Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration Statement Nos. 333-191250,

333-191250-01

  

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

  

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED MARCH 12, 2015

Prospectus SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED SEPTEMBER 19, 2013

 

 

 

US$

Nomura America Finance, LLC

Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series A

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Nomura Holdings, Inc.

 

Callable Fixed Rate Notes due March 31, 2030

 

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Nomura America Finance, LLC is offering the callable fixed rate notes due March 31, 2030 (the “notes”) described below. The notes are unsecured securities. All payments on the notes are subject to our credit risk and that of the guarantor of the notes, Nomura Holdings, Inc.

 

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The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.75% per annum.

 

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We have the right to redeem the notes, in whole or in part, for 100% of the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest on each semi-annual interest payment date, upon at least five business days’ prior notice, beginning on March 31, 2016.

 

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The notes are not ordinary debt securities, and you should carefully consider whether the notes are suited to your particular circumstances.

 

 

Issuer:	Nomura America Finance, LLC (“we” or “us”)
Guarantor:	Nomura Holdings, Inc. (“Nomura”)
Principal Amount:	US$                   (the principal amount of the notes may be increased if we, in our sole discretion, decide to sell an additional amount of the notes on a date subsequent to the trade date)
Interest Rate:	3.75% per annum
Interest Payment Dates:	Semi-annually on March 31 and September 30 of each year, commencing on September 30, 2015, subject to the business day convention (as defined below) and ending on the maturity date
Original Issue Date:	Expected to be March 31, 2015

 

 

 

Stated Maturity Date:	March 31, 2030, subject to our early redemption right
Early Redemption:	Redeemable at our option on each optional redemption date
Optional Redemption Dates:	Semi-annually on March 31 and September 30 of each year, commencing on March 31, 2016, and ending on the maturity date
Redemption Notice Period:	Not less than 5 and not more than 45 business days
Business Day:	New York business day and London business day, as described under “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantee—Business Days” in the accompanying prospectus
Business Day Convention:	Following unadjusted business day convention, as described under “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantee—Business Day Conventions” in the accompanying prospectus
Day Count Convention:	30/360, as described under “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantee—Common Day Count Conventions” in the accompanying prospectus
Regular Record Date:	The first calendar day preceding the applicable interest payment date
Denominations:	$1,000 and integral multiples thereof
Defeasance:	Not applicable
Program:	Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series A
CUSIP No.:	65539ABU3
ISIN No.:	US65539ABU34
Currency:	U.S. dollars
Calculation Agent:	Nomura Securities International, Inc.
Paying Agent and Transfer Agent:	Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Clearance and Settlement:	DTC (including through its indirect participants Euroclear and Clearstream,  as described under “Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance” in the accompanying prospectus)
Trade Date:	Expected to be March 26, 2015
Minimum Initial Investment Amount:	$1,000
Public Offering Price:	100.00%
Listing:	The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange
Distribution Agent:	Nomura Securities International, Inc.

Investing in the notes involves certain risks, including our and Nomura’s credit risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors under “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes” beginning on page PS-5 of this prospectus supplement, under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 in the accompanying prospectus, and any risk factors incorporated by reference into the accompanying prospectus before you invest in the notes. 

The estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date (as determined by reference to pricing models used by Nomura Securities International, Inc.) is equal to approximately $[    ] per $1,000 face amount, which is less than the original issue price.

 

We expect delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about the original issue date specified above.

 

The notes will be our unsecured obligations. We are not a bank, and the notes will not constitute deposits insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality.

 

	Price to Public	Agent’s Commission	Proceeds to Issuer
Per Note	100.00%	[      ]%	[      ]%
Total	$[      ]	$[      ]	$[      ]

 

The distribution agent will purchase the notes from us at the price to public less the agent’s commission. The price to public, agent’s commission and proceeds to issuer listed above relate to the notes we sell initially. We may decide to sell additional notes after the trade date but prior to the original issue date, at a price to public, agent’s commission and proceeds to issuer that differ from the amounts set forth above.

 

We will use this prospectus supplement in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, Nomura Securities International, Inc. or another of our affiliates may use the final prospectus supplement in market-making transactions in the notes after their initial sale. Unless we inform or our agent informs the purchaser otherwise in the confirmation of sale, the final prospectus supplement is being used in a market-making transaction.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Nomura

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

You should read this prospectus supplement together with the prospectus, dated September 19, 2013 (the “prospectus”), relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series A, of which these notes are a part. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this prospectus supplement and the terms of the prospectus, the terms of this prospectus supplement will control.

This prospectus supplement, together with the prospectus, contains the terms of the notes. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth under “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus, dated September 19, 2013, and under “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes” beginning on page PS-5 of this prospectus supplement. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may provide. This prospectus supplement is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus supplement is current only as of its date.

Our central index key, or “CIK,” on the SEC website is 0001383951. Alternatively, Nomura will arrange to send you these documents if you so request by calling (212) 667-1928 or e-mailing fidsalessupport@us.nomura.com.

You may access the prospectus on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov as follows:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1163653/000119312513371180/d574488df3asr.htm

ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS SPECIFIC TO YOUR NOTES

You Are Subject to Nomura’s Credit Risk, and the Value of Your Notes May Be Adversely Affected by Negative Changes in the Market’s Perception of Nomura’s Creditworthiness

By purchasing the notes, you are making, in part, a decision about Nomura’s ability to pay you the amounts you are owed pursuant to the terms of your notes. Substantially all of our assets consist of loans to and other receivables from Nomura and its subsidiaries. Our obligations under your notes are guaranteed by Nomura. Therefore, as a practical matter, our ability to pay you amounts we owe on the notes is directly or indirectly linked solely to Nomura’s creditworthiness. In addition, the market’s perception of Nomura’s creditworthiness generally will directly impact the value of your notes. If Nomura becomes or is perceived as becoming less creditworthy following your purchase of notes, you should expect that the notes will decline in value in the secondary market, perhaps substantially. If you sell your notes in the secondary market in such an environment, you may incur a substantial loss.

The Estimated Value of Your Notes at the Time the Terms of Your Notes Are Set on the Trade Date (as Determined by Reference to Our Pricing Models) Will Be Less Than the Original Issue Price of Your Notes

The original issue price for your notes will exceed the estimated value of your notes as of the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date, as determined by reference to our pricing models. Such estimated value will be set forth on the front cover of the final prospectus supplement. After the trade date, the estimated value, as determined by reference to these pricing models, may be affected by changes in market conditions, our and Nomura’s creditworthiness and other relevant factors. If Nomura Securities International, Inc. buys or sells your notes it will do so at prices that reflect the estimated value determined by reference to such pricing models at that time. The price at which Nomura Securities International, Inc. will buy or sell your notes at any time also will reflect, among other things, its then current bid and ask spread for similar sized trades of structured notes.

In estimating the value of your notes as of the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date, as will be disclosed on the front cover of the final prospectus supplement, our pricing models consider certain variables, including principally Nomura’s internal funding rates, interest rates (forecasted, current and historical rates), volatility, price-sensitivity analysis and the time to maturity of the notes. These pricing models are proprietary and rely in part on certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. In addition, our internal funding rate used in our models generally results in a higher estimated value of your notes than would result if we estimated the value using our credit spreads for our conventional fixed rate debt. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold your notes in the secondary market may differ, possibly even materially, from the estimated value of your notes that we will determine by reference to our pricing models as of the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date due to, among other things, any differences in pricing models, third-parties’ use of our credit spreads in their models, or assumptions used by other market participants.

The difference between the estimated value of your notes as of the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date and the original issue price is a result of certain factors, including principally the underwriting discount and commissions, the expenses incurred in creating, documenting and marketing the notes, and an estimate of the difference between the amounts we pay to our affiliates and the amounts our affiliates pay to us in connection with their agreement to hedge our obligations on your notes.

Because Nomura Is a Holding Company, Your Right to Receive Payments on Nomura’s Guarantee of the Notes is Subordinated to the Liabilities of Nomura’s Other Subsidiaries

The ability of Nomura to make payments, as guarantor, on the notes, depends upon Nomura’s receipt of dividends, loan payments and other funds from subsidiaries. In addition, if any of Nomura’s subsidiaries becomes insolvent, the direct creditors of that subsidiary will have a prior claim on its assets, and Nomura’s rights and the rights of Nomura’s creditors, including your rights as an owner of the notes, will be subject to that prior claim.

Nomura’s subsidiaries are subject to various laws and regulations that may restrict Nomura’s ability to receive dividends, loan payments and other funds from subsidiaries. In particular, many of Nomura’s subsidiaries, including its broker-dealer subsidiaries, are subject to laws and regulations, including regulatory capital requirements, that authorize regulatory bodies to block or reduce the flow of funds to the parent holding company, or that prohibit such transfers altogether in certain circumstances. For example, Nomura Securities Co., Ltd., Nomura Securities International, Inc., Nomura International plc and Nomura International (Hong Kong) Limited, Nomura’s main broker-dealer subsidiaries, are subject to regulatory capital requirements that could limit the transfer of funds to Nomura. These laws and regulations may hinder Nomura’s ability to access funds needed to make payments on Nomura’s obligations.

The Notes Are Subject to Early Redemption at Our Option

Prospective purchasers should be aware that we have the right to redeem the notes on any optional redemption date, beginning on the first optional redemption date. As a result, the term of the notes could be as short as one year. If we exercise our right to redeem the notes, you will not receive interest for any periods subsequent to our redemption.

When determining whether to invest in the notes, you should consider, among other things, the interest rate of the notes as compared to the interest rates of other equivalent investment alternatives of comparable term and credit quality. It is more likely that we will redeem the notes prior to their stated maturity date to the extent that the interest payable on the notes is greater than the interest that would be payable on other instruments of comparable maturity, terms and credit rating trading in the market. If the notes are redeemed prior to their stated maturity date, your return may be less than the return you would have earned on your investment had the notes been held to maturity and you may have to re-invest the proceeds in a lower interest rate environment.

Longer Dated Notes May Be More Risky Than Shorter Dated Notes

By purchasing a note with a longer tenor, you are more exposed to fluctuations in interest rates than if you purchased a note with a shorter tenor. Specifically, you may be negatively affected if certain interest rate scenarios occur. For example, if interest rates begin to rise, the market value of your notes will decline because the likelihood of us calling your notes will decline and the interest rate you are receiving for that specific interest period may be less than you would receive on a note issued at such time. In addition, if interest rates rise, the notes may have an interest rate that is significantly lower than the interest rates at that time and the secondary market value of the notes may be significantly lower than other instruments with a similar term but higher interest rates. In other words, you should only purchase the notes if you are comfortable receiving the interest rate set forth on the front cover of this prospectus supplement for the entire term of the notes regardless of any upward movements in interest rates in the future.

There May Not Be an Active Trading Market for the Notes—Sales in the Secondary Market May Result in Significant Losses

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange, and there may be little or no secondary market for the notes. Nomura Securities International, Inc. and other affiliates of ours currently intend to make a market for the notes, although they are not required to do so. Nomura Securities International, Inc. or any other affiliate of ours may stop any such market-making activities at any time. Even if a secondary market for the notes develops, it may not provide significant liquidity and the notes may not trade at prices advantageous to you. We expect that transaction costs in any secondary market would be high. As a result, the difference between bid and ask prices for your notes in any secondary market could be substantial.

Furthermore, if you sell your notes, you will likely be charged a commission for secondary market transactions, or the price will likely reflect a dealer discount.

If you sell your notes before the maturity date, you may have to do so at a substantial discount from the issue price and as a result you may suffer substantial losses.

The Market Value of Your Notes May Be Influenced by Many Unpredictable Factors

In addition to our and Nomura’s creditworthiness, a number of other economic and market factors will influence the value of the notes. The following factors, which are beyond our control, may influence the market value of your notes:

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supply and demand for the notes, including inventory positions with Nomura Securities International, Inc. or any other market-maker;

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the time to maturity of the notes;

 

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interest and yield rates in the market generally and expectations about future interest and yield rates; and

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economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the debt markets generally.

 

Each of these factors may influence the market value of your notes if you sell your notes before maturity. If you sell your notes prior to maturity, you may receive less than the principal amount of your notes.

Non-U.S. Investors May Be Subject to Certain Additional Risks

The notes will be denominated in U.S. dollars. If you are a non-U.S. investor who purchases the notes with a currency other than U.S. dollars, changes in rates of exchange may have an adverse effect on the value or price of, or income on, your investment.

The accompanying prospectus contains a general description of certain U.S. tax considerations relating to the notes under “United States Taxation.” If you are a non-U.S. investor, you should consult your tax advisors as to the consequences, under the tax laws of the country where you are resident for tax purposes, of acquiring, holding and disposing of the notes and receiving payments of principal or other amounts under the notes.

Certain Considerations for Insurance Companies and Employee Benefit Plans

Any insurance company or fiduciary of a pension plan or other employee benefit plan that is subject to the prohibited transaction rules of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, which we call “ERISA,” or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including an IRA or a Keogh plan (or a governmental plan to which similar prohibitions apply), and that is considering purchasing the notes with the assets of the insurance company or the assets of such a plan, should consult with its counsel regarding whether the purchase or holding of the notes could become a “prohibited transaction” under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any substantially similar prohibition in light of the representations a purchaser or holder in any of the above categories is deemed to make by purchasing and holding the notes. This is discussed in more detail under “Employee Retirement Income Security Act” below.

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT

This section is only relevant to you if you are an insurance company or the fiduciary of a pension plan or an employee benefit plan (including a governmental plan, an IRA or a Keogh Plan) proposing to invest in the notes.

The U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) and the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), prohibit certain transactions (“prohibited transactions”) involving the assets of an employee benefit plan that is subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (including individual retirement accounts, Keogh plans and other plans described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code) (a “Plan”) and certain persons who are “parties in interest” (within the meaning of ERISA) or “disqualified persons” (within the meaning of the Code) with respect to the Plan; governmental plans may be subject to similar prohibitions unless an exemption applies to the transaction. The assets of a Plan may include assets held in the general account of an insurance company that are deemed “plan assets” under ERISA or assets of certain investment vehicles in which the Plan invests. Each of Nomura and certain of its affiliates may be considered a “party in interest” or a “disqualified person” with respect to many Plans, and, accordingly, prohibited transactions may arise if the notes are acquired by or on behalf of a Plan unless those notes are acquired and held pursuant to an available exemption. The U.S. Department of Labor has issued five prohibited transaction class exemptions, or “PTCEs”, that may provide exemptive relief if required for direct or indirect prohibited transactions that may arise from the purchase or holding of the notes. These exemptions are PTCE 84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTCE 91-38 (for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 95-60 (for transactions involving certain insurance company general accounts), and PTCE 96-23 (for transactions managed by in-house asset managers). In addition, ERISA Section 408(b)(17) and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide an exemption for the purchase and sale of the notes, provided that neither Nomura nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates have or exercise any discretionary authority or control or render any investment advice with respect to the assets of any Plan involved in the transaction, and provided further that the Plan pays no more and receives no less than “adequate consideration” in connection with the transaction. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.

The person making the decision on behalf of a Plan or a governmental plan shall be deemed, on behalf of itself and the plan, by purchasing and holding the notes, or exercising any rights related thereto, to represent that (a) the plan will receive no less and pay no more than “adequate consideration” (within the meaning of Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(f)(10) of the Code) in connection with the purchase and holding of the notes, (b) none of the purchase, holding or disposition of the notes or the exercise of any rights related to the notes will result in a nonexempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code (or, with respect to a governmental plan, under any similar applicable law or regulation), and (c) neither Nomura nor any of its affiliates is a “fiduciary” (within the meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA) (or, with respect to a governmental plan, under any similar applicable law or regulation) with respect to the purchaser or holder in connection with such person’s acquisition, disposition or holding of the notes, or as a result of any exercise by Nomura or any of its affiliates of any rights in connection with the notes, and no advice provided by Nomura or any of its affiliates has formed a primary basis for any investment decision by or on behalf of such purchaser or holder in connection with the notes and the transactions contemplated with respect to the notes.

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION  

We have agreed to sell to Nomura Securities International, Inc. (the “distribution agent”), and the distribution agent has agreed to purchase from us, the aggregate principal amount of the notes specified on the front cover of the final prospectus supplement. The distribution agent has agreed to purchase the notes from us at [ ]% of the principal amount, resulting in aggregate proceeds to us of $[   ]. The distribution agent’s commission is equal to [ ]%, or $[ ] in the aggregate. The distribution agent will offer the notes to which this prospectus supplement relates to the public at the public offering price set forth on the front cover of the final prospectus supplement and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of [ ]% of the principal amount of the notes. If all of the notes are not sold at the original issue price, the distribution agent may change the offering price and the other selling terms. We estimate that our share of the total offering expenses, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $[ ].

To the extent the distribution agent resells notes to a broker or dealer less a concession equal to the entire underwriting discount, such broker or dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” of the notes as such term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

In the future, the distribution agent may repurchase and resell the notes in market-making transactions. For more information about the plan of distribution, the distribution agreement (of which the terms agreement forms a part) and possible market-making activities, see “Plan of Distribution” in the accompanying prospectus.

The distribution agent is our affiliate and, as such, has a “conflict of interest” in this offering within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. The distribution agent is not permitted to sell notes in this offering to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the account holder.

The distribution agent and/or its affiliates have performed, and in the future may provide, investment banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which they have received, and expect to receive, customary fees and commissions. The distribution agent and its affiliates may, from time to time, engage in transactions with, and perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

We expect delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about the original issue date specified above.