UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_____________________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 18, 2010
First Horizon National Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
TN |
001-15185 |
62-0803242 |
(State or other Jurisdiction |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer |
165 Madison Avenue |
38103 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (901) 523-4444 |
|
_____________________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o |
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
o |
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
o |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
o |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 8.01 Other Events | |
|
ITEM 8.01. |
Other Events. |
On March 18, 2010, two subsidiaries of First Horizon National Corporation (FHN), FTN Financial Securities Corp. (FTNFS) and First Tennessee Bank National Association, along with an executive officer, Frank J. Gusmus, Jr., received written Wells notices from the Staff of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) stating that the Staff intends to recommend that the SEC bring enforcement actions for allegedly aiding and abetting a former FTNFS customer, Sentinel Management Group, Inc. (Sentinel), in violations of the federal securities laws. The subject of the Wells notices is a 2006 year-end securities repurchase transaction entered into by FTNFS with Sentinel, as discussed in Note 18 of FHNs Annual Report to shareholders for the year 2009. A Wells notice by the SEC Staff is neither a formal allegation of wrongdoing nor a determination by the SEC that there has been wrongdoing. A Wells notice generally provides the recipient with an opportunity to provide his, her, or its perspective to address the Staffs concerns prior to enforcement action being taken by the SEC. FHN believes that its subsidiaries and Mr. Gusmus complied with all applicable laws and regulations regarding the transaction. FHN and Mr. Gusmus intend to work within the Wells process to try to avoid the commencement of enforcement actions. If such actions are brought nonetheless, FHN believes they have meritorious defenses and they intend to advance those defenses vigorously.
* * * * *
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| First Horizon National Corporation (Registrant) |
Date: March 24, 2010 | By: | /s/ Clyde A. Billings, Jr. |
|
| Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary |