Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2007

Registration No. 333-          



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  04-3218510
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

600 Hale Street
Prides Crossing, Massachusetts 01965
(617) 747-3300
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)


SEAN M. HEALEY
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.
600 Hale Street
Prides Crossing, Massachusetts 01965
(617) 747-3300
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service of process for registrant)


With copies to:

KEITH F. HIGGINS, ESQ.
Ropes & Gray LLP
One International Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(617) 951-7000


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


Title of Securities Being Registered

  Amount To Be Registered(1)
  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price Per Security(1)

  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)

  Amount of
Registration Fee(1)


Debt Securities                

Common Stock of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., par value $.01 per share                

(1)
An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price and amount of securities is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may not be received for common stock issuable upon conversion of convertible securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. ("AMG") is deferring payment of the registration fee and will pay the registration fee in advance or on a pay-as-you-go basis.




PROSPECTUS

AFFILIATED MANAGERS GROUP, INC.

Debt Securities
Common Stock


        Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. ("AMG") may offer and sell, or facilitate the resale of, securities from time to time, including in connection with a remarketing of the senior notes originally issued in our private offering of Income PRIDES(SM) or resales of shares of our common stock issued upon the settlement of the purchase contracts which are a component of the Income PRIDES(SM). We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before making your investment decision.

        The common stock of AMG is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AMG."

        This prospectus may be used to offer and sell securities only if accompanied by the prospectus supplement for those securities.


        Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See "Item 1A-Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and in any Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or applicable prospectus supplement, for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities.


        The address of our principal executive offices is 600 Hale Street, Prides Crossing, Massachusetts 01965 and our telephone number at our principal executive offices is (617) 747-3300.


        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 December 12, 2007



TABLE OF CONTENTS

About this Prospectus   1
Where You Can Find More Information   1
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc   2
Use of Proceeds   2
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges   2
Description of the Debt Securities   3
Description of Common Stock   17
Plan of Distribution   19
Validity of Securities   20
Experts   20

i



ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        Each time we offer securities using this prospectus, we will provide the specific terms and offering prices in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements also may add, update or change the information in this prospectus and also will describe the specific manner in which we will offer these securities.

        The applicable prospectus supplement may also contain important information about United States federal income tax consequences and, in certain circumstances, consequences under other countries' tax laws to which you may become subject if you acquire the securities being offered by that prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement also may update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

        You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. 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 are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or incorporated by reference herein is accurate only as of the date on the front of this prospectus or the respective dates of filing of the incorporated documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

        Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to "AMG," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. and not our Affiliates (as defined later in this prospectus) or other subsidiaries.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. You may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at its Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, you may read our SEC filings at the offices of the NYSE, which is located at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Our SEC filings are available at the NYSE because our common stock is listed on the NYSE.

        The SEC's rules allow us to "incorporate by reference" the information we have filed with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information by referring you to those documents. We consider the information incorporated by reference to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information included and/or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (other than, in each case, any document or portion of that document that is deemed not to be filed) after the initial filing of the registration statement that contains this prospectus and prior to the time that we sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus:



        You may obtain documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus at no cost by requesting them in writing or telephoning us at the following address:

        This prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form S-3, referred to herein, including all amendments and exhibits, as the Registration Statement, that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. This prospectus does not contain all of the information contained in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. We refer you to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information regarding us and our securities. The Registration Statement may be inspected at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at the address set forth above or from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Statements contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein concerning the provisions of any document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement are not necessarily complete and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.


AFFILIATED MANAGERS GROUP, INC.

        We are an asset management company with equity investments in a diverse group of mid-sized investment management firms (our "Affiliates"). Pro forma for our investments in ValueAct Capital and BlueMountain Capital Management and our pending investment in Cooke & Bieler, as of September 30, 2007, our affiliated investment management firms managed approximately $297 billion in assets across a broad range of investment styles and in three principal distribution channels: Mutual Fund, Institutional and High Net Worth. We pursue a growth strategy designed to generate shareholder value through the internal growth of our existing business across these three channels, in addition to investments in mid-sized investment management firms and strategic transactions and relationships designed to enhance our Affiliates' businesses and growth prospects.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        The use of proceeds from the disposition of the securities covered by this prospectus will be as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.


RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated is as follows:

 
  Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2007

  Year Ended December 31,
 
  2006
  2005
  2004
  2003
  2002
Ratios   7.1x   8.0x   8.1x   7.5x   7.5x   6.7x

2


        For the purpose of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of pre-tax consolidated income from continuing operations, as adjusted for minority interest, income from equity method investments, distributed income from equity method investments and fixed charges, and fixed charges consist of interest expense, amortization of debt issuance costs and the portion of rental expense deemed to represent interest.


DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

        We may offer debt securities from time to time, in one or more offerings. This prospectus describes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the securities in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities. You should read the actual indenture if you do not fully understand a term or the way we use it in this prospectus.

        We may offer senior debt securities under an indenture dated December 21, 2001, between us and The Bank of New York as trustee. This indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, will be referred to herein as the "indenture." The indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We have included a copy of the indenture as an exhibit to this registration statement and it is incorporated into this prospectus by reference. The following summarizes the material provisions of the indenture, but may not contain all of the information that is important to you. As used under this caption, the term "debt securities" includes the debt securities being offered by this prospectus and all other debt securities issued by us under the indenture.

General

        The indenture:

        The senior debt securities will be unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

        The indenture provides that we may, but need not, designate more than one trustee under the indenture. The trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to the series of debt securities administered by the resigning or removed trustee. If two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt securities, each trustee shall be a trustee of a series under the indenture separate and apart from the series administered by any other trustee.

        The prospectus supplement for each offering will provide the following terms, where applicable:

3


4


        We may issue debt securities at a discount below their principal amount and provide for less than the entire principal amount thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities. We will refer to any such debt securities throughout this prospectus as "original issue discount securities." The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax consequences and other relevant considerations applicable to original issue discount securities.

        Except as described under "—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets" or as may be set forth in any prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that (1) would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or (2) would afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of (a) a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us or any of our Affiliates or (b) a change of control or reorganization, restructuring, merger or similar transaction involving us that may adversely

5



affect the holders of the debt securities. In the future, we may enter into transactions, such as the sale of all or substantially all of our assets or a merger or consolidation, that may have an adverse effect on our ability to service our indebtedness, including the debt securities, by, among other things, substantially reducing or eliminating our assets.

        Neither applicable law nor our governing instruments define the term "substantially all" as it relates to the sale of assets. Additionally, applicable case law interpreting the term "substantially all" rely upon the facts and circumstances of each particular case. Consequently, to determine whether a sale of "substantially all" of our assets has occurred, a holder of debt securities must review the financial and other information that we have disclosed to the public.

        We will provide you with more information in the applicable prospectus supplement regarding any deletions, modifications, or additions to the events of default or covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.

Payment

        Unless we give you different information in the applicable prospectus supplement, the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) and interest on, any series of the debt securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of the trustee. We may also pay interest by mailing a check to the address of the person entitled to it as it appears in the applicable register for the debt securities or by wire transfer of funds to that person at an account maintained within the United States.

        All monies that we pay to a paying agent or a trustee for the payment of the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) or interest on, any debt security will be repaid to us if unclaimed at the end of two years after the obligation underlying payment becomes due and payable. After funds have been returned to us, the holder of the debt security may look only to us for payment, without payment of interest for the period which we hold the funds.

Denomination, Interest, Registration and Transfer

        Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of any series will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

        Subject to the limitations imposed upon debt securities that are evidenced by a computerized entry in the records of a depository company rather than by physical delivery of a note, a holder of debt securities of any series may:

        Every debt security surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer, and the person requesting such action must provide evidence of title and identity satisfactory to the trustee or transfer agent. Payment of a service charge will not be required for any registration of transfer or exchange of any debt securities, but we or the trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. If in addition to the trustee, the applicable prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent initially designated by us for any series of debt securities, we may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for such series. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents for any series of debt securities.

6


        Neither we nor any trustee shall be required to:

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

        The indenture provides that we may, without the consent of the holders of any outstanding debt securities, (1) consolidate with, (2) sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to, or (3) merge with or into, any other entity provided that:

Covenants

        Existence.    Except as permitted under "—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets," the indenture requires us to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our existence, rights and franchises. However, the indenture does not require us to preserve any right or franchise if we determine that any right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business.

        Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.    The indenture requires us to pay, discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before they become delinquent all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed on us or our Affiliates or our income, profits or property or those of our Affiliates. However, we will not be required to pay, discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

        Provision of Financial Information.    The indenture requires us, within 15 days of each of the respective dates by which we are required to file annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents with the SEC, (1) to file with the trustee, copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents that we filed with the SEC under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and (2) within 30 days after the filing thereof with the trustee, to mail to the holders of the notes, as their

7



names and addresses appear in the register, summaries of any such annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents.

        Additional Covenants.    The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any additional covenants of Affiliated Managers Group relating to any series of debt securities.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

        Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, when we refer to "events of default" as defined in the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities, we mean:

        When we use the term "significant subsidiary," we refer to the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act.

        If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to debt securities of any series outstanding, then the trustee or the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the debt securities of that series will have the right to declare the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable. If the debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities or indexed securities, then the trustee or the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the debt securities of that series will have the right to declare the portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof to be due and payable. However, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series or of all debt securities then outstanding under the indenture may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

8


        The indenture also provides that the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series or of all debt securities then outstanding under the indenture may on behalf of all holders waive any past default with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:

        The indenture requires the trustee to give notice to the holders of debt securities within 90 days of a default unless such default has been cured or waived. However, the trustee may withhold notice if specified responsible officers of such trustee consider such withholding to be in the interest of the holders of debt securities. The trustee may not withhold notice of a default in the payment of principal, any premium or interest on any debt security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any debt security of such series.

        The indenture provides that holders of debt securities of any series may not institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless the trustee fails to act for a period of 60 days after the trustee has received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of an event of default from the holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee. However, this provision will not prevent any holder of debt securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) and interest on, such debt securities at the respective due dates thereof.

        The indenture provides that, subject to provisions in the indenture relating to its duties in the case of a default, the trustee has no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers at the request or direction of any holders of any series of debt securities then outstanding under the indenture, unless the holders have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it. The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series or of all debt securities then outstanding under the indenture shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction which:

        Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, we will be required to deliver to the trustee a certificate, signed by one of our several specified officers stating whether or not that officer has knowledge of any default under the indenture. If the officer has knowledge of any default, the notice must specify the nature and status of the default.

9



Modification of the Indenture

        The indenture provides that modifications and amendments may be made only with the consent of the affected holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture. However, no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities affected by the modification or amendment:

        The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive, insofar as that series is concerned, our compliance with material restrictive covenants of the indenture.

        We and our trustee may make modifications and amendments of the indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities for any of the following purposes:

10


Voting

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

        The indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of debt securities of a series. A meeting will be permitted to be called at any time by the trustee, and also, upon request, by us or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, in any such case upon notice given as provided in the indenture. Except for any consent that must be given by the holder of each debt security affected by the modifications and amendments of the indenture described above, any resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series represented at such meeting.

        Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, except as referred to above, any resolution relating to a request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of such specified percentage.

11



        Any resolution passed or decision taken at any properly held meeting of holders of debt securities of any series will be binding on all holders of such series. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series. However, if any action is to be taken relating to a consent or waiver which may be given by the holders of at least a specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, the persons holding such percentage will constitute a quorum.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the indenture provides that if any action is to be taken at a meeting with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver and other action that such indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities affected by such action, or of the holders of such series and one or more additional series:


Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture allows us to discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under the indenture when:

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture provides that, upon our irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of an amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such debt securities are payable at stated maturity, or government obligations, or both, applicable to such debt securities, which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) and interest on, such debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor, we may elect either:

12


        Notwithstanding the above, we may not elect to defease and be discharged from the obligation to pay any additional amounts upon the occurrence of particular events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with respect to payments on such debt securities and the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency in respect of such debt securities, or to hold monies for payment in trust.

        The indenture only permits us to establish the trust described in the paragraph above if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance, will be required to refer to and be based upon a ruling received from or published by the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable federal income tax law occurring after the date of the indenture.

        When we use the term "government obligations," we mean securities that are:


        Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, if after we have deposited funds and/or government obligations to effect defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to debt securities of any series, (a) the holder of a debt security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect under the terms of the indenture or the terms of such debt security to receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite currency other than that in which such deposit has been made in respect of such debt security, or (b) a conversion event occurs in respect of the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such deposit has been made, the indebtedness represented by such debt security will be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of, and premium (or make-whole amount) and interest on, such debt security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount so deposited in respect of such debt security into the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such debt security becomes payable as a result of such election or such cessation of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate.

        When we use the term "conversion event," we mean the cessation of use of:

13


Conversion Rights

        The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities are convertible into common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include whether the debt securities are convertible into shares of common stock, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at our option or the option of the holders, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of the debt securities and any restrictions on conversion.

Global Securities

        The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series. Global securities, if any, issued in the United States are expected to be deposited with The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, as depository. We may issue global securities in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. We will describe the specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series. We expect that unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements.

        Once a global security is issued, the depository for such global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by such global security to the accounts of participants that have accounts with such depository. Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to such debt securities or by us if we offer such debt securities directly. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security will be limited to participants with the depository or persons that may hold interests through those participants.

        We expect that, under procedures established by DTC, ownership of beneficial interests in any global security for which DTC is the depository will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to beneficial interests of Participants with the depository) and records of participants (with respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold through participants with the depository). Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records of DTC or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC or any of its participants relating to beneficial ownership interests in the debt securities. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a global security.

        So long as the depository for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of such global security, such depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as described below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interest in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual debt securities represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture. Beneficial owners of debt securities evidenced by a global security will not be

14



considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instructions or approvals to the trustee under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security with respect to which DTC is the depository must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if such person is not a participant with the depository, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interests, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture. We understand that, under existing industry practice, if DTC requests any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interest to give or take such action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners through such participants to give or take such actions or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

        Payments of principal of, and any premium (or make-whole amount) and interest on, individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to or at the direction of the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, we and the trustee may treat the persons in whose name debt securities, including a global security, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments. Consequently, neither we nor the trustee have or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of such amounts to beneficial owners of debt securities including principal, any premium (or make-whole amount) or interest. We believe, however, that it is currently the policy of DTC to immediately credit the accounts of relevant participants with such payments, in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the relevant global security as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of such participants. Redemption notices with respect to any debt securities represented by a global security will be sent to the depository or its nominee. If less than all of the debt securities of any series are to be redeemed, we expect the depository to determine the amount of the interest of each participant in such debt securities to be redeemed to be determined by lot.

        Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent nor the security registrar for such debt securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such debt securities or for maintaining any records with respect thereto.

        Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by the holders of a global security or the depository in identifying the beneficial owners of debt securities, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the holder of a global security or the depository for all purposes. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

        If a depository for any debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and we do not appoint a successor depository within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities in exchange for the global security representing such debt securities. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities, determine not to have any of such debt securities represented by one or more global securities and in such event will issue individual debt securities in exchange for the global security or securities representing such debt securities. Individual debt securities so issued will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The debt securities of a series may also be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more bearer global securities that will be deposited with a depository, or with a nominee for such depository, identified in the applicable prospectus

15



supplement. Any such bearer global securities may be issued in temporary or permanent form. The specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depository arrangement, with respect to any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by one or more bearer global securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No Recourse

        There is no recourse under any obligation, covenant or agreement in the indenture or with respect to any security against any of our or our successor's past, present or future stockholders, employees, officers or directors.

16



DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

        The following is a description of the material terms and provisions of our common stock. It may not contain all the information that is important to you. Therefore, you should read our charter and bylaws for additional information related to our common stock.

General

        Under our charter, we currently have authority to issue up to 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, and up to 3,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $.01 per share. Under Delaware law, stockholders generally are not responsible for our debts or obligations. As of December 7, 2007, we had 29,776,466 shares of common stock outstanding and an additional 9,247,192 shares of common stock were held in the Company's treasury, and there were no shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding. All shares of common stock will, when issued, be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "AMG."

Dividends

        Subject to preferential rights of any other class or series of stock, holders of common stock and Class B common stock may receive dividends out of assets that we can legally use to pay dividends, when, as and if they are declared by our board of directors, with each share of common stock and each share of Class B common stock sharing equally in such dividends with each share of Class B common stock being equal to the number of shares of common stock into which it would then be convertible. If dividends are declared which are payable in shares of common stock or shares of Class B common stock, such dividends shall be declared payable at the same rate in both classes of stock and the dividends payable in shares of common stock shall be payable to the holders of shares of common stock, and the dividends payable in shares of Class B common stock shall be payable to the holders of shares of Class B common stock.

Voting Rights

        Holders of common stock will have the exclusive power to vote on all matters presented to our stockholders, including the election of directors, except as otherwise required by Delaware law or as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our directors, which means that, subject to any rights to elect directors that are granted to the holders of any class or series of preferred stock, a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director.

        To the extent the holders of Class B common stock are entitled to vote under our charter or applicable law, such holders shall vote together as a single class with the holders of common stock, except as required by law.

Liquidation/Dissolution Rights

        Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock, holders of shares of our common stock and Class B common stock share in the same proportion as our other stockholders in the assets that we may legally use to pay distributions in the event we are liquidated, dissolved or our affairs are wound up after we pay or make adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities with each share of Class B common stock being equal to the number of shares of common stock into which it would then be convertible.

17



Other Rights

        Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock, all shares of common stock have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights, and have no preference, appraisal or exchange rights, except for any appraisal rights provided by Delaware law. Furthermore, holders of shares of our common stock have no conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights, or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities, other than the limited conversion rights afforded to the holders of our Class B common stock which are described below.

        Under Delaware law, a corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the matter, unless a different percentage is set forth in the corporation's charter, which percentage shall not in any event be less than a majority of all of the shares entitled to vote on such matter. Our charter provides that whenever any vote of the holders of voting stock is required to amend or repeal any provision of the charter, then in addition to any other vote of the holders of voting stock that is required by the charter or by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, voting together as a single class, is required. However, with respect to the amendment or repeal of any of the provisions of our charter relating to stockholder action without an annual or special meeting, the election, term or removal of directors, vacancies on the board of directors, and the limitation of liability of directors and officers, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, voting together as a single class, shall be required.

Rights of Class B Common Stock

        The holders of our Class B common stock generally have the same rights and privileges as holders of our common stock, except that holders of Class B common stock do not have any voting rights other than those which may be provided under our charter or applicable law. Each share of Class B common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of common stock if such share of Class B common stock is to be distributed, disposed of or sold by the holder in connection with any sale; provided, that such conversion is not inconsistent with any regulation, rule or other requirement of any governmental authority applicable to the holder.

Transfer Agent

        The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is LaSalle Bank National Association.

18



PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

General

        The securities may be sold:

        The prospectus supplement for each series of securities we sell will describe, to the extent required, information with respect to that offering, including:

Underwriters

        If underwriters are used in the sale, we will execute an underwriting agreement with those underwriters relating to the securities that we will offer. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase these securities will be subject to conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of these securities if any are purchased.

        The securities subject to the underwriting agreement will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold by them from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from the purchasers of these securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell these securities to or through dealers. These dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

Agents

        We may also sell any of the securities through agents designated by us from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of these securities and will list commissions payable by us to these agents in the applicable prospectus supplement. These agents will be acting on a best efforts basis to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment, unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement.

19



Direct sales

        We may sell any of the securities directly to purchasers. In this case, we will not engage underwriters or agents in the offer and sale of the applicable securities.

Indemnification

        We may indemnify underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the distribution of securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and agree to contribute to payments which these underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make.

No assurance of liquidity

        Any securities, other than our common stock, may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters that purchase securities from us may make a market in these securities. The underwriters will not be obligated, however, to make a market and may discontinue market-making at any time without notice to holders of the debt securities. We cannot assure you that there will be liquidity in the trading market for any debt securities of any series.

Secondary sales

        Shares of our common stock may be sold from time to time by selling stockholders, through public or private transactions at prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.


VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

        Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, certain matters relating to the validity of the securities will be passed upon on behalf of AMG by Ropes & Gray LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.


EXPERTS

        The 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 by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph on management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting due to the exclusion of Chicago Equity Partners, LLC from the assessment of the internal control over financial reporting because the Company acquired Chicago Equity Partners, LLC in a purchase business combination during 2006) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

20



PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

        The following table sets forth all fees and expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby (other than any underwriting discounts and commissions). All amounts are estimated.

SEC registration fee   $   (1)
Printing fees and expenses   $ 10,000  
Accounting fees and expenses   $ 25,000  
Legal fees and expenses   $ 50,000  
  Total   $ 85,000  


Item 15.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

        AMG is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Section 145 ("Section 145") of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (the "General Corporation Law"), inter alia, provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons who were, are or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation's best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was illegal. In addition, the statutes of Delaware contain provisions to the general effect that any director shall in the performance of his duties be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or records of the corporation or statements prepared by any official of the corporation.

        Section 145 further authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify him under Section 145.

        In accordance with the General Corporation Law, Article VII of AMG's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate") provides that no director of AMG shall be personally liable to AMG or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to AMG or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) in respect of certain unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or repurchases, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. In addition, the Certificate provides that if the General Corporation Law is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the

II-1



Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law, as so amended.

        Article V of AMG's Amended and Restated By-laws provides for indemnification, to the fullest extent authorized by the General Corporation Law (as the same exists or may hereafter be amended; provided that no such amendment shall reduce the level of indemnity provided prior to such amendment), by AMG of its directors, officers and certain non-officer employees under certain circumstances against expenses (including, among other things, attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, taxes, penalties and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of any threatened, pending or completed legal proceeding (or any claim, issue or matter therein) in which any such person is involved by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of AMG if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of AMG, and, with respect to criminal actions or proceedings, if such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

        AMG also carries standard directors' and officers' liability insurance covering its directors and officers.

        AMG has agreed to indemnify the trust's trustees for, and to hold each trustee harmless against, any loss, damage, claims, liability, penalty or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of any such trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust agreements, including the cost and expenses of any trustee of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise and performance of any of its powers or duties under the trust agreements.


Item 16.    Exhibits.

Exhibit No.

  Description

1.1   Underwriting Agreement (to be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein).

4.1

 

Indenture, dated as of December 21, 2001, between AMG and The Bank of New York (as successor to First Union National Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to AMG's Report on Form 8-K dated December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference)

4.2

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 12, 2004, between AMG, Merrill Lynch & Co. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*

4.3

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 24, 2004, between AMG, Merrill Lynch & Co. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*

5.1

 

Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP, counsel to AMG as to the legality of the securities being registered*

12.1

 

Calculation of Ratios to Earning to Fixed Charges*

23.1

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*

23.2

 

Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)*

24.1

 

Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement)*

25.1

 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1 hereto*

*
Filed herewith.

II-2



Item 17.    Undertakings

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

II-3


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

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

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

II-4



SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Prides Crossing, Massachusetts, on December 12, 2007.

    AFFILIATED MANAGERS GROUP, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
DARRELL W. CRATE      
Darrell W. Crate
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that we, the undersigned officers and directors of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby severally constitute Sean M. Healey, Darrell W. Crate and John Kingston, III, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorney with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, the registration statement filed herewith and any and all amendments to said registration statement, and generally to do all such things in our names and in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said registration statement and any and all amendments thereto.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Dated: December 12, 2007

Signature

  Title

 

 

 
/s/  SEAN M. HEALEY      
Sean M. Healey
  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/  
DARRELL W. CRATE      
Darrell W. Crate

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/  
WILLIAM J. NUTT      
William J. Nutt

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

/s/  
RICHARD E. FLOOR      
Richard E. Floor

 

Director

/s/  
HAROLD J. MEYERMAN      
Harold J. Meyerman

 

Director

/s/  
RITA M. RODRIGUEZ      
Rita M. Rodriguez

 

Director

/s/  
PATRICK T. RYAN      
Patrick T. Ryan

 

Director

/s/  
JIDE J. ZEITLIN      
Jide J. Zeitlin

 

Director

II-5



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.

  Description

1.1   Underwriting Agreement (to be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein).

4.1

 

Indenture, dated as of December 21, 2001, between AMG and The Bank of New York (as successor to First Union National Bank), as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to AMG's Report on Form 8-K dated December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference)

4.2

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 12, 2004, between AMG, Merrill Lynch & Co. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*

4.3

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 24, 2004, between AMG, Merrill Lynch & Co. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*

5.1

 

Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP, counsel to AMG as to the legality of the securities being registered*

12.1

 

Calculation of Ratios to Earning to Fixed Charges*

23.1

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*

23.2

 

Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)*

24.1

 

Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement)*

25.1

 

Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of The Bank of New York, as Trustee under the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1 hereto*

*
Filed herewith.