American Financial (AFG) 424B5Prospectus supplement for primary offering

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC,” utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell the securities described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in one or more offerings. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus relating to this offering prepared by us or on our behalf. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any other documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the respective dates of those documents in which the information is contained. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those respective dates.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus summarize certain documents and other information, and we refer you to them for a more complete understanding of what we discuss in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In making an investment decision, you should rely on your own examination of our company and the terms of this offering and the debentures, including the merits and risks involved.

We are not, and the underwriters are not, making any representation to any purchaser of the debentures regarding the legality of an investment in the debentures by such purchaser. You should not consider any information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to be legal, business or tax advice. You should consult your own attorney, business advisor and tax advisor for legal, business and tax advice regarding an investment in the debentures.

The terms of the indenture and the debentures do not impose any limitation on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional debt. We may incur additional indebtedness in the future, which could have important consequences to holders of the debentures, including the following:

Our payment obligation under the debentures will be unsecured and will rank junior in right of payment and upon our liquidation to all of our Senior Indebtedness on the terms set forth in the indenture pursuant to which the debentures will be issued. We, therefore, cannot make any payments on the debentures, if (i) we have defaulted on the payment of any of our Senior Indebtedness and the default is continuing, (ii) the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness has been or would be permitted upon notice or the passage of time to be accelerated as a result of a default and the default is continuing and such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled, or (iii) we have filed for bankruptcy or are liquidating, dissolving or winding-up or in receivership, and our Senior Indebtedness has not been repaid in full.

As of March 31, 2020, we had $1,015 million in outstanding Senior Indebtedness, $500 million available under our bank credit facility, $475 million of Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the debentures and approximately $3 million in miscellaneous other debt outstanding. On April 2, 2020, we issued $300 million of 5.250% Senior Notes due April 2030 which increased our Senior Indebtedness to $1.315 million. The indenture pursuant to which the debentures will be issued does not place any limit on the amount of liabilities that we may issue, guarantee or otherwise incur or the amount of liabilities, including debt or preferred stock, that our subsidiaries may issue, guarantee or otherwise incur. We expect from time to time to incur additional indebtedness and other liabilities and to guarantee indebtedness that will be senior to the debentures.

We have limited operations of our own and derive substantially all of our revenue and cash flow from our subsidiaries. None of our subsidiaries will guarantee the debentures. Creditors of our subsidiaries (including policyholders and trade creditors) will generally be entitled to payment from the assets of those subsidiaries before those assets can be distributed to us. As a result, the debentures will effectively be subordinated to the liabilities of our subsidiaries. Our insurance subsidiaries also have customary liabilities associated with insurance policies issued by those subsidiaries (generally claims and benefits), reinsurance obligations and other trade payables and expenses. As of March 31, 2020, our insurance subsidiaries had reserves for claims and benefits of approximately $54.5 billion.

So long as there is no event of default with respect to the debentures, we may defer interest payments on the debentures, from time to time, for one or more optional deferral periods of up to five consecutive years. At the end of an optional deferral period, if all amounts due are paid, we could start a new optional deferral

If we exercise our right to defer interest payments, the debentures may trade at a price that does not fully reflect the value of accrued and unpaid interest on the debentures or that is otherwise less than the price at which the debentures may have been traded if we had not exercised such right. In addition, as a result of our right to defer interest payments, the market price of the debentures is likely to be affected and may be more volatile than other securities that do not have these rights.

If we do defer interest on the debentures and you sell your debentures during the period of that deferral, you may not receive the same return on your investment as a holder that continues to hold its debentures until we pay the deferred interest at the end of the applicable deferral period.

The only event of default under the indenture consists of specific events of bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership relating to us and certain of our subsidiaries. There is no right of acceleration in the case of payment defaults or other breaches of covenants under the indenture.

If we were to defer interest payments on the debentures, the debentures would be treated as issued with original issue discount (“OID”) at the time of such deferral, and all stated interest due after such deferral would be treated as OID. In such case, a United States holder would generally be required to include such stated interest in income as it accrues, regardless of such United States holder’s regular method of accounting, using a constant yield method, before such holder received any payment attributable to such income, and would not separately report the actual payments of interest on the debentures as taxable income.

If holders of the debentures sell their debentures before the record date for the payment of interest at the end of an optional deferral period, they will not receive such interest. Instead, the accrued interest will be paid to the holder of record on the record date regardless of who the holder of record may have been on any other date during the optional deferral period. Moreover, amounts that holders were required to include in income in respect of the debentures during the optional deferral period will be added to such holders’ adjusted tax basis in the debentures, but may not be reflected in the amount that such holder realizes on the sale. To the extent the amount realized on a sale is less than the holder’s adjusted tax basis, the holder will generally recognize a capital loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-United States Holders-Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Disposition of Debentures.”

The rating agencies that currently publish a rating for us, including Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business, and A.M. Best Company, Inc., may, from time to time in the future, change the way they analyze securities with features similar to the debentures. This may include, for example, changes to the relationship between ratings assigned to an issuer’s senior securities and ratings assigned to securities with features similar to the debentures. In addition, we may redeem the debentures before at our option, in whole, but not in part, within 90 days of a rating agency amending, clarifying or changing the criteria used to assign equity credit for securities such as the debentures, which amendment, clarification or change results in (i) the shortening of the length of time the debentures are assigned a particular level of equity credit by that rating agency as compared to the length of time they would have been assigned that level of equity credit by that rating agency or its predecessor on the initial issuance of the debentures or (ii) the lowering of the equity credit (including up to a lesser amount) assigned to the debentures by that rating agency compared to the equity credit assigned by that rating agency or its predecessor on the initial issuance of the debentures. See “Description of Debentures-Optional Redemption of the Debentures.”

We may redeem the debentures at our option, from time to time in whole at any time or in part, on or after. In addition, we may redeem the debentures in whole, but not in part, before June 1, 2025, if certain changes in tax laws, regulations or interpretations occur. In each of these two cases, the redemption price will be 100% of the principal amount of such debentures being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. We may also redeem the debentures before June 1, 2025 at our option, in whole, but not in part, within 90 days of a “rating agency event” (as defined in “Description of Debentures-Optional Redemption of the Debentures”). In this event, the redemption price will be equal to 102% of the aggregate principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. See “Description of Debentures-Optional Redemption of the Debentures.” If we exercise any of these rights, you may not be able to reinvest the money you receive upon redemption at a rate that is equal to or higher than the rate of return on the debentures.

We will apply to list the debentures on the NYSE under the symbol “AFGD.” If approved for listing, we expect trading of the debentures on the NYSE to commence within 30 days after they are first issued. The listing of the debentures will not necessarily ensure that an active trading market will be available for the debentures or that you will be able to sell your debentures at the price you originally paid for them or at the time you wish to sell them. Future trading prices of the debentures will depend on many factors including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, our operating results and the market for similar securities. Generally, the liquidity of, and trading market for, the debentures may also be materially and adversely affected by declines in the market for similar debt securities. Such a decline may materially and adversely affect such liquidity and trading independent of our financial performance and prospects.

The price of the debentures may be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in these factors. The condition of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. Such fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the price of the debentures.

In addition, credit rating agencies continually review their ratings for the companies that they follow, including us. The credit rating agencies also evaluate the insurance industry as a whole and may change our credit rating based on their overall view of our industry. A negative change in our rating could have an adverse effect on the price of the debentures.

We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), under which we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The address of that site is www.sec.gov. You may also access these filings free of charge through AFG’s Internet site at www.AFGinc.com. Other than the information specifically contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, information on AFG’s website is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

AFG’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “AFG.” Reports, proxy statements and other information regarding American Financial Group, Inc. may be read and copied at the offices of the NYSE located at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

We are “incorporating by reference” into this prospectus supplement certain information that AFG files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus supplement, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that AFG (SEC File No. 1-13653) has previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All documents that AFG files with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus supplement to the completion of this offering of the debentures shall also be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference. Any statement contained in this prospectus supplement or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address or telephone number: Karl J. Grafe, Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary, American Financial Group, Inc., 301 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, (513) 579-2540. Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

This prospectus supplement (including the information incorporated by reference) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks or uncertainties. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “projects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “would,” “should,” “will” or the negative version of those words or other comparable terminology.

Factors that could cause our actual results or financial condition to differ from those in the forward-looking statements may accompany the statements themselves, and include those set forth in the section “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement and page 3 of the accompanying prospectus and those risk factors incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and the other information included, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement.

We expect to receive approximately $145.3 million in net proceeds from the sale of the debentures in this offering, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repurchases of our outstanding common shares.

Pending application of the net proceeds, we may invest them in marketable securities.

The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization as of March 31, 2020 on an actual basis, as adjusted to give effect to the April 2, 2020 issuance of $300 million of 5.250% Senior Notes due in April 2030 and as further adjusted to give effect to the offering of debentures pursuant this prospectus supplement. The table below should be read together with the detailed information and financial statements appearing in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

The debentures will be issued as subordinated debt securities under the indenture and will be initially limited to an aggregate principal amount of $150 million. The debentures will be issued only in denominations of $25 and multiples of $25 in excess thereof. Payments of principal of, and interest on, the debentures will be made in U.S. dollars.

We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the registered holders of the debentures, create and issue further debentures ranking pari passu with the debentures in all material respects, or in all respects except for the issue date and public offering price or payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further debentures or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further debentures, and so that such further debentures may be consolidated and form a single series with the debentures offered hereby and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the debentures offered hereby, provided that such further debentures are fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes with such previously issued debentures. The debentures and the indenture under which the debentures will be issued do not place any limitation on the amount of unsecured debt that may be incurred by us.

The debentures will be unsecured, and will rank in right of payment and upon our liquidation junior to all of our current and future Senior Indebtedness and equal with any current and future Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity (as defined below) with the debentures, and, in each case in the manner set forth below. The debentures will also be structurally subordinated to all debt and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.

Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any receivership, liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar proceedings, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash or other satisfactory consideration of all amounts due or to become due, including interest accruing after the filing of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding on or in respect of such Senior Indebtedness before the holders of the debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect thereof.

In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of the debentures, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash or other satisfactory consideration of all such Senior Indebtedness before the holders of the debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the debentures.

In the event and during the continuation of any default in any payment with respect to any Senior Indebtedness, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness has been or would be permitted upon notice or the passage of time to be accelerated because of a default, then, unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist and such acceleration shall have been rescinded or annulled, then no payments on account of principal or premium, if any, or interest in respect of the debentures may be made, in each case unless and until all amounts due or to become due on such Senior Indebtedness are paid in full in cash or other satisfactory consideration.

As of March��31, 2020, we had $1,015 million in outstanding Senior Indebtedness, $500 million available under our bank credit facility, $475 million of Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the debentures and approximately $3 million in miscellaneous other debt outstanding. On April 2, 2020, we issued $300 million of 5.250% Senior Notes due April 2030 which increased our Senior Indebtedness to $1.315 million. In addition, the

“Senior Indebtedness” shall mean all Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of the first issuance of the debentures or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, except Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the debentures or Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the debentures, and any deferrals, renewals or extensions of such Senior Indebtedness.

“Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the debentures” shall mean Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of first issuance of the debentures or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, which specifically by its terms ranks equally with and not prior to the debentures in right of payment upon our dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization or similar events. The securing of any Indebtedness, otherwise constituting Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the debentures, shall not be deemed to prevent such Indebtedness from constituting Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the debentures.

“Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the debentures” shall mean any Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of the first issuance of the debentures or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, which specifically by its terms ranks junior to and not equally with or prior to the debentures (and any Indebtedness Ranking on a Parity with the debentures) in right of payment upon our dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization, or similar events. The securing of any Indebtedness, otherwise constituting Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the debentures, shall not be deemed to prevent such Indebtedness from constituting Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the debentures.

“Indebtedness” shall mean (a) any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, us for which we are responsible or liable as obligor or otherwise including principal, premium and interest (whether accruing before or after filing of any petition in bankruptcy or any similar proceedings by or against us and whether or not allowed as a claim in bankruptcy or similar proceedings) for (i) indebtedness for money borrowed, (ii) indebtedness evidenced by securities, bonds, debentures, notes or other similar written instruments, (iii) any deferred obligation for the payment of the purchase price or conditional sale obligation of property or assets acquired other than in the ordinary course of business, (iv) all obligations for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction, (v) all obligations under “keep-well” agreements required by insurance regulators or (vi) any obligation referred to in (i) through (v) above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (to the extent of the value of such property or asset subject to such lien) and (b) all indebtedness for obligations to make payment in respect of derivative products such as interest and foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts (including future or options contracts) swap agreements, cap agreements, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and similar arrangements, whether outstanding on the first issuance of the debentures or thereafter created, assumed or incurred.

The debentures will mature on June 1, 2060.

Subject to applicable law and subject to any optional deferral period, as described below, interest on the debentures will accrue at an annual rate equal to 5.625%, and will be payable quarterly in arrears on June 1, September 1, December 1 and March 1 of each year, beginning on September 1, 2020, each of which we refer to as an interest payment date, to the record holders at the close of business on the preceding May 15, August 15, November 15 and February 15, as applicable, whether or not a business day. However, interest that we pay on the maturity date or a redemption date will be payable to the person to whom the principal will be payable.

Interest payments will include accrued interest from, and including, the original issue date, or, if interest has already been paid, from the last date in respect of which interest has been paid or duly provided for to, but excluding, the next succeeding interest payment date, the maturity date or the redemption date, as the case may

Interest not paid on any payment date will accrue and compound quarterly at a rate per year equal to the rate of interest on the debentures until paid. References to “interest” include interest accruing on the debentures, interest on deferred interest payments and other unpaid amounts and compounded interest, as applicable and in each case to the extent permitted by applicable law.

So long as no event of default with respect to the debentures has occurred and is continuing, we may, on one or more occasions, defer interest payments on the debentures for one or more optional deferral periods of up to five consecutive years without giving rise to an event of default under the terms of the debentures. A deferral of interest payments cannot extend, however, beyond the maturity date or the earlier acceleration or redemption of the debentures. During an optional deferral period, interest will continue to accrue on the debentures, and deferred interest payments will accrue additional interest at the then applicable interest rate on the debentures, compounded quarterly as of each interest payment date to the extent permitted by applicable law. During an optional deferral period, we will be prohibited from paying current interest on the debentures until we have paid all accrued and unpaid deferred interest plus any accrued interest thereon. No interest otherwise due during an optional deferral period will be due and payable on the debentures until the end of such optional deferral period except upon an acceleration or redemption of the debentures during such deferral period.

At the end of five years following the commencement of an optional deferral period, we must pay all accrued and unpaid deferred interest, including compounded interest if it has not been paid before that time. If, at the end of any optional deferral period, we have paid all deferred interest due on the debentures, including compounded interest, we can again defer interest payments on the debentures as described above.

We will provide to the trustee and the holders of debentures written notice of any deferral of interest at least two and not more than 60 business days prior to the applicable interest payment date. We have no present intention of exercising our right to defer payments of interest.

After the commencement of an optional deferral period until we have paid all accrued and unpaid interest on the debentures, we will not, and will not permit any of our subsidiaries to:

other than:

We may redeem the debentures in increments of $25 principal amount:

“Tax event” means that we will have received an opinion of counsel, rendered by a law firm of nationally recognized standing that is experienced in such matters, stating that, as a result of any:

which amendment or change is enacted or effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced or which challenge is asserted against us or becomes publicly known on or after the original issue date of the debentures, there is more than an insubstantial increase in the risk that interest accruable or payable by us on the debentures is not, or will not be, deductible by us in whole or in part, for U.S. federal income tax purposes; provided that a change of tax law under section 163(j) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“section 163(j)”) (including any amendment to section 163(j), and any amendment to or the issuance of

“Rating agency event” means that any nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act, that then publishes a rating for us (a “rating agency”) amends, clarifies or changes the criteria it uses to assign equity credit to securities such as the debentures, which amendment, clarification or change results in (a) the shortening of the length of time the debentures are assigned a particular level of equity credit by that rating agency as compared to the length of time they would have been assigned that level of equity credit by that rating agency or its predecessor on the initial issuance of the debentures; or (b) the lowering of the equity credit (including up to a lesser amount) assigned to the debentures by that rating agency compared to the equity credit assigned by that rating agency or its predecessor on the initial issuance of the debentures.

If less than all of the debentures are to be redeemed, the trustee will select, in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and in accordance with the procedures of the depository, if applicable, the principal amount of such debentures held by each beneficial owner of such debentures to be redeemed. The trustee may select debentures and portions of debentures in amounts of $25 and multiples of $25 in excess thereof.

On and after the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on the debentures or any portion of the debentures called for redemption, unless we default in the payment of the redemption amount.

The events of default set forth under the heading “Description of Debt Securities-Events of Default” in the accompanying prospectus shall not apply to the debentures.

An event of default with respect to the debentures will occur only upon certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership of American Financial Group, Inc.

The indenture refers to breaches that are not events of default as defaults. They include, among other things:

A default also includes, for example, a failure to pay interest when due if we do not give a timely written notice of our election to commence or continue a deferral period. If we do not give a timely written notice of our election to commence or continue a deferral period and fail to pay interest when due, any holder of debentures may seek to enforce our obligation to make the missed interest payment, including through legal process. However, there is no right of acceleration except upon the occurrence of an event of default as described above.

If we do give a timely written notice of our election to commence or continue a deferral period on any interest payment date (and, if such notice continues a deferral period, the deferral period has not continued for five years), then no default arises from our non-payment of interest on such interest payment date.

The indenture provides that the trustee must give holders notice of all defaults or events of default within 90 days after it becomes actually known to a responsible officer of the trustee. However, except in the case of a default in payment on the debentures, the trustee will be protected in withholding the notice if its responsible officers determine that withholding of the notice is in the interest of such holders.

If an event of default under the indenture occurs, the entire principal amount of the debentures will automatically become due and payable without any declaration or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder of the debentures. There is no right of acceleration in the case of any payment default or other breaches of covenants under the indenture or the debentures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a default in the payment of principal of or interest on the debentures including any compound interest (and, in the case of

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debentures may waive any past default, except:

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debentures will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, subject to the provisions of the indenture.

We are required to deliver a written statement to the trustee each year that states, to the knowledge of the officer making such statement, whether we have complied with all conditions and covenants under the terms of the indenture.

The trustee will have no right or obligation under the indenture or otherwise to exercise any remedies on behalf of any holders of the debentures pursuant to the indenture in connection with any default, unless such remedies are available under the indenture and the trustee is directed to exercise such remedies by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debentures pursuant to and subject to the conditions of the indenture. In connection with any such exercise of remedies, the trustee will be entitled to the same immunities and protections and remedial rights (other than acceleration) as if such default were an event of default.

No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of debentures, but payment may be required of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

We intend to apply to list the debentures on the NYSE under the symbol “AFGD.” If the application is approved, we expect trading of the debentures on the NYSE to begin within 30 days after they are first issued.

Each holder of the debentures will, by accepting the debentures or a beneficial interest therein, be deemed to have agreed that the holder intends that the debentures constitute indebtedness and will treat the debentures as indebtedness for all U.S. federal, state and local tax purposes.

In addition to changes to the indenture listed under “Description of Debt Securities-Modification- Changes Requiring Your Approval” in the accompanying prospectus, the following changes cannot be made without your approval:

Furthermore, no supplemental indenture may directly or indirectly modify or eliminate the subordination provisions applicable to the debentures in any manner which might terminate or impair the subordination of the debentures to Senior Indebtedness without the prior written consent of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Upon issuance, all debentures will be represented by one or more fully registered global certificates, each of which we refer to as a global security. Each such global security will be deposited with or on behalf of DTC, and registered in the name of DTC or a nominee thereof. Purchasers of the debentures will hold beneficial interests in the debentures only through DTC, or through the accounts that Clearstream Banking, S.A. and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. maintain as participants in DTC.

We will make payments on the debentures represented by the global securities to DTC or its nominee, as the registered owner of the debentures. We expect that when DTC or its nominee receives any payment on the debentures represented by a global security, DTC will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their beneficial interests in the global security as shown in DTC’s records. We also expect that payments by DTC’s participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. DTC’s participants will be responsible for those payments.

Payments on the debentures represented by the global securities will be made in immediately available funds. Transfers between participants in DTC will be made in accordance with DTC’s rules and will be settled in immediately available funds.

The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may limit or impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the debentures in global form.

U.S. Bank National Association is acting as trustee under the indenture. U.S. Bank National Association sometimes acts as trustee in connection with obligations issued by us and our subsidiaries and is currently acting as a trustee in connection with certain debt obligations that AFG previously issued. U.S. Bank National Association and its affiliates have, from time to time, performed and in the future may perform various commercial and investment banking services for AFG or its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, for which they received or will receive customary fees. U.S. Bank National Association is a lender under our revolving credit facility.

Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its powers vested in it by the indenture at the request of any holder of the debentures unless the holder offers the trustee reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might result. The trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in performing its duties if the trustee reasonably believes that it is not reasonably assured of repayment or adequate indemnity.

The indenture and the debentures offered for sale by this prospectus supplement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of laws rules of such state.

We will pay principal of, and any premium and interest on the debentures by wire transfer of immediately available funds or, if definitive debentures shall have been issued, at our option, by check mailed to the registered holder.

All moneys we pay to a paying agent of the trustee for the payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, a debenture which remains unclaimed at the end of two years will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debenture may then look only to us for payment.

This discussion is for general information only and does not address all of the material tax considerations that may be relevant to a holder in light of its particular circumstances or to holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws (such as banks, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, retirement plans, dealers in securities, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for income tax purposes, accrual method taxpayers subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of their use of applicable financial statements, persons holding the debentures as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion” or other integrated transaction, United States holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, former citizens or residents of the United States, holders who mark securities to market for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or taxpayers that purchase or sell debentures as part of a wash sale for tax purposes). This discussion does not address any state, local or foreign tax consequences or any U.S. federal estate, gift or alternative minimum tax consequences.

For purposes of this discussion, a “United States holder” is a beneficial owner of a debenture that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

For purposes of this discussion, a “non-United States holder” is a beneficial owner of a debenture that is not a “United States holder,” and “holders” refers to United States holders and non-United States holders. Neither the term “non-United States holder” nor the term “United States holder” includes a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the debentures, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status and activities of the partnership and the partner. Prospective holders that are entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them and their partners of holding the debentures.

Persons considering the purchase of the debentures should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the debentures in light of their own particular circumstances, as well as the effect of any state, local, foreign and other tax laws.

The determination of whether a security should be classified as indebtedness or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes requires a judgment based on all relevant facts and circumstances. There is no statutory, judicial or administrative authority that directly addresses the U.S. federal income tax treatment of securities similar to the debentures. Based upon an analysis of the relevant facts and circumstances, under applicable law as of the issue date of the debentures, the debentures will be treated as indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or a court will agree with our determination. No ruling is being sought from the IRS on any of the issues discussed herein.

We agree, and by acquiring an interest in a debenture each beneficial owner of a debenture agrees, to treat the debentures as indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the remainder of this discussion assumes such treatment.

It is expected, and assumed for purposes of this discussion that, subject to the discussion below, the debentures will not be issued with OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Treasury regulations provide that the possibility that interest on the debentures might be deferred could result in the debentures being treated as issued with OID, unless the likelihood of such deferral is remote. We believe that the likelihood of our exercising the option to defer payment of stated interest is remote within the meaning of the Treasury regulations in part because our exercise of the option to defer payments of stated interest on the debentures would generally prevent us from:

If the possibility of interest deferral were determined not to be remote, or if interest were in fact deferred, the debentures would be treated as issued with OID at the time of issuance, or at the time of such deferral, as the case may be, and all stated interest, or if interest is in fact deferred all stated interest due after such deferral, would be treated as OID. In such case, a United States holder would be required to include interest in income as it accrued, regardless of the holder’s regular method of accounting, using the constant-yield-to-maturity method of accrual, before such United States holder received any payment attributable to such income, and would not separately report the actual cash payments of interest on the debentures as taxable income.

Upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of a debenture, a United States holder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized (less any accrued interest not previously included in the United States holder’s income, which will be taxable as ordinary income) on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition and such United States holder’s adjusted tax basis in the debenture. Assuming that interest payments on the debentures are not deferred and that the debentures are not treated as issued with OID, a United States holder’s adjusted tax basis in a debenture generally will be its initial purchase price. If the debentures are treated as issued with OID, a United States holder’s adjusted tax basis in a debenture generally will be its initial purchase price, increased by OID previously includible in such United States holder’s gross income to the date of disposition and decreased by payments received on the debenture since and including the date that the debenture was treated as issued with OID. Gain or loss recognized on a disposition of a debenture generally will be capital gain or loss and generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the debenture had been held for more than one year. A United States holder that is an individual is generally entitled to preferential treatment for net long-term capital gains. The ability of a United States holder to deduct capital losses is limited.

A United States holder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the United States holder’s “net investment income” (or “undistributed net investment income” in the case of an estate or trust) for the

Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding, the following is a discussion of U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax considerations generally applicable to non-United States holders:

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act and Treasury regulations thereunder, commonly referred to as “FATCA,” imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain types of payments, including payments of U.S. source interest (including OID, if applicable) and gross proceeds from the sale of certain securities producing such U.S. source interest made to (i) “foreign financial institutions” unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders, and (ii) certain non-financial foreign entities unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement in place with the United States with respect to FATCA may be subject to different rules. However, pursuant to recently proposed regulations, the Treasury Department has indicated its intent to eliminate the requirements under FATCA of withholding on gross proceeds from the sale, exchange, maturity or other disposition of relevant securities. The Treasury Department has indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization. Non-United States holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding FATCA and the application of these requirements to an investment in the debentures.

Backup withholding and information reporting requirements generally apply to interest and principal payments made to, and to the proceeds of sales by, certain non-corporate United States holders. A United States holder not otherwise exempt from backup withholding generally can avoid backup withholding by providing IRS Form W-9. In the case of a non-United States holder, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to payments on, or proceeds from the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of, a debenture if the statement referred to in clause (a)(iii) of the paragraph under the heading “-Non-United States Holders” has been received. Withholding agents must nevertheless report to the IRS and to each non-United States holder the amount of interest (including OID, if applicable) paid with respect to the debentures held by such non-United States holder and the rate of withholding (if any) applicable to such non-United States holder. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in a purchase agreement dated May 21, 2020, between us and BofA Securities, Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, UBS Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the underwriters, the underwriters named below have severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, severally, the respective principal amount of the debentures set forth opposite their names below:

The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the debentures sold pursuant to the purchase agreement if any of these debentures are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the purchase agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the purchase agreement may be terminated.

The purchase agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the debentures is subject to, among other things, the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the debentures if any are taken.

The underwriters initially propose to offer the debentures directly to the public at the price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and may offer the debentures to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $0.50 per debenture for debentures sold to retail investors and $0.30 per debenture for debentures sold to institutional investors. Any underwriter may allow, and any such dealers may reallow, a concession to certain other dealers not to exceed $0.45 per debenture for debentures sold to retail investors and $0.25 per debenture for debentures sold to institutional investors. After the initial offering of the debentures, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the underwriters.

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

During the period beginning on the date of this prospectus supplement and continuing to and including the date 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, we have agreed not to, without the prior written consent of the representatives, directly or indirectly, issue, sell, offer or contract to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, any securities that are substantially similar to the debentures.

The following table shows the price to public, underwriting discount that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering and the proceeds, before expenses, to AFG.

We estimate that our total expenses relating to this offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $500,000, and will be payable by us.

The debentures are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We will apply for the listing of the debentures on the NYSE under the symbol “AFGD.” If approved for listing, we expect trading of the debentures on the NYSE to commence within 30 days after they are first issued. We have been advised by the underwriters that the underwriters intend to make a market in the debentures but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the debentures.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell debentures in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of debentures than they are required to purchase in the offering. The underwriters must close out any short position by purchasing debentures in the open market. A short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the debentures in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the debentures while the offering is in progress.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased debentures sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

These activities by the underwriters, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the debentures. As a result, the price of the debentures may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, commercial and investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions. Certain of the underwriters have acted as underwriters for certain of our previous public offerings of debt and equity securities and certain of the underwriters and their affiliates are lenders under our $500 million revolving credit facility.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Such underwriters and their affiliates may hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the debentures offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the debentures offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

We expect to deliver the debentures against payment for the debentures on or about the date specified in the last paragraph of the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the fifth business day following the date of the pricing of the debentures (“T+5”). Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers of the debentures who wish to trade the debentures on any date prior to the second business day before delivery thereof will be required, by virtue of the fact that the debentures initially will settle in T+5, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent failed settlement. Purchasers of the debentures who wish to trade the debentures on any date prior to the second business day before delivery thereof should consult their own advisors.

The debentures may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the debentures must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights of consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with the offering.

None of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus is a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation (as defined below). This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of debentures in any Member State of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”) or in the United Kingdom will only be made to a legal entity which is a qualified investor under the Prospectus Regulation (“Qualified Investors”). Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Member State of debentures which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus may only do so with respect to Qualified Investors. Neither American Financial Group, Inc. nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of debentures other than to Qualified Investors. The expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

PROHIBITION OF SALES TO EEA AND UNITED KINGDOM RETAIL INVESTORS - The debentures are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the United Kingdom. For these purposes: (a) a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (the Insurance Distribution Directive), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; and (b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the debentures to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the debentures. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the debentures or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or in the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the debentures or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

The communication of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any related free writing prospectus and any other document or materials relating to the issue of the debentures offered hereby is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the United Kingdom’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the “FSMA”). Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who fall within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”)), or who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order, or who are any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). In the United Kingdom, the debentures offered hereby are only available to, and any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus relates will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus or any of their contents.

Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of the debentures may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to American Financial Group, Inc.

All applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with in respect to anything done by any person in relation to the debentures in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Certain legal matters regarding the debentures will be passed upon for us by Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL Cincinnati, Ohio and for the underwriters by Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York.

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited AFG’s consolidated financial statements and schedules, included in AFG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the effectiveness of AFG’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement. AFG’s consolidated financial statements and schedules and our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

This prospectus is part of an “automatic shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell, from time to time, an indeterminate amount of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer, which is not meant to be a complete description of each security. Each time that we sell securities identified in this prospectus, a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering will be provided, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered and the manner in which they will be offered. The prospectus supplement and any other offering material may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and any other offering material (including any free writing prospectus) prepared by or on behalf of us for a specific offering of securities, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” on the following page of this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to purchase these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” or “AFG” may, depending on the context, refer to American Financial Group, Inc., to one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries or to American Financial Group, Inc. and all of its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole.

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus is accurate on any date other than the date on the front cover of such documents or that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is delivered or securities are sold at a later date. Neither the delivery of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement nor any distribution of securities pursuant to such documents shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or in our affairs since the date of this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), under which we file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy this information at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also inspect our filings free of charge over the Internet at the SEC’s home page at www.sec.gov or through our Internet website at www.AFGinc.com. Other than the information specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus, information on our website is not part of this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AFG.” Reports, proxy statements and other information regarding American Financial Group, Inc. may be read and copied at the offices of the NYSE located at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

We are “incorporating by reference” into this prospectus certain information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC (other than documents or information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 on Form 8-K, and no such information shall be deemed specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement):

Any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus are incorporated by reference (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules).

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address or telephone number: Karl J. Grafe, Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary, American Financial Group, Inc., Great American Insurance Group Tower, 301 East Fourth Street, 27^th Floor, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, (513) 579-2540. Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

This prospectus (including the information incorporated by reference) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks or uncertainties. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans”, “seeks”, “could”, “may”, “should”, “will” or the negative version of those words or other comparable terminology.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements may accompany the statements themselves. In addition, generally applicable factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are and will be discussed in our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any changes in events or circumstances or in our expectations or results.

American Financial Group, Inc. is a holding company that, through the operations of Great American Insurance Group, is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses, and in the sale of fixed and fixed-indexed annuities in the retail, financial institutions and education markets. Our address is Great American Insurance Group Tower, 301 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; our phone number is (513) 579-2121. SEC filings, news releases, our Code of Ethics applicable to directors, officers and employees and other information may be accessed free of charge through our Internet website at www.AFGinc.com. Other than the information specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus, information on American Financial Group’s website is not part of this prospectus.

We may register securities covered by this prospectus for re-offers and resales by any selling securityholders to be named in a prospectus supplement. We may register these securities to permit selling securityholders to resell their securities when they deem appropriate. A selling securityholder may resell all, a portion or none of such securityholder’s shares at any time and from time to time. Selling securityholders may also sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of their securities in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. We do not know when or in what amounts the selling securityholders may offer securities for sale under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of securities by a selling securityholder under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We may pay all expenses incurred with respect to the registration of the securities owned by the selling securityholders, other than underwriting fees, discounts or commissions which will be borne by the selling securityholders. We will provide you with a prospectus supplement naming the selling securityholders, the number or amount of securities to be registered and sold and any other terms of the securities being sold by each selling securityholder.

Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities for general corporate purposes, which may include investment in insurance businesses and the repayment of outstanding debt and the debt of our subsidiaries. Until the net proceeds are used for these purposes, we may deposit them in interest-bearing accounts or invest them in short-term marketable securities. The specific allocations, if any, of the proceeds from the sale of any of the securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of the securities. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by any selling securityholder.

We may issue, in one or more offerings, any combination of senior or subordinated debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares, purchase contracts and units.

This prospectus contains a summary of the general terms of the various securities that we may offer. The prospectus supplement relating to any particular securities offered will describe the specific terms of the securities. The summary in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement does not describe every aspect of the securities and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to all applicable provisions of the documents relating to the securities offered. These documents are or will be filed as exhibits to or incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

In addition, the prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering, the initial public offering price and net proceeds to us. Where applicable, the prospectus supplement will also describe any material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities offered and indicate whether the securities offered are or will be listed on any securities exchange.

We may offer debt securities in one or more series which may be senior or subordinated and which may be convertible or exchangeable into another security. The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be issued in one or more series under, depending on whether such debt securities are senior or subordinated, a senior debt indenture or subordinated debt indenture between us and U.S. Bank, N.A., as trustee. The senior indenture and form of subordinated indenture are attached as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain a copy. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the applicable indenture and the applicable supplemental indenture, if any, and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. You should read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the applicable indenture and the applicable supplemental indenture, if any, in their entirety before investing in our debt securities.

The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued is unlimited. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the debt securities.

The debt securities will be our unsecured general obligations and may include senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities.

The prospectus supplement relating to any particular debt securities offered will indicate whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated debt securities and will describe the specific terms of the debt securities. The summary in this section and in any prospectus supplement does not describe every aspect of the senior or subordinated indenture or the debt securities, and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of the applicable indenture and the debt securities.

This section summarizes the general terms of the debt securities that we may offer. When we refer to the indenture, we mean the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture collectively, unless we indicate otherwise. When we refer to the trustee, we mean the senior trustee and the subordinated trustee collectively, unless we indicate otherwise. When we refer to the debt securities, we mean the senior and subordinated debt securities, unless we indicate otherwise.

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the debt securities. These terms may include the following:

The terms of any series of debt securities may vary from the terms described here. Thus, this summary also is subject to and qualified by reference to the description of the particular terms of your debt securities to be described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities will be attached to the front of this prospectus.

The indenture and its associated documents contain the full legal text of the matters described in this section. The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

You will have special rights if an “event of default” occurs, with respect to any series of debt securities, and is not cured, as described later in this subsection. Under the indenture, the term “event of default” means any of the following:

If an event of default has occurred and has not been cured (if a cure period is provided for), the trustee or the direct holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a “declaration of acceleration of maturity.”

Except in cases of default, whereby a trustee has some special duties, a trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any direct holders unless the direct holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from costs, expenses and liability (called an “indemnity”). If reasonable indemnity is provided, the direct holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. These majority direct holders may also direct the trustee in performing any other action under the indenture.

In general, before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt security on or after its due date.

There are three types of changes we can make to the indenture and the debt securities.

First, there are changes that cannot be made to the indenture or the debt securities without your specific approval. Following is a list of those types of changes:

The second type of change to the indenture and the debt securities is the kind that requires consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the particular series affected. With a majority vote, the holders may waive past defaults, provided that such defaults are not of the type described previously under “Changes Requiring Your Approval.”

The third type of change does not require any vote by direct holders of debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the debt securities.

We may consolidate or merge with or into another entity, and we may sell or lease substantially all of our assets to another corporation if the following conditions, among others, are met:

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement for a series of debt securities, each series of debt securities will be issued in global form, which means that we will deposit with the depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or its custodian) one or more certificates representing the entire series, as described below under “—Book-Entry Procedures and Settlement.” Global debt securities may be issued in either temporary or definitive form.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any limitations or restrictions relating to a series of global debt securities.

Most debt securities we offer will be book-entry, or global, securities. Upon issuance, all book-entry securities will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities, without coupons. Each global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, a securities depositary, and will be registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC. DTC therefore will be the only registered holder of these securities.

Purchasers of debt securities may hold interests in the global securities through DTC if they are participants in the DTC system. Purchasers also may hold interests through a securities intermediary—a bank, brokerage house and other institution that maintains securities accounts for customers—that has an account with DTC or its nominee. DTC will maintain accounts showing the security holdings of its participants, and these participants will in turn maintain accounts showing the security holdings of their customers. Some of these customers may be securities intermediaries holding securities for their customers. Thus, each beneficial owner of a book-entry security will hold that security indirectly through a hierarchy of intermediaries, with DTC at the top and the beneficial owner’s own securities intermediary at the bottom.

The securities of each beneficial owner of a book-entry security will be evidenced solely by entries on the books of the beneficial owner’s securities intermediary. The actual purchaser of the securities generally will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the global securities registered in its name and will not be considered the owner under the indenture, the declaration of trust or other applicable governing documents relating to the security. In most cases, a beneficial owner will not be able to obtain a paper certificate evidencing the holder’s ownership of securities. The book-entry system for holding securities eliminates the need for physical movement of certificates. However, the laws of some jurisdictions require some purchasers of securities to take physical delivery of their securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer book-entry securities.

A beneficial owner of book-entry securities represented by a global security may exchange the securities for definitive, or paper, securities only if:

Unless otherwise indicated, any global security that is exchangeable will be exchangeable in whole for definitive securities in registered form, with the same terms and of an equal aggregate principal amount. Definitive securities will be registered in the name or names of the person or persons specified by DTC in a written instruction to the registrar of the securities. DTC may base its written instruction upon directions that it receives from its participants.

In this prospectus, for book-entry securities, references to actions taken by security holders will mean actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and references to payments and notices of redemption to security holders will mean payments and notices of redemption to DTC as the registered holder of the securities for distribution to participants in accordance with DTC’s procedures.

DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, 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 under section 17A of the Exchange Act. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Neither we nor any trustee or underwriter will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interest in the book-entry securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

Links may be established among DTC, Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”) and the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) to facilitate the initial issuance of book-entry securities and cross-market transfers of book-entry securities associated with secondary market trading. Clearstream and Euroclear are international clearing systems that perform functions similar to those that DTC performs in the United States.

Although we understand that DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the procedures provided below in order to facilitate transfers, they are under no obligation to perform such procedures, and the procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Clearstream and Euroclear will record the ownership interests of their participants in much the same way as DTC, and DTC will record the aggregate ownership of each of the U.S. agents of Clearstream and Euroclear, as participants in DTC.

When book-entry securities are to be transferred from the account of a DTC participant to the account of a Clearstream participant or a Euroclear participant, the purchaser must send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a participant at least one business day prior to settlement. Clearstream or Euroclear, as the case may be, will instruct its U.S. agent to receive book-entry securities against payment. After settlement, Clearstream or Euroclear will credit its participant’s account. Credit for the book-entry securities will appear on the next day (European time).

Because settlement is taking place during New York business hours, DTC participants can employ their usual procedures for sending book-entry securities to the relevant U.S. agent acting for the benefit of Clearstream or Euroclear participants. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC seller on the settlement date. Thus, to the DTC participant, a cross-market transaction will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC participants.

When a Clearstream or Euroclear participant wishes to transfer book-entry securities to a DTC participant, the seller must send instructions to Clearstream or Euroclear through a participant at least one business day prior to settlement. In these cases, Clearstream or Euroclear will instruct its U.S. agent to transfer the book-entry securities against payment. The payment will then be reflected in the account of the Clearstream or Euroclear participant the following day, with the proceeds back-valued to the value date (which would be the preceding day, when settlement occurs in New York). If settlement is not completed on the intended value date (i.e., the trade fails), proceeds credited to the Clearstream or Euroclear participant’s account would instead be valued as of the actual settlement date.

The information in this “Book-Entry Procedures and Settlement” section, including any description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear, has been provided solely as a matter of convenience. We do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of this information, and this information is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract modification of any kind. The operations and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear are solely within the control of such settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. We urge investors to contact such systems or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

Notices to holders of debt securities will be given by mail to the addresses of such holders as they appear in the security register.

U.S. Bank, N.A. acts as trustee under each of the senior debt indenture and the subordinated debt indenture. U.S. Bank, N.A., sometimes acts as trustee in connection with obligations issued by us and our subsidiaries and is currently acting as a trustee in connection with certain debt obligations that we previously issued. U.S. Bank, N.A. and its affiliates have, from time to time, performed and in the future may perform various commercial banking services for us and for our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, for which they received or will receive customary fees.

This section summarizes the general terms of the common stock that we may offer. The prospectus supplement relating to the common stock offered will set forth the number of shares offered, the initial offering price and recent market prices, dividend information and any other relevant information. The summary in this section and in the prospectus supplement does not describe every aspect of the common stock and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Code of Regulations and to the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code.

The total number of authorized shares of common stock is 200,000,000. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Holders of common stock have the right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors but are not entitled to any preemptive rights.

Subject to restrictions under agreements related to our indebtedness and to preferences that may be granted to holders of preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to the share of such dividends as our board of

As of January 31, 2018, we had 88,425,972 shares of common stock outstanding and eligible to vote, which does not include 14.9 million shares held by our subsidiaries. Under Ohio law, shares held by subsidiaries are not entitled to vote at meetings of shareholders or by written consent. Shares of common stock carry no conversion or subscription rights and are not subject to redemption. All outstanding shares of common stock are, and any shares of common stock issued upon conversion of any convertible securities will be, fully paid and nonassessable.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol “AFG.” Our registrar and transfer agent is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.

The following briefly summarizes the material terms of the preferred stock that we may offer, other than pricing and related terms disclosed in a prospectus supplement. You should read the particular terms of any series of preferred stock that we offer, which we will describe in more detail in any prospectus supplement relating to such series. You should also read the more detailed provisions of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, any amendment to the articles establishing the terms of any series of preferred stock and the statement with respect to shares relating to each particular series of preferred stock for provisions that may be important to you. The statement with respect to shares relating to each particular series of preferred stock offered by the accompanying prospectus supplement and this prospectus will be filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference in the registration statement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the terms summarized below do not apply to the series of preferred stock being offered.

Our board of directors is authorized to issue up to 12,500,000 shares of voting preferred stock and up to 12,500,000 shares of non-voting preferred stock. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not issued any shares of preferred stock. Our board of directors can issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and can specify the following terms for each series:

Before issuing any series of preferred stock, our board of directors will adopt resolutions creating and designating the series as a series of preferred stock, and the resolutions will be filed in a statement with respect to shares as an amendment to the articles of incorporation.

The rights of holders of the preferred stock offered may be adversely affected by the rights of holders of any shares of preferred stock that may be issued in the future. Our board of directors may cause shares of preferred stock to be issued in public or private transactions for any proper corporate purpose. Examples include issuances to obtain additional financing in connection with acquisitions or otherwise, and issuances to our officers, directors and employees and its subsidiaries pursuant to benefit plans or otherwise. The preferred stock could have the effect of acting as an anti-takeover device to prevent a change in control of AFG.

Unless the particular prospectus supplement states otherwise, holders of each series of preferred stock will not have any preemptive or subscription rights to acquire more of our stock.

The transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for shares of each series of preferred stock will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such series.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the shares of any series of preferred stock, the shares will rank on an equal basis with each other series of preferred stock and prior to the common stock as to dividends and distributions of assets.

Unless the particular prospectus supplement states otherwise, holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive cash dividends, when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends. The rates and dates of payment of dividends will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to each series of preferred stock. Dividends will be payable to holders of record of preferred stock as they appear on our books. Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative.

We may not declare, pay or set apart for payment dividends on the preferred stock unless full dividends on any other series of preferred stock that ranks on an equal or senior basis have been paid or sufficient funds have been set apart for payment for:

Partial dividends declared on shares of preferred stock and any other series of preferred stock ranking on an equal basis as to dividends will be declared pro rata. A pro rata declaration means that the ratio of dividends declared per share to accrued dividends per share will be the same for all such series of preferred stock.

Similarly, we may not declare, pay or set apart for payment non-stock dividends or make other payments on the common stock or any other stock ranking junior to the preferred stock unless full dividends on all series of preferred stock have been paid or set apart for payment for:

The prospectus supplement for any series of preferred stock will state the terms, if any, on which shares of that series are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock.

If so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a series of preferred stock may be redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at our option or at the option of the holders, or may be mandatorily redeemed.

Any partial redemptions of preferred stock will be made in a way that our board of directors decides is equitable.

Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue after the redemption date on shares of preferred stock called for redemption and all rights of holders of such shares will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.

Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive distributions upon liquidation in the amount set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of preferred stock, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends. Such distributions will be made before any distribution is made on any securities ranking junior to the preferred stock with respect to liquidation, including common stock.

If the liquidation amounts payable relating to the preferred stock of any series and any other securities ranking on a parity regarding liquidation rights are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock of such series and such other securities will share in any such distribution of our available assets on a ratable basis in proportion to the full liquidation preferences. Holders of such series of preferred stock will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference.

If we issue voting preferred stock, holders of preferred stock will be entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted to our shareholders. If we issue non-voting preferred stock, holders of non-voting preferred stock will have no voting rights, except as described in the applicable prospectus supplement or otherwise. The prospectus supplement will state the voting rights, if any, applicable to any particular series of preferred stock.

This section describes the general terms and provisions of warrants to acquire our securities that we may issue from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrant agreement and the warrants issuable thereunder. If any particular terms of the warrants described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, other securities offered by this prospectus or any combination of the foregoing. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and they may be attached to or separate from the other securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as detailed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation, or agency or trust relationship, with you. We will file a copy of the warrant and warrant agreement with the SEC each time we issue a series of warrants, and these warrants and warrant agreements will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A holder of our warrants should refer to the provisions of the applicable warrant agreement and prospectus supplement for more specific information.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrants, including, where applicable, the following:

After your warrants expire they will become void. All warrants will be issued in registered form. The prospectus supplement may provide for the adjustment of the exercise price of the warrants.

Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of warrants, holders will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payments made to holders of those securities.

The applicable warrant agreement may be amended or supplemented without the consent of the holders of the warrants to which it applies to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of warrants will not be effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the applicable warrants then outstanding approve the amendment. Every holder of an outstanding warrant at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the warrant, will be bound by the applicable warrant agreement as amended. The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of warrants may provide that certain provisions of the warrants, including the securities for which they may be exercisable, the exercise price and the expiration date, may not be altered without the consent of the holder of each warrant.

The following briefly summarizes the provisions of the depositary shares and depositary receipts that we may issue from time to time and which would be important to holders of depositary receipts, other than pricing and related terms, which will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the general provisions summarized below do not apply to the depositary shares or depositary receipts being offered and provide any additional provisions applicable to the depositary shares or depositary receipts being offered. The following description and any description in a prospectus supplement may not be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the form of deposit agreement filed as an exhibit to the registration statement which contains this prospectus.

We may offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts. Each depositary share represents a fraction or a multiple of a share of a particular series of preferred stock that we issue and deposit with a depositary. The fraction or the multiple of a share of preferred stock that each depositary share represents will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will deposit the shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares according to the provisions of a deposit agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, which we will select as its preferred stock depositary. We will name the depositary in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each holder of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred stock in proportion to the applicable fraction or multiple of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share. These rights include any applicable dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights. The depositary will send the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications that we deliver to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of depositary shares.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to anyone who is buying the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption, a holder of depositary shares may receive the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the holder’s depositary receipts after surrendering the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary, paying any taxes, charges and fees provided for in the deposit agreement and complying with any other requirement of the deposit agreement. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the surrendered depositary shares exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock the holder wishes to withdraw, then the depositary will deliver to the holder at

The depositary will distribute to record holders of depositary shares any cash dividends or other cash distributions it receives on preferred stock. Each holder will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the holder. The depositary will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents. The depositary will add any fractional cents not distributed to the next sum received for distribution to record holders of depositary shares.

In the event of a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property to the record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such a distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

The amounts distributed to holders of depositary shares will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by the preferred stock depositary or by us on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

If the series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is subject to redemption, then we will give the necessary proceeds to the depositary. The depositary will then redeem the depositary shares using the funds it received from us for the preferred stock. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price payable per share for the applicable series of the preferred stock and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. Whenever we redeems shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem the depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock on the same day, provided we have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed and any accrued and unpaid dividends. If fewer than all the depositary shares of a series are to be redeemed, the depositary shares will be selected by lot or ratably or by any other equitable method as the depositary will decide.

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be considered outstanding. Therefore, all rights of holders of the depositary shares will cease, except that the holders will still be entitled to receive any cash payable upon the redemption and any money or other property to which the holder was entitled at the time of redemption. To receive this amount or other property, the holders must surrender the depositary receipts evidencing their depositary shares to the preferred stock depositary. Any funds that we deposit with the preferred stock depositary for any depositary shares that the holders fail to redeem will be returned to us after a period of two years from the date we deposit the funds.

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will notify holders of depositary shares of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials to the holders. The record date for determining holders of depositary shares that are entitled to vote will be the same as the record date for the preferred stock. The materials the holders will receive will describe the matters to be voted on and explain how the holders, on a certain date, may instruct the depositary to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. For instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them on or before the date specified. To the extent possible, the depositary will vote the shares as instructed by the holder. We agree to take all reasonable actions that the depositary determines are necessary to enable it to vote as a holder has instructed. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of preferred stock deposited under a deposit agreement if it has not received specific instructions from the holder of the depositary shares representing those shares.

We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the form of depositary receipt at any time. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts will not be effective unless it has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the affected depositary shares then outstanding. We will make no amendment that impairs the right of any holder of depositary shares, as described above under “– Withdrawal of Preferred Stock,” to receive shares of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by those depositary shares, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. If an amendment becomes effective, holders are deemed to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the amended deposit agreement if they continue to hold their depositary receipts.

The deposit agreement automatically terminates if a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock has been made to the holders of depositary receipts in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. we may also terminate the deposit agreement at any time we wish with at least 60 days prior written notice to the depositary. If we terminate, the depositary will give notice of termination to the record holders not less than 30 days before the termination date. Once depositary receipts are surrendered to the depositary, it will send to each holder the number of whole or fractional shares of the series of preferred stock underlying that holder’s depositary receipts.

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay all charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the related series of offered preferred stock, the initial issuance of the depositary shares, all withdrawals of shares of the related series of offered preferred stock by holders of the depositary shares and the registration of transfers of title to any depositary shares. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges provided in the deposit agreement to be payable by them.

The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary as follows:

The depositary may resign at any time by notifying us of its election to do so. In addition, we may remove the depositary at any time. Within 60 days after the delivery of the notice of resignation or removal of the depositary, we will appoint a successor depositary.

We will deliver all required reports and communications to holders of the offered preferred stock to the depositary, and it will forward those reports and communications to the holders of depositary shares.

As may be specified in a prospectus supplement, we may issue purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, a number of debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred stock, or other securities described in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement at a future date or dates. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts. These payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis to be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to any purchase contracts will specify the material terms of the purchase contracts and any applicable pledge or depositary arrangements, including one or more of the following:

The descriptions of the purchase contracts and any applicable underlying security or pledge or depository arrangements in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the purchase contract agreement, pledge agreement and deposit agreement, forms of which have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

We may, from time to time, issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus or debt securities of a third party, including U.S. treasury securties, in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

Any applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

We or selling securityholders may offer and sell the securities covered by this prospectus, from time to time, in one or more transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to market prices, at a fixed price or prices subject to change, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices, by a variety of methods, including the following:

Any applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus, including:

Any public offering price or purchase price and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other items constituting compensation allowed or reallowed or paid to underwriters, dealers or agents may be changed from time to time.

Underwriters or the third parties described above may offer and sell the offered securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions described above. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities.

We and/or the selling securityholders may sell the securities through agents from time to time. If required by applicable law, any applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we and/or the selling securityholders pay to them. Generally, unless otherwise indicated in any applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in any applicable 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 our agents. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us, and its compensation will be described in any applicable prospectus supplement.

Agents, underwriters and other third parties described above may be entitled under relevant underwriting or other agreements to indemnification by us and/or the selling securityholders against certain civil liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents, underwriters or other third

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon by Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and schedules included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our consolidated financial statements and schedules and our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.