CIBC today announced that it had entered into an agreement with a group of underwriters led by CIBC World Markets Inc. for an issue of preferred shares worth $225 million.

The 9 million non-cumulative Rate Reset Class A Preferred Shares, Series 33 are priced at $25 per share.

CIBC has granted the underwriters an option, exercisable in whole or in part prior to closing, to purchase an additional 3 million Series 33 Shares at the same offering price. Should the underwriters’ option be fully exercised, the total gross proceeds of the financing will be $300 million.

The Series 33 Shares will yield 5.35% per year, payable quarterly, as and when declared by the board of directors of CIBC, for an initial period ending July 31, 2014. On July 31, 2014 and on July 31 every five years thereafter, the dividend rate will reset to be equal to the then current five-year Government of Canada bond yield plus 2.18%.

Shareholders will have the right to convert their shares into non-cumulative Floating Rate Class A Preferred Shares, Series 34, subject to certain conditions, on July 31, 2014 and on July 31 every five years thereafter. Holders of the Series 34 Shares will be entitled to receive a quarterly floating rate dividend, as and when declared by the CIBC board of directors, equal to the three-month Government of Canada Treasury Bill yield plus 2.18%.

Holders of the Series 34 Shares may convert their Series 34 Shares into Series 33 Shares, subject to certain conditions, on July 31, 2019 and on July 31 every five years thereafter.

The expected closing date is September 10. CIBC says “the net proceeds of this offering will be used for general purposes.”