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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2009

Registration No. 333-            

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

(617) 786-3000

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Each Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

David C. Phelan

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

State Street Corporation

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

(617) 786-3000

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service for Each Registrant)

Copy to:

Mark G. Borden

Erika L. Robinson

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP

60 State Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Telephone: (617) 526-6000

Telecopy: (617) 526-5000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

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State Street Corporation

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Common Stock

Stock Purchase Contracts

Stock Purchase Units

Warrants

State Street Capital Trust V

State Street Capital Trust VI

Capital Securities

Guaranteed by State Street Corporation

We may issue debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and warrants, and we or any selling security holders may offer and sell these securities from time to time in one or more offerings.

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

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

This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this document. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest.

We and any selling security holders may offer these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. The securities may be sold directly to you, through agents, or through underwriters and dealers. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “STT.”

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities, including Item IA – Risk Factors beginning on page 5 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

These securities are not deposits or other obligations of a bank and, unless the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other federal agency.

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

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

The date of this prospectus is March 12, 2009

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we or the selling securityholders may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may offer any of the following securities: debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, capital securities and related guarantees. We may also offer warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or the selling securityholders may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in the accompanying prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.

The terms “State Street,” “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to State Street Corporation, which is a financial holding company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless the context otherwise requires. References to “State Street Bank” mean State Street Bank and Trust Company, which is our principal bank subsidiary.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at http://www.statestreet.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room.

Because our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, you may also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits in the registration statement for further information on us and our consolidated subsidiaries and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference much of the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those publicly available documents. The information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus. Because we are incorporating by reference future filings with the SEC, this prospectus is continually updated and those future filings may modify or supersede some of the information included or incorporated in this prospectus. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any document previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed) until the offering of the securities under the registration statement is terminated or completed:

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

State Street Corporation

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Telephone: (617) 786-3000

Attn: Corporate Secretary

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain statements that are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States securities laws. In addition, State Street and its management may make other written or oral communications from time to time that contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, including statements about industry trends and other matters that do not relate strictly to historical facts, are based on management’s expectations and assumptions, and are often identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “look,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “seek,” “may,” “will,” “trend,” “target,” and “goal” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements about our confidence in our strategies and our expectations about financial performance, market growth, market and regulatory trends and developments, acquisitions and divestitures, new technologies, services and opportunities and earnings.

Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which change over time, are based on management’s expectations and assumptions at the time the statements are made, and are not guarantees of future results. Management’s expectations and assumptions, and the continued validity of the forward-looking statements, are subject to change due to a broad range of factors affecting the national and global economies, the equity, debt, currency and other financial markets, as well as factors specific to State Street and its subsidiaries, including State Street Bank. Factors that could cause changes in the expectations or assumptions on which forward-looking statements are based include, but are not limited to:

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Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in our forward-looking statements and from our historical financial results due to the factors discussed above, below and elsewhere in this prospectus or in our other SEC filings. Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our expectations or beliefs as of any time subsequent to the time this prospectus is filed with the SEC. Unless specifically required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus to reflect events after the time it is filed with the SEC. The factors discussed above are not intended to be a complete summary of all risks and uncertainties that may affect our businesses. We cannot anticipate all potential economic, operational and financial developments that may adversely impact our operations and our financial results.

Forward-looking statements should not be viewed as predictions, and should not be the primary basis upon which investors evaluate State Street. Any investor in State Street should consider all risks and uncertainties disclosed in our SEC filings, described above under the Section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information,” all of which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We note that all website addresses given in this prospectus are for information only and are not intended to be an active link or to incorporate any website information into this document.

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STATE STREET CORPORATION

State Street Corporation is a financial holding company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through our subsidiaries, we provide a full range of products and services for institutional investors worldwide.

We were organized in 1969 and conduct our business primarily through our principal bank subsidiary, State Street Bank. State Street Bank traces its beginnings to the founding of the Union Bank in 1792. The charter under which State Street Bank now operates was authorized by a special act of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1891, and its present name was adopted in 1960.

With $12.04 trillion of assets under custody and $1.44 trillion of assets under management at December 31, 2008, we are a leading specialist in meeting the needs of institutional investors worldwide. Our customers include mutual funds, collective investment funds and other investment pools, corporate and public retirement plans, insurance companies, foundations, endowments and investment managers. Including the United States, we operate in 27 countries and more than 100 geographic markets worldwide.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “STT”. Our executive offices are located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, and our telephone number is (617) 786-3000.

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RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

STATE STREET CORPORATION

Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. General corporate purposes may include additions to working capital, repayment of debt, or investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries. We may temporarily invest the net proceeds or use them to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of securities covered by this prospectus that are sold by the selling securityholders.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Our senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of March 11, 2009, as amended or supplemented from time to time, (the senior indenture) between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as senior trustee. The subordinated debt securities will be issued under an indenture dated as of March 11, 2009, as amended or supplemented from time to time, (the subordinated indenture) between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as subordinated trustee. Each indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that contains this prospectus.

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

The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of State Street. The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated to all existing and future senior indebtedness and other financial obligations of State Street as described under “Subordinated Debt Securities-Subordination” beginning on page 15. We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries. As a result, claims of holders of the debt securities will generally have a junior position to claims of creditors of our subsidiaries, except to the extent that we may be recognized as a creditor of those subsidiaries. In addition, our right to participate as a shareholder in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary (and thus the ability of holders of the debt securities to benefit as our creditors from such distribution) is junior to creditors of that subsidiary. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain of our banking subsidiaries, including State Street Bank, to us and our non-banking subsidiaries are restricted by federal and state statutes and regulations.

General

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Registration and Transfer

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

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

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Payment and Place of Payment

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

Events of Default

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

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

In the case of a default in the payment of interest or principal, or premium, if any, State Street will be required, upon the demand of the trustee, to pay to it, for the benefit of the holders of the senior debt securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such senior debt securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal, and premium, if any, and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed in such senior debt securities.

In the case of any event of default with respect to the senior debt securities, the trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the holders of the senior debt securities by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any such covenant or agreement or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in the senior indenture, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modification and Waiver

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

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

The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, with respect to that series, waive past defaults under the applicable indenture, except as described under “Events of Default” beginning on page 11.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

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

Regarding the Trustees

U.S. Bank National Association is the trustee under the senior indenture. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is the trustee under the subordinated indenture. We and certain of our subsidiaries, including State Street Bank, maintain banking relations with the trustees in the ordinary course of business.

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International Offering

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

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

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

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

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

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

Defeasance

If the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities of a series so specifies, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all of the obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding debt securities of a particular series, except for:

A discharge of this type is referred to as “legal defeasance.”

In addition, other than our covenant to pay the amounts due and owing with respect to the debt securities of a particular series, we may elect to have our obligations as the issuer of debt securities of any series released with respect to covenants relating to the debt securities of such series. Thereafter, any failure to comply with those obligations will not constitute a default or event of default with respect to the debt securities of such series. If such a release of our covenants occurs, our failure to perform or a breach of the covenants or warranties defeased will no longer constitute an event of default with respect to those debt securities. A discharge of this type is referred to as “covenant defeasance.”

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To exercise either a legal defeasance or a covenant defeasance, certain conditions must be met, including, among other things:

Subordinated Debt Securities

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

Subordination

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

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

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

By reason of this subordination in favor of the holders of senior indebtedness, in the event of an insolvency, our creditors who are not holders of senior indebtedness or the subordinated debt securities may recover proportionately less than holders of senior indebtedness and may recover proportionately more than holders of the subordinated debt securities.

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

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

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

other than obligations on account of senior indebtedness and obligations on account of indebtedness for money borrowed ranking equal with or subordinate to the subordinated debt securities.

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

The subordinated debt securities shall rank equal in right of payment with each other.

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

Restrictive Covenants

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

Governing Law

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

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DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUSTS

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

Each trust exists for the exclusive purposes of:

All of the common securities will be directly or indirectly owned by us. The common securities of each trust will rank equally, and payments will be made pro rata with the capital securities of that trust, except that upon an event of default under the junior subordinated indenture, with respect to payment, the rights of the holders of the common securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the capital securities. An event of default under the junior subordinated indenture is referred to as a “debenture event of default.”

Each trust’s business and affairs will be conducted by its trustees, each appointed by State Street as holder of the common securities. The trustees of each trust will be U.S. Bank National Association, as the property trustee, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as the Delaware trustee and two individual trustees, the administrative trustees, who are employees or officers of or affiliated with State Street. U.S. Bank National Association, as property trustee, will act as sole trustee under each trust agreement for purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act. U.S. Bank National Association will also act as trustee under the guarantees and the junior subordinated indenture. See “Description of the Capital Securities Guarantees” and “Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures.”

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

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

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

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

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DESCRIPTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

We may issue junior subordinated debentures from time to time in one or more series under a junior subordinated indenture, dated as of December 15, 1996, as supplemented from time to time between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as successor trustee, who we refer to as the debenture trustee. The junior subordinated indenture is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and terms of the junior subordinated debentures will include those stated in the junior subordinated indenture and those made part of the junior subordinated indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act.

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

General

We will issue the junior subordinated debentures as unsecured debt. The junior subordinated debentures will be fully subordinated as set forth in the junior subordinated indenture. See “Subordination” below. Each series of junior subordinated debentures will rank equally with all other series of junior subordinated debentures. The junior subordinated indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated debentures which may be issued and provides that the junior subordinated debentures may be issued from time to time in one or more series. We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries. As a result, claims of holders of the debt securities, including the junior subordinated debentures, will generally have a junior position to claims of creditors of our subsidiaries, except to the extent that we may be recognized as a creditor of those subsidiaries. In addition, our right to participate as a shareholder in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary (and thus the ability of holders of the debt securities, including the junior subordinated debentures, to benefit as our creditors from such distribution) is junior to creditors of that subsidiary. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain of our banking subsidiaries, including State Street Bank, to us and our non-banking subsidiaries are restricted by federal and state statutes and regulations. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the junior subordinated indenture does not limit the incurrence or issuance by us of other secured or unsecured debt.

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

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

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

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

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Additional Interest

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

Denominations, Registration and Transfer

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

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

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

Payment and Paying Agents

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

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

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

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Option to Defer Interest Payments

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

Redemption

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

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

Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if, in respect of a series of junior subordinated debentures, a tax event, an investment company event or capital treatment event (each as defined below) shall occur and be continuing, we may, at our option and subject to receipt of prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board, if required, redeem such series of junior subordinated debentures in whole, but not in part, at any time within 90 days following of the occurrence of such tax event, investment company event or capital treatment event, at a redemption price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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

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

Capital treatment event means our reasonable determination that, as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any proposed change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein,

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

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

Restrictions on Certain Payments

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

then:

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Limitation on Mergers and Sales of Assets

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

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

Events of Default, Waiver and Notice

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

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

Upon the cure of any event of default that has been declared, the holders of a majority of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of that series of junior subordinated debentures may annul the declaration and waive the default. If the holders of junior subordinated debentures fail to annul such declaration and waive such default, the holders of a majority of the aggregate liquidation amount of the related capital securities shall have such right.

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

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

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

Distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures

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

Modification of Junior Subordinated Indenture

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

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

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

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

Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Capital Securities

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

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

Defeasance and Discharge

The junior subordinated indenture provides that when:

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

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Conversion or Exchange

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

Subordination

The junior subordinated indenture contains a covenant by us that any junior subordinated debentures issued thereunder will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all senior debt (as defined below) to the extent provided therein. If we make any payment or distribution of our assets upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding, the holders of senior debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of principal of and premium and interest, if any, on such senior debt before the holders of junior subordinated debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the junior subordinated debentures.

In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any junior subordinated debentures, the holders of all senior debt outstanding at the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon, including any amounts due upon acceleration, before the holders of the junior subordinated debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of or premium or interest, if any, on the junior subordinated debentures.

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

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

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

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Senior debt does not include:

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

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

Governing Law

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

The Debenture Trustee

The debenture trustee will have all of the duties and responsibilities specified under the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to those provisions, the debenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the junior subordinated indenture at the request of any holder of junior subordinated debentures unless offered reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred thereby. The debenture trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of its duties if the debenture trustee reasonably believes that repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured it.

Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures

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

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

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DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES

The capital securities will be issued pursuant to the terms of an amended and restated trust agreement. The trust agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The property trustee, U.S. Bank National Association, will act as trustee for the capital securities under the trust agreement for purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of the capital securities will include those stated in the trust agreement and those made part of the trust agreement by the Trust Indenture Act.

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

General

The declaration of trust authorizes the trustees to issue the trust securities on behalf of the trust. The trust securities represent undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trust. The trust securities consist of the capital securities and the common securities. We will own, directly or indirectly, all of the common securities. The common securities rank equally, and payments will be made on a pro rata basis, with the capital securities. However, if a debenture event of default with respect to payment occurs and is continuing, the rights of the holders of the common securities to receive payments will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the capital securities. Please see “Description of the Trusts” for the definition of debenture event of default.

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

Distributions

Distributions on the capital securities:

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

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

If provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we have the right under the junior subordinated indenture, pursuant to which we will issue the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, to defer the payment of interest on any series of the

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corresponding junior subordinated debentures for up to a number of consecutive interest payment periods that will be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series (an extension period), provided that no extension period may extend beyond the stated maturity of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures.

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

The revenue of each trust available for distribution to holders of its capital securities will be limited to payments under the corresponding junior subordinated debentures in which the trust will invest the proceeds from the issuance and sale of its trust securities. If we do not make interest payments on such corresponding junior subordinated debentures, the property trustee will not have funds available to pay distributions on the related capital securities. The payment of distributions, if and to the extent the trust has funds legally available for the payment of such distributions and cash sufficient to make such payments, is guaranteed by us on the basis set forth under “Description of the Capital Securities Guarantees.”

Distributions on the capital securities will be payable to the holders thereof as they appear on the register of such trust on the relevant record dates, which, as long as the capital securities remain in book-entry form, will be one business day prior to the relevant date of distribution. In the event any capital securities are not in book-entry form, the relevant record date for such capital securities shall be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Redemption or Exchange

Mandatory Redemption

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

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

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

Like amount means:

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

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Exchange

If at any time, we or any of our affiliates own any related capital securities, we or such affiliate will have the right to deliver to the property trustee, all or such portion of such related capital securities as we or our affiliate elect, in exchange for a like amount of junior subordinated debentures. In the event of such exchange, we and any of our affiliates that own outstanding common securities, will also deliver to the property trustee a proportional amount of the outstanding common securities in exchange for a like amount of junior subordinated debentures.

Distribution of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debentures

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

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

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

Subordination of Common Securities

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

In the case of any event of default under the applicable trust agreement resulting from a debenture event of default, we as holder of such trust’s common securities, will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to any such event of default under the applicable trust agreement until the effect of all such events of default with respect to such capital securities have been cured,

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waived or otherwise eliminated. Until all events of default under the applicable trust agreement with respect to the capital securities have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the property trustee shall act solely on behalf of the holders of such capital securities and not on our behalf, and only the holders of such capital securities will have the right to direct the property trustee to act on their behalf.

Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution

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

As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of one of the events described above and upon completion of the winding up and liquidation of the trust, the trustees will terminate the trust by filing a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

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

Events of Default; Notice

Any one of the following events constitutes an event of default under the trust agreement of a trust (a trust event of default) regardless of the reason for such event of default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body:

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

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

Removal of Trustees

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

Co-Trustees and Separate Property Trustee

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

Merger or Consolidation of Trustees

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

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Mergers, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of the Trusts

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

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

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Voting Rights; Amendment of Each Trust Agreement

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

We and the administrative trustees may amend each trust agreement from time to time:

provided, however that in the case of either clause (1) or (2), such action will not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any holder of capital securities;

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

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

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

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

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

Payment and Paying Agency

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

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

Registrar and Transfer Agent

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, U.S. Bank National Association will act as registrar and transfer agent for the capital securities.

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

Information Concerning the Property Trustee

The property trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default, undertakes to perform only the duties that are specifically set forth in each trust agreement. After an event of default, the property trustee must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the property trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the applicable trust agreement at the

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request of any holder of capital securities unless offered indemnity satisfactory to it by such holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred. If no event of default has occurred and is continuing and the property trustee is required to decide between alternative causes of action, construe ambiguous provisions in the applicable trust agreement or is unsure of the application of any provision of the applicable trust agreement, and the matter is not one on which holders of capital securities are entitled under such trust agreement to vote, then the property trustee will deliver a notice to us requesting our direction, and the property trustee may take any action that it deems advisable and in the best interests of the holders of the trust securities and will have no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.

Trust Expenses

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

Governing Law

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

Miscellaneous

The administrative trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of and to operate the trusts in such a way that no trust will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and will not be taxable as a corporation or classified as other than a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The administrative trustees are authorized and directed to conduct their affairs so that the corresponding junior subordinated debentures will be treated as indebtedness of State Street for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In this connection, we and the administrative trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of each trust or each trust agreement, that we and the administrative trustees determine to be necessary or desirable to achieve such end, as long as such action does not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the related capital securities.

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

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

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COMMON SECURITIES

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

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DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEES

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

General

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

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

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

The capital securities guarantees will not apply to any payment of distributions except to the extent a trust shall have funds available for such payments. If we do not make interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures purchased by a trust, the trust will not pay distributions on the capital securities and will not have funds available for such payments. Please see “—Status of the Guarantees.” We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries. As a result, claims of holders of the capital securities guarantees, will generally have a junior position to claims of creditors of our subsidiaries, except to the extent that we may be recognized as a creditor of those subsidiaries. In addition, our right to participate as a shareholder in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary (and thus the ability of holders of the capital securities guarantees, to benefit as our creditors from such distribution) is junior to creditors of that subsidiary. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain of our banking subsidiaries, including State Street Bank, to us and our non-banking subsidiaries are restricted by federal and state statutes and regulations. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the capital securities guarantees do not limit the incurrence or issuance by us of other secured or unsecured debt.

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

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

Status of the Guarantees

Each capital security guarantee will be unsecured and will rank:

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

Amendments and Assignment

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

Termination of the Guarantees

Each capital securities guarantee will terminate upon full payment of the redemption price of all capital securities, upon distribution of the junior subordinated debentures to the holders of the trust securities, upon an exchange of 100% of any series of capital securities or upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the trust agreement upon liquidation of such trust. Each capital securities guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of capital securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the capital securities or the capital securities guarantee.

Events of Default

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

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

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

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Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee

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

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

Governing Law

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

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RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE CORRESPONDING JUNIOR

SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Limited Purpose of Trusts

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

Rights Upon Dissolution

Upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of any trust involving the liquidation of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the trust, the holders of the related capital securities will be entitled to receive, out of the assets held by such trust, the liquidation distribution in cash. Please see “Description of the Capital Securities—Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution.” Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy of State Street, the property trustee, as holder of the corresponding junior subordinated debentures, would be a subordinated creditor of State Street, subordinated in right of payment to all senior debt as set forth in the junior subordinated indenture, but entitled to receive payment in full of principal and interest before any of our stockholders receive distributions. Since we are the guarantor under each guarantee and have agreed to pay for all costs, expenses and liabilities of each trust, other than the trusts’ obligations to the holders of its capital securities, the positions of a holder of such capital securities and a holder of such corresponding junior subordinated debentures relative to other creditors and to our stockholders in the event of liquidation or bankruptcy are expected to be substantially the same.

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

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

General

Our articles of organization permit our board of directors to authorize the issuance of up to 3,500,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, in one or more series, without shareholder action. Of such number of shares of preferred stock, 5,001 shares have been designated as Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, or the series A preferred stock, and 20,000 shares have been designated as Fixed Rate Cumulate Preferred Stock, Series B, or the series B preferred stock. The board of directors can determine the rights, preferences and limitations of each series. Therefore, without shareholder approval, our board of directors can authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting, conversion and other rights that could dilute the voting power and other rights of our common stockholders. 20,000 shares of our series B preferred stock are currently outstanding and none of our other preferred stock is currently outstanding.

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

The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of the preferred stock will rank equally as to dividends and liquidation rights in all respects with each other series of preferred stock. The rights of holders of shares of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.

One of the effects of authorized but unissued and unreserved shares of capital stock may be to make it more difficult or discourage an attempt by a potential acquirer to obtain control of our company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. The issuance of these shares of capital stock may defer or prevent a change in control of our company without any further shareholder action.

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

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Rank

Our series B preferred stock has, and any other series of preferred stock upon issuance, including our series A preferred stock will have, preference over our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of our liquidation, winding up or dissolution. In particular, any series of the preferred stock that we may issue will, with respect to the priority of the payment of dividends and the priority of payments upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, rank:

Unless the terms of any preferred stock specifically provides that it will rank junior or senior to our series A preferred stock and/or our series B preferred stock, the series A preferred stock and series B preferred stock will be parity securities with respect to such preferred stock. The consent of at least a majority of the shares of series A preferred stock then outstanding is required for us to authorize any class or series of capital stock that would rank senior to the series A preferred stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on our liquidation, winding up or dissolution. The consent of at least 66 2/3% of the shares of series B preferred stock then outstanding is required for us to authorize any class or series of capital stock that would rank senior to the series B preferred stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on our liquidation, winding up or dissolution.

Dividends

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

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

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

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

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Rights Upon Liquidation

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

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

Redemption

A series of the preferred stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option with prior Federal Reserve Board approval. In addition, a series of preferred stock may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise. The redemption provisions that may apply to a series of preferred stock, including the redemption dates and the redemption prices for that series, will be described in the prospectus supplement. In addition, our participation in the U.S. Treasury’s TARP capital purchase program restricts our ability prior to October 28, 2011, or such earlier time as all shares of our series B preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury have been redeemed by us or transferred by the U.S. Treasury, to, subject to certain exceptions, redeem or purchase any of our capital stock or other equity securities, which includes preferred stock.

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

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

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

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

Voting Rights

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

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In addition, if the dividends on (1) when shares of series A preferred stock are outstanding, the series A preferred stock or any securities designated as ranking on parity with the series A preferred stock or (2) when shares of series B preferred stock are outstanding, the series B preferred stock, have not been paid for an aggregate of six quarterly dividend periods or more (whether or not consecutive), the authorized number of directors then constituting our board of directors will be increased by two. Holders of the series A preferred stock and/or series B preferred stock, together with the holders of any outstanding securities designated as ranking on a parity with such series of preferred stock and with like voting rights, referred to as voting parity securities, voting as a single class, will be entitled to elect the two additional members of our board of directors, referred to as the preferred stock directors, at the next annual meeting (or at a special meeting called for the purpose of electing the preferred stock directors prior to the next annual meeting) and at each subsequent annual meeting until all accrued and unpaid dividends for all past dividend periods have been paid in full. The election of any preferred stock director is subject to the qualification that the election would not cause us to violate the corporate governance requirement of the New York Stock Exchange (or any other exchange on which our securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors. Upon the termination of these rights of the holders of preferred stock and voting parity securities to vote for preferred stock directors, the preferred stock directors will immediately cease to be qualified as directors, their term of office shall terminate immediately and the number of authorized directors of State Street will be reduced by the number of preferred stock directors that the holders of preferred stock and voting parity securities had been entitled to elect.

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

Exchangeability

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

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company will be the transfer agent, dividend and redemption price disbursement agent and registrar for shares of each series of the preferred stock.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

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

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

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

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

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions, if any, received in respect of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the numbers of depositary shares owned by those holders on the relevant record date. The relevant record date for depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock.

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

Liquidation Preference

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

Withdrawal of Stock

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

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Redemption of Depositary Shares

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

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

Voting the Preferred Stock

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

Charges of Depositary

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

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than fee changes, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by at least a majority of the outstanding depositary shares. The deposit agreement may be terminated by the depositary or us only if:

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Resignation and Removal of Depositary

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

Notices

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

Limitation of Liability

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

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

General

We have 750,000,000 shares of authorized common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which 431,965,675 shares were outstanding as of January 31, 2009.

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

In addition, the terms of the U.S. Treasury’s TARP capital purchase program require us to pay preferred cumulative dividends to the U.S. Treasury and restrict our ability prior to October 28, 2011, or such earlier time as all shares of series B preferred stock issued by us to the U.S. Treasury have been redeemed by us or transferred by the U.S. Treasury, to increase dividends on our common stock to greater than $0.24 per share, or, subject to certain exceptions, to redeem or purchase any of our capital stock or other equity securities, which includes our common stock. For more information on restrictions on our ability to pay dividends on our common stock see “— Restrictions on Ownership” below.

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

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share that they hold and are vested with all of the voting power except as our board of directors has provided, or may provide in the future, with respect to preferred stock or any other class or series of preferred stock that the board of directors may hereafter authorize. See “Description of Preferred Stock.” Shares of our common stock are not redeemable, and have no subscription, conversion or preemptive rights.

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

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.

Restrictions on Ownership

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

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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and obligating us to sell to or purchase from the holders, a specified number of shares of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as stock purchase contracts. The price per share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares and the number of shares of each may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units, often known as stock purchase units, consisting of one or more stock purchase contracts and beneficial interests in:

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

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

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

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

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

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FORMS OF SECURITIES

Each debt security, depositary share, stock purchase contract, stock purchase unit, warrant and capital security will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Certificated securities in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, warrants or capital securities represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.

Global Securities

Registered Global Securities. We may issue the registered debt securities, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units, warrants and capital securities in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.

If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

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

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Principal or premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities and capital securities, and any payments to holders with respect to warrants, purchase contracts or units, represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of State Street, the trustees, any warrant agent, unit agent or any other agent of State Street, agent of the trustee or agent of such warrant agent or unit agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders of that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.

If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based on directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We and the selling security holders may sell securities:

If any securities are sold pursuant to this prospectus by any persons other than us, we will, in a prospectus supplement, name the selling securityholders, indicate the nature of any relationship such holders have had with us or any of our affiliates during the three years preceding such offering, state the amount of securities of the class owned by such securityholder prior to the offering and the amount to be offered for the security holder’s account, and state the amount and (if one percent or more) the percentage of the class to be owned by such security holder after completion of the offering.

We or any selling securityholder may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act and describe any commissions that we or any selling security holder must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us or any selling security holder in the ordinary course of business.

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