Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-215384

This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 19, 2019

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To prospectus dated February 17, 2017)

6,000,000 Shares

Class A Common Stock

We are offering 6,000,000 shares of Class A common stock as described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of our Class A common stock.

Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “AI.” On February 15, 2019, the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock on the NYSE was $8.84 per share.

Commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 2019, we intend to elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. To assist us in maintaining our qualification as a REIT, among other purposes, we expect to seek stockholder approval at our next annual meeting to amend our articles of incorporation to include customary REIT ownership limitations.

The shareholder rights plan adopted by our Board of Directors allows us to dilute the ownership of our Company by any person or group of persons that acquires 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock. See “Important Provisions of Virginia Law and Our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Shareholder Rights Agreement—Shareholder Rights Agreement” in the accompanying prospectus.

Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

We are selling to the underwriters the shares of our Class A common stock at a price of $                per share, resulting in aggregate net proceeds to us of approximately $                million before expenses. The underwriters propose to offer the shares of Class A common stock for sale from time to time in one or more transactions (which may include block transactions), in negotiated transactions or otherwise, or a combination of those methods of sale at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to receipt and acceptance by the underwriters and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part. The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of Class A common stock to investors in this offering on or about February     , 2019.

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 900,000 shares of Class A common stock from us on the same terms and conditions set forth above within 30 days of the date of this prospectus supplement.

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

Joint Book Running Managers

The date of this prospectus supplement is February     , 2019.

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Prospectus

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference in these documents. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. If anyone provides you with different, inconsistent or unauthorized information or representations, you must not rely on them. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are an offer to sell only the securities offered by these documents, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference in these documents is current only as of the respective dates of those documents or the dates that are specified therein.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the offering of Class A common stock and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information. If the information set forth in this prospectus supplement differs in any way from the information set forth in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information set forth in this prospectus supplement.

This prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should read the accompanying prospectus as well as the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus. Unless the context otherwise requires, in this prospectus supplement, the terms the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar references refer to Arlington Asset Investment Corp., a Virginia corporation. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the information set forth throughout this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. See “Underwriting.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

When used in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus, in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, or in press releases or other written or oral communications, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” or similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements about the following:

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Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account information currently in our possession. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations may change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or are within our control. If a change occurs, the performance of our portfolio and our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed, anticipated or contemplated in our forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider these risks, along with the following factors that could cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements, before making an investment in our securities:

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We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made.

New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as obligated by law, we do not intend and disclaim any duty or obligation to update or revise any industry information or forward-looking statements set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to reflect new information, future events or otherwise. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus.

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INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from the date we file that document. Any documents filed by us under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement and before the date that the offering of Class A common stock by means of this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred to above that have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You may request those documents from us by contacting our Corporate Secretary at the following address: Arlington Asset Investment Corp., 1001 Nineteenth Street North, Arlington, Virginia 22209, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before you decide to invest in our Class A common stock, you should consider the risk factors below relating to this offering as well as the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 as well as any other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. Such risks are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect us. The risks described could affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In such a case, you may lose all or part of your original investment.

Risks Related to this Offering

The market price and trading volume of our Class A common stock may be volatile following this offering.

The market price of our Class A common stock may be highly volatile and be subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the trading volume in our Class A common stock may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of our Class A common stock declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your shares at or above the public offering price. We cannot assure you that the market price of our Class A common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future. Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our Class A common stock include:

Many of these factors are beyond our control.

Broad market fluctuations could negatively impact the market price of our Class A common stock.

The global capital markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of many companies in industries similar or related to ours and that have been unrelated to these companies’ operating performances. These broad market fluctuations could reduce the market price of our Class A common stock. Furthermore, our operating results and prospects may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors or may be lower than those of companies with comparable market capitalizations, which could lead to a material decline in the market price of our Class A common stock.

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Our outstanding debt securities and preferred stock and future offerings of debt securities and preferred stock, all of which rank senior to our Class A common stock upon our liquidation, and future offerings of equity securities, which would dilute our existing shareholders and may be senior to our Class A common stock for the purposes of dividend and liquidating distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by making additional offerings of debt or equity securities, including commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior or subordinated notes and classes of preferred stock or common stock. Upon liquidation, holders of our outstanding debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our Class A common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing shareholders or reduce the market price of our Class A common stock, or both. Additional shares of our preferred stock, if issued, could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on dividend payments that could limit our ability to make a dividend distribution to the holders of our Class A common stock. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our Class A common stock bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our Class A common stock and diluting their stock holdings in us.

Your interest in us may be diluted if we issue additional shares of Class A common stock.

Existing shareholders and potential investors in this offering do not have preemptive rights to any Class A common stock issued by us in the future. Therefore, investors purchasing shares in this offering may experience dilution of their equity investment if we sell additional shares of Class A common stock in the future, sell securities that are convertible into shares of Class A common stock or issue shares of Class A common stock or options exercisable for shares of Class A common stock. Further, investors purchasing shares in this offering may experience dilution of their equity investment upon the issuance of (a) 1,610,036 shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan and prior plans, of which a maximum of 930,327.5 shares of Class A common stock may be issuable under certain circumstances upon vesting of outstanding PSUs, excluding dividend reinvestments or (b) 190,761 shares of Class A common stock issuable, under certain circumstances, upon vesting of outstanding RSUs.

Investing in our Class A common stock may involve a high degree of risk.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objectives may result in a higher amount of risk, volatility or loss of principal than alternative investment options. Our investments may be highly speculative and aggressive, and therefore, an investment in our Class A common stock may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.

Our preliminary estimate of book value per share at January 31, 2019 could vary materially from our final results.

Our preliminary estimate of our book value per common share at January 31, 2019 is the responsibility of our management, was prepared by our management in connection with the preparation of our financial statements and is based upon a number of assumptions. Estimates of operating results are inherently uncertain. A variance between our estimated and final results may materially reduce the market price of our common stock. See “Summary—Recent Developments.”

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds we will receive from the sale of 6,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock in this offering will be approximately $     million (or approximately $     million if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional shares) after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $     million (or approximately $     million if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional shares), and estimated offering expenses of approximately $150,000 payable by us.

We expect to use the net proceeds of this offering to acquire certain of our target assets, including agency MBS. We expect then to borrow against the assets that we acquire with the net proceeds of this offering through repurchase agreements and to use the proceeds of the borrowings to acquire additional target assets. We may also use the net proceeds for general working capital purposes.

Pending these uses, we intend to maintain the net proceeds in interest-bearing, short-term, marketable investment grade securities or money market accounts or (interest or non-interest bearing) checking (or escrow) accounts. These investments may include, for example, government securities other than agency securities, certificates of deposit and interest-bearing bank deposits. We expect these investments to provide a lower net return than we will seek to achieve from our target assets.

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement, dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to purchase the shares of Class A common stock offered hereby are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters will purchase all of the shares of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus supplement, other than those covered by the option described below, if any of these shares are purchased.

The underwriters have agreed to purchase the shares of Class A common stock from us at a price of $                per share, which will result in net proceeds to us, after deducting estimated expenses related to this offering, of approximately $                million assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares granted to the underwriters, and $                million assuming full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

The underwriters propose to offer the Class A common shares offered hereby from time to time for sale in one or more transactions to purchasers directly or through agents, or through brokers in brokerage transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to receipt of acceptance by them and subject to their right to reject any order in whole or in part. The underwriters may effect such transactions by selling the Class A common shares to or through dealers and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or purchasers of common shares for whom they may act as agents or to whom they may sell as principal. The difference between the price at which the underwriters purchase shares and the price at which the underwriters resell such shares may be deemed underwriting compensation.

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable not later than 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an additional 900,000 shares of our Class A common stock at the same price per share set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. To the extent that the underwriters exercise this option, each of the underwriters will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of these additional shares of Class A common stock as the number of shares of Class A common stock to be purchased by it in the above table bears to the total number of shares of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus supplement. We will be obligated to sell these additional shares of Class A common stock to the underwriters to the extent the option is exercised. If any additional shares of Class A common stock are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “AI.”

We estimate that our total expenses of this offering will be approximately $150,000.

We have agreed that we will not directly or indirectly, issue, sell, offer, agree to sell, contract or grant any option to sell (including, without limitation, pursuant to any short sale), pledge, make any short sale of, maintain any short position with respect to, transfer, establish or maintain an open “put equivalent position” within the

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meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act, enter into any swap, derivative transaction or other arrangement (whether such transaction is to be settled by delivery of our common stock, other securities, cash or other consideration) that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership, file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments, with respect to the registration of, or otherwise dispose of any shares of our common stock, options or warrants to acquire shares of our common stock, or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into shares of our common stock, or publicly disclose the intention to take any such action, without, in each case, the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and JMP Securities LLC for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement. However, we may, during this 30-day “lock-up” period, (a) issue the shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering, (b) issue Class A common stock or grant Class A common stock-based awards (including but not limited to options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units) to our directors, officers, employees and consultants under our 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan and (c) issue shares of Class A common stock upon the conversion or exercise of previously-granted awards under our 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan or prior equity incentive plans.

Each of our directors and executive officers has agreed that they will not sell or offer or contract to sell or offer, grant any option or warrant for the sale of, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber or dispose of any legal or beneficial interest in any shares of our common stock, enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of our common stock or other securities, whether such swap transaction is to be settled by delivery of our common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any such transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, without, in each case, the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and JMP Securities LLC for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement. However, each of our directors and executive officers may transfer or dispose of our shares during this 30-day “lock-up” period, provided, that (i) such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, (ii) the transferee agrees to be bound in writing by the restrictions set forth in this paragraph for the remainder of the 30-day “lock-up” period prior to such transfer, and (iii) no filing by the transferor or transferee under the Exchange Act is required or voluntarily made in connection with such transfer (other than a filing on a Form 5 made after the expiration of the “lock-up” period or the extension of the “lock-up” period, as the case may be). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing shall prevent our executive officers and directors from (i) purchasing any of our Class A common stock, (ii) converting or exchanging any currently-held securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for our Class A common stock, (iii) exercising any currently-held options or warrants to purchase our Class A common stock, (iv) disposing or surrendering our securities for tax purposes in connection with the vesting and settlement of currently-held RSUs, shares of restricted stock or performance share units or the exercise of currently-held options or (v) receiving grants of any shares of our Class A common stock, or options to purchase our Class A common stock, pursuant to any equity incentive plans of our Company that are currently in effect (provided that any shares of Class A stock received will be subject to the lock-up restrictions described above).

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of Class A common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions.

Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in this offering. Covered short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock from us in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing

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shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock from us in this offering.

Naked short sales are any sales in excess of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock from us in this offering. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market prior to the completion of this offering.

Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of Class A common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of this offering.

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

Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions may have the effect of preventing or slowing a decline in the market price of the Class A common stock. Additionally, these purchases, along with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Class A common stock. As a result, the price of the Class A common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the NYSE or otherwise.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Class A common stock. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in those transactions or that those transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any of these liabilities.

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by an underwriter is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

In the ordinary course of their businesses, the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates may engage in financial transactions with, and perform investment banking, lending, asset management and/or financial advisory services for us and/or our affiliates. They receive customary fees and reimbursements of expenses for these transactions and services.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective 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, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and instruments of ours or our affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates has a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would 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, any of which could adversely affect future trading prices of the Class A common stock offered hereby. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments.

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EXPERTS

The audited consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report On Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, and for the underwriters by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

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PROSPECTUS

ARLINGTON ASSET INVESTMENT CORP.

$750,000,000

Class A Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

Depositary Shares

Debt Securities

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

Subscription Rights

We may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, together or separately, in one or more series or classes, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. The aggregate initial offering price of the securities that we offer will not exceed $750,000,000. We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly, on a continuous or delayed basis.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to sell any of the securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. Before investing, you should carefully read this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement.

Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AI.”

Investing in these securities involves substantial risks. See “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference herein, updated and supplemented by our periodic reports and other information filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated by reference herein. The prospectus supplement applicable to each type or series of securities we offer may contain a discussion of additional risks applicable to an investment in us and the particular type of securities we are offering under that prospectus supplement.

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

The date of this prospectus is February 17, 2017.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may issue and sell. Each time we issue and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may add, update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, you should rely solely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement applicable to any offering, together with the additional information described under the heading “Incorporation by Reference of Information Filed With the SEC.”

We have filed or incorporated by reference exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We will not make an offer to sell our securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, as well as information we previously filed with the SEC and have incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

References in this prospectus to “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to Arlington Asset Investment Corp., including, as the context requires, our direct and indirect subsidiaries. In this prospectus, we refer to the Class A common stock, preferred stock, preferred stock purchase rights, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts, units and subscription rights being offered collectively as “securities.”

RISK FACTORS

Investing in any of our securities involves substantial risks, including the risk that you might lose your entire investment. Any one of the risk factors discussed, or other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks are interrelated, and you should treat them as a whole. The risks described are not the only risks that may affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not identified, may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as updated and supplemented by our periodic reports and other information filed by us with the SEC and incorporated by reference herein, in addition to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. In connection with the forward-looking statements that appear in this prospectus, you should also carefully review the cautionary statements referred to in “Forward-Looking Information.”

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

When used in this prospectus, in future filings with the SEC or in press releases or other written or oral communications, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as

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“believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” or similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements about the following:

Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account information currently in our possession. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations may change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or are within our control. If a change occurs, the performance of our portfolio and our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed, anticipated or contemplated in our forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider these risks, along with the following factors that could cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements, before making an investment in our securities:

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These and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those described elsewhere in this prospectus, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

OUR COMPANY

General

We are a principal investment firm that currently acquires and holds a levered portfolio of residential MBS, consisting of agency MBS and private-label MBS. Agency MBS include residential mortgage pass-through certificates for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or government sponsored enterprise, or a GSE, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Private-label MBS, or non-agency MBS, include residential MBS that are not guaranteed by a GSE or the U.S. government. We leverage prudently our investment portfolio so as to increase potential returns to our shareholders. We fund our investments primarily through short-term financing arrangements, principally through repurchase agreements. We enter into various hedging transactions to mitigate the interest rate sensitivity of our cost of borrowing and the value of our MBS portfolio. We are a Virginia corporation and taxed as a C corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are an internally managed company and do not have an external investment advisor.

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Our Principal Office

Our principal executive offices are located at Potomac Tower, 1001 Nineteenth Street North, Arlington, Virginia, 22209, and our telephone number is (703) 373-0200. Our website is www.arlingtonasset.com. The information on our website is not, and should not be interpreted to be, part of this prospectus.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as may be set forth in a particular prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from sales of securities for the acquisition of agency MBS, private-label MBS or other types of assets that we may acquire in the future, or for use in other business activities we may pursue in the future. We also may use the proceeds for other general corporate purposes such as repayment of outstanding indebtedness, pursuit of growth initiatives that may include acquisitions, working capital and for liquidity needs. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we may invest the net proceeds in short-term marketable securities or use the net proceeds to reduce our short-term indebtedness.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges and of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the last five fiscal years. For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as income before income taxes and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest). Fixed charges include interest (whether capitalized or expensed), amortization of debt issuance costs and any discount or premium relating to any indebtedness (whether capitalized or expensed) and the portion of rent expense determined to represent interest. Because we did not have any preferred stock outstanding and therefore paid no preferred stock dividends during any of the periods presented, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is identical to the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods presented.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of our Class A common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts, units and subscription rights that we may offer from time to time. The preferred stock purchase rights that are attached to and traded with the shares of Class A common stock registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, are described under heading “Important Provisions of Virginia Law and Our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Shareholder Rights Agreement.” As further described in this prospectus, these summary descriptions are not intended to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and other offering material. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the securities as described in this prospectus.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary description of our common stock and preferred stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Virginia Stock Corporation Act and our articles of incorporation and bylaws, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Important Provisions of Virginia Law and Our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Shareholder Rights Agreement — Shareholder Rights Agreement.”

The particular terms of any series of preferred stock we offer will be described in the related prospectus supplement. You should read that description, together with the more detailed provisions of our articles of incorporation and the articles of amendment relating to the particular series of preferred stock, for provisions that may be important to you. The articles of amendment relating to the particular series of preferred stock will be filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

General

Under our articles of incorporation, the total number of shares of all classes of stock that we have authority to issue is 575,000,000, of which 450,000,000 are shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 are shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 25,000,000 are shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 100,000 are shares of Series A junior preferred stock. As of December 22, 2016, 23,558,675 shares of Class A common stock were issued and outstanding, 20,256 shares of Class B common stock were issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

Subject to any preferential or other rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock that may be designated by our Board of Directors, the holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors from funds available therefor. All decisions regarding the declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be evaluated on a quarterly basis in light of our financial condition, earnings, growth prospects, funding requirements, applicable law and other factors our Board of Directors deems relevant.

The holders of shares of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters voted on by shareholders and the holders of shares of Class B common stock are entitled to three votes per share on all matters voted on by shareholders. Each of the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock possess all voting power, except as otherwise required by law or provided in any resolution adopted by our Board of Directors with respect to any series of our preferred stock. Our Board of Directors consists of eight Directors. The directors are elected at each annual meeting of shareholders. Provided a quorum has been properly established in accordance with our bylaws, the holders of a majority of shares of common stock voting for the election of our directors can elect all of the directors, if they choose to do so, subject to any rights of the holders of preferred stock to elect directors, provided that in a contested director election (i.e., where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected at such meeting), the directors will be elected by the vote of a plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at any such meeting. Except for directors elected by the holders of outstanding shares of preferred stock as a separate voting group, any director may be removed from office with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all outstanding shares of the company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. There are no cumulative voting rights. Shares of our Class B common stock may convert into shares of our Class A common stock at our option in certain circumstances, including (1) upon a sale, transfer gift, assignment, devise or other disposition and (2) at the time the holder of shares of Class B common stock ceases to be employed by us.

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Subject to the rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock and except as otherwise required by law or pursuant to the listing standards of the exchange on which our securities are listed, in all matters other than the election of directors, certain amendments of our bylaws or certain provisions of our articles of incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of shareholders and entitled to vote on the subject matter is required for approval, provided a quorum is established. For more information regarding the voting rights of our capital stock, see “Important Provisions of Virginia Law and Our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Shareholder Rights Agreement.”

When we issue shares of our common stock, for and in receipt of consideration approved by our Board of Directors, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable, which means that the full purchase price of the shares will have been paid and holders of the shares will not be assessed any additional monies for the shares. There may be restrictions imposed by applicable securities laws on any transfer of shares of our common stock. Holders of our Class A common stock have no redemption rights, conversion rights or preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for our securities. There are no redemption provisions or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock.

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after payment of or adequate provision for all of our known debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time.

The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Virginia Law, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Shareholder Rights Agreement

For a description of certain anti-takeover provisions under Virginia law or in our articles of incorporation, bylaws or Shareholder Rights Agreement, which we refer to as our Rights Agreement, see “Important Provisions of Virginia Law and Our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Shareholder Rights Agreement.”

Preferred Stock

Our Board of Directors is authorized without further shareholder approval (except as may be required by applicable law or the regulations promulgated on any exchange on which our securities are listed) to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, and to fix for each such series such voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions, as are stated in the resolution adopted by our Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such series and as are permitted by the Virginia Stock Corporation Act. The terms and rights of any such series may include:

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Should our Board of Directors elect to exercise this authority, the rights and privileges of holders of shares of common stock could become subject to the rights and privileges of any such series of preferred stock. In addition, our Rights Agreement provides for the issuance of shares of participating preferred stock under the circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, upon exercise or exchange of rights issued thereunder. See “Important Provisions of Virginia Law and Our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Shareholder Rights Agreement — Shareholder Rights Agreement.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our shares of common stock is American Stock Transfer  & Trust Company, LLC.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

This section describes some of the general terms and provisions applicable to the depositary shares and depositary receipts that we may issue from time to time, other than pricing and related terms. We will describe the specific terms of a series of depositary shares and the deposit agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the depositary shares in the applicable prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the applicable deposit agreement, which we will file with the SEC in connection with an issuance of depositary shares and depositary receipts. You should read the description included in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the more detailed provisions of the applicable deposit agreement, for provisions that may be important to you.

We may issue depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts representing interests in shares of a particular series of preferred stock. We will deposit the preferred stock of a series that is the subject of depositary shares with a depositary, which will hold that preferred stock for the benefit of the holders of the depositary shares, in accordance with a deposit agreement between the depositary and us. The holders of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate, including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights, to the extent of their interests in such preferred stock.

While the deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preferred stock may have provisions applicable solely to that series of preferred stock, unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, all deposit agreements relating to preferred stock we issue will include the following provisions:

Dividends and Other Distributions

Each time we pay a cash dividend or make any other type of cash distribution with regard to preferred stock of a series, the depositary will distribute to the holder of record of each depositary share relating to that series of

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preferred stock an amount equal to the dividend or other distribution per depositary share that the depositary receives. If there is a distribution of property other than cash, the depositary either will distribute the property to the holders of depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by each of them, or the depositary will, if we approve, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by them.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive, upon surrender of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the applicable series of preferred stock, and any money or other property, to which the depositary shares relate.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by a depositary, the depositary will be required to redeem, on the same redemption date, depositary shares constituting, in total, the number of shares of preferred stock held by the depositary that we redeem, subject to the depositary’s receiving the redemption price of those shares of preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares relating to a series are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or by another method we determine to be equitable.

Voting

Any time we send a notice of meeting or other materials relating to a meeting to the holders of a series of preferred stock to which depositary shares relate, we will provide the depositary with sufficient copies of those materials so they can be sent to all holders of record of the applicable depositary shares. The depositary will send those materials to the holders of record of the depositary shares on the record date for the meeting. The depositary will solicit voting instructions from holders of depositary shares and will vote or not vote the preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate in accordance with those instructions.

Liquidation Preference

Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holder of each depositary share will be entitled to what the holder of the depositary share would have received if the holder had owned the number of shares (or fraction of a share) of preferred stock which is represented by the depositary share.

Conversion

If shares of a series of preferred stock are convertible into common stock or other of our securities or property, holders of depositary shares relating to that series of preferred stock will, if they surrender depositary receipts representing depositary shares and appropriate instructions to convert them, receive the shares of common stock or other securities or property into which the number of shares (or fractions of shares) of preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate could at the time be converted.

Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement

We and the depositary may amend a deposit agreement and the form of depositary receipt, except that an amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of depositary shares, or would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the preferred stock to which they relate, must be approved by holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding depositary shares. No amendment will impair the right of a holder of depositary shares to surrender the depositary receipts evidencing those depositary shares and receive the preferred stock to which they relate, except as required to comply with law. We may terminate a deposit agreement with the consent of holders of a majority of the depositary shares to which it

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relates. Upon termination of a deposit agreement, the depositary will make the whole or fractional shares of preferred stock to which the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement relate available to the holders of those depositary shares. A deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

Miscellaneous

There may be provisions: (a) requiring the depositary to forward to holders of record of depositary shares any reports or communications from us which the depositary receives with respect to the preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate; (b) regarding compensation of the depositary; (c) regarding resignation of the depositary; (d) limiting our liability and the liability of the depositary under the deposit agreement (usually to failure to act in good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct); and (e) indemnifying the depositary against certain possible liabilities.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following summary of selected provisions of the indentures does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the indenture that will be filed with the SEC in connection with an offering of our debt securities. Moreover, the terms of any series of debt securities offered by us may differ from the general description of terms presented below. The debt securities will be issued under an indenture to be entered into by us and an indenture trustee. The indenture trustee shall be The Bank of New York Mellon or such other indenture trustee as may be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue both secured and unsecured debt securities under the same indenture. Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, references in this section to the “indenture” and the “indenture trustee” refer to the applicable indenture pursuant to which any particular series of debt securities is issued and to the indenture trustee under that indenture. The terms of any series of debt securities will be those specified in or pursuant to the applicable indenture and in the certificates evidencing that series of debt securities and those made part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. The particular terms of any debt securities we offer will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, along with any applicable modifications of or additions to the general terms of the debt securities described below and in the indentures. You should read that description and the description set forth below, together with the more detailed provisions of the applicable indenture, including the defined terms, which we will file with the SEC in connection with the offering, for provisions that may be important to you. You should also consider applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.

We may from time to time issue and sell debt securities. These debt securities are described below and will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and any senior or subordinated debt securities that may be part of a unit, all of which are called debt securities. The senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures between us and the indenture trustee named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture, and in some cases pursuant to a supplemental indenture thereto. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are called the indentures, and the senior indenture trustee and the subordinated indenture trustee are called the indenture trustees.

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General

The debt securities will be our direct obligations. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures do not significantly limit our operations. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in particular, the debt securities do not:

The senior debt securities will rank senior to our subordinated debt securities.

Terms

Any series of debt securities offered by us will include specific terms, including some or all of the following:

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Form of the Debt Securities

The indentures provide that we may issue senior and subordinated debt securities in registered form, in bearer form or in both registered and bearer form. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of senior and subordinated debt securities will be issued in registered form, without coupons. Holders of “registered form” securities are listed on the applicable indenture trustee’s register for the applicable debt securities.

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue senior and subordinated debt securities in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000, and we will issue senior and subordinated debt securities in bearer form in denominations of $5,000 or any integral multiple of $5,000. There will be no service charge for any registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or conversion of senior or subordinated debt securities, but we or the applicable indenture trustee may require the holder to pay any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of a transfer or exchange of the senior or subordinated debt securities, other than certain exchanges not involving any transfer.

If we issue the debt securities in bearer form, the debt securities will have interest coupons attached. “Bearer form” securities are payable to whomever physically holds them from time to time. Debt securities in bearer form will not be offered, sold, resold or delivered in connection with their original issuance in the United States or to any United States person other than through offices of certain United States financial institutions located outside the United States. Purchasers of debt securities in bearer form will be subject to certification procedures and may be affected by United States tax law limitations.

Registration, Transfer, Payment and Paying Agent

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payments on the debt securities will be made at our office or agency maintained for that purpose. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the corporate trust office of the indenture trustee in the City of New York will be designated as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to the debt securities of each series. Any transfer of the debt securities will be registrable at the same place. In addition, we may choose to pay interest by check mailed to the address in the security register of the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the applicable record date. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, any interest and any additional amounts with respect to any debt securities which is payable, but not punctually paid or duly provided for, may be paid to the holders as of a special record date fixed by the applicable indenture trustee or in any other lawful manner.

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on debt securities in bearer form will be made at the office outside the United States specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and as we may designate from time to time. Payment can also be made by check or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment on debt securities in bearer form will be

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made only if the holder surrenders the coupon relating to the interest payment date. We will not make any payments on any debt security in bearer form at any office or agency in the United States, by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to any account maintained with a bank located in the United States.

Global Debt Securities

Unless we indicate otherwise 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 permanent form.

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

Covenants

The following covenants will apply to us with respect to the debt securities of each series unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement:

Additional covenants described in the applicable prospectus supplement may apply to us with respect to a particular series of debt securities.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

Contractual provisions in the subordinated debt indenture may prohibit us from making payments on the subordinated debt securities, which are subordinate and junior in right of payment to the extent and in the manner stated in the subordinated debt indenture, to all of our senior debt, as defined in the subordinated debt indenture, as it may be supplemented from time to time, including all debt securities we have issued and will issue under the senior debt indenture.

The subordinated debt indenture defines “senior debt” as the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all indebtedness of us, other than the subordinated debt securities, whether outstanding on the date of the indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is (a) for money borrowed, (b) evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind or (c) obligations of us as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles or leases of property or assets made as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which we are a party. For the purpose of this definition, “interest” includes interest accruing

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on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to us to the extent that the claim for post-petition interest is allowed in the proceeding. Also for the purpose of this definition, “indebtedness of us” includes indebtedness of others guaranteed by us and amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any indebtedness or obligation of the kinds described in the first sentence of this paragraph, but does not include any indebtedness or obligation if the instrument creating or evidencing the indebtedness or obligation, or under which the indebtedness or obligation is outstanding, provides that the indebtedness or obligation is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities.

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the subordinated debt indenture provides that, unless all principal of and any premium or interest on the senior debt has been paid in full, no payment or other distribution may be made in respect of any subordinated debt securities in the following circumstances:

If the indenture trustee under the subordinated debt indenture or any holders of the subordinated debt securities receive any payment or distribution that they know is prohibited under the subordination provisions, then the applicable indenture trustee or the holders will have to repay that money to the holders of the senior debt.

Even if the subordination provisions prevent us from making any payment when due on the subordinated debt securities of any series, we will be in default on our obligations under that series if we do not make the payment when due. This means that the indenture trustee under the subordinated debt indenture and the holders of that series can take action against us, but they will not receive any money until the claims of the holders of senior debt have been fully satisfied.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Each indenture generally permits a consolidation or merger between us and another corporation and the conveyance, transfer or lease by us of all or substantially all of our property or assets, in each case without the consent of the holders of any outstanding debt securities. However, unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture requires that:

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The successor shall be substituted for us as if it had been an original party to the indentures and the debt securities. Thereafter, the successor may exercise our rights and powers under the indentures and the debt securities and, except in the case of a lease, we will be released from all of our obligations and covenants under those documents.

Exchange of Debt Securities

Registered debt securities may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of registered debt securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions in authorized denominations requested by the holders upon surrender of the registered debt securities at an office or agency that we maintain for that purpose and upon fulfillment of all other requirements set forth in the indentures.

Conversion and Exchangeability

The holders of debt securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or other securities will be entitled to convert or exchange the debt securities under some circumstances. The terms of any conversion or exchange right will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, and may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities would be subject to adjustment.

Events of Default

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement for any series of debt securities, events of default with respect to any series of debt securities are:

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the applicable indenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice in writing to us, and to the applicable indenture trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, on that series to be due and payable immediately. The indenture trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default or event of default, except a default or event of default relating to the payment of principal or interest, if it determines that withholding such notice is in the holders’ interest.

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The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to such series and its consequences, except a continuing default or events of default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities of such series.

Any such waiver shall cure such default or event of default.

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the applicable indenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the applicable indenture trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable indenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the applicable indenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, subject to certain limitations specified in the applicable indenture.

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, a holder of the debt securities of any series will only have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

We will periodically file statements with the applicable indenture trustee regarding our compliance with certain of the covenants in the indentures.

Waivers of Certain Covenants and Past Defaults

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior and subordinated debt securities of each series may, on behalf of all holders of that series, waive our compliance with certain restrictive provisions of the applicable indenture. They also may waive any past default with respect to that series under the applicable indenture, except (a) a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest or any additional amounts or (b) a default in the performance of certain covenants which cannot be modified without the consent of all of the holders of the applicable series.

Amendments to the Indentures

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we and the applicable trustee may modify or amend an indenture, with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of each series of the senior or subordinated debt securities affected by the modification or amendment. However,

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unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of each holder affected by the modification or amendment:

Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we and the applicable indenture trustee may modify and amend an indenture without the consent of any holder for any of the following purposes:

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Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

If the applicable prospectus supplement provides for defeasance, subject to the terms described therein, we may at any time elect to defease and will be deemed to have paid and discharged our obligations on the applicable debt securities (as determined by us in an officers’ certificate delivered to the Trustee) if:

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In the case of a defeasance, the holders of the applicable debt securities of the series will not be entitled to the benefits of the applicable indenture, except for the registration of transfer or exchange and the replacement of stolen, lost or mutilated applicable debt securities and the requirements regarding the maintenance of an office or agency where the applicable debt securities can be surrendered for payment or registration of transfer or exchange and the right of the holders of the applicable debt securities to receive from the deposited funds payment of the principal of, premium, if any, interest, and additional amounts, if any, with respect to the applicable debt securities when due.

Determining the Outstanding Debt Securities

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the applicable indenture, we will consider the following factors in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding debt securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the applicable indenture or are present at a meeting of holders of debt securities for quorum purposes:

Governing Law

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

Regarding the Indenture Trustees

In the normal course of business, we and our subsidiaries may conduct banking transactions with the indenture trustees, and the indenture trustees may conduct banking transactions with us and our subsidiaries.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. We will describe the specific terms of each series of warrants we issue in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the warrant and related warrant agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the applicable warrant agreement. A form of the warrant agreement reflecting the particular terms and provisions of a series of offered warrants will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering and incorporated by reference in the registration statement and this prospectus.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or Class A common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or Class A common stock offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each

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series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

Each issue of warrants will be the subject of a warrant agreement which will contain the terms of the warrants. Each prospectus supplement with respect to a series of warrants will describe the terms of the warrants offered pursuant to it, including one or more of the following:

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

This section describes some of the general terms and provisions applicable to all purchase contracts. We will describe the specific terms of a series of purchase contracts in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the purchase contracts in the applicable prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the applicable purchase contract. A form of the purchase contract reflecting the particular terms and provisions of a series of offered purchase contracts will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering and incorporated by reference in the registration statement and this prospectus.

We may issue purchase contracts, including purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and us to sell to or purchase from holders, at a future date a number of:

The price of our debt securities, price per share of our Class A common stock or our preferred stock or the price of securities of an entity not affiliated with us, a basket of those securities, an index or indices of those securities or any combination of the above, currencies or commodities, as applicable, may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula contained in such purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units, including units consisting of a combination of a purchase contract obligating the holder to purchase shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock and debt securities or debt obligations of third parties, which may secure the holders’ obligations to purchase the Class A common stock or preferred stock under the purchase contracts.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the purchase contracts offered pursuant to it, including one or more of the following:

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

This section describes some of the general terms and provisions applicable to units we may issue from time to time. We will describe the specific terms of a series of units and the applicable unit agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the units in the applicable prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the applicable unit agreement. A form of the unit agreement reflecting the particular terms and provisions of a series of offered units will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering and incorporated by reference in the registration statement and this prospectus.

We may issue units from time to time in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we determine. We will issue each series of units under a unit agreement to be entered into between us and a unit agent to be designated in the applicable prospectus supplement. When we refer to a series of units, we mean all units issued as part of the same series under the applicable unit agreement.

We may issue units consisting of any combination of two or more securities described in this prospectus or debt or equity securities of third parties, 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.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the units offered pursuant to it, including one or more of the following:

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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

This section describes some of the general terms and provisions of the subscription rights we may issue from time to time. We will describe the specific terms of the subscription rights in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the subscription rights in the applicable prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provision of the applicable subscription rights. A form of the subscription rights reflecting the particular terms and provision of a series of subscription rights will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering and incorporated by reference in the registration statement and this prospectus.

Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with any subscription rights offering to our shareholders, subject to compliance with applicable law, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such subscription rights offering. Each series of subscription rights will be issued under a separate subscription rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as subscription rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the subscription rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the subscription rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of subscription rights certificates or beneficial owners of subscription rights. The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including one or more of the following:

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Each subscription right will entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash the number of shares of our Class A common stock or other securities at an exercise price set forth in, or determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date (subject to any extension) for the subscription rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date (subject to any extension), all unexercised subscription rights will become void and of no further force or effect.

Holders may exercise subscription rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, issue the shares of Class A common stock or other security purchasable upon exercise of the subscription rights. Subject to compliance with applicable law, if less than all of the subscription rights issued in any subscription rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

IMPORTANT PROVISIONS OF VIRGINIA LAW AND OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS AND SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AGREEMENT

The following description of certain provisions of Virginia law and our articles of incorporation, bylaws and the Rights Agreement is only a summary. For a complete description, we refer you to Virginia law, our articles of incorporation, bylaws and the Rights Agreement. We have filed our articles of incorporation, bylaws and the Rights Agreement as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General

Our articles of incorporation, bylaws, the Rights Agreement and the Virginia Stock Corporation Act contain certain provisions that could delay or impede transactions involving an actual or potential change of control of our company, limit the ability of shareholders to remove directors or management or approve a transaction they deem to be in their best interest or adversely affect the price of our securities.

Number of Directors; Removal; Filling Vacancies

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that there shall be eight Directors. By amendment of our bylaws, the Board of Directors or the shareholders may increase or decrease the number of Directors in accordance with applicable law. A decrease in the number of Directors shall not shorten the term of any incumbent Director. Directors hold office until their death, resignation or removal or until their successor is elected.

Our bylaws provide that vacancies on the Board of Directors, including a vacancy resulting from death, resignation, disqualification or removal or an increase in the number of Directors, shall be filled by the Board of Directors, the shareholders or the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors where less than a quorum of the Board of Directors remains. Where a resignation will become effective at a specified later date, it may be filled before the vacancy occurs, but the new Director may not take office until the vacancy occurs. A Director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy shall be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until his or her successor is elected.

Shareholder Action

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that special meetings of the shareholders may only be called by the Board of Directors or by the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, or President pursuant to a notice of

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meeting stating the purpose or purposes thereof approved by a majority of the Directors, the chairman, vice-chairman, chief executive officer or the president of the company. Only the business falling within the purpose or purposes described in the notice shall be conducted at a special meeting.

Advance Notice for Shareholder Proposals or Nominations at Meetings

Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures for shareholder proposals regarding business or nominations to be brought before any annual or special meeting of shareholders. Except for the election of Directors by the unanimous written consent of shareholders or the filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors by the Board Directors, only persons nominated in accordance with the notice procedures set forth in our bylaws shall be eligible to serve as a Director. Similarly, other business shall not be conducted at a meeting of shareholders unless it is brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in our bylaws. Except as otherwise dictated by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was properly made or proposed, as the case may be. If any nomination or business is defectively made or proposed, it shall be disregarded.

Annual Meetings

Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by the shareholders may be made at the annual meeting of shareholders in the following ways. Such nominations or proposals may be made pursuant to a notice of the meeting, by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by a shareholder of our company who is a shareholder of record of a class of shares entitled to vote on the business such shareholder is proposing, both on the record date for the annual meeting and at the giving of the shareholder’s notice, and who complies with the notice procedures provided for in our bylaws.

To properly bring nominations or other business before an annual meeting of the shareholders, a shareholder must give timely, written notice thereof in proper form and timely updates and supplements thereof as of the record date for the shareholder meeting and as of the date that is ten business days prior to the meeting, and the proposed business must be proper for shareholder consideration. To be timely, the notice must be delivered to the secretary of our company at our company’s principal executive officers not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier that the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. However, if the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary, the shareholder’s notice must be delivered to the secretary of our company at our company’s principal executive offices not earlier that the close of business on the 120th day prior to the annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the annual meeting or the tenth day following the date on which we first make public announcement of the date of our annual meeting.

The shareholder’s notice must contain certain information. As to each person the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election to the Board of Directors, the notice must contain all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-8 thereunder and a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the shareholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant. With respect to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a shareholder’s notice must also include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by the bylaws. In

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addition to the information explicitly required in the bylaws, a shareholder proposing a director nominee may be required to furnish other information as we may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as director.

As to any other business that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, the notice must contain a brief description of the proposed business and any material interest in such business of the shareholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made. The shareholder notice must also provide the name and address of the shareholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made as they appear on the books of the corporation as well as the class and number of shares that are owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder and such beneficial owner, as the case may be any information concerning derivative ownership and hedging transactions, and any affiliates, associates or others acting in concert with such shareholder.

If the number of Directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and there is no public announcement by us naming all of the nominees for Director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a shareholder’s notice will be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by the increase, if it is delivered to the secretary of the company at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which we first make such public announcement.

Special Meetings

Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which Directors are to be elected pursuant to the notice of meeting in two ways. Such nominations may be made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors. Additionally, a nomination may be made by any shareholder who was a shareholder of record at the time notice of the meeting was given, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in our bylaws. Any shareholder so qualified may nominate a person or persons for election to the position or positions specified in the notice of meeting if the shareholder provides timely, written notice thereof to the secretary of the company at our principal executive offices. To be timely, such notice must be provided not earlier that the close of business on the 120th day prior to the special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting is first made.

Amendment of the Bylaws

Our bylaws may be amended or repealed, and new bylaws may be made, at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or the shareholders. Bylaws made by the Board of Directors may be repealed or changed and new bylaws may be made by the shareholders, and the shareholders may prescribe that any bylaw made by them shall not be altered, amended, repealed or reinstated by the Board of Directors. The affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote is required for the shareholders to adopt, alter or repeal any bylaw that requires or would require the company to hold, or sets forth procedures for the holding of, a special meeting of shareholders or that governs or would govern the nomination of persons for election to the Board of Directors or the proposal of business to be considered at an annual or special meeting of shareholders.

Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation

For every voting group entitled to vote on a proposed amendment to our articles of incorporation, the vote required for approval shall be either the vote specifically required by our articles of incorporation or, if no voting requirement is specified, a majority of the votes entitled to be cast.

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Except for amendments to our articles of incorporation adopted by the Board of Directors that establish any series of preferred stock, the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the company is required to amend our articles of incorporation to include two types of provisions. The provisions that require such a vote are those that would require the company to hold, or set forth procedures for the holding of, a special meeting of shareholders or that would govern the nomination of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the proposal of business to be considered at an annual or special meeting of shareholders. The affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the company is also required to alter, amend or adopt any provision inconsistent with or repealing the Article VIII of our articles of incorporation, which addresses certain voting matters, including the amendment of our bylaws and articles of incorporation.

Common Stock

Our articles of incorporation grant us the authority to issue 450,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 100,000,000 shares of Class B common stock. Our articles of incorporation contain certain provisions that give holders of our Class B common stock greater voting rights than those of holders of our Class A common stock. Except where otherwise provided by law, shares of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote on all matters on which the shareholders are entitled to vote, and shares of Class B common stock are entitled to three votes on all such matters. The holders of Class A and Class B common stock vote together as a single voting group. Therefore, holders of our Class B common stock, if any, may exert significant influence on the outcome of all corporate actions requiring shareholder approval.

To the exclusion of the holders of any other class of shares, the holders of the outstanding shares of common stock have the sole power to vote for the election of Directors and for all other purposes without limitation, except as required by law.

Preferred Stock

Our articles of incorporation grant us the authority to issue 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock and authorize the Board of Directors, by the adoption of amendments to our articles of incorporation, to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to provide for the designation, preferences, limitations and relative rights of the shares of each series.

The availability of the preferred stock provides us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other corporate needs that might arise. Having the authorized shares available for issuance allows us to issue shares of preferred stock without the expense and delay of a special meeting of the shareholders. The authorized shares of preferred stock, as well as shares of common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by our shareholders, unless that action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities are listed. Our Board of Directors has the power, subject to applicable law, to issue a series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of the series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer, or other takeover attempt. For example, in connection with the Board of Directors’ adoption of our Rights Agreement, our Board of Directors designated Series A junior preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. See “Shareholder Rights Agreement.”

Virginia Law

The Virginia Stock Corporation Act contains provisions that may have the effect of impeding the acquisition of control of a Virginia corporation by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, open market purchases or otherwise in a transaction not approved by the corporation’s Board of Directors. These provisions are designed to reduce the corporation’s vulnerability to coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids.

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Affiliated Transactions Statute

Pursuant to a provision in our articles of incorporation, we have opted out of the affiliated transactions provisions contained in the VSCA. In general, these provisions prohibit a Virginia corporation from engaging in affiliated transactions with the beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of its outstanding voting shares (an “interested shareholder”) for a period of three years following the date that such person became an interested shareholder unless:

Affiliated transactions subject to this approval requirement include mergers, share exchanges, certain dispositions of corporate assets not in the ordinary course of business, any dissolution of the corporation proposed by or on behalf of an interested shareholder or any reclassification, including reverse stock splits, recapitalizations or mergers of the corporation with its subsidiaries, which increases the percentage of voting shares owned beneficially by an interested shareholder by more than 5%.

Control Share Acquisitions Statute

Pursuant to our bylaws, the provisions of Article 14.1 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act relating to “control share acquisitions” shall not apply to the company.

Shareholder Rights Agreement

On June 1, 2009, our Board of Directors adopted the Rights Agreement, and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right, each, a Right, for each outstanding share of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. No shareholder approval was required for adoption of the Rights Agreement; however, our shareholders approved the Rights Agreement at our annual meeting on June 2, 2010.

Our Board of Directors adopted the Rights Agreement in an effort to protect against a possible limitation on our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, or NOLs, net capital loss carry forwards, or NCLs, and built-in losses under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. Our ability to use our NOLs, NCLs and built-in losses would be limited if we experienced an “ownership change” under Section 382 of the Code. The Shareholder Rights Agreement was adopted to dissuade any person or group from acquiring 4.9% or more of our outstanding Class A common stock, each, an Acquiring Person, without the approval of the Board of Directors and triggering an “ownership change” as defined by Section 382.

Initially, the Rights generally will not be exercisable and will be attached to and automatically trade with our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The Rights will separate from the Class A common stock and Class B common stock and a “distribution date” will occur, with certain exceptions and upon a determination of our Board of Directors, upon the earlier of:

Subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, and taking into account our 1-for-20 reverse stock split that was effected on October 6, 2009, if the Rights become exercisable, each Right

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would represent the right to purchase from us one ten-thousandth of a share of Series A junior preferred stock for a purchase price of $3.00 each, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement. Each post-split share of our Class A and Class B common stock is now associated with, and now trades with, 20 Rights. If issued, each 20 fractional shares of preferred stock would give the shareholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as does one share of the our Class A common stock. However, prior to exercise, a Right does not give its holder any rights as a shareholder of our company, including without limitation any dividend, voting or liquidation rights.

After the Distribution Date and following a determination by the Board of Directors that a person is an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereupon become void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a Right and payment of the purchase price, that number of shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, as the case may be, having a market value of two times the purchase price of the Right.

After the Distribution Date and following a determination by the Board of Directors that a person is an Acquiring Person, the Board may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become void), in whole or in part, at an appropriate exchange ratio of shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, as the case may be, or a fractional share of Series A Preferred Stock (or of a share of a similar class or series of the company’s preferred stock having similar Rights, preferences and privileges) of equivalent value, per Right (subject to adjustment).

Each share of Series A junior preferred stock, if issued and outstanding:

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The Board of Directors may adjust the purchase price of the preferred shares, the number of preferred shares issuable and the number of outstanding Rights to prevent dilution that may occur as a result of certain events, including among others, a stock dividend, a forward or reverse stock split or a reclassification of the preferred shares or Class A common stock or Class B common stock. No adjustments to the purchase price of less than 1% will be made.

The Rights will have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to any person or group that attempts to acquire the corporation without the approval of the Board of Directors. As a result, the overall effect of the Rights may be to render more difficult or discourage any attempt to acquire the corporation even if such acquisition may be favorable to the interests of the corporation’s shareholders.

Because the Board of Directors can redeem the Rights, the Rights should not interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by the Board of Directors.

Before the Distribution Date, the Board of Directors may amend or supplement the Rights Agreement without the consent of the holders of the Rights. After the Distribution Date, the Board of Directors may amend or supplement the Rights Agreement only to cure an ambiguity, to alter time period provisions, to correct inconsistent provisions, or to make any additional changes to the Rights Agreement, but only to the extent that those changes do not impair or adversely affect, in any material respect, any Rights holder and do not result in the Rights again becoming redeemable, and no such amendment may cause the Rights again to become redeemable or cause this Rights Agreement again to become amendable other than in accordance with the applicable timing of the Rights Agreement.

The Rights and the Shareholder Rights Agreement will expire on the earliest of (i) June 4, 2019, (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Agreement, (iii) the time at which the Rights are exchanged pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Agreement, (iv) the repeal of Sections 382 and 383 of the Code or any successor statute if the Board of Directors determines that the Shareholder Rights Agreement is no longer necessary for the preservation of the applicable tax benefits and (v) the beginning of a taxable year to which the Board of Directors determines that no applicable tax benefits may be carried forward.

The articles of amendment designating our Series A junior preferred stock and the Rights Agreement are filed as exhibits to the registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part and are incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the Rights is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement.

BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES AND SETTLEMENT

We can issue the securities covered by this prospectus in definitive form or in the form of one or more global securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the manner in which the securities offered thereby will be issued.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may use this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement to sell our securities from time to time as follows:

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Each prospectus supplement relating to an offering of securities will set forth the specific plan of distribution and state the terms of the offering, including:

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

Distribution Through Underwriters

We may offer and sell securities from time to time to one or more underwriters who would purchase the securities as principal for resale to the public, either on a firm commitment or best efforts basis. If we sell securities to underwriters, we will execute an underwriting agreement with them at the time of the sale and will name them in the applicable supplement. In connection with these sales, the underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters also may receive commissions from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agent. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable supplement, the underwriters will not be obligated to purchase the securities unless the conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement are satisfied, and if the underwriters purchase any of the securities, they generally will be required to purchase all of the offered securities. The underwriters may acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or varying prices determined at the time of sale. The underwriters may sell the offered securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive discounts, concessions, or commissions from the underwriters as well as from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

Distribution Through Dealers

We may offer and sell securities from time to time to one or more dealers who would purchase the securities as principal. The dealers then may resell the offered securities to the public at fixed or varying prices to be determined by those dealers at the time of resale. We will set forth the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Distribution Through Agents

We may offer and sell securities on a continuous basis through agents that become parties to an underwriting or distribution agreement. We will name any agent involved in the offer and sale, and describe any commissions payable by us in the applicable supplement. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable supplement, the agent will be acting on a best efforts basis during the appointment period. The agent may make sales in privately negotiated transactions and by any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the NYSE, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.

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Direct Sales

We may sell directly to, and solicit offers from, institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters, as defined in the Securities Act, for any resale of the securities. We will describe the terms of any sales of this kind in the applicable prospectus supplement.

General Information

Underwriters, dealers, or agents participating in an offering of securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the offered securities, may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

We may offer to sell securities either at a fixed price or at prices that may vary, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. Securities may be sold in connection with a remarketing after their purchase by one or more firms acting as principal for their own accounts or as our agent. In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders.

In connection with an underwritten offering of the securities, the underwriters may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position for the underwriters. The underwriters may enter bids for, and purchase, securities in the open market in order to stabilize the price of the securities. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. In addition, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions, or otherwise. These activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. Those activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

There is no established trading market for any security other than our Class A common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AI,” our 6.625% Senior Notes due 2023, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AIW,” and our 6.75% Senior Notes due 2025, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AIC.” We may not list any particular series of securities on a securities exchange or quotation system. Any underwriters to whom or agents through whom the offered securities are sold for offering and sale may make a market in the offered securities. However, any underwriters or agents that make a market will not be obligated to do so and may stop doing so at any time without notice. We cannot assure you that there will be a liquid trading market for the offered securities.

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the related prospectus supplement, and the related prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

We may offer subscription rights to our existing shareholders to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock, preferred stock or other securities and any combination thereof. For any particular subscription rights, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of such rights, including the period during which such rights may be exercised, the manner of exercising such rights, the transferability of such rights and the number of shares of Class A common stock, preferred stock or other securities that may be purchased in connection with each right and the subscription price for the purchase of such securities. In connection with a rights offering, we may enter into a separate agreement with one or more underwriters or standby purchasers to

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purchase any securities not subscribed for in the rights offering by existing shareholders. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. Additionally, prior to the expiration date of any such subscription rights, any standby underwriters in a subscription rights offering to our shareholders may offer such securities on a when-issued basis, including securities to be acquired through the purchase and exercise of subscription rights, at prices set from time to time by the standby underwriters. After the expiration date of any such subscription rights, the underwriters may offer securities of the type underlying the subscription rights, whether acquired pursuant to a standby underwriting agreement, the exercise of the subscription rights or the purchase of such securities in the market, to the public at a price or prices to be determined by the underwriters. The standby underwriters may thus realize profits or losses independent of the underwriting discounts or commissions paid by us. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement in connection with a subscription rights offering to our shareholders, we may elect to retain a dealer-manager to manage the subscription rights offering for us. Any dealer-manager may offer securities of the type underlying the subscription rights acquired or to be acquired pursuant to the purchase and exercise of subscription rights and may thus realize profits or losses independent of any dealer-manager fee paid by us.

Pursuant to agreements entered into with us, underwriters and agents may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or to contribution for payments the underwriters or agents may be required to make.

Although we expect that delivery of securities generally will be made against payment on or about the third business day following the date of any contract for sale, we may specify a longer settlement cycle in the applicable supplement. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if we have specified a longer settlement cycle in the applicable supplement for an offering of securities, purchasers who wish to trade those securities on the date of the contract for sale, or on one or more of the next succeeding business days as we will specify in the applicable supplement, will be required, by virtue of the fact that those securities will settle in more than T+3, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of the trade to prevent a failed settlement and should consult their own advisors in connection with that election.

CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of securities covered by this prospectus has been passed upon for us by Hunton & Williams LLP. Any underwriters, dealers or agents will be advised by their own legal counsel concerning issues related to the offering of securities pursuant to this prospectus.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and other periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any such material at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling

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the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You can also find our SEC filings on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, you can inspect and copy reports, prospectus and other information concerning us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our common stock (NYSE: “AI”) is listed.

Our Internet address is http://www.arlingtonasset.com. We make available free of charge, on or through the “SEC Filings” section of our website, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Also posted on our website, and available in print upon request to our Investor Relations Department, are the charters for our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee, and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which governs our Directors, officers and employees. Information on our website is not part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF INFORMATION FILED WITH THE SEC

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important business, financial and other information to you by referring you to other documents separately filed with the SEC. All information incorporated by reference is part of this prospectus, unless and until that information is updated and superseded by the information contained in this prospectus or any information incorporated later. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any subsequent filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act: (i) after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement and (ii) after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to completion of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

We will provide a copy of all documents incorporated into this prospectus by reference, without charge, upon oral request to our Corporate Secretary at the number listed below or in writing by first class mail to the address listed below. Requests for such documents incorporated by reference should be directed to Corporate Secretary, Arlington Asset Investment Corp., 1001 Nineteenth Street North, Arlington, Virginia 22209, or you may ask for our Corporate Secretary by calling (703) 373-0200.

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6,000,000 Shares

Class A Common Stock

Morgan Stanley

JMP Securities

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

February     , 2019