| Subject to Completion Preliminary Term Sheet dated September 24, 2015 |
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433 Registration Statement No. 333-200089 (To Prospectus dated December 1, 2014, Prospectus Supplement dated December 1, 2014 and Product Prospectus Supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1 dated June 2, 2015) |
Units $10 principal amount per unit CUSIP No. |
Pricing Date* Settlement Date* Maturity Date* |
October , 2015 | |||
 |
*Subject to change based on the actual date the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”) | ||||
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked
to the § Maturity of approximately 14 months § 3-to-1 upside exposure to increases in the Index, subject to a capped return of [13% to 17%] § 1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Index, with 100% of your investment at risk § All payments occur at maturity and are subject to the credit risk of The Bank of Nova Scotia § No periodic interest payments § Limited secondary market liquidity, with no exchange listing § The notes are unsecured debt securities and are not savings accounts or insured deposits of a bank. The notes are not insured or guaranteed by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), or any other governmental agency of Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction | |||||
The notes are being issued by The Bank of Nova Scotia (“BNS”). There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks and certain additional costs. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and beginning on page PS-6 of product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1.
The initial estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date is expected to be between $9.42 and $9.80 per unit, which is less than the public offering price listed below. See “Summary” on the following page, “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-13 of this term sheet for additional information. The actual value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.
_________________________
None of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Note Prospectus (as defined below) is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
_________________________
| Per Unit | Total | |
| Public offering price(1)(2) | $ 10.00 | $ |
| Underwriting discount(1)(2) | $ 0.20 | $ |
| Proceeds, before expenses, to BNS | $ 9.80 | $ |
| (1) | For any purchase of 500,000 units or more in a single transaction by an individual investor, the public offering price and the underwriting discount will be $9.95 per unit and $0.15 per unit, respectively. |
| (2) | For any purchase by certain fee-based trusts and discretionary accounts managed by U.S. Trust operating through Bank of America, N.A., the public offering price and underwriting discount will be $9.80 per unit and $0.00 per unit, respectively. |
The notes:
| Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
Merrill Lynch & Co.
October , 2015
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
Summary
The Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The notes are not guaranteed or insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or the FDIC, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior debt. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of BNS. The notes provide you a leveraged return, subject to a cap, if the Ending Value of the Market Measure, which is the Russell 2000® Index (the “Index”), is greater than the Starting Value. If the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value, you will lose all or a portion of the principal amount of your notes. Payments on the notes, including the amount you receive at maturity, will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit and will depend on the performance of the Index, subject to our credit risk. See “Terms of the Notes” below.
The economic terms of the notes (including the Capped Value) are based on our internal funding rate, which is the rate we would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes, and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements. Our internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed-rate debt securities. This difference in funding rate, as well as the underwriting discount and the hedging related charge described below, will reduce the economic terms of the notes to you and the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date. Due to these factors, the public offering price you pay to purchase the notes will be greater than the initial estimated value of the notes.
On the cover page of this term sheet, we have provided the initial estimated value range for the notes. This range of estimated values was determined by reference to our internal pricing models, which take into consideration certain factors, such as our internal funding rate on the pricing date and our assumptions about market parameters. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the notes, see “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-13.
| Terms of the Notes | Redemption Amount Determination | |
| Issuer: | The Bank of Nova Scotia (“BNS”) |
On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows:
|
| Principal Amount: | $10.00 per unit | |
| Term: | Approximately 14 months | |
| Market Measure: | The Russell 2000® Index (Bloomberg symbol: “RTY”), a price return index. | |
| Starting Value: | The closing level of the Market Measure on the pricing date. | |
| Ending Value: | The average of the closing levels of the Market Measure on each scheduled calculation day occurring during the Maturity Valuation Period. The calculation days are subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-19 of product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1. | |
| Participation Rate: | 300% | |
| Capped Value: | [$11.30 to $11.70] per unit, which represents a return of [13% to 17%] over the principal amount. The actual Capped Value will be determined on the pricing date. | |
| Maturity Valuation Period: | Five scheduled calculation days shortly before the maturity date. | |
| Fees and Charges: | The underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit listed on the cover page and the hedging related charge of $0.075 per unit described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-13. | |
| Calculation Agent: | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”). | |
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-2 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:
| § | Product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1 dated
June 2, 2015: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/9631/000089109215004856/e64489_424b5.htm |
| § | Prospectus supplement dated December 1, 2014: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/9631/000089109214008993/e61583-424b3.htm |
| § | Prospectus dated December 1, 2014: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/9631/000089109214008992/e61582_424b3.htm |
These documents (together, the “Note Prospectus”) have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website as indicated above or obtained from MLPF&S by calling 1-800-294-1322. Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, for information about us and this offering. Any prior or contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you may have received are superseded by the Note Prospectus. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to BNS.
Investor Considerations
You may wish to consider an investment in the notes if:
| § | You anticipate that the Index will increase moderately from the Starting Value to the Ending Value. |
| § | You are willing to risk a substantial or entire loss of principal if the Index decreases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value. |
| § | You accept that the return on the notes will be capped. |
| § | You are willing to forgo the interest payments that are paid on conventional interest bearing debt securities. |
| § | You are willing to forgo dividends or other benefits of owning the stocks included in the Index. |
| § | You are willing to accept a limited or no market for sales prior to maturity, and understand that the market prices for the notes, if any, will be affected by various factors, including our actual and perceived creditworthiness, our internal funding rate and fees and charges on the notes. |
| § | You are willing to assume our credit risk, as issuer of the notes, for all payments under the notes, including the Redemption Amount. | |
The notes may not be an appropriate investment for you if:
| § | You believe that the Index will decrease from the Starting Value to the Ending Value or that it will not increase sufficiently over the term of the notes to provide you with your desired return. |
| § | You seek principal repayment or preservation of capital. |
| § | You seek an uncapped return on your investment. |
| § | You seek interest payments or other current income on your investment. |
| § | You want to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the stocks included in the Index. |
| § | You seek an investment for which there will be a liquid secondary market. |
| § | You are unwilling or are unable to take market risk on the notes or to take our credit risk as issuer of the notes. |
We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-3 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments at Maturity
The below graph is based on hypothetical numbers and values.
|
Accelerated Return Notes®
|
This graph reflects the returns on the notes based on the Participation Rate of 300% and a Capped Value of $11.50 per unit (the midpoint of the Capped Value range of [$11.30 to $11.70]). The green line reflects the returns on the notes, while the dotted gray line reflects the returns of a direct investment in the stocks included in the Index, excluding dividends. This graph has been prepared for purposes of illustration only. |
The following table and examples are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical returns on the notes. They illustrate the calculation of the Redemption Amount and total rate of return based on a hypothetical Starting Value of 100, the Participation Rate of 300%, a Capped Value of $11.50 per unit and a range of hypothetical Ending Values. The actual amount you receive and the resulting total rate of return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Ending Value, Capped Value, and whether you hold the notes to maturity. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes.
For recent actual levels of the Market Measure, see “The Index” section below. The Index is a price return index and as such the Ending Value will not include any income generated by dividends paid on the stocks included in the Index, which you would otherwise be entitled to receive if you invested in those stocks directly. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.
Ending Value | Percentage Change from | Redemption Amount per Unit | Total Rate of Return on the Notes | |||
| 0.00 | -100.00% | $0.00 | -100.00% | |||
| 50.00 | -50.00% | $5.00 | -50.00% | |||
| 80.00 | -20.00% | $8.00 | -20.00% | |||
| 90.00 | -10.00% | $9.00 | -10.00% | |||
| 94.00 | -6.00% | $9.40 | -6.00% | |||
| 97.00 | -3.00% | $9.70 | -3.00% | |||
| 100.00(1) | 0.00% | $10.00 | 0.00% | |||
| 102.00 | 2.00% | $10.60 | 6.00% | |||
| 105.00 | 5.00% | $11.50(2) | 15.00% | |||
| 110.00 | 10.00% | $11.50 | 15.00% | |||
| 120.00 | 20.00% | $11.50 | 15.00% | |||
| 130.00 | 30.00% | $11.50 | 15.00% | |||
| 140.00 | 40.00% | $11.50 | 15.00% | |||
| 150.00 | 50.00% | $11.50 | 15.00% | |||
| 160.00 | 60.00% | $11.50 | 15.00% |
(1) The hypothetical Starting Value of 100 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only, and does not represent a likely actual Starting Value for the Market Measure.
(2) The Redemption Amount per unit cannot exceed the hypothetical Capped Value.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-4 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
Redemption Amount Calculation Examples
| Example 1 | |
| The Ending Value is 80.00, or 80.00% of the Starting Value: | |
| Starting Value: 100.00 | |
| Ending Value: 80.00 | |
 |
= $8.00 Redemption Amount per unit |
| Example 2 | |
| The Ending Value is 102.00, or 102.00% of the Starting Value: | |
| Starting Value: 100.00 | |
| Ending Value: 102.00 | |
 |
= $10.60 Redemption Amount per unit |
| Example 3 | |
| The Ending Value is 130.00, or 130.00% of the Starting Value: | |
| Starting Value: 100.00 | |
| Ending Value: 130.00 | |
 |
= $19.00, however, because the Redemption Amount for the notes cannot exceed the Capped Value, the Redemption Amount will be $11.50 per unit |
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-5 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
Risk Factors
There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security. An investment in the notes involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page PS-6 of product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1, page S-2 of the prospectus supplement, and page 6 of the prospectus identified above. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.
| § | Depending on the performance of the Index as measured shortly before the maturity date, your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal. |
| § | Your return on the notes may be less than the yield you could earn by owning a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. |
| § | Your investment return is limited to the return represented by the Capped Value and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the stocks included in the Index. |
| § | Payments on the notes are subject to our credit risk, and actual or perceived changes in our creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the notes. If we become insolvent or are unable to pay our obligations, you may lose your entire investment. |
| § | The notes may be subject to write-off, write-down or conversion under current and proposed Canadian resolution powers. |
| § | Our initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than the public offering price of the notes. Our initial estimated value of the notes is only an estimate. The public offering price of the notes will exceed our initial estimated value because it includes costs associated with selling and structuring the notes, as well as hedging our obligations under the notes with a third party, which may include MLPF&S or one of its affiliates. These costs include the underwriting discount and an expected hedging related charge, as further described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-13. |
| § | Our initial estimated value of the notes does not represent future values of the notes and may differ from others’ estimates. Our initial estimated value of the notes is determined by reference to our internal pricing models when the terms of the notes are set. These pricing models consider certain factors, such as our internal funding rate on the pricing date, the expected term of the notes, market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, and our assumptions about market parameters, which can include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide valuations for the notes that are different from our initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change, and any of our assumptions may prove to be incorrect. On future dates, the market value of the notes could change significantly based on, among other things, the performance of the Index, changes in market conditions, our creditworthiness, interest rate movements and other relevant factors. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the notes in complex and unpredictable ways. Our initial estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which we or any agents would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. |
| § | Our initial estimated value is not determined by reference to credit spreads or the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities. The internal funding rate used in the determination of our initial estimated value of the notes generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities and the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities. If we were to use the interest rate implied by the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities, or the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities, we would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you. Consequently, our use of an internal funding rate for the notes would have an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes, the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date, and the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any secondary market. |
| § | A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. Neither we nor MLPF&S is obligated to make a market for, or to repurchase, the notes. There is no assurance that any party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price in any secondary market. |
| § | Our business, hedging and trading activities, and those of MLPF&S and our respective affiliates (including trades in shares of companies included in the Index), and any hedging and trading activities we, MLPF&S or our respective affiliates engage in for our clients’ accounts, may affect the market value and return of the notes and may create conflicts of interest with you. |
| § | The Index sponsor may adjust the Index in a way that may adversely affect its level and your interests, and the Index sponsor has no obligation to consider your interests. |
| § | You will have no rights of a holder of the securities included in the Index, and you will not be entitled to receive securities or dividends or other distributions by the issuers of those securities. |
| § | While we, MLPF&S or our respective affiliates may from time to time own securities of companies included in the Index, we, MLPF&S and our respective affiliates do not control any company included in the Index, and have not verified any disclosure made by any other company. |
| § | There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent. |
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-6 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
| § | The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the notes. See “Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” below and “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page PS-27 of product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1. |
| § | The conclusion that no portion of the interest paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited on a note will be “Participating Debt Interest” subject to Canadian withholding tax is based in part on the current published administrative position of the CRA. There cannot be any assurance that CRA’s current published administrative practice will not be subject to change, including potential expansion in the current administrative interpretation of Participating Debt Interest subject to Canadian withholding tax. If, at any time, the interest paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited on a note is subject to Canadian withholding tax, you will receive an amount that is less than the Redemption Amount. You should consult your own adviser as to the potential for such withholding and the potential for reduction or refund of part or all of such withholding, including under any bilateral Canadian tax treaty the benefits of which you may be entitled. For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the notes, see “Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” below, “Canadian Taxation—Debt Securities” on page 38 of the prospectus dated December 1, 2014, and “Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” on page PS-26 of the Product Prospectus Supplement dated June 2, 2015. |
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-7 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
The Index
All disclosures contained in this term sheet regarding the Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, Russell Investment Group (“Russell” or the “Index sponsor”). The Index sponsor, which licenses the copyright and all other rights to the Index, has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Index. The consequences of the Index sponsor discontinuing publication of the Index are discussed in the section entitled “Description of ARNs — Discontinuance of an Index” on page PS-20 of product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1. None of us, the calculation agent, or MLPF&S accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Index or any successor index.
General
The Index measures the composite price performance of stocks of 2,000 companies in the U.S. equity market. As of May 31, 2015, the 2,000 companies included in the Index were divided into nine Russell Global Sectors. The top five Russell Global Sectors were Financial Services, Health Care, Technology, Consumer Discretionary and Producer Durables. (Sector designations are determined by the index sponsor using criteria it has selected or developed. Index sponsors may use very different standards for determining sector designations. In addition, many companies operate in a number of sectors, but are listed in only one sector and the basis on which that sector is selected may also differ. As a result, sector comparisons between indices with different index sponsors may reflect differences in methodology as well as actual differences in the sector composition of the indices.)
The index includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities that form the Russell 3000® Index. The Russell 3000® Index is comprised of the 3,000 largest companies, or 98% based on market capitalization, of the investable U.S. equity market. The Index represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index. The Index is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market.
Selection of Constituent Stocks of the Index
The Index is a sub-index of the Russell 3000® Index. To be eligible for inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index, and, consequently, the Index, a company’s stocks must be listed on the last trading day of May of a given year and Russell must have access to documentation verifying the company’s eligibility for inclusion. Eligible initial public offerings are added to Russell U.S. Indices at the end of each calendar quarter, based on total market capitalization rankings within the market-adjusted capitalization breaks established during the most recent reconstitution. To be added to any Russell U.S. index during a quarter outside of reconstitution, initial public offerings must meet additional eligibility criteria.
A company is included in the U.S. equity markets and is eligible for inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index, and consequently, the Index, if that company incorporates in, has its headquarters in and also trades with the highest liquidity (as defined by a two-year average daily dollar trading volume from all exchanges) in the United States or its territories. If a company satisfies any one of these criteria and the primary location of that company’s assets or its revenue, based on an average of two years of assets or revenues data, is also in the United States, that company will also be considered part of the U.S. equity market. In addition, if there is insufficient information to assign a company to the U.S. equity markets based on its assets or revenue, the company may nonetheless be assigned to the U.S. equity markets if the headquarters of the company is located in certain “benefit-driven incorporation countries,” or “BDIs,” and that company’s most liquid stock exchange is also in the United States. The BDI countries are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Curacao, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos Islands. ADRs and ADSs are not eligible for inclusion in the Index.
Exclusions from the Index
Russell specifically excludes the following companies and securities from the Index : (i) preferred and convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants, rights and trust receipts; (ii) royalty trusts, U.S. limited liability companies, closed-end investment companies (business development companies are not eligible as of June 2014), blank check companies, special purpose acquisition companies and limited partnerships; (iii) companies with a total market capitalization less than $30 million; (iv) companies with only a small portion of their shares available in the marketplace (companies with 5% or less float); (v) bulletin board, pink sheets or over-the-counter traded securities; (vi) companies that generate, or have historically generated, unrelated business taxable income and have not taken steps to block their unrelated business taxable income to equity holders; and (vii) exchange traded funds and mutual funds.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-8 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
Initial List of Eligible Securities
The primary criterion Russell uses to determine the initial list of securities eligible for the Russell 3000® Index and consequently, the Index, is total market capitalization, which is calculated by multiplying the total outstanding shares for a company times the market price as of the last trading day in May. All common stock share classes are combined in determining market capitalization. If multiple share classes have been combined, the price of the primary vehicle (usually the most liquid) is used in the calculations. In cases where the common stock share classes act independently of each other (e.g., tracking stocks), each class is considered for inclusion separately. Stocks must trade at or above $1.00 on their primary exchange on the last trading day of May of each year to be eligible for inclusion in the Index. In order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last trading day of May, it will be considered eligible if the average of the daily closing prices from their primary exchange during the month of May is equal to or greater than $1.00.
Annual Reconstitution
The Index is reconstituted annually by Russell to reflect changes in the marketplace. The list of companies is ranked based on total market capitalization on the last trading day in May, with the actual reconstitution effective on the first trading day following the final Friday of June each year, unless the final Friday in June is the 29th or 30th, in which case reconstitution will be effective on the preceding Friday. Changes in the constituents are preannounced and subject to change if any corporate activity occurs or if any new information is received prior to release.
Index Calculation and Capitalization Adjustments
As a capitalization-weighted index, the Index reflects changes in the capitalization, or market value, of the underlier stocks relative to the capitalization on a base date. This discussion describes the “price return” calculation of the Index. The current Index value is the compounded result of the cumulative daily (or monthly) return percentages, where the starting value of the index is equal to the base value (100) and base date (December 31, 1978). Returns between any two dates can then be derived by dividing the ending period index value (IV1) by the beginning period (IV0) index value, so that the return equals [(IV1 / IV0) – 1] * 100. The ending period index value, for purposes of calculating the Index value, on any date is determined by adding the market values of the underlier stocks, which are derived by multiplying the price of each stock by the number of available shares, to arrive at the total market capitalization of the 2,000 stocks.
Constituent stocks of the index are weighted in the Index by their free-float market capitalization, which is calculated by multiplying the primary closing price by the number of free-float shares. Free-float shares are shares that are available to the public for purchase as determined by Russell. Russell determines shares available to the public for purchase based on information recorded in corporate filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other reliable sources in the event of missing or questionable data. Russell removes the following types of shares from total market capitalization to arrive at free-float market capitalization:
Corporate cross-owned shares — shares of a company in the index that are held by another company that is included in any other Russell index;
Large private and corporate holdings — shares held by an individual, a group of individuals acting together or a corporation (that is included in the index) if such shareholdings constitute 10% or more of the shares outstanding. Institutional holdings, including investment companies, partnerships, insurance companies, mutual funds, banks or venture capital firms, are not excluded unless the firm has a direct relationship to the company, such as board representation, in which case they are considered strategic holdings and excluded;
ESOP or LESOP shares — shares held by employee stock ownership plans and leveraged employee stock ownership plans that comprise 10% or more of a company’s outstanding shares;
Unlisted share classes — classes of common stock that are not traded on a U.S. securities exchange;
Initial public offering lock-ups — shares locked-up during an initial public offering are not available to the public and will be excluded from the market value at the time the initial public offering enters the index; and
Government holdings — shareholdings listed as “government of.” Shares held by government investment boards and/or investment arms are treated like shares held by large private shareholdings and are excluded if the number of shares is greater than 10% of outstanding shares. Shares held by a government pension plan are considered institutional holdings and will not be excluded.
Corporate Actions Affecting the Index
Russell adjusts the index on a daily basis in response to certain corporate actions and events. Therefore, a company’s membership in the index and its weight in the index can be impacted by these corporate actions. The adjustment is
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-9 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
applied based on sources of public information, including press releases and Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Prior to the completion of a corporate action or event, Russell estimates the effective date. Russell will then adjust the anticipated effective date based on public information until the date is considered final. Depending on the time on a given day that an action is determined to be final, Russell will generally either (1) apply the action before the open on the ex-date or (2) apply the action after providing appropriate notice to its clients regarding the impact of the action and the effective date. Russell applies the following methodology guidelines when adjusting the index in response to corporate actions and events:
“No Replacement” Rule — Securities that are deleted from the Index between reconstitution dates, for any reason (e.g., mergers, acquisitions or other similar corporate activity) are not replaced. Thus, the number of securities in the Index over the past year will fluctuate according to corporate activity.
Mergers and Acquisitions — Between constituents: When mergers and acquisitions take place between companies that are both constituents of a Russell index, the target company is deleted and its market capitalization simultaneously moves to the acquiring company’s stock. Russell categorizes the surviving entity based on a weighted average of the market value of the two companies prior to the merger using market values as of the day immediately before Russell determines that the action or event is final. Given sufficient market hours after confirmation, Russell effects this action after the close on the last day of trade of the target company.
Between a constituent and a non-constituent: If the target company is a member of the Index, it is deleted from the index after Russell determines that the action or event is final. If the acquiring company is a member of the Index, its shares are adjusted by adding the target company’s market capitalization (if the increase in shares is greater than 5%). If the target company is not a member of a Russell index, Russell will also analyze the transaction to determine whether it constitutes a reverse merger. A reverse merger occurs when the acquiring company is a private, non-publicly traded company or OTC company, and the acquisition results in a transaction whereby a new publicly traded company is created that meets all of the requirements for inclusion in a Russell index based on market capitalization using the opening price on the day after the merger or acquisition is considered final. In such a case, the newly formed entity will be placed in the Index, if appropriate, and the target company simultaneously removed from the Index, after the close of the market on the day after the merger is considered final. If the event does not qualify as a reverse merger, the target company is deleted after the action is determined to be final.
Reincorporation — Members of a Russell U.S. index, like the Index , that reincorporate to another country and continue to trade in the United States and companies that reincorporate to the United States during the year are analyzed for assignment by Russell during annual reconstitution. Members that reincorporate in another country and no longer trade in the United States are immediately deleted from the Russell U.S. indices.
Reclassification — The class of a member’s securities included in the Index will not be assessed or changed outside of a reconstitution period unless the existing class ceases to exist.
Rights Offerings — Rights offered to shareholders are reflected in the index only if the subscription price of the rights is at a discount to the market price. Provided that Russell has been alerted to the rights offer prior to the ex-date, it will adjust the price of the stock for the value of the rights and increased shares according to the terms of the offering before the open on the ex-date. If Russell is unable to provide prior notice, it will delay the price adjustment until the appropriate notice has been given. This treatment applies for both transferable and non-transferable rights. Rights issued as part of a poison pill arrangement or entitlements that give shareholders the right to purchase ineligible securities such as convertible debt are excluded from this treatment.
Spin-offs and Initial Public Offerings — Spun-off companies are added to the parent company’s index if the spun-off company meets all the eligibility requirements of the index and its total market capitalization is greater than the market-adjusted total market capitalization of the smallest security in the Russell 3000E™ Index at the latest reconstitution. Spun-off companies are added to the index at the same time as they are spun-off from their parent company, which is on the completion date of the spin-off. The parent company’s market value will be reduced simultaneously on the Russell effective date.
Initial Public Offerings — Eligible initial public offerings are added to the Index at the end of each calendar quarter, except that fourth quarter IPO additions will be processed after the close on the third Friday of each December.
Tender Offers — A company acquired as a result of a cash tender offer is removed if (i) the tender offer period ends; (ii) shareholders have validly tendered, not withdrawn, and the shares have been accepted for payment; (iii) all regulatory requirements have been fulfilled; and (iv) the acquiring company is able to finalize the acquisition via a short-form merger, top-up option or other compulsory mechanism. In the case where all the above requirements have been fulfilled except for the acquiring company being unable to finalize the acquisition through a compulsory mechanism, Russell will make a
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-10 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
share adjustment to the target company’s shares, on a date pre-announced by Russell, in cases where the float-adjusted shares have decreased by 30% or more and the tender offer has fully completed and closed.
Delisted and Halted Stocks — When stocks are deleted from the index as a result of exchange de-listing or reconstitution, the price used will be the closing primary exchange price on the day the action is final (t), or the following day (t+1) using the closing OTC bulletin board price. Halted securities are not removed from the index until the time they are actually delisted from the exchange. If a security is halted, it remains in the index at the most recent closing price until the security resumes trading or is officially delisted. If, however, a stock is (i) halted due to financial difficulty/debt or cash flow issues for a period longer than 40 calendar days or (ii) suspended due to exchange listing rules or legal regulatory issues longer than one calendar quarter, Russell will review for removal on a case-by-case basis. Determinations will be made based upon reasonable likelihood of trade resumption and likelihood of residual value returned to equity holders. If removal is deemed appropriate, Russell will remove the stock at zero value at the end of the month. Stocks that are scheduled for changes but are halted or suspended prior to reconstitution will have their scheduled updates postponed and will be monitored for trade resumption. Once trading resumes, these changes will be announced and such stocks will have their positions updated accordingly.
Voluntary Exchange Offers — A publicly traded company may offer to exchange or split-off some or all of its ownership in a separate publicly traded company. Once the offer expires, Russell will decrease the available shares in the offering company, and increase the available shares of ’split-off’ company, based on the results of the offering. Russell will effect this change based on, but not limited to, preliminary results, company filings, and exchange notices.
Bankruptcy and Voluntary Liquidations — Companies that file for a Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy or have filed a liquidation plan will be removed from the index at the time of the bankruptcy filing; whereas companies filing for a Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy will remain a member of the index, unless the company is de-listed from the primary exchange, in which case normal de-listing rules apply. If a company files for bankruptcy, is delisted and it can be confirmed that it will not trade OTC, Russell may remove the stock at a nominal price of $0.0001.
Stock Distributions — A price adjustment for stock distributions is applied on the ex-date of the distribution. When the number of shares for the distribution is fixed, Russell increases the number of shares on the ex-date. When the number of shares is an undetermined amount based on future earnings and profits, Russell increases the number of shares on the pay-date.
Dividends — Russell includes gross dividends in the daily total return calculation of the index on the basis of their ex-dates. If a dividend is payable in stock and cash and the stock rate cannot be determined by the ex-date, the dividend is treated as all cash. Regular cash dividends are reinvested across the index at the close on the dividend ex-date, while special cash dividends are subtracted from the price of the stock before the open on the ex-date.
Changes to Shares Outstanding — Changes to shares outstanding due to buybacks (including Dutch auctions), secondary offerings, merger activity with a non-index member and other potential changes are generally updated at the end of the month in which the change is reflected in vendor-supplied updates. Russell verifies this information using publicly available information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Russell only applies such changes if the aggregate change in the number of shares outstanding is greater than 5%. The float factor determined during the most recent annual reconstitution is applied to this figure, and only the available shares will be added to the index. No such changes are made in June due to the most recent annual reconstitution. Month-end changes in November and December will be processed as one event after the close on the third Friday of each December due to low liquidity in the financial markets at the end of the year.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-11 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the Index in the period from January 1, 2008 through September 17, 2015. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On September 18, 2015, the closing level of the Index was 1,163.346.
Historical Performance of the Index
This historical data on the Index is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Index or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the Index during any period set forth above is not an indication that the level of the Index is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.
Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the levels of the Index.
License Agreement
Russell has entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with us, granting us, and certain of our affiliates, in exchange for a fee, permission to use the Index in connection with the offer and sale of the notes. We are not affiliated with Russell; the only relationship between Russell and us is the licensing of the use of the Russell 2000® Index (a trademark of Russell) and trademarks relating to the Index. We do not accept any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Index or any successor index.
The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Russell. Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly or the ability of the Index to track general stock market performance or a segment of the same.
Russell’s publication of the Index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by Russell as to the advisability of investment in any or all of the securities upon which the Index is based. Russell’s only relationship to us is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of Russell and of the Index which is determined, composed and calculated by Russell without regard to us or the notes. Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the notes nor any associated literature or publications and Russell makes no representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the Index. Russell has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes.
RUSSELL DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE RUSSELL 2000® INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND RUSSELL SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. RUSSELL MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, INVESTORS, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE RUSSELL 2000® INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. RUSSELL MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE RUSSELL 2000® INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL RUSSELL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-12 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
Supplement to the Plan of Distribution
Under our distribution agreement with MLPF&S, MLPF&S will purchase the notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount.
We may deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than three business days following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the notes occurs more than three business days from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than three business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. In the original offering of the notes, the notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units. If you place an order to purchase the notes, you are consenting to MLPF&S acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.
MLPF&S will not receive an underwriting discount for notes sold to certain fee-based trusts and fee-based discretionary accounts managed by U.S. Trust operating through Bank of America, N.A.
MLPF&S may repurchase and resell the notes, with repurchases and resales being made at prices related to then-prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, and these prices will include MLPF&S’s trading commissions and mark-ups. MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions; however, it is not obligated to engage in any such transactions. At MLPF&S’s discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the notes, MLPF&S may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the notes. Any price offered by MLPF&S for the notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Index and the remaining term of the notes. However, none of us, MLPF&S, or any of our respective affiliates is obligated to purchase your notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that we, MLPF&S or any of our respective affiliates will purchase your notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the notes.
The value of the notes shown on your account statement produced by MLPF&S will be based on MLPF&S’s estimate of the value of the notes if MLPF&S or another of its affiliates were to make a market in the notes, which it is not obligated to do. That estimate will be based upon the price that MLPF&S may pay for the notes in light of then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, as mentioned above, and will include transaction costs. At certain times, this price may be higher than or lower than the initial estimated value of the notes.
The distribution of the Note Prospectus in connection with these offers or sales will be solely for the purpose of providing investors with the description of the terms of the notes that was made available to investors in connection with their initial offering. Secondary market investors should not, and will not be authorized to, rely on the Note Prospectus for information regarding BNS or for any purpose other than that described in the immediately preceding sentence.
Structuring the Notes
The notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Index. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the notes reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. The internal funding rate we use in pricing the market-linked note is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed-rate debt securities of comparable maturity. This generally relatively lower internal funding rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the notes, along with the fees and charges associated with market-linked notes, typically results in the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date being less than their public offering price.
At maturity, we are required to pay the Redemption Amount to holders of the notes, which will be calculated based on the performance of the Index and the $10 per unit principal amount . In order to meet these payment obligations, at the time we issue the notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with MLPF&S or one of its affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined by seeking bids from market participants, including MLPF&S and its affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Index, the tenor of the notes and the tenor of the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.
MLPF&S has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include a hedging related charge of approximately $0.075 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit to be credited to MLPF&S from these transactions. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, additional profits and losses from these hedging arrangements may be realized by MLPF&S or any third party hedge providers.
For further information, see “Risk Factors—General Risks Relating to ARNs” beginning on page PS-6 and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page PS-16 of product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-13 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
In the opinion of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Canadian tax counsel to BNS, the following is a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to a purchaser who acquires, as a beneficial owner, the notes, including entitlement to all payments thereunder, pursuant to this initial offering by BNS made in connection with the original issuance of the notes and who, at all relevant times, for purposes of the application of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Income Tax Regulations (collectively, the “Act”) is not, and is not deemed to be, resident in Canada, deals at arm’s length with BNS and any transferee resident (or deemed to be resident) in Canada to whom the purchaser disposes of the notes, does not use or hold the notes in a business carried on in Canada, and is not a “specified non-resident shareholder” of BNS for purposes of the Act or a non-resident person not dealing at arm’s length with a “specified shareholder” (as defined in subsection 18(5) of the Act) of BNS (a ’‘Non-Resident Holder’’). Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a non-Canadian holder that is an insurer carrying on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere.
This summary is based upon the current provisions of the Act and an understanding of the current administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”) published in writing prior to the date hereof. This summary takes into account all specific proposals to amend the Act publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the “Proposals”) and assumes that all Proposals will be enacted in the form proposed. However, no assurances can be given that the Proposals will be enacted as proposed, or at all. This summary does not otherwise take into account any changes in law or administrative practices or assessing policies, whether by legislative, administrative or judicial action, nor does it take into account tax legislation or considerations of any province, territory or foreign jurisdiction, which may differ from those discussed herein.
This summary assumes that no interest paid on the notes will be in respect of a debt or other obligation to pay an amount to a person with whom BNS does not deal at arm’s length, within the meaning of the Act.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not, and is not intended to be, legal or tax advice to any particular holder. This summary is not exhaustive of all Canadian federal income tax considerations. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should consult their own tax advisors with regard to their own particular circumstances.
Based in part on the published administrative position of the CRA, no portion of the interest paid or credited or deemed for purposes of the Act to be paid or credited on a note (including any amount paid at maturity in excess of the principal amount and interest deemed to be paid on the note in certain cases involving the assignment, deemed assignment or other transfer of a note to BNS or any other resident or deemed resident of Canada) to a Non-Resident Holder will be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax.
No other Canadian federal taxes on income or gains will be payable by a Non-Resident Holder on interest or principal, or on proceeds received by a Non-Resident Holder on the disposition of a note, including on a redemption, payment on maturity, repurchase or purchase for cancellation.
Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes are uncertain. No statutory, judicial or administrative authority directly discusses how the notes should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We intend to treat the notes as pre-paid cash-settled derivative contracts. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, you agree to treat the notes in this manner for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. If your notes are so treated, you should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption or payment on maturity in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time and the amount that you paid for your notes. Such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your notes for more than one year.
For a more detailed discussion of the United States federal income tax consequences with respect to your notes, you should carefully consider the discussion set forth in “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying product prospectus supplement and the discussion set forth in “United States Taxation” of the accompanying prospectus. In particular, U.S. holders should review the discussion set forth in “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences–Supplemental U.S. Tax Considerations–U.S. Holders” in the product prospectus supplement and non-U.S. holders should review the discussion set forth in “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences–Supplemental U.S. Tax Considerations–Non-U.S. Holders” in the product prospectus supplement. U.S. holders should also review the discussion under “–Treasury Regulations Requiring Disclosure of Reportable Transactions”, “–Information With Respect to Foreign Financial Assets” and “–Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” under “United States Taxation” in the prospectus.
Because other characterizations and treatments are possible the timing and character of income in respect of the notes might differ from the treatment described above. You should carefully review the discussion set forth in “Alternative Treatments” in the product prospectus supplement for the possible tax consequences of different characterizations or treatment of your notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is possible, for example, that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) might treat the notes as a single debt instrument subject to the special tax rules governing contingent payment debt instruments. Alternatively, the IRS may treat the notes as a series of derivative contracts, each of which matures on the next rebalancing date of the Index, in which case you would be treated as disposing of the notes on each rebalancing date in return for a new derivative contract that matures on the next rebalancing date, and you would recognize capital gain or loss on each rebalancing date.
The IRS has also issued a notice that may affect the taxation of the notes. According to the notice, the IRS and the Treasury Department are actively considering whether the holder of an instrument such as the notes should be required to accrue ordinary
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-14 |
|
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due December , 2016 |
|
income on a current basis, and they are seeking comments on the subject. It is not possible to determine what guidance they will ultimately issue, if any. It is possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the notes will ultimately be required to accrue ordinary income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above considerations. We intend to treat the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described above unless and until such time as the Treasury Department and the IRS determine that some other treatment is more appropriate.
Non-U.S. Holders
Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) requires withholding (up to 30%, depending on the applicable treaty) on certain financial instruments to the extent that the payments or deemed payments on the financial instruments are contingent upon or determined by reference to actual or estimated U.S.-source dividends. Recently issued final Treasury regulations expand the scope of withholding under Section 871(m) of the Code to apply to certain equity-linked instruments beginning: (i) January 1, 2018, in respect of instruments issued (or significantly modified) on or after January 1, 2016 and before January 1, 2017, and (ii) January 1, 2017, in respect of instruments issued (or significantly modified) on or after January 1, 2017. Accordingly, withholding pursuant to Section 871(m) of the Code generally is not expected to be required on the notes. If, however, withholding is required, we (and any paying agent) will not be required to pay additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (which are commonly referred to as “FATCA”) generally impose a 30% withholding tax on certain payments, including “pass-thru” payments to certain persons if the payments are attributable to assets that give rise to U.S.-source income or gain. Withholding pursuant to FATCA on such “pass-thru” payments will commence no earlier than January 1, 2019. Pursuant to recently issued final Treasury regulations and administrative guidance, this withholding tax would not be imposed on payments pursuant to obligations that are executed on or before the date that is six months after the date on which final Treasury regulations defining “foreign passthru payments” are published (and are not materially modified thereafter). Accordingly, FATCA withholding generally is not expected to be required on the notes. If, however, withholding is required as a result of future guidance, we (and any paying agent) will not be required to pay additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld.
Significant aspects of the application of FATCA are not currently clear and investors should consult their own advisors about the application of FATCA, in particular if they may be classified as financial institutions under the FATCA rules.
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF NOTES AND RECEIVING PAYMENTS UNDER THE NOTES.
Where You Can Find More Information
We have filed a registration statement (including a product prospectus supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this term sheet relates. Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, and the other documents that we have filed with the SEC, for more complete information about us and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we, any agent, or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you these documents if you so request by calling MLPF&S toll-free at 1-800-294-1322.
Market-Linked Investments Classification
MLPF&S classifies certain market-linked investments (the “Market-Linked Investments”) into categories, each with different investment characteristics. The following description is meant solely for informational purposes and is not intended to represent any particular Enhanced Return Market-Linked Investment or guarantee any performance.
Enhanced Return Market-Linked Investments are short- to medium-term investments that offer you a way to enhance exposure to a particular market view without taking on a similarly enhanced level of market downside risk. They can be especially effective in a flat to moderately positive market (or, in the case of bearish investments, a flat to moderately negative market). In exchange for the potential to receive better-than market returns on the linked asset, you must generally accept market downside risk and capped upside potential. As these investments are not market downside protected, and do not assure full repayment of principal at maturity, you need to be prepared for the possibility that you may lose all or part of your investment.
“Accelerated Return Notes®” and “ARNs®” are the registered service marks of Bank of America Corporation, the parent company of MLPF&S.
Accelerated Return Notes® |
TS-15 |