any series being redeemed in part during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of sending of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such transmission; or

•        register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

Information Concerning the Trustee

The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by an indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that, unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we may make interest payments by check which we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we will designate an office or agency of the trustee in the contiguous United States as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

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Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Our new subordinated debt indenture in the form initially filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and our existing indentures, do not limit the amount of indebtedness which we may incur, including senior indebtedness or subordinated indebtedness, and do not limit us from issuing any other debt, including secured debt or unsecured debt.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, which we call depositary shares, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do, we will issue to the public receipts, called depositary receipts, for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction, to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. Those rights include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.

The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a bank or trust company selected by us to act as depositary under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.

The summary of terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus is not complete. You should refer to the form of the deposit agreement and the certificate of designation for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions, if any, received in respect of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The relevant record date for depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for, or otherwise in accordance with the terms of, the underlying preferred stock. The depositary will not distribute amounts less than one cent. The depositary will distribute any balance with the next sum received for distribution to record holders of depositary shares.

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

Liquidation Preference

If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares has a liquidation preference, in the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, holders of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Withdrawal of Stock

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

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Redemption of Depositary Shares

Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock redeemed, so long as we have set aside all funds necessary for the redemption, including the redemption price for such shares and all dividends declared but not paid as of the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will bear the same relationship to the redemption price per share of preferred stock that the depositary share bears to the underlying preferred stock. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata, by lot or by any other equitable method.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be outstanding. When the depositary shares are no longer outstanding, all rights of the holders will cease, except the right to receive money or other property that the holders of the depositary shares were entitled to receive upon the redemption. Payments will be made when holders surrender their depositary receipts to the depositary.

Voting the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will forward the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock. The relevant record date for depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for, or otherwise in accordance with the terms of, the underlying preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as reasonably practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action requested by and deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. In the absence of any specific instructions from a holder of depositary shares, the depositary will, subject to any applicable restrictions, cast votes pertaining to the number of whole shares of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares proportionately with instructions actually received.

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 associated charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts. If these charges have not been paid by the holders of depositary receipts, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by at least a majority (or, in the case of such amendments relating to or affecting rights to receive dividends or distributions or voting or redemption rights, holders of at least two-thirds) of the outstanding depositary shares. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if:

•        all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or

•        there has been a final distribution of the preferred stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and such distribution has been made to all the holders of depositary shares.

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Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon our appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having the requisite combined capital and surplus as set forth in the applicable agreement.

Notices

The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and other communications, including proxy solicitation materials received from us, that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and communications we deliver to the depositary as the holder of preferred stock.

Limitation of Liability

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

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The prospectus supplement will describe:

•        the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately;

•        the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;

•        the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units;

•        material federal income tax considerations, if applicable; and

•        whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

The descriptions of the units and any applicable underlying security or pledge arrangements in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements. These descriptions do not restate those agreements in their entirety and may not contain all the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, define many of your rights as holders of the units. For more information, please review the form of the relevant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of units and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Securities Offered by Us

We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades, “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers.

We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

•        at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

•        at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

•        at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

•        at negotiated prices.

Unless stated otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of any underwriter to purchase securities will be subject to certain conditions, and an underwriter will be obligated to purchase all of the applicable securities if any are purchased. If a dealer is used in a sale, we may sell the securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

We or our agents may solicit offers to purchase securities from time to time. Unless stated otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation (in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions) from us or from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of securities may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profits on the resale of the securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any such underwriter or agent, and we will describe any compensation paid to them, in the related prospectus supplement.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements with us to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

If stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain specified institutions or other persons to purchase securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Institutions with which these contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions, and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our approval. These contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of these contracts. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities shall not be prohibited at the time of delivery under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.

There is no established trading market for any security other than our common stock, which is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “RILY”, our Depositary Shares, listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYP,” our 7.50% Senior Notes due 2027, listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYZ”, our 7.375% Senior Notes due 2023, listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYH”, our 7.25% Senior Notes due 2027, listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYG”, our 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023, listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYI”, our 6.75% Senior Notes due 2024, listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYO”, and our 6.50% Senior Notes due 2026, listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYN” and our 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025, listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “RILYM.” The securities issued under this registration statement may or may not

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be listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of our securities. Any underwriter may make a market in these securities. However, no underwriter will be obligated to do so, and any underwriter may discontinue any market making at any time, without prior notice.

If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, until the distribution of the securities is completed, SEC rules may limit the ability of any underwriters and selling group members to bid for and purchase the securities. As an exception to these rules, representatives of any underwriters are permitted to engage in certain transactions that stabilize the price of the securities. These transactions may consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. If the underwriters create a short position in the applicable securities in connection with any offering (in other words, if they sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement) the representatives of the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing securities in the open market. The representatives of the underwriters may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of any over-allotment option we may grant to the underwriters, as described in the prospectus supplement. The representatives of the underwriters may also impose a penalty bid on certain underwriters and selling group members. This means that if the representatives purchase securities in the open market to reduce the underwriters’ short position or to stabilize the price of the securities, they may reclaim the amount of the selling concession from the underwriters and selling group members who sold those shares as part of the offering.

In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be in the absence of those purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of the securities to the extent that it discourages resales of the securities. The transactions described above may have the effect of causing the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the representatives of the underwriters may discontinue any of the transactions at any time. In addition, the representatives of any underwriters may determine not to engage in those transactions or that those transactions, once commenced, may be discontinued without notice.

Certain of the underwriters or agents and their associates may engage in transactions with and perform services for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.

In no event will the commission or discount received by any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) member or independent broker-dealer participating in a distribution of securities exceed eight percent of the aggregate principal amount of the offering of securities in which that FINRA member or independent broker-dealer participates.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The NBD Group, Inc., Los Angeles, California, has passed upon the validity of the securities to be offered pursuant to this prospectus.

EXPERTS

Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, as well as the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, as stated in its report incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and such audited consolidated financial statements have been incorporated by reference into this prospectus in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon its authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of FBR & Co. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The consolidated financial statements of magicJack VocalTec Ltd. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The combined financial statements of BR Brand Group as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of Mayer Hoffman McCann CPAs, The New York Practice of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C., independent auditor of BR Brand Group, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document that we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, on official business days during the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. All filings we make with the SEC are also available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. Our website addresses are http://www.greatamerican.com, http://www.brileyfin.com, http://www.unitedonline.net, http://www.magicjack.com and http://www.vocaltec.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our websites, and you should not consider it to be a part of this document.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is part of that registration statement. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering pursuant to this prospectus, you should refer to the complete registration statement, its exhibits and the information incorporated by reference in the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the copy of that contract or other documents filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. You may read or obtain a copy of the registration statement at the SEC’s public reference room and website referred to above.

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

For purposes of this prospectus, the SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” certain information we have filed with the SEC, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to other information we have filed with the SEC. The information we incorporate by reference is considered part of this prospectus. We specifically are incorporating by reference the following documents filed with the SEC (excluding those portions of any Current Report on Form 8-K that are not deemed “filed” pursuant to the General Instructions of Form 8-K):

•        Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019, filed with the SEC on May 1, 2019, August 9, 2019 and November 1, 2019, respectively;

•        Our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2019 (including any portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 15, 2019 that are incorporated by reference into such Annual Report on Form 10-K);

•        Our current reports on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on June 28, 2017, March 21, 2018, December 10, 2018, and November 26, 2019, and our current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 21, 2017, March 20, 2018, April 25, 2018, May 11, 2018, August 13, 2018, November 20, 2018, January 4, 2019, February 7, 2019, April 9, 2019, April 22, 2019, May 7, 2019, July 18, 2019, September 23, 2019, October 7, 2019, October 11, 2019, October 15, 2019, October 18, 2019, November 1, 2019, December 5, 2019, January 9, 2020 and February 12, 2020; and

•        Description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on July 15, 2015.

•        Certificate of Designation designating the 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock filed on October 4, 2019.

All documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, except as to any portion of any report or documents that is not deemed filed under such provisions, (1) on or after the date of filing of the registration statement containing this prospectus and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement and (2) on or after the date of this prospectus until the earlier of the date on which all of the securities registered hereunder have been sold or the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part has been withdrawn, shall be deemed incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part of this prospectus from the date of filing of those documents.

These reports and documents can be accessed free of charge on our website http://www.brileyfin.com by clicking on “Investor Relations” and then clicking on “SEC Filings.” We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, but not delivered with the prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that this prospectus incorporates. Please send written requests to:

21255 Burbank Blvd, Suite 400,
Woodland Hills, California 91367
Attn.: Chief Financial Officer

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of those documents.

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1,300,000 Depositary Shares

Each Representing 1/1000th of a Share of 7.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock
(Liquidation Preference Equivalent to $25.00 Per Depositary Share)

Book-Running Managers

B. Riley FBR

 

Incapital

 

Ladenburg Thalmann

 

William Blair

Co-Managers

Boenning & Scattergood

 

Aegis Capital Corp.

 

Wedbush Securities

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

September 1, 2020

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