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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">UNITED STATES</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">CURRENT REPORT</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
<B>July 13, 2012 (July 10, 2012)</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>American Realty Capital Trust III, Inc.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
Charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

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    <TD STYLE="width: 31%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 3.2pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>Maryland</B></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 1%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 37%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 3.2pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>000-54690</B></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 1%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 30%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 3.2pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>27-3515929</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 3.2pt 0pt 0; text-align: center">(State or other jurisdiction</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 3.2pt 0pt 0; text-align: center">of incorporation or organization)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 3.2pt; text-align: center">(Commission File Number)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 3.2pt; text-align: center">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD></TR>
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    <TD STYLE="width: 100%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 3.2pt 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>405 Park Avenue, 15th Floor</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 3.2pt 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>New York, New York 10022</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 3.2pt 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Address, including zip code,
        of Principal Executive Offices)</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 3.2pt 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 3.2pt 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(212) 415-6500</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; border-top: Black 0.5pt solid">Registrant's
        telephone number, including area code:</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&#61551; &nbsp;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under
the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&#61551; &nbsp;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&#61551; &nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&#61551; &nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.75in; text-align: left"><B>Item 5.02.</B></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><B>Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election
of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</B></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">On July 10, 2012, the Board of Directors of American Realty
Capital Trust III, Inc. (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;) appointed David Gong, currently one of the Company&rsquo;s independent directors
and chairman of the audit committee, as the lead independent director of the Company. The Board of Directors has appointed a lead
independent director to provide an additional measure of balance, ensure the Board&rsquo;s independence, and enhance the Board&rsquo;s
ability to fulfill its management oversight responsibilities.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The lead independent director chairs meetings or executive sessions
of the independent directors, reviews and comments on Board of Directors&rsquo; meeting agendas, represents the views of the independent
directors to management, facilitates communication among the independent directors and between management and the independent directors,
acts as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys, and other directors generally between meetings, serves as a representative
and speaks on behalf of the Company at external seminars, conferences, in the media and otherwise and otherwise assumes such responsibilities
as may be assigned to him by the Board. Consistent with current practices, the Company will compensate Mr. Gong for acting as lead
independent director.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The Company&rsquo;s management believes that having a majority
of independent, experienced directors, including a lead independent director with specified responsibilities on behalf of the Board,
provides the right leadership structure for the Company and is best for the Company and its stockholders at this time.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B></B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="padding-right: 1.8pt; font-weight: bold">AMERICAN REALTY CAPITAL TRUST III, INC.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: white">
    <TD STYLE="width: 43%; padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 4%; padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 53%; padding-right: 0.8pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: white">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">Date:&nbsp;July 13, 2012</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1.5pt solid; padding-right: 0.8pt">/s/&nbsp;Nicholas S. Schorsch</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: white">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="padding-right: 1.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt">Nicholas S. Schorsch</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: white">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="padding-right: 1.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0">Chief Executive Officer and</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0.8pt 0pt 0">Chairman of the Board of Directors</P></TD></TR>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "American Realty Capital Trust III, Inc.", "cik": "0001503828", "assigned-sic": "6798", "irs-number": "000000000", "state-of-incorporation": "MD", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-54690", "film-number": "12961008"}, "business-address": {"street1": "405 PARK AVE", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10022", "phone": "(212) 415-6500"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "405 PARK AVE", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10022"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
July 13, 2012 (July 10, 2012)
American Realty Capital Trust III, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
Charter)
Maryland
000-54690
27-3515929
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
405 Park Avenue, 15th Floor
New York, New York 10022
(Address, including zip code,
        of Principal Executive Offices)
(212) 415-6500
Registrant's
        telephone number, including area code:
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under
the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule
13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02.
Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election
of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On July 10, 2012, the Board of Directors of American Realty
Capital Trust III, Inc. (the "Company") appointed David Gong, currently one of the Company's independent directors
and chairman of the audit committee, as the lead independent director of the Company. The Board of Directors has appointed a lead
independent director to provide an additional measure of balance, ensure the Board's independence, and enhance the Board's
ability to fulfill its management oversight responsibilities.
The lead independent director chairs meetings or executive sessions
of the independent directors, reviews and comments on Board of Directors' meeting agendas, represents the views of the independent
directors to management, facilitates communication among the independent directors and between management and the independent directors,
acts as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys, and other directors generally between meetings, serves as a representative
and speaks on behalf of the Company at external seminars, conferences, in the media and otherwise and otherwise assumes such responsibilities
as may be assigned to him by the Board. Consistent with current practices, the Company will compensate Mr. Gong for acting as lead
independent director.
The Company's management believes that having a majority
of independent, experienced directors, including a lead independent director with specified responsibilities on behalf of the Board,
provides the right leadership structure for the Company and is best for the Company and its stockholders at this time.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN REALTY CAPITAL TRUST III, INC.
Date: July 13, 2012
By:
/s/ Nicholas S. Schorsch
Nicholas S. Schorsch
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors