425B5

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and they are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

We are offering 10,000,000 shares of our common stock to be sold in this offering. All of the shares of our common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are being sold by us. We will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EXL.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on June 18, 2014 was $13.75 per share.

To assist us in complying with certain federal income tax requirements applicable to real estate investment trusts, or REITs, our charter contains certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock, including an ownership limit of 9.8% on our common stock. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” beginning on page 37 of the accompanying prospectus.

You should consider the risks that we have described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement and page 2 of the accompanying prospectus, as well as those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, before buying shares of our common stock.

The underwriters may also exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 shares from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement. The underwriters are offering the shares of our common stock as set forth under “Underwriting.”

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

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares to purchasers on or before June , 2014.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We and the underwriters are offering to sell shares of common stock and seeking offers to buy shares of common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus, as well as information we previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated herein by reference, is accurate only as of their respective dates or on other dates which are specified in those documents, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or of any sale of the common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference herein and therein contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act). Also, documents we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporate by reference will contain forward-looking statements. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods which may be incorrect or imprecise, and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “pro forma,” “estimates” or “anticipates” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:

While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact our future results, performance or transactions, see the section below entitled “Risk Factors,” including the risks incorporated therein from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act.

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this common stock offering. The second part, which is the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering.

If the description of this offering varies between the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

This summary may not contain all the information that may be important to you. Before making an investment decision, you should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, including the financial statements and related notes as well as the “Risk Factors” section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act. References in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to Excel Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, Excel Trust, L.P., and any of our other subsidiaries. Excel Trust, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership of which we are the sole general partner and to which we refer in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as our operating partnership. Unless otherwise indicated, the information contained in this prospectus supplement assumes that the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is not exercised.

Excel Trust, Inc.

We are a vertically integrated, self-administered, self-managed real estate firm with the principal objective of acquiring, financing, developing, leasing, owning and managing community and power centers, grocery anchored neighborhood centers and freestanding retail properties. Our strategy is to acquire high-quality, well-located, dominant retail properties that generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. We target competitively protected properties in communities that have stable demographics and have historically exhibited favorable trends, such as strong population and income growth. We consider competitively protected properties to be located in the most prominent shopping districts in their respective markets, ideally situated at major “Main and Main” intersections. We seek investment opportunities throughout the United States, but focus on the West Coast, East Coast and Sunbelt regions. We generally lease our properties to national and regional supermarket chains, big-box retailers and select national retailers that frequently offer necessity and value oriented items and generate regular consumer traffic. Our tenants often carry goods that are less impacted by fluctuations in the broader U.S. economy and consumers’ disposable income, which we believe generates more predictable property-level cash flows.

As of March 31, 2014, we owned a portfolio consisting of 34 retail operating properties totaling approximately 5.9 million square feet of gross leasable area (including a 50% interest in a consolidated joint venture), which were approximately 93.7% leased and had a weighted average remaining lease term of approximately seven years, based on gross leasable area (one retail operating property also contains 339 apartment units on the upper levels of the shopping center). We also owned two commercial office properties, Excel Centre, a portion of which is utilized as our corporate headquarters, and the Promenade Corporate Center. These office properties total 338,339 square feet of gross leasable area and were approximately 85.5% leased as of March 31, 2014. In addition, we held ownership interests in two unconsolidated retail properties totaling 225,975 square feet of gross leasable area, which were approximately 65.7% leased as of March 31, 2014.

We were organized as a Maryland corporation on December 15, 2009 and elected to be taxed as a REIT beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2010. We conduct substantially all of our business through Excel Trust, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. We are the sole general partner of our operating partnership.

Our primary offices are located in San Diego, California and Salt Lake City, Utah. Our headquarters is located at 17140 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 300, San Diego, California 92128. Our telephone number at that location is (858) 613-1800. Our internet address is www.ExcelTrust.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Recent Developments

Portfolio Update

In May and June 2014, we entered into purchase agreements to acquire four retail properties for approximately $367.1 million, and we have a pending contract to purchase an additional retail property for approximately $16.3 million. These five properties are located in Florida, Maryland and Utah and comprise approximately 2.0 million square feet of gross leasable area. The aggregate anticipated purchase price for these properties, excluding closing costs, is approximately $383.4 million, including the assumption of approximately $42.7 million of debt.

These acquisitions are subject to the completion of due diligence and the satisfaction of other closing conditions. There can be no assurances that these conditions will be satisfied or that the acquisitions will close on the terms described herein, or at all.

Financing Update

In May 2014, our operating partnership issued $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.625% Senior Notes due 2024, or the Notes due 2024. Our operating partnership offered the Notes due 2024 at 99.477% of the principal amount thereof. The Notes due 2024 are general unsecured senior obligations of our operating partnership and rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of our operating partnership. The Notes due 2024 bear interest at 4.625% per annum. Interest is payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning November 15, 2014, until the maturity date of May 15, 2024. Our operating partnership’s obligations under the Notes due 2024 are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by our company.

We anticipate increased interest expense associated with the issuance of the Notes due 2024 at a fixed rate and the use of proceeds therefrom for the repayment of variable-rate debt with a lower interest rate. Due to this increased interest expense, together with the effects of this offering in which the net proceeds will not be invested in new acquisitions immediately, we expect to provide revised 2014 funds from operations (FFO) and adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) guidance in our second quarter 2014 earnings press release that incorporates the estimated impact of these transactions, which revisions may be material.

The Offering


Common stock offered by us		10,000,000 shares⁽¹⁾

Common stock to be outstanding upon completion of this offering		58,455,186 shares⁽²⁾

Use of proceeds		We expect that the net proceeds of this offering will be approximately $ million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses (and approximately $ million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). We will contribute the net proceeds of this offering to our operating partnership. Our operating partnership intends to subsequently use the net proceeds of this offering to partially fund certain property acquisitions described in “Recent Developments” above and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. The anticipated purchase price of the acquisitions described above, excluding closing costs, is approximately $383.4 million, of which approximately $340.7 million is to be paid in cash at closing. The acquisitions are subject to the completion of due diligence and the satisfaction of other closing conditions, and there can be no assurances that these conditions will be satisfied or that the acquisitions will close on the terms described herein, or at all. Pending use of the net proceeds of this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term interest-bearing investment grade instruments. See “Use of Proceeds.”

New York Stock Exchange symbol		“EXL”

Risk factors		You should carefully read the information contained under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference herein, before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

(1)	11,500,000 shares of common stock if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full.

(2)

59,955,186 shares of common stock if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full. Based on 48,455,186 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2014, and excludes as of that date (a) 1,019,523 shares of common stock issuable upon exchange of outstanding units in our operating partnership, (b) 754,854 shares of common stock available for future issuance under our incentive award plan, (c) 3,367,200 shares of common stock potentially issuable upon conversion of our 7.00% Series A cumulative convertible perpetual preferred stock, or Series A preferred stock (based on the conversion rate as of March 31, 2014), and (d) shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our 8.125% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock, or Series B preferred stock, upon the occurrence of a change of control which results in our common stock and the common securities of the acquiring or surviving entity not being listed on a national securities exchange or quotation system. Also excludes 1,500,000 additional shares of common stock available for future issuance under our incentive award plan pursuant to an increase approved at our annual meeting of stockholders on May 13, 2014.

Investment in the shares offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus involves risks. In addition to the information presented in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the risk factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference herein, you should carefully consider the following risk factors before deciding to purchase these shares.

We may fail to consummate our pending acquisitions, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, earnings and cash flow.

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to partially fund certain acquisitions described above under the caption “Summary — Recent Developments — Portfolio Update.” These acquisitions are subject to the completion of due diligence and the satisfaction of other closing conditions, and there can be no assurances that these conditions will be satisfied or that the acquisitions will close on the terms described herein, or at all.

In the event that we fail to consummate any of these acquisitions, we will have issued a significant number of additional shares of our common stock without realizing a corresponding increase in earnings and cash flow from acquiring the properties involved in such acquisitions. In addition, we will have broad authority to use the net proceeds of this offering for other purposes, including the repayment of indebtedness, the acquisition of other properties that we may identify in the future or for other investments with which you may not agree. As a result, failure to consummate one or more of the pending acquisitions could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our common stock.

Future sales or issuances of our common stock could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We cannot predict whether future sales or issuances of our common stock or the availability of shares for resale in the open market will decrease the market price of our common stock. Upon completion of this offering, we will have outstanding 58,455,186 shares of our common stock (59,955,186 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full), as well as operating partnership units which may be exchanged for 1,019,523 shares of our common stock, based on the number of shares of common stock and operating partnership units outstanding as of March 31, 2014. In addition, as of March 31, 2014, we had reserved an additional 754,854 shares of common stock for future issuance under our incentive award plan (not including 1,500,000 additional shares of common stock available for future issuance under our incentive award plan pursuant to an increase approved at our annual meeting of stockholders on May 13, 2014) and 3,367,200 shares of common stock potentially issuable upon conversion of our Series A preferred stock (based on the conversion rate as of March 31, 2014). We may also issue additional shares of common stock upon conversion of our Series B preferred stock, upon the occurrence of a change of control which results in our common stock and the common securities of the acquiring or surviving entity not being listed on a national securities exchange or quotation system. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or issuances of our common stock under our incentive award plan, upon exchange of operating partnership units or upon conversion of our Series A preferred stock or Series B preferred stock, or the perception that such sales or issuances might occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We have filed a universal shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which permits us, from time to time, to offer and sell up to an aggregate of $700.0 million of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights and other securities to the extent necessary or advisable to meet our liquidity needs. We currently have remaining capacity of $350.0 million under the shelf registration statement, from which we intend to effect this offering.

In July 2013, we filed a prospectus supplement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which permits us, from time to time, to offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100.0 million in “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act. As of March 31, 2014, we had remaining capacity of approximately $95.0 million under the “at the market” program.

Any of the following could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock:

Additionally, the existence of operating partnership units, Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock and shares of our common stock reserved for issuance upon exchange or conversion of such securities and under our incentive award plan may adversely affect the terms upon which we may be able to obtain additional capital through the sale of equity securities. In addition, the sale of shares in this offering and future sales or issuances of shares of our common stock, preferred stock or operating partnership units may be dilutive to existing stockholders.

In connection with this offering, each of our executive officers and directors has entered into a lock-up agreement restricting the sale of his shares for no less than 60 days following the date of this prospectus supplement. However, Barclays Capital Inc. and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. at any time may release all or a portion of the common stock subject to the foregoing lock-up provisions. When determining whether or not to release shares subject to a lock-up agreement, Barclays Capital Inc. and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. will consider, among other factors, the person’s reasons for requesting the release, the number of shares for which the release is being requested and the possible impact of the release of the shares on the market price of our common stock. If the restrictions under such agreements are waived, the affected common stock may be available for sale into the market, which could reduce the market price of our common stock.

Our share price could be volatile and could decline, resulting in a substantial or complete loss on our stockholders’ investment.

The stock markets, including the New York Stock Exchange, on which we list our common stock, have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. As a result, the market price of our common stock could be subject to similar volatility, and investors in our common stock may experience a decrease in the value of their shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. The price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors, including:

In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources.

Our business operations may not generate the cash needed to make distributions on our capital stock or to service our indebtedness, and we may change our common stock dividend policy in the future.

Our ability to make distributions on our common stock and payments on our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to make distributions on our common stock, to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.

The decision to declare and pay dividends on shares of our common stock in the future, as well as the timing, amount and composition of any such future dividends, will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors in light of conditions then existing, including our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, debt maturities, the availability of debt and equity capital, applicable REIT and legal restrictions and general overall economic conditions and other factors. Any change in our dividend policy could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Holders of our outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock have, and holders of any future outstanding shares of preferred stock will have, liquidation, dividend and other rights that are senior to the rights of the holders of our common stock.

Our board of directors has the authority to designate and issue preferred stock with liquidation, dividend and other rights that are senior to those of our common stock. Our outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock rank, and any other shares of preferred stock issued in the future may rank, senior to our common stock as to dividends and upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Accordingly, full cumulative dividends must be declared and paid, or declared and set apart, on our Series A

preferred stock, Series B preferred stock and any other preferred stock issued in the future and ranking with respect to dividends senior to our common stock, before any dividend payment is made to holders of our common stock; and the liquidation preferences applicable to our Series A preferred stock, Series B preferred stock and other preferred stock issued in the future and ranking senior to our common stock upon liquidation, as well as any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, must be paid before assets are available for distribution to the holders of our common stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. These obligations would reduce the remaining amount of our assets, if any, available for distribution to holders of our common stock.

We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering will be approximately $ million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, our net proceeds will be approximately $ million.

We will contribute the net proceeds of this offering to our operating partnership. Our operating partnership intends to subsequently use the net proceeds of this offering to partially fund certain property acquisitions described under the caption “Recent Developments” above and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. The anticipated purchase price of the acquisitions described above, excluding closing costs, is approximately $383.4 million, of which approximately $340.7 million is to be paid in cash at closing. The acquisitions are subject to the completion of due diligence and the satisfaction of other closing conditions, and there can be no assurances that these conditions will be satisfied or that the acquisitions will close on the terms described herein, or at all. Pending use of the net proceeds of this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term interest-bearing investment grade instruments.

(2) on an as adjusted basis to give effect to (a) borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility after March 31, 2014 used to fund certain development activities, (b) the repayment of certain outstanding mortgages after March 31, 2014 and (c) the issuance of the Notes due 2024 as described under the caption “Recent Developments” above and the repayment of borrowings under our unsecured revolving credit facility with the net proceeds therefrom, and

(3) on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to the adjustments described above and the issuance of our common stock in this offering.

You should read this table in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

This discussion is a supplement to, and is intended to be read together with, the discussion under the heading “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” included in the accompanying prospectus, as supplemented by our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 1, 2013. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to you of the acquisition, ownership, and/or sale or other disposition of the shares of common stock offered hereby, including the federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences, our election to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, and potential changes in the applicable tax laws. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice.

The following discussion supersedes the ninth bullet point in the fourth paragraph in the discussion under the heading “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation of Our Company — General” in the accompanying prospectus.

If we acquire any asset from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which the basis of the asset in our hands is less than the fair market value of the asset, in each case determined at the time we acquired the asset, and we subsequently recognize gain on the disposition of the asset during the ten-year period beginning on the date on which we acquired the asset, then we will be required to pay tax at the highest regular corporate tax rate on this gain to the extent of the excess of (1) the fair market value of the asset over (2) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each case determined as of the date on which we acquired the asset. The results described in this paragraph with respect to the recognition of gain assume that the necessary parties make or refrain from making the appropriate elections under the applicable Treasury regulations then in effect. The Internal Revenue Service recently issued final Treasury regulations which exclude from the application of this built-in gains tax any gain from the sale of property acquired by us in an exchange under Section 1031 (a like kind exchange) or 1033 (an involuntary conversion) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Barclays Capital Inc. and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us, our operating partnership and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the shares sold under the underwriting agreement (other than those covered by the option described below) if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

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

The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates, comfort letters and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $ per share. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of this offering may be changed.

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds, before expenses, to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares.

The expenses of this offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $ and are payable by us.

We have granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting

discount. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter’s initial amount reflected in the above table.

We have agreed that, without the prior written consent of Barclays Capital Inc. and Raymond James & Associates, Inc., we will not, during the period ending 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement:

whether any such transaction described in the first two bullet points above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph do not apply to (1) the sale of shares to the underwriters, (2) the issuance by us of shares of our common stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof of which the underwriters have been advised in writing, (3) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of our common stock, provided that such plan does not provide for the transfer of shares of our common stock during the 60-day restricted period and no public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act regarding the establishment of such plan shall be required or voluntarily made during the 60-day restricted period, (4) the filing of a registration statement on Form S-8 relating to the offering of securities in accordance with the terms of an equity incentive plan, (5) the grant of restricted stock, options, long-term incentive units or other securities pursuant to an equity incentive plan, or (6) the issuance by us of up to the number of shares representing 10% of the total number of outstanding shares of our common stock (or options, warrants, operating partnership units or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock) in connection with bona fide mergers or acquisitions, joint ventures, commercial relationships or other strategic transactions, provided, in the case of this clause (6) that each acquirer agrees to similar restrictions.

In addition, each of our executive officers and directors has agreed that, without the prior written consent of Barclays Capital Inc. and Raymond James & Associates, Inc., he will not, during the period ending 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement:

whether any such transaction described in the first two bullet points above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

The restrictions described in the preceding paragraph do not apply to (1) transactions by any person other than us relating to shares of common stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of this offering, (2) transfers of shares of our common stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock as a bona fide gift, (3) transfers of shares of our common stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of a director or officer or the immediate family of the director or officer, (4) distributions of shares of our common stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock to affiliates of a director or officer, including limited partners, members or stockholders of the director or officer, or (5) establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of our common stock, provided, in the case of clauses (2) through (4) above, that each donee or distributee, as the case may be, agrees to similar restrictions and no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act will be required or will be voluntarily made during the 60-day restricted period. In addition, with respect to clause (5) above, the Rule 10b5-1 plan does not provide for the transfer of our common stock during the 60-day restricted period and no public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act regarding the establishment of such plan shall be required or voluntarily made during the 60-day restricted period.

The 60 day restricted period described in the preceding paragraphs will be extended if:

in which case the restrictions described in the preceding paragraph will continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, provided, however, that this extension of the lock-up period will not apply if, (a) at the expiration of the lock-up period, our shares of common stock are “actively traded securities” (as defined in Regulation M) and (b) we meet the applicable requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 139 under the Securities Act in the manner contemplated by NASD Rule 2711(f)(4) of the FINRA Manual.

Until the distribution of the shares is completed, the Securities and Exchange Commission rules may limit underwriters from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the representatives may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of our common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in this offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares described above. The underwriters may close

out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the option granted to them. “Naked” short sales are sales in excess of such option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of shares of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of this offering.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that we will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

In connection with this offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail.

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us, the guarantor and our affiliates, for which they received or may in the future receive customary fees and expenses. Barclays Bank PLC, an affiliate of Barclays Capital Inc., and Raymond James Bank, N.A., an affiliate of Raymond James & Associates, Inc., are lenders under our unsecured revolving credit facility. In addition, Barclays Capital Inc. acts as sales agent and/or principal under the equity distribution agreement pursuant to which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock, from time to time, to or through them, up to an aggregate offering price of $100 million.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and certain of their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of us or our affiliates. If the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, the underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities or the securities of our affiliates, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any

time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive, or, each, a Relevant Member State, with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State, or the Relevant Implementation Date, no offer to the public of shares may be made in that Relevant Member State other than:

provided that no such offer of shares shall require us or any underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

Each person in a Relevant Member State who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that (1) it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive, and (2) in the case of any shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, the shares acquired by it in this offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive, or in circumstances in which our prior consent has been given to the offer or resale. In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in this offering have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

We, the representatives and our and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representation, acknowledgement and agreement.

This document is not a prospectus for the purpose of the Prospectus Directive as implemented in Member States of the European Economic Area. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of shares in any Relevant Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of our shares. Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of shares which are the subject of this offering may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do we or they authorize, the making of any offer of shares in circumstances in which an obligation arises for us or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.

For the purpose of the above provisions, the expression “offer to the public” in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of this offering and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe

the shares, as the same may be varied in the Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in the Relevant Member State; the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and any amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member States) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State; and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are being distributed only to, and are directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) and (1) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, or the Order, or (2) who are high net worth companies, or (3) any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated pursuant to the Order falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.

All applicable provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 of the United Kingdom must be complied with in respect to anything done by any person in relation to the offer of our common stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or the ASIC, in relation to this offering. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001, or the Corporations Act, and do not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of our common stock may only be made to persons, or the Exempt Investors, who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer our common stock without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

Our shares of common stock applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under this offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain general information only and do not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority, or DFSA. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. They must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Our shares of common stock to which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of our common stock offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on our common stock. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

Our shares of common stock have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (1) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance or (2) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to our common stock has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to our common stock which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.

We have not and will not register with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, or FINMA, as a foreign collective investment scheme pursuant to Article 119 of the Federal Act on Collective Investment Scheme of 23 June 2006, as amended, or CISA, and accordingly the shares of common stock being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not and will not be approved, and may not be licenseable, with FINMA. Therefore, the shares of common stock have not been authorized for distribution by FINMA as a foreign collective investment scheme pursuant to Article 119 CISA and the common stock offered hereby may not be offered to the public (as this term is defined in Article 3 CISA) in or from Switzerland. The common stock may solely be offered to “qualified investors,” as this term is defined in Article 10 CISA, and in the circumstances set out in Article 3 of the Ordinance on Collective Investment Scheme of 22 November 2006, as amended, or CISO, such that there is no public offer. Investors, however, do not benefit from protection under CISA or CISO or supervision by FINMA. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any other materials relating to the common stock are strictly personal and confidential to each offeree and do not constitute an offer to any other person. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only be used by those qualified investors to whom they have been handed out in connection with the offer described herein and may neither directly or indirectly be distributed or made available to any person or entity other than their recipients. They may not be used in connection with any other offer and shall in particular not be copied and/or distributed to the public in Switzerland or from Switzerland. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an issue prospectus as that term is understood pursuant to Article 652a and/or 1156 of the Swiss Federal Code of Obligations. We have not applied for a listing of our shares of common stock on the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated securities market in Switzerland, and consequently, the information presented in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus does not necessarily comply with the information standards set out in the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange and corresponding prospectus schemes annexed to the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange.

Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, San Diego, California, and for the underwriters by Clifford Chance US LLP, New York, New York. Certain matters of Maryland law, including the validity of the common stock to be issued in connection with this offering, will be passed upon for us by Ballard Spahr LLP, Baltimore, Maryland.

The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedules, incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Excel Trust, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2013, and the effectiveness of Excel Trust, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

We may offer and sell up to $700,000,000 in the aggregate of the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities.

Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering, and may include limitations on actual or constructive ownership and restrictions on transfer of the securities, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of Excel Trust, Inc. as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for United States federal income tax purposes. The applicable prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about certain United States federal income tax consequences relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the securities covered by such prospectus supplement. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

The securities may be offered directly by Excel Trust, Inc. or Excel Trust, L.P. from time to time, through agents designated by Excel Trust, Inc. or Excel Trust, L.P. or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections entitled “Plan of Distribution” and “About this Prospectus” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

Excel Trust, Inc.’s common stock and Series B preferred stock currently trade on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbols “EXL” and “EXL-PB,” respectively.

You should consider the risks that we have described in “Risk Factors” on page 2 before investing in our securities.

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

References in this prospectus to the “Company” or the “guarantor” refer to Excel Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation. References in this prospectus to “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to the Company, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Excel Trust, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership of which Excel Trust, Inc. is the sole general partner. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to our “operating partnership” or the “operating partnership” refer to Excel Trust, L.P. together with its consolidated subsidiaries. References to “common stock,” “preferred stock” and “capital stock” refer to the common stock, preferred stock and capital stock of Excel Trust, Inc.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, in an accompanying prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference herein or therein. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information or make any representation that is different. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, and this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is correct on any date after the respective dates of the prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements, as applicable, even though this prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements are delivered or shares are sold pursuant to the prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements at a later date. Since the respective dates of the prospectus contained in this registration statement and any accompanying prospectus supplement, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed. We may only use this prospectus to sell the securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

The Company operates as a vertically integrated, self-administered, self-managed real estate firm with the principal objective of acquiring, financing, developing, leasing, owning and managing community and power centers, grocery anchored neighborhood centers and freestanding retail properties. Our strategy is to acquire high-quality, well-located, dominant retail properties that generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. We target competitively protected properties in communities that have stable demographics and have historically exhibited favorable trends, such as strong population and income growth. We consider competitively protected properties to be located in the most prominent shopping districts in their respective markets, ideally situated at major “Main and Main” intersections. We seek investment opportunities throughout the United States, but focus on the Northeast, Northwest and Sunbelt regions. We generally lease our properties to national and regional supermarket chains, big-box retailers and select national retailers that frequently offer necessity and value oriented items and generate regular consumer traffic. Our tenants often carry goods that are less impacted by fluctuations in the broader U.S. economy and consumers’ disposable income, which we believe generates more predictable property-level cash flows.

As of March 31, 2013, we owned a portfolio consisting of 31 retail operating properties totaling approximately 5.3 million square feet of gross leasable area (including a consolidated joint venture owned 50% by us), which were approximately 93.2% leased and had a weighted average remaining lease term of approximately seven years, based on gross leasable area (one retail property also contains 339 apartment units on the upper levels of the shopping center, which were approximately 92.9% leased as of March 31, 2013). We also owned two commercial office properties, Excel Center, a portion of which is utilized as our corporate headquarters, and the Promenade Corporate Center. These office properties total 338,339 square feet of gross leasable area and were approximately 82.3% leased as of March 31, 2013. In addition, we held ownership interests in two unconsolidated retail properties totaling 225,070 square feet of gross leasable area, which were approximately 65.5% leased as of March 31, 2013.

The Company was organized as a Maryland corporation on December 15, 2009 and elected to be taxed as a REIT beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2010. The Company conducts substantially all of its business through its operating partnership, Excel Trust, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. The Company is the sole general partner of the operating partnership. Our primary offices are located in San Diego, California and Salt Lake City, Utah. Our headquarters is located at 17140 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 300, San Diego, California 92128. Our telephone number at that location is (858) 613-1800. Our internet address is www.ExcelTrust.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

An investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to Excel Trust, Inc.’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Excel Trust, L.P.’s General Form for Registration of Securities on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2013 and subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the other information contained in this prospectus, as updated by subsequent filings of Excel Trust, Inc. and Excel Trust, L.P. under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such securities. Please also refer to the section below entitled “Forward-Looking Statements.”

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, the Company may sell debt securities (including guarantees of debt securities sold by our operating partnership), common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, rights and units, and our operating partnership may sell debt securities, in each case in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $700,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities the Company or the operating partnership may offer. Each time the Company or the operating partnership sells securities, the Company or the operating partnership will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the applicable offering. Such prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before you decide whether to invest.

The Company or the operating partnership may offer the securities directly, through agents, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the plan of distribution and set forth the names of any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of the securities. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 74 for more information on this topic. No securities may be sold without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.

The Company and the operating partnership file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the public reference room of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information about the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of all or a portion of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement, can be obtained from the public reference room of the Securities and Exchange Commission upon payment of prescribed fees. Our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our registration statement, are also available to you on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website, www.sec.gov. Our internet address is www.ExcelTrust.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, including exhibits, schedules and amendments filed with, or incorporated by reference

in, this registration statement, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, with respect to the securities registered hereby. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to our company and the securities registered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are not necessarily complete and, where that contract is an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement is qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference relates.

The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. The incorporated documents contain significant information about us, our business and our finances. Any information contained in this prospectus or in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to have been modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, in any other document we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in the applicable prospectus supplement, modifies or supersedes the original statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to be a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following documents we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:

To the extent that any information contained in any Current Report on Form 8-K, or any exhibit thereto, is or was furnished to, rather than filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission, such information or exhibit is specifically not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, on written or oral request of that person, a copy of any or all of the documents we are incorporating by reference into this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless those exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. A request should be addressed in writing to Excel Trust, Inc., 17140 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 300, San Diego, California 92128, Attention: Secretary or by telephone at (858) 613-1800.

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents that we incorporate by reference in each contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act). Also, documents we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporate by reference will contain forward-looking statements. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, our pro forma financial statements and other pro forma information and our statements regarding anticipated growth in our funds from operations, or FFO, and anticipated market conditions, demographics and results of operations are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods which may be incorrect or imprecise, and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “pro forma,” “estimates” or “anticipates” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:

While forward-looking statements reflect our good-faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could

impact our future results, performance or transactions, see the section above entitled “Risk Factors,” including the risks incorporated therein from Excel Trust, Inc.’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Excel Trust, L.P.’s General Form for Registration of Securities on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2013 and subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as updated by our future filings.

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Company intends to contribute the net proceeds from any sale of its securities pursuant to this prospectus to our operating partnership. Our operating partnership intends to subsequently use the net proceeds contributed by the Company, as well as any net proceeds from the sale of its debt securities pursuant to this prospectus, to potentially acquire or develop additional properties and for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of existing indebtedness and improvements to the properties in our portfolio. Pending application of cash proceeds, we will invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities which are consistent with the Company’s intention to continue to qualify as a REIT for United States federal income tax purposes. Further details regarding the use of the net proceeds from the sale of a specific series or class of the securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The following table sets forth the Company’s ratios of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the periods shown for the Company and its predecessor (dollar amounts in thousands):

The following table sets forth our operating partnership’s ratios of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred unit distributions for the periods shown for our operating partnership and its predecessor (dollar amounts in thousands):

The ratios of earnings to fixed charges are computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. The ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends or preferred unit distributions, as applicable, are computed by dividing earnings by the sum of fixed charges and preferred stock dividends or preferred unit distributions, as applicable. For this purpose, “earnings” consist of net income (loss) before non-controlling interests and fixed charges, less capitalized interest, “fixed charges” consist of interest expense, capitalized interest and amortization of deferred financing fees, whether expensed or capitalized, and “preferred stock dividends” or “preferred unit distributions,” as applicable, consist of the amount of pre-tax earnings required to pay dividends or distributions, as applicable, on Excel Trust, Inc.’s 7.00% Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, or Series A preferred stock, Excel Trust, L.P.’s Series A preferred units, Excel Trust, Inc.’s 8.125% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, or Series B preferred stock, or

Excel Trust, L.P.’s Series B preferred units. For periods prior to January 25, 2011, the date of the initial issuance of the Series A preferred stock and the Series A preferred units, there were no outstanding shares of preferred stock or preferred units, and therefore, there were no preferred stock dividends or preferred unit distributions included in the calculations of ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends or preferred unit distributions, as applicable, for these periods.

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of our debt securities and related guarantees, if any. When Excel Trust, Inc. or Excel Trust, L.P. offers to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus, including the terms of any related guarantees. We will also indicate in the prospectus supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be the direct, unsecured obligations of either Excel Trust, Inc. or Excel Trust, L.P. and may be issued in one or more series.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a trustee. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture and debt securities carefully for provisions that may be important to you. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined in this prospectus have the meanings specified in the indenture.

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Company’s board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in such resolutions, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series, including any pricing supplement or term sheet.

Unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations, and, if the debt securities are issued by our operating partnership, they may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement, including any pricing supplement or term sheet, relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, to the extent applicable:

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of, and any premium and interest on, any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, or the Depositary or DTC, or a nominee of the Depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as otherwise set forth in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, and any premium and interest on, certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. See “Global Securities.”

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) that could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person, which we refer to as a successor person, unless:

Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to us.

“Event of Default” means, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our or our subsidiaries’ indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

If an Event of Default with respect to outstanding debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy,

insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense that might be incurred by it in exercising such right or power. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

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

Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall mail to each holder of the debt securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

We and the trustee may modify and amend the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:

We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all of the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and/or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the Event of Default. In such a case, we would remain liable for those payments.

“Foreign Government Obligations” means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an Event of Default, the trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

The indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become one of our creditors, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us or any of our affiliates; provided, however, that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the indenture or in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

None of our past, present or future directors, officers, employees or stockholders, as such, will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities or the indenture or for any claim based on, or in respect or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a debt security, each holder waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issue of the debt securities. However, this waiver and release may not be effective to waive liabilities under United States federal securities laws, and it is the view of the Securities and Exchange Commission that such a waiver is against public policy.

The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the debt securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York (without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law).

This prospectus describes the general terms of the Company’s common stock. The following description is not complete and may not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in the Company’s common stock. For a more detailed description of these securities, you should read the applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or MGCL, and the Company’s charter and bylaws, as amended and supplemented from time to time. This description is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Company’s charter and bylaws and the MGCL. Copies of the Company’s existing charter and bylaws are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

When the Company offers to sell shares of a particular class or series of stock, the Company will describe the specific terms of the class or series in a prospectus supplement. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of any class or series of stock, you must refer to both the prospectus supplement relating to that class or series and the description of stock in this prospectus. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

The Company’s charter provides that it may issue up to 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, or common stock. The Company’s charter authorizes the Company’s board of directors to amend the Company’s charter to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of any class or series without stockholder approval. As of March 31, 2013, 47,033,085 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued and outstanding. Under Maryland law, the Company’s stockholders generally are not liable for the Company’s debts or obligations.

All shares of the Company’s common stock offered hereby will be duly authorized, and when issued in exchange for the consideration therefor will be fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and to the provisions of the Company’s charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock, holders of shares of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends on such stock if, as and when authorized by the Company’s board of directors out of assets legally available therefor and declared by the Company and to share ratably in the assets of the Company legally available for distribution to the Company’s stockholders in the event of the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of or adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities of the Company.

Subject to the provisions of the Company’s charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock, each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of such shares will possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of the Company’s board of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

Holders of shares of the Company’s common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of the Company’s securities. Subject to the provisions of the Company’s charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock, shares of the Company’s common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.

Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless such action is advised by its board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter unless a lesser percentage

(but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation’s charter. Under the MGCL, the term “substantially all of the company’s assets” is not defined and is, therefore, subject to Maryland common law and to judicial interpretation and review in the context of the unique facts and circumstances of any particular transaction. The Company’s charter provides, except with respect to an amendment to the section relating to the removal of directors and the corresponding reference in the general amendment provision, that the foregoing items may be approved by a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, Maryland law permits a corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of the stockholders of the corporation to one or more persons, including a subsidiary, if all of the equity interests of the person or persons are owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation. In addition, operating assets may be held by a corporation’s subsidiaries, as in our situation, and these subsidiaries may be able to transfer all or substantially all of such assets without a vote of the parent corporation’s stockholders.

The Company’s charter authorizes its board of directors to classify and reclassify from time to time any unissued shares of the Company’s common stock or preferred stock into other classes or series of stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the Company’s board of directors is required by the MGCL and the Company’s charter to establish the number of shares in each class or series and to set, subject to the provisions of its charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each such class or series.

Power to Increase Authorized Stock and Issue Additional Shares of the Company’s Common Stock

We believe that the power of the Company’s board of directors to amend the Company’s charter to increase the number of authorized shares of stock, to cause the Company to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of its common stock or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of the Company’s common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to cause the Company to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock will provide the Company with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise. The additional classes or series, as well as the common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by the Company’s stockholders, unless stockholder consent is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Company’s securities may be listed or traded. Although the Company’s board of directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize the Company to issue a class or series of stock that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of the Company that might involve a premium price for the Company’s stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.

The transfer agent and registrar for the Company’s common stock is Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions.

This prospectus describes the general terms of the Company’s preferred stock. The following description is not complete and may not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in the Company’s preferred stock. For a more detailed description of these securities, you should read the applicable provisions of the MGCL and the Company’s charter, including the applicable articles supplementary, and bylaws, as amended and supplemented from time to time. Copies of the Company’s existing charter and bylaws are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

When the Company offers to sell a particular class or series of stock, the Company will describe the specific terms of the series in a prospectus supplement. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of any class or series of stock that the Company may offer to sell, you must refer to both the prospectus supplement relating to that class or series and the description of stock in this prospectus. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

The Company’s charter provides that the Company may issue up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, or preferred stock. The Company’s charter authorizes the Company’s board of directors to amend the Company’s charter to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of any class or series without stockholder approval.

As of March 31, 2013, 2,000,000 shares of Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, were issued and outstanding and 3,680,000 shares of Series B preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, were issued and outstanding.

The Company’s charter authorizes the Company’s board of directors to classify and reclassify from time to time any unissued shares of preferred stock or common stock into other classes or series of stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the Company’s board of directors is required by the MGCL and the Company’s charter to establish the number of shares in each class or series and to set, subject to the provisions of the Company’s charter regarding the restrictions on transfer of stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each such class or series. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, dividend rights and other rights of holders of the Company’s common stock. The Company’s board of directors could establish a series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of the series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of the Company that might involve a premium price for the Company’s common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of the holders thereof. Management believes that the availability of preferred stock provides the Company with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financing and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise.

The specific terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that class or series, including a prospectus supplement providing that preferred stock may be issuable upon the exercise of warrants the Company may issue. The preferences and other terms of the preferred stock of each class or series will be fixed by the articles supplementary relating to such class or series. The description of preferred stock set forth below and the description of the terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Company’s charter, including the applicable articles supplementary, the Company’s bylaws and the MGCL.

A prospectus supplement, relating to each class or series of preferred stock that the Company may offer to sell, will specify the terms of the preferred stock as follows:

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, rank: (1) senior to all classes or series of the Company’s common stock, and to any other class or series of the Company’s stock expressly designated as ranking junior to the preferred stock; (2) on parity with any class or series of the Company’s stock expressly designated as ranking on parity with the preferred stock; and (3) junior to any other class or series of the Company’s stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the preferred stock.

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any shares of any class or series of preferred stock are convertible into the Company’s common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of shares of the Company’s common stock into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of such class or series of preferred stock, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such class or series of preferred stock.

Power to Increase Authorized Stock and Issue Additional Shares of the Company’s Preferred Stock

The Company’s board of directors has the power, without stockholder approval, to amend the Company’s charter to increase the number of authorized shares of stock, to cause the Company to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of the Company’s preferred stock and thereafter to cause the Company to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock. The additional classes or series of stock will be available for issuance without further action by the Company’s stockholders, unless stockholder consent is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Company’s securities may be listed or traded. Although the Company’s board of directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize the Company to issue a class or series of stock that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of the Company that might involve a premium price for the Company’s stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.

To assist us in complying with certain United States federal income tax requirements applicable to REITs, the Company has adopted certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of the Company’s stock, including the Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock. The Company expects to include similar restrictions with respect to any class or series of preferred stock offered pursuant to this prospectus in the articles supplementary for each such class or series. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify any additional ownership limitation relating to such class or series. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

General. Of the Company’s 50,000,000 authorized preferred shares, 2,300,000 shares have been classified and designated as 7.00% Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock. On January 28, 2011, the Company filed articles supplementary with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation designating the powers, preferences and privileges of the Series A preferred stock, a copy of which has been previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Ranking. The Series A preferred stock ranks, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company’s affairs:

Dividend Rate and Payment Date. Holders of the Series A preferred stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends on the Series A preferred stock at the rate of 7.00% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference (equivalent to $1.75 per annum per share of Series A preferred stock). Dividends on the Series A preferred stock are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the 15th day of January, April, July and October of each year (or, if not a business day, the next business day). Dividends on the Series A preferred stock will accrue whether or not the Company has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are authorized or declared.

Liquidation Preference. If the Company is liquidated, dissolved or wound up, holders of shares of the Series A preferred stock are entitled to receive a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends up to, but excluding, the date of payment, before any payments are made to the holders of the

Company’s common stock or holders of other shares of the Company’s capital stock ranking junior to the Series A preferred stock as to liquidation rights. The rights of the holders of shares of the Series A preferred stock to receive their liquidation preference are subject to the proportionate rights of each other series or class of the Company’s capital stock ranking on parity with the Series A preferred stock as to liquidation, including the Series B preferred stock. In determining whether a distribution is permitted under the MGCL (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation), by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of the Company’s capital stock or otherwise, amounts that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of shares of Series A preferred stock, if the Company were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, shall not be added to the Company’s total liabilities.

Optional Redemption. The Company may not redeem the Series A preferred stock except in limited circumstances to preserve its status as a REIT and upon the occurrence of certain specified fundamental changes. Any partial redemption will be on a pro rata basis.

No Maturity, Sinking Fund or Mandatory Redemption. The Series A preferred stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund provisions and is not subject to any mandatory redemption provisions, except in limited circumstances to preserve the Company’s status as a REIT.

Voting Rights. Holders of shares of the Series A preferred stock will generally not have any voting rights. However, if the Company is in arrears on dividends on the Series A preferred stock for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, holders of shares of the Series A preferred stock (voting together as a class with the holders of all other classes or series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, or parity voting preferred stock) are entitled to vote at a special meeting called by the Company upon written request of holders of record of at least 20% of the outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock and parity voting preferred stock, or at the Company’s next annual meeting and each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of two additional directors to serve on the Company’s board of directors until all accumulated dividends with respect to the Series A preferred stock and all parity voting preferred stock for the past dividend periods have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside for payment. In addition, so long as any shares of Series A preferred stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock and each class or series of parity voting preferred stock, voting as a single class, generally will be required to (1) authorize, create or issue, or increase the number of authorized or issued shares of, any class or series of capital stock ranking senior to the Series A preferred stock or reclassify any authorized shares of capital stock into such capital stock, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such capital stock or (2) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Company’s charter or the terms of the Series A preferred stock, whether by merger or certain other specified events or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series A preferred stock, subject in each case to certain limitations and exceptions.

Conversion. Each share of Series A preferred stock is convertible, at the holder’s option, at any time and from time to time, into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion rate of 1.6667 shares of common stock per share of Series A preferred stock, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of $15.00 per share. The conversion price is subject to customary adjustment in certain circumstances, including if the Company distributes to holders of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock quarterly cash dividends (subject to adjustment) in excess of $0.15 per share of the Company’s common stock. No adjustment in the conversion rate will be required unless the adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% of the conversion rate. If the adjustment is not made because the adjustment does not change the conversion rate by at least 1%, then the adjustment that is not made will be carried forward and taken into account in any future adjustment. On or after April 1, 2014, the Company may, at its option, convert some or all of the outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock if the closing sale price of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds 140% of the conversion price for at least 20 of the 30 consecutive trading days ending the day before the notice of exercise of conversion is sent and the Company has either declared and paid, or declared and set apart for

payment, any unpaid dividends that are in arrears on the Series A preferred stock. If a holder of the Series A preferred stock elects to convert its shares of Series A preferred stock upon the occurrence of certain specified fundamental changes, the Company may be obligated to deliver an additional number of shares of the Company’s common stock above the applicable conversion rate to compensate the holder for lost option value.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the Series A preferred stock is Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions.

General. Of the Company’s 50,000,000 authorized preferred shares, 3,680,000 shares have been classified and designated as 8.125% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. On January 30, 2012, the Company filed articles supplementary with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation designating the powers, preferences and privileges of the Series B preferred stock, a copy of which has been previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Ranking. The Series B preferred stock ranks, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company’s affairs:

Dividend Rate and Payment Date. Holders of the Series B preferred stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends on the Series B preferred stock at the rate of 8.125% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference (equivalent to $2.03125 per annum per share of Series B preferred stock). Dividends on the Series B preferred stock are payable quarterly in arrears on or about the 15th day of January, April, July and October of each year (or, if not a business day, the next business day). Dividends on the Series B preferred stock will accrue whether or not the Company has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are authorized or declared.

Liquidation Preference. If the Company is liquidated, dissolved or wound up, holders of shares of the Series B preferred stock are entitled to receive a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends up to, but excluding, the date of payment, before any payments are made to the holders of the Company’s common stock or holders of other shares of the Company’s capital stock ranking junior to the Series B preferred stock as to liquidation rights. The rights of the holders of shares of the Series B preferred stock to receive their liquidation preference are subject to the proportionate rights of each other series or class of the Company’s capital stock ranking on parity with the Series B preferred stock as to liquidation, including the Series A preferred stock. In determining whether a distribution is permitted under the MGCL (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation), by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of our capital stock or otherwise, no effect will be given to amounts that would be needed, if the Company were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights on dissolution are superior to those receiving the distribution.

Optional Redemption. The Company may not redeem the Series B preferred stock prior to January 31, 2017, except upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) and in limited circumstances to preserve the Company’s status as a REIT. At any time on and after January 31, 2017, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series B preferred stock, in whole or from time to time in part, by paying $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends up to, but not including, the date fixed for redemption.

Special Optional Redemption. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Series B preferred stock, in whole or in part and within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred, by paying $25.00 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of redemption. The Company refers to this redemption as its special optional redemption. If, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date (as defined below), the Company exercises any of its redemption rights relating to the Series B preferred stock (whether its optional redemption right or its special optional redemption right), the holders of Series B preferred stock will not be permitted to exercise the conversion right described below in respect of their shares called for redemption.

A “Change of Control” is when the following have occurred and are continuing:

No Maturity, Sinking Fund or Mandatory Redemption. The Series B preferred stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund provisions and is not subject to any mandatory redemption provisions, except in limited circumstances to preserve the Company’s status as a REIT.

Voting Rights. Holders of shares of the Series B preferred stock will generally not have any voting rights. However, if the Company is in arrears on dividends on the Series B preferred stock for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, holders of shares of the Series B preferred stock (voting together as a class with the holders of any parity voting preferred stock) are entitled to vote at a special meeting called by the Company upon written request of holders of record of at least 20% of the outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock and parity voting preferred stock, or at the Company’s next annual meeting and each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of two additional directors to serve on the Company’s board of directors until all accumulated dividends with respect to the Series B preferred stock and all parity voting preferred stock for the past dividend periods have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside for payment. In addition, so long as any shares of Series B preferred stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Series B preferred stock outstanding at the time, voting together with the holders of any parity voting preferred stock, voting as a single class, generally will be required to (1) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of capital stock ranking senior to the Series B preferred stock or reclassify any authorized capital stock into such capital stock, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such capital stock, or (2) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Company’s charter, whether by merger or certain other specified events or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Series B preferred stock or the holders thereof, subject in each case to certain limitations and exceptions.

Conversion. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Series B preferred stock will have the right (unless, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Company provides notice of its election to redeem the Series B preferred stock) to convert some or all of the Series B preferred stock held by such holder on the Change of Control Conversion Date into a number of shares of the Company’s common stock (or equivalent value of alternative consideration) per share of Series B preferred stock to be converted equal to the lesser of:

subject, in each case, to provisions for the receipt of alternative consideration as described in the articles supplementary for the Series B preferred stock.

If, prior to the Change of Control Conversion Date, the Company provides a redemption notice, whether pursuant to its special optional redemption right in connection with a Change of Control or its optional redemption right, holders of Series B preferred stock will not have any right to convert the Series B preferred stock in connection with a Change of Control and any Series B preferred stock subsequently selected for redemption that has been tendered for conversion will be redeemed on the related date of redemption instead of converted on the Change of Control Conversion Date.

The “Change of Control Conversion Date” will be the date the Series B preferred stock is to be converted, which will be a business day that is no fewer than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which the Company provides a notice of occurrence of the Change of Control to the holders of Series B preferred stock.

The “Common Stock Price” will be: (1) the amount of cash consideration per share of common stock, if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of the Company’s common stock is solely cash, and (2) the average of the closing prices for the Company’s common stock on the NYSE for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Change of Control, if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of the Company’s common stock is other than solely cash.

Except as provided above in connection with a Change of Control, the Series B preferred stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for the Series B preferred stock is Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions.

The Company may, at its option, elect to offer depositary shares rather than full shares of the Company’s preferred stock. Each depositary share will represent ownership of, and entitlement to, all rights and preferences of a fraction of a share of preferred stock of a specified series (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights). The applicable fraction will be specified in a prospectus supplement. The shares of the Company’s preferred stock represented by the depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary named in the applicable prospectus supplement, under a deposit agreement, among the Company, the depositary and the holders of the certificates representing depositary shares, or depositary receipts. Depositary receipts will be delivered to those persons purchasing depositary shares in the offering. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares. 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 the terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the deposit agreement, the Company’s charter and the form of articles supplementary for the applicable class or series of preferred stock.

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the series of the Company’s preferred stock represented by the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by such holders on the relevant record date, which will be the same date as the record date fixed by the Company for the applicable series of preferred stock. The depositary, however, will distribute only such amount as can be distributed without attributing to any depositary share a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary receipts then outstanding.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, in proportion, as nearly as may be practicable, to the number of depositary shares owned by such holders on the relevant record date, unless the depositary determines (after consultation with the Company) that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the depositary may (with the Company’s approval) adopt any other method for such distribution as it deems equitable and appropriate, including the sale of such property (at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem equitable and appropriate) and distribution of the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share to the extent that it represents any preferred stock transferred to a trust for the benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary share will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If the series of the Company’s preferred stock represented by the applicable series of depositary shares is redeemable, such depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of the shares of preferred stock held by the depositary. Whenever the Company redeems any preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock so redeemed. The

depositary will mail the notice of redemption promptly upon receipt of such notice from the Company and not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of the preferred stock and the depositary shares to the record holders of the depositary receipts.

Promptly upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the series of the Company’s preferred stock represented by the applicable series of depositary shares are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts as of the record date for such meeting. Each such record holder of depositary receipts 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 such record holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote such preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and the Company will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting any of the preferred stock to the extent that it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts.

Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and payment of any unpaid amount due the depositary, and subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, the owner of the depositary shares represented thereby is entitled to delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by such depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder represent 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 such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt representing such excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such shares under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts representing depositary shares therefor.

The form of depositary receipt representing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders (other than any change in fees) of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. No such amendment may impair the right, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, of any owner of any depositary shares to surrender the depositary receipt representing such depositary shares with instructions to the depositary to deliver to the holder of the preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.

The deposit agreement will be permitted to be terminated by the Company upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the applicable depositary if (1) such termination is necessary to preserve the Company’s status as a REIT or (2) a majority of each series of preferred stock affected by such termination consents to such termination, whereupon such depositary will be required to deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares represented by such depositary receipts together with any other property held by such depositary with respect to such depositary receipts. The Company will agree that if the deposit agreement is terminated to preserve the Company’s status as a REIT, then the Company will use its best efforts to list the preferred stock issued upon surrender of the related depositary shares on a national securities exchange. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (a) all outstanding depositary shares thereunder shall have been redeemed, (b) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and

such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts representing the depositary shares representing such preferred stock or (c) each share of the related preferred stock shall have been converted into stock of the Company not so represented by depositary shares.

The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. The Company will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and initial issuance of the depositary shares, and redemption of the preferred stock and all withdrawals of preferred stock by owners of depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and certain other charges as are provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts. In certain circumstances, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, may withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary shares represented by such depositary receipt if such charges are not paid. The applicable prospectus supplement will include information with respect to fees and charges, if any, in connection with the deposit or substitution of the underlying securities, the receipt and distribution of dividends, the sale or exercise of rights, the withdrawal of the underlying security, and the transferring, splitting or grouping of receipts. The applicable prospectus supplement will also include information with respect to the right to collect the fees and charges, if any, against dividends received and deposited securities.

The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and proxy soliciting material from the Company which are delivered to the depositary and which the Company is required to furnish to the holders of the Company’s 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 notices, reports and proxy soliciting material received from the Company which are received by the depositary as the holder of preferred stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will include information about the rights, if any, of holders of receipts to inspect the transfer books of the depositary and the list of holders of receipts.

Neither the depositary nor the Company assumes any obligation or will be subject to any liability under the deposit agreement to holders of depositary receipts other than for its negligence or willful misconduct. Neither the depositary nor the Company will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of the Company and the depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of their duties thereunder, and they 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. The Company and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by holders of the depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith 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.

In the event the depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, the depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from the Company.

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to the Company notice of its election to do so, and the Company may at any time remove the depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice for resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $150,000,000.

The Company may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of the Company’s common stock or preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities. The Company may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between the Company and the investors or a warrant agent. The following summary of material provisions of the warrants and warrant agreements is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to a particular series of warrants. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.

The particular terms of any issue of warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the issue. Those terms may include:

Each warrant will entitle its holder to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or the number of shares of the Company’s common stock or preferred stock or depositary shares at the exercise price set forth in, or calculable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless the Company otherwise specifies in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that the Company sets forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will be void.

A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new warrant certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Until any warrants to purchase debt securities are exercised, the holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the debt securities that can be purchased upon exercise, including any rights to receive payments of principal of, or any premium or interest on, the underlying debt securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Until any warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock or preferred stock or depositary shares are exercised, the holders of the warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying common stock or preferred stock, including any rights to receive dividends or payments upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up on the common stock or preferred stock, if any.

The Company may issue rights to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock or preferred stock. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as rights agent. The statements made in this section relating to the rights are summaries only. These summaries are not complete. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms and conditions for each right. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. For more detail, we refer you to the applicable rights agreement itself, which we will file as an exhibit to, or incorporate by reference in, the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

If the Company offers any series of rights, certain terms of that series of rights will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following:

Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of the Company’s common stock or preferred stock at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will be void.

Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, the Company will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, the Company may offer any unsubscribed securities directly, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The Company may issue units consisting of any combination of the other types of securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series. The Company may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that the Company will issue under a separate agreement. The Company may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent. Each unit agent will be a bank or trust company that the Company selects. The Company will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

The following description, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the units that the Company may offer under this prospectus. You should read any prospectus supplement relating to the series of units being offered, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. Specific unit agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions, and the Company will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the form of each unit agreement relating to units offered under this prospectus.

If the Company offers any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:

Unless we indicate differently in a prospectus supplement, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities, or, collectively, global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. “Direct participants” in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as indirect participants, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a beneficial owner, is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment, unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the applicable trustee or other designated party.

Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.

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

As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:

we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.

We have obtained the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system from sources that are believed to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

The following summary with respect to restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Company’s stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Company’s charter documents. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s charter documents, as amended and supplemented from time to time. Copies of the Company’s existing charter documents are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are incorporated by reference herein. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

In order for the Company to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, the Company’s stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the Company’s outstanding shares of stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made).

The Company’s charter, including the articles supplementary creating the Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock, contains restrictions on the amount of shares of the Company’s stock that a person may own. These restrictions provide that no person may actually or beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, (l) in excess of 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the Company’s outstanding shares of capital stock, (2) common stock in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, (3) Series A preferred stock in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the Company’s outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock or (4) Series B preferred stock in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the Company’s outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock.

The Company’s charter further provides that (1) no person may beneficially or constructively own shares of the Company’s capital stock that would result in the Company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT and (2) no person may transfer shares of the Company’s capital stock if the transfer would result in the Company’s capital stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons. In addition, the Company’s charter provides that any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire shares of the Company’s capital stock that may violate any of these restrictions on ownership and transfer, or who is the intended transferee of shares of the Company’s capital stock which are transferred to a trust, as described below, is required to give the Company immediate written notice and provide the Company with such information as it may request in order to determine the effect of the transfer on the Company’s status as a REIT. The above restrictions on ownership and transfer will not apply if the Company’s board of directors determines that it is no longer in the Company’s best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.

The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of the Company’s common stock, Series A preferred stock or Series B preferred stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, such stock) by an individual or entity, could, nevertheless cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of 9.8% of such stock and thereby violate one or more of the applicable ownership limits.

The Company’s board of directors may, in its sole discretion, waive the applicable ownership limit with respect to a particular stockholder, and may establish or increase an excepted holder limit for such person, if:

As a condition of the Company’s waiver, the Company’s board of directors may require an opinion of counsel or IRS ruling satisfactory to the Company’s board of directors, and/or representations or undertakings from the applicant with respect to preserving the Company’s REIT status.

The Company’s charter provides that attempted transfer of the Company’s capital stock which, if effective, would result in the Company’s capital stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons will be null and void. The Company’s charter provides that any attempted transfer of the Company’s capital stock which, if effective, would result in violation of the ownership limits discussed above or in the Company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, will cause the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the transfer. Shares of the Company’s capital stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of capital stock held in the trust, will have no rights to dividends, to vote the shares, or to any other rights attributable to the shares of capital stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of a charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the Company’s discovery that shares of capital stock have been transferred to the trust must be paid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or distribution paid to the trustee will be held in trust for the charitable beneficiary. Subject to Maryland law, the trustee will have the authority (1) to rescind as void any vote cast by the proposed transferee prior to the Company’s discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and (2) to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. However, if the Company has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast the vote.

Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Company that shares of the Company’s capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will sell the shares to a person designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the above ownership limitations. Upon the sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee and to the charitable beneficiary as follows. The proposed transferee will receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the proposed transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other similar transaction), the market price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (2) the price received by the trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of the sale) from the

sale or other disposition of the shares. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the proposed transferee will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, prior to the Company’s discovery that shares of the Company’s capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the shares are sold by the proposed transferee, then (1) the shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and (2) to the extent that the proposed transferee received an amount for the shares that exceeds the amount he was entitled to receive, the excess must be paid to the trustee upon demand.

In addition, shares of the Company’s capital stock held in the trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Company, or the Company’s designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of the devise or gift) and (2) the market price on the date the Company, or its designee, accepts the offer. The Company will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares. Upon a sale to the Company, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee.

If any shares of the Company’s capital stock are represented by certificates, such certificates will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company’s capital stock, and every owner of one-half percent or more (or such higher percentage as permitted by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company’s Series A preferred stock or Series B preferred stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, is required to give the Company written notice, stating his name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of the Company’s capital stock which he beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner will provide the Company with such additional information as the Company may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of his or her beneficial ownership on the Company’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits. In addition, each stockholder will upon demand be required to provide the Company with such information as the Company may request in good faith in order to determine the Company’s status as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for the Company’s common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders.

The material terms and provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Excel Trust, L.P., which we refer to as the “partnership agreement,” are summarized below. For more detail, you should refer to the partnership agreement itself, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

Our operating partnership, Excel Trust, L.P., is a Delaware limited partnership that was formed on December 16, 2009. The Company is the sole general partner of the operating partnership and conducts substantially all of its business through the operating partnership.

As the sole general partner of the operating partnership, the Company exercises exclusive and complete discretion over the operating partnership’s day-to-day management and control, subject to the consent of the limited partners in certain limited circumstances (as discussed below) and except as expressly limited in the partnership agreement. The Company can cause the operating partnership to enter into certain major transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions and refinancings and cause changes in its line of business, capital structure and distribution policies. The limited partners of our operating partnership may not transact business for, or participate in the management activities or decisions of, the operating partnership, except as provided in the partnership agreement and as required by applicable law. Some restrictions in the partnership agreement restrict our ability to engage in a business combination as more fully described in “— Transferability of Partnership Interests; Termination Transactions” below.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the partnership agreement indemnifies the Company, as general partner, and its officers and directors and any other persons the Company may designate. Similarly, the partnership agreement limits the Company’s liability, as well as that of its officers and directors, to the operating partnership.

The Company may not voluntarily withdraw from or transfer or assign its interest in the operating partnership, other than to its affiliates (as defined under United States federal securities laws), without the consent of limited partners holding more than 50% of the common units held by all limited partners (other than those held by our company).

Any transfer of operating partnership units by limited partners, other than to the Company, as general partner, or to family members, affiliates (as defined under United States federal securities laws), original limited partners and charitable organizations and as collateral in connection with certain lending transactions, subject to specified limitations, will be subject to a right of first refusal by the Company and must be made only to “accredited investors” as defined under Rule 501 of the Securities Act. In each case, the transferee must agree to assume the transferor’s obligations under the partnership agreement.

In addition, without the Company’s consent, limited partners may not transfer their operating partnership units:

The Company may not engage in a merger, consolidation or other combination with or into another entity, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or any reclassification, recapitalization or change of our outstanding equity interests, each of which we refer to as a “termination transaction,” unless the termination transaction has been approved by partners holding more than 50% of all outstanding operating partnership units, or in connection with which all limited partners will either receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, for each operating partnership unit an amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the product of:

If, in connection with a termination transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer is made to holders of the Company’s common stock, and the common stockholders accept this purchase, tender or exchange offer, each holder of operating partnership units must either receive, or must have the right to elect to receive, the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property which that holder would have received if immediately prior to the expiration of the purchase, tender or exchange offer, it had exercised its right to redemption, received shares of common stock in exchange for its operating partnership units, and accepted the purchase, tender or exchange offer.

We also may merge or otherwise combine our assets with another entity if the following conditions are met:

The Company’s board of directors will reasonably determine relative fair market values and rights, preferences and privileges of the limited partners as of the time of the termination transaction. These values may not be less favorable to the limited partners than the relative values reflected in the terms of the termination transaction.

The Company must use commercially reasonable efforts to structure transactions like those described above to avoid causing the limited partners to recognize gain for United States federal income tax purposes by virtue of the occurrence of or their participation in the transaction. In addition, the operating partnership must use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the limited partners to minimize any taxes payable in connection with any repayment, refinancing, replacement or restructuring of indebtedness, or any sale, exchange or other disposition of its assets.

Issuance of Additional Operating Partnership Units Representing Partnership Interests

As sole general partner, the Company has the ability to cause the operating partnership to issue additional operating partnership units representing general and limited partnership interests or other partnership interests in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, including preferred operating partnership units. In addition, the Company may issue additional shares of its common stock or convertible securities, but only if the Company causes the operating partnership to issue to the Company partnership interests or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities of the operating partnership having designations, preferences and other rights, so that the economic interests of the operating partnership’s interests issued are substantially similar to the economic interests of the securities that the Company has issued.

The Company contributed to the operating partnership all of the net proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering as its initial capital contribution in exchange for a 96.1% general partnership interest. Some of the Company’s directors, officers and their affiliates contributed properties and assets to our operating partnership and became limited partners and, together with other limited partners, initially owned the remaining 3.9% limited

partnership interest. As of March 31, 2013, the Company owned a 97.4% partnership interest and other limited partners, including some of the Company’s directors, officers and their affiliates, owned the remaining 2.6% partnership interest.

The partnership agreement provides that the Company, as general partner, may determine that the operating partnership requires additional funds for the acquisition of additional properties or for other purposes. Under the partnership agreement, the Company is obligated to contribute the proceeds of any offering of stock as additional capital to the operating partnership. The operating partnership is authorized to cause partnership interests to be issued for no tangible value or less than fair market value if the Company concludes in good faith that such issuance is in the best interest of the operating partnership.

The partnership agreement provides that the Company may make additional capital contributions, including properties, to the operating partnership in exchange for additional operating partnership units. If the Company contributes additional capital and receives additional partnership interests for the capital contribution, its percentage interests will be increased on a proportionate basis based on the amount of the additional capital contributions and the value of the operating partnership at the time of the contributions. Conversely, the percentage interests of the other limited partners will be decreased on a proportionate basis. In addition, if the Company contributes additional capital and receives additional partnership interests for the capital contribution, the capital accounts of the partners may be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any unrealized gain or loss attributable to the properties as if there were an actual sale of the properties at the fair market value thereof. No person has any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to making additional capital contributions or loans to the operating partnership or the issuance or sale of any operating partnership units or other partnership interests.

Our operating partnership could issue preferred partnership interests in connection with acquisitions of property or otherwise. Any such preferred partnership interests would have priority over common partnership interests with respect to distributions from our operating partnership, including the partnership interests that our wholly owned subsidiaries own.

Amendments to the partnership agreement may be proposed by the Company, as general partner, or by limited partners owning at least 25% of the operating partnership units held by limited partners.

Generally, the partnership agreement may be amended, modified or terminated only with the approval of partners holding 50% of all outstanding operating partnership units (including the operating partnership units held by the Company as general partner and as a limited partner). However, as general partner, the Company has the power to unilaterally amend the partnership agreement without obtaining the consent of the limited partners as may be required to:

The Company must approve, and each limited partner that would be adversely affected must approve, certain amendments to the partnership agreement, including amendments effected directly or indirectly through a merger or sale of assets of the operating partnership or otherwise, that would, among other things,

The partnership agreement provides that holders of common operating partnership units are entitled to receive quarterly distributions of available cash on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective percentage interests. In addition, the partnership agreement reflects the creation and issuance of Series A preferred units and Series B preferred units. The Series A preferred units and Series B preferred units have distribution rights substantially similar to the dividend rights of the Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock, respectively, of the Company. The Company, as the sole holder of the operating partnership’s Series A preferred units and Series B preferred units, will receive distributions from the operating partnership with respect to such preferred units in order to make distributions to its Series A preferred stockholders and Series B preferred stockholders.

Limited partners who acquired operating partnership units in our formation transactions have the right to require our operating partnership to redeem part or all of their operating partnership units for cash based upon the fair market value of an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s common stock at the time of the redemption. Alternatively, the Company may elect to acquire those operating partnership units tendered for redemption in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company’s acquisition will be on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, reverse stock splits, issuances of stock rights, warrants and options, distributions of evidence of indebtedness and similar events. The Company presently anticipates that it will elect to issue shares of its common stock in exchange for operating partnership units in connection with each redemption request, rather than redeeming the operating partnership units for cash. With each redemption or exchange, we will increase the Company’s percentage ownership interest in the operating partnership. This redemption/exchange right will be limited when, as a consequence of shares of the Company’s common stock being issued, any person’s actual or constructive stock ownership would exceed the Company’s ownership limits, or any other limit as provided in the Company’s charter or as otherwise determined by the Company’s board of directors. See “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

The Company’s directors and officers have duties under applicable Maryland law to manage us in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. At the same time, the Company, as the general partner of the operating partnership, has fiduciary duties to manage the operating partnership in a manner

beneficial to the operating partnership and its partners. The Company’s duties, as general partner to the operating partnership and its limited partners, therefore, may come into conflict with the duties of the Company’s directors and officers to the Company’s stockholders. The Company will be under no obligation to give priority to the separate interests of the limited partners of the operating partnership or the Company’s stockholders in deciding whether to cause the operating partnership to take or decline to take any actions.

The limited partners of the operating partnership expressly acknowledge that as the general partner of our operating partnership, the Company is acting for the benefit of the operating partnership, the limited partners and the Company’s stockholders collectively.

The Company is the tax matters partner of the operating partnership. The Company has the authority to make tax elections under the Code on behalf of the operating partnership.

The net income of the operating partnership generally will be allocated to the Company, as general partner of the operating partnership, to the extent of the accrued preferred return on the Series A preferred units and Series B preferred units and then to the Company, as the general partner, and to the limited partners in accordance with their respective percentage interests in the common units issued by the operating partnership. Net loss will generally be allocated to the Company, as general partner, and the limited partners in accordance with their respective common percentage interests in the operating partnership until the limited partner’s capital is reduced to zero and any remaining net loss would be allocated to the Company, as general partner. However, in some cases gain or loss may be disproportionately allocated to partners who have contributed appreciated property or guaranteed debt of the operating partnership. The allocations described above are subject to special rules relating to depreciation deductions and to compliance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code and the associated Treasury regulations. See “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — Tax Aspects of the Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and the Limited Liability Companies.” In addition, upon the occurrence of certain specific events, the operating partnership will revalue its assets and any net increase in valuation will be allocated first to holders of long-term incentive operating partnership units, or LTIP units, if any, to equalize the capital account balances of such holders with the capital account balances of holders of operating partnership units.

We intend to operate the operating partnership in a manner that will enable the Company to maintain its qualification as a REIT and avoid any United States federal income tax liability. The partnership agreement provides that we will distribute from time to time, but not less frequently than quarterly, available cash of the operating partnership on such terms as defined therein.

The partnership agreement further provides that the operating partnership will assume and pay when due, or reimburse the Company for payment of, all expenses that the Company incurs relating to the ownership and operation of, or for the benefit of, the operating partnership and all costs and expenses relating to our operations.

Our operating partnership will continue in full force and effect until December 31, 2109, or until sooner dissolved in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF THE COMPANY’S CHARTER AND BYLAWS

The following summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and of the Company’s charter and bylaws is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, Maryland law, and to the Company’s charter and bylaws, copies of which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

The Company’s charter and bylaws provide that its board of directors may establish, increase and decrease the number of directors of the Company as long as the number is not fewer than the minimum required under the MGCL (which is one) nor, unless the Company’s bylaws are amended, more than 15. Any vacancy on the Company’s board of directors may be filled, at any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum.

Pursuant to the Company’s charter, each of the Company’s directors is elected by the Company’s stockholders to serve until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Holders of shares of the Company’s common stock will have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares of the Company’s common stock will be able to elect all of the Company’s directors. Additionally, in the event that the Company is in arrears on dividends on the Company’s Series A preferred stock and/or Series B preferred stock for six or more quarterly periods, whether or not consecutive, holders of the Series A preferred stock and/or Series B preferred stock, as applicable, voting as a single class with all other series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will have the right to elect an additional two directors to the Company’s board for a limited time.

The Company’s charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause (as defined in the charter) and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors, subject to any rights of the holders of shares of the Company’s preferred stock to elect and remove directors elected by such holders under certain circumstances. This provision, when coupled with the provisions in the Company’s charter and bylaws authorizing the Company’s board of directors to fill vacant directorships, precludes stockholders from removing incumbent directors and filling the vacancies created by such removal with their own nominees. In addition, any director elected to the Company’s board of directors by the holders of the Company’s Series A preferred stock and/or Series B preferred stock voting as a single class with any other class or series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, may only be removed by a vote of such Series A preferred stockholders and/or Series B preferred stockholders, as applicable.

Maryland law prohibits “business combinations” between the Company and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. Maryland law defines an interested stockholder as:

A person is not an interested stockholder if the Company’s board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the Company’s board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the Company’s board of directors.

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Company and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the Company’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the Company’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their stock in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its stock.

The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are approved or exempted by the Company’s board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. The Company’s board of directors has adopted a resolution opting out of this statute. However, this resolution may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time.

The Company can provide no assurance that its board of directors will not amend or rescind this resolution in the future. If this resolution is repealed, the business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of the Company and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

The MGCL provides that holders of “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved at a special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiring person, or by officers or by directors who are our employees, are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. “Control shares” are issued and outstanding voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock previously acquired by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses), may compel the Company’s board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an “acquiring person statement” as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

The control share acquisition statute does not apply (1) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (2) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

The Company’s bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of the Company’s common stock. The Company can provide no assurance that its board of directors will not amend or eliminate such provision in the future. Should this happen, the control share acquisition statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of the Company and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and with at least three independent directors to elect to be subject to any or all of five provisions:

A corporation can elect into this statute by provision in its charter or bylaws or by a resolution of its board of directors, without stockholder approval. Furthermore, a corporation can elect to be subject to the above provisions regardless of any contrary provisions in the charter or bylaws.

Pursuant to Subtitle 8, the Company has elected to provide that vacancies on its board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred. Through provisions in the Company’s charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, (1) the number of directors may be fixed only by the vote of the directors, (2) a two-thirds vote is required to remove any director from the Company’s board of directors, which removal is only allowed for cause and (3) unless called by the chairman of the Company’s board of directors, chief executive officer, president or board of directors, the written request of stockholders holding not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting is required to call a special meeting.

If the Company were to make an election to be subject to such statutory provisions and the Company’s board of directors was divided into three classes with staggered terms of office of three years each, the classification and staggered terms of office of the Company’s directors would make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of the Company’s board of directors since at least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, generally would be required to effect a change in the majority of the Company’s board of directors.

The Company’s charter may generally be amended only if declared advisable by the Company’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter under consideration, and in the case of an amendment that would materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the Company’s Series A preferred stock and/or Series B preferred stock, the consent of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Series A preferred stock and/or Series B preferred stock, as applicable, voting as a single class with all other classes or series of preferred stock ranking on parity with the Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock with respect to the payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon the Company’s liquidation and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, provided, that if such amendment materially and adversely affects the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Company’s Series A preferred stock or Series B preferred stock disproportionately relative to the other series of preferred stock on parity with the Series A preferred stock or Series B preferred stock, as applicable, the consent of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Series A preferred stock or Series B preferred stock, as applicable, will generally be required. However, the provision of the Company’s charter regarding director removal and the corresponding amendment provision may be amended only if advised by the Company’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding not less than two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. The Company’s bylaws provide that only the Company’s board of directors may amend or repeal the Company’s bylaws or adopt new bylaws.

Under the MGCL, the Company may be dissolved if a majority of the Company’s entire board of directors determines by resolution that dissolution is advisable and submits a proposal for dissolution for consideration at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, and this proposal is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote on the dissolution.

The Company’s bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of persons for election to the Company’s board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only:

With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in the Company’s notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting of stockholders, and nominations of persons for election to the Company’s board of directors may be made only:

Generally, under the Company’s bylaws, a stockholder seeking to nominate a director or bring other business before the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders must deliver a notice to the Company’s secretary not later than the close of business on the 120th day nor earlier than the 150th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the prior year’s annual meeting. For a stockholder seeking to nominate a candidate for the Company’s board of directors, the notice must describe various matters regarding the nominee, including name, address, occupation and number of shares held, and other specified matters. For a stockholder seeking to propose other business, the notice must include a description of the proposed business, the reasons for the proposal and other specified matters.

The Company’s bylaws provide for annual meetings of stockholders to elect the Company’s board of directors and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. The chairman of the Company’s board of directors, the Company’s chief executive officer and the Company’s president, and the Company’s board of directors, may call a special meeting of stockholders. Additionally, the Company’s bylaws provide that the Company’s secretary will call a special meeting of the stockholders upon the written request of the holders of not less than a majority of the Company’s outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote who have requested the special meeting in accordance with the procedures specified in the Company’s bylaws.

The MGCL provides that stockholders may act without a meeting with respect to any action that they are required or permitted to take at a meeting, if a unanimous consent which sets forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and filed in paper or electronic form with the records of the stockholders’ meetings.

Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Company’s Charter and Bylaws

The provisions of the Company’s charter on removal of directors and the advance notice provisions of the bylaws, and certain other provisions of the Company’s charter and bylaws, could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of the Company that might involve a premium price for the Company’s common stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest. Likewise, if the Company’s board of directors were to rescind the resolution exempting business combinations from the business combination provisions of the MGCL (or does not otherwise approve a business combination) or if the provision in the bylaws opting out of the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL were rescinded, or if the Company elects to be subject to the unsolicited takeover provisions of the MGCL, these provisions of the MGCL could have similar anti-takeover effects.

The Company’s charter, including the articles supplementary creating the Company’s Series A preferred stock and Series B preferred stock, contains restrictions on the amount of shares of the Company’s stock that a person may own. These restrictions provide that no person may actually or beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, (1) in excess of 9.8% in value of the aggregate of the Company’s outstanding shares of capital stock, (2) common stock in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, (3) Series A preferred stock in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the Company’s outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock or (4) Series B preferred stock in excess of 9.8% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the Company’s outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock. For a more detailed description of these restrictions, see “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

The following is a general summary of the material United States federal income tax considerations regarding our company and the acquisition, ownership and disposition of certain securities offered by this prospectus. Supplemental United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the ownership of certain securities offered by this prospectus may be provided in the prospectus supplement that relates to those securities. Your tax treatment will vary depending upon the terms of the specific securities you acquire, as well as your particular situation. Except as otherwise indicated and except for purposes of the section under the heading “Taxation of Holders of Debt Securities Issued by Excel Trust, Inc. or Excel Trust, L.P.,” for purposes of this section under the heading “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations,” references to “Excel Trust, Inc.,” “we,” “our,” and “us” mean only Excel Trust, Inc., and not its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. The information in this summary is based on current law, including:

in each case, as of the date of this prospectus. In addition, the administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS include its practices and policies as expressed in private letter rulings that are not binding on the IRS except with respect to the particular taxpayers who received those rulings. Future legislation, Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations and practices and/or court decisions may adversely affect the tax considerations described in this prospectus. Any such change could apply retroactively to transactions preceding the date of the change. We have not requested and do not intend to request a ruling from the IRS that we qualify as a REIT or concerning the treatment of the securities offered by this prospectus, and the statements in this prospectus are not binding on the IRS or any court. We can provide no assurance that the tax considerations contained in this summary will not be challenged by the IRS or will be sustained by a court if so challenged. State, local and foreign income tax laws may differ substantially from any corresponding United States federal income tax laws. This discussion does not address any aspect of the laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction, or any United States federal tax other than the income tax, associated with the acquisition, ownership, sale or other disposition of the securities offered by this prospectus or our election to be taxed as a REIT.

You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to you of:

General. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2010. We believe we have been organized and have operated in a manner which has allowed us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2010, and we intend to continue to be organized and operate in this manner. However, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, including through our actual annual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we have been organized and have operated, or will continue to be organized and operated, in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. See “— Failure to Qualify.”

The sections of the Code and the corresponding Treasury regulations that relate to qualification and operation as a REIT are highly technical and complex. The following sets forth the material aspects of the sections of the Code that govern the United States federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, relevant rules and regulations promulgated under the Code, and administrative and judicial interpretations of the Code and these rules and regulations.

Latham & Watkins LLP has acted as our tax counsel in connection with this prospectus and our election to be taxed as a REIT. In connection with the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, Latham & Watkins LLP has rendered an opinion to us to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2010, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code, and our proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. It must be emphasized that this opinion was based on various assumptions and representations as to factual matters, including representations made by us in a factual certificate provided by one of our officers. In addition, this opinion was based upon our factual representations set forth in this prospectus. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, which are discussed below, including through actual annual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the results of which have not been and will not be reviewed by Latham & Watkins LLP. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results of operation for any particular taxable year have satisfied or will satisfy those requirements. Further, the anticipated federal income tax treatment described in this discussion may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by legislative, administrative or judicial action at any time. Latham & Watkins LLP has no obligation to update its opinion subsequent to its date.

Provided we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be required to pay United States federal corporate income taxes on our REIT taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” that ordinarily results from investment in a C corporation. A C corporation is a corporation that is generally required to pay income tax at the corporate level. Double taxation generally means income taxation that occurs once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. We will, however, be required to pay United States federal income tax as follows:

Requirements for Qualification as a Real Estate Investment Trust. The Code defines a “REIT” as a corporation, trust or association:

The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than twelve months. Conditions (5) and (6) do not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. For purposes of condition (6), the term “individual” generally includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefit plan, a private foundation or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes, but does not include a qualified pension plan or profit sharing trust.

We believe that we have been organized, have operated and have issued sufficient shares of capital stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy conditions (1) through (7) inclusive, during the relevant time periods. In addition, our charter provides for restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of our shares that are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next two sentences, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement. Moreover, if our failure to satisfy the share ownership requirements is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, we may retain our REIT qualification but will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. See “— Failure to Qualify.”

In addition, we may not maintain our status as a REIT unless our taxable year is the calendar year. We have and will continue to have a calendar taxable year.

Ownership of Interests in Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies. In the case of a REIT which is a partner in a partnership, Treasury regulations provide that the REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership based on its interest in partnership capital, subject to special rules relating to the 10% asset test described below. Also, the REIT will be deemed to be entitled to its proportionate share of the income of the partnership. The assets and gross income of the partnership retain the same character in the hands of the REIT, including for purposes of satisfying the gross income tests and the asset tests. Thus, our pro rata share of the assets and items of income of our operating partnership, including our operating partnership’s share of these items of any partnership in which it owns an interest, are treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the requirements described in this prospectus, including the REIT income and asset tests described below. A brief summary of the rules governing the United States federal income taxation of partnerships and limited liability companies is set forth below in “— Tax Aspects of Our Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and the Limited Liability Companies.” The treatment described above also applies with respect to the ownership of interests in limited liability companies that are treated as partnerships for tax purposes.

We have control of our operating partnership and, through our operating partnership, the subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies and intend to continue to operate them in a manner consistent with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT. In the future, we or our operating partnership may be limited

partners or non-managing members in other partnerships or limited liability companies which we may not control. If such a partnership or limited liability company were to take actions which could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we could be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a REIT income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the applicable entity or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below. See “— Failure to Qualify.”

Ownership of Interests in Qualified REIT Subsidiaries. We may from time to time own certain wholly-owned subsidiaries that we intend to be treated as “qualified REIT subsidiaries” under the Code. A corporation will qualify as our qualified REIT subsidiary if we own 100% of the corporation’s outstanding stock and we do not elect with the corporation to treat it as a “taxable REIT subsidiary,” as described below. A qualified REIT subsidiary is not treated as a separate corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit (as the case may be) of the parent REIT for all purposes under the Code, including the REIT qualification tests. Thus, in applying the United States federal income tax requirements described in this summary, any qualified REIT subsidiary we own is ignored, and all assets, liabilities, and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of such subsidiary are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. A qualified REIT subsidiary is not required to pay United States federal income tax, and our ownership of the stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary will not violate the restrictions on ownership of securities described below under “— Asset Tests.”

Ownership of Interests in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. We currently hold an interest in one taxable REIT subsidiary and may acquire securities in additional taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future. A taxable REIT subsidiary is a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation) other than a REIT in which a REIT directly or indirectly holds stock, and that has made a joint election with the REIT to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. A taxable REIT subsidiary also includes any entity treated as a corporation, other than a REIT, with respect to which a taxable REIT subsidiary owns securities possessing more than 35% of the total voting power or value of the outstanding securities of such corporation. Other than some activities relating to lodging and health care facilities, a taxable REIT subsidiary may generally engage in any business, including the provision of customary or non-customary services to tenants of its parent REIT. A taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to United States federal income tax as a regular C corporation. In addition, a taxable REIT subsidiary may be prevented from deducting interest on debt funded directly or indirectly by its parent REIT if certain tests regarding the taxable REIT subsidiary’s debt to equity ratio and interest expense are not satisfied. A REIT’s ownership of securities of its taxable REIT subsidiaries will not be subject to the 10% or 5% asset tests described below. See “— Asset Tests.”

Income Tests. We must satisfy two gross income requirements annually to maintain our qualification as a REIT. First, in each taxable year, we must derive directly or indirectly at least 75% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, certain hedging transactions, and certain foreign currency gains, from (1) investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including “rents from real property” and, in certain circumstances, interest, or (2) some types of temporary investments. Second, in each taxable year, we must derive at least 95% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, certain hedging transactions, and certain foreign currency gains, from the real property investments described above, dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, or from any combination of the foregoing. For these purposes, the term “interest” generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term “interest” solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.

Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as “rents from real property” for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the following conditions are met:

We generally do not intend, and as a general partner of our operating partnership, do not intend to permit our operating partnership, to take actions we believe will cause us to fail to satisfy the rental conditions described above. We may, however, intentionally fail to satisfy some of these conditions to the extent we conclude, based on the advice of our tax counsel, that the failure will not jeopardize our tax status as a REIT. In addition, with respect to the limitation on the rental of personal property, we have not obtained appraisals of the real property and personal property leased to tenants. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with our determinations of value.

Income we receive that is attributable to the rental of parking spaces at the properties will constitute rents from real property for purposes of the REIT gross income tests if certain services provided with respect to the parking facilities are performed by independent contractors from whom we derive no income, either directly or indirectly, or by a taxable REIT subsidiary, and certain other conditions are met. We believe that the income we receive that is attributable to parking facilities meets these tests and, accordingly, will constitute rents from real property for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.

From time to time, we enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. The term “hedging transaction” generally means any transaction we enter into in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of (1) interest rate changes or fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made by us to acquire or carry real estate assets, or (2) currency fluctuations with respect to an item of qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income test. Our hedging activities may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures and forward contracts. Income we derive from a hedging transaction, including gain from the sale or disposition thereof, that is clearly identified as a hedging transaction as specified in the Code will not constitute gross income and thus will be exempt from the 95% gross income test and from the 75% gross income test. To the extent that we do not properly identify such transactions as hedges, we hedge other risks or we hedge with other types of financial instruments, the income from those transactions is not likely to be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests. We intend to structure our hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT.

To the extent our taxable REIT subsidiary pays dividends, we generally will derive our allocable share of such dividend income through our interest in our operating partnership. Such dividend income will qualify under the 95%, but not the 75%, gross income test.

We believe that the aggregate amount of nonqualifying income we receive, from all sources, in any taxable year will not exceed the limit on nonqualifying income under the gross income tests. We will monitor the types of income we derive, and we will take actions intended to keep any nonqualifying income within the limitations of the REIT income tests. While we expect these actions will prevent a violation of the REIT income tests, we cannot guarantee that such actions will in all cases prevent such a violation. If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code. We generally may make use of the relief provisions if:

It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. For example, if we fail to satisfy the gross income tests because nonqualifying income that we intentionally accrue or receive exceeds the limits on nonqualifying income, the IRS could conclude that our failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause or was due to willful neglect. If these relief provisions do not apply to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above in “— Taxation of Our Company — General,” even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, a tax would be imposed with respect to our nonqualifying income. We may not always be able to comply with the gross income tests for REIT qualification despite our periodic monitoring of our income.

Prohibited Transaction Income. Any gain that we realize on the sale of property held as inventory or otherwise held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, including our share of any such gain realized by our operating partnership, either directly or through its subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies, will be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax, unless certain safe harbor exceptions apply. This prohibited transaction income may also adversely affect our ability to satisfy the income tests for qualification as a REIT. Under existing law, whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction. Our operating partnership intends to hold its properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring, developing and owning its properties and to make occasional sales of the properties as are consistent with our operating partnership’s investment objectives. We and our operating partnership do not intend to enter into any sales that are prohibited transactions. The IRS, however, may successfully contend that some or all of

the sales made by our operating partnership or its subsidiary partnerships or limited liability companies are prohibited transactions. We would be required to pay the 100% penalty tax on our allocable share of the gains resulting from any such sales.

Penalty Tax. Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions or excess interest we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of services furnished by our taxable REIT subsidiary to any of our tenants, and redetermined deductions and excess interest represent amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s-length negotiations. Rents we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code.

From time to time, our taxable REIT subsidiary may provide services to our tenants. We intend to set the fees paid to our taxable REIT subsidiary for such services at arm’s-length rates, although the fees paid may not satisfy the safe harbor provisions described above. These determinations are inherently factual, and the IRS has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to clearly reflect their respective incomes. If the IRS successfully made such an assertion, we would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on the excess of an arm’s length fee for tenant services over the amount actually paid.

Asset Tests. At the close of each calendar quarter of our taxable year, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets, including our allocable share of the assets held by our operating partnership, either directly or through its subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies, must be represented by real estate assets, cash, cash items and government securities. For purposes of this test, the term “real estate assets” generally means real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) and shares (or transferable certificates of beneficial interest) in other REITs, as well as any stock or debt instrument attributable to the investment of the proceeds of a stock offering or a public offering of debt with a term of at least five years, but only for the one-year period beginning on the date we receive such proceeds.

Second, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities, other than those securities includable in the 75% asset test.

Third, of the investments included in the 25% asset class, and except for investments in other REITs, our qualified REIT subsidiaries and our taxable REIT subsidiaries, the value of any one issuer’s securities may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets, and we may not own more than 10% of the total vote or value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. Solely for purposes of the 10% value test, however, certain securities including, but not limited to “straight debt” securities having specified characteristics, loans to an individual or an estate, obligations to pay rents from real property and securities issued by a REIT, are disregarded as securities. In addition, solely for purposes of the 10% value test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code.

Fourth, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. We believe that the value of our taxable REIT subsidiary has not exceeded, and believe that in the future it will not exceed, the limitations set forth above. So long as this subsidiary qualifies as our taxable REIT subsidiary, we will not be subject to the 5% asset test, the 10% voting securities limitation, or the 10% value limitation with respect to our ownership of the securities of this subsidiary. We may acquire securities in other taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future.

With respect to each issuer in which we currently own an interest that does not qualify as a REIT, a qualified REIT subsidiary, or a taxable REIT subsidiary, we believe that the value of the securities of any such issuer has not exceeded 5% of the total value of our assets. Moreover, with respect to each issuer in which we

own an interest that does not qualify as a qualified REIT subsidiary or a taxable REIT subsidiary, we believe that our ownership of the securities of any such issuer has complied with the 25% value limitation, the 5% value limitation, the 10% voting securities limitation, and the 10% value limitation. No independent appraisals have been obtained to support these conclusions. In addition, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with our determinations of value.

The asset tests described above must be satisfied at the close of each calendar quarter of our taxable year. After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our status as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values unless we (directly or through our operating partnership or through our subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies) acquire securities in the applicable issuer, increase our ownership of securities of such issuer (including as a result of increasing our interest in our operating partnership or other partnerships and limited liability companies which own such securities), or acquire other assets. For example, our indirect ownership of securities of each issuer will increase as a result of our capital contributions to our operating partnership or as limited partners exercise their redemption/exchange rights. If we fail to satisfy an asset test because we acquire securities or other property during a quarter, including as a result of an increase in our interest in our operating partnership, we may cure this failure by disposing of sufficient nonqualifying assets or acquiring sufficient qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We believe that we have maintained and intend to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests. In addition, we intend to take such actions within the 30 days after the close of any calendar quarter as may be required to cure any noncompliance.

Certain relief provisions may be available to us if we discover a failure to satisfy the asset tests described above after the 30 day cure period. Under these provisions, we will be deemed to have met the 5% and 10% asset tests if the value of our nonqualifying assets (1) does not exceed the lesser of (a) 1% of the total value of our assets at the end of the applicable quarter or (b) $10,000,000, and (2) we dispose of the nonqualifying assets or otherwise satisfy such asset tests within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by the IRS. For violations of any of the asset tests due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and that are, in the case of the 5% and 10% asset tests, in excess of the de minimis exception described above, we may avoid disqualification as a REIT after the 30 day cure period by taking steps including (1) the disposition of sufficient nonqualifying assets, or the taking of other actions, which allow us to meet the asset tests within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by the IRS and (2) disclosing certain information to the IRS. In such case, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 or (b) the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets.

Although we believe that we have satisfied the asset tests described above and plan to take steps to ensure that we satisfy such tests for any calendar quarter with respect to which retesting is to occur, there can be no assurance that we will always be successful, or a reduction in our operating partnership’s overall interest in an issuer will not be required. If we fail to timely cure any noncompliance with the asset tests in a timely manner, and the relief provisions described above are not available, we would cease to qualify as a REIT. See “— Failure to Qualify” below.

Annual Distribution Requirements. To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to the sum of:

For these purposes, our “REIT taxable income” is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain. In addition, for purposes of this test, non-cash income means income attributable to leveled stepped rents, original issue discount on purchase money debt, cancellation of indebtedness, and any like-kind exchanges that are later determined to be taxable.

Also, our “REIT taxable income” will be reduced by any taxes we are required to pay on any gain we recognize from the disposition of any asset we acquired from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the asset is less than the fair market value of the asset, in each case determined at the time we acquired the asset, within the ten-year period following our acquisition of such asset. See “Taxation of the Company — General.”

We generally must pay, or be treated as paying, the distributions described above in the taxable year to which they relate. At our election, a distribution will be treated as paid in a taxable year if it is declared before we timely file our tax return for such year and paid on or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration, provided such payment is made during the twelve-month period following the close of such year. These distributions generally are taxable to our stockholders, other than tax-exempt entities, in the year in which paid. This is so even though these distributions relate to the prior year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement. The amount distributed must not be preferential — i.e., every stockholder of the class of stock to which a distribution is made must be treated the same as every other stockholder of that class, and no class of stock may be treated other than according to its dividend rights as a class. To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain, or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be required to pay tax on the undistributed amount at regular corporate tax rates. We believe we have made, and intend to continue to make, timely distributions sufficient to satisfy these annual distribution requirements and to minimize our corporate tax obligations. In this regard, the partnership agreement of our operating partnership authorizes us, as general partner, to take such steps as may be necessary to cause our operating partnership to distribute an amount sufficient to permit us to meet these distribution requirements.

We expect that our REIT taxable income will be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we will generally have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. If these timing differences occur, we may be required to borrow funds to pay cash dividends or to pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends in order to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash.

Under some circumstances, we may be able to rectify an inadvertent failure to meet the 90% distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to our stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described below. However, we will be required to pay interest to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction claimed for deficiency dividends. While the payment of a deficiency dividend will apply to a prior year for purposes of our REIT distribution requirement, it will be treated as an additional distribution to our stockholders in the year such dividend is paid.

Furthermore, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax to the extent we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year and any undistributed taxable income from prior periods. Any ordinary income and net capital gain on which this excise tax is imposed for any year is treated as an amount distributed during that year for purposes of calculating such tax.

For purposes of the distribution requirements and excise tax described above, distributions declared during the last three months of the taxable year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date during such period and paid during January of the following year, will be treated as paid by us and received by our stockholders on December 31 of the year in which they are declared.

Like-Kind Exchanges. We may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for

United States federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could subject us to United States federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.

Specified cure provisions are available to us in the event that we discover a violation of a provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT. Except with respect to violations of the REIT income tests and asset tests (for which the cure provisions are described above), and provided the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, these cure provisions generally impose a $50,000 penalty for each violation in lieu of a loss of REIT status.

If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions of the Code do not apply, we will be required to pay tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate tax rates. Distributions to our stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT will not be deductible by us, and we will not be required to distribute any amounts to our stockholders. As a result, we anticipate that our failure to qualify as a REIT would reduce the cash available for distribution by us to our stockholders. In addition, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, all distributions to our stockholders will be taxable as regular corporate dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. In this event, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction, and non-corporate distributees, including individuals, may be eligible for the preferential tax rates on any qualified dividend income. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost our qualification. It is not possible to predict whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.

Tax Aspects of Our Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and the Limited Liability Companies

General. All of our investments are held through our operating partnership. In addition, our operating partnership holds certain of its investments indirectly through subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies which we expect will be treated as partnerships (or disregarded entities) for United States federal income tax purposes. In general, entities that are classified as partnerships (or disregarded entities) for United States federal income tax purposes are treated as “pass-through” entities which are not required to pay United States federal income tax. Rather, partners or members of such entities are allocated their shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the entity, and are potentially required to pay tax thereon, without regard to whether the partners or members receive a distribution of cash from the entity. We include in our income our pro rata share of the foregoing items for purposes of the various REIT income tests and in the computation of our REIT taxable income. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT asset tests and subject to special rules relating to the 10% asset test described above, we will include our pro rata share of the assets held by our operating partnership, including its share of its subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies, based on our capital interest. See “— Taxation of Our Company.”

Entity Classification. Our interests in our operating partnership and the subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies involve special tax considerations, including the possibility that the IRS might challenge the status of one or more of these entities as partnerships (or disregarded entities), as opposed to associations taxable as corporations for United States federal income tax purposes. If our operating partnership, or a subsidiary partnership or limited liability company, were treated as an association, it would be taxable as a corporation and would be required to pay an entity-level tax on its income. In this situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change and could prevent us from satisfying the REIT asset tests and possibly the REIT income tests. See “— Taxation of Our Company — Asset Tests” and “— Income Tests.” This, in turn, could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See “— Failure to Qualify” for a discussion of the effect of our failure to meet these tests for a taxable year. In addition, a change in our operating partnership’s or a subsidiary

partnership’s or limited liability company’s tax status might be treated as a taxable event. In that case, we might incur a tax liability without any related cash distributions. We believe our operating partnership and each of our other partnerships and limited liability companies will be classified as a partnership or a disregarded entity for United States federal income tax purposes.

Allocations of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction. The net income of our operating partnership generally will be allocated to us to the extent of the accrued preferred return on our preferred units and then to us, as the general partner, and to the limited partners in accordance with our respective percentage interests in the common units issued by our operating partnership. Net loss will generally be allocated to us, as general partner, and the limited partners in accordance with our respective common percentage interests in our operating partnership until the limited partner’s capital is reduced to zero and any remaining net loss would be allocated to us. Certain limited partners have agreed to guarantee debt of our operating partnership, either directly or indirectly through an agreement to make capital contributions to our operating partnership under limited circumstances. As a result of these guarantees or contribution agreements, and notwithstanding the foregoing discussion of allocations of income and loss of our operating partnership to holders of operating partnership units, such limited partners could under limited circumstances be allocated a disproportionate amount of net loss upon a liquidation of our operating partnership, which net loss would have otherwise been allocable to us. In addition, the partnership agreement further provides that holders of LTIP units will be entitled to receive special allocations of gain in the event of a sale or hypothetical sale of assets of our operating partnership prior to the allocation of gain to holders of common operating partnership units. This special allocation of gain is intended to enable the holders of LTIP units to convert their LTIP units into common units.

Generally, Section 704(b) of the Code and the related Treasury regulations require that partnership allocations respect the economic arrangement of the partners. If an allocation of partnership income or loss does not comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ interests in the partnership. This reallocation will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. Our operating partnership’s allocations of taxable income and loss are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

Tax Allocations With Respect to the Properties. Under Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership, must be allocated in a manner so that the contributing partner is charged with the unrealized gain or benefits from the unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss generally is equal to the difference between the fair market value or book value and the adjusted tax basis of the contributed property at the time of contribution, as adjusted from time to time. These allocations are solely for United States federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners. Appreciated property was contributed to our operating partnership in exchange for interests in our operating partnership in connection with our formation. The partnership agreement requires that these allocations be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code. Treasury regulations issued under Section 704(c) of the Code provide partnerships with a choice of several methods of accounting for book-tax differences. Depending on the method we choose, we could be allocated (1) lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes than would be allocated to us if all contributed properties had a tax basis equal to their fair market value at the time of the contribution and (2) taxable gain in the event of a sale of such contributed properties in excess of the economic or book income allocated to us as a result of such sale, with a corresponding benefit to the other partners in our operating partnership. An allocation described in the preceding sentence might cause us or the other partners to recognize taxable income in excess of cash proceeds in the event of a sale or other disposition of property, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “— Taxation of Our Company — Requirements for Qualification as a Real Estate Investment Trust” and “— Annual Distribution Requirements.” To the extent our depreciation is reduced, or our gain on sale is increased, a greater portion of our distributions may be taxed as dividend income.

Any property acquired by our operating partnership in a taxable transaction will initially have a tax basis equal to its fair market value, and Section 704(c) of the Code will not apply.

The following summary describes certain of the material United States federal income tax consequences to you of purchasing, owning and disposing of our capital stock and debt securities of Excel Trust, Inc. or Excel Trust, L.P. This summary assumes that you hold the securities offered by this prospectus as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code). Your tax treatment will vary depending on your particular situation, and this discussion does not address all the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances. This discussion does not address the tax consequences relevant to persons who receive special treatment under the United States federal income tax law, except to the extent discussed specifically herein. Holders receiving special treatment include, without limitation:

If you are considering purchasing our capital stock or debt securities, you should consult your tax advisors concerning the application of United States federal income tax laws to your particular situation as well as any consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our capital stock or debt securities arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction.

When we use the term “U.S. holder,” we mean a beneficial holder of our securities who, for United States federal income tax purposes:

If a partnership or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes holds shares of our capital stock or debt securities, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and on the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships holding shares of our capital stock or debt securities are encouraged to consult their tax advisors.

If you hold shares of our securities and are not a U.S. holder, partnership, or an entity classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes, you are a “non-U.S. holder.”

Distributions Generally. Distributions out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, other than capital gain dividends and certain amounts which have previously been subject to corporate level taxation as discussed below, will constitute dividends taxable to our taxable U.S. holders as ordinary income when actually or constructively received. See “— Tax Rates” below. As long as we qualify as a REIT, these distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. holders that are corporations or, except to the extent provided in “— Tax Rates” below, the preferential tax rates on qualified dividend income applicable to non-corporate taxpayers. For purposes of determining whether distributions to holders of our capital stock are out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to distributions on our outstanding preferred stock and then to distributions on our outstanding common stock.

To the extent that we make distributions on our capital stock in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits allocable to such stock, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to a U.S. holder. This treatment will reduce the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our capital stock by the amount of the distribution, but not below zero. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and in excess of a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares will be taxable as capital gains. Such gain will be taxable as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year. Dividends we declare in October, November, or December of any year and which are payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of that year, provided we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year. U.S. holders may not include in their income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.

Capital Gain Dividends. Dividends that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to our taxable U.S. holders as a gain from the sale or disposition of a capital asset, to the extent that such gain does not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year. These dividends may be taxable to non-corporate U.S. holders at preferential tax rates. See “— Tax Rates” below. U.S. holders that are corporations may, however, be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. If we properly designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend then, except as otherwise required by law, we presently intend to allocate a portion of the total capital gain dividends paid or made available to holders of all classes of our stock for the year to the holders of each class of our capital stock in proportion to the amount that our total dividends, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, paid or made available to the holders of such class of capital stock for the year bears to the total dividends paid or made available for that year to holders of all classes of our stock.

Retention of Net Capital Gains. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain dividend, all or a portion of our net capital gains. If we make this election, we would pay tax on our retained net capital gains. In addition, to the extent we so elect, our earnings and profits (determined for United States federal income tax purposes) would be adjusted accordingly, and a U.S. holder generally would:

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. holder of our shares will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. holders generally will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against this income or gain. A U.S. holder may elect to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of stock and qualified dividend income as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation, but in such case, the stockholder will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amount. Other distributions made by us, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.

Dispositions of Our Capital Stock. If a U.S. holder sells or disposes of shares of our capital stock, except as set forth below under “Redemption or Repurchase by Us,” the U.S. holder will recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares. This gain or loss, except as provided below, will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder has held the capital stock for more than one year at the time of such sale or disposition. If, however, a U.S. holder recognizes loss upon the sale or other disposition of capital stock that it has held for six months or less, after applying certain holding period rules, the loss recognized will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent the U.S. holder received distributions from us which were required to be treated as long-term capital gains.

Redemption or Repurchase by Us. A redemption or repurchase of shares of our capital stock will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution taxable as a dividend to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, generally at ordinary income rates, unless the redemption or repurchase satisfies one of the tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code and is therefore treated as a sale or exchange of the redeemed or repurchased shares. The redemption or repurchase will be treated as a sale or exchange if it:

In determining whether any of these tests have been met, shares of capital stock, including common stock and other equity interests in us, considered to be owned by the U.S. holder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code, as well as shares of our capital stock actually owned by the U.S. holder, must generally be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code will be satisfied with respect to the U.S. holder depends upon the facts and circumstances at the time that the determination must be made, U.S. holders are advised to consult their tax advisors to determine such tax treatment.

If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our capital stock is treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend, the amount of the distribution will be measured by the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received. See “— Distributions Generally.” A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the redeemed or repurchased shares of capital stock will be transferred to its remaining shares of our capital stock, if any. If a U.S. holder

owns no other shares of our capital stock, such basis may, under certain circumstances, be transferred to a related person or it may be lost entirely. Proposed Treasury regulations, if enacted in their current form, would affect the basis recovery rules described above. It is not clear whether these proposed Treasury regulations will be enacted in their current form or at all. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of a redemption or repurchase of our capital stock.

If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our capital stock is not treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend, it will be treated as a taxable sale or exchange in the manner described above under “— Dispositions of Our Capital Stock.”

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. We are required to report to our U.S. holders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. holder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the U.S. holder comes within certain exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. holder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the U.S. holder’s United States federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any stockholders who fail to certify their non-foreign status. See “— Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders.”

Dividend income from us and gain arising upon a sale of shares of our capital stock generally should not be unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt stockholder, except as described below. All or a portion of such dividend income will be unrelated business taxable income if a tax-exempt stockholder holds its shares as “debt-financed property” within the meaning of the Code, and all or a portion of such gain will be unrelated business taxable income if a tax-exempt stockholder holds its shares as debt-financed property or as inventory or property held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the trade or business of the tax-exempt stockholder. Generally, “debt-financed property” is property, the acquisition or holding of which is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder.

For tax-exempt stockholders which are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, or qualified group legal services plans exempt from United States federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) or (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, income from an investment in our shares will constitute unrelated business taxable income unless the organization is able to properly claim a deduction for amounts set aside or placed in reserve for specific purposes so as to offset the income generated by its investment in our shares. These prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning these “set aside” and reserve requirements.

Notwithstanding the above, a portion of the dividends paid by a “pension-held REIT” may be treated as unrelated business taxable income as to certain trusts that hold more than 10%, by value, of the interests in the REIT. A REIT will not be a “pension-held REIT” if it is able to satisfy the “not closely held” requirement without relying on the “look-through” exception with respect to certain trusts or if such REIT is not “predominantly held” by “qualified trusts.” As a result of limitations on the transfer and ownership of stock contained in our charter, we do not expect to be classified as a “pension-held REIT,” and as a result, the tax treatment described in this paragraph should be inapplicable to our stockholders. However, because our stock is publicly traded, we cannot guarantee that this is or will always be the case.

The following discussion addresses the rules governing United States federal income taxation of the ownership and disposition of our capital stock by non-U.S. holders. These rules are complex, and no attempt is made herein to provide more than a brief summary of such rules. Accordingly, the discussion does not address all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be relevant to a non-U.S. holder in light of its particular circumstances and does not address any state, local or foreign tax consequences. We urge non-U.S. holders to consult their tax advisors to determine the impact of United States federal, state, local and foreign income tax laws on the purchase, ownership, and disposition of shares of our capital stock, including any reporting requirements.

Distributions Generally. Distributions that are neither attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of United States real property interests nor designated by us as capital gain dividends will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions ordinarily will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty unless the distributions are treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a United States trade or business. Under certain treaties, however, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from a REIT. Certain certification and disclosure requirements must be satisfied to be exempt from withholding under the effectively connected income exemption. Dividends that are treated as effectively connected with such a trade or business (and, if required by an applicable treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment) will be subject to tax on a net basis at graduated rates, in the same manner as dividends paid to U.S. holders are subject to tax, and are generally not subject to withholding. Any such dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a non-U.S. holder to the extent that such distributions do not exceed the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our capital stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted tax basis of such stock. To the extent that such distributions exceed the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our capital stock, they will give rise to gain from the sale or exchange of such stock, the tax treatment of which is described below.

For withholding purposes, we expect to treat all distributions as made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. As a result, except with respect to certain distributions attributable to the sale of United States real property interests as described below, we expect to withhold United States federal income tax at the rate of 30% on any distributions made to a non-U.S. holder unless:

However, amounts withheld should generally be refundable if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

Capital Gain Dividends and Distributions Attributable to a Sale or Exchange of United States Real Property Interests. Distributions to a non-U.S. holder that we properly designate as capital gain dividends, other than those arising from the disposition of a United States real property interest, generally should not be subject to United States federal income taxation, unless:

Pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, or FIRPTA, distributions to a non-U.S. holder that are attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of United States real property interests (whether or not designated as capital gain dividends) will cause the non-U.S. holder to be treated as recognizing such gain as income effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Non-U.S. holders would generally be taxed at the same rates applicable to U.S. holders, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax. We also will be required to withhold and to remit to the IRS 35% (or 20% to the extent provided in Treasury regulations) of any distribution to non-U.S. holders attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of United States real property interests. The amount withheld is creditable against the non-U.S. holder’s United States federal income tax liability. However, any distribution with respect to any class of stock which is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States is not subject to FIRPTA, and therefore, not subject to the 35% United States withholding tax described above, if the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 5% of such class of stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. Instead, such distributions generally will be treated in the same manner as ordinary dividend distributions and subject to withholding in the manner described above with respect to ordinary dividends.

Retention of Net Capital Gains. Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts designated by us as retained net capital gains in respect of the capital stock held by U.S. holders generally should be treated with respect to non-U.S. holders in the same manner as actual distributions by us of capital gain dividends. Under this approach, a non-U.S. holder would be able to offset as a credit against its United States federal income tax liability resulting from its proportionate share of the tax paid by us on such retained capital gains, and to receive from the IRS a refund to the extent of the non-U.S. holder’s proportionate share of such tax paid by us exceeds its actual United States federal income tax liability, provided the non-U.S. holder furnishes required information to the IRS on a timely basis.

Sale of Our Capital Stock. Gain recognized by a non-U.S. holder upon the sale or exchange of our capital stock generally will not be subject to United States federal income taxation unless such stock constitutes a “United States real property interest” within the meaning of FIRPTA. Our capital stock will not constitute a “United States real property interest” so long as we are a “domestically-controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically-controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT if at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of such REIT’s stock is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders. We believe, but cannot guarantee, that we have been a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity, and because most of our capital stock is publicly traded, no assurance can be given that we will continue to be a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale or exchange of our capital stock not otherwise subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a non-U.S. holder if either (1) the investment in our capital stock is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s United States trade or business (and, if required by an applicable treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment) or (2) the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met. In general, even if we qualify as a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our capital stock, a non-U.S. holder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange of United States real property interest if the non-U.S. holder (1) disposes of our capital stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a United States real property interest and (2) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our capital stock during the 61-day period beginning with the first day of the 30-day period described in clause (1). The preceding sentence shall not apply to a non-U.S. holder if the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 5% of the stock at any time during the one year period ending on the

date of the distribution described in clause (1) of the preceding sentence and the class is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury regulations. Non-U.S. holders should contact their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of any sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of our capital stock.

Even if we do not qualify as a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity at the time a non-U.S. holder sells or exchanges our capital stock, gain arising from such a sale or exchange would not be subject to United States federal income taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a United States real property interest if:

If gain on the sale or exchange of our capital stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be subject to regular United States federal income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. holder (subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals). In addition, if the sale or exchange of our capital stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, and if shares of our capital stock were not “regularly traded” on an established securities market, the purchaser of such capital stock would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 10% of the purchase price. If amounts withheld on a sale, redemption, repurchase, or exchange of our capital stock exceed the non-U.S. holder’s substantive tax liability resulting from such disposition, such excess may be refunded or credited against such non-U.S. holder’s United States federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is provided to the IRS on a timely basis. Amounts withheld on any such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our capital stock may not satisfy a non-U.S. holder’s entire tax liability under FIRPTA, and such non-U.S. holder remains liable for the timely payment of any remaining tax liability.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Generally, we must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder, such holder’s name and address, and the amount of tax withheld, if any. A similar report is sent to the non-U.S. holder. Pursuant to tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to tax authorities in the non-U.S. holder’s country of residence.

Payments of dividends or of proceeds from the disposition of stock made to a non-U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless such holder establishes an exemption, for example, by properly certifying its non-United States status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding and information reporting may apply if either we have or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that a non-U.S. holder is a United States person.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the United States federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may be obtained, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Taxation of Holders of Debt Securities Issued by Excel Trust, Inc. or Excel Trust, L.P.

The following summary describes certain material United States federal income tax consequences to you of purchasing, owning and disposing of debt securities issued by Excel Trust, Inc. or Excel Trust, L.P. For purposes of this section under the heading “— Taxation of Holders of Debt Securities Issued by Excel Trust, Inc. or Excel Trust, L.P.,” references to “we,” “our,” and “us” mean either Excel Trust, Inc. or Excel Trust, L.P., as applicable, to indicate the issuer of the debt securities. This discussion assumes the debt securities will be issued with no more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes. In addition, this discussion is limited to persons purchasing the debt securities for cash at original issue and at their original “issue price” within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code (i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of the debt securities is sold to the public for cash).

Payments of Interest. U.S. holders generally will be required to recognize and include in gross income any stated interest as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued on the debt securities in accordance with such holder’s method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes.

Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of the Debt Securities. U.S. holders will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange, redemption (including a partial redemption), retirement or other taxable disposition of a debt security equal to the difference between the sum of the cash and the fair market value of any property received in exchange therefor (less a portion allocable to any accrued and unpaid stated interest, which generally will be taxable as ordinary income if not previously included in such holder’s income) and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the debt security. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in a debt security (or a portion thereof) generally will be the U.S. holder’s cost therefor decreased by any payment on the debt security other than a payment of qualified stated interest. This gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder has held the debt securities for more than one year at the time of such disposition. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitation.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. A U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding when such holder receives interest and principal payments on the debt securities or proceeds upon the sale or other disposition of such debt securities (including a redemption or retirement of the debt securities). Certain holders (including, among others, corporations and certain tax-exempt organizations) are generally not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. A U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding if such holder is not otherwise exempt and:

A U.S. holder should consult its tax advisor regarding its qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s United States federal income tax liability or may be refunded, provided the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.

Payments of Interest. Interest paid to a non-U.S. holder on its debt securities that is not effectively connected with such holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax, provided that:

A non-U.S. holder generally will also be exempt from withholding tax on interest if such amount is effectively connected with such holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business and the holder provides us with appropriate certification (as discussed below under “— United States Trade or Business”).

If a non-U.S. holder does not satisfy the requirements above, interest paid to such non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to a 30% United States federal withholding tax. Such rate may be reduced or eliminated under a tax treaty between the United States and the non-U.S. holder’s country of residence. To claim a reduction or exemption under a tax treaty, a non-U.S. holder must generally complete an IRS Form W-8BEN (or applicable successor form) and claim the reduction or exemption on the form.

Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Debt Securities. A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax on gain recognized on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a debt security unless (1) the gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a United States trade or business (and, if a tax treaty applies, the gain is attributable to a United States permanent establishment maintained by such non-U.S. holder) and (2) in the case of a non-U.S. holder who is an individual, such non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other requirements are met. Gain described in (1) above will be subject to tax in the manner described below under “— United States Trade or Business.” A non-U.S. holder described in (2) above will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s capital gains (reduced by certain capital losses).

United States Trade or Business. If interest paid on a debt security or gain from a disposition of a debt security is effectively connected with a non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business (and, if an income tax treaty applies, the non-U.S. holder maintains a United States permanent establishment to which such amounts are generally attributable), the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on the interest or gain on a net basis in the same manner as if it were a U.S. holder. If a non-U.S. holder is subject to United States federal income tax on the interest on a net basis, the 30% withholding tax described above will not apply (assuming an appropriate certification is provided, generally on IRS Form W-8ECI). A non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments, unless it qualifies for a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty. For this purpose, interest on a debt security or gain from a disposition of a debt security will be included in earnings and profits if the interest or gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the corporation of a United States trade or business.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. Backup withholding and information reporting generally will not apply to payments made to a non-U.S. holder with respect to the debt securities, provided that we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. holder is a “United States person” within the meaning of the Code and the holder has given us the certification described above under “Non-U.S. Holders of Our Debt Securities — Payments of Interest.” In addition, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting with respect to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of debt securities (including a redemption or retirement of such debt securities) within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, if the payor receives the statement described above and does not have actual

knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a United States person or the non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption. However, we may be required to report annually to the IRS and to a non-U.S. holder the amount of, and the tax withheld with respect to, any interest paid to the non-U.S. holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides.

A non-U.S. holder generally will be entitled to credit any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules against the holder’s United States federal income tax liability or may claim a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner. Non-U.S. holders of debt securities should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and information reporting in their particular situation, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for obtaining an exemption, if available.

Beginning January 1, 2013, the maximum tax rate for non-corporate taxpayers for (1) capital gains is generally 20% (although depending on the characteristics of the assets which produced these gains and on designations which we may make, certain capital gain dividends may be taxed at a 25% rate) and (2) “qualified dividend income” is generally 20%. However, dividends payable by REITs are not eligible for the 20% tax rate on qualified dividend income, except to the extent that certain holding requirements have been met and the REIT’s dividends are attributable to dividends received by the REIT from taxable corporations (such as the REIT’s taxable REIT subsidiaries), to income that was subject to tax at the corporate/REIT level (for example, if the REIT distributed taxable income that it retained and paid tax on in the prior taxable year), or to dividends properly designated by the REIT as “capital gain dividends.” In addition, U.S. holders that are corporations may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income.

Medicare Tax on Unearned Income. Certain U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or trusts must pay an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends on and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or debt obligations. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of our capital stock or debt securities.

Withholding taxes may apply to certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” (as specially defined in the Code) and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends and interest on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our capital stock or debt securities paid to a foreign financial institution or to a non-financial foreign entity, unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any substantial United States owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the United States Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain United States persons or United States-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing these rules may be subject to different rules.

The IRS has issued final Treasury Regulations providing that the withholding provisions described above will generally apply to payments of dividends or interest made on or after January 1, 2014 and to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of capital stock or debt securities on or after January 1, 2017.

Because we may not know the extent to which a distribution is a dividend for United States federal income tax purposes at the time it is made, for purposes of these withholding rules we may treat the entire distribution as a dividend. In addition, these rules currently would not apply to debt securities outstanding on January 1, 2014. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding these withholding provisions.

State, local and foreign income tax laws may differ substantially from the corresponding United States federal income tax laws, and this discussion does not purport to describe any aspect of the tax laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction or any United States federal tax other than the income tax. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the effect of federal, state, local and foreign tax laws with respect to our tax treatment as a REIT and on an investment in our securities.

We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods or through underwriters or dealers, through agents and/or directly to one or more purchasers. The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions:

Each time that we sell securities covered by this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement or supplements that will describe the method of distribution and set forth the terms and conditions of the offering of such securities, including the offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us, if applicable.

Offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus may be solicited directly. Agents may also be designated to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities will be identified in a prospectus supplement.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, the securities will be sold to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

If an underwriter is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter at the time of sale and the name of any underwriter will be provided in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for which they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.

Any compensation paid to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof and to reimburse those persons for certain expenses.

Any common stock will be listed on the NYSE, but any other securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or

purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, underwriters or other persons acting as agents may be authorized to solicit offers by institutions or other suitable purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. These purchasers may include, among others, commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. Delayed delivery contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities covered by the delayed delivery contracts will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and agents will not have any responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of these contracts.

We may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate proceeds of the offering.

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, San Diego, California. Ballard Spahr LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, has issued an opinion to us regarding certain matters of Maryland law.

The consolidated and combined financial statements, and the related financial statement schedules, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Excel Trust, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and from Excel Trust, L.P.’s General Form for Registration of Securities on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2013, and the effectiveness of Excel Trust, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and financial statement schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The (1) combined statement of revenues and certain expenses of the Southeast Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2011, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Excel Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2012, (2) statement of revenues and certain expenses of Lake Pleasant Pavilion for the year ended December 31, 2011, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Excel Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 25, 2012, (3) statement of revenues and certain expenses of Promenade Corporate Center for the year ended December 31, 2011, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Excel Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2012, (4) statement of revenues and certain expenses of Gilroy Crossing for the year ended December 31, 2010, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Excel Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 13, 2011, (5) statement of revenues and certain expenses for the Shopping Center located in Arizona for the year ended December 31, 2010, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Excel Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 13, 2011, (6) statement of revenues and certain expenses of Park West Place Shopping Center for the year ended December 31, 2009, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Excel Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2011, (7) the statements of revenues and certain expenses of Brandywine Crossing Shopping Center and Rosewick Crossing Shopping Center for the year ended December 31, 2009, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Excel Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 2010, (8) statement of revenues and certain expenses of Vestavia Hills City Center for the year ended December 31, 2009, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Excel Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010, and (9) statement of revenues and certain expenses of Plaza at Rockwall for the year ended December 31, 2009, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Excel Trust, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 10, 2010, all have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference (each of which reports express an unqualified opinion and include an explanatory paragraph referring to the purpose of the statement). Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.


	Per Share	Total
Public offering price	$	$
Underwriting discounts and commissions	$	$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us	$	$


	Page

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Forward-Looking Statements		S-ii
Prospectus Supplement Summary		S-1
Risk Factors		S-4
Use of Proceeds		S-8
Capitalization		S-9
Supplemental Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations		S-10
Underwriting		S-11
Legal Matters		S-18
Experts		S-18

PROSPECTUS

Our Company		1
Risk Factors		2
About This Prospectus		2
Where You Can Find More Information		2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference		4
Forward-Looking Statements		5
Use of Proceeds		7
Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges		8
Description of Debt Securities and Related Guarantees		10
Description of Common Stock		18
Description of Preferred Stock		20
Description of Depositary Shares		27
Description of Warrants		30
Description of Rights		32
Description of Units		33
Global Securities		34
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer		37
Description of the Partnership Agreement of Excel Trust, L.P.		40
Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Company’s Charter and Bylaws		46
Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations		51
Plan of Distribution		74
Legal Matters		76
Experts		76


	Actual ($ in 000s)		As Adjusted ($ in 000s)		Pro Forma as Adjusted ($ in 000s)
Mortgages and other secured loans	$	238,543	$	208,261	$
Unsecured loans and lines of credit		198,000		—
Unsecured senior notes		100,000		350,000
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 2,000,000 shares of Series A preferred stock and 3,680,000 shares of Series B preferred stock issued and outstanding on an actual, as adjusted and pro forma as adjusted basis		136,423		136,423
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 48,455,186 shares issued and outstanding on an actual and as adjusted basis; 58,455,186 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma as adjusted basis⁽¹⁾		483		483
Additional paid-in capital		468,759		468,759

Total stockholders’ equity		605,665		605,665
Noncontrolling interests		11,615		11,615

Total equity		617,280		617,280

Total capitalization	$	1,153,823	$	1,175,541	$


Underwriter		Number of Shares
Barclays Capital Inc.
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Total


	Excel Trust, Inc.												Excel Trust, Inc. Predecessor
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013			Year Ended December 31, 2012			Year Ended December 31, 2011			April 28, 2010 to December 31, 2010			January 1, 2010 to April 27, 2010		Year Ended December 31, 2009		Year Ended December 31, 2008
Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges		1.07			1.10			0.64			(0.34	)		1.08		1.02		0.65

Deficiency of earnings to fixed charges	$	—		$	—		$	(4,911	)	$	(4,955	)	$	—	$	—	$	(680	)

Preferred stock dividends	$	2,744		$	10,353		$	3,228		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—
Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends		0.68			0.68			0.52			(0.34	)		1.08		1.02		0.65

Deficiency of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends	$	(2,420	)	$	(8,751	)	$	(8,139	)	$	(4,955	)	$	—	$	—	$	(680	)


	Excel Trust, L.P.												Excel Trust, L.P. Predecessor
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013			Year Ended December 31, 2012			Year Ended December 31, 2011			April 28, 2010 to December 31, 2010			January 1, 2010 to April 27, 2010		Year Ended December 31, 2009		Year Ended December 31, 2008
Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges		1.07			1.10			0.64			(0.34	)		1.08		1.02		0.65

Deficiency of earnings to fixed charges	$	—		$	—		$	(4,911	)	$	(4,955	)	$	—	$	—	$	(680	)

Preferred unit distributions	$	2,744		$	10,353		$	3,228		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—
Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges and preferred unit distributions		0.68			0.68			0.52			(0.34	)		1.08		1.02		0.65

Deficiency of earnings to fixed charges and preferred unit distributions	$	(2,420	)	$	(8,751	)	$	(8,139	)	$	(4,955	)	$	—	$	—	$	(680	)


Barclays				Raymond James