Royal Bank of Canada today announced a domestic public offering of $225 million of Non-Cumulative, five-year rate reset Preferred Shares Series AJ.

The bank will issue 9 million Preferred Shares Series AJ priced at $25 per share and holders will be entitled to receive non-cumulative quarterly fixed dividends for the initial period ending Feb. 24, 2014 in the amount of $1.25 per share, to yield 5% annually.

The bank has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable in whole or in part, to purchase up to an additional 3 million Preferred Shares at the same offering price.

Subject to regulatory approval, on or after Feb. 24, 2014, the bank may redeem the Preferred Shares Series AJ in whole or in part at par. Thereafter, the dividend rate will reset every five years at a rate equal to 1.93% over the five-year Government of Canada bond yield. Holders of Preferred Shares Series AJ will, subject to certain conditions, have the right to convert all or any part of their shares to non-cumulative floating rate preferred shares Series AK on Feb. 24, 2014 and on February 24 every five years thereafter.

Holders of the Preferred Shares Series AK will be entitled to receive a non-cumulative quarterly floating dividend at a rate equal to the three-month Government of Canada Treasury Bill yield plus 1.93%. Holders of Preferred Shares Series AK will, subject to certain conditions, have the right to convert all or any part of their shares to Preferred Shares Series AJ on Feb. 24, 2019 and on February 24 every five years thereafter.

The offering will be underwritten by a syndicate led by RBC Capital Markets. The expected closing date is September 16.

The bank says the net proceeds of the offering will be used for general business purposes and will strengthen the bank’s capital ratios.