x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 |
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the transition period from __________ to_________ |
Commission File Number of issuing entity: 333-191392-01 | ||||
APPALACHIAN CONSUMER RATE RELIEF FUNDING LLC (Exact name of issuing entity as specified in its charter) | ||||
APPALACHIAN POWER COMPANY (Exact name of depositor and sponsor as specified in its charter) | ||||
Delaware | 54-01247906 | |||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||
1 Riverside Plaza | ||||
Columbus, Ohio | 43215 | |||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (614) 716-1000 |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None | |||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None | |||
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. | Yes ¨ | No x | |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. | Yes ¨ | No x | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. | Yes x | No ¨ |
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). | Yes x | No ¨ |
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. | x |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, or non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Check One: | |||
Large accelerated filer ¨ | Accelerated Filer ¨ | ||
Non-accelerated filer x | Smaller reporting company ¨ | ||
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). | Yes ¨ | No x | |
The registrant does not have any voting or non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates. | |||
Documents incorporated by reference: A portion of the proxy statement relating to the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of American Electric Power Company, Inc. is incorporated by reference in Item 11 of Part III of this report. |
Name | Age | Background |
Brian X. Tierney | 47 | President and manager of the Company. Vice president, chief financial officer and director of Appalachian Power Company (APCo), executive vice president and chief financial officer of American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP), and executive vice president, chief financial officer and director of American Electric Power Service Corporation, a subsidiary of AEP (Service Corporation). Joined the Service Corporation in 1998 and was appointed senior vice president-energy marketing in 2003, became senior vice president-commercial operations in 2005, became executive vice president-AEP utilities east in 2006 and assumed his present position in 2009. Vice president and director of certain other AEP System companies. |
Julia A. Sloat | 45 | Treasurer and manager of the Company. Treasurer of APCo, treasurer of AEP and senior vice president and treasurer of the Service Corporation since January 1, 2013. Joined the Service Corporation in 1999 and was appointed as director-investor relations in January 2003, became managing director-investor relations in November 2003, became vice president-investor relations in September 2004, became vice president-investor relations and strategic initiatives in June 2007 and became vice president and treasurer in January 2008. From August 2008 to August 2009 served as vice president-investor relations & corporate finance for Tween Brands, Inc. Rejoined the Service Corporation in September 2009 as managing director-regulatory case management and became vice president-regulatory case management in August 2010. Treasurer of certain other AEP System companies. |
Renee V. Hawkins | 49 | Assistant treasurer and manager of the Company. Managing director corporate finance of the Service Corporation since 2003 and assistant treasurer of the Service Corporation since 2008. Assistant Treasurer of certain other AEP System companies. |
Victor A. Duva | 56 | Manager of the Company. President, CT Corporation Staffing, Inc., a subsidiary of CT Corporation System, since 2003. From 1997 to 2002, Assistant Vice President and Officer Manager for CT Corporation’s Philadelphia office and, prior to that, a variety of positions at CT Corporation System since January 1981. |
Daniel P. McMahon | 54 | Manager of the Company. Vice President of Operations for CT Corporation System since 2008. Also served as the National Service Director at CT Corporation System from 2004 to 2008. |
1. | Financial Statements. | |||
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K as listed under Item 8 of this report. | ||||
2. | Financial Statement Schedules. | |||
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K as listed under Item 8 of this report. | ||||
3. | Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K (exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed herewith): | |||
3.1 Certificate of Formation of the Issuing Entity filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 19, 2013. 3.2 Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Issuing Entity executed as of October 28, 2013. 4.1 Indenture dated as of November 15, 2013 between the Issuing Entity and U.S. Bank National Association providing for the issuance of Senior Secured Consumer Rate Relief Bonds. 4.2 Form of Senior Secured Consumer Rate Relief Bonds. 10.1 Consumer Rate Relief Property Sale Agreement dated as of November 15, 2013 between the Issuing Entity and Appalachian Power Company, as seller. 10.2 Servicing Agreement dated as of November 15, 2013 between the Issuing Entity and Appalachian |
Power Company, as servicer. 10.3 Administration Agreement dated as of November 15, 2013 between the Issuing Entity and Appalachian Power Company, as servicer. *31.1 Certification. *33.1 Report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed issuers for Appalachian Power Company, as servicer. *33.2 Report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed issuers for U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee. *34.1 Attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed securities of Deloitte & Touche LLP on behalf of Appalachian Power Company, as servicer. *34.2 Attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed securities of Ernst & Young LLP on behalf of U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee. *35.1 Servicer compliance statement of Appalachian Power Company, as servicer. |
Appalachian Consumer Rate Relief Funding LLC | ||
(Issuing Entity) | ||
By: Appalachian Power Company, as Servicer | ||
/s/ Julia A. Sloat | ||
Julia A. Sloat | ||
Treasurer and Senior Officer in Charge of the Servicing Function |
31.1 | Certification. |
33.1 | Report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed issuers for Appalachian Power Company, as servicer. |
33.2 | Report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed issuers for U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee. |
34.1 | Attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed securities of Deloitte & Touche LLP on behalf of Appalachian Power Company, as servicer. |
34.2 | Attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed securities of Ernst & Young LLP on behalf of U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee. |
35.1 | Servicer compliance statement of Appalachian Power Company, as servicer. |
Date: March 27, 2015 |
/s/ Julia A. Sloat |
Name: Julia A. Sloat Title: Treasurer and Senior Officer in Charge of the Servicing Function, Appalachian Power Company, as Servicer |
1. | U.S. Bank is responsible for assessing its compliance with the servicing criteria applicable to it as noted on the accompanying Exhibit A; |
2. | Except as set forth in paragraph 3 below, U.S. Bank used the criteria set forth in paragraph (d) of Item 1122 of Regulation AB to assess its compliance with the applicable servicing criteria; |
3. | The criteria listed in the column titled “Inapplicable Servicing Criteria” on Exhibit A hereto are inapplicable to U.S. Bank based on the servicing activities it performs directly with respect to the Platform; |
4. | U.S. Bank has complied, in all material respects, with the applicable servicing criteria as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014; and |
5. | Ernst & Young, LLP, a registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on U.S. Bank’s assessment of compliance with the applicable servicing criteria as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014. |
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||||
/s/ Bryan R. Calder | ||||
Name: Bryan R. Calder | ||||
Title: Executive Vice President |
1 The U.S. Bank Corporate Trust Asset-Backed Securities Platform (the "Platform") consists of the activities involved in the performance of servicing functions for which the Company provides trustee, securities administration, registrar or paying agent services for (i) publicly issued asset-backed and mortgage backed transactions the securities of which were offered on or after January 1, 2006 and (ii) certain asset backed transactions for which the Issuer has voluntarily elected to make Regulation AB compliant filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
Reference | Servicing Criteria | Applicable Servicing Criteria | Inapplicable Servicing Criteria |
General Servicing Considerations | |||
1122(d)(1)(i) | Policies and procedures are instituted to monitor any performance or other triggers and events of default in accordance with the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(1)(ii) | If any material servicing activities are outsourced to third parties, policies and procedures are instituted to monitor the third party’s performance and compliance with such servicing activities. | X | |
1122(d)(1)(iii) | Any requirements in the transaction agreements to maintain a back-up servicer for the Pool Assets are maintained. | X | |
1122(d)(1)(iv) | A fidelity bond and errors and omissions policy is in effect on the party participating in the servicing function throughout the reporting period in the amount of coverage required by and otherwise in accordance with the terms of the transaction agreements. | X | |
Cash Collection and Administration | |||
1122(d)(2)(i) | Payments on pool assets are deposited into the appropriate custodial bank accounts and related bank clearing accounts no more than two business days following receipt, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(2)(ii) | Disbursements made via wire transfer on behalf of an obligor or to an investor are made only by authorized personnel. | X | |
1122(d)(2)(iii) | Advances of funds or guarantees regarding collections, cash flows or distributions, and any interest or other fees charged for such advances, are made, reviewed and approved as specified in the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(2)(iv) | The related accounts for the transaction, such as cash reserve accounts or accounts established as a form of over collateralization, are separately maintained (e.g., with respect to commingling of cash) as set forth in the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(2)(v) | Each custodial account is maintained at a federally insured depository institution as set forth in the transaction agreements. For purposes of this criterion, “federally insured depository institution” with respect to a foreign financial institution means a foreign financial institution that meets the requirements of Rule 13k-1(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act. | X | |
1122(d)(2)(vi) | Unissued checks are safeguarded so as to prevent unauthorized access. | X | |
1122(d)(2)(vii) | Reconciliations are prepared on a monthly basis for all asset-backed securities related bank accounts, including custodial accounts and related bank clearing accounts. These reconciliations are (A) mathematically accurate; (B) prepared within 30 calendar days after the bank statement cutoff date, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements; (C) reviewed and approved by someone other than the person who prepared the reconciliation; and (D) contain explanations for reconciling items. These reconciling items are resolved within 90 calendar days of their original identification, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | X |
Reference | Servicing Criteria | Applicable Servicing Criteria | Inapplicable Servicing Criteria |
Investor Remittances and Reporting | |||
1122(d)(3)(i) | Reports to investors, including those to be filed with the Commission, are maintained in accordance with the transaction agreements and applicable Commission requirements. Specifically, such reports (A) are prepared in accordance with timeframes and other terms set forth in the transaction agreements; (B) provide information calculated in accordance with the terms specified in the transaction agreements; (C) are filed with the Commission as required by its rules and regulations; and (D) agree with investors’ or the trustee’s records as to the total unpaid principal balance and number of Pool Assets serviced by the Servicer. | X | |
1122(d)(3)(ii) | Amounts due to investors are allocated and remitted in accordance with timeframes, distribution priority and other terms set forth in the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(3)(iii) | Disbursements made to an investor are posted within two business days to the Servicer’s investor records, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(3)(iv) | Amounts remitted to investors per the investor reports agree with cancelled checks, or other form of payment, or custodial bank statements. | X | |
Pool Asset Administration | |||
1122(d)(4)(i) | Collateral or security on pool assets is maintained as required by the transaction agreements or related pool asset documents. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(ii) | Pool assets and related documents are safeguarded as required by the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(iii) | Any additions, removals or substitutions to the asset pool are made, reviewed and approved in accordance with any conditions or requirements in the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(iv) | Payments on pool assets, including any payoffs, made in accordance with the related pool asset documents are posted to the Servicer’s obligor records maintained no more than two business days after receipt, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements, and allocated to principal, interest or other items (e.g., escrow) in accordance with the related pool asset documents. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(v) | The Servicer’s records regarding the pool assets agree with the Servicer’s records with respect to an obligor’s unpaid principal balance. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(vi) | Changes with respect to the terms or status of an obligor's pool assets (e.g., loan modifications or re-agings) are made, reviewed and approved by authorized personnel in accordance with the transaction agreements and related pool asset documents. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(vii) | Loss mitigation or recovery actions (e.g., forbearance plans, modifications and deeds in lieu of foreclosure, foreclosures and repossessions, as applicable) are initiated, conducted and concluded in accordance with the timeframes or other requirements established by the transaction agreements. | X |
Reference | Servicing Criteria | Applicable Servicing Criteria | Inapplicable Servicing Criteria |
1122(d)(4)(viii) | Records documenting collection efforts are maintained during the period a pool asset is delinquent in accordance with the transaction agreements. Such records are maintained on at least a monthly basis, or such other period specified in the transaction agreements, and describe the entity’s activities in monitoring delinquent pool assets including, for example, phone calls, letters and payment rescheduling plans in cases where delinquency is deemed temporary (e.g., illness or unemployment). | X | |
1122(d)(4)(ix) | Adjustments to interest rates or rates of return for pool assets with variable rates are computed based on the related pool asset documents. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(x) | Regarding any funds held in trust for an obligor (such as escrow accounts): (A) such funds are analyzed, in accordance with the obligor’s pool asset documents, on at least an annual basis, or such other period specified in the transaction agreements; (B) interest on such funds is paid, or credited, to obligors in accordance with applicable pool asset documents and state laws; and (C) such funds are returned to the obligor within 30 calendar days of full repayment of the related pool assets, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(xi) | Payments made on behalf of an obligor (such as tax or insurance payments) are made on or before the related penalty or expiration dates, as indicated on the appropriate bills or notices for such payments, provided that such support has been received by the servicer at least 30 calendar days prior to these dates, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(xii) | Any late payment penalties in connection with any payment to be made on behalf of an obligor are paid from the Servicer’s funds and not charged to the obligor, unless the late payment was due to the obligor’s error or omission. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(xiii) | Disbursements made on behalf of an obligor are posted within two business days to the obligor’s records maintained by the servicer, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(xiv) | Delinquencies, charge-offs and uncollectible accounts are recognized and recorded in accordance with the transaction agreements. | X | |
1122(d)(4)(xv) | Any external enhancement or other support, identified in Item 1114(a)(1) through (3) or Item 1115 of Regulation AB, is maintained as set forth in the transaction agreements. | X |