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Subject to Completion
Preliminary Term Sheet dated December 27, 2018
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-228614 (To Prospectus dated December 26, 2018, Prospectus Supplement dated December 26, 2018, and Product Prospectus Supplement EQUITY
INDICES LIRN-1 dated December 26, 2018)
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Units
$10 principal amount per unit CUSIP No.  |
Pricing Date*
Settlement Date* Maturity Date* |
January , 2019
January , 2019 March , 2020 |
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* Subject to change based on the actual date the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the "pricing date")
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§
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§
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§
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§
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the S&P 500® Index
■ Maturity of approximately 14 months
■ 2-to-1 upside exposure to increases in the Index, subject to a capped return of [11.50% to 15.50%]
■
1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Index beyond a 5.00% decline, with up to 95.00% of your principal at risk
■ All payments occur at maturity and are subject to the credit risk of The Bank of Nova Scotia
■ No periodic interest payments
■ In addition to the underwriting discount set forth below, the notes include a hedging-related charge of $0.075 per unit. See “Structuring the Notes”
■ 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 “CDIC”), the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), or any other governmental agency of Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction
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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 LIRN-1.
The initial estimated value of the notes as of the
pricing date is expected to be between $9.24 and $9.62 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-15 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
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Public offering price(1)
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$10.00
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$
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Underwriting discount(1)
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$ 0.20
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$
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Proceeds, before expenses, to BNS
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$ 9.80
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$
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(1) For any purchase of 500,000 units or more in a single
transaction by an individual investor or in combined transactions with the investor’s household in this offering, the public offering price and the underwriting discount will be $9.95 per unit and $0.15 per unit, respectively. See “Supplement to the
Plan of Distribution” below.
The notes:
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Are Not FDIC Insured
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Are Not Bank Guaranteed
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May Lose Value
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Merrill Lynch & Co.
January , 2019
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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Summary
The Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the S&P 500® Index, due March , 2020 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt
securities. The notes are not guaranteed or insured by the CDIC or the FDIC, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. The notes are not bail-inable debt securities (as defined in the prospectus). 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 S&P 500® Index (the “Index”), is greater than the Starting Value. If the Ending
Value is equal to or less than the Starting Value but greater than or equal to the Threshold Value, you will receive the principal amount of your notes. If the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value, you will lose a portion, which could be
significant, of the principal amount of your notes. Any payments on the notes 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-15.
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Terms of the Notes
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Redemption Amount Determination
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Issuer:
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The Bank of Nova Scotia (“BNS”)
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On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows:
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Principal Amount:
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$10.00 per unit
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Term:
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Approximately 14 months
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Market Measure:
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The S&P 500® Index (Bloomberg symbol: “SPX”), a price return index
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Starting Value:
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The closing level of the Market Measure on the pricing date
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| Ending Value: |
The average of the closing levels of the Market Measure on each calculation day occurring during the Maturity Valuation Period. The scheduled
calculation days are subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-18 of product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-1.
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Threshold Value:
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95.00% of the Starting Value, rounded to two decimal places. | |
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Participation Rate:
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200%
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Capped Value:
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[$11.15 to $11.55] per unit, which represents a return of [11.50% to 15.50%] over the principal amount. The actual Capped Value will be determined on
the pricing date.
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Maturity Valuation Period:
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Five scheduled calculation days shortly before the maturity date.
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Fees and Charges:
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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-15.
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Calculation Agent:
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Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”).
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:
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Product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-1 dated December 26, 2018:
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| ◾ |
Prospectus supplement dated December 26, 2018:
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| ◾ |
Prospectus dated December 26, 2018:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/9631/000119312518357537/d677731d424b3.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 LIRN-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
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You may wish to consider an investment in the notes if:
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The notes may not be an appropriate investment for you if:
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◾ You anticipate that
the Index will increase moderately from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.
◾ You are willing to
risk a substantial loss of principal if the Index decreases from the Starting Value to an Ending Value that is below the Threshold 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.
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◾ 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 100%
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.
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We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments at Maturity
The graph below is based on hypothetical numbers and values.
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
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This graph reflects the returns on the notes, based on the Participation Rate of 200%, the Threshold Value of 95% of the Starting Value and a hypothetical Capped Value of $11.35 (the midpoint of the Capped Value range of [$11.15 to
$11.55]). 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.
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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, a hypothetical Threshold Value of 95, the Participation Rate of 200%, a hypothetical Capped Value of $11.35 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, Threshold 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.
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Ending Value
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Percentage Change from the Starting Value to the
Ending Value
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Redemption Amount per Unit
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Total Rate of Return on the Notes
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0.00
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-100.00%
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$0.50
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-95.00%
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50.00
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-50.00%
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$5.50
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-45.00%
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85.00
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-15.00%
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$9.00
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-10.00%
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90.00
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-10.00%
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$9.50
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-5.00%
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94.00
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-6.00%
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$9.90
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-1.00%
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95.00(1)
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-5.00%
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$10.00
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0.00%
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97.00
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-3.00%
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$10.00
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0.00%
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100.00(2)
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0.00%
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$10.00
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0.00%
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102.00
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2.00%
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$10.40
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4.00%
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105.00
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5.00%
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$11.00
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10.00%
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110.00
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10.00%
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$11.35(3)
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13.50%
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120.00
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20.00%
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$11.35
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13.50%
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130.00
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30.00%
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$11.35
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13.50%
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140.00
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40.00%
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$11.35
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13.50%
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150.00
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50.00%
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$11.35
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13.50%
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160.00
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60.00%
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$11.35
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13.50%
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(1)
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This is the hypothetical Threshold Value.
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(2)
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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.
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(3)
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The Redemption Amount per unit cannot exceed the hypothetical
Capped Value.
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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Redemption Amount Calculation Examples
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Example 1
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The Ending Value is 85.00, or 85.00% of the Starting Value:
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Starting Value:
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100.00
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| Threshold Value: | 95.00 | |
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Ending Value:
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85.00
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Redemption Amount per unit
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Example 2
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The Ending Value is 97.00, or 97.00% of the Starting Value:
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Starting Value:
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100.00
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| Threshold Value: | 95.00 | |
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Ending Value:
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97.00
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| Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10.00, the principal amount, since the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value but equal to or greater than the Threshold Value. | ||
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Example 3
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The Ending Value is 102.00, or 102.00% of the Starting Value:
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Starting Value:
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100.00
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Ending Value:
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102.00
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= $10.40 Redemption Amount per unit
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Example 4
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The Ending Value is 130.00, or 130.00% of the Starting Value:
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Starting Value:
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100.00
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Ending Value:
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130.00
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= $16.00, however, because the Redemption Amount for the notes cannot exceed the Capped Value, the Redemption Amount will be $11.35 per
unit
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|
Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
|
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 LIRN-1, page S-2 of the prospectus supplement, and page 5 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.
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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.
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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.
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| ◾ |
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.
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| ◾ |
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.
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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-15.
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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.
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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.
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| ◾ |
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.
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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.
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| ◾ |
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.
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| ◾ |
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.
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| ◾ |
While we, MLPF&S or our respective affiliates may from time to time own securities of companies included in the Index, except
to the extent that the common stock of Bank of America Corporation (the parent company of MLPF&S) is 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.
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There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent, which is MLPF&S. We have the right to appoint
and remove the calculation agent.
|
|
Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
|
| ◾ |
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.
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| ◾ |
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 62 of the prospectus dated December 26, 2018, and “Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” on page PS-27 of product prospectus supplement EQUITY
INDICES LIRN-1.
|
|
Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
|
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, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (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
LIRNs- Discontinuance of an Index" beginning on page PS-20 of product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-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 includes a representative sample of 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The Index
is designed to provide a performance benchmark for the U.S. equity markets. The Index is calculated based on the relative value of the aggregate Market Value (as defined below) of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time as
compared to the aggregate average Market Value of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. The “Market Value” of any index stock is the product of the market price per share times the number
of the then outstanding shares of such index stock. The 500 companies are not the 500 largest companies listed on the NYSE and not all 500 companies are listed on such exchange. The Index sponsor chooses companies for inclusion in the Index with an
aim of achieving a distribution by broad industry groupings that approximates the distribution of these groupings in the common stock population of the U.S. equity market.
As of November 30, 2018, the 500 companies included in the Index were divided into eleven Global Industry Classification
Sectors. The Global Industry Classification Sectors include (with the approximate percentage currently included in such sectors indicated in parentheses): Information Technology (19.9%); Health Care (15.8%); Financials (13.7%); Consumer
Discretionary (9.9%); Communication Services (9.9%); Industrials (9.4%); Consumer Staples (7.4%); Energy (5.4%); Utilities (3.1%); Real Estate (2.9%); and Materials (2.6%). (Sector designations are determined by the Index sponsor using criteria it
has selected or developed. Different 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.) As of the close of
business on September 21, 2018, the Index Sponsor and MSCI, Inc. updated the Global Industry Classification Sector (“GICS”) structure. Among other things, the update broadened the Telecommunications Services sector and renamed it the Communication
Services sector. The renamed sector includes the previously existing Telecommunication Services Industry group, as well as the Media Industry group, which was moved from the Consumer Discretionary sector and renamed the Media & Entertainment
Industry group. The Media & Entertainment Industry group contains three industries: Media, Entertainment and Interactive Media & Services. The Media industry continues to consist of the Advertising, Broadcasting, Cable & Satellite and
Publishing sub-industries. The Entertainment industry contains the Movies & Entertainment subindustry (which includes online entertainment streaming companies in addition to companies previously classified in such industry prior to September
21, 2018) and the Interactive Home Entertainment subindustry (which includes companies previously classified in the Home Entertainment Software subindustry prior to September 21, 2018 (when the Home Entertainment Software sub-industry was a
subindustry in the Information Technology sector), as well as producers of interactive gaming products, including mobile gaming applications). The Interactive Media & Services industry and sub-industry includes companies engaged in content and
information creation or distribution through proprietary platforms, where revenues are derived primarily through pay-per-click advertisements, and includes search engines, social media and networking platforms, online classifieds and online review
companies. The GICS structure changes were effective for the S&P 500® Index as of the open of business on September 24, 2018 to coincide with the September 2018 quarterly rebalancing.
Calculation of the Index
The Index is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The Index is a price return index. The value of the
Index on any day for which an index value is published is determined by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate of the market price of each stock in the Index multiplied by the float-adjusted number of shares of such stock included in
the Index, and the denominator of which is the divisor, which is described more fully below.
The Index is also sometimes called a “base-weighted index” because of its use of a divisor. The “divisor” is a value
calculated by the Index sponsor that is intended to maintain conformity in index values over time and is adjusted for all changes in the index stocks’ share capital after the “base date.” The level of the Index reflects the total market value of
all index stocks relative to the index’s base date of 1941-43. The Index sponsor set the base value of the Index on the base date at 10.
Maintenance of the Index
In order to keep the Index comparable over time, the Index sponsor engages in an index maintenance process. The Index
maintenance process involves changing the constituents, adjusting the number of shares used to calculate the Index, monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, adjusting for stock splits and stock dividends and
adjusting for other corporate actions.
Divisor Adjustments
The two types of adjustments primarily used by the Index sponsor are divisor adjustments and adjustments to the number of
shares (including float adjustments) used to calculate the Index. Set forth below is a table of certain corporate events and their resulting effect on the divisor and the share count. If a corporate event requires an adjustment to the divisor, that
event has the effect of altering the
|
Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
|
market value of the affected index stock and consequently of altering the aggregate market value of the index stocks
following the event. In order that the level of the Index not be affected by the altered market value (which could be an increase or decrease) of the affected index stock, the Index sponsor derives a new divisor by dividing the post-event market
value of the index stocks by the pre-event index value, which has the effect of reducing the Index’s post-event value to the pre-event level.
Constituent Changes
Constituent changes are made on an as-needed basis and there is no schedule for constituent reviews. Constituent changes
are generally announced one to five business days prior to the change. Relevant criteria for additions to the Index that are employed by the Index sponsor include an unadjusted market capitalization of $6.1 billion or more (as of March 10, 2017),
adequate liquidity, reasonable price, U.S. domicile, listing on a major exchange, public float of 50% or more, industry sector, financial viability and, for IPOs, a seasoning period of six to twelve months. Stocks are deleted from the Index when
they are involved in mergers, acquisitions or significant restructurings such that they no longer meet the inclusion criteria, and when they violate one or more of the inclusion criteria. Companies that experience a trading halt may be retained
or deleted in the Index sponsor’s discretion. The Index sponsor evaluates additions and deletions with a view to maintaining Index continuity.
Changes to the Number of Shares of a Constituent
The index maintenance process also involves tracking the changes in the number of shares included for each of the index companies. The timing
of adjustments to the number of shares depends on the type of event causing the change, public availability of data, local market practice, and whether the change represents more than 5% of the float-adjusted share count. Changes as a result of
mergers or acquisitions are implemented as soon as reasonably possible, regardless of the size of the change to the number of shares. At the Index sponsor’s discretion, however, de minimis merger and acquisition changes may be accumulated and
implemented with the updates made at the quarterly share updates as described below.
Changes that result from other corporate actions will be implemented as soon as practicable if the change to the float-adjusted share count is
more than 5%. For smaller changes, on the third Friday of the last month in each calendar quarter, the Index sponsor updates the share totals of companies in the Index as required by any changes in the float-adjusted number of shares outstanding.
The Index sponsor implements a share freeze the week leading up to the effective date of the quarterly share count updates. During this frozen period, shares are not changed except for certain corporate action events (merger activity, stock splits,
rights offerings and certain share dividend payable events). After the float-adjusted share count totals are updated, the divisor is adjusted to compensate for the net change in the total market value of the Index. In addition, any changes over 5%
in the current common shares outstanding for the index companies are carefully reviewed by the Index sponsor on a weekly basis, and when appropriate, an immediate adjustment is made to the divisor.
In addition, the Index is float-adjusted, meaning that the share counts used in calculating the Index reflect only those shares available to
investors rather than all of a company’s outstanding shares. To this end, the Index sponsor defines three groups of shareholders whose holdings are presumed to be for control, rather than investment purposes. The groups are:
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holdings by other publicly traded corporations, venture capital firms, private equity firms, or strategic partners or leveraged
buyout groups;
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holdings by government entities, including all levels of government within the United States or foreign countries, except for pension
and retirement funds; and
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holdings by current or former officers and directors of the company, funders of the company, or family trusts of officers, directors
or founders. Second, holdings of trusts, foundations, pension funds, employee stock ownership plans or other investment vehicles associated with and controlled by the company.
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In the case that any of these control groups hold 5% or more of a company’s stock, the shares of all three groups will be excluded from the
float-adjusted share count to be used in Index calculations.
For each stock an Investable Weight Factor ("IWF") is calculated:
IWF = (available float shares)/(total shares outstanding)
where available float shares is defined as total shares outstanding less shares held in one or more of the three groups listed above (subject
to the 5% threshold).
Adjustments for Corporate Actions
There are a large range of corporate actions that may affect companies included in the Index. Certain corporate actions
require the Index sponsor to recalculate the share count or the float adjustment or to make an adjustment to the divisor to prevent the value of the Index from changing as a result of the corporate action. This helps ensure that the movement of the
Index does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the Index. Several types of corporate actions, and their related adjustments, are listed in the table below.
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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Corporate Action
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Share Count Revision Required?
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Divisor Adjustment Required?
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Stock split
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Yes - share count is revised to reflect new count
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No - share count and price changes are off-setting
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Change in shares outstanding (secondary issuance, share repurchase and/or share buy-back)
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Yes - share count is revised to reflect new count
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Yes - divisor adjustment reflects change in market capitalization
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Spin-off if spun-off company is not being added to the Index
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No |
Yes - divisor adjustment reflects decline in index market value (i.e. value of the spun-off unit)
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Spin-off if spun-off company is being added to the Index and no company is being removed
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No | No | ||
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Spin-off if spun-off company is being added to the Index and another company is being removed
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Yes - divisor adjustment reflects deletion
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Special dividends
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No
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Yes - calculation assumes that share price drops by the amount of the dividend; divisor adjustment reflects this change in index market value
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Change in IWF
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No
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Yes - divisor change reflects the change in market value caused by the change to an IWF
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Company added to or deleted from the Index
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No.
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Yes - divisor is adjusted by the net change in market value
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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Rights offering
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No.
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Yes - divisor adjustment reflects increase in market capitalization (calculation assumes that offering is fully subscribed at the set price)
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Disruptions due to Exchange Closure
When an exchange is forced to close early due to unforeseen events, such as computer or electric power failures, weather conditions or other
events, the Index sponsor will calculate the closing level of the Index based on (1) the closing prices published by the exchange, or (2) if no closing price is available, the last regular trade reported for each stock before the exchange closed.
In all cases, the prices will be from the primary exchange for each stock in the Index. If an exchange fails to open due to unforeseen circumstances, the Index will use the prior day’s closing prices. If all exchanges fail to open, Standard &
Poor’s may determine not to publish the Index for that day.
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the Index in the period from January 1, 2008 through
December 21, 2018. 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 December 21, 2018, the closing level of the Index was
2,416.62.
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
S&P® is a
registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow
Jones”). These trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. “Standard & Poor’s®”, “S&P 500®” and “S&P®” are trademarks of S&P. These trademarks have been sublicensed for certain purposes by us. The
Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by us for a fee.
The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow
Jones, S&P or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders 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 market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to the Index is the licensing of
the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors. The Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us, MLPF&S. or
the notes. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not
participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the notes or the timing of the issuance or sale of the notes or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the notes are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones
Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes. There is no assurance that investment products based on the Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive
investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security or futures contract within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security or futures
contract, nor is it considered to be investment advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the notes currently being issued by us, but which may
be similar to and competitive with the notes. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the Index. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the
notes.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE
COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO
ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO
RESULTS TO BE
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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OBTAINED BY US, MLPF&S, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER
PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO
THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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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.
The current business of MLPF&S is being reorganized into two affiliated broker-dealers: MLPF&S and a new broker-dealer, BofAML Securities, Inc. (“BofAMLS”). BofAMLS will be the new legal entity for the
institutional services that are now provided by MLPF&S. MLPF&S will be assigning its rights and obligations as selling agent for the notes under our distribution agreement to BofAMLS effective on the “Transfer Date”. Accordingly, if the
pricing date of the notes occurs on or after the Transfer Date, BofAMLS will be responsible for the pricing of the notes. If the settlement date of the notes occurs on or after the Transfer Date, BofAMLS will, subject to the terms and conditions of
the distribution agreement, purchase the notes from us as principal on the settlement date. MLPF&S will in turn purchase the notes from BofAMLS for resale, and it will receive a selling concession in connection with the sale of the notes in an
amount up to the full amount of underwriting discount set forth on the cover of this term sheet.
We may deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than two 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 two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial
settlement of the notes occurs more than two business days from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than two 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 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.
An investor’s household, as referenced on the cover of this term sheet, will generally include accounts held by any of the
following, as determined by MLPF&S in its discretion and acting in good faith based upon information then available to MLPF&S:
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the investor’s spouse (including a domestic partner), siblings, parents, grandparents, spouse’s parents, children and grandchildren, but excluding accounts held by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews
or any other family relationship not directly above or below the individual investor;
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a family investment vehicle, including foundations, limited partnerships and personal holding companies, but only if the beneficial owners of the vehicle consist solely of the investor or members of the
investor’s household as described above; and
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a trust where the grantors and/or beneficiaries of the trust consist solely of the investor or members of the investor’s household as described above; provided that, purchases of the notes by a trust
generally cannot be aggregated together with any purchases made by a trustee’s personal account.
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Purchases in retirement accounts will not be considered part of the same household as an individual investor’s personal or other non-retirement account, except
for individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), simplified employee pension plans (“SEPs”), savings incentive match plan for employees (“SIMPLEs”), and single-participant or owners only accounts (i.e., retirement accounts held by self-employed
individuals, business owners or partners with no employees other than their spouses).
Please contact your Merrill Lynch financial advisor if you have any questions about the application of these provisions to your specific
circumstances or think you are eligible.
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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Structuring the Notes
The notes are our unsecured senior 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 LIRNs” beginning on page PS-6 and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page
PS-16 of product prospectus supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-1.
MLPF&S Reorganization
As discussed above under “Supplement to the Plan of Distribution”, the current business of MLPF&S is being reorganized into two affiliated broker-dealers.
Effective on the Transfer Date, BofAMLS will be the new legal entity for the institutional services that are now provided by MLPF&S. As such, beginning on the Transfer Date, the institutional services currently being provided by MLPF&S,
including acting as selling agent for the notes, acting as calculation agent for the notes, acting as principal or agent in secondary market-making transactions for the notes and entering into hedging arrangements with respect to the notes, are
expected to be provided by BofAMLS. Accordingly, references to MLPF&S in this term sheet as such references relate to MLPF&S’s institutional services, such as those described above, should be read as references to BofAMLS to the extent
these services are to be performed on or after the Transfer Date.
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
An investor should read carefully the description of principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under “Canadian Taxation” in the
accompanying prospectus relevant to a holder (as defined on page 19 of the prospectus) owning debt securities, and the description of principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under “Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Federal Income Tax
Consequences” in the applicable product prospectus supplement.
Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a general description of certain U.S. federal tax considerations relating to the notes. Prospective purchasers of the notes should consult their tax advisors as to the consequences under the tax laws of the country of which
they are residents for tax purposes and the tax laws of the U.S. of acquiring, holding and disposing of the notes and receiving payments under the notes. This summary is based upon the law as in effect on the date of this pricing supplement and
is subject to any change in law that may take effect after such date. We urge you to read the more detailed discussion in the “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” section beginning on page PS-28 of product prospectus supplement EQUITY
INDICES LIRN-1.
No statutory, regulatory, judicial or administrative authority directly discusses how the notes should be treated for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. As a result, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes are uncertain. Accordingly, we urge you to consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of your investment in the notes (and of having agreed
to the required tax treatment of your notes described below) and as to the application of state, local or other tax laws to your investment in your notes and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.
Pursuant to the terms of the notes, BNS and you agree, in the absence of a statutory or regulatory change or an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to characterize your notes as a prepaid derivative contract with
respect to the Index. If your notes are so treated, you should generally recognize long-term capital gain or loss if you hold your notes for more than one year (and otherwise, short-term capital gain or loss) upon the taxable disposition of
your notes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time and the amount you paid for your notes. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Based on certain factual representations received from us, our special U.S. tax counsel, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, is of the
opinion that it would be reasonable to treat your notes in the manner described above. However, because there is no authority that specifically addresses the tax treatment of the notes, it is possible that your notes could alternatively be
treated for tax purposes as a single contingent payment debt instrument or pursuant to some other characterization, such that the timing and character of your income from the notes could differ materially and adversely from the treatment
described above.
Possible Change in Law. In 2007, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the notes. According to the notice, the IRS and the
U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) are actively considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis, and they are seeking taxpayer 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 income currently and this could be applied on a
retroactive basis. The IRS and the Treasury are also considering other relevant issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether foreign holders of such instruments
should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, and whether the special “constructive ownership rules” of Section 1260 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") should be applied to such instruments.
Medicare Tax on Net
Investment Income. U.S. holders that are individuals or estates and certain trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their “net
investment income,” or “undistributed net investment income” in the case of an estate or trust, which may include any income or gain with respect to the notes, to the extent of their net investment income or undistributed net investment
income (as the case may be) that, when added to their other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds $200,000 for an unmarried individual, $250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse), $125,000 for a married
individual filing a separate return, or the dollar amount at which the highest tax bracket begins for an estate or trust. The 3.8% Medicare tax is determined in a different manner than the regular income tax. U.S. holders should consult
their advisors with respect to the 3.8% Medicare tax.
Specified Foreign
Financial Assets. U.S. holders may be subject to reporting obligations with respect to their notes if they do not hold their notes in an account maintained by a financial institution and the aggregate value of their notes and certain
other “specified foreign financial assets” (applying certain attribution rules) exceeds an applicable threshold. Significant penalties can apply if a U.S. holder is required to disclose its notes and fails to do so.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. The proceeds received from a sale, exchange, redemption or maturity of the notes will be subject to information reporting unless you are an “exempt recipient” and may also be
subject to backup withholding at the rate specified in the Code if you fail to provide certain identifying information (such as an accurate taxpayer number, if you are a U.S. holder) or meet certain
other conditions.
Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not additional taxes and may be refunded or credited
against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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Non-U.S. Holders. If you are a non-U.S. holder, subject to Section 871(m) of the Code and FATCA, discussed below, you should generally not be
subject to generally applicable information reporting and backup withholding requirements with respect to payments on your notes if you comply with certain certification and identification requirements as to your foreign status including
providing us (and/or the applicable withholding agent) a properly executed and fully completed applicable IRS Form W-8. Subject to Section 897 of the Code and Section 871(m) of the Code, discussed below, gain from the taxable disposition of a
note generally will not be subject to U.S. tax unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by you in the U.S., (ii) you are a non-resident alien individual and are present in the U.S. for 183 days or more
during the taxable year of such taxable disposition and certain other conditions are satisfied or (iii) you have certain other present or former connections with the U.S.
Section 897. We will not attempt to
ascertain whether the issuer of any underlying equity constituent of the Index would be treated as a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. We also have not attempted to
determine whether the Notes should be treated as “United States real property interests” (“USRPI”) as defined in Section 897 of the Code. If an issuer of any underlying equity constituent of the Index or the notes were so treated, certain adverse
U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply, including subjecting any gain realized by a non-U.S. holder in respect of the notes upon a taxable disposition (including cash settlement) of the notes to U.S. federal income tax on a net
basis, and the proceeds from such a taxable disposition to a withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential treatment of any underlying equity constituent for their notes as a USRPHC or the notes as
USRPI.
Section 871(m). A 30% withholding tax
(which may be reduced by an applicable income tax treaty) is imposed under Section 871(m) of the Code on certain “dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to a “specified equity-linked instrument” that
references one or more dividend-paying U.S. equity securities or indices containing U.S. equity securities. The withholding tax can apply even if the instrument does not provide for payments that reference dividends. Treasury regulations
provide that the withholding tax applies to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on specified equity-linked instruments that have a delta of one (“delta-one specified equity-linked instruments”) issued after 2016 and to all dividend
equivalents paid or deemed paid on all other specified equity-linked instruments issued after 2018. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the Treasury and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the Treasury regulations to
provide that withholding on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid will not apply to specified equity-linked instruments that are not delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and are issued before January 1, 2021.
Based on our determination that the notes are not “delta-one” with respect to the Index or any U.S. Index components, our special U.S. tax
counsel is of the opinion that the notes should not be delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and thus should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with
this determination. Furthermore, the application of Section 871(m) of the Code will depend on our determinations made upon issuance of the notes. If withholding is required, we will not make payments of any additional amounts.
Nevertheless, after issuance, it is possible that your notes could be deemed to be reissued for tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain
events affecting the Index or Index components or your notes, and following such occurrence your notes could be treated as delta-one specified equity-linked instruments that are subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. It is also possible
that withholding tax or other tax under Section 871(m) of the Code could apply to the notes under these rules if a non-U.S. holder enters, or has entered, into certain other transactions in respect of the Index or Index components or the notes. A
non-U.S. holder that enters, or has entered, into other transactions in respect of the Index or Index components or the notes should consult its tax advisor regarding the application of Section 871(m) of the Code to its notes in the context of its
other transactions.
Because of the uncertainty regarding the application of the 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents to the notes, you are urged to
consult your tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) of the Code and the 30% withholding tax to an investment in the notes.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax Treatment of Non-U.S.
Holders. A note may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if an individual non-U.S. holder holds the note at the time of his or her death. The gross estate of a non-U.S. holder domiciled outside the U.S. includes only property situated
in the U.S. Individual non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of holding the notes at death.
FATCA. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance
Act (“FATCA”) was enacted on March 18, 2010, and imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (i.e., certain U.S.-source payments, including interest (and original issue discount), dividends or other fixed or determinable annual
or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of property of a type which can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends) and “passthru payments” (i.e., certain payments attributable to withholdable
payments) made to certain foreign financial institutions (and certain of their affiliates) unless the payee foreign financial institution agrees (or is required), among other things, to disclose the identity of any U.S. individual with an account
at the institution (or the relevant affiliate) and to annually report certain information about such account. FATCA also requires withholding agents making withholdable payments to certain foreign entities that do not disclose the name, address,
and taxpayer identification number of any substantial U.S. owners (or do not certify that they do not have any substantial U.S. owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits
of such taxes.
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Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
Linked to the S&P 500® Index due March , 2020 |
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Pursuant to final and temporary Treasury regulations and other IRS guidance, the withholding and reporting requirements under FATCA will
generally apply to certain “withholdable payments” will not apply to gross proceeds on a sale or disposition, and will apply to certain foreign passthru payments only to the extent that such payments are made after the date that is two years after
final regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payment” are published. If withholding is required, we (or the applicable paying agent) will not be required to pay additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. Foreign financial
institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.
Investors should consult their own advisors about the application of FATCA, in particular if they may be classified as financial institutions
(or if they hold their notes through a non-U.S. entity) under the FATCA rules.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an
investment in the notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction (including that of BNS).
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.
“Leveraged Index Return Notes®” and “LIRNs®” are
registered service marks of Bank of America Corporation, the parent company of MLPF&S.