Published on September 6, 2001
EXHIBIT (a)(1)(B)(i)
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO TENDER SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK,
Par Value $0.01 Per Share
DYNEX CAPITAL, INC.
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE DATED SEPTEMBER 6, 2001
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE
AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2001,
UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
Deliver to:
First Union National Bank, the Depositary for the Offer
By Mail: By Overnight Delivery
or Express Mail:
First Union National Bank First Union National Bank
Corporate Actions Department Corporate Actions Department
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd., 3C3 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd., 3C3
Charlotte, NC 28288-1153 Charlotte, NC 28262-1153
Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal to an address other than one of
those shown above does not constitute a valid delivery. The instructions
accompanying this Letter of Transmittal should be read carefully before this
Letter of Transmittal is completed.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used only (a) if you desire to
effect the tender transaction yourself, (b) if you intend to request your
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to effect the
transaction for you and the shares of Series A Preferred Stock of Dynex Capital,
Inc., par value $0.01 per share (the "shares"), are not registered in the name
of such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, or (c)
by a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee effecting
the transaction as a registered owner or on behalf of a registered owner. A
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or photocopy thereof
bearing original signature(s) and any required signature guarantees), any
certificates representing shares tendered and any other documents required by
this Letter of Transmittal should be mailed or delivered to the Depositary at
the appropriate address set forth herein and must be received by the Depositary
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 4, 2001, or such later time
and date to which the Offer is extended. Stockholders whose stock certificates
are not immediately available (or who cannot follow the procedure for book-entry
transfer on a timely basis) or who cannot transmit this Letter of Transmittal
and all other required documents to the Depositary before the Expiration Date
(as defined in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase) may nevertheless tender their
shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 of
the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2.
DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
TO DYNEX CAPITAL, INC., MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC., THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE
OFFER, OR THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY WILL NOT BE FORWARDED TO THE
DEPOSITARY AND THEREFOTRE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE VALID DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
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TOTAL NUMBER
SHARES OF SHARES NUMBER
CERTIFICATE REPRESENTED BY OF SHARES
NUMBER(S)(1) CERTIFICATE(S) TENDERED(2)
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TOTAL NUMBER OF CERTIFICATED SHARES TENDERED
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TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES TENDERED BY BOOK ENTRY
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TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES TENDERED
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(1) Need not be completed if shares are delivered by book-entry transfer.
(2) If you desire to tender fewer than all shares evidenced by any
certificates listed above, please indicate in this column the number of shares
you wish to tender. Otherwise, all shares evidenced by such certificates will be
deemed to have been tendered. See Instruction 4.
(3) In the event less than all shares tendered are purchased due to
proration, shares will be selected for purchase by the Depositary.
[ ] Check here if any certificates representing shares tendered hereby have
been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated. You must complete an affidavit of
loss and return it with your Letter of Transmittal. A bond may be required to be
posted by the stockholder to secure against the risk that the certificates may
be subsequently recirculated. Please call (800) 829-8432 to obtain an affidavit
of loss and for further instructions and as to the determination of the
requirement for posting of a bond. See Instruction 13.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used only if (1) certificates for
shares are to be forwarded with it, or such certificates will be delivered under
a notice of guaranteed delivery previously sent to the Depositary, or (2) a
tender of shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to the account maintained
by the Depositary at The Depository Trust Company, referred to as the
"Book-Entry Transfer Facility," under Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.
Stockholders who desire to tender shares under the Offer and who cannot
deliver the certificates for their shares, or who are unable to comply with the
procedures for book-entry transfer before the "Expiration Date" (as defined in
Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase), and who cannot deliver all other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal to the Depositary before the Expiration
Date may tender their shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2. Delivery of
documents to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility does not constitute delivery to
the Depositary.
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY AT THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of tendering institution:
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Account number:
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Transaction code number:
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[ ] CHECK HERE IF CERTIFICATES FOR TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED
UNDER A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY
AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s) of registered holder(s):
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Date of execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
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Name of institution which guaranteed delivery:
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Account number:
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NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
To Dynex Capital, Inc.:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Dynex Capital, Inc., a Virginia
corporation ("Dynex"), the above-described shares of Dynex's Series A Preferred
Stock, par value $0.01 per share, at the price per share of $16.80, net to the
seller in cash, without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in Dynex's Offer to Purchase, dated September 6, 2001, receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal which, as
amended and supplemented from time to time, together constitute the "Offer."
Subject to and effective upon acceptance for payment of the shares
tendered hereby in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of
the Offer, including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms or
conditions of any such extension or amendment, the undersigned hereby sells,
assigns and transfers to or upon the order of Dynex all right, title and
interest in and to all shares tendered hereby or orders the registration of such
shares tendered by book-entry transfer that are purchased under the Offer to or
upon the order of Dynex and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the
Depositary as attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such shares,
with the full knowledge that the Depositary also acts as the agent of Dynex,
with full power of substitution, such power of attorney being an irrevocable
power coupled with an interest, to:
(a) deliver certificates for shares, or transfer ownership of such shares
on the account books maintained by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, together in
either such case with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity,
to or upon the order of Dynex, upon receipt by the Depositary, as the
undersigned's agent, of the purchase price with respect to such shares;
(b) present certificates for such shares for cancellation and transfer on
Dynex's books; and
(c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial
ownership of such shares, subject to the next paragraph, all in accordance with
the terms of the Offer.
The undersigned hereby covenants, represents and warrants to Dynex
that:
(a) the undersigned understands that tendering of shares under any one of
the procedures described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase and in the
instructions hereto will constitute the undersigned's acceptance of the terms
and conditions of the Offer, including the undersigned's representation and
warranty that (i) the undersigned has a "net long position" in shares or
equivalent securities at least equal to the shares tendered within the meaning
of Rule 14e-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii)
such tender of shares complies with Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange Act;
(b) the undersigned "owns" the shares tendered hereby within the meaning of
Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange Act and has full power and authority to tender,
sell, assign and transfer the shares tendered hereby and when and to the extent
Dynex accepts the shares for purchase, Dynex will acquire good, marketable and
unencumbered title to them, free and clear of all security interests, liens,
charges, encumbrances, conditional sales agreements or other obligations
relating to their sale or transfer, and not subject to any adverse claim;
(c) on request, the undersigned will execute and deliver any additional
documents the Depositary or Dynex deems necessary or desirable to complete the
assignment, transfer and purchase of the shares tendered hereby; and
(d) the undersigned has read and agrees to all of the terms of the Offer.
The names and addresses of the registered holders should be printed, if
they are not already printed above, exactly as they appear on the certificates
representing shares tendered hereby. The certificate numbers, the number of
shares represented by such certificates, and the number of shares that the
undersigned wishes to tender, should be set forth in the appropriate boxes
above.
The undersigned understands that Dynex will, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions of the Offer, purchase the shares at a purchase price of
$16.80 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest. The undersigned
understands that all shares properly tendered will be purchased at the purchase
price, net to the seller in cash, without interest, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions of the Offer, including its proration provisions, and that
Dynex will return all other shares, including shares not purchased because of
proration promptly following the Expiration Date.
The undersigned recognizes that under certain circumstances set forth
in the Offer to Purchase, Dynex may terminate or amend the Offer or may postpone
the acceptance for payment of, or the payment for, shares tendered or may accept
for payment fewer than all of the shares tendered hereby. In either event, the
undersigned understands that certificate(s) for any shares not tendered or not
purchased will be promptly returned to the undersigned at the address indicated
above, unless otherwise indicated under the "Special Payment Instructions" or
"Special Delivery Instructions" below. The undersigned recognizes that Dynex has
no obligation, under the Special Payment Instructions, to transfer any
certificate for shares from the name of its registered holder, or to order the
registration or transfer of shares tendered by book-entry transfer, if Dynex
purchases none of the shares represented by such certificate or tendered by such
book-entry transfer.
The undersigned understands that acceptance of shares by Dynex for
payment will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and Dynex
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
The check for the aggregate net purchase price for such of the tendered
shares as are purchased by Dynex will be issued to the order of the undersigned
and mailed to the address indicated above unless otherwise indicated under
either of the "Special Payment Instructions" or the "Special Delivery
Instructions" boxes below. The undersigned acknowledges that Dynex has no
obligation, under the "Special Payment Instructions," to transfer any shares
tendered by book-entry transfer if Dynex does not purchase any of such shares.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any
obligations or duties of the undersigned under this Letter of Transmittal shall
be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of
the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is
irrevocable.
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for shares not tendered or not
purchased and/or any check for the purchase price of shares purchased are to be
issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned or if shares tendered
hereby and delivered by book-entry transfer which are not purchased are to be
returned by credit to an account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility other than
that designated above.
Issue: [ ] Check [ ] Certificate(s) to:
Name:
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(Please Print or Type)
Address:
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(Including Zip Code)
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(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)
(See Substitute Form W-9 Included Herewith)
[ ] Credit shares delivered by book-entry transfer and not purchased to the
account set forth below:
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(Account No.)
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 4, 5 and 8)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for shares not tendered or not
purchased and/or any check for the purchase price of shares purchased are to be
sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address
other than that shown above.
Deliver: [ ] Check [ ] Certificate(s) to:
Name:
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(Please Print or Type)
Address:
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(Including Zip Code)
STOCKHOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
(See Instructions 1 and 5)
(PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE SIDE)
Must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s)
on certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized
to become registered holder(s) by certificate(s) and documents transmitted with
the Letter of Transmittal. If signature is by attorney-in-fact, executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian, officer of a corporation or another acting in
a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth the full title. See
Instruction 5.
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(SIGNATURE(S))
Name(s):
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(PLEASE PRINT)
Capacity (full title):
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Address:
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(INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
Area code and telephone number:
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Dated: _______________, 2001
Tax Identification or Social Security Number:
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GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 5)
Authorized signature:
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Name(s):
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(PLEASE PRINT)
Title:
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Name of Eligible Institution Guaranteeing Signature:
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Address:
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(INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
Area code and telephone number:
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Dated: _________________, 2001
Tax Identification or Social Security Number:
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INSTRUCTIONS TO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
1. Guarantee of Signatures. No signature guarantee is required if either:
(a) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder of
the shares exactly as the name of the registered holder appears on the
certificate, which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any
participant in a book-entry transfer facility whose name appears on a security
position listing as the owner of shares, tendered with this Letter of
Transmittal, and payment and delivery are to be made directly to such registered
holder unless such registered holder has completed either the box entitled
"Special Payment Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" above; or
(b) such shares are tendered for the account of a bank, broker, dealer,
credit union, savings association or other entity which is a member in good
standing of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or a bank, broker,
dealer, credit union, savings association or other entity which is an "Eligible
Guarantor Institution," as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each such entity, referred to as an
"eligible guarantor institution."
In all other cases, signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor
institution. See Instruction 5.
2. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures. This Letter of Transmittal is to be used only if certificates are
delivered with it to the Depositary, or such certificates will be delivered
under a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery previously sent to the Depositary, or if
tenders are to be made under the procedure for tender by book-entry transfer set
forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Certificates for all physically
tendered shares, or confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the Depositary's
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility of shares tendered electronically,
together in each case with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal or manually signed facsimile of it, or an agent's message, and any
other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, should be mailed or
delivered to the Depositary at the appropriate address set forth herein and must
be delivered to the Depositary before the Expiration Date.
The term "agent's message" means a message transmitted by the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility to, and received by, the Depositary, which states
that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express acknowledgment
from the participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility tendering the shares
that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the
Letter of Transmittal, and that Dynex may enforce such agreement against such
participant.
Stockholders whose certificates are not immediately available or who
cannot deliver certificates for their shares and all other required documents to
the Depositary before the Expiration Date, or whose shares cannot be delivered
before the Expiration Date under the procedures for book-entry transfer, may
tender their shares by or through any eligible guarantor institution by properly
completing and duly executing and delivering a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or
facsimile of it, and by otherwise complying with the guaranteed delivery
procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Under such procedure,
the certificates for all physically tendered shares or book-entry confirmation,
as the case may be, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal, or manually signed facsimile of it, or an agent's message, and all
other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Depositary within three (3) NASDAQ trading days after receipt by the Depositary
of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in Section 3 of the Offer
to Purchase.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or
transmittal by telegram, facsimile transmission or mail to the Depositary and
must include, if necessary, a guarantee by an eligible guarantor institution in
the form set forth in such notice. For shares to be tendered validly under the
guaranteed delivery procedure, the Depositary must receive the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery before the Expiration Date.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING CERTIFICATES FOR
SHARES, IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER. IF DELIVERY IS
BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS
RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY.
Dynex will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders, nor will it purchase any fractional shares, except as expressly
provided in the Offer to Purchase. All tendering stockholders, by execution of
this Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile of it, waive any right to receive any
notice of the acceptance of their tender.
3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided in the box captioned
"Description of Shares Tendered" is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or
the number of shares should be listed on a separate signed schedule and attached
to this letter of transmittal.
4. Partial Tenders and Unpurchased Shares (not applicable to stockholders who
tender by book-entry transfer). If fewer than all of the shares evidenced by any
certificate are to be tendered, fill in the number of shares that are to be
tendered in the column entitled "Number of Shares Tendered" in the box captioned
"Description of Shares Tendered." In such case, if any tendered shares are
purchased, a new certificate for the remainder of the shares evidenced by the
old certificates will be issued and sent to the registered holder(s), unless
otherwise specified in either the "Special Payment Instructions" box or "Special
Delivery Instructions" box in this Letter of Transmittal, promptly after the
Expiration Date. Unless otherwise indicated, all shares represented by the
certificates listed and delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been
tendered.
5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Stock Powers and Endorsements.
(a) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s)
of the shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the
name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) without any change
whatsoever.
(b) If the shares are registered in the names of two or more joint
holders, each such holder must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
(c) If any tendered shares are registered in different names on several
certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate
copies of this Letter of Transmittal, or photocopies of it, as there are
different registrations of certificates.
(d) When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered
holder(s) of the shares listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of
certificate(s) representing such shares or separate stock powers are required
unless payment is to be made or the certificates for shares not tendered or not
purchased are to be issued to a person other than the registered holder(s). If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered
holder(s) of the certificate(s) listed, or if payment is to be made or
certificate(s) for shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued to a
person other than the registered holder(s), the certificate(s) must be endorsed
or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the
name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s).
SIGNATURE(S) ON ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE(S) OR STOCK POWERS MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN
ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION. See Instruction 1.
(e) If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock powers
are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and must submit proper
evidence to the Depositary that is satisfactory to Dynex of their authority so
to act.
6. Stock Transfer Taxes. Except as provided in this Instruction 6, no stock
transfer tax stamps or funds to cover such stamps need to accompany this Letter
of Transmittal. When payment is to be made to the registered holder(s), Dynex
will pay or cause to be paid any stock transfer taxes payable on the transfer to
it of shares purchased under the Offer. If, however:
(a) payment of the purchase price is to be made to any person other than
the registered holder(s);
(b) shares not tendered or not accepted for purchase are to be registered
in the name(s) of any person(s) other than the registered holder(s); or
(c) tendered certificates are registered in the name of any person(s) other
than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal;
then the Depositary will deduct from the purchase price the amount of any stock
transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder(s), such other
person(s) or otherwise, payable on account thereof, unless satisfactory evidence
of the payment of such taxes or an exemption from them is submitted.
7. Order of Purchase in Event of Proration. The order of purchase may have
an effect on the Federal income tax classification of any gain or loss on the
shares purchased. See Sections 1 and 12 of the Offer to Purchase.
8. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If certificate(s) for shares not
tendered or not purchased and/or check(s) are to be issued in the name of a
person other than the signer of the Letter of Transmittal or if such
certificates and/or checks are to be sent to someone other than the person
signing the Letter of Transmittal or to the signer at a different address, the
boxes captioned "Special Payment Instructions" and/or "Special Delivery
Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed as applicable
and signatures must be guaranteed as described in Instructions 1 and 5.
9. Irregularities. All questions as to the number of shares to be accepted and
the validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance for
payment of any tender of shares will be determined by Dynex in its sole
discretion, which determinations shall be final and binding on all parties.
Dynex reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders of shares it
determines not be in proper form or the acceptance of which or payment for which
may, in the opinion of Dynex's counsel, be unlawful. Dynex also reserves the
absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the Offer and any defect or
irregularity in the tender of any particular shares, and Dynex's interpretation
of the terms of the Offer, including these instructions, will be final and
binding on all parties. No tender of shares will be deemed to be properly made
until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. Unless waived,
any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders must be cured within
such time as Dynex shall determine. None of Dynex, the Depositary, the
Information Agent (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) or any other person is
or will be obligated to give notice of any defects or irregularities in tenders
and none of them will incur any liability for failure to give any such notice.
10. Questions and Requests for Assistance and Additional Copies. Any questions
or requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Offer to Purchase,
the Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be directed
to the Information Agent at the telephone number and address set forth on the
back cover of this Letter of Transmittal. You may also contact your broker,
dealer, commercial bank or trust company for assistance concerning the Offer. To
confirm delivery of your shares, you are directed to contact the Depositary.
11. Tax Identification Number and Backup Withholding. Federal income tax law
generally requires that a stockholder whose tendered shares are accepted for
purchase, or such stockholder's assignee, in either case, referred to as the
"payee," provide the Depositary with such payee's correct taxpayer
identification number, which, in the case of a payee who is an individual, is
such payee's social security number. If the Depositary is not provided with the
correct taxpayer identification number or an adequate basis for an exemption,
such payee may be subject to penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service
and backup withholding in an amount equal to 31% of the gross proceeds received
under the Offer. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may
be obtained. To prevent backup withholding, each payee must provide such payee's
correct taxpayer identification number by completing the Substitute Form W-9
included herewith, certifying that the taxpayer identification number provided
is correct, or that such payee is awaiting a taxpayer identification number, and
that (i) the payee is exempt from backup withholding, (ii) the payee has not
been notified by the IRS that such payee is subject to backup withholding as a
result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the IRS has
notified the payee that such payee is no longer subject to backup withholding.
If the payee does not have a taxpayer identification number, such payee should
(i) consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification
Number on Substitute Form W-9 for instructions on applying for a taxpayer
identification number, (ii) write "Applied For" in the space provided in Part
1(A) of the Substitute Form W-9 and check the appropriate box in Part 1(B), and
(iii) sign and date the Substitute Form W-9 and the Certificate of Awaiting
Taxpayer Identification Number included herewith. If the payee does not provide
such payee's taxpayer identification number to the Depositary prior to the
payment of the purchase for shares pursuant to the Offer, backup withholding
will apply and will reduce the net amount paid to the selling stockholder. Note
that writing "Applied For" on the Substitute Form W-9 means that the payee has
already applied for a taxpayer identification number or that such payee intends
to apply for one in the near future. If shares are held in more than one name or
are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the W-9 Guidelines for
information on which taxpayer identification number to report. Exempt payees,
including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals, are
not subject to backup withholding and reporting requirements. To prevent
possible erroneous backup withholding, an exempt payee should write "Exempt" in
Part 2 of Substitute Form W-9, and should sign and date the form. See the
enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9 for additional instructions. In order for a nonresident
alien or foreign entity to qualify as an exempt payee, such person must submit a
completed IRS Form W-8 BEN or a Substitute Form W-8 (or similar form), signed
under penalties of perjury attesting to such exempt status. Such form may be
obtained from the Depositary.
12. Withholding on Foreign Holder. The following discussion applies to any
"foreign stockholder," that is a stockholder that, for United States federal
income tax purposes, is a non-resident alien individual, a foreign corporation,
a foreign partnership, a foreign estate or a foreign trust. A foreign
stockholder who has provided the necessary certification to the Depositary as
described in Instruction 11 above will not be subject to backup withholding.
However, foreign stockholders generally are subject to withholding under
Internal Revenue Code sections 1441 or 1442 at a rate of 30% of the gross
payments. The general 30% withholding rate may be reduced under a tax treaty, if
appropriate certification is furnished to the Depositary. A foreign stockholder
may also obtain exemption from withholding by delivering to the Depositary
appropriate certification that the gross proceeds are effectively connected with
the conduct of a trade or business within the United States, or establishing to
the satisfaction of the Depositary that such stockholder meets those tests
described in Section 12 of the Offer to Purchase that would characterize the
exchange as a sale (as opposed to a dividend). A foreign stockholder may be
eligible to obtain a refund of all or a portion of any tax withheld if such
holder is able to establish to the IRS that no tax, or a reduced amount of tax,
is due. FOREIGN STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING
THE APPLICATION OF UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING, INCLUDING
ELIGIBILITY FOR A WITHHOLDING TAX REDUCTION OR EXEMPTION, AND THE REFUND
PROCEDURE.
13. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. If any certificate
representing shares has been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, the
stockholder should promptly notify the Depositary by checking the box set forth
above in the box captioned "Description of Shares Tendered" and indicating the
number of shares so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated. Such stockholder will
then be instructed by the Depositary as to the steps that must be taken in order
to replace the certificate. A bond may be required to be posted by the
stockholder to secure against the risk that the certificate may be subsequently
recirculated. This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be
processed until the procedures for replacing lost, stolen, destroyed or
mutilated certificates have been followed. Stockholders may contact the
Depositary at (800) 829-8432 to expedite such process and to determine the
requirements for posting of a bond.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A MANUALLY SIGNED PHOTOCOPY OF IT
(TOGETHER WITH CERTIFICATE(S) FOR SHARES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK- ENTRY TRANSFER
AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR, IF APPLICABLE, THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.
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PAYER'S NAME: First Union National Bank
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NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP
WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION
OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF
YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has
not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an application
to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue
Service Center or Social Security Administration Office, or (2) I intend to mail
or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not
provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 31% of all
reportable payments made to me will be withheld.
Signature Date
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The Information Agent for the Offer is:
MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC.,
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(212) 929-5500
Any questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the
Information Agent at the address and telephone number set forth above. You may
also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or any other
nominee for assistance concerning this Offer.