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SEC Company Response from BANK OF AMERICA (BAC) — Mar 27, 2008

BANK OF AMERICA CORP /DE/ (BAC, BAC-PB, BAC-PE, BAC-PK, BAC-PL, BAC-PM, BAC-PN, BAC-PO, BAC-PP, BAC-PQ, BAC-PS, BML-PG, BML-PL) (CIK 0000070858)
Date: March 27, 2008 · CIK: 0000070858 · Accession: 0000950144-08-002338

AI Filing Summary & Sentiment

Sentiment
Urgency
Document Type
Confidence
SEC Posture
Company Posture

Summary

Reasoning

File numbers found in text: 333-149204

Referenced dates: March 8, 2008

Date
March 27, 2008
Author
Teresa M. Brenner
Form
CORRESP
Company
BANK OF AMERICA CORP /DE/ (BAC, BAC-PB, BAC-PE, BAC-PK, BAC-PL, BAC-PM, BAC-PN, BAC-PO, BAC-PP, BAC-PQ, BAC-PS, BML-PG, BML-PL) (CIK 0000070858)

Letter

Division of Corporation Finance Securities and Exchange Commission Bank of America Corporation Registration Statement on Form S-4 Filed February 13, 2008 File No. 333-149204

Dear Mr. Windsor:

Set forth below are the responses of Bank of America Corporation and Countrywide Financial Corporation to the comments of the Staff of the Division of Corporation Finance, which were set forth in your letter dated March 8, 2008 (the “March 8 Letter”) regarding Bank of America’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Original Form S-4”). The responses to the Staff’s comments are provided in the order in which the comments were set out in the March 8 Letter and are numbered correspondingly.

The Staff’s comments, indicated by bold, are followed by responses on behalf of Bank of America and Countrywide. References in this letter to page numbers and section headings refer to page numbers and section headings in Amendment No. 1 to Bank of America’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Form S-4”), as filed concurrently with this letter and dated March 27, 2008, via EDGAR submission. Such amendment reflects the responses to the Staff’s comments contained herein and other changes and updates deemed necessary or appropriate. We have also provided, on a supplemental basis, a blackline of the Form S-4 marked against the Original Form S-4 to facilitate the Staff’s review.

Capitalized terms used in this letter without definition have the meanings specified in the Form S-4.

Christian Windsor

Securities and Exchange Commission

March 27, 2008

Page 2

General

1.

Please file all exhibits, including drafts of your legality and tax opinions, with your next amendment; providing them as soon as practicable will permit for an expedited review of the materials.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have filed all exhibits with the Form S-4 filed on March 27, 2008.

2.

Please provide any presentation, memo, report or other material provided to the board of Countrywide by either Goldman Sachs or Sandler O’Neill with regard to the valuation or fairness of the transaction.

We understand that a copy of the presentation materials dated January 10, 2008 jointly prepared by Goldman Sachs and Sandler O’Neill for the Countrywide board of directors has been provided to the Staff by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, counsel for Goldman Sachs, under separate cover requesting confidential treatment pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 12b-4 and Securities Act Rule 418 and pursuant to the provisions of 17 C.F.R. § 200.83. Countrywide has confirmed to us that this is the only presentation provided to its board by Goldman Sachs or Sandler O’Neil in connection with the transaction.

3.

It appears that you intend to maintain the assets and obligations of Countrywide in Red Oak Merger Corporation. Please clarify whether you will consolidate Red Oak and whether Bank of America will guarantee or assume the debt of Countrywide so that investors can better evaluate the impact of the merger upon the Bank of America shares they will acquire.

As described in the Form S-4, Countrywide will be merged with and into Red Oak Merger Corporation, which will be renamed Countrywide Financial Corporation at the effective time of the merger and continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America. The results of Countrywide and its consolidated subsidiaries will be included in Bank of America’s consolidated financial statements following the merger. In response to the Staff’s comment, we have added disclosure to this effect on page 3.

Bank of America does not expect that its decision regarding whether it will guarantee or directly assume any of Countrywide’s existing debt would be material to a Countrywide common stockholder’s evaluation of the impact of the merger on the value of Bank of America common stock. Decisions around this issue will be made in the normal course of our transition planning activities.

Summary, page 3

4.

Please revise the preamble to state that it highlights the material, not “selected,” information.

Christian Windsor

Securities and Exchange Commission

March 27, 2008

Page 3

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the preamble on page 3.

Countrywide’s Officers and Directors Have Financial Interests in the Merger, page 5

5.

Please provide a dollar amount (estimated, if necessary) for the various benefits and a total for each individual both here and on page 42. Also, please revise this section to include a discussion of the retention arrangements referenced on page 42 including the amounts of the lump sum payments.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on pages 5-6 and 47-55.

Risk Factors, page 16

6.

Please include a risk factor which discusses the litigation referred to on page 41 or advise staff why this is not appropriate.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have added a risk factor on page 18.

7.

Please include a risk factor which discusses the change in market conditions and the fact that shareholders are being offered less than book value for their shares.

Bank of America respectfully notes that the risk factors included its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which are incorporated by reference in the Form S-4, already highlight risks associated with the recent volatility in the credit markets. These risks also are discussed in the risk factors included in Countrywide’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Accordingly, Bank of America believes that no additional risk factor is necessary.

Bank of America does not believe that the fact that the current market value of the merger consideration it is offering Countrywide shareholders is less than the current book value of their shares is a risk that affects either Bank of America or the securities being offered by it, and accordingly that lack is not a risk factor. In response to the Staff’s comment, however, we have added additional disclosure regarding the comparison between the merger consideration and the book value per Countrywide share in the disclosure on page 4 and, as further described below in response to comment number 13, in the disclosure on page 29.

8.

Add a risk factor that discusses the changes in shareholder rights for Countrywide shareholders when they exchange for Bank of America common stock.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have added a risk factor on page 19.

Christian Windsor

Securities and Exchange Commission

March 27, 2008

Page 4

The market price of Bank of America common stock. . . , page 16

9.

Revise this risk factor so that it addresses a discrete risk. At present, you appear to indicate that circumstances might change in the future, rather than discuss known, material risks of investing in Bank of America stock.

Bank of America respectfully submits that the risk that the market may value its common stock after the merger differently than the market valued each company’s common stock independently prior to the acquisition is a discrete risk arising from the merger. We further believe that such a risk factor is customary (see, e.g., 424(b)(3) filed by JDS Uniphase on January 15, 2008, 424(b)(3) filed by Wachovia Corporation on August 30, 2007, 424(b)(3) filed by Wells Fargo & Co. on August 23, 2007 and 424(b)(3) filed by Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. on June 22, 2007) and consistent with Item 503(c) of Regulation S-K.

Recommendation of the Countrywide Board of Directors, page 22

10.

In the risk factor on page 17 you indicate that Countrywide will not seek updated fairness opinions from either of its financial advisors. Please clarify that despite the lack of any update in the fairness opinions, the Board’s recommendation is as of the date of the registration statement.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on pages 17 and 29.

Background of the Merger, page 24

11.

Please revise to describe the negotiation of the principal terms of the merger, including price.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 26.

12.

In the penultimate paragraph on page 24, you state that “Countrywide’s regulatory consultants reported on the status of regulatory matters;” please elaborate to disclose the current status of Countrywide’s regulatory concerns, including any approvals required for the merger.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on pages 25 and 26.

13.

It appears that the Board of Directors agreed to a merger consideration that was a substantial discount to the net book value of Countrywide. Please revise this section to clarify whether the Board considered the discount to book value in making its recommendation and whether the Board considered any other courses of action.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 29.

Christian Windsor

Securities and Exchange Commission

March 27, 2008

Page 5

Opinions of Countrywide’s Financial Advisors, page 30

14.

Please disclose all compensation received by Goldman Sachs and its affiliates from Countrywide and its affiliates during the past two years in accordance with Item 1015 of Regulation M-A and Item 4 of Form S-4. Similarly, please disclose all compensation received by Sandler O’Neill and its affiliates from Countrywide and its affiliates during the past two years.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 32.

15.

It appears that the implied valuation of Countrywide falls outside the range of values for a number of the methodologies employed by Goldman Sachs and Sandler O’Neill. Revise the disclosure to indicate how the valuation outside the range impacted the fairness opinions of Countrywide’s financial advisors. In particular, please disclose whether any of these analyses failed to support the fairness conclusions of the advisors.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 40.

16.

Revise this section to discuss in more detail the reasons that Countrywide’s financial advisors chose to use the Stress Case in valuing the shares of Countrywide. Also, please provide more detail regarding the assumptions used to result in the expected cash flows for Countrywide under the stress case.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 35.

17.

Revise this section to provide a summary discussion of the Precedent Transactions Analysis discussed in the Fairness Opinion Materials presented to the Board by Goldman Sachs and Sandler O’Neill.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 37.

Discounted Cash Flow Analysis — Bank of America, page 40

18.

Revise this section to disclose not only the implied value of Bank of America common stock, but also the implied value of the merger consideration, .1822 of a share of Bank of America stock.

In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 40.

* * *

Christian Windsor

Securities and Exchange Commission

March 27, 2008

Page 6

Please direct any questions concerning the above responses to Benet J. O’Reilly (telephone: (212) 225-2746; fax: (212) 225-3999) with a copy to the undersigned (telephone: (704) 386-4238; fax: (704) 386-0181).

Very truly yours,
Teresa M. Brenner

Show Raw Text
CORRESP
1
filename1.htm

Bank of America Corporation

Bank
of America

101 S. Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28255

March 27, 2008

Mail Stop 4561

By
EDGAR and facsimile

Christian Windsor

Mail Stop 4561

Division of Corporation Finance

Securities and Exchange Commission

450 Fifth Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20549

    Re:

    Bank of America Corporation

Registration Statement on Form S-4

Filed February 13, 2008

File No. 333-149204

Dear Mr. Windsor:

     Set forth below are the responses of Bank of America Corporation and Countrywide Financial
Corporation to the comments of the Staff of the Division of Corporation Finance, which were set
forth in your letter dated March 8, 2008 (the “March 8 Letter”) regarding Bank of America’s
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Original Form S-4”). The responses to the Staff’s
comments are provided in the order in which the comments were set out in the March 8 Letter and are
numbered correspondingly.

     The Staff’s comments, indicated by bold, are followed by responses on behalf of Bank of
America and Countrywide. References in this letter to page numbers and section headings refer to
page numbers and section headings in Amendment No. 1 to Bank of
America’s Registration Statement on Form S-4
(the “Form S-4”), as filed concurrently with this letter
and dated March 27, 2008, via EDGAR
submission. Such amendment reflects the responses to the Staff’s comments contained herein and
other changes and updates deemed necessary or appropriate. We have also provided, on a supplemental
basis, a blackline of the Form S-4 marked against the Original Form S-4 to facilitate the Staff’s
review.

     Capitalized terms used in this letter without definition have the meanings specified in the
Form S-4.

Christian Windsor

Securities and Exchange Commission

March 27, 2008

Page 2

General

    1.

    Please file all exhibits, including drafts of your legality and tax opinions, with your next
amendment; providing them as soon as practicable will permit for an expedited review of the
materials.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have filed all exhibits with the Form S-4 filed on
March 27, 2008.

    2.

    Please provide any presentation, memo, report or other material provided to the board of
Countrywide by either Goldman Sachs or Sandler O’Neill with regard to the valuation or
fairness of the transaction.

    We understand that a copy of the presentation materials dated January 10, 2008 jointly
prepared by Goldman Sachs and Sandler O’Neill for the Countrywide board of directors has
been provided to the Staff by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, counsel for
Goldman Sachs, under separate cover requesting confidential treatment pursuant to Exchange
Act Rule 12b-4 and Securities Act Rule 418 and pursuant to the provisions of 17 C.F.R. §
200.83. Countrywide has confirmed to us that this is the only presentation provided to its
board by Goldman Sachs or Sandler O’Neil in connection with the transaction.

    3.

    It appears that you intend to maintain the assets and obligations of Countrywide in Red Oak
Merger Corporation. Please clarify whether you will consolidate Red Oak and whether Bank of
America will guarantee or assume the debt of Countrywide so that investors can better evaluate
the impact of the merger upon the Bank of America shares they will acquire.

    As described in the Form S-4, Countrywide will be merged with and into Red Oak Merger
Corporation, which will be renamed Countrywide Financial Corporation at the effective time
of the merger and continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America. The results of
Countrywide and its consolidated subsidiaries will be included in Bank of America’s
consolidated financial statements following the merger. In response to the Staff’s comment,
we have added disclosure to this effect on page 3.

    Bank of America does not expect that its decision regarding whether it will guarantee or
directly assume any of Countrywide’s existing debt would be material to a Countrywide common
stockholder’s evaluation of the impact of the merger on the value of Bank of America common
stock. Decisions around this issue will be made in the normal course of our transition
planning activities.

Summary, page 3

    4.

    Please revise the preamble to state that it highlights the material, not “selected,”
information.

Christian Windsor

Securities and Exchange Commission

March 27, 2008

Page 3

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the preamble on page 3.

Countrywide’s Officers and Directors Have Financial Interests in the Merger, page 5

    5.

    Please provide a dollar amount (estimated, if necessary) for the various benefits and a total
for each individual both here and on page 42. Also, please revise this section to include a
discussion of the retention arrangements referenced on page 42 including the amounts of the
lump sum payments.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on pages 5-6 and 47-55.

Risk Factors, page 16

    6.

    Please include a risk factor which discusses the litigation referred to on page 41 or advise
staff why this is not appropriate.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have added a risk factor on page 18.

    7.

    Please include a risk factor which discusses the change in market conditions and the fact
that shareholders are being offered less than book value for their shares.

    Bank of America respectfully notes that the risk factors included its Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2007, which are incorporated by reference in the Form S-4, already
highlight risks associated with the recent volatility in the credit markets. These risks
also are discussed in the risk factors included in Countrywide’s Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2007. Accordingly, Bank of America believes that no additional risk
factor is necessary.

    Bank of America does not believe that the fact that the current market value of the merger
consideration it is offering Countrywide shareholders is less than the current book value of
their shares is a risk that affects either Bank of America or the securities being offered
by it, and accordingly that lack is not a risk factor. In response to the Staff’s
comment, however, we have added additional disclosure regarding the comparison between the
merger consideration and the book value per Countrywide share in the disclosure on page 4 and, as
further described below in response to comment number 13, in the disclosure on page 29.

    8.

    Add a risk factor that discusses the changes in shareholder rights for Countrywide
shareholders when they exchange for Bank of America common stock.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have added a risk factor on page 19.

Christian Windsor

Securities and Exchange Commission

March 27, 2008

Page 4

The
market price of Bank of America common stock. . . , page 16

    9.

    Revise this risk factor so that it addresses a discrete risk. At present, you appear to
indicate that circumstances might change in the future, rather than discuss known, material
risks of investing in Bank of America stock.

    Bank of America respectfully submits that the risk that the market may value its common
stock after the merger differently than the market valued each company’s common
stock independently prior to the acquisition is a discrete risk arising from the merger. We
further believe that such a risk factor is customary (see, e.g., 424(b)(3) filed by JDS
Uniphase on January 15, 2008, 424(b)(3) filed by Wachovia Corporation on August
30, 2007, 424(b)(3) filed by Wells Fargo & Co. on August 23, 2007 and 424(b)(3) filed
by Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. on June 22, 2007) and consistent with Item 503(c) of Regulation
S-K.

Recommendation of the Countrywide Board of Directors, page 22

    10.

    In the risk factor on page 17 you indicate that Countrywide will not seek updated fairness
opinions from either of its financial advisors. Please clarify that despite the lack of any
update in the fairness opinions, the Board’s recommendation is as of the date of the
registration statement.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on pages 17 and 29.

Background of the Merger, page 24

    11.

    Please revise to describe the negotiation of the principal terms of the merger, including
price.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 26.

    12.

    In the penultimate paragraph on page 24, you state that “Countrywide’s regulatory consultants
reported on the status of regulatory matters;” please elaborate to disclose the current status
of Countrywide’s regulatory concerns, including any approvals required for the merger.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on pages 25 and 26.

    13.

    It appears that the Board of Directors agreed to a merger consideration that was a
substantial discount to the net book value of Countrywide. Please revise this section to
clarify whether the Board considered the discount to book value in making its recommendation
and whether the Board considered any other courses of action.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 29.

Christian Windsor

Securities and Exchange Commission

March 27, 2008

Page 5

Opinions
of Countrywide’s Financial Advisors, page 30

    14.

    Please disclose all compensation received by Goldman Sachs and its affiliates from
Countrywide and its affiliates during the past two years in accordance with Item 1015 of
Regulation M-A and Item 4 of Form S-4. Similarly, please disclose all compensation received
by Sandler O’Neill and its affiliates from Countrywide and its affiliates during the past two
years.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 32.

    15.

    It appears that the implied valuation of Countrywide falls outside the range of values for a
number of the methodologies employed by Goldman Sachs and Sandler O’Neill. Revise the
disclosure to indicate how the valuation outside the range impacted the fairness opinions of
Countrywide’s financial advisors. In particular, please disclose whether any of these
analyses failed to support the fairness conclusions of the advisors.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 40.

    16.

    Revise this section to discuss in more detail the reasons that Countrywide’s financial
advisors chose to use the Stress Case in valuing the shares of Countrywide. Also, please
provide more detail regarding the assumptions used to result in the expected cash flows for
Countrywide under the stress case.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 35.

    17.

    Revise this section to provide a summary discussion of the Precedent Transactions Analysis
discussed in the Fairness Opinion Materials presented to the Board by Goldman Sachs and
Sandler O’Neill.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 37.

Discounted Cash Flow Analysis — Bank of America, page 40

    18.

    Revise this section to disclose not only the implied value of Bank of America common stock,
but also the implied value of the merger consideration, .1822 of a share of Bank of America
stock.

    In response to the Staff’s comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 40.

*            *            *

Christian Windsor

Securities and Exchange Commission

March 27, 2008

Page 6

     Please direct any questions concerning the above responses to Benet J. O’Reilly (telephone:
(212) 225-2746; fax: (212) 225-3999) with a copy to the undersigned (telephone: (704) 386-4238;
fax: (704) 386-0181).

Very truly yours,

Teresa M. Brenner

Associate General Counsel

Bank of America Corporation

Enclosures
(being filed by EDGAR and delivered by hand)

cc: Kathryn McHale, Esq.