Sun Life Financial Inc. is planning a Canadian public offering of $200 million of preferred shares, the company said Friday.

The net proceeds of the offering are expected to qualify for tier 1 capital and will be used for general corporate purposes, Sun Life says.

The Class A Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset Preferred Shares Series 6R shares will be issued at a price of $25 a share. Shareholders will be entitled to receive non-cumulative preferential fixed quarterly dividends for the initial period ending June 30, 2014, payable in the amount of 37.5ยข a share, to yield 6% annually.

On June 30, 2014, and every five years thereafter, the dividend rate will reset at a rate equal to the 5-Year Government of Canada bond yield plus 3.79%. Subject to certain conditions, holders may elect to convert any or all of their Series 6R Shares into an equal number of Class A Non-Cumulative Floating Rate Preferred Shares Series 7QR on June 30, 2014 and on the 30th of June every fifth year thereafter. Holders of the Series 7QR Shares will be entitled to receive non-cumulative preferential floating rate quarterly dividends equal to the then 3-month Government of Canada Treasury Bill yield plus 3.79%.

The offering will be underwritten by a syndicate led by TD Securities and BMO Capital Markets on a bought deal basis, and is expected to close on May 20.

The underwriters have been granted an option to purchase up to an additional $50 million of the shares up to two business days before closing, Sun Life says. The maximum gross proceeds raised under the offering will be $250 million if this option is exercised in full.

Subject to regulatory approval, Sun Life Financial Inc. may redeem the shares in whole or in part on June 30, 2014 and on June 30 every five years thereafter.

An application is being made to list the shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

IE