# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000004904
**File Stem:** 0000004904-23-000013
**Filing Date:** 2023-2
**Character Count:** 124840
**Document Hash:** 16fdcb5a64703887e8b7cfaed02302a7
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0000004904-23-000013.hdr.sgml**: 20230227

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0000004904-23-000013

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 424B5

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 3

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20230227

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20230227

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER CO INC
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000004904
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 134922640
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** NY
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 424B5
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-249918
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23670397

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 1 RIVERSIDE PLAZA
- **CITY:** COLUMBUS
- **STATE:** OH
- **ZIP:** 43215
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 614-716-1000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 1 RIVERSIDE PLAZA
- **CITY:** COLUMBUS
- **STATE:** OH
- **ZIP:** 43215

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** KINGSPORT UTILITIES INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19660906

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-249918

**The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. Neither this preliminary prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus is an offer to sell the securities and neither is soliciting any offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.**

**Subject to Completion, dated February 27, 2023**

![boundlessenergygray.jpg](boundlessenergygray.jpg)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$

**Preliminary Prospectus Supplement**

**(To Prospectus dated November 6, 2020)** 

**American Electric Power Company, Inc.**

**&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; % Senior Notes, Series Q, due** 

Interest on the Series Q Senior Notes (the "Notes") is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning September 1, 2023. The Notes will mature on March 1, . We may redeem the Notes either in whole or in part at our option, at the applicable redemption price described below under "Specific Terms of the Notes—Optional Redemption" on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement. The Notes do not have the benefit of a sinking fund.

The Notes are unsecured and rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding and will be effectively subordinated to all of our secured debt, to the extent of the assets securing such debt. We will issue the Notes only in registered form in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Per Note** | **Total** |
| Public offering price (1) | % | $ |
| Underwriting discount | % | $ |
| Proceeds, before expenses, to American <br>Electric Power Company, Inc. (1) | % | $ |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)Plus accrued interest, if any, from March&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; , 2023.

**_______________________________________________**

**INVESTING IN THESE NOTES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE SECTION ENTITLED "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE S-4 OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION.**

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

The Notes are expected to be delivered in book-entry form only through The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, including Clearstream Banking S.A. and Euroclear Bank SA/NV, on or about March&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; , 2023.

**_______________________________________________**

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| *Joint Book-Running Managers* | *Joint Book-Running Managers* | *Joint Book-Running Managers* | *Joint Book-Running Managers* | *Joint Book-Running Managers* |
| **Barclays** | **KeyBanc <br>Capital Markets** | **MUFG** | **TD Securities** | **&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; US Bancorp** |
| *Co-Managers* | *Co-Managers* | *Co-Managers* | *Co-Managers* | *Co-Managers* |
| **AmeriVetSecurities** | **Fifth Third Securities** | **Huntington Capital Markets** | **Huntington Capital Markets** | **Siebert Williams Shank** |

---

**February&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; , 2023**

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**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

**Prospectus Supplement**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| | **Page** |
| About this Prospectus Supplement | S-[1](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_7) |
| Summary Information | S-[1](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_10) |
| Risk Factors | S-[4](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_13) |
| Where You Can Find More Information | S-[5](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_19) |
| Use of Proceeds | S-[5](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_19) |
| Specific Terms of the Notes | S-[6](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_22) |
| Certain United States Federal Income and Estate Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders | S-[10](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_25) |
| Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) | S-[14](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_28) |
| Legal Matters | S-20 |
| Experts | S-20 |
| **Prospectus** |  |
| Risk Factors | [2](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_40) |
| The Company | [2](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_43) |
| Prospectus Supplements | [2](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_46) |
| Where You Can Find More Information | [3](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_49) |
| Use of Proceeds | [4](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_52) |
| Description of the Senior Notes | [4](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_55) |
| Description of Common Stock | [9](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_58) |
| Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures | [10](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_61) |
| Description of the Stock Purchase Contracts and the Stock Purchase Units | [16](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_64) |
| Book-Entry System | [17](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_67) |
| Plan of Distribution | [20](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_70) |
| Legal Opinions | [21](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_73) |
| Experts | [21](#ida5eefe45a2c42d885d7190598232475_76) |

---

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**ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT**

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of the Notes and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which does not apply to the Notes. If the description of the Notes varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus and in any written communication from the Company or the underwriters specifying the final terms of the offering. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of the date on their respective covers. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

**SUMMARY INFORMATION**

*The following information supplements, and should be read together with, the information contained in the accompanying prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as the documents they incorporate by reference, before making an investment decision. Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references appearing in this prospectus supplement to "AEP", the "Company", "we", "us" and "our" should be read to refer to American Electric Power Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries.*

**American Electric Power Company, Inc.**

We are one of the largest investor-owned electric public utility holding companies in the United States. Our electric utility operating companies provide generation, transmission and distribution services to more than five million retail customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Approximately 225,000 circuit miles of distribution lines that deliver electricity to 5.6 million customers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Approximately 40,000 circuit miles of transmission lines, including approximately 2,200 circuit miles of 765 kV lines, the backbone of the electric interconnection grid in the eastern United States;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Approximately 23,500 MWs of regulated owned generating capacity as of December 31, 2022, one of the largest complements of generation in the United States.; and

Our principal executive offices are located at 1 Riverside Plaza, Columbus, Ohio, and our telephone number is (614) 716-1000.

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**The Offering**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Issuer | American Electric Power Company, Inc. |
| Notes | $&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;principal amount of Senior Notes, Series Q, due&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;. |
| Maturity Date of the Notes | The Notes will mature on March 1, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; . |
| Interest Rate on the Notes | The Notes will bear interest at the rate of &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;% per year. |
| Interest Payment Dates on the Notes | Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on the first day of March and September, beginning on September 1, 2023. |
| Redemption of the Notes | At any time prior to &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;, we may redeem the Notes at our option at any time, either as a whole or in part, in each case, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus a make-whole premium calculated by us (calculated to the Par Call Date (as hereinafter defined)), together with accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the date of redemption.<br>At any time on or after &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;, we may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the date of redemption. |
| Ranking | The Notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations ranking equally with our other outstanding and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. |
| Restrictive Covenants | For a discussion of the restrictive covenants relating to the Notes, see "Limitation upon Liens on Stock of Certain Subsidiaries" and "Limitation upon Mergers, Consolidations and Sale of Assets" under "Specific Terms of the Notes—Restrictive Covenants Relating to the Notes" in this prospectus supplement. |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Use of Proceeds | We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes offered hereby, after deducting the underwriting discounts and our estimated offering expenses, will be approximately $ million and will be used for general corporate purposes. These purposes include the repayment of short term indebtedness. If we do not use the net proceeds immediately, we will temporarily invest them in short-term, interest-bearing obligations. See "Use of Proceeds" in this prospectus supplement. |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Trustee | The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. |
| Governing Law | The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. |
| Risk Factors | Investing in the Notes involves risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks described under the heading ''Item 1A. Risk Factors'' in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. See the "Risk Factors" section on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement for more information. |

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**RISK FACTORS**

*Investing in the Notes involves risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below as well as any cautionary language or other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our <u>[Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 202](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000004904/000000490422000024/aep-20211231.htm)[2](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000004904/000000490422000024/aep-20211231.htm)</u> before investing in the Notes. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The risks and uncertainties described are those presently known to us.*

***We must rely on cash from our subsidiaries to make payments on the Notes.***

We are a holding company that derives substantially all of our income from our operating subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to pay any amounts on the Notes or to make any funds available for such payment. Therefore, the Notes will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, debt and preferred stock incurred or issued by our subsidiaries. In addition to trade liabilities, many of our operating subsidiaries incur debt in order to finance their business activities. All of this indebtedness will be effectively senior to the Notes. In addition, each subsidiary's ability to pay dividends to us depends on any statutory, regulatory and/or contractual restrictions that may be applicable to such subsidiary. The indenture pursuant to which the Notes will be issued does not place any limit on the amount of senior indebtedness that we may issue, guarantee or otherwise incur or the amount of liabilities, including debt or preferred stock that our subsidiaries may issue, guarantee or otherwise incur. We expect that our subsidiaries will from time to time incur additional indebtedness and other liabilities that will be senior to the Notes. At December 31, 2022, the total indebtedness of our subsidiaries was approximately $30.2 billion; this amount does not include operating leases and other liabilities.

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**WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION**

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). We also file annual, quarterly and special reports and other information with the SEC. You may examine our SEC filings through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, 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, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") until we sell all the Notes.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Annual Report on <u>[Form 10-K](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000004904/000000490422000024/aep-20211231.htm)</u> for the year ended December 31, 2022.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Investor Relations

American Electric Power Service Corporation

1 Riverside Plaza

Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-716-1000

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any written communication from us or any underwriter specifying the final terms of the offering. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of the Notes in any state or jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of the date on their respective covers.

**USE OF PROCEEDS**

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes offered hereby, after deducting the underwriting discounts and our estimated offering expenses, will be approximately $ million and will be used for general corporate purposes. These purposes include the repayment of short-term indebtedness. If we do not use the net proceeds immediately, we will temporarily invest them in short-term, interest-bearing obligations.

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**SPECIFIC TERMS OF THE NOTES**

Please read the following information concerning the Notes in conjunction with the statements under "Description of the Senior Notes" in the accompanying prospectus, which the following information supplements and, in the event of any inconsistencies, supersedes. The following description does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the description in the accompanying prospectus and the Indenture dated as of May 1, 2001 (the "Indenture") between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the "Trustee"). The Indenture is described in the accompanying prospectus, and a form thereof is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement under which the Notes are being offered and sold.

The Notes will be our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations ranking equally with our other outstanding unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. At December 31, 2022, we had approximately $8.4 billion of outstanding unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Indenture contains no restrictions on the amount of additional indebtedness that we may issue. We currently have no secured debt outstanding.

***Principal Amount, Maturity, Interest and Payment***

The Notes will initially be issued in an aggregate principal amount of $&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; . We may at any time and from time to time, without consent of the holders of the Notes, issue additional notes having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and other terms (except the public offering price, issue date and, if applicable, the initial interest payment date) as the Notes. These additional notes, together with the Notes, will constitute a single series of notes under the Indenture.

The Notes will mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest, on March 1,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;, and will bear interest at the rate of&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;% per year from March&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;, 2023 until March 1,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;. The Notes are not subject to any sinking fund provision.

Interest on the Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year and at redemption, if any, or maturity. The initial interest payment date is September 1, 2023. Each payment of interest shall include interest accrued through the day before the next interest payment date. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

For the Notes, if any interest payment date, redemption date or the maturity is not a Business Day (as defined below), we will pay all amounts due on the next succeeding Business Day and no additional interest will be paid. The "Regular Record Date" will be the close of business on the February 15 or August 15 prior to the relevant interest payment date, whether or not a Business Day.

"Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law or regulation to close.

***Waiver of Replacement Capital Covenant***

The Indenture provides that the Notes will not be entitled to benefit in any way from the Replacement Capital Covenant, dated as of March 1, 2008, entered into by the Company in favor of certain holders of the Company's debt, and subsequently amended by an amendment dated as of February 29, 2012 (as amended, the "Replacement Capital Covenant"). Under this provision, the Notes will never become Eligible Debt or Covered Debt (as such terms are defined in the Replacement Capital

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Covenant), and the holders of the Notes will never be entitled to become Covered Debtholders (as defined in the Replacement Capital Covenant). Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring a Note or any interest in a Note will be deemed to have agreed to this waiver of the Replacement Capital Covenant.

***Optional Redemption***

We may redeem the Notes at our option at any time upon no more than 60 and not less than 30 days' notice (either by mail or in compliance with the applicable procedures of DTC).

Prior to , (months prior to the maturity date (the "Par Call Date")), we may redeem the Notes at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus basis points less (b) interest accrued to the redemption date; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed,

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.

On or after the Par Call Date, we may redeem the Notes at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.

For purposes of these redemption provisions, the following term has the following meaning.

"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by us in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by us after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as "Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15" (or any successor designation or publication) ("H.15") under the caption "U.S. government securities—Treasury constant maturities—Nominal" (or any successor caption or heading) ("H.15 TCM"). In determining the Treasury Rate, we shall select, as applicable:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (the "Remaining Life"); or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields—one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life—and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this clause, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.

If on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, we shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date, but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, we shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date, or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, we shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

Our actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty whatsoever to determine, or to verify our calculations of, the redemption price.

**Restrictive Covenants Relating to the Notes**

***Limitation upon Liens on Stock of Certain Subsidiaries***

For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, we will not create or incur or allow any of our subsidiaries to create or incur any pledge or security interest on any of the capital stock of a Public Utility Subsidiary held by us or one of our subsidiaries or a Significant Subsidiary.

For purposes of this covenant, a Public Utility Subsidiary means, at any particular time, a direct or indirect subsidiary of ours that, as a substantial part of its business, distributes or transmits electric energy to retail or wholesale customers at rates or tariffs that are regulated by either a state or Federal regulatory authority.

For purposes of this covenant, Significant Subsidiary means, at any particular time, any direct subsidiary of ours whose consolidated gross assets or consolidated gross revenues (having regard to our direct beneficial interest in the shares, or the like, of that subsidiary) represent at least 25% of our consolidated gross assets or our consolidated gross revenues.

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***Limitation upon Mergers, Consolidations and Sale of Assets***

Nothing in the Indenture or the Notes prevents us from consolidating or merging with or into, or selling or otherwise disposing of all or substantially all of our property to another entity, provided that (1) we agree to obtain a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the surviving entity or transferee agrees to assume our obligations relating to all outstanding debt securities issued under the Indenture and (2) the surviving entity or transferee is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

**Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures**

Secondary market trading between Clearstream Banking S.A. ("Clearstream") participants and/or Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear system ("Euroclear") participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear, as applicable.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream participants or Euroclear system participants on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream participants and Euroclear system participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.

Because of time-zone differences, credits of Notes received in Clearstream or the Euroclear system as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such Notes settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear system participant or Clearstream participant on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or the Euroclear system as a result of sales of the Notes by or through a Clearstream participant or a Euroclear system participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or the Euroclear system cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

**Additional Information**

For additional important information about the Notes, see "Description of the Senior Notes" in the accompanying prospectus, including: (i) additional information about the terms of the Notes, (ii) general information about the Indenture and the Trustee, and (iii) a description of events of default under the Indenture.

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**CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX**

**CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS**

The following is a summary of certain United States federal income and estate tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes as of the date hereof. This summary deals only with Notes that are held as capital assets by a non-U.S. holder (as defined below) who acquires the Notes upon original issuance at their initial offering price.

A "non-U.S. holder" means a beneficial owner of the Notes (other than an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) that is not, for United States federal income tax purposes, any of the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

This summary is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in United States federal income and estate tax consequences different from those summarized below. This summary does not address all aspects of United States federal income and estate taxes and does not deal with foreign, state, local or other tax considerations that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders in light of their personal circumstances. In addition, it does not represent a detailed description of the United States federal income and estate tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the United States federal income tax laws (including if you are a United States expatriate, "controlled foreign corporation," "passive foreign investment company" or a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes). We cannot assure you that a change in law will not alter significantly the tax considerations that we describe in this summary.

If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds the Notes, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding the Notes, you should consult your tax advisors.

It is anticipated, and this discussion assumes, that the Notes will not be issued with more than a *de minimis* amount of original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.

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**If you are considering the purchase of Notes, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the particular United States federal income and estate tax consequences to you of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes, as well as the consequences to you arising under other United States federal tax laws and the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.**

**United States Federal Withholding Tax**

Subject to the discussions of backup withholding and FATCA below, United States federal withholding tax will not apply to any payment of interest on the Notes under the "portfolio interest rule," provided that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• interest paid on the Notes is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• you do not actually (or constructively) own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock within the meaning of the Code and applicable United States Treasury regulations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us through stock ownership;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• you are not a bank whose receipt of interest on the Notes is described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• either (a) you provide your name and address on an Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form), and certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are not a United States person as defined under the Code or (b) you hold your Notes through certain foreign intermediaries and satisfy the certification requirements of applicable United States Treasury regulations. Special certification rules apply to non-U.S. holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.

If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest made to you will be subject to a 30% United States federal withholding tax, unless you provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) stating that interest paid on the Notes is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (as discussed below under "—United States Federal Income Tax").

The 30% United States federal withholding tax generally will not apply to any payment of principal or gain that you realize on the sale, exchange, retirement, redemption or other taxable disposition of a Note.

**United States Federal Income Tax**

If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States and interest on the Notes is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment), then you will be subject to United

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States federal income tax on that interest on a net income basis in the same manner as if you were a United States person as defined under the Code. In addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lower applicable branch profits tax rate under an income tax treaty) of your effectively connected earnings and profits, subject to adjustments. Any effectively connected interest will be exempt from the 30% United States federal withholding tax, provided the certification requirements discussed above in "—United States Federal Withholding Tax" are satisfied.

Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, any gain realized on the sale, exchange, retirement, redemption or other taxable disposition of a Note generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax unless:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment), in which case such gain will generally be subject to United States federal income tax (and possibly branch profits tax) in the same manner as effectively connected interest as described above; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• you are an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise, you will generally be subject to a 30% United States federal income tax on any gain recognized, which may be offset by certain United States source losses.

**United States Federal Estate Tax**

If you are an individual and are not a United States citizen and are not a resident of the United States (as specifically defined for United States federal estate tax purposes), your estate will not be subject to United States federal estate tax on Notes beneficially owned by you at the time of your death, provided that any payment to you of interest on the Notes, if received at such time, would be eligible for exemption from the 30% United States federal withholding tax under the "portfolio interest rule" described above under "—United States Federal Withholding Tax," without regard to the statement requirement described in the fifth bullet point of that section.

**Information Reporting and Backup Withholding**

Interest paid to you and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments generally will be reported to the IRS. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which you reside under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

In general, you will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments on the Notes that we make to you provided that the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person as defined under the Code, and such withholding agent has received from you the statement described above in the fifth bullet point under "—United States Federal Withholding Tax."

Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale or other taxable disposition of Notes made within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless you certify under penalties of perjury that you are a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person as defined under the Code), or you otherwise establish an exemption.

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Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against your United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

**Additional Withholding Requirements**

Under sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such sections commonly referred to as "FATCA"), a 30% United States federal withholding tax generally will apply to any interest on a Note paid to (i) a "foreign financial institution" (as specifically defined in the Code) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) its compliance (or deemed compliance) with FATCA (which may alternatively be in the form of compliance with an intergovernmental agreement with the United States) in a manner which avoids withholding, or (ii) a "non-financial foreign entity" (as specifically defined in the Code) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) adequate information regarding certain substantial United States beneficial owners of such entity (if any). If an interest payment is both subject to withholding under FATCA and subject to the withholding tax discussed above under "—United States Federal Withholding Tax," the withholding under FATCA may be credited against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. While withholding under FATCA would also have applied to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition of the Notes, proposed United States Treasury regulations (upon which taxpayers may rely until final regulations are issued) eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. You should consult your own tax advisors regarding these rules and whether they may be relevant to your ownership and disposition of the Notes.

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**UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)**

Barclays Capital Inc., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., MUFG Securities Americas Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., are acting as representatives of the underwriters named below with respect to the Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to each of the underwriters named below and each of the underwriters has severally and not jointly agreed to purchase from us the respective principal amount of Notes set forth opposite its name below:

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Underwriter** | **Principal Amount<br>of the Notes** |
| Barclays Capital Inc. | $ |
| KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. |  |
| MUFG Securities Americas Inc. |  |
| TD Securities (USA) LLC |  |
| U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. |  |
| AmeriVet Securities, Inc. |  |
| Fifth Third Securities, Inc. |  |
| Huntington Securities, Inc. |  |
| Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC |  |
| Total | $ |

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In the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all of the Notes offered hereby if any of the Notes are purchased.

The expenses associated with the offer and sale of the Notes, excluding the underwriting discount, are expected to be approximately $&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; and will be payable by us.

The underwriters propose to offer the Notes to the public initially at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and may offer the Notes to certain dealers initially at that price less a concession not in excess of % per Note. The underwriters may allow, and those dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of % per Note. After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed. The offering of the Notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in part.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Notes. The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. Certain underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the Notes. The underwriters will have no obligation to make a market in the Notes, however, and may cease market making activities, if commenced, at any time. There can be no assurance of a secondary market for the Notes, or that the Notes may be resold.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or contribute to payments that each underwriter may be required to make in respect thereof.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell the Notes in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover

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syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purposes of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Notes and syndicate short positions involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of Notes than they are required to purchase from us in the offering. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker dealers in respect of the securities sold in the offering for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such Notes are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Notes, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and these activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

The underwriters and their respective 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. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates have made or held, and may in the future make or hold, a broad array of investments including serving as counterparties to certain derivative and hedging arrangements, and may have actively traded, and, in the future may actively trade, debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities), and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may have in the past and at any time in the future hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may have involved, and in the future may involve, securities and instruments of the Company.

If any of the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these underwriters and their affiliates would hedge 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 Notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the Notes offered hereby. 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.

Some of the underwriters or their affiliates engage in transactions with, and have performed services for, us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business and have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory, corporate trust, commercial and investment banking services for us, for which they received, or will receive, customary fees and expenses.

***Conflicts of Interest***

Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates hold a portion of the indebtedness that the Company intends to repay using a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes. It is possible that one or more of the underwriters or their affiliates could receive 5% or more of the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes, and, in that case, such underwriter would be deemed to have a "conflict of interest" within the meaning of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA") Rule 5121. In the event of any such conflict of interest, such underwriter would be required to conduct the distribution of the Notes in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121. If the distribution is conducted in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, such underwriter would not be permitted to confirm a sale of a Note in this offering to an account over

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which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the account holder. See the "Use of Proceeds" section of this prospectus supplement for more information.

***Selling Restrictions***

***Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area***

The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the "Prospectus Regulation"). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of the Notes in any member state of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of the Notes. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus are prospectuses for purposes of the Prospectus Regulation.

***Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom***

The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom ("UK"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the "FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK Prospectus Regulation"). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

In the UK, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are "qualified investors" (as defined in the UK Prospectus Regulation) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order") and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus must not be acted on or relied on in the UK by persons who are not relevant persons. In the UK, any investment or investment activity to which this

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prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Company; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Notes in, from or otherwise involving the UK.

***Notice to Residents of Canada***

The Notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the Notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

***Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong***

The Notes may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to Notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

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***Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore***

This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the "SFA"), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the Notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Notes under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or (3) where the transfer is by operation of law.

Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification—Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, the Company has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the Notes are "prescribed capital markets products" (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

***Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan***

The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any Notes, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

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***Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland***

This prospectus supplement is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the Notes. The Notes may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act ("FinSA") and no application has or will be made to admit the Notes to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Notes constitutes a prospectus pursuant to the FinSA, and neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

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**LEGAL MATTERS**

Certain legal matters with respect to this offering of the Notes will be passed on for us by David C. House, Esq., Associate General Counsel, or William E. Johnson, Esq., Senior Counsel, or Ryan F. Aguiar, Esq., Senior Counsel, of American Electric Power Service Corporation, our service company affiliate. Certain legal matters with respect to the offering of the Notes will be passed on for the underwriters by Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, New York, New York. From time to time, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP acts as counsel to our affiliates for some matters.

**EXPERTS**

The financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus Supplement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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PROSPECTUS

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC.

1 RIVERSIDE PLAZA

COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215

(614) 716-1000

SENIOR NOTES

COMMON STOCK

JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS

STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

TERMS OF SALE

This prospectus contains summaries of the general terms of the securities. You will find the specific terms of these securities, and the manner in which they are being offered, in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the available prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

The common stock of American Electric Power Company, Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol "AEP". The last reported sale of the common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC on November 5, 2020 was $90.71 per share.

In this prospectus, unless the context indicates otherwise, the words "we", "ours" and "us" refer to American Electric Power Company, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

**INVESTING IN THESE SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE SECTION ENTITLED "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 2 FOR MORE INFORMATION.**

**The securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission, nor have these organizations determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.**

The date of this prospectus is November 6, 2020.

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**RISK FACTORS**

Investing in our securities involves risk. Please see the risk factors described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and all subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The risks and uncertainties described are those presently known to us.

**THE COMPANY**

We are a public utility holding company that owns, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding common stock of our domestic electric utility subsidiaries and varying percentages of other subsidiaries. Substantially all of our operating revenues derive from the furnishing of electric service. We were incorporated under the laws of New York in 1906 and reorganized in 1925. Our principal executive offices are located at 1 Riverside Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, and our telephone number is (614) 716-1000.

We own, directly or indirectly, all the outstanding common stock of the following operating public utility companies: AEP Texas Inc., Appalachian Power Company, Indiana Michigan Power Company, Kentucky Power Company, Kingsport Power Company, Ohio Power Company, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Southwestern Electric Power Company and Wheeling Power Company. These operating public utility companies supply electric service in portions of Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. We also own all of the membership interests of AEP Transmission Holding Company, LLC, a holding company for our transmission operation joint ventures and for seven transmission-only electric utilities, each of which is geographically aligned with our utility operations.

**PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENTS**

We will provide information to you about the securities in up to three separate documents that progressively provide more detail: (a) this prospectus provides general information some of which may not apply to your securities, (b) the accompanying prospectus supplement provides more specific terms of your securities, and (c) the pricing supplement, if any, provides the final terms of your securities. It is important for you to consider the information contained in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement, and the pricing supplement, if any, in making your investment decision.

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**WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION**

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). We also file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. You may examine our SEC filings through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, 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, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including any documents filed after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to its effectiveness) until we sell all the securities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Annual Report on <u>[Form 10-K](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000000490420000007/aep10klegal20194q.htm)</u> for the year ended December 31, 2019;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended <u>[March 31, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000000490420000046/aep20201q10q.htm)</u>, <u>[June 30, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000000490420000062/aep-20200630.htm)</u> and <u>[September 30, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000000490420000084/aep-20200930.htm)</u>; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Current Reports on Form 8-K filed <u>[March 5, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000000490420000022/aepseniornotes8k03-2020.htm)</u>, <u>[March 23, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000000490420000030/a03-2020creditagreement.htm)</u>, <u>[March 30, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000000490420000033/a0320208k.htm)</u>, <u>[April 22, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000000490420000039/aepshareholdersmeeting.htm)</u>, <u>[August 17, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000119312520220904/d889658d8k.htm)</u>, <u>[September 15, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000000490420000069/aep-20200915.htm)</u> and <u>[November 2, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000000490420000086/aep-20201102.htm)</u> and Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed <u>[September 16, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/4904/000000490420000073/aep-20200915.htm)</u>, which amended Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 15, 2020.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Investor Relations

American Electric Power Service Corporation

1 Riverside Plaza

Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-716-1000

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus and in any written communication from us or any underwriters specifying the final terms of the particular offering. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

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**USE OF PROCEEDS**

Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of any of the offered securities will be used for general corporate purposes relating to our business. These purposes may include redeeming or repurchasing outstanding debt, replenishing working capital, and financing our subsidiaries' ongoing construction and maintenance programs. If we do not use the net proceeds immediately, we will temporarily invest them in short-term, interest-bearing obligations. At September 30, 2020 we had $1.65 billion in short-term debt outstanding.

The prospectus supplement of a particular offering of securities will identify the use of proceeds for the offering.

**DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR NOTES**

**General**

We will issue the Senior Notes directly to the public, to a trust or as part of a Stock Purchase Unit, under an Indenture dated May 1, 2001 (as previously supplemented and amended, the "Indenture") between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York), as trustee (the "Trustee"). This prospectus briefly outlines some provisions of the Indenture. If you would like more information on these provisions, you should review the Indenture and any supplemental indentures or company orders that we have filed or will file with the SEC. See *Where You Can Find More Information* on page 2 on how to locate these documents. You may also review these documents at the Trustee's offices at 2 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.

The Indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Notes that may be issued. The Indenture permits us to issue Senior Notes in one or more series or tranches upon the approval of our board of directors and as described in one or more company orders or supplemental indentures. Each series of Senior Notes may differ as to their terms. The Indenture also gives us the ability to reopen a previous issue of a series of Senior Notes and issue additional Senior Notes of such series.

Because we are a holding company, the claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will have a priority over our equity rights and the rights of our creditors (including the holders of the Senior Notes) to participate in the assets of the subsidiary upon the subsidiary's liquidation.

The Senior Notes are unsecured and will rank equally with all our unsecured unsubordinated debt. For current information on our debt outstanding see our most recent Form 10-K and 10-Q. See *Where You Can Find More Information*.

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A pricing or prospectus supplement will include the final terms for each Senior Note. If we decide to list upon issuance any Senior Note or Senior Notes on a securities exchange, a pricing or prospectus supplement will identify the exchange and state when we expect trading could begin. The following terms of the Senior Notes that we may sell at one or more times will be established in the applicable pricing or prospectus supplement:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maturity

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fixed or floating interest rate

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Remarketing features

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Certificate or book-entry form

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Redemption

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not convertible, amortized or subject to a sinking fund

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interest paid on fixed rate Senior Notes quarterly or semi-annually

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interest paid on floating rate Senior Notes monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Issued in multiples of a minimum denomination

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ability to defer payment of interest

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any other terms not inconsistent with the Indenture

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Issued with Original Issue Discount

The Senior Notes will be denominated in U.S. dollars and we will pay principal and interest in U.S. dollars. Unless an applicable pricing or prospectus supplement states otherwise, the Senior Notes will not be subject to any conversion, amortization, or sinking fund. We expect that the Senior Notes issued to the public will be "book-entry," represented by a permanent global Senior Note registered in the name of Cede & Co., The Depository Trust Company's partnership nominee or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. We reserve the right, however, to issue Senior Note certificates registered in the name of the Senior Noteholders.

In the discussion that follows, whenever we talk about paying principal on the Senior Notes, we mean at maturity or redemption. Also, in discussing the time for notices and how the different interest rates are calculated, all times are New York City time and all references to New York mean The City of New York, unless otherwise noted.

The Indenture does not protect holders of the Senior Notes if we engage in a highly leveraged transaction.

The following terms may apply to each Senior Note as specified in the applicable pricing or prospectus supplement and the Senior Note:

**Redemptions**

If we issue redeemable Senior Notes, we may redeem such Senior Notes at our option unless an applicable pricing or prospectus supplement states otherwise. The pricing or prospectus supplement will state the terms of redemption. We may redeem Senior Notes in whole or in part by delivering written notice to the Senior Noteholders no more than 60, and not less than 30, days prior to redemption. If we do not redeem all the Senior Notes of a series at one time, DTC (as defined herein), in the case of Senior Notes represented by a global security, will select the particular Senior Notes or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding Senior Notes not previously redeemed in accordance with applicable procedures of DTC. If Senior Note certificates are outstanding, the Trustee selects the Senior Notes to be redeemed by lot or in such other manner it determines to be fair.

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**Remarketed Notes**

If we issue Senior Notes with remarketing features, an applicable pricing or prospectus supplement will describe the terms for the Senior Notes including: interest rate, remarketing provisions, our right to purchase or redeem Senior Notes, the holders' right to tender Senior Notes, and any other provisions.

**Note Certificates-Registration, Transfer, and Payment of Interest and Principal**

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of Senior Notes issued to the public will be issued initially in the form of one or more global notes, in registered form, without coupons, as described under *Book-Entry System*. However, if we issue Senior Note certificates, they will be registered in the name of the Senior Noteholder. The Senior Notes may be transferred or exchanged, pursuant to administrative procedures in the Indenture, without the payment of any service charge (other than any tax or other governmental charge) by contacting the paying agent. Payments to public holders of Senior Note certificates will be made by check or by wire transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the person entitled thereto as specified in the security register.

**Original Issue Discount**

We may issue the Senior Notes at an original issue discount, bearing no interest or bearing interest at a rate that, at the time of issuance, is below market rate, to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Generally speaking, if the Senior Notes are issued at an original issue discount and there is an event of default or acceleration of their maturity, holders will receive an amount less than their principal amount. Tax and other special considerations applicable to original issue discount debt will be described in the prospectus supplement in which we offer those Senior Notes.

**Interest Rate**

The interest rate on the Senior Notes will either be fixed or floating. The interest paid will include interest accrued to, but excluding, the date of maturity or redemption. Interest is generally payable to the person in whose name the Senior Note is registered at the close of business on the record date before each interest payment date. Interest payable at maturity or redemption, however, will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

If we issue a Senior Note after a record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, we will pay the first interest payment on the interest payment date after the next record date. We will pay interest payments by check or wire transfer, at our option.

*Fixed Rate Senior Notes*

A pricing or prospectus supplement will designate the record dates, payment dates, our ability to defer interest payments and the fixed rate of interest payable on a Senior Note. We will pay interest quarterly or semi-annually, and upon maturity or redemption. Unless an applicable pricing or prospectus supplement states otherwise, if any payment date falls on a day that is not a business day, we will pay interest on the next business day and no additional interest will be paid. Interest payments will be the amount of interest accrued to, but excluding, each payment date. Interest will be computed using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

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*Floating Rate Notes*

Each floating rate Senior Note will have an interest rate formula. The applicable pricing or prospectus supplement will state the initial interest rate or interest rate formula on each Senior Note effective until the first interest reset date. The applicable pricing or prospectus supplement will state the method and dates on which the interest rate will be determined, reset and paid.

**Events of Default**

The following are events of default under the Indenture with respect to any series of Senior Notes, unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;failure to pay for three business days the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Senior Note of a series when due and payable;

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;failure to pay for 30 days any interest on any Senior Note of any series when due and payable;

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;failure to perform any other requirements in such Senior Notes, or in the Indenture in regard to such Senior Notes, for 90 days after notice;

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;certain events of our bankruptcy or insolvency; or

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;any other event of default specified in a series of Senior Notes.

An event of default for a particular series of Senior Notes does not necessarily mean that an event of default has occurred for any other series of Senior Notes issued and outstanding under the Indenture. If an event of default occurs and continues, the Trustee or the holders of at least 33% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes of the series affected may require us to repay the entire principal of the Senior Notes of such series immediately ("Repayment Acceleration"). In most instances, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes of the affected series may rescind a previously triggered Repayment Acceleration. However, if we cause an event of default because we have failed to pay (unaccelerated) principal, premium, if any, or interest, Repayment Acceleration may be rescinded only if we have first cured our default by depositing with the Trustee enough money to pay all (unaccelerated) past due amounts and penalties, if any.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Trustee must within 90 days after a default occurs, notify the holders of the Senior Notes of the series of default unless such default has been cured or waived. We are required to file an annual certificate with the Trustee, signed by an officer, concerning any default by us under any provisions of the Indenture.

Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to its duties in case of default, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders unless such holders offer the Trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to the provisions for indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to, or exercising any trust or power conferred on, the Trustee with respect to such Senior Notes.

**Modification of Indenture**

Under the Indenture, our rights and obligations and the rights of the holders of any Senior Notes may be changed. Any change affecting the rights of the holders of any series of Senior Notes requires the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes of all series affected by the change, voting as one class. However, we cannot change the terms of payment of principal or interest, or reduce the percentage required for changes or a waiver of default,

------

unless the holder consents. We may issue additional series of Senior Notes and take other action that does not affect the rights of holders of any series by executing supplemental indentures without the consent of any Senior Noteholders.

**Consolidation, Merger or Sale**

We may merge or consolidate with any entity or sell substantially all of our assets as an entirety as long as the successor or purchaser (i) is organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (ii) expressly assumes the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes.

**Legal Defeasance**

We will be discharged from our obligations on the Senior Notes of any series at any time if:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;we deposit with the Trustee sufficient cash or government securities to pay the principal, interest, any premium and any other sums due to the stated maturity date or a redemption date of the Senior Note of the series, and

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;we deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel stating that the federal income tax obligations of Senior Noteholders of that series will not change as a result of our performing the action described above.

If this happens, the Senior Noteholders of the series will not be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture except for registration of transfer and exchange of Senior Notes and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated Senior Notes.

**Covenant Defeasance**

We will be discharged from our obligations under any restrictive covenant applicable to the Senior Notes of a particular series if we perform both actions described above. See *Legal Defeasance*. If this happens, any later breach of that particular restrictive covenant will not result in Repayment Acceleration. If we cause an event of default apart from breaching that restrictive covenant, there may not be sufficient money or government obligations on deposit with the Trustee to pay all amounts due on the Senior Notes of that series. In that instance, we would remain liable for such amounts.

**Governing Law**

The Indenture and Senior Notes of all series will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

**Concerning the Trustee**

We and our affiliates use or will use some of the banking services of the Trustee in the normal course of business. The Trustee is also the Subordinated Indenture Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

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**DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK**

Our authorized capital stock currently consists of 600,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $6.50 per share. 496,389,534 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding as of November 5, 2020. Our common stock, including the common stock offered in this prospectus once issued, is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 43081, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3081, is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

**Dividend Rights**

The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive the dividends declared by our board of directors provided funds are legally available for such dividends. Our income derives from our common stock equity in the earnings of our subsidiaries. Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements may impose certain restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances.

**Voting Rights**

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held.

**Pre-emptive Rights**

The holders of our common stock do not have the right to subscribe for or purchase any part of any new or additional issue of our common stock.

**Rights Upon Liquidation**

If we are liquidated, holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata all assets available for distribution to our shareholders after payment of our liabilities, including liquidation expenses.

**Restrictions on Dealing with Existing Shareholders**

We are subject to Section 513 of New York's Business Corporation Law, which provides that no domestic corporation may purchase or agree to purchase more than 10% of its stock from a shareholder who has held the shares for less than two years at any price that is higher than the market price unless the transaction is approved by both the corporation's board of directors and a majority of the votes of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of shareholders, unless the certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage of the votes of the outstanding shares to approve or the corporation offers to purchase shares from all the holders on the same terms. Our certificate of incorporation does not currently provide for a higher percentage.

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**DESCRIPTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES**

**General**

We will issue the Junior Subordinated Debentures directly to the public, to a trust or as part of a Stock Purchase Unit under the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated March 1, 2008 (the "Subordinated Indenture") between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Bank of New York), as the trustee (the "Subordinated Indenture Trustee"). This prospectus briefly outlines some provisions of the Subordinated Indenture. If you would like more information on these provisions, you should review the Subordinated Indenture and any supplemental indentures or company orders that we will file with the SEC. See *Where You Can Find More Information* on how to locate these documents. You may also review these documents at the Subordinated Indenture Trustee's offices at 2 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.

The Junior Subordinated Debentures are unsecured obligations and are junior in right of payment to "Senior Indebtedness". You may find a description of the subordination provisions of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, including a description of Senior Indebtedness under *Subordination*.

Because we are a holding company, the claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will have a priority over our equity rights and the rights of our creditors (including the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures) to participate in the assets of the subsidiary upon the subsidiary's liquidation.

The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures that we may issue under it. We may issue Junior Subordinated Debentures from time to time under the Subordinated Indenture in one or more series by entering into supplemental indentures or by our Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee authorizing the issuance. The Subordinated Indenture also gives us the ability to reopen a previous issue of a series of Junior Subordinated Debentures and issue additional Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series.

A pricing or prospectus supplement will include the final terms for each Junior Subordinated Debenture. If we decide to list upon issuance any Junior Subordinated Debenture or Junior Subordinated Debentures on a securities exchange, a pricing or prospectus supplement will identify the exchange and state when we expect trading could begin. The following terms of the Junior Subordinated Debentures that we may sell at one or more times will be established in a prospectus supplement:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maturity

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fixed or floating interest rate

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Remarketing features

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Certificate or book-entry form

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Redemption

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not convertible, amortized or subject to a sinking fund

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interest paid on fixed rate Junior Subordinated Debentures quarterly or semi-annually

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interest paid on floating rate Junior Subordinated Debentures monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Issued in multiples of a minimum denomination

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ability to defer payment of interest

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any other terms not inconsistent with the Subordinated Indenture

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Issued with Original Issue Discount

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The Subordinated Indenture does not protect the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures if we engage in a highly leveraged transaction.

**Redemption**

Provisions relating to the redemption of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may redeem Junior Subordinated Debentures only upon notice mailed at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. If we do not redeem all the Junior Subordinated Debentures of a series at one time, DTC, in the case of Junior Subordinated Debentures represented by a global security, will select the particular Junior Subordinated Debentures or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously redeemed in accordance with applicable procedures of DTC. If Junior Subordinated Debenture certificates are outstanding, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee selects the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be redeemed by lot or in such other manner it determines to be fair.

**Junior Subordinated Debenture Certificates-Registration, Transfer, and Payment of Interest and Principal**

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of Junior Subordinated Debentures issued to the public initially will be in the form of one or more global Junior Subordinated Debentures, in registered form, without coupons, as described under *Book-Entry System*. However, if we issue Junior Subordinated Debenture certificates, they will be registered in the name of the Junior Subordinated Debentureholder. The Junior Subordinated Debentures may be transferred or exchanged, pursuant to administrative procedures in the Subordinated Indenture, without the payment of any service charge (other than any tax or other governmental charge) by contacting the paying agent. Payments to public holders of Junior Subordinated Debenture certificates will be made by check or by wire transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the person entitled thereto as specified in the security register.

**Original Issue Discount**

We may issue the Junior Subordinated Debentures at an original issue discount, bearing no interest or bearing interest at a rate that, at the time of issuance, is below market rate, to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Generally speaking, if the Junior Subordinated Debentures are issued at an original issue discount and there is an event of default or acceleration of their maturity, holders will receive an amount less than their principal amount. Tax and other special considerations applicable to original issue discount debt will be described in the prospectus supplement in which we offer those Junior Subordinated Debentures.

**Interest Rate**

The interest rate on the Junior Subordinated Debentures will either be fixed or floating. The interest paid will include interest accrued to, but excluding, the date of maturity or redemption. Interest is generally payable to the person in whose name the Junior Subordinated Debenture is registered at the close of business on the record date before each interest payment date. Interest payable at maturity or redemption, however, will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

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If we issue a Junior Subordinated Debenture after a record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, we will pay the first interest payment on the interest payment date after the next record date. We will pay interest payments by check or wire transfer, at our option.

*Fixed Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures*

A pricing or prospectus supplement will designate the record dates, payment dates, our ability to defer interest payments and the fixed rate of interest payable on a Junior Subordinated Debenture. We will pay interest quarterly or semi-annually, and upon maturity or redemption. Unless an applicable pricing or prospectus supplement states otherwise, if any payment date falls on a day that is not a business day, we will pay interest on the next business day and no additional interest will be paid. Interest payments will be the amount of interest accrued to, but excluding, each payment date. Interest will be computed using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

*Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures*

Each floating rate Junior Subordinated Debenture will have an interest rate formula. The applicable pricing or prospectus supplement will state the initial interest rate or interest rate formula on each Junior Subordinated Debenture effective until the first interest reset date. The applicable pricing or prospectus supplement will state the method and dates on which the interest rate will be determined, reset and paid.

**Events of Default**

The following are events of default under the Subordinated Indenture with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures, unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;failure to pay for three business days the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Junior Subordinated Debenture of a series when due and payable;

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;failure to pay for 30 days any interest on any Junior Subordinated Debenture of any series when due and payable;

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;failure to perform any other requirements in such Junior Subordinated Debentures, or in the Subordinated Indenture, for 90 days after notice;

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;certain events of our bankruptcy or insolvency; or

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;any other event of default specified in a series of Junior Subordinated Debentures.

An event of default for a particular series of Junior Subordinated Debentures does not necessarily mean that an event of default has occurred for any other series of Junior Subordinated Debentures issued under the Subordinated Indenture. If an event of default occurs and continues, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee or the holders of at least 33% of the principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of the series affected may require us to repay the entire principal of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of such series immediately ("Repayment Acceleration"). In most instances, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of the affected series may rescind a previously triggered Repayment Acceleration. However, if we cause an event of default because we have failed to pay (unaccelerated) principal, premium, if any, or interest, Repayment Acceleration may be rescinded only if we have first cured our default by depositing with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee enough money to pay all (unaccelerated) past due amounts and penalties, if any.

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Subject to certain exceptions, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee must within 90 days after a default occurs, notify the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of the series of default unless such default has been cured or waived. We are required to file an annual certificate with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, signed by an officer, concerning any default by us under any provisions of the Subordinated Indenture.

Subject to the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture relating to its duties in case of default, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Subordinated Indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders unless such holders offer the Subordinated Indenture Trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to the provisions for indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to, or exercising any trust or power conferred on, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee with respect to such Junior Subordinated Debentures.

**Modification of Subordinated Indenture**

Under the Subordinated Indenture, our rights and obligations and the rights of the holders of any Junior Subordinated Debentures may be changed. Any change affecting the rights of the holders of any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures requires the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures of all series affected by the change, voting as one class. However, we cannot change the terms of payment of principal or interest, or reduce the percentage required for changes or a waiver of default, unless the holder consents. We may issue additional series of Junior Subordinated Debentures and take other action that does not affect the rights of holders of any series by executing supplemental indentures without the consent of any debentureholders.

**Consolidation, Merger or Sale**

We may merge or consolidate with any entity or sell substantially all of our assets as an entirety as long as the successor or purchaser (i) is organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (ii) expressly assumes the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

**Legal Defeasance**

We will be discharged from our obligations on the Junior Subordinated Debentures of any series at any time if:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;we deposit with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee sufficient cash or government securities to pay the principal, interest, any premium and any other sums due to the stated maturity date or a redemption date of the Junior Subordinated Debenture of the series, and

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;we deliver to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee an opinion of counsel stating that the federal income tax obligations of debentureholders of that series will not change as a result of our performing the action described above.

If this happens, the debentureholders of the series will no longer be entitled to the benefits of the Subordinated Indenture except for registration of transfer and exchange of Junior Subordinated Debentures and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated Junior Subordinated Debentures.

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**Covenant Defeasance**

We will be discharged from our obligations under any restrictive covenant applicable to the Junior Subordinated Debentures of a particular series if we perform both actions described above. See *Legal Defeasance*. If this happens, any later breach of that particular restrictive covenant will not result in Repayment Acceleration. If we cause an event of default apart from breaching that restrictive covenant, there may not be sufficient money or government obligations on deposit with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee to pay all amounts due on the Junior Subordinated Debentures of that series. In that instance, we would remain liable for such amounts.

Junior Subordinated Debentures issued to a trust will not be subject to covenant defeasance.

**Subordination**

Each series of Junior Subordinated Debentures will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, to all Senior Indebtedness as defined below. If:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;we make a payment or distribution of any of our assets to creditors upon our dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise;

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a default beyond any grace period has occurred and is continuing with respect to the payment of principal, interest or any other monetary amounts due and payable on any Senior Indebtedness; or

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated because of a default on that Senior Indebtedness,

then the holders of Senior Indebtedness generally will have the right to receive payment, in the case of the first instance, of all amounts due or to become due upon that Senior Indebtedness, and, in the case of the second and third instances, of all amounts due on that Senior Indebtedness, or we will make provision for those payments, before the holders of any Junior Subordinated Debentures have the right to receive any payments of principal or interest on their Junior Subordinated Debentures.

"Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to any series of Junior Subordinated Debentures, the principal, premium, interest and any other payment in respect of any of the following:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;all of our indebtedness that is evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other securities we sell for money or other obligations for money borrowed;

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the preceding category which we have assumed or guaranteed or which we have in effect guaranteed through an agreement to purchase, contingent or otherwise; and

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;all renewals, extensions or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds described in either of the preceding two categories.

Any such indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, however, will not be Senior Indebtedness if the instrument creating or evidencing it or the assumption or Guarantee of it provides that it is not superior in right of payment to or is equal in right of payment with those Junior Subordinated Debentures. Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions in the Subordinated Indenture irrespective of the amendment, modification or waiver of any term of the Senior Indebtedness.

The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness that we may issue. As of September 30, 2020, our Senior Indebtedness totaled approximately $5.29 billion.

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**Governing Law**

The Subordinated Indenture and Junior Subordinated Debentures of all series are governed by the laws of the State of New York.

**Concerning the Trustee**

We and our affiliates use or will use some of the banking services of the Subordinated Indenture Trustee in the normal course of business. The Subordinated Trustee is also the Trustee under the Indenture relating to the Senior Notes.

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**DESCRIPTION OF THE STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND THE STOCK** 

**PURCHASE UNITS**

We may issue Stock Purchase Contracts representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us and we may sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock (or a range of numbers of shares pursuant to a predetermined formula) at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock may be fixed at the time the Stock Purchase Contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the Stock Purchase Contracts.

The Stock Purchase Contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units, often known as Stock Purchase Units, consisting of a Stock Purchase Contract and either Debt Securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder's obligations to purchase the common stock under the Stock Purchase Contracts.

The Stock Purchase Contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the Stock Purchase Units or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The Stock Purchase Contracts may require holders to secure their obligations in a specified manner and in certain circumstances we may deliver newly issued prepaid Stock Purchase Contracts, often known as prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder's obligations under the original Stock Purchase Contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units and, if applicable, prepaid securities. The description in the applicable prospectus supplement will not necessarily contain all of information that you may find useful. For more information, you should review the Stock Purchase Contracts, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the document pursuant to which the prepaid securities will be issued. These documents will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of such Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units and, if applicable, prepaid securities.

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**BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM**

Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, book-entry only securities of a series will be issued in the form of a global security that the Trustee will deposit with the Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), New York, New York. This means that we will not issue security certificates to each holder. One or more global securities will be issued to Cede & Co. (DTC's partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC who will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased the securities. The participant will then keep a record of its clients who purchased the securities. Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificate, a global security may not be transferred, except that DTC, its nominees, and their successors may transfer a global security as a whole to one another.

Beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and transfers of global securities will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.

DTC, the world's largest securities depository, 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 and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that DTC's participants ("Direct Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants' accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation ("DTCC"). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at <u>www.dtcc.com</u> .

Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be

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requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the securities; DTC's records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial Owners of securities may wish to take certain steps to augment the transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the securities, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults, and proposed amendments to the securities documents. For example, Beneficial Owners of securities may wish to ascertain that the nominee holding the securities for their benefit has agreed to obtain and transmit notices to Beneficial Owners. In the alternative, Beneficial Owners may wish to provide their names and addresses to the registrar and request that copies of notices be provided directly to them.

Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC's MMI Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

Payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts upon DTC's receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us or the Trustee on the payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name", and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, the Trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds and distributions to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is our responsibility, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.

A Beneficial Owner shall give notice to elect to have its securities purchased or tendered, through its Participant, to the Tender/Remarketing Agent, and shall effect delivery of such securities by causing the Direct Participant to transfer the Participant's interest in the securities, on DTC's records, to the Tender/Remarketing Agent. The requirement for physical delivery of the securities in connection with an optional tender or a mandatory purchase will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the securities are transferred by Direct Participants on DTC's records and followed by a book-entry credit of tendered securities to the Tender/Remarketing Agent's DTC account.

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DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, security certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, security certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.

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

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**PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION**

We may sell the securities (a) through agents; (b) through underwriters or dealers; or (c) directly to one or more purchasers.

**By Agents**

Securities may be sold on a continuing basis through agents designated by us. The agents will agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment.

Any initial offering price and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

The agents will not be obligated to make a market in the securities. We cannot predict the amount of trading or liquidity of the securities.

**By Underwriters**

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms under which the securities are offered, including the name or names of any underwriters, the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us from the sale, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters' compensation, any initial offering price and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

The underwriters may not be obligated to make a market in the securities. We cannot predict the amount of trading or liquidity of the securities.

**Direct Sales**

We may also sell securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.

**General Information**

Underwriters, dealers, and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the securities by them may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Act.

We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Act or to contribute to payments that each underwriter, dealer or agent may be required to make in respect thereto.

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Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their businesses.

**LEGAL OPINIONS**

Our counsel, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, NY and Houston, TX, or David C. House, Esq., Associate General Counsel of American Electric Power Service Corporation, one of our affiliates, or William E. Johnson, Esq., Senior Counsel of American Electric Power Service Corporation, will issue an opinion about the legality of the securities for us. Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, New York, NY will issue an opinion for the agents or underwriters. From time to time, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP acts as counsel to our affiliates for some matters.

**EXPERTS**

The financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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**$**

![nobegray.jpg](nobegray.jpg)

 **&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; % Senior Notes, Series Q, due**

**AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC.**

**PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT**<br>

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| *Joint Book-Running Managers* | *Joint Book-Running Managers* | *Joint Book-Running Managers* | *Joint Book-Running Managers* | *Joint Book-Running Managers* |
| **Barclays** | **KeyBanc <br>Capital Markets** | **MUFG** | **TD Securities** | **US Bancorp** |
| *Co-Managers* | *Co-Managers* | *Co-Managers* | *Co-Managers* | *Co-Managers* |
| **AmeriVetSecurities** | **Fifth Third Securities** | **Huntington Capital Markets** | **Huntington Capital Markets** | **Siebert Williams Shank** |

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**February&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; , 2023**

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