-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, ES4Rbf52S5xRZcO/M502kNYcFbwY2NHInGMfZ9OY+eVsxvYOlOhfzrZVsyNEERr8 97UcHtDEnkgXJAHVReQJcw== 0001104659-08-052495.txt : 20080813 0001104659-08-052495.hdr.sgml : 20080813 20080813115623 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-08-052495 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080812 ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20080813 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080813 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000820027 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INVESTMENT ADVICE [6282] IRS NUMBER: 133180631 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-32525 FILM NUMBER: 081012144 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1099 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CENTER CITY: MINNEAPOLIS STATE: MN ZIP: 55474 BUSINESS PHONE: 612-671-2018 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1099 AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL CENTER CITY: MINNEAPOLIS STATE: MN ZIP: 55474 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20030513 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL ADVISORS DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19950711 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: IDS FINANCIAL CORP/MN/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 8-K 1 a08-21546_18k.htm 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

August 12, 2008

 

AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-32525

 

13-3180631

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission

 

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

 

File Number)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

1099 Ameriprise Financial Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

55474

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

(612) 671-3131

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 7.01       Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On August 12, 2008, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. issued a press release to announce that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire HRB Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries, including H&R Block Financial Advisors, Inc., from an affiliate of H&R Block, Inc.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is furnished herewith.

 

Item 8.01       Other Events.

 

On August 12, 2008, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire HRB Financial Corporation.

 

Item 9.01       Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)         Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Press Release dated August 12, 2008

 

2



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL, INC.

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: August 13, 2008

By

/s/ Walter S. Berman

 

 

Walter S. Berman

 

 

Executive Vice President

 

 

and Chief Financial Officer

 

3


EX-99.1 2 a08-21546_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

News Release

 

Ameriprise Financial To Acquire
H&R Block Financial Advisors

 

Adds More Than 900 Advisors to Nation’s Fourth-Largest Retail Distribution Force

 

MINNEAPOLIS – August 12, 2008 – Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire H&R Block Financial Advisors (HRBFA) for $315 million in cash from H&R Block. The transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings per share and return on equity in early 2010.

 

The more than 900 advisors of HRBFA work in 135 office locations across the U.S. The advisors will become Ameriprise Financial-branded employee advisors and will strengthen the company’s presence in key markets, including Florida, Texas and California. The combined company will have approximately 13,000 total advisors across all its platforms. The transaction is also expected to add approximately 376,000 client accounts and $30 billion in client assets.

 

“The acquisition of H&R Block Financial Advisors reinforces our growth strategy and underscores the strength of our financial position,” said Jim Cracchiolo, Ameriprise Financial Chairman and CEO. “We are very pleased to add the seasoned and productive distribution force of HRBFA. We believe the combined employee advisor group will benefit from the strong Ameriprise Financial brand, broad product offerings, robust advisor support and strong field leadership.”

 

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in four to six months.

 

Following completion of the transaction, Ameriprise Financial and H&R Block will maintain a strategic alliance providing both companies with opportunities to acquire new clients through mutual referrals.

 

“This transaction will bring together two strong organizations with very similar cultures and client value propositions,” said Joan Cohen, president of HRBFA. “As part of the larger Ameriprise Financial organization, our financial advisors will be well positioned to grow their business with significantly expanded resources and offer their clients a wider array of products and services.”

 

HRBFA advisors will receive attractive retention packages as part of the transaction.

 

The acquisition, which has been approved by the boards of directors of Ameriprise Financial and H&R Block, will be funded through the use of cash on hand. Following completion of the transaction, the company will remain in a strong liquidity and capital position and will continue to

 

1



 

repurchase shares under the two-year repurchase authorization that was announced earlier this year.

 

A majority of anticipated synergies will be realized through cost savings.

 

Banc of America Securities LLC acted as financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz acted as legal advisor for Ameriprise Financial.  Lazard acted as financial advisor and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP acted as legal advisor for H&R Block.

 

About Ameriprise Financial
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. is a diversified financial services company serving the comprehensive financial planning needs of the mass affluent and affluent.

 

For more information, visit ameriprise.com.

 

About H&R Block
H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world’s preeminent tax services provider, having served more than 400 million clients since 1955 and generating annual revenues of $4.4 billion in fiscal year 2008.  H&R Block provides income tax return preparation and related services and products via a nationwide network of approximately 13,000 company-owned and franchised offices and through TaxCut® online and software solutions. The company also provides business services through RSM McGladrey and certain consumer financial services.  For more information visit our Online Press Center at www.hrblock.com.

 

Contacts

 

Ameriprise Financial

 

Investor Relations:

Media Relations:

Laura Gagnon

Ben Pratt

612.671.2080

612.678.5881

laura.c.gagnon@ampf.com

benjamin.j.pratt@ampf.com

 

 

H&R Block

 

Investor Relations:

Media Relations:

Derek Drysdale

Nancy Mays

816.854.4513

816.854.4537

derek.drysdale@hrblock.com

nmays@hrblock.com

 

2


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