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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2015

Registration No. 333-        

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Veritex Holdings, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

8214 Westchester Drive, Suite 400

Dallas, Texas 75225

(972) 349-6200
(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

C. Malcolm Holland, III
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Veritex Holdings, Inc.
8214 Westchester Drive, Suite 400
Dallas, Texas 75225
(972) 349-6200
(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

William S. Anderson
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
711 Louisiana, Suite 2300
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 223-1122
(713) 437-5370 (facsimile)

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a nonaccelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, dated November 10, 2015

Veritex Holdings, Inc.

Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Units

By this prospectus, Veritex Holdings, Inc. may offer from time to time:

·                                          debt securities of one or more series;

·                                          shares of its common stock;

·                                          shares of one or more series of its preferred stock;

·                                          warrants to purchase our securities; and

·                                          units of our securities.

When we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the terms of the specific issue of securities being offered, including the price at which those securities are being offered to the public.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.

You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you decide to invest. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that further describes the securities being offered to you.

Our common stock is listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “VBTX.” We have not yet determined whether any of the other securities that may be offered by this prospectus will be listed on any exchange. If we decide to apply to list any such securities on a securities exchange upon their issuance, the prospectus supplement relating to those securities will disclose the exchange on which we will apply to have those securities listed.

Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus.  We may include additional risk factors in an applicable prospectus supplement under the heading “Risk Factors.” You should carefully read this prospectus together with the documents we incorporate by reference and the prospectus supplement before you invest in our securities.

This prospectus is not an offer to sell any securities other than the securities offered hereby. This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities in any jurisdictions or in any circumstances in which such an offer is unlawful.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The offered securities are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any bank or savings associations and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

The date of this prospectus is       , 2015.

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You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement when deciding whether to invest. We have not authorized anyone to give oral or written information about this offering, our Company, or the securities offered hereby that is different from the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration statement, we may offer and sell, from time to time and in one or more offerings, either separately or together, shares of our common stock, shares of one or more series of our preferred stock, senior debt securities of one or more series, subordinated debt securities of one or more series, warrants to purchase our securities and unit purchase agreements as described in this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement.

Each time we sell securities we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the securities being offered thereby. The prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change the information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus (including the information incorporated by reference herein) and information in any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement as it will control. You should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” or incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

References in this prospectus to “our Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” are to Veritex Holdings, Inc. In this prospectus, we sometimes refer to the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants and unit purchase agreements we may offer as “offered securities.”

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ABOUT VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC.

Veritex Holdings, Inc. is a Texas corporation headquartered in Dallas, Texas and is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Veritex Community Bank, a Texas state chartered bank, we provide relationship-driven commercial banking products and services tailored to meet the needs of small to medium-sized businesses and professionals.

Our principal executive offices are located at 8214 Westchester Drive, Suite 400, Dallas, Texas 75225, and our telephone number is (972) 349-6200. Our website is www.veritexbank.com.  References to our website are not intended to be active links and the information on such websites is not, and you must not consider that information to be, a part of this prospectus.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Forward-looking statements included in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein are based on various facts and derived utilizing numerous important assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our future financial performance, business and growth strategy, projected plans and objectives, as well as projections of macroeconomic and industry trends, which are inherently unreliable due to the multiple factors that impact economic trends, and any such variations may be material. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “plans” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing. You should understand that the following important factors could affect our future results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements:

·                                          risks related to the concentration of our business within the Dallas metropolitan area, including risks associated with any downturn in the real estate sector and risks associated with a decline in the values of single family homes in the Dallas metropolitan area;

·                                          our ability to implement our growth strategy, including identifying and consummating suitable acquisitions;

·                                          risks related to the integration of any acquired businesses, including exposure to potential asset quality and credit quality risks and unknown or contingent liabilities, the time and costs associated with integrating systems, technology platforms, procedures and personnel, the need for additional capital to finance such transactions, and possible failures in realizing the anticipated benefits from acquisitions;

·                                          our ability to recruit and retain successful bankers that meet our expectations in terms of customer relationships and profitability;

·                                          our ability to retain executive officers and key employees and their customer and community relationships;

·                                          risks associated with our limited operating history and the relatively unseasoned nature of a significant portion of our loan portfolio;

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·                                          market conditions and economic trends nationally, regionally and particularly in the Dallas metropolitan area and Texas;

·                                          risks related to our strategic focus on lending to small to medium-sized businesses;

·                                          the sufficiency of the assumptions and estimates we make in establishing reserves for potential loan losses;

·                                          risks associated with our commercial loan portfolio, including the risk for deterioration in value of the general business assets that generally secure such loans;

·                                          risks associated with our nonfarm nonresidential and construction loan portfolios, including the risks inherent in the valuation of the collateral securing such loans;

·                                          potential changes in the prices, values and sales volumes of commercial and residential real estate securing our real estate loans;

·                                          risks related to the significant amount of credit that we have extended to a limited number of borrowers and in a limited geographic area;

·                                          our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and to raise necessary capital to fund our acquisition strategy and operations or to meet increased minimum regulatory capital levels;

·                                          changes in market interest rates that affect the pricing of our loans and deposits and our net interest income;

·                                          potential fluctuations in the market value and liquidity of our investment securities;

·                                          the effects of competition from a wide variety of local, regional, national and other providers of financial, investment and insurance services;

·                                          our ability to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting;

·                                          risks associated with fraudulent and negligent acts by our customers, employees or vendors;

·                                          our ability to keep pace with technological change or difficulties when implementing new technologies;

·                                          risks associated with system failures or failures to prevent breaches of our network security;

·                                          risks associated with data processing system failures and errors;

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·                                          our actual cost savings resulting from the acquisition of IBT Bancorp are less than expected, we are unable to realize those cost savings as soon as expected or we incur additional or unexpected costs;

·                                          our revenues after the IBT Bancorp acquisition are less than expected;

·                                          potential impairment on the goodwill we have recorded or may record in connection with business acquisitions;

·                                          the institution and outcome of litigation and other legal proceeding against us or to which we become subject;

·                                          our ability to comply with various governmental and regulatory requirements applicable to financial institutions;

·                                          the impact of recent and future legislative and regulatory changes, including changes in banking, securities and tax laws and regulations and their application by our regulators, such as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010;

·                                          governmental monetary and fiscal policies, including the policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

·                                          our ability to comply with supervisory actions by federal and state banking agencies;

·                                          changes in the scope and cost of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance and other coverage; and

·                                          systemic risks associated with the soundness of other financial institutions.

Other factors not identified above, including those described under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K (our “Latest Form 10-K”) and in any of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K or other filings that we have made with the SEC since the date of the Latest Form 10-K that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, may also cause actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are difficult to anticipate and are generally beyond our control. You should consider these factors in connection with considering any forward-looking statements that may be made by us. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events unless we are required to do so by law.

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves certain risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully read and consider the risk factors set forth in our Latest Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors” as well as any updated or additional disclosure about risk factors included in any of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K or other filings that we have made with the SEC since the date of the Latest Form 10-K that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We may also include updated or additional disclosure about risk factors in an applicable prospectus supplement under the heading “Risk Factors.” Additional risks and uncertainties of which we are not aware or that we believe are not material at the time could also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. In any case, the value of the securities offered by means of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

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RATIO OF COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS TO EARNINGS

The following table presents the ratio of our combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends to earnings for the periods indicated.

For purposes of computing this ratio (i) earnings consists of income before income taxes plus fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, (ii) fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, excluding interest on deposits, includes interest expense (other than on deposits), preferred stock dividends and the estimated portion of rental expense attributable to interest, and (iii) fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, including interest on deposits, includes all interest expense, preferred stock dividends and the estimated portion of rental expense attributable to interest.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of offered securities by us for general corporate purposes, including:

·                                          maintenance of consolidated capital to support our growth, enabling us to continue to satisfy our regulatory capital requirements;

·                                          contributions of capital to Veritex Community Bank to support Veritex Community Bank’s growth, enabling it to continue to satisfy its regulatory capital requirements;

·                                          financing of acquisitions of financial institutions; and

·                                          refinancing, reduction or repayment of debt.

The prospectus supplement with respect to an offering of offered securities may identify different or additional uses for the proceeds of that offering.

Except as otherwise stated in an applicable prospectus supplement, pending the application of the net proceeds from the sale of offered securities, we expect to either deposit such net proceeds in deposit accounts or invest them in short-term obligations.

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THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize certain material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. The particular material terms of the securities offered by a prospectus supplement, to the extent not described in this prospectus, will be described in that prospectus supplement. If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the offered securities may differ from the terms summarized below. The prospectus supplement will also contain, where applicable, material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the offered securities, and will contain information regarding the securities exchange, if any, on which the offered securities will be listed. The descriptions of our securities being offered appearing herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information that you may find useful or that may be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of the actual documents that govern those securities and whose terms are summarized herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement, because those documents, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the relevant securities. For more information, please review the forms of these documents, which are or will be filed with the SEC and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings, the following:

·                                          our debt securities of one or more series, which debt securities may be our senior, unsecured debt securities or our subordinated, unsecured debt securities;

·                                          shares of our common stock;

·                                          shares of one or more series of our preferred stock;

·                                          warrants, which may be exercisable for debt securities, common stock or preferred stock; and/or

·                                          unit purchase agreements to which investors would acquire units of two or more of the foregoing securities.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

General

We may issue senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities, which in each case will be unsecured, direct, general obligations of our Company.

The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to our senior indebtedness, including our senior debt securities as described below under “—Subordinated Debt Securities” and in the prospectus supplement applicable to any subordinated debt securities that we may offer. For purposes of the descriptions under the heading “Description of Debt Securities,” we may refer to the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities collectively as the “debt securities.” The debt securities will be effectively subordinated to the creditors and preferred equity holders of our subsidiaries, if any.

We will issue senior debt securities under a senior debt indenture and issue subordinated debt securities under a subordinated debt indenture, which indentures will be, in each case, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as the indenture trustee. We refer to the senior debt indenture or subordinated debt indenture, together with any applicable supplemental indentures thereto, in this prospectus as an “indenture” and collectively as the “indentures.” The indentures permit one or more series of senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, as the case may be, to be established and issued thereunder. Any such series of senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and their terms and conditions will be established by means of the adoption of a supplemental indenture, the adoption of a resolution of our board of directors or the adoption of a resolution of our board of directors and the action of certain officers of our Company acting pursuant to authority delegated to them by such resolution of the board and evidenced by an officers’ certificate setting forth the terms and conditions of the series of debt securities established by that resolution and the action of such authorized officers. Generally, multiple series of debt securities will vary from one another with regard to the rate at which interest accrues on such debt securities and the term of such debt securities, and the senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities will vary from one another with regard to the priority of payment.

The indentures meet the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the “Trust Indenture Act” and will be qualified under and governed by the Trust Indenture Act. The trustee meets the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act for trustees under indentures being qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

The descriptions under the heading “Description of Debt Securities” relating to the senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities and the indentures are summaries of their provisions. The summaries are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the indentures and senior and subordinated debt securities and the further descriptions in the applicable prospectus supplement. A copy of the form of each indenture has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. We will file a copy of each supplemental indenture, board resolution and board resolution and related officers’

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certificate establishing a series of debt securities and setting the respective series’ terms and conditions with the SEC in connection with the offer and sale of the first debt securities of such series to be offered and sold and will file the form of debt security representing the debt securities of such series with the SEC in connection with the offering of such debt securities. Whenever we refer in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement to particular sections or defined terms of an indenture, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in the prospectus supplement, as applicable. You should refer to the provisions of the indentures for provisions that may be important to you.

The terms and conditions described under this heading are terms and conditions that apply generally to the debt securities. The particular terms of any series of debt securities will be summarized in the applicable prospectus supplement. Those terms may differ from the terms summarized below.

Except as set forth in the indentures and described in the prospectus supplements, the indentures do not limit the amount of senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities we may issue under the indentures. We are not required to issue all of the debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in an indenture and described in a prospectus supplement, we may, from time to time, issue additional debt securities under that series without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities issued in this manner will have the same terms and conditions as the outstanding debt securities of that series, except for their original issue date and issue price, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, the previously outstanding debt securities of that series. In certain instances, additional debt securities of a series sold may be issued with a different CUSIP number from that assigned to previously issued debt securities of that issue.

We intend for the debt securities of each subordinated debt series to have such terms and conditions as will permit the subordinated debt securities that we issue and sell to investors to qualify as Tier 2 capital under the regulatory capital requirements for bank holding companies. As a result, the subordinated debt securities of each subordinated debt series will have a minimum term of five years, will be unsecured, will not have credit-sensitive features or other provisions that are inconsistent with safe and sound banking practice, and will have limited events of default and other provisions that will permit holders of the subordinated debt securities to accelerate payment of principal of, or interest on, any of the subordinated debt securities only upon the occurrence of any event other than our bankruptcy.

Terms and Conditions of Debt Securities to be Described in the Prospectus Supplement

The prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities of a series that we may offer will set forth the price or prices at which the debt securities will be offered to the public and the specific terms and conditions of the debt securities of that series to the extent such terms and conditions are not described in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will set forth the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of a series being offered by means of such prospectus supplement and the price(s) (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which the debt securities will be offered and sold to the public. Each series of debt securities will be established and its terms and conditions set by a supplemental indenture. These terms and

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conditions of the debt securities may include, without limitation, the following:

·                                          the title and amount of the series of the debt securities and whether they are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

·                                          any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series that may be issued;

·                                          if other than the principal amount of those debt securities, the portion of the principal amount payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities of the series;

·                                          the maturity date or dates, or the method for determining the maturity date or dates, on which the principal of the debt securities of the series will be payable and any rights of extension;

·                                          the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method of determining the rate or rates, at which the debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any;

·                                          the date or dates from which any interest will accrue on the debt securities of the series, the date or dates on which accrued interest will be payable and the regular related record dates for the payment of accrued interest;

·                                          the place or places where payments of principal, interest or premium, if any, will be payable, where the debt securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices or demands to or upon us may be served;

·                                          the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, the debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option, if we are to have such an option;

·                                          with respect to our subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordination of those debt securities in the right of payment to our senior indebtedness;

·                                          prepayment rights, if any, applicable to the debt securities of the series and any premium payable in connection with any such prepayment;

·                                          our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder of the debt securities, and the period or periods within which, or the date and dates on which, the price or prices at which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, the debt securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to that obligation;

·                                          whether the amount of payments of principal of and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method, and the manner in which the amounts are to be determined;

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·                                          affirmative, negative and, in the case of our senior debt securities, financial covenants applicable with respect to the debt securities of the series;

·                                          any additions to, modifications of, or deletions from the terms of the debt securities of the series with respect to events of default, amendments, merger, consolidation and sale or covenants set forth in the indenture;

·                                          whether the debt securities of the series will be issued in certificated or book-entry form;

·                                          the denomination of the debt securities of the series, if other than $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

·                                          if the debt securities of the series will be initially issuable in global form, the depository or its nominee with respect to the debt securities and the circumstances under which the global security may be registered for transfer or exchange in the name of a person other than the depository or its nominee;

·                                          the conditions upon which definitive debt securities of the series will be issued to beneficial owners;

·                                          the applicability, if any, of the discharge, defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the indenture to the debt securities of the series and any additional or different terms on which such debt securities may be discharged or defeased;

·                                          whether the debt securities of the series can be converted into or exchanged for other securities of our Company, and the related terms and conditions;

·                                          in the case of our subordinated debt securities, provisions relating to any modification of the subordination provisions of the subordinated debt securities of the series, which are described elsewhere in this prospectus;

·                                          whether the debt securities of the series will be sold as part of units consisting of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock and/or warrants;

·                                          any trustee, depositary, authenticating agent, paying agent, transfer agent, registrar or other agent with respect to the debt securities of the series; and

·                                          any other terms of the debt securities of the series not inconsistent with the provisions of its applicable indenture.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities of a particular series, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

We may offer and sell our debt securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. The debt securities sold on that basis may be original issue discount, or OID, securities, which means that less than the entire principal amount of the original issue discount securities will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity. Special federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Any material federal income tax considerations applicable to any discounted debt securities or to debt securities issued at par that are treated as having been issued at a discount for federal income tax purposes are described in this prospectus and will be supplemented in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Special federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to debt securities, the principal, premium, if any, or interest of which may be determined by reference to an index, formula or other method will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Except as may be otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement by which we offer particular debt securities, the indentures do not contain any provisions that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness, including indebtedness senior to the debt securities, or that would afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving our Company. The indentures do not contain specific provisions that would afford debt securityholders protection in the event of a change of control, although such provisions may be included in the terms and conditions of the debt securities of a series by means of the supplemental indenture establishing that series. You should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to the deletion, modification or addition of any of the events of default or covenants that may be included in the debt securities of a series that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.

For purposes of the descriptions under the heading “Description of Debt Securities,” “subsidiary” means a corporation, a partnership, business or statutory trust, or a limited liability company a majority of the outstanding voting equity securities or a majority of the voting membership or partnership interests or beneficial interests in a trust, as the case may be (collectively, referred to as “voting equity securities”), of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by us or by one or more of our other subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting equity securities” means securities having voting power for the election of directors, managers, managing partners or trustees, as the case may be, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has voting power by reason of any contingency.

Interest and Interest Rates

General

In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the debt securities of a series as either bearing interest at a fixed rate of interest or bearing interest at a floating rate of interest. Each debt security will begin to accrue interest from the date it is originally issued. Interest on each such debt security will be payable in arrears on the interest payment dates set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and as otherwise described below and at maturity or, if earlier, the redemption date described below. Interest will be payable to the holder of record of the debt securities at the close of business on the record date for each interest payment date, which record dates will be specified in such prospectus supplement. As used in the indentures, the term “business day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law or regulation to close in Dallas, Texas.

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Fixed Rate Debt Securities

If a series of debt securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus will bear interest at a fixed rate of interest, the debt securities of that series will bear interest at the annual interest rate specified on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement. Interest on those debt securities will be payable semi-annually in arrears on the interest payment dates for those debt securities or at such other intervals as are established in the terms of the debt securities of a particular series. If the maturity date, any redemption date or an interest payment date is not a business day, we will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the next business day, and no interest will accrue on, from and after the maturity date, the redemption date or that interest payment date. Interest on the fixed rate debt securities will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Floating Rate Debt Securities

If a series of debt securities being offered will bear interest at a floating rate of interest, the debt securities of that series will bear interest during each relevant interest period at the rate determined as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and as otherwise set forth below. Each floating rate debt security will have an interest rate basis or formula.

The floating rate debt securities may have a maximum or minimum rate limitation. In no event, however, will the rate of interest on the debt securities be higher than the maximum rate of interest permitted by New York law as that law may be modified by United States law of general application.

The trustee or another bank or investment banking firm designated by us will act as the calculation agent for floating rate debt securities and, in that capacity, will compute the interest accruing on the debt securities unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If any interest payment date for the debt securities of a series bearing interest at a floating rate (other than the maturity date or a redemption date) would otherwise be a day that is not a business day, then the interest payment date will be postponed to the following date which is a business day, unless that business day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case the interest payment date will be the immediately preceding business day. If the maturity date of such debt securities (or a tax or other redemption date, if earlier than the stated maturity date for those debt securities) falls on a day which is not a business day, then we will make the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the following day which is a business day, as if it were made on the date the payment was due. Interest will not accrue on, from or after the stated maturity date (or any tax or other redemption date) as a result of this delayed payment.

The calculation agent will reset the rate of interest on the debt securities of a series bearing interest at a floating rate on each interest payment date. If any of the interest reset dates for the debt securities is not a business day, that interest reset date will be postponed to the next

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succeeding business day, unless that day is in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case the interest reset date will be the immediately preceding business day. The interest rate set for the debt securities on a particular interest reset date will remain in effect during the interest period commencing on that interest reset date. Each interest period will be the period from and including the interest reset date to but excluding the next interest reset date or until the maturity date of the debt securities, as the case may be. The interest reset date relating to each interest period will be determined as set forth in the terms of each series of floating rate debt securities.

All percentages resulting from any calculation will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward. Dollar amounts used in any calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward).

The calculation agent will promptly notify the trustee of each determination of the interest rate, as well as of the interest period, the amount of interest expected to accrue for that interest period and the interest payment date related to each interest reset date, as soon as such information becomes available. The trustee will make such information available to the holders of the relevant debt securities upon request. The calculation agent’s determination of any interest rate and its calculation of the amount of interest for any interest period will be final and binding in the absence of a manifest error.

So long as floating rate debt securities of a series are outstanding, we will at all times maintain a calculation agent as to the debt securities of that series. We will appoint a bank, trust company, investment banking firm or other financial institution to act as the successor calculation agent to the trustee or any of its successors in that capacity in the event that:

·                                          any calculation agent is unable or unwilling to act;

·                                          any calculation agent fails duly to establish the floating interest rate for a series of floating rate debt securities; or

·                                          we propose to remove any calculation agent.

Ranking

Senior Debt Securities

The senior debt securities of a series that we issue under the senior debt indenture will rank equally in right of payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such senior debt securities with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt, including the senior debt securities of any other series.

Subordinated Debt Securities

As provided in the subordinated debt indenture and as described in the prospectus supplement describing the applicable series of subordinated debt securities, the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the subordinated debt securities of any series, including amounts payable on any redemption or repurchase in accordance with the terms of

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such subordinated debt securities, will be subordinated to the extent and in the manner provided in the terms of the subordinated debt securities of a series in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness, which is defined below. If there is a distribution to our creditors in a liquidation or winding up of our Company, or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to our Company, the holders of senior debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the senior debt (or provision shall be made for such payment in cash) before any payments may be made on the subordinated debt securities. Because of this subordination, holders of our senior debt securities and general creditors of our Company may recover more of the indebtedness of our Company owed to them, ratably, than will the holders of subordinated debt securities in the event of a distribution of assets upon bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding, or a liquidation, termination or winding up of our Company.

The supplemental indenture, board resolution or board resolution and related officers’ certificate establishing a series of subordinated debt securities will set forth the terms and conditions under which, if any, we will not be permitted to pay some or all of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities of a series upon the occurrence of an event of default or other circumstances arising under or with respect to senior indebtedness of our Company, including senior debt securities.

As discussed above, the indentures may place no limitation on the amount of indebtedness that we may incur, and the subordinated debt indenture will not limit the amount of debt senior to the subordinated debt securities of any series that we may incur. We expect to incur from time to time additional indebtedness constituting senior debt, which may include indebtedness that is senior to the subordinated debt securities but subordinate to our other obligations.

“Senior indebtedness” under the subordinated debt indenture means the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, including interest accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy proceeding relating to our Company, on, or substantially similar payments we will make in respect of the following categories of indebtedness, whether that indebtedness was outstanding at the date of execution of the subordinated debt indenture or thereafter incurred, created or assumed:

·                                          our other indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, or bonds or other securities, whether issued under the provisions of any indenture (including indentures other than the senior debt indenture), fiscal agency agreement, debenture or note purchase agreement or other agreement, including the senior debt securities that may be offered by means of this prospectus and one or more prospectus supplements;

·                                          our indebtedness for money borrowed or represented by purchase-money obligations, as defined below;

·                                          our obligations as lessee under leases of property whether made as part of a sale and leaseback transaction to which we are a party or otherwise;

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·                                          indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of others in respect of which we are liable contingently or otherwise to pay or advance money or property or as guarantor, endorser or otherwise or which we have agreed to purchase or otherwise acquire and indebtedness of partnerships and joint ventures that is included in our consolidated financial statements;

·                                          reimbursement and other obligations relating to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations;

·                                          obligations under various hedging and similar arrangements and agreements, including interest rate and currency hedging agreements and swap and nonswap forward agreements;

·                                          all our obligations issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services other than trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business; and

·                                          deferrals, renewals or extensions of any of the indebtedness or obligations described in the eight clauses above.

However, “senior indebtedness” excludes:

·                                          any indebtedness, obligation or liability referred to in the nine clauses above as to which, in the instrument creating, governing or evidencing that indebtedness, obligation or liability, it is expressly provided that such indebtedness, obligation or liability is not senior in right of payment to, is junior in right of payment to, or ranks equally in right of payment with, other specified types of indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of our Company, including subordinated debt securities of one or more series;

·                                          any indebtedness, obligation or liability that is subordinated to other of our indebtedness, obligations and liabilities to substantially the same extent as or to a greater extent than the subordinated debt securities are subordinated; and

·                                          the subordinated debt securities issued pursuant to the subordinated debt indenture and our outstanding junior subordinated indentures and, unless expressly provided in the terms thereof, any of our indebtedness to our subsidiaries.

As used above, the term “purchase-money obligations” means indebtedness, obligations evidenced by a note, debenture, bond or other instrument, whether or not secured by a lien or other security interest issued to evidence the obligation to pay or a guarantee of the payment of, and any deferred obligation for the payment of, the purchase price of property but excluding indebtedness or obligations for which recourse is limited to the property purchased, issued or assumed as all or a part of the consideration for the acquisition of property or services, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, but does not include any trade accounts payable.

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The applicable prospectus supplement and supplemental indenture may further describe the provisions, if any, applicable to the subordination of the subordinated debt securities of a particular series. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe as of a recent date the approximate amount of our senior debt outstanding as to which the subordinated debt securities of that series will be subordinated.

Structural Subordination

Because our Company is a holding company, our cash flows and consequent ability to service our obligations, including both our senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities, are dependent on dividends, distributions and other payments of earnings and other funds by our subsidiaries, particularly Veritex Community Bank, to us. The payment of dividends and other distributions by our subsidiaries is contingent on their earnings and is subject to the requirements of federal banking regulations and other restrictions. For example, various banking laws applicable to Veritex Community Bank limit the payment of dividends and other distributions by Veritex Community Bank to us, and may, therefore, limit our ability to pay accrued interest owing on our outstanding senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities on any interest payment date or the principal of such senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities at their maturity. In addition, the debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of the our subsidiaries, because any right of our Company to receive any assets of its subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization, and the consequent right of the holders of the debt securities to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary’s secured and unsecured creditors. If our Company itself is recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary, our claims would still be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of that subsidiary and any indebtedness of that subsidiary senior to that held by our Company. Claims from creditors (other than us) on our subsidiaries may include long-term and medium-term debt and substantial obligations related to deposit liabilities, federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements, other short-term borrowings and trade payables. Any capital loans that we make to Veritex Community Bank would be subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to other indebtedness of Veritex Community Bank.

Unsecured Obligations

Our senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities will be unsecured.

Conversion or Exchange of Debt Securities

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be converted into or exchanged for other of our securities. These terms will include whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, at our option or at the option of the holder. We will also describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any such convertible or exchangeable debt securities how we will calculate the amount or number of our other securities that holders of debt securities would receive if they were to convert or exchange their debt securities, the conversion price or exchange ratio and other terms related to conversion or exchange and any antidilution protections.

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Redemption of Securities

We may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, at the prescribed redemption price, at the times and on the terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we exercise that redemption option, we will notify the trustee and the registrar of the redemption date and of the principal amount of debt securities of the series to be redeemed.

Notice of redemption will be given to each holder of the debt securities to be redeemed at their addresses, as shown on the security register, at least 60 days prior to the date set for such redemption. The notice will set forth: the redemption date; the price at which the debt securities will be redeemed; if less than all of the outstanding debt securities of such series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the respective principal amounts) of the particular debt securities to be redeemed; the place or places where such debt securities maturing after the redemption date are to be surrendered for payment of the price at which such debt securities will be redeemed; whether the redemption is for a sinking fund; the CUSIP number applicable to the debt securities to be redeemed; and if all or a portion of the redemption price is to be paid in cash or common stock or other securities or property, a statement whether the Company has elected to pay the redemption price in cash or common stock or other securities and, if applicable, the portion of such payment.

At or prior to the opening of business on the redemption date, we will deposit or cause to be deposited with the trustee or with a paying agent (or, if we are acting as our own paying agent with respect to the debt securities being redeemed, we will segregate and hold in trust as provided in the indenture) an amount of money sufficient to pay the aggregate redemption price of all of the debt securities or the part thereof to be redeemed on that date. On the redemption date, the price at which the debt securities will be redeemed will become due and payable upon all of the debt securities to be redeemed, and interest, if any, on the debt securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after that date. Upon surrender of any such debt securities for redemption, we will pay those debt securities surrendered at the price set for such redemption.

If we elect to redeem debt securities, we will be required to notify the trustee of the aggregate principal amount of debt securities to be redeemed and the redemption date. If fewer than all the debt securities are to be redeemed, the trustee is required to select the debt securities to be redeemed proportionately, by lot or in a manner it deems fair and appropriate or as required by law. Any of the debt securities to be redeemed only in part must be surrendered at the office or agency established by us for such purpose, and we will execute, and the trustee will authenticate and deliver to you without service charge, new debt securities of the same series, containing identical terms and conditions, of any authorized denominations as requested by you, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the debt securities you surrender.

Payment and Paying and Transfer Agent

We will make all payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of each series offered pursuant to this prospectus to the depository for the debt securities of that series, which will be The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, for so long as those debt securities remain in book-entry form. If certificated securities are issued as to the debt securities of any series, we will pay the principal of and the premium, if any, and interest on

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those debt securities by wire transfer in accordance with the instructions given to us by the holders of those debt securities. Except as otherwise noted below, all other payments with respect to certificated debt securities will be made at the office or agency of the paying agent within Dallas, Texas unless we elect to make interest payments by check mailed to the holders at their address set forth in the register of holders.

Under the terms of the indentures, we and the trustee will treat the registered holder of such debt securities (i.e., DTC (or its nominee)) as the owner thereof for all purposes, including the right to receive payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither we nor the trustee or any of our respective agents has or will have any responsibility or liability for:

·                                          any aspects of the records of DTC or any direct or indirect participant therein relating to or payments made on account of any such debt securities, any such payments made by DTC or any direct or indirect participant therein, or maintaining, supervising or reviewing the records of DTC or any direct or indirect participant therein relating to or payments made on account of any such debt securities; or

·                                          DTC or any direct or indirect participant therein. Payments by participants to the beneficial owners of our debt securities held through participants are the responsibility of such participants, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name.”

We will maintain an office or agency in Dallas, Texas, where debt securities of each series may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange and an office or agency where such debt securities may be presented and surrendered for payment. U.S. Bank National Association, the trustee under the indentures, will also be the registrar and paying agent for the debt securities of each series unless it resigns from such position or it is otherwise replaced in such capacities as provided in the applicable indentures. Holders will not have to pay any service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with such registration of transfer.

Same-Day Settlement

The debt securities will trade in the same-day funds settlement system in the United States until maturity. Purchases of debt securities in secondary market trading must be settled in immediately available funds. See “Book Entry Issuance.”

Denomination, Payment, Registration and Transfer

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue the debt securities of a series in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay the principal of, and applicable premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of any series at the corporate trust office of the trustee, the address of which will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. At our option, we may pay interest by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the interest payment as it appears in the register for the applicable debt securities or by wire transfer of funds to that person at an account maintained within the United States.

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Any defaulted interest, which means interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest payment date with respect to a debt security, will immediately cease to be payable to the registered holder on the applicable regular record date by virtue of his having been the registered holder on such date. We may pay defaulted interest either to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of the defaulted interest to be fixed by the trustee, notice of which is to be given to the holder of the debt security not less than ten days before the special record date, or at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more completely described in the indenture or supplemental indenture.

Subject to limitations imposed upon debt securities issued in book-entry form, the holder may exchange debt securities of any series for other debt securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor but in different, authorized denominations upon surrender of the debt securities at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee. In addition, subject to limitations imposed upon debt securities issued in book-entry form, the holder may surrender debt securities of any series for registration of transfer or exchange at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee. Every debt security surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer. No service charge will be imposed for any registration of transfer or exchange of any debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of any debt securities. If the applicable prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent in addition to the applicable trustee, which additional transfer agent is initially designated by us with respect to any series of debt securities, we may at any time rescind the designation of that transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for that series of debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.

If we redeem the debt securities of any series, neither we nor any trustee will be required to:

·                                          issue, register the transfer of, or exchange debt securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of debt securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption;

·                                          register the transfer of, or exchange any debt security, or portion of any debt security, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part; or

·                                          issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt security that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, of the debt security not to be repaid.

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Global Securities

We may issue the debt securities of a series in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities to be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository or with a nominee for a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series. We will issue global securities in registered form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series.

Our obligations with respect to the debt securities of any series, as well as the obligations of the applicable trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series, run only to persons who are registered holders of debt securities. For example, once we make payment to the registered holder, we have no further responsibility for that payment even if the recipient is legally required to pass the payment along to an individual investor but fails to do so. As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary and/or participant of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to transfers of debt securities.

An investor should be aware that when debt securities are issued in the form of global securities:

·                                          the investor cannot have a note or certificate representing his or her debt securities registered in his or her own name;

·                                          the investor cannot receive physical certificates for his or her debt securities unless the conditions for issuance of physical certification are met;

·                                          the investor must look to his or her bank or brokerage firm or related DTC participant for payments on the debt securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the debt securities;

·                                          the investor may not be able to sell interests in the debt securities to some insurance or other institutions that are required by law to hold the physical certificates of debt that they own;

·                                          the depositary’s policies will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to the investor’s interest in the global security; and

·                                          the depositary will usually require that interests in a global security be purchased or sold within its system and settled using same-day funds.

The prospectus supplement for a series of debt securities will list the special situations, if any, in which a global security will be exchanged for physical certificates representing debt securities represented by the global securities. After that exchange, the investor may choose whether to hold debt securities directly or indirectly through an account at the investor’s bank or brokerage firm. In that event, investors must consult their banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in debt securities transferred to their own names so that they may become

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direct holders. When a global security is exchanged for physical certificates, the depositary, and not us or one of the trustees, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders of the debt securities represented by the global security.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

We will not be permitted to consolidate with or merge into any other entity, or sell, lease, transfer or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets, either in one transaction or a series of transactions, to any other entity and no other entity will consolidate with or merge into us, or sell, lease, transfer or convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to us unless:

(1) either:

·                                          our Company is the continuing entity; or

·                                          the successor entity, if other than our Company, formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger, or which has received the transfer of our properties and assets, expressly assumes payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all of the outstanding debt securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions contained in the applicable indenture; and

(2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction and treating any indebtedness that becomes our obligation as a result of that transaction as having been incurred by us at the time of the transaction, no event of default under the applicable indenture, and no event which, after notice, the lapse of time or both, would become an event of default will have occurred and be continuing.

The conditions described in (1) and (2) above would not apply to the direct or indirect transfer of the stock, assets or liabilities of any of our subsidiaries to another of our direct or indirect subsidiaries.

Except as provided in this prospectus or as may otherwise be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the applicable indenture and the terms of the debt securities will not contain any event risk or similar covenants that are intended to afford protection to holders of any debt securities in the event of a merger, a highly leveraged transaction or other significant corporate event involving us or our subsidiaries, whether or not resulting in a change of control, which may adversely affect holders of the debt securities.

Additional Covenants and/or Modifications to the Covenant Described Above

Any covenants of our Company in addition to, and/or modifications to, the covenant relating to mergers, consolidations and sales of assets described above with respect to any series of debt securities, including any covenants relating to limitations on incurrence of indebtedness or incurrence of liens or any affirmative covenants, other negative covenants or financial covenants, will be set forth in the indenture and described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of debt securities.

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Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the indentures do not contain a restrictive covenant on the incurrence of debt of the type described above, nor do they contain any other provision which restricts us from, among other things:

·                                          incurring or becoming liable on any secured or unsecured senior or subordinated indebtedness or general obligations; or

·                                          paying dividends or making other distributions on our capital stock; or

·                                          purchasing or redeeming our capital stock; or

·                                          creating any liens on our property for any purpose.

Events of Default; Right to Accelerate

Senior Debt Securities. Under the senior debt indenture, but subject to any modifications or deletions provided in any supplemental indenture or board resolution or board resolution and related officers’ certificate with respect to or establishing the terms and conditions of the senior debt securities of any specific series, an event of default will occur with respect to the senior debt securities upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

·                                          failure to pay any installment of interest payable on any senior debt security of the series for 30 days;

·                                          failure to pay principal of, or premium, if any, on, any senior debt security of the series when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration of maturity or otherwise;

·                                          default in making any sinking fund payment when due, for any senior debt security of the series;

·                                          default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty of our Company contained in the senior debt indenture, other than a covenant added to the senior debt indenture solely for the benefit of any other series of senior debt securities issued under that senior debt indenture, continuing for 90 days after written notice as provided in the senior debt indenture;

·                                          the entry by a court having proper jurisdiction of a decree or order for relief in respect of us (or, in each case, any significant subsidiary of ours) in an involuntary case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law or adjudging us bankrupt or insolvent or approving as properly filed a petition seeking our reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or similar official for us or of any substantial part of our property, or ordering our winding up or liquidation and such decree or order shall have continued unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

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·                                          if we (or, in each case, any significant subsidiary of ours) commence a voluntary case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization law or to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or we consent to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law, to the commencing of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding or to the filing of any petition or appointment of, or taking possession by, a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or similar official for us or of any substantial part of our property or any assignment for the benefit of our creditors or our taking of any action in furtherance of such action;

·                                          default in the delivery of any shares of common stock or other securities or property when required to be delivered upon the conversion of, or the exchange of, any senior debt securities of a series and that default continues for a period of 10 days; or

·                                          any other event of default as is described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of senior debt securities being offered for sale.

If any bankruptcy or insolvency-related event of default described above occurs, the principal amount and interest on the senior debt securities will become immediately due and payable, subject to the broad equity powers of a federal bankruptcy court and the determination by that court of the nature and status of the payment claims of the holders of the senior debt securities. If any other event of default described above or established as a term of the senior debt securities of a series occurs and is continuing, the senior debt trustee or the holders of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series may accelerate the maturity of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series and declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on such senior debt securities to be immediately due and payable. Upon such a declaration, the principal of (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the terms of the senior debt securities of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest on such senior debt securities will become immediately due and payable upon notice of such declaration being given in writing to our Company and, if the acceleration is by the holders, the senior debt trustee. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the senior debt securities of a series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding senior debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the consequences of the event of default, but only if certain conditions have been satisfied.

Subordinated Debt Securities. Under the subordinated debt indenture, but subject to any modifications or deletions provided in any supplemental indenture or board resolution or board resolution and related officers’ certificate with respect to any specific series of subordinated debt securities, an event of default will occur with respect to the subordinated debt securities upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

·                                          failure to pay any installment of interest payable on any subordinated debt security of the series for 30 days;

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·                                          failure to pay principal of, or premium, if any, on, any subordinated debt security of the series when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration of maturity or otherwise;

·                                          default in making any sinking fund payment when due, for any subordinated debt security of the series;

·                                          default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty of our Company contained in the subordinated debt indenture, other than a covenant added to the subordinated debt indenture solely for the benefit of any other series of subordinated debt securities issued under that subordinated debt indenture, continuing for 90 days after written notice as provided in the subordinated debt indenture;

·                                          the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of our Company by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in an involuntary proceeding under Chapter 7 (liquidation) or Chapter 11 (reorganization) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as now or hereafter in effect, and such decree or order shall have continued unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

·                                          if we commence a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or consent to the entry of an order in an involuntary proceeding under Chapter 7 (liquidation) or Chapter 11 (reorganization) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as now or hereafter in effect; or

·                                          such other events of default as are described in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of subordinated debt securities being offered for sale.

If an event of default based on the entry of a decree or order for relief in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or the commencement by us of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or our consent to the entry of an order in an involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding that adjudicates us as being insolvent occurs, the principal amount and interest on the subordinated debt securities shall become immediately due and payable, subject to the broad equity powers of a federal bankruptcy court and the determination by that court of the nature and status of the payment claims of the holders of the subordinated debt securities. Unless the terms of the subordinated debt securities of a series provide otherwise, if any non-insolvency event of default described above or established as a term of the subordinated debt securities of a series occurs and is continuing, the subordinated debt trustee or the holders of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series may accelerate the maturity of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series and declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on such subordinated debt securities to be immediately due and payable. Upon such a declaration, the principal of (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the terms of the subordinated debt securities of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest on such subordinated debt securities will become immediately due and payable upon notice of such declaration being given in writing to our Company and, if the acceleration is by the holders, the subordinated debt trustee. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the subordinated debt securities of a series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the consequences of the event of default, but only if certain conditions have been satisfied.

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We may offer subordinated debt securities of a series that we intend to qualify as “Tier 2 capital” under the federal regulatory rules and guidelines for bank holding company capital. For such subordinated debt securities to so qualify as “Tier 2 capital,” the maturity of such subordinated debt securities may not be accelerated upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default unless the event of default is one based on the entry of a decree or order for relief in a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or the commencement by us of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or our consent to the entry of an order in an involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding as discussed above. Notwithstanding the discussion appearing above of the rights of the subordinated debt trustee or holders of subordinated debt securities to accelerate the maturity of such subordinated debt securities upon the occurrence of a non-insolvency event of default, the terms of the subordinated debt securities of a series intended to qualify as “Tier 2 capital” will expressly limit the rights of the subordinated debt trustee and the holders of the subordinated debt securities of such series to declare an acceleration of the maturity of such subordinated debt securities upon the occurrence of a non-insolvency default and such limitation will be described in any prospectus supplement by which we offer subordinated debt securities of that series for sale. As a consequence of that limitation, with respect to our subordinated debt securities of a series intended to qualify as “Tier 2 capital,” neither the trustee nor the holders of the subordinated debt securities of any series or any group of holders of any portion of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of one or more series will have the right to accelerate the subordinated debt securities of any series in the event of a default in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the subordinated debt securities of that series or as a result of our nonperformance of any other covenant applicable to or obligation arising under the terms of the subordinated debt securities of that series or the subordinated debt indenture. If we default in our obligation to pay any interest on the subordinated debt securities when due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or if we default in our obligation to pay the principal amount due upon maturity, or if we breach any covenant or agreement contained in the subordinated debt indenture and that default continues for any grace period, then the subordinated debt trustee may, subject to certain limitations and conditions, seek to enforce its rights and the rights of the holders of subordinated debt securities of the performance of any covenant or agreement in the indenture. As a result of such limitations on the rights and remedies of the holders of subordinated debt securities of a series intended to qualify as “Tier 2 capital”, the holders of our senior debt securities, holders of our other senior indebtedness, holders of our subordinated debt securities of a series not intended to qualify as “Tier 2 capital” and our general creditors would be able to act to recover amounts owing to them prior to the holders of our subordinated debt securities.

Collection of Indebtedness

If an event of default relating to our failure to pay interest or principal, to make a sinking fund or analogous payment occurs with respect to the debt securities of a series issued under an indenture, we must pay to the applicable trustee for the benefit of the holders of the affected debt securities the amount of the principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, such debt securities and, to the extent legally enforceable, interest on any such overdue amounts at the rate determined as prescribed in the terms of such debt securities. If we fail to pay such amounts, the applicable trustee may institute a suit against us to collect the amounts due and

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payable. If the debt securities as to which such a failure of payment occurs are subordinated debt securities intended to qualify as “Tier 2 capital,” the amounts we would be required to pay to the subordinated debt trustee upon such a failure of payment or performance would not include any principal, premium or interest that would not be due without the maturity of such subordinated debt securities being accelerated.

Trustee Action

The indentures provide that, subject to the duty of the trustee upon the occurrence of an event of default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities unless such holders shall have offered to the trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction. Subject to certain provisions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series will have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the subject debt securities.

Limitations on Suits by Holders

No holder of debt securities shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indentures, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy under the indentures, unless:

·                                          such holder has previously given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to the applicable debt securities;

·                                          the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the applicable debt securities shall have made written request to the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default in its own name as trustee under the applicable indenture;

·                                          such holder or holders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses, and liabilities to be incurred in complying with such request;

·                                          the trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request, and offer of security or indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

·                                          no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities.

In any event, the applicable indenture provides that no one or more of such holders of the debt securities of a series will have any right under such indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other holder of debt securities of any series issued under such indenture, or to obtain priority or preference over any of the other holders or to enforce any right under such indenture, except in the manner provided in the indenture and for the equal and ratable benefit of all holders of debt securities issued under that indenture.

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Waiver

Each indenture provides that the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series issued under that indenture may waive any past default with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default:

·                                          in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any debt security of that series, or

·                                          in respect of a covenant or provision contained in that indenture that, by the terms of the indenture, cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each affected holder of an outstanding debt security.

Notice

The trustee will be required to give notice to the holders of the applicable debt securities within 90 days of a default under the applicable indenture unless the default has been cured or waived; but the trustee may withhold notice of any default, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities or in the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of the debt securities, if specified responsible officers of the trustee consider the withholding to be in the interest of the holders.

The holders of debt securities of any series may not institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the applicable indenture or for any remedy under such indenture, except in the case of failure of the applicable trustee, for 60 days, to act after the trustee has received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of an event of default from the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, and provided that no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. However, any holder of debt securities is not prohibited from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities at their respective due dates.

Subject to the trustee’s duties in case of default, no trustee will be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any holders of debt securities of a series then outstanding under the applicable indenture unless the holders offer to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series issued under the indenture will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee or of the applicable trustee exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee. A trustee may refuse, however, to follow any direction that is in conflict with any law or the indenture that may involve the trustee in personal liability or may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of debt securities of that series not joining in the direction.

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Within 180 days after the end of each fiscal year, we will be required to deliver to each trustee a certificate, signed by one of several specified officers, stating whether or not that officer has knowledge of any default under the indenture and, if so, specifying each default and the nature and status of the default.

Modification of an Indenture

Except as otherwise specifically provided in the applicable indenture, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected by the modification or amendment, we may enter into supplemental indentures with the trustee for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of debt securities issued under the indenture. However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected by the modification or amendment:

·                                          except as described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt security:

·                                          extend the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest, or the premium, if any, on, any debt security;

·                                          reduce the principal amount of, or the rate at which interest accrues under, amount of interest on, or change the manner of calculating the rate, or any premium payable on redemption of, any debt security, or reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of its maturity or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the holder of any debt security;

·                                          extend the time of payment of interest on any debt security;

·                                          change any of the conversion, exchange or redemption provisions of any debt security;

·                                          change the place of payment, or the coin or currency for payment, of principal of, or premium, if any, including any amount in respect of original issue discount or interest on any debt security;

·                                          impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any debt security or for the conversion or exchange of any debt security in accordance with its terms;

·                                          modify the ranking or priority of the securities;

·                                          reduce the percentage of outstanding debt securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the indenture, to waive compliance with specific provisions of or certain defaults and consequences under the indenture, or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in the indenture; or

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·                                          modify any of the provisions relating to the waiver of specific past defaults or compliance with specific covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect that action or to provide that specific other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of that debt security.

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by any such modification or amendment will have the right to waive our compliance with specific covenants in the indenture.

We and the trustee may modify and amend the applicable indenture without the consent of the holders of debt securities for any of the following purposes:

·                                          to evidence the succession of another person to us as obligor under the indenture;

·                                          to add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities issued under the indenture or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture;

·                                          to add events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities issued under the indenture;

·                                          to add or change any provisions of the indenture to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form issued under the indenture, provided that the action will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series in any material respect;

·                                          to change or eliminate any provision of the indenture, if the change or elimination becomes effective only when there are no debt securities outstanding of any series created thereunder prior to the change or elimination that are entitled to the benefit of the changed or eliminated provision;

·                                          to secure the debt securities of any series issued under the indenture;

·                                          to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series to be issued under the indenture;

·                                          to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee;

·                                          to cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in the indenture provided that the cure or correction does not adversely affect the holders of the debt securities issued under the indenture;

·                                          to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities issued under the indenture, provided that the supplemental indenture does not adversely affect the interests

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of the holders of the debt securities of any series issued under the indenture in any material respect;

·                                          to make provisions with respect to the conversion or exchange terms and conditions applicable to the debt securities of any series issued under the indenture;

·                                          to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations or restrictions on issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities to be issued under the indenture in the future;

·                                          to conform any provision in the indenture to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act;

·                                          to make any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any holder of debt securities of any series issued under the indenture, or

·                                          in the case of any subordinated debt security, to make any change in the subordinated provisions that limits or terminates the benefits applicable to the holder of any senior debt.

In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding debt securities of a series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the indenture governing such series of debt securities or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of holders of debt securities of such series:

·                                          the principal amount of an original issue discount security that is deemed to be outstanding will be the amount of the principal of that original issue discount security that would be due and payable as of the date of the determination upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of that original issue discount security;

·                                          the principal amount of an indexed security that is deemed outstanding will be the principal face amount of the indexed security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to the indexed security under the indenture; and

·                                          debt securities owned by us or any other obligor upon the debt securities or any affiliate of us or of any other obligor will be disregarded.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Discharge

We are permitted under each indenture to discharge specific obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under the indenture (1) that have not already been delivered to the applicable trustee for cancellation and (2) that either have become due and payable or will, within one year, become due and payable or scheduled for redemption, by irrevocably depositing with the applicable trustee, in trust, money or funds certified to be sufficient to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of, and premium, if any, on and interest on the debt securities of one or more series.

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Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

If the provisions in an indenture relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance are made applicable to the debt securities of any series issued under that indenture, we may elect either:

·                                          defeasance, which means we elect to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the debt securities of a series, except for the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency in respect of the debt securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust; or

·                                          covenant defeasance, which means we elect to be released from our obligations with respect to the debt securities under specified sections of the indenture relating to covenants, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement and any omission to comply with our obligations will not constitute an event of default with respect to the debt securities being defeased; in either case upon the irrevocable deposit by us with the applicable trustee, in trust, of an amount, in currency or government obligations, or both, sufficient without reinvestment to make scheduled payments of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on such debt securities, when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments.

A trust will only be permitted to be established under an indenture if, among other things:

·                                          we have delivered to the applicable trustee an opinion of counsel, as specified in the applicable indenture, to the effect that the holders of the debt securities being defeased will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred, and the opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance, will be required to refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law occurring after the date of the indenture;

·                                          no event of default or any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would be an event of default has occurred and is continuing;

·                                          the defeasance or covenant defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute an event of default under, the indenture, any senior debt or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

·                                          certain other provisions set forth in the applicable indenture are met;

·                                          we will have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with; and

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·                                          in the case of the subordinated debt indenture, no event or condition will exist that, pursuant to certain provisions described under “—Ranking—Subordinated Debt Securities,” would prevent the Company from making payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the subordinated debt securities being defeased at the date of the irrevocable deposit referred to above.

In general, if we elect covenant defeasance with respect to any debt securities and payments on those debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of an event of default, the amount of money and/or government obligations on deposit with the applicable trustee would be sufficient to pay amounts due on those debt securities at the time of their stated maturity, but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on those debt securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. In that case, we would remain liable to make payment of the amounts due on the debt securities at the time of acceleration.

In the event we properly discharge and satisfy or effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to any subordinated debt securities, the subordination provisions of those subordinated debt securities will cease to cause those subordinated debt securities to be subordinate in right of payment to the payment in full of the senior indebtedness as defined for purposes of those subordinated debt securities. In such a circumstance, the funds or government obligations deposited in trust with the applicable trustee in connection with such discharge and satisfaction, defeasance or covenant defeasance may be applied to the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the subordinated debt securities discharged and satisfied or the subject of defeasance or covenant defeasance prior to any or all of the senior indebtedness being paid in full.

A prospectus supplement by which we offer for sale debt securities of a particular series may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the debt securities of or within such particular series.

Regarding the Trustee

U.S. Bank National Association, is the trustee under the indentures and, unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement relating to the offer of debt securities of a particular series, will also initially be the registrar and paying agent for each series of debt securities offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus. The trustee is a national banking association with offices in Dallas, Texas. From time to time, we may enter into banking or other relationships with the trustee or its affiliates.

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The trustee has two main roles under the indentures. First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if an event of default occurs with respect to any debt securities. See “—Limitations on Suits” and “—Notice of Defaults” for certain information regarding the rights of the trustee upon the occurrence of an event of default. Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties related to the debt securities of each series for us. The trustee is entitled, subject to the duty of the trustee during a default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the holders of the debt securities before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the applicable indenture at the request of those holders.

The trustee may resign or be removed as the trustee under an indenture, and a successor trustee may be appointed by us or by the holders holding a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities outstanding under the applicable indenture to act with respect to all of the debt securities outstanding under the applicable indenture. If the trustee resigns or is removed as trustee under one of the indentures, it may continue to serve as the trustee under the other indenture unless it resigns or is removed as trustee under the other indenture as described above.

If two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under that indenture separate from the trust administered by any other such trustee as to a separate series of debt securities issued under that indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, a trustee may only take an action with respect to the debt securities of the particular series of debt securities for which it is trustee under an indenture.

Governing Law

The debt securities of each series and the indenture will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

General

The following discussion summarizes some of the important rights of the holders of shares of our common stock. This discussion does not purport to be a complete description of these rights and may not contain all of the information regarding our common stock that is important to you. These rights can be determined in full only by reference to federal and state banking laws and regulations, the Texas Business Organizations Code, or the TBOC, and our certificate of formation and bylaws.

We are incorporated in the State of Texas. The rights of our shareholders are generally covered by Texas law and our certificate of formation and bylaws (each as amended and restated and in effect as of the completion of this offering). The terms of our capital stock are therefore subject to Texas law, including the TBOC, and the common and constitutional law of Texas. The following discussion describes the terms of our amended and restated certificate of formation and bylaws. Our amended and restated certificate of formation and bylaws have been filed with the SEC as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2 to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and we encourage you to read those documents.

Our amended and restated certificate of formation authorizes us to issue up to 75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, of which 8,000 shares are designated as Series C preferred stock. The authorized but unissued shares of our capital stock will be available for future issuance without shareholder approval, unless otherwise required by applicable law or the rules of any applicable securities exchange.

Voting Rights

Subject to any special voting rights that may be given to any series of preferred stock that we may issue in the future, holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share in the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders. Shareholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes with respect to the election of directors. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast.

Dividend Rights

Holders of our common stock are entitled to dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.

Liquidation Rights

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, all shares of our common stock will be entitled to share equally in all remaining assets after the holders of shares of preferred stock or other senior securities have received the liquidation preference of their shares plus any declared but unpaid dividends, if any, and after all other indebtedness has been retired.

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Other

Our common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights and is not entitled to the benefits of any redemption or sinking fund provision.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “VBTX.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, whose address is 17 Battery Place, 8th Floor, New York NY 10004.

Business Combinations under Texas Law

A number of provisions of Texas law, our certificate of formation and our bylaws could have an anti-takeover effect and make more difficult the acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise and the removal of incumbent directors. These provisions are intended to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors.

We are subject to the provisions of Title 2, Chapter 21, Subchapter M of the TBOC, or the Texas Business Combination Law, which provides that a Texas corporation may not engage in specified types of business combinations, including mergers, consolidations and asset sales, with a person, or an affiliate or associate of that person, who is an “affiliated shareholder.” For purposes of this law, an “affiliated shareholder” is generally defined as the holder of 20% or more of the corporation’s voting shares, for a period of three years from the date that person became an affiliated shareholder. The law’s prohibitions do not apply if:

·                                          the business combination or the acquisition of shares by the affiliated shareholder was approved by the board of directors of the corporation before the affiliated shareholder became an affiliated shareholder; or

·                                          the business combination was approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation not beneficially owned by the affiliated shareholder, at a meeting of shareholders called for that purpose, not less than six months after the affiliated shareholder became an affiliated shareholder.

We have more than 100 shareholders and are considered to be an “issuing public corporation” for purposes of this law. The Texas Business Combination Law does not apply to the following:

·                                          the business combination of an issuing public corporation: where the corporation’s original certificate of formation or bylaws contain a provision expressly electing not to be governed by the Texas Business Combination Law; or that adopts an amendment to its certificate of formation or bylaws, by the affirmative vote of the holders, other than

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affiliated shareholders, of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, expressly electing not to be governed by the Texas Business Combination Law and so long as the amendment does not take effect for 18 months following the date of the vote and does not apply to a business combination with an affiliated shareholder who became affiliated on or before the effective date of the amendment;

·                                          a business combination of an issuing public corporation with an affiliated shareholder that became an affiliated shareholder inadvertently, if the affiliated shareholder divests itself, as soon as possible, of enough shares to no longer be an affiliated shareholder and would not at any time within the three- year period preceding the announcement of the business combination have been an affiliated shareholder but for the inadvertent acquisition;

·                                          a business combination with an affiliated shareholder who became an affiliated shareholder through a transfer of shares by will or intestacy and continuously was an affiliated shareholder until the announcement date of the business combination; and

·                                          a business combination of a corporation with its wholly owned Texas subsidiary if the subsidiary is not an affiliate or associate of the affiliated shareholder other than by reason of the affiliated shareholder’s beneficial ownership of voting shares of the corporation.

Neither our certificate of formation nor our bylaws contain any provision expressly providing that the Company will not be subject to the Texas Business Combination Law. The Texas Business Combination Law may have the effect of inhibiting a nonnegotiated merger or other business combination involving Veritex, even if that event would be beneficial to our shareholders.

Action by Written Consent

Under Texas law, no action required or permitted to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting of shareholders without the unanimous written consent of all shareholders entitled to vote on the action unless the certificate of formation specifically allows action to be taken by a written consent of the shareholders holding at least the minimum number of shares necessary to take the action that is subject to that consent at a meeting of shareholders, even though such consent is not signed by all of the corporation’s shareholders. Our amended and restated certificate of formation provides for shareholder action by less than unanimous written consent.

Certain Certificate of Formation and Bylaw Provisions Potentially Having an Anti-takeover Effect

Our certificate of formation and bylaws contain certain provisions that could have an anti-takeover effect and thus discourage potential takeover attempts and make it more difficult for our shareholders to change management or receive a premium for their shares. These provisions include:

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·                                          authorization for our board of directors to issue shares of one or more series of preferred stock without shareholder approval;

·                                          a requirement that directors only be removed from office for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of four fifths (4/5) of the outstanding shares of our common stock;

·                                          a provision that vacancies on our board of directors, including newly created directorships, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office;

·                                          a provision that any special meeting of our shareholders may be called only by a majority of the board of directors, the Chairman, the President or a holder or group of holders of at least 10.0% of our shares entitled to vote at the meeting;

·                                          no provision providing for the cumulative voting in the election of directors; and

·                                          a limitation on the ability of shareholders to call special meetings to those shareholders owning at least 10% of all shares entitled to vote in the election of directors at a meeting.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of formation will provide that our directors and officers will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by the TBOC, against all expenses incurred in connection with their service for or on our behalf. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of formation will provide that our directors and officers will not be personally liable for monetary damages to us to the fullest extent permitted by the TBOC.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our officers and directors pursuant to which they will be indemnified as described above and will be advanced costs and expenses subject to the condition that such officers and directors will reimburse us for all advancements paid if a final judicial determination is made that such officer or director is not entitled to indemnification under applicable law or regulation.

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following description is a general summary of the terms of the preferred stock that we may issue. The description below and in any prospectus supplement relating to the offer for sale of shares of a series of our preferred stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of formation, as amended, and the applicable certificate of designation to our certificate of formation establishing the terms of the series of preferred stock being offered for sale by means of a prospectus supplement and our bylaws, as amended, each of which we will make available upon request. The descriptions herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information that you may find useful or that may be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of our certificate of formation, the applicable certificate of designation and our bylaws because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as a holder of shares of our preferred stock. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for additional information.

General

We are authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of July 31, 2015, 8,000 shares of our Series C preferred stock were issued and outstanding in connection with our participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Small Business Lending Fund-Securities program. The issuance was pursuant to the SBLF program, a fund established under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 that was created to encourage lending to small business by providing capital to qualified community banks.

Our certificate of formation, subject to limitations prescribed in our bylaws and subject to limitations prescribed by Texas law, authorizes the board of directors, from time to time by resolution or duly authorizing committee of the board and without further shareholder action, to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, and to fix the relative rights and preferences of the shares of a series including voting powers, dividend rights, liquidation preferences, redemption rights and conversion privileges. As a result of its broad discretion with respect to the creation, establishment of the terms, and issuance of shares of a series of our preferred stock without shareholder approval, our board of directors could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock or another series of preferred stock and, by issuing shares of preferred stock with certain voting, conversion and/or redemption rights, could discourage any attempt to obtain control of our Company.

Terms of the Preferred Stock That We May Offer and Sell to You

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to the shares of one or more series of preferred stock being offered for sale for the specific terms of that series, including:

·                                          the title and par value of the series of preferred stock being offered and the price per share at which such shares of the series of preferred stock are being offered to the public;

·                                          the number of shares of the series of preferred stock being offered;

·                                          the number of shares of preferred stock included in that series of preferred stock;

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·                                          the liquidation preference per share of the preferred stock of such series;

·                                          the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculating the payment date(s) applicable to the shares of the series of preferred stock being offered;

·                                          whether dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on the shares of preferred stock being offered will accumulate;

·                                          the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the shares of preferred stock being offered;

·                                          the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the shares of preferred stock being offered;

·                                          the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of the shares of preferred stock being offered;

·                                          any listing of the shares of preferred stock being offered on any securities exchange or market;

·                                          the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the shares of preferred stock being offered will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or rights, or a combination of the foregoing, including the name of the issuer of the securities or rights, conversion or exchange ratio or price, or the manner of calculating the conversion or exchange ratio or price, and the conversion or exchange date(s) or period(s) and whether we will have the option to convert such preferred stock into cash;

·                                          voting rights, if any, of the shares of preferred stock being offered;

·                                          a discussion of any material and/or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the shares of preferred stock being offered;

·                                          the relative ranking and preferences of the shares of preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights to participate in our assets and rights upon winding up or termination of the affairs of our Company;

·                                          any limitations on the issuance of any series of preferred stock ranking senior to or equally with the series of preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights to participate in our assets upon winding up or termination of the affairs of our Company; and

·                                          any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the shares of preferred stock being offered.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the warrants. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the warrants offered through that prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those warrants.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock. Warrants may be issued alone or together with securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from those securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not act as an agent or trustee for any holders of warrants.

We have summarized the material terms and provisions of the warrant agreements and warrants in this section. We will file the forms of warrant agreements and the certificates representing the warrants as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as an exhibit to documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read the applicable forms of warrant agreement and warrant certificate for additional information before you buy any warrants.

General

If warrants are offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of those warrants, including the following if applicable:

·                                          the offering price;

·                                          in the case of warrants for common stock, the total number of shares that can be purchased if a holder of the warrants exercises them, in the case of warrants for preferred stock, the designation, total number and terms of the series of preferred stock that can be purchased if a holder of the warrants exercises them and, in the case of warrants for debt securities, the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations and terms of the series of the debt securities that can be purchased if a holder of the warrants exercises them;

·                                          the designation and terms of any series of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock with which the warrants are being offered and the number of warrants offered with each debt security, share of common stock or share of preferred stock;

·                                          the date on and after which the holder of the warrants can transfer them separately from the related securities;

·                                          in the case of warrants for common stock or preferred stock, the price at which the common stock or preferred stock may be purchased if a holder of the warrants exercises them, and in the case of warrants for debt securities, the principal amount of the series of debt securities that can be purchased if a holder exercises the warrant and the price at

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which and currencies in which the principal amount may be purchased if a holder of the warrants exercises them;

·                                          the date on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and the date on which the right expires;

·                                          any material United States federal income tax consequences relevant to the warrants; and

·                                          any other terms of the warrants.

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants will be in registered form only.

A holder of warrant certificates may exchange them for new certificates of different denominations, present them for registration of transfer, and exercise them at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Until any warrants to purchase debt securities are exercised, the holder of such warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities that can be purchased upon exercise, including any right to receive payments of principal, premium or interest on the underlying debt securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Until any warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock are exercised, holders of such warrants will not have any rights of holders of the underlying common stock or preferred stock, including any right to receive dividends or to exercise any voting rights.

Exercise of Warrants

Each holder of a warrant is entitled to purchase the principal amount of debt securities, number of shares of common stock or number of shares of preferred stock, as the case may be, at the exercise price described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the day when the right to exercise terminates, or a later date if we extend the time for exercise, unexercised warrants will become void.

A holder of warrants may exercise them by following the general procedure outlined below:

·                                          delivering to the warrant agent the payment required by the applicable prospectus supplement to purchase the underlying security;

·                                          properly completing and signing the reverse side of the warrant certificate representing the warrants; and

·                                          delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to the warrant agent, or other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, within five business days of the warrant agent receiving payment of the exercise price.

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If a holder of warrant complies with the procedures described above, their warrants will be considered to have been exercised when the warrant agent receives payment of the exercise price. After a holder of warrants has completed those procedures, we will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver to the holder the debt securities, common stock or preferred stock that the holder purchased upon exercise. If a holder of warrants exercises fewer than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate, the warrant agent will issue to the holder a new warrant certificate for the unexercised amount of warrants. Holders of warrants will be required to pay any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with transferring the underlying securities in connection with the exercise of the warrants.

Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreements

We may amend or supplement a warrant agreement without the consent of the holders of the applicable warrants if the changes are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and do not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. We, along with the warrant agent, may also modify or amend a warrant agreement and the terms of the warrants if a majority of the then outstanding unexercised warrants affected by the modification or amendment consent. However, no modification or amendment that accelerates the expiration date, increases the exercise price, reduces the majority consent requirement for any such modification or amendment, or otherwise materially adversely affects the rights of the holders of the warrants may be made without the consent of each holder affected by the modification or amendment.

Common Stock Warrant Adjustments

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the exercise price of, and the number of shares of common stock covered by, a warrant for common stock will be adjusted in the manner set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement if certain events occur, including:

·                                          if we issue capital stock as a dividend or distribution on the common stock;

·                                          if we subdivide, reclassify or combine the common stock;

·                                          if we issue rights or warrants to all holders of common stock entitling them to purchase common stock at less than the current market price, as defined in the warrant agreement for such series of common stock warrants;

·                                          if we distribute to all holders of common stock evidence of our indebtedness or our assets, excluding certain cash dividends and distributions referred to above; or

·                                          any other event described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Except as stated above, the exercise price and number of shares of common stock covered by a common stock warrant will not be adjusted if we issue common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, or securities carrying the right to purchase common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock.

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Holders of common stock warrants may have additional rights under the following circumstances:

·                                          a reclassification or change of the common stock;

·                                          a consolidation, merger or share exchange involving us; or

·                                          a sale or conveyance to another corporation of all or substantially all of our property and assets.

If one of the above transactions occurs and holders of our common stock become entitled to receive stock, securities, other property or assets, including cash, with respect to or in exchange for common stock, the holders of the common stock warrants then outstanding will be entitled to receive upon exercise of their common stock warrants the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities or property that they would have received upon the reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale or conveyance if they had exercised their common stock warrants immediately before the transaction.

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DESCRIPTION OF UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Securities may be offered and sold as part of units consisting of a unit purchase agreement relating the purchase of any combination of:

·                                          debt securities of one or more series;

·                                          one or more series of preferred stock;

·                                          warrants; or

·                                          common stock;

which may secure the holders’ obligations to purchase the common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities under the unit purchase agreements. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any unit purchase agreements. Such description may not be complete. For more information, you should review the unit purchase agreements and, if applicable, any related arrangements relating to those unit purchase agreements. We will file forms of these documents with the SEC before the Company issues any unit purchase agreements.

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BOOK ENTRY ISSUANCE

If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue the debt securities of each series offered by means of this prospectus in the form of one or more fully registered global debt securities, without coupons, each of which we refer to as a “global security.” Each such global security will be registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee of a depositary and held through one or more domestic clearing systems, principally the book-entry system operated by DTC in the United States. No person who acquires an interest in these global securities will be entitled to receive a certificate or other instrument representing the person’s interest in the global securities except as set forth under “—Certificated Debt Securities” below or in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, all references in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement to this prospectus to actions by holders of any debt securities that are global securities refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and all references herein to payments and notices to the holders refer to payments and notices to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of the offered debt securities. Electronic securities and payment transfer, processing, depositary and custodial links have been established among the DTC system and other systems, either directly or indirectly, which enable global securities to be issued, held and transferred among these clearing systems through these links.

Although DTC has agreed to the procedures described below in order to facilitate transfers of global securities among participants in DTC, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform those procedures, and those procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time. Neither we, the trustee nor any registrar and transfer agent with respect to our debt securities of any series offered by means of this prospectus will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or any of its direct or indirect participants of its obligations under the rules and procedures governing the operations of DTC.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series issued in the form of one or more global securities will be registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC. Where appropriate with respect to the debt securities of a series being offered and sold by means of this prospectus, links will be established among DTC to facilitate cross-market transfers of those debt securities associated with secondary market trading. While the following information in this prospectus concerning DTC and its book-entry system has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, we take no responsibility for the accuracy of that information. Furthermore, DTC has no obligation to perform or continue to perform the procedures described below, and any of them may discontinue or change those procedures at any time.

DTC

We understand the following information is applicable with respect to DTC: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the

New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the

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provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues and money market instruments that DTC’s participating organizations, referred to as “direct DTC participants,” deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the clearance and post-trade settlement among direct DTC participants of sales and other securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges in direct DTC participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct DTC participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which, and/or their representatives, indirectly own DTC. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is owned by a number of direct DTC participants and members of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, and the Emerging Markets Clearing Corporation (which corporations are also subsidiaries of DTCC), as well as by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange LLC, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Indirect access to the DTC system is also available to others, referred to as “indirect DTC participants” and together with direct DTC participants, referred to as “DTC participants,” such as U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. DTC rules applicable to DTC participants are on file with the SEC.

Beneficial interests in a global security representing outstanding debt securities of a series will be shown on, and transfers of beneficial interests in the global security will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and DTC participants. When you purchase our debt securities through the DTC system, the purchases must be made by or through a direct DTC participant, which will receive credit for the debt securities in its account on DTC’s records. When you actually purchase the debt securities, you will become their beneficial owner and your ownership interest will be recorded only on the records of the DTC participants. DTC will have no knowledge of your individual ownership of the debt securities. DTC’s records will show only the identity of the direct DTC participants and the amount of the debt securities held by or through them. When you purchase debt securities through the DTC system, you will not receive a written confirmation of your purchase or sale or any periodic account statement directly from DTC. You should instead receive these confirmations and account statements from the DTC participant through which you purchase the debt securities. The DTC participants are responsible for keeping accurate account of the holdings of their customers.

The trustee and we will treat DTC or its nominee as the owner of each global security registered in the name of DTC or its nominee for all purposes. Accordingly, the trustee will wire payments on the debt securities to the DTC nominee that is the registered holder of the debt securities. It is DTC’s current practice, upon receipt of any payment of distributions or liquidation amounts due on a global security, to proportionately credit direct DTC participants’ accounts on the payment date based on their holdings of the relevant securities. Payments to you with respect to your beneficial interest in any debt securities in turn will be the responsibility of the DTC participants based on their respective customary practices, and the trustee, any paying agent and we will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on a global security to you or any other beneficial owners in that global security. Any redemption notices likewise will be sent by us or, at our request, by the trustee directly to DTC, which in turn will

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inform the DTC participants, which will then contact you as a beneficial holder. In addition, it is DTC’s current practice to pass through any consenting or voting rights to the direct DTC participants by using an omnibus proxy. Those direct DTC participants should, in turn, solicit votes and consents from you, the ultimate owner of debt securities, based on their respective customary practices.

Under the rules, regulations and procedures creating and affecting DTC and its operations, DTC is required to make book-entry transfers between direct DTC participants on whose behalf it acts with respect to the debt securities and is required to receive and transmit distributions of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities. DTC participants with which investors have accounts with respect to the debt securities similarly are required to make book-entry transfers and receive and transmit payments on behalf of their respective investors.

Because DTC can only act on behalf of direct DTC participants, who in turn act on behalf of indirect DTC participants and certain banks, the ability of a person having a beneficial interest in a security held in DTC to transfer or pledge that interest to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of that interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate representing that interest. The laws of some states of the United States require that certain persons take physical delivery of securities in certificated form in order to transfer or perfect a security interest in those securities. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a security held in DTC to those persons may be limited.

DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of debt securities under the terms and conditions of the debt securities (including, without limitation, the presentation of debt securities for exchange) only at the direction of one or more of the direct DTC participants to whose accounts with DTC interests in the relevant debt securities are credited, and only in respect of the portion of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities as to which that direct DTC participant has or those direct DTC participants have given the direction. However, in certain circumstances described below under “—Certificated Debt Securities” below, DTC will exchange the global securities held by it for certificated debt securities, which it will distribute to the direct DTC participants.

Certificated Debt Securities

Debt securities represented by one or more global securities will be exchangeable for certificated debt securities with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:

·                                          DTC is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under applicable law, and a successor is not appointed by us within 90 days; or

·                                          we decide to discontinue the book-entry system; or

·                                          an event of default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the applicable debt securities.

If a global security is exchanged for certificated debt securities, the trustee will keep the registration books for the applicable debt securities at its corporate office and follow customary practices and procedures regarding those certificated debt securities.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Company may sell the offered securities:

·                                          directly to purchasers,

·                                          through agents,

·                                          through dealers,

·                                          through underwriters,

·                                          directly to its stockholders, or

·                                          through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

The prospectus supplement relating to the offered securities will set forth the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, the initial offering price of the offered securities to the public and the proceeds to the from the sale, any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation, and any underwriting discounts, commissions and other allowances and reallowances paid to dealers or agents and any securities exchanges on which the offered securities may be listed.

The Company may use one or more underwriters in the sale of the offered securities, in which case the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriter or underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions either:

·                                          at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed,

·                                          at market prices prevailing at the time of sale,

·                                          at prices related to the prevailing market prices, or

·                                          at negotiated prices.

The Company may directly solicit offers to purchase offered securities. Agents designated by the Company from time to time may also solicit offers to purchase offered securities. Any agent designated by the Company, who may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by the Company to such agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus and a related prospectus supplement is delivered, the Company will sell the offered securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer, who may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, may then resell the offered securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

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If an underwriter is, or underwriters are, used in the sale, the Company will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriters at the time of sale to the underwriters. The names of the underwriters will be set forth in the prospectus supplement, which, along with this prospectus, will be used by the underwriter to make resales of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered to the public. In connection with the sale of offered securities, the underwriter may be deemed to have received compensation from the Company in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of offered securities for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters may also sell offered securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Company will authorize underwriters, dealers or other persons to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase offered securities from the Company at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date or dates. Institutions with which these contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others. The obligations of any purchasers under any delayed delivery contract will not be subject to any conditions except that:

·                                          the purchase of the offered securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the purchaser is subject, and

·                                          if the offered securities are also being sold to underwriters, the Company will have sold to the underwriters the offered securities not sold for delayed delivery.

The underwriters, dealers and other persons will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. The prospectus supplement relating to the contracts will set forth the price to be paid for offered securities pursuant to the contracts, the commission payable for solicitation of the contracts and the date or dates in the future for delivery of offered securities pursuant to the contracts.

Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for the Company. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with the Company and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with their remarketing of offered securities.

Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent and such underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities, if any are purchased. In connection with the offering of securities, we may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments at the initial public offering price, with an additional underwriting commission, as may be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement. If we grant any over-allotment option, the terms of such over-allotment option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such securities.

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Underwriters, dealers, remarketing firms and agents may be entitled, under agreements that may be entered into with the Company, to indemnification by the Company against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which they may be required to make in respect thereof and may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, the Company in the ordinary course of business.

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

The anticipated date of delivery of offered securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each offer.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information with the SEC. Because our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “VBTX,” those materials can also be inspected and copied at the offices of that organization. Here are ways you can review and obtain copies of this information:

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act, relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about us and the securities. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to a contract or other document, the reference is only a summary and you should refer to the exhibits that form a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You can get a copy of the registration statement, at prescribed rates, from the sources listed above. The registration statement and the documents referred to below under “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” are also available on our Internet website, www.veritexbank.com. You can also obtain these documents from us, without charge (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference), upon written or oral request at the following address and telephone number:

8214 Westchester Drive, Suite 400
Dallas, Texas 75225
(972) 349-6200
Attention: Corporate Secretary

The information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means:

·                                          incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus;

·                                          we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents; and

·                                          information that we file later with the SEC automatically will update and supersede information contained in this prospectus.

This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC (File No. 001- 36682). These documents contain important information about us:

·                                          our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on March 27, 2015, including the information in our proxy statement that is part of our Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March 27, 2015, that is incorporated by reference in that Annual Report on Form 10-K;

·                                          our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2015;

·                                          our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, filed with the SEC on July 31, 2015;

·                                          our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, filed with the SEC on October 30, 2015;

·                                          our Current Reports on Form 8-K (and any amendments thereto) filed with the SEC on May 18, 2015 and July 1, 2015 (other than any portions thereof deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules); and

·                                          the description of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on October 8, 2014, and any other amendment or report filed for the purposes of updating such description.

We incorporate by reference any additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than those furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the SEC), from the date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part until the termination of the offering of the securities. These documents may include annual, quarterly and current reports, as well as proxy statements. Any material that we later file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede, where appropriate, the information previously filed with the SEC. These documents are available to you without charge. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

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Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement in such document.

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VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of our securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and related prospectus supplements will be passed upon for us by Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, Houston, Texas, and for the underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by JonesBaggett LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, who merged with Whitley Penn LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as of November 1, 2014, as stated in their report incorporated by reference herein.  Such consolidated financial statements are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Units

Veritex Holdings, Inc.

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

Estimated fees and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the Company in connection with the issuance and distribution of the offered securities as follows:

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Our amended and restated certificate of formation provides that our directors and officers will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by the Texas Business Organizations Code, or TBOC, against all expenses incurred in connection with their service for or on our behalf. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of formation provides that our directors and officers will not be personally liable for monetary damages to us to the fullest extent permitted by the TBOC.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our officers and directors pursuant to which they will be indemnified as described above and will be advanced costs and expenses subject to the condition that such officers and directors will reimburse us for all advancements paid if a final judicial determination is made that such officer or director is not entitled to indemnification under applicable law or regulation.

Item 16. Exhibits

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Item 17. Undertakings.

(a)                                 The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)                                 To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i)                                     to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii)                                  to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii)                               to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (1)(2)(ii) and (a)(3)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2)                                 That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3)                                 To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

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(4)                                 That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i)                                     Each prospectus filed by a Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii)                                  Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5)                                 That, for the purpose of determining liability of a Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)                                     Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of an undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

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(ii)                                  Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of an undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by an undersigned Registrant;

(iii)                               The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about an undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of an undersigned Registrant; and

(iv)                              Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by an undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(b)                                 The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c)                                  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of each Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of a Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, that Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d)                                 To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Dallas, State of Texas, on November 10, 2015.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints C. Malcolm Holland, III and William C. Murphy as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments and registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act) to this Registration Statement and to file the same, with all relevant exhibits and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated below.

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit 4.3

VERITEX HOLDINGS, INC.,

Issuer

to

U.S. Bank National Association,

Trustee

SENIOR DEBT INDENTURE

Dated as of [·]

Senior Debt Securities

Reconciliation and tie between

Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”) and Indenture

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

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SENIOR DEBT INDENTURE, dated as of [·] (the “Indenture”), between Veritex Holdings, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal executive office located at 8214 Westchester Drive, Suite 400, Dallas, Texas 75225, and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States (hereinafter called the “Trustee”).

RECITALS

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its senior, unsecured debt securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more Series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder that are required to be part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or the Securities of any Series as follows:

ARTICLE ONE.

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 101.          Definitions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:

(1)           the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

(2)           all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(3)           all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

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(4)           the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

(5)           the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”);

(6)           provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(7)           the term “merger” includes a statutory share exchange and the terms “merge” and “merged” have correlative meanings;

(8)           the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter; and

(9)           references to agreements and other instruments include subsequent amendments and supplements thereto.

Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.

“Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 612 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more Series.

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in an official language of the place of publication or in the English language, customarily published on each day that is a Business Day in the place of publication, whether or not published on days that are not Business Days in the place of publication, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same place meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any day that is a Business Day in the place of publication.

“Authorized Officer” means each of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Company hereunder. The term “board of directors” means the board of directors of the Company and does not include committees of the board of directors.

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“Board Resolution” means one or more resolutions, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any Series pursuant to Section 301, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the City of Dallas, Texas, or The City of New York, New York, are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close; provided that such term shall mean, when used with respect to any payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, the Securities of any Series to be made at any Place of Payment for such Securities, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Securities, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Common Stock” includes the Company common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and any other authorized stock of any class of the Company that has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, termination or winding up of the Company and that is not subject to redemption by the Company.

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person and any other obligor upon the Securities.

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Company by an Authorized Officer and by the Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at Dallas, Texas, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

“corporation” includes corporations, partnerships, associations, limited liability companies and other companies, statutory trusts and business trusts.

“Currency,” with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security, means Dollars.

“CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by

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Standard & Poor’s, CUSIP Service Bureau.

“Dallas, Texas Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in the City of Dallas, Texas, or a day on which banking institutions in the City of Dallas, Texas, are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

“Depositary” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as depositary by the Company in or pursuant to this Indenture, and, unless otherwise provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the depositary that has been appointed with respect to such Securities.

“Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute thereto, together with all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, in each case as amended from time to time.

“GAAP” and “generally accepted accounting principles” mean, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States of America as of the date or time of any computation required hereunder.

“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States of America, or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are denominated in, and the principal of and interest on such securities are payable in, Dollars and are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof.

“Holder,” in the case of any Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security established pursuant to Section 301 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof), provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more Series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this

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instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of those particular Series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established pursuant to Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other Series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted.

“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

“interest,” with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

“Interest Payment Date,” with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Maturity,” with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security, whether at the Stated Maturity or by an acceleration of the maturity of such Security in accordance with the terms of such Security, upon redemption at the option of the Company, upon repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holder or otherwise, and includes a Redemption Date for such Security and a date fixed for the repurchase or repayment of such Security at the option of the Holder.

“Office” or “Agency,” with respect to any Securities, means an office or agency of the Company maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or any other office or agency of the Company maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 1002 in lieu of such office or agency, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the chairman of the board, vice chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the controller, the secretary or any Vice President of such Person.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be an Authorized Officer (which, in the case of a certificate provided by the Company to the Trustee pursuant to Section 704(1)(b) as required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall be the principal executive officer or the principal financial officer of the Company), that complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that, if required by the Trust Indenture Act, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security issued pursuant to this Indenture

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that provides for an amount less than the principal face amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration pursuant to Section 502.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a)           any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the Security Registrar or delivered to the Trustee or the Security Registrar for cancellation;

(b)           any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount (or, to the extent that such Security is payable at such Maturity in shares of Common Stock or other securities or property, Common Stock or such other securities or property in the necessary amount, together with, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares or securities) has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 402) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(c)           any such Security with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance or covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 402, except to the extent provided in Section 402;

(d)           any such Security that has been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to the Trustee that such Security is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Company; and

(e)           any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Stock or other securities or property, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 301;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the amount of the principal thereof that pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security would be declared (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 502 at the time of such determination, and (ii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in

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