| Subject to Completion
Preliminary Term Sheet dated
November 25, 2015 | Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-202354
(To Prospectus dated May 1, 2015,
Prospectus Supplement dated May 4, 2015 and
Product Supplement STEPS-5 dated May 4, 2015) |
Units$10 principal amount per unitCUSIP No.  |
Pricing Date*
Settlement Date*
Maturity Date*
|
December , 2015
December , 2015
December , 2016
|
*Subject to change based on the actual date the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the "pricing date") |
| | | |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc. ● Maturity of approximately one year and one week ● Interest payable quarterly at the rate of 10% per year ● A payment of [$0.10 to $0.50] per unit if the Underlying Stock increases to or above 110% of the Starting Value ● 1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Underlying Stock, with up to 100% of your principal at risk ● All payments on the notes subject to the credit risk of Bank of America Corporation ● Limited secondary market liquidity, with no exchange listing |
|
The notes are being issued by Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”). 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 supplement STEPS-5.
The initial estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date is expected to be between $9.45 and $9.70 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-10 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Note Prospectus (as defined below) is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
_________________________
| Per Unit | Total |
Public offering price(1)(2)(3) | $10.000 | $ |
Underwriting discount(2)(3) | $0.175 | $ |
Proceeds, before expenses, to BAC | $9.825 | $ |
(1) | Plus accrued interest from the scheduled settlement date, if settlement occurs after that date. |
(2) | 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 $9.950 per unit and $0.125 per unit, respectively. See “Supplement to the Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest” below. |
(3) | For any purchase by certain fee-based trusts and discretionary accounts managed by U.S. Trust operating through Bank of America, N.A., the public offering price and underwriting discount will be $9.825 per unit and $0.000 per unit, respectively. |
The notes:
Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
Merrill Lynch & Co.
December , 2015
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., due December , 2016 | |
Summary
The STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., due December , 2016 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The notes are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or secured by collateral. The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of BAC. The notes provide quarterly interest payments. Additionally, if the Ending Value of the Underlying Stock, which is the common stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., is at or above the Step Level, the notes will also provide a payment of [$0.10 to $0.50] per unit at maturity. If the Ending Value is less than the Step Level and at or above the Threshold Value (which is equal to the Starting Value), the Redemption Amount will equal the principal amount. If the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value, you will lose all or a portion of the principal amount of your notes. Payments on the notes, including the amount you receive at maturity, will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit and will depend on the performance of the Underlying Stock, subject to our credit risk. See “Terms of the Notes” below.
The economic terms of the notes (including the Step Payment) 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 or floating 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 initial estimated value range was determined based on our and our affiliates’ pricing models, which take into consideration our internal funding rate and the market prices for the hedging arrangements related to the notes. The initial estimated value of the notes calculated on the pricing date will be set forth in the final term sheet made available to investors in the notes. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the notes, see “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-10.
Terms of the Notes |
| Redemption Amount Determination |
Issuer: | Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) |
| In addition to interest payable, on the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows: |
Principal Amount: | $10 per unit |
Term: | Approximately one year and one week |
Underlying Stock: | Common stock of D.R. Horton, Inc. (the “Underlying Company”) (NYSE symbol: DHI) |
Starting Value: | The Volume Weighted Average Price on the pricing date. |
Volume Weighted Average Price: | The volume weighted average price (rounded to two decimal places) shown on page “AQR” on Bloomberg L.P. for trading in shares of the Underlying Stock taking place from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 4:02 p.m. on all U.S. exchanges on the pricing date. |
Ending Value: | The Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the valuation date, multiplied by the Price Multiplier. The valuation date is subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-19 of product supplement STEPS-5. |
Valuation Date: | Approximately the fifth scheduled trading day immediately prior to the maturity date. |
Interest Rate: | 10% per year |
Interest Payment Dates: | March , 2016, June , 2016, September , 2016 and December , 2016 |
Step Payment: | [$0.10 to $0.50] per unit, which represents a return of [1% to 5%] of the principal amount. The actual Step Payment will be determined on the pricing date. |
Step Level: | 110% of the Starting Value, rounded to two decimal places. |
Threshold Value: | 100% of the Starting Value. |
Fees and Charges: | The underwriting discount of $0.175 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-10. |
Price Multiplier: | 1, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to the Underlying Stock described beginning on page PS-20 of product supplement STEPS-5. |
Calculation Agent: | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a subsidiary of BAC. |
STEP Income Securities® | TS-2 |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., due December , 2016 | |
The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:
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 supplement STEPS-5. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to BAC.
Investor Considerations
You may wish to consider an investment in the notes if: | The notes may not be an appropriate investment for you if: |
■ You anticipate that the Ending Value will be greater than or equal to the Starting Value. ■ You seek interest payments on your investment. ■ You accept that the maximum return on the notes is limited to the sum of the quarterly interest payments and the Step Payment, if any. ■ You accept that your investment may result in a loss, which could be significant, if the Ending Value is below the Threshold Value. ■ You are willing to forgo dividends or other benefits of owning shares of the Underlying Stock. ■ 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. | ■ You anticipate that the Ending Value will be less than the Starting Value. ■ You anticipate that the price of the Underlying Stock will increase substantially and do not want a payment at maturity that is limited to the Step Payment. ■ You seek principal repayment or preservation of capital. ■ In addition to interest payments, you seek an additional guaranteed return above the principal amount. ■ You seek to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the Underlying Stock. ■ You seek an investment for which there will be a liquid secondary market. ■ You are unwilling or are unable to take market risk on the notes or to take our credit risk as issuer of the notes. |
We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.
STEP Income Securities® | TS-3 |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., due December , 2016 | |
Hypothetical Payments at Maturity
The following examples are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical payments on the notes. The actual amount you receive and the resulting return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Threshold Value, Ending Value, Step Level, Step Payment, and term of your investment. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes. These examples are based on:
1) | a Starting Value of 100; |
2) | a Threshold Value of 100 ; |
4) | a Step Payment of $0.30 per unit (the midpoint of the Step Payment range of [$0.10 to $0.50] per unit); |
5) | an expected term of the notes of approximately one year and one week; and |
6) | the interest rate of 10% per year. |
The hypothetical Starting Value of 100.00 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only, and does not represent a likely actual Starting Value of the Underlying Stock. For recent actual prices of the Underlying Stock, see “The Underlying Stock” section below. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.
Example 1
The Ending Value is 115 (115% of the Starting Value)
The Ending Value is greater than the Step Level. Consequently, in addition to the quarterly interest payments, you will receive on the maturity date the principal amount of your notes plus the Step Payment of $0.30 per unit. The Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date will therefore be equal to $10.30 per unit ($10.00 plus the Step Payment of $0.30 per unit).
Example 2
The Ending Value is 105 (105% of the Starting Value)
The Ending Value is greater than the Starting Value and the Threshold Value but below the Step Level. Consequently, you will receive the quarterly interest payments, but you will not receive the Step Payment on the maturity date. The Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date will therefore be equal to $10.00.
Example 3
The Ending Value is 70 (70% of the Starting Value)
The Ending Value is less than the Starting Value and the Threshold Value. Consequently, you will receive the quarterly interest payments, but you will not receive the Step Payment on the maturity date, and you will participate on a 1-for-1 basis in the decrease in the price of the Underlying Stock. The Redemption Amount per unit will equal:
On the maturity date, you will receive the Redemption Amount per unit of $7.00
STEP Income Securities® | TS-4 |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., due December , 2016 | |
Summary of the Hypothetical Examples
| Example 1 | Example 2 | Example 3 |
| The Ending Value is greater than or equal to the Step Level | The Ending Value is less than the Step Level but greater than or equal to the Threshold Value | The Ending Value is less than the Starting Value and the Threshold Value |
Starting Value | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 |
Ending Value | 115.00 | 105.00 | 70.00 |
Step Level | 110.00 | 110.00 | 110.00 |
Threshold Value | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 |
Interest Rate (per year) | 10.00% | 10.00% | 10.00% |
Step Payment | $0.30 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Redemption Amount per Unit | $10.30 | $10.00 | $7.00 |
Total Return of the Underlying Stock (1) | 16.03% | 6.03% | -28.97% |
Total Return on the Notes (2) | 13.36% | 10.36% | -19.64% |
(1) | The total return of the Underlying Stock assumes: |
(a) | the percentage change in the price of the Underlying Stock from the Starting Value to the Ending Value; |
(b) | a constant dividend yield of 0.99% per year; and |
(c) | no transaction fees or expenses. |
(2) | The total return on the notes includes interest paid on the notes and assumes an expected term of the notes of approximately one year and one week. |
STEP Income Securities® | TS-5 |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., due December , 2016 | |
Risk Factors
There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security. An investment in the notes involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page PS-6 of product supplement STEPS-5, page S-5 of the Series L MTN prospectus supplement, and page 9 of the prospectus identified above. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.
■ | Depending on the performance of the Underlying Stock as measured shortly before the maturity date, your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal. |
■ | Your return on the notes may be less than the yield you could earn by owning a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. |
■ | 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. |
■ | You will not receive a Step Payment at maturity unless the Ending Value is greater than or equal to the Step Level. |
■ | Your investment return is limited to the return represented by the periodic interest payments over the term of the notes and the Step Payment, if any, and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the Underlying Stock. |
■ | The initial estimated value of the notes is an estimate only, determined as of a particular point in time by reference to our and our affiliates’ pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables, including our credit spreads, our internal funding rate on the pricing date, mid-market terms on hedging transactions, expectations on interest rates and volatility, price-sensitivity analysis, and the expected term of the notes. These pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. |
■ | The public offering price you pay for the notes will exceed the initial estimated value. If you attempt to sell the notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and lower than the initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the price of the Underlying Stock, our internal funding rate, and the inclusion in the public offering price of the underwriting discount and the hedging related charge, all as further described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-10. 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. |
■ | The initial estimated value does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we, MLPF&S or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your notes at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including the performance of the Underlying Stock, our creditworthiness and changes in market conditions. |
■ | A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. Neither we nor MLPF&S is obligated to make a market for, or to repurchase, the notes. There is no assurance that any party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price in any secondary market. |
■ | Our business activities as a full service financial institution, including our commercial and investment banking activities, our hedging and trading activities (including trading in shares of the Underlying Stock) and any hedging and trading activities we engage in for our clients’ accounts, may affect the market value of the notes and their return and may create conflicts of interest with you. |
■ | The Underlying Company will have no obligations relating to the notes, and neither we nor MLPF&S will perform any due diligence procedures with respect to the Underlying Company in connection with this offering. |
■ | You will have no rights of a holder of the Underlying Stock, and you will not be entitled to receive shares of the Underlying Stock or dividends or other distributions by the Underlying Company. |
■ | While we or our affiliates may from time to time own securities of the Underlying Company, we do not control the Underlying Company, and are not responsible for any disclosure made by the Underlying Company. |
■ | The Redemption Amount will not be adjusted for all corporate events that could affect the Underlying Stock. See “Description of the Notes—Anti-Dilution Adjustments” beginning on page PS-20 of product supplement STEPS-5. |
■ | There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent. |
■ | The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the notes. See “Summary Tax Consequences” below and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page PS-28 of product supplement STEPS-5. |
STEP Income Securities® | TS-6 |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., due December , 2016 | |
The Underlying Stock
We have derived the following information from publicly available documents. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the following information. D.R. Horton, Inc. constructs and sells single-family homes designed primarily for the entry-level and move-up markets. The company operates in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southwest, and Western regions of the United States. The company also provides, through its financial services operations, mortgage financing and title agency services to homebuyers. Because the Underlying Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Underlying Company is required to file periodically certain financial and other information specified by the SEC. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the Underlying Company can be located at the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549 or through the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov by reference to SEC CIK number 882184.
This term sheet relates only to the notes and does not relate to the Underlying Stock or to any other securities of the Underlying Company. Neither we nor any of our affiliates have participated or will participate in the preparation of the Underlying Company’s publicly available documents. Neither we nor any of our affiliates have made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Underlying Company in connection with the offering of the notes. Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation that the publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the Underlying Company are accurate or complete. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that all events occurring prior to the date of this term sheet, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of these publicly available documents that would affect the trading price of the Underlying Stock, have been or will be publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the Underlying Company could affect the value of the Underlying Stock and therefore could affect your return on the notes. The selection of the Underlying Stock is not a recommendation to buy or sell the Underlying Stock.
The Underlying Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DHI.”
STEP Income Securities® | TS-7 |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., due December , 2016 | |
Historical Data
The following table shows the quarterly high and low Closing Market Prices of the shares of the Underlying Stock on its primary exchange from the first quarter of 2008 through November 19, 2015. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. These historical trading prices may have been adjusted to reflect certain corporate actions such as stock splits and reverse stock splits.
| High ($) | Low ($) |
2008First Quarter | 17.31 | 10.29 |
Second Quarter | 17.23 | 10.85 |
Third Quarter | 15.04 | 9.57 |
Fourth Quarter | 13.28 | 4.34 |
| | |
2009First Quarter | 10.93 | 5.96 |
Second Quarter | 13.49 | 8.69 |
Third Quarter | 13.79 | 8.40 |
Fourth Quarter | 12.70 | 9.81 |
| | |
2010First Quarter | 13.25 | 11.16 |
Second Quarter | 14.97 | 9.83 |
Third Quarter | 11.26 | 9.71 |
Fourth Quarter | 12.28 | 9.87 |
| | |
2011First Quarter | 13.50 | 11.33 |
Second Quarter | 12.44 | 10.76 |
Third Quarter | 12.13 | 8.94 |
Fourth Quarter | 12.78 | 8.45 |
| | |
2012First Quarter | 16.32 | 12.96 |
Second Quarter | 18.38 | 14.05 |
Third Quarter | 22.37 | 17.27 |
Fourth Quarter | 22.00 | 18.39 |
| | |
2013First Quarter | 25.43 | 20.38 |
Second Quarter | 27.60 | 20.91 |
Third Quarter | 22.98 | 17.77 |
Fourth Quarter | 22.32 | 17.69 |
| | |
2014First Quarter | 24.87 | 20.88 |
Second Quarter | 24.61 | 21.35 |
Third Quarter | 25.10 | 20.11 |
Fourth Quarter | 25.58 | 19.49 |
| | |
2015First Quarter | 28.48 | 22.95 |
Second Quarter | 29.04 | 25.18 |
Third Quarter | 32.21 | 26.73 |
Fourth Quarter (through November 19, 2015) | 32.06 | 28.77 |
This historical data on the Underlying Stock is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Underlying Stock or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the price per share of the Underlying Stock during any period set forth above is not an indication that the price per share of the Underlying Stock 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 prices and trading pattern of the Underlying Stock.
STEP Income Securities® | TS-8 |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., due December , 2016 | |
Supplement to the Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest
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.
MLPF&S, a broker-dealer subsidiary of BAC, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and will participate as selling agent in the distribution of the notes. Accordingly, offerings of the notes will conform to the requirements of Rule 5121 applicable to FINRA members. MLPF&S may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the account holder.
We may deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than three business days following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the notes occurs more than three business days from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than three business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. In the original offering of the notes, the notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units. If you place an order to purchase the notes, you are consenting to MLPF&S acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.
MLPF&S will not receive an underwriting discount for notes sold to certain fee-based trusts and fee-based discretionary accounts managed by U.S. Trust operating through Bank of America, N.A.
MLPF&S may repurchase and resell the notes, with repurchases and resales being made at prices related to then-prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, and these prices will include MLPF&S’s trading commissions and mark-ups. MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions; however, it is not obligated to engage in any such transactions. At MLPF&S’s discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the notes, MLPF&S may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the notes. Any price offered by MLPF&S for the notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Underlying Stock and the remaining term of the notes. However, neither we nor any of our affiliates is obligated to purchase your notes at any price, or at any time, and we cannot assure you that we or any of our 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 will be based on MLPF&S’s estimate of the value of the notes if MLPF&S or another of our 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.
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:
● | 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; |
● | 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; |
● | 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. |
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.
STEP Income Securities® | TS-9 |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., due December , 2016 | |
Structuring the Notes
The notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Underlying Stock. 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. In addition, because market-linked notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us, we typically borrow the funds under these notes at a rate that is more favorable to us than the rate that we might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security. This rate, which we refer to in this term sheet as our internal funding rate, is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. 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.
Payments on the notes, including the interest payments on the notes and the Redemption Amount, will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit. The Redemption Amount will depend on the performance of the Underlying Stock. 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 Underlying Stock, 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 the Notes” beginning on page PS-6 and “Use of Proceeds” on page PS-15 of product supplement STEPS-5.
Summary Tax Consequences
You should consider the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, including the following:
■ | There is no statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addressing the characterization of the notes. |
■ | You agree with us (in the absence of an administrative determination, or judicial ruling to the contrary) to characterize and treat the notes for all tax purposes as an income-bearing single financial contract linked to the Underlying Stock. |
■ | Under this characterization and tax treatment of the notes, we intend to take the position that the stated periodic interest payments constitute taxable ordinary income to a U.S. Holder (as defined on page 99 of the prospectus) at the time received or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting. Upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale or exchange of the notes prior to maturity (other than amounts representing accrued stated periodic interest payments), a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss. This capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you hold the notes for more than one year. |
■ | No assurance can be given that the IRS or any court will agree with this characterization and tax treatment. |
■ | Recently finalized Treasury regulations provide that withholding on “dividend equivalent” payments (as discussed in the product supplement), if any, will not apply to notes issued before January 1, 2016. Additionally, the IRS has announced that withholding under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (as discussed in the prospectus) on payments of gross proceeds from a sale or redemption of the notes will only apply to payments made after December 31, 2018. |
You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws. You should review carefully the discussion under the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page PS-28 of product supplement STEPS-5.
STEP Income Securities® | TS-10 |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of D.R. Horton, Inc., due December , 2016 | |
Where You Can Find More Information
We have filed a registration statement (including a product 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 Income Market-Linked Investment or guarantee any performance.
Enhanced Income Market-Linked Investments are short- to medium-term market-linked notes that offer you a way to enhance your income stream, either through variable or fixed-interest coupons, an added payout at maturity based on the performance of the linked asset, or both. In exchange for receiving current income, you will generally forfeit upside potential on the linked asset. Even so, the prospect of higher interest payments and/or an additional payout may equate to a higher return potential than you may be able to find through other fixed-income securities. Enhanced Income Market-Linked Investments generally do not include market downside protection. The degree to which your principal is repaid at maturity is generally determined by the performance of the linked asset. Although enhanced income streams may help offset potential declines in the asset, you can still lose part or all of your original investment.
“STEP Income Securities®” and “STEPS®” are our registered service marks.
STEP Income Securities® | TS-11 |
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