CM Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-202584

The information in this preliminary Pricing Supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary Pricing Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, Dated February 3, 2016 Preliminary Pricing Supplement dated                     , 2016 (To Prospectus Supplement dated April 30, 2015 and Prospectus dated April 30, 2015)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Senior Global Medium-Term Notes (Structured Notes)

$             Buffered Notes due February 26, 2021 Linked to the S&P 500^® Index

Issuer:		Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Trade Date:		February 22, 2016
Issue Date:		February 29, 2016
Valuation Date:		February 23, 2021*
Maturity Date:		February 26, 2021*
Reference Index:		S&P 500® Index (the “Index”) (Bloomberg ticker symbol “SPX”)
Participation Rate:		[105.00% - 110.00%]**
		** The actual Participation Rate will be determined on the Valuation Date and will not be less than 105.00%.
Buffer Percentage:		20.00%
Payment at Maturity:		If you hold your Notes to maturity, you will receive (in each case, subject to our credit risk) a cash payment per $1,000 principal amount Note that you hold calculated as follows:
		•       If the Index End Level is equal to or greater than the Index Start Level, you will receive a cash payment per $1,000 principal amount Note calculated as follows:
		$1,000 + [$1,000 × (Index Return × Participation Rate)]
		•       If the Index End Level is less than the Index Start Level but the Index Return is equal to or greater than -20.00%, you will receive a cash payment of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount Note
		•       If the Index Return is less than -20.00%, you will receive a cash payment per $1,000 principal amount Note calculated as follows:
		$1,000 + [$1,000 × (Index Return + Buffer Percentage)]
		If the Index declines by more than 20.00% from the Index Start Level to the Index End Level, you will lose 1% of the principal amount of your Notes for every 1% that the Index Return falls below -20.00%. You may lose up to 80.00% of the principal amount of your Notes.
		[Terms of the Notes Continue on the Next Page]

 

		Initial Issue Price(1)(2)		Price to Public(1)(2)		Agent’s Commission(3)(4)		Proceeds to Issuer(3)
Per Note		$1,000		100%		3.25%		96.75%
Total		$		$		$		$

(1)

Because dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forego some or all selling concessions, fees or commissions, the public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in such fee-based advisory accounts may be between $967.50 and $1,000 per Note. Investors that hold their Notes in fee-based advisory or trust accounts may be charged fees by the investment advisor or manager of such account based on the amount of assets held in those accounts, including the Notes.

 

(2)

Our estimated value of the Notes on the Valuation Date, based on our internal pricing models, is expected to be between $954.10 and $962.10 per Note. The estimated value is expected to be less than the initial issue price of the Notes. See “The Bank’s Estimated Value of the Notes” on page PRS-25 of this Pricing Supplement.

 

(3)

CIBC World Markets Corp. will receive commissions from the Issuer of up to 3.25% of the principal amount of the Notes, or up to $32.50 per $1,000 principal amount. CIBC World Markets Corp. will use these commissions to pay variable selling concessions or fees (including custodial or clearing fees) to other dealers. The actual commission received by CIBC World Markets Corp. will be equal to the selling concession paid to such dealers. Dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forgo some or all selling concessions or fees or commissions, as described above. In such circumstances, CIBC World Markets Corp. will also forgo some or all commissions paid to it by the Issuer.

 

(4)

In addition to the selling concessions and fees described above, CIBC World Markets Corp. may pay additional marketing, structuring, referral or other fees (collectively, “Other Fees”) of up to 0.75% of the principal amount per Note in connection with the distribution of the Notes by certain dealers participating in such distribution. With respect to each dealer participating in the distribution of the Notes, in no case will the sum of (a) the selling commissions and fees paid to that dealer and (b) the amount of Other Fees, if any, paid in connection with the distribution of Notes by that dealer exceed 3.25% of the principal amount per Note.

The Notes are unsecured obligations of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and all payments on the Notes are subject to the credit risk of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The Notes will not constitute deposits insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency or instrumentality of Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction.

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Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state or provincial securities commission has approved or disapproved of these Notes or determined if this Pricing Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Investing in the Notes involves risks. See the “Risk Factors” sections in this Pricing Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus.

CIBC World Markets Corp. or one of our other affiliates may use this pricing supplement in a market-making transaction in a security after its initial sale. Unless we or our agent informs the purchaser otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used in a market-making transaction.

We will deliver the Notes in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) on or about February 29, 2016 against payment in immediately available funds.

CIBC World Markets

Terms of the Notes, Continued

 

Index Return:		The performance of the Index from the Index Start Level to the Index End Level, calculated as follows:
		Index End Level – Index Start Level                                                           Index Start Level
Index Start Level:		, the Index Closing Level on the Trade Date.
Index End Level:		The Index Closing Level on the Valuation Date.
Index Closing Level:		For any date, the official closing level of the Index as reported by the Index sponsor on such trading day.
Denominations:		Minimum denomination of $1,000, and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof
Calculation Agent:		Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
CUSIP/ISIN:		13605WBF7 / US13605WBF77

*Subject to postponement in the event of a Market Disruption Event, as described under “Certain Terms of the Notes—Market Disruption Events” in this Pricing Supplement.

The Notes are new issues of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to list the Notes on any securities exchange or automated quotation system.

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ABOUT THIS PRICING SUPPLEMENT

 

You should read this Pricing Supplement together with the Prospectus dated April 30, 2015 (the “Prospectus”) and the Prospectus Supplement dated April 30, 2015 (the “Prospectus Supplement”), relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes (Structured Notes), of which these Notes are a part, for additional information about the Notes. Information in this Pricing Supplement supersedes information in the Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus to the extent it is different from that information. Certain defined terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this Pricing Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. This Pricing Supplement may be used only for the purpose for which it has been prepared. No one is authorized to give information other than that contained in this Pricing Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus, and in the documents referred to in this Pricing Supplement, the Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus and which are made available to the public. We have not, and CIBC World Markets Corp. (“CIBCWM”) has not, authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it.

We are not, and CIBCWM is not, making an offer to sell the Notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this Pricing Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. Neither this Pricing Supplement, nor the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, nor the accompanying Prospectus constitutes an offer, or an invitation on our behalf or on behalf of CIBCWM, to subscribe for and purchase any of the Notes and may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.

References to “CIBC,” “the Issuer,” “the Bank,” “we,” “us” and “our” in this Pricing Supplement are references to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and not to any of our subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires.

You may access the Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus on the SEC website www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filing for the relevant date on the SEC website):

 

●

Prospectus Supplement dated April 30, 2015 and Prospectus dated April 30, 2015 filed with the SEC on April 30, 2015:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045520/000119312515161379/d916405d424b3.htm

 

PRS-1

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SUMMARY

 

The information in this “Summary” section is qualified by the more detailed information set forth in this Pricing Supplement, the Prospectus Supplement dated April 30, 2015 and the Prospectus dated April 30, 2015, each filed with the SEC. See “About This Pricing Supplement” in this Pricing Supplement.

 

Issuer:		Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (the “Issuer” or the “Bank”)
Type of Note:		Buffered Notes due February 26, 2021 Linked to the S&P 500® Index
CUSIP/ISIN:		13605WBF7 / US13605WBF77
Minimum Investment:		$1,000 (one Note)
Denominations:		$1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Principal Amount:		$1,000 per Note
Aggregate Principal Amount of Notes:		$
Currency:		U.S. Dollars
Trade Date:		Expected to be February 22, 2016
Original Issue Date:		Expected to be February 29, 2016 (to be determined on the Trade Date and expected to be the 3rd scheduled Business Day after the Trade Date)
Valuation Date:		February 23, 2021. The Valuation Date may be delayed by the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event (as defined below). See “Certain Terms of the Notes—Market Disruption Events.”
Trading Day:		A “Trading Day” means a day on which the principal trading market for futures and options on the Reference Index is open for trading.
Maturity Date:		February 26, 2021. The Maturity Date may be postponed upon the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event as described below under “Certain Terms of the Notes—Market Disruption Events.” No interest will accrue as a result of delayed payment.
Payment at Maturity:		If you hold your Notes to maturity, you will receive (in each case, subject to our credit risk) a cash payment per $1,000 principal amount Note that you hold equal to the product of:

 

		●		If the Index End Level is equal to or greater than the Index Start Level, you will receive a cash payment per $1,000 principal amount Note calculated as follows:
				$1,000 + [$1,000 x (Index Return x Participation Rate)]
		●		If the Index End Level is less than the Index Start Level but the Index Return is equal to or greater than -20.00%, you will receive a cash payment of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount Note
		●		If the Index Return is less than -20.00%, you will receive a cash payment per $1,000 principal amount Note calculated as follows:
				$1,000 + [$1,000 x (Index Return + Buffer Percentage)]

 

PRS-2

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Index Start Level:		The “Index Start Level” of the Reference Index will be the Index Closing Level of the Reference Index on the Trade Date.
Index End Level:		The “Index End Level” of the Reference Index will be the Index Closing Level of the Reference Index on the Valuation Date.
Index Closing Level:		For any date, the official closing level of the Index as reported by the Index sponsor on such trading day.
Index Return:		The performance of the Index from the Index Start Level to the Index End Level, calculated as follows:   Index End Level – Index Start Level Index Start Level   For the avoidance of doubt, the Index Return may be a negative value.
Participation Rate:		[105.00% - 110.00%]
Buffer Percentage:		20.00%
Principal at Risk:		You may lose up to 80% of your initial investment at maturity if the Index End Level is below the Index Start Level.
Calculation Agent:		Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. We may appoint a different calculation agent without your consent and without notifying you.   All determinations made by the Calculation Agent will be at the sole discretion of it, and, in the absence of manifest error, will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on us and you. All percentages and other amounts resulting from any calculation with respect to the Notes will be rounded at the Calculation Agent’s discretion. The Calculation Agent will have no liability for its determinations.
Status:		The Notes will constitute direct, unsubordinated and unsecured obligations of the Bank ranking pari passu with all other direct, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Bank from time to time outstanding (except as otherwise prescribed by law). The Notes will not constitute deposits insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency or instrumentality of Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction.
Business Day:		A Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or order to close in New York or Toronto.
No Listing:		The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or quotation system.
Use of Proceeds:		General corporate purposes.
Clearance and Settlement:		We will issue the Notes in the form of a fully registered global note registered in the name of the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). Beneficial interests in the Notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Except in the limited circumstances described in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, owners of beneficial interests in the Notes will not be entitled to have Notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive Notes in definitive form and will not be considered holders of Notes under the indenture.

 

PRS-3

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Material U.S. Tax Consequences:		By purchasing the securities, each holder agrees to treat them as prepaid forward contracts for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Assuming this treatment is respected, gain or loss recognized on the securities should be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the holder has held the securities for more than a year. However, if the Internal Revenue Service were successful in asserting an alternative treatment of the securities, the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities might be materially and adversely affected. As described below under “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations,” the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service released a notice requesting comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. Any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including the character and timing of income or loss and the degree, if any, to which income realized by non-U.S. persons should be subject to withholding tax, possibly with retroactive effect. Both U.S. and non-U.S. persons considering an investment in the securities should review carefully the section of this pricing supplement entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” and consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities (including possible alternative treatments and the issues presented by the notice), as well as tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
Terms Incorporated:		All of the terms appearing under the caption “Description of the Notes We May Offer” beginning on page S-7 of the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, as modified by this Pricing Supplement.

INVESTING IN THE NOTES INVOLVES SIGNIFICANT RISKS. YOU MAY LOSE UP TO 80% OF YOUR ENTIRE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT. ANY PAYMENT ON THE NOTES, INCLUDING ANY REPAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, IS SUBJECT TO THE CREDITWORTHINESS OF THE BANK. IF THE BANK WERE TO DEFAULT ON ITS PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE ANY AMOUNTS OWED TO YOU UNDER THE NOTES AND YOU COULD LOSE YOUR ENTIRE INVESTMENT.

 

PRS-4

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INVESTOR SUITABILITY

 

The Notes may be suitable for you if:

 

●

You fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the Notes, including the risk of losing your up to 80% of initial investment.

●

You can tolerate a loss of all or a substantial portion of your initial investment and are willing to make an investment that has the downside market risk of an investment in the Reference Index.

●

You do not believe that the Index Closing Level of the Reference Index will decline by more than the Buffer Percentage.

●

You can tolerate fluctuations in the price of the Notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside fluctuations in the price of the Reference Index.

●

You accept that there may be little or no secondary market for the Notes.

●

You are willing to assume the credit risk of the Bank for all payments under the Notes, and understand that if the Bank defaults on its obligations you may not receive any amounts due to you including any repayment of principal.

The Notes may not be suitable for you if:

 

●

You do not fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the Notes, including the risk of losing up to 80% of your initial investment.

●

You require an investment designed to guarantee a full return of principal at maturity.

●

You cannot tolerate a loss of all or a substantial portion of your initial investment and are not willing to make an investment that has the downside market risk of an investment in the Reference Index.

●

You believe that the price of the Reference Index will decline by more than the Buffer Percentage during the term of the Notes.

●

You seek an investment that participates in the appreciation in the price of the Reference Index or has unlimited return potential.

●

You cannot tolerate fluctuations in the price of the Notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside fluctuations in the price of the Reference Index.

●

You seek current income from your investment.

●

You are unable or unwilling to hold the Notes to maturity, or you seek an investment for which there will be a secondary market.

●

You are not willing to assume the credit risk of the Bank for all payments under the Notes.

The investor suitability considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the Notes are a suitable investment for you will depend on your individual circumstances and you should reach an investment decision only after you and your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors have carefully considered the suitability of an investment in the Notes in light of your particular circumstances. You should also review ‘‘Additional Risk Factors’’ below for risks related to an investment in the Notes.

 

PRS-5

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CERTAIN TERMS OF THE NOTES

 

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will issue the Notes as part of a series of senior unsecured debt securities entitled “Senior Global Medium-Term Notes (Structured Notes),” which is more fully described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. Information included in this pricing supplement supersedes information in the prospectus supplement and prospectus to the extent that it is different from that information.

Payment at Maturity

In the event that the stated Maturity Date is not a Business Day, then the relevant payment at maturity will be made on the next Business Day (“Following Business Day Convention”).

Market Disruption Events

If a Market Disruption Event in respect of the Reference Index occurs or is continuing on the Valuation Date, the Index Closing Level of the Reference Index for the Valuation Date will equal the Index Closing Level of the Reference Index on the first Trading Day following the Valuation Date on which the Calculation Agent determines that a Market Disruption Event in respect of the Reference Index is not continuing. If a Market Disruption Event in respect of the Reference Index occurs or is continuing on each Trading Day to and including the seventh Trading Day following the Valuation Date, the Index Closing Level of the Reference Index will be determined (or, if not determinable, estimated by the Calculation Agent in a manner which is considered commercially reasonable under the circumstances) by the Calculation Agent on that seventh Trading Day, regardless of the occurrence or continuation of a Market Disruption Event in respect of the Reference Index on that day. In such an event, the Calculation Agent will make a good faith estimate in its sole discretion of the Index Closing Level of the Reference Index that would have prevailed in the absence of the Market Disruption Event in respect of the Reference Index. No interest will accrue as a result of delayed payment.

A “Market Disruption Event” in respect of the Reference Index means any event, circumstance or cause which the Bank determines, and the Calculation Agent confirms, has or will have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Bank to perform its obligations under the Notes or to hedge its position in respect of its obligations to make payment of amounts owing thereunder and more specifically includes the following events to the extent that they have such effect with respect to the Reference Index:

 

●

a suspension, absence or limitation of trading in futures or options contracts relating to the Index in the primary market for those contracts, as determined by the Calculation Agent;

●

any event that disrupts or impairs, as determined by the Calculation Agent, the ability of market participants to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, futures or options contracts relating to the Index in its primary market;

●

the closure on any day of the primary market for futures or options contracts relating to the Index on a scheduled Trading Day prior to the scheduled weekday closing time of that market (without regard to after hours or any other trading outside of the regular trading session hours) unless such earlier closing time is announced by the primary market at least one hour prior to the earlier of (i) the actual closing time for the regular trading session on such primary market on such scheduled Trading Day for such primary market and (ii) the submission deadline for orders to be entered into the relevant exchange system for execution at the close of trading on such scheduled Trading Day for such primary market;

●

any scheduled Trading Day on which the exchanges or quotation systems, if any, on which futures or options contracts on the Index are traded, fails to open for trading during its regular trading session; or

●

any other event, if the Calculation Agent determines that the event interferes with our ability or the ability of any of our affiliates to unwind all or a portion of a hedge with respect to the Notes that we or our affiliates have effected or may effect as described below under “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” below.

 

PRS-6

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Adjustments to the Index

If at any time a sponsor or publisher of the Index (the “Index sponsor”) makes a material change in the formula for or the method of calculating the Index, or in any other way materially modifies the Index (other than a modification prescribed in that formula or method to maintain the Index in the event of changes in constituent stock and capitalization and other routine events), then, from and after that time, the Calculation Agent will, at the close of business in New York, New York, on each date that the Index Closing Level is to be calculated, calculate a substitute Index Closing Level in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the Index last in effect prior to the change, but using only those securities that comprised the Index immediately prior to that change. Accordingly, if the method of calculating the Index is modified so that the Index Level is a fraction or a multiple of what it would have been if it had not been modified, then the Calculation Agent will adjust the Index in order to arrive at an Index Level as if it had not been modified.

Discontinuance of the Index

If the Index sponsor discontinues publication of the Index, and such Index sponsor or another entity publishes a successor or substitute equity index that the Calculation Agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to the Index (a “Successor Equity Index”), then, upon the Calculation Agent’s notification of that determination to the trustee and the Bank, the Calculation Agent will substitute the Successor Equity Index as calculated by the relevant Index sponsor or any other entity and calculate the Index End Level as described above. Upon any selection by the Calculation Agent of a Successor Equity Index, the Bank will cause notice to be given to holders of the securities.

In the event that the Index sponsor discontinues publication of the Index prior to, and the discontinuance is continuing on, the Valuation Date and the Calculation Agent determines that no Successor Equity Index is available at such time, the Calculation Agent will calculate a substitute Index Closing Level in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the Index last in effect prior to the discontinuance, but using only those securities that comprised the Index immediately prior to that discontinuance. If a Successor Equity Index is selected or the Calculation Agent calculates a level as a substitute for the Index, the Successor Equity Index or level will be used as a substitute for the Index for all purposes, including the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists.

If on the Valuation Date the Index sponsor fails to calculate and announce the level of the Index, the Calculation Agent will calculate a substitute Index Closing Level in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the Index last in effect prior to the failure, but using only those securities that comprised the Index immediately prior to that failure; provided that, if a Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing on such day, then the provisions set forth above under “—Market Disruption Events” shall apply in lieu of the foregoing.

Notwithstanding these alternative arrangements, discontinuance of the publication of, or the failure by the Index sponsor to calculate and announce the level of the Index may adversely affect the value of the Notes.

Calculation Agent

The Bank or one of its affiliates will act as Calculation Agent for the Notes and may appoint agents to assist it in the performance of its duties. See “Risk Factors—There Are Potential Conflicts of Interest Between You and the Calculation Agent.” We may appoint a different calculation agent without your consent and without notifying you.

The Calculation Agent will determine the redemption amount you receive at stated maturity. In addition, the Calculation Agent will, among other things:

 

●

determine whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred;

 

●

determine if adjustments are required to the Index Closing Level under various circumstances; and

 

●

if publication of the Index is discontinued, select a Successor Equity Index or, if no Successor Equity Index is available, determine the Index Closing Level.

 

PRS-7

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All determinations made by the Calculation Agent will be at the sole discretion of the Calculation Agent and, in the absence of manifest error, will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on us and you. All percentages and other amounts resulting from any calculation with respect to the Notes will be rounded at the Calculation Agent’s discretion. The Calculation Agent will have no liability for its determinations.

Appointment of Independent Calculation Experts

If a calculation or valuation described above under “— Market Disruption Events” or “—Discontinuance of the Index” contemplated to be made by the Calculation Agent involves the application of material discretion and is not based on information or calculation methodologies compiled or utilized by, or derived from, independent third party sources, the Bank will appoint one or more calculation experts to confirm such calculation or valuation. Such calculation experts will be independent from the Bank and active participants in the financial markets in the relevant jurisdiction in which futures or options contracts on the Index are traded. Calculation experts will not assume any obligation or duty to, or any relationship of agency or trust for or with, the holders of the Notes or the Bank. Holders of the Notes will be entitled to rely on any valuation or calculations made by such calculation experts and such valuations or calculations will (except in the case of manifest error) be final and binding on the Bank, the Calculation Agent and the holders of the Notes. Calculation experts will not be responsible for good faith errors or omissions in the making of any such valuations or calculations. Calculation experts may, with the consent of the Bank, delegate any of their obligations and functions to a third party as they deem appropriate, but acting honestly and reasonably at all times. The valuations and calculations of calculation experts will be made available to the holders of the Notes upon request.

Events of Default and Acceleration

If the Notes have become immediately due and payable following an Event of Default (as defined in the section “Description of Senior Debt Securities – Events of Default” in the accompanying Prospectus) with respect to the Notes, the amount payable on the Notes will be equal to the Payment at Maturity, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the Maturity Date.

If the Notes have become immediately due and payable following an Event of Default, you will not be entitled to any payments with respect to the Notes in addition to the redemption amount, calculated as set forth in the precedent paragraph. For more information, see “Description of Senior Debt Securities – Events of Default” beginning on page 9 of the accompanying Prospectus.

Withholding

The Bank or the applicable paying agent will deduct or withhold from a payment on a Note any present or future tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that we determine is required by law or the interpretation or administration thereof to be deducted or withheld. Payments on a Note will not be increased by any amount to offset such deduction or withholding.

 

PRS-8

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HYPOTHETICAL PAYMENTS AT MATURITY ON THE NOTES

 

The following table illustrates the hypothetical total return on the Notes under various circumstances. The “total return” as used in this Pricing Supplement is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the payment at maturity per $1,000 principal amount Note to $1,000. The hypothetical total returns set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual total returns applicable to a purchaser of the Notes. The numbers appearing in the following table have been rounded for ease of analysis and do not take into account any tax consequences of investing in the Notes. The hypothetical examples below also make the following key assumptions:

 

•

Index Start Level: 100.00*

•

Buffer Percentage: 20.00%

•

Participation Rate: 105.00%

* The hypothetical Index Start Level of 100.00 has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent a likely actual Index Start Level for the Index. The Index Start Level will be equal to the Index Closing Level on the Trade Date. The Index Closing Level on February 1, 2016 was 1939.38. For more information about recent levels of the Index, please see “Information Regarding the Index” below.

 

**per $1,000 principal amount Note

The following examples illustrate how the total returns set forth in the table above are calculated.

Example 1: The level of the Index increases from an Index Start Level of 100.00 to an Index End Level of 110.00.

Because the Index End Level is not less than the Index Start Level, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,105.00 per $1,000 principal amount Note calculated as follows:

$1,000 + [$1,000 x (Index Return x Participation Rate)]

$1,000 + [$1,000 x (Index Return x 105.00%)]

$1,000 + [$1,000 x (10.00% x 105.00%)] = $1,105.00

The total return on the investment of the Notes is 10.50%.

 

PRS-9

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Example 2: The level of the Index decreases from an Index Start Level of 100.00 to an Index End Level of 90.00.

Because the Index End Level is less than the Index Start Level but the Index Return is not less than -20.00%, the investor will receive a payment at maturity of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount Note.

The total return on the investment of the Notes is 0.00%.

Example 3: The level of the Index decreases from an Index Start Level of 100.00 to an Index End Level of 60.00.

Because the Index Return is less than -20.00%, the investor will receive a payment at maturity of $800.00 per $1,000 principal amount Note calculated as follows:

$1,000 + [$1,000 x (Index Return + Buffer Percentage)]

$1,000 + [$1,000 x (-40.00% + 20.00%)] = $800.00

The total return on the investment of the Notes is -20.00%.

Any payment on the Notes, including any repayment of principal, is subject to the creditworthiness of the Bank. If the Bank were to default on its payment obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the Notes and you could lose your entire investment.

 

PRS-10

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ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. In addition to the following risks included in this Pricing Supplement, we urge you to read “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the accompanying Prospectus Supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1 of the accompanying Prospectus.

You should understand the risks of investing in the Notes and should reach an investment decision only after careful consideration, with your advisers, of the suitability of the Notes in light of your particular financial circumstances and the information set forth in this Pricing Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement.

The Notes do not Guarantee Return of Principal; You May Suffer a Loss of up to 80% of the Principal Amount of Your Notes

The Notes do not guarantee a return of principal. Any payment on the Notes at maturity depends on the Index End Level of the Reference Index. The Bank will only repay you the full Principal Amount of your Notes if the Index Return is equal to or greater than -20.00%. If the Index Return is less than -20.00%, you will lose 1% of your initial investment for every 1% that the Index Return falls below -20.00%.

The Payment at Maturity Is Not Linked to the Price of the Reference Index at Any Time Other Than the Valuation Date

The Payment at Maturity will be based on the Index End Level of the Reference Index (subject to adjustments as described). Therefore, for example, if the Index Closing Level declined substantially as of the Valuation Date compared to the Issue Date, the Payment at Maturity may be significantly less than it would otherwise have been had the Payment at Maturity been linked to the Index Closing Level prior to the Valuation Date. Although the actual Index Closing Level at maturity or at other times during the term of the Notes may be higher than the Index End Level, your Payment at Maturity will not benefit from the Index Closing Level at any time other than the Valuation Date.

If the Level of the Reference Index Changes, the Market Value of Your Notes May Not Change in the Same Manner

Your Notes may trade quite differently from the performance of the Reference Index. Changes in the level of the Reference Index may not result in a comparable change in the market value of your Notes. We discuss some of the reasons for this disparity under “—The Price at Which the Notes may be Sold prior to Maturity will Depend on a Number of Factors and May Be Substantially Less Than the Amount for Which They Were Originally Purchased” below.

Your Return On The Notes Could Be Less Than If You Owned Securities Included In The Index.

Your return on the Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the securities included in the Index and received the dividends and other payments paid on those securities. This is in part because the Payment at Maturity will be determined by reference to the Index End Level, which will be calculated by reference to the prices of the securities in the Index without taking into consideration the value of dividends and other payments paid on those securities.

We Will Not Hold Securities Related to the Reference Index for Your Benefit

The indenture and the terms governing your Notes do not contain any obligation on us or our affiliates to hedge nor any restriction on our ability or the ability of any of our affiliates to sell, pledge or otherwise convey all or any portion of the futures or options on the Reference Index that we or they may acquire. There can be no assurance that any hedging transaction we or our affiliates may undertake with respect to our exposure under the Notes will be successful or will be maintained over the term of the Notes. Neither we nor our affiliates will pledge or otherwise hold any assets for your benefit, including futures or options on the Reference Index. Consequently, in the event of our bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation, any of those assets that we own will be subject to the claims of our creditors generally and will not be available for your benefit specifically.

 

PRS-11

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You Must Rely on Your Own Evaluation of the Merits of an Investment Linked to the Reference Index

In the ordinary course of their business, we or our affiliates may have expressed views on expected movements in the Reference Index, and may do so in the future. These views or reports may be communicated to our clients and clients of our affiliates. However, these views are subject to change from time to time. Moreover, other professionals who transact business in markets relating to the Reference Index may at any time have significantly different views from those of us or our affiliates. For these reasons, you are encouraged to derive information concerning the Reference Index from multiple sources, and you should not rely solely on views expressed by us or our affiliates. For additional information, see “Information Regarding the Reference Index” in this Pricing Supplement.

The Historical Performance of the Reference Index Should Not Be Taken as an Indication of Its Future Performance.

The level of the Reference Index will determine the amount to be paid on the Notes at maturity. The historical performance of the Reference Index does not necessarily give an indication of its future performance. As a result, it is impossible to predict whether the level of the Reference Index will rise or fall during the term of the Notes. The level of the Reference Index will be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors.

Certain Business and Trading Activities May Create Conflicts with Your Interests and Could Potentially Adversely Affect the Value of the Notes.

We or one or more of our affiliates may engage in trading and other business activities that are not for your account or on your behalf (such as holding or selling of the Notes for our proprietary account or effecting secondary market transactions in the Notes for other customers). These activities may present a conflict between your interest in the Notes and the interests we, or one or more of our affiliates, may have in our or their proprietary account. We and our affiliates may engage in any such activities without regard to the Notes or the effect that such activities may directly or indirectly have on the value of the Notes.

Moreover, we and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the Notes, including hedging our obligations under the Notes and making the assumptions and inputs used to determine the pricing of the Notes and the estimated value of the Notes when the terms of the Notes are set. We expect to hedge our obligations under the Notes through one of our affiliates and/or another unaffiliated counterparty. In connection with such activities, our economic interests and the economic interests of affiliates of ours may be adverse to your interests as an investor in the Notes. Any of these activities may affect the value of the Notes. In addition, because hedging our obligations entails risk and may be influenced by market forces beyond our control, this hedging activity may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or it may result in a loss. We or one or more of our affiliates will retain any profits realized in hedging our obligations under the Notes even if investors do not receive a favorable investment return under the terms of the Notes or in any secondary market transaction. For additional information regarding our hedging activities, please see “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in this Pricing Supplement.

In addition, the Bank will serve as Calculation Agent for the Notes and will have sole discretion in calculating the amounts payable in respect of the Notes. Exercising discretion in this manner could adversely affect the value of the Notes.

The Calculation Agent Can Postpone the Determination of the Index Closing Level if a Market Disruption Event Occurs.

The determination of the Index End Level may be postponed if the Calculation Agent determines that a Market Disruption Event has occurred or is continuing on the Valuation Date. If such a postponement occurs, the Calculation Agent will use the Index Closing Level on the first subsequent Trading Day on which no Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing. In no event, however, will the Valuation Date be postponed by more than seven Trading Days. As a result, if a Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing on the Valuation Date, the Maturity Date for the Notes could also be postponed, although not by more than seven Trading Days. No interest will accrue as a result of delayed payment.

 

PRS-12

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If the determination of the Index End Level for the Valuation Date is postponed to the last possible day, but a Market Disruption Event in respect of that Reference Index occurs or is continuing on that day, that day will nevertheless be the date on which the Index End Level will be determined by the Calculation Agent. In such an event, the Calculation Agent will make a good faith estimate in its sole discretion of the level that would have prevailed in the absence of the Market Disruption Event. See “Certain Terms of the Notes—Market Disruption Events.” Under certain circumstances, the determinations of the Calculation Agent will be confirmed by one or more independent calculation experts. See “Certain Terms of the Notes—Appointment of Independent Calculation Experts.”

There Are Potential Conflicts of Interest Between You and the Calculation Agent.

The Calculation Agent will, among other things, determine the amount of your payment at maturity on the Notes. We will serve as the Calculation Agent. We may change the Calculation Agent after the original issue date without notice to you. The Calculation Agent will exercise its judgment when performing its functions. For example, the Calculation Agent may have to determine whether a Market Disruption Event affecting the Reference Index has occurred. This determination may, in turn, depend on the Calculation Agent’s judgment whether the event has materially interfered with our ability or the ability of one of our affiliates to unwind our hedge positions.

Since this determination by the Calculation Agent will affect the payment at maturity on the Notes, the Calculation Agent may have a conflict of interest if it needs to make a determination of this kind. Under certain circumstances, the determinations of the Calculation Agent will be confirmed by one or more independent calculation experts. See “Certain Terms of the Notes—Appointment of Independent Calculation Experts.”

No Assurance that the Investment View Implicit in the Notes Will Be Successful

It is impossible to predict with certainty whether and the extent to which the level of the Reference Index will rise or fall. There can be no assurance that the Index Return will be equal to or greater than -20.00%. The Index End Level may be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors that affect the Reference Index. You should be willing to accept the risks of the price performance of equity securities in general and the Reference Index in particular, and the risk of losing a significant portion of your initial investment.

Furthermore, we cannot give you any assurance that the future performance of the Reference Index will result in your receiving an amount greater than or equal to the Principal Amount of your Notes. Certain periods of historical performance of the Reference Index would have resulted in you receiving less than the Principal Amount of your Notes if you had owned notes with terms similar to these Notes in the past. See “Information Regarding The Reference Index” in this Pricing Supplement for further information regarding the historical performance of the Reference Index.

The Notes are Not Ordinary Debt Securities.

The Notes have certain investment characteristics that differ from traditional fixed income securities. Specifically, the performance of the Notes will not track the same price movements as traditional interest rate products. The return that you will receive on the Notes, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. Even if your return is positive, your return may be less than the return you would earn if you bought a conventional senior interest bearing debt security of the Bank. A person should reach a decision to invest in the Notes after carefully considering, with his or her advisors, the suitability of the Notes in light of his or her investment objectives and the information set out in the above terms of the offering. The Issuer does not make any recommendation as to whether the Notes are a suitable investment for any person.

No Periodic Interest Will Be Paid On The Notes.

No periodic interest will be paid on the Notes. However, because it is possible that the Notes may be classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as contingent payment debt instruments rather than prepaid forward contracts, you may be required to accrue interest income over the term of your Notes. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

PRS-13

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Your Investment is Subject to the Credit Risk of the Bank

The Notes are senior unsecured debt obligations of the Bank and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. As further described in the accompanying Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement, the Notes will rank on par with all of the other unsecured and unsubordinated debt obligations of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, except such obligations as may be preferred by operation of law. Any payment to be made on the Notes, including the return of the Principal Amount at maturity, depends on the ability of the Bank to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, the actual and perceived creditworthiness of the Bank may affect the market value of the Notes and, in the event the Bank were to default on its obligations, you may not receive the amounts owed to you under the terms of the Notes.

If we default on our obligations under the Notes, your investment would be at risk and you could lose some or all of your investment. See “Description of Senior Debt Securities – Events of Default” in the Prospectus.

The Indenture does not contain any restrictions on our ability or the ability of any of our affiliates to sell, pledge or otherwise convey all or any securities. We and our affiliates will not pledge or otherwise hold any security for the benefit of holders of the Notes. Consequently, in the event of a bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation involving us, any securities we hold as a hedge to the Notes will be subject to the claims of our creditors generally and will not be available specifically for the benefit of the holders of the Notes.

The Price at Which the Notes May Be Sold Prior to Maturity will Depend on a Number of Factors and May Be Substantially Less Than the Amount for Which They Were Originally Purchased.

The price at which the Notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to: (i) actual or anticipated changes in the level of the Reference Index over the full term of the Notes, (ii) volatility of the level of the Reference Index and the market’s perception of future volatility of the level of the Reference Index, (iii) changes in interest rates generally, (iv) any actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads, (v) dividend yields on securities included in the Index, (vi) events involving companies included in the Index, (vii) interest rates, and (viii) time remaining to maturity.

Depending on the actual or anticipated level of interest rates, the market value of the Notes may decrease and you may receive substantially less than 100% of the original issue price if you sell your Notes prior to maturity.

The Inclusion of Dealer Spread and Projected Profit from Hedging in the Original Issue Price is Likely to Adversely Affect Secondary Market Prices.

Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which CIBCWM or any other party is willing to purchase the Notes at any time in secondary market transactions will likely be significantly lower than the original issue price, since secondary market prices are likely to exclude underwriting commissions paid with respect to the Notes and the cost of hedging our obligations under the Notes that are included in the original issue price. The cost of hedging includes the projected profit that we and/or our affiliates may realize in consideration for assuming the risks inherent in managing the hedging transactions. These secondary market prices are also likely to be reduced by the costs of unwinding the related hedging transactions. In addition, any secondary market prices may differ from values determined by pricing models used by CIBCWM as a result of dealer discounts, mark-ups or other transaction costs.

The Bank’s Estimated Value of the Notes is Lower than the Original Issue Price (Price to Public) of the Notes

The Bank’s estimated value is only an estimate using several factors. The original issue price of the Notes exceeds the Bank’s estimated value because costs associated with selling and structuring the Notes, as well as hedging the Notes, are included in the original issue price of the Notes. See “The Bank’s Estimated Value of the Notes” in this Pricing Supplement.

 

PRS-14

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The Bank’s Estimated Value Does Not Represent Future Values of the Notes and may Differ from Others’ Estimates

The Bank’s estimated value of the Notes is determined by reference to the Bank’s internal pricing models when the terms of the Notes are set. This estimated value is based on market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time and the Bank’s 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 greater than or less than the Bank’s estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change, and any assumptions may prove to be incorrect. On future dates, the value of the Notes could change significantly based on, among other things, changes in market conditions, our creditworthiness, interest rate movements and other relevant factors, which may impact the price, if any, at which the Bank would be willing to buy Notes from you in secondary market transactions. See “The Bank’s Estimated Value of the Notes” in this Pricing Supplement.

The Bank’s Estimated Value is not Determined by Reference to Credit Spreads for our Conventional Fixed-Rate Debt

The internal funding rate used in the determination of the Bank’s estimated value generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. If the Bank were to use the interest rate implied by our conventional fixed-rate credit spreads, we would expect the economic terms of the Notes to be more favorable to you. Consequently, our use of an internal funding rate would have an adverse effect on the terms of the Notes and any secondary market prices of the Notes. See “The Bank’s Estimated Value of the Notes” in this Pricing Supplement.

Hedging Activities by the Bank May Negatively Impact Investors in the Notes and Cause Our Respective Interests and Those of Our Clients and Counterparties to Be Contrary to Those of Investors in the Notes

The Bank or one or more of our affiliates has hedged or expects to hedge the obligations under the Notes by purchasing futures and/or other instruments linked to the Reference Index. The Bank or one or more of our affiliates also expects to adjust the hedge by, among other things, purchasing or selling any of the foregoing, and perhaps other instruments linked to the Reference Index, at any time and from time to time, and to unwind the hedge by selling any of the foregoing on or before the Valuation Date.

Any of these hedging activities may adversely affect the level of the Reference Index and therefore the market value of the Notes and the amount you will receive, if any, on the Notes. In addition, you should expect that these transactions will cause the Bank or our affiliates or our respective clients or counterparties, to have economic interests and incentives that do not align with, and that may be directly contrary to, those of an investor in the Notes. The Bank or our affiliates will have no obligation to take, refrain from taking or cease taking any action with respect to these transactions based on the potential effect on an investor in the Notes, and may receive substantial returns with respect to these hedging activities while the value of the Notes may decline.

The Notes Will Not Be Listed on Any Securities Exchange or Any Inter-Dealer Quotation System; There May Be No Secondary Market for the Notes; Potential Illiquidity of the Secondary Market; Holding of the Notes by CIBCWM or Its or Our Affiliates and Future Sales.

The Notes are most suitable for purchasing and holding to maturity. The Notes will be new securities for which there is no trading market. The Notes will not be listed on any organized securities exchange or any inter-dealer quotation system. We cannot assure you as to whether there will be a trading or secondary market for the Notes or, if there were to be such a trading or secondary market, that it would be liquid.

Under ordinary market conditions, CIBCWM or any of its affiliates may (but are not obligated to) make a secondary market for the Notes and may cease doing so at any time. Because we do not expect other broker-dealers to participate in the secondary market for the Notes, the price at which you may be able to trade your Notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which CIBCWM or any of its affiliates are willing to transact. If none of CIBCWM or any of its affiliates makes a market for the Notes, there will not be a secondary market for the Notes. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to the development or liquidity of any secondary market for the Notes. If a secondary market in the Notes is not developed or maintained, you may not be able to sell your Notes easily or at prices that will provide you with a yield comparable to that of similar securities that have a liquid secondary market.

 

PRS-15

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In addition, the entire principal amount of the Notes being offered may not be purchased by investors in the initial offering, and CIBCWM or one or more of its or our affiliates may agree to purchase any unsold portion. CIBCWM or such affiliate or affiliates intend to hold the Notes, which may affect the supply of the Notes available in any secondary market trading and therefore may adversely affect the price of the Notes in any secondary market trading. If a substantial portion of any Notes held by CIBCWM or its or our affiliates were to be offered for sale following this offering, the market price of such Notes could fall, especially if secondary market trading in such Notes is limited or illiquid.

The Notes Are Not Insured by Any Third Parties.

The Notes will be solely our obligations. Neither the Notes nor your investment in the Notes are insured by the United States Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Bank Insurance Fund or any other government agency or instrumentality of the United States, Canada or any other jurisdiction.

We Cannot Control Actions By Any Of The Unaffiliated Companies Whose Securities Are Included In The Index.

Actions by any company whose securities are included in the Index may have an adverse effect on the price of its security, the ending level and the value of the securities. These companies will not be involved in the offering of the Notes and will have no obligations with respect to the Notes, including any obligation to take our or your interests into consideration for any reason. These companies will not receive any of the proceeds of the offering of the Notes and will not be responsible for, and will not have participated in, the determination of the timing of, prices for, or quantities of, the Notes to be issued. These companies will not be involved with the administration, marketing or trading of the Notes and will have no obligations with respect to the redemption amount to be paid to you at maturity.

We And Our Respective Affiliates Have No Affiliation With The Index Sponsor And Have Not Independently Verified Its Public Disclosure Of Information.

We and our respective affiliates are not affiliated in any way with the Index sponsor and have no ability to control or predict its actions, including any errors in or discontinuation of disclosure regarding the methods or policies relating to the calculation of the Index. We have derived the information about the Index sponsor and the Index contained herein from publicly available information, without independent verification. You, as an investor in the Notes, should make your own investigation into the Index and the Index sponsor. The Index sponsor is not involved in the offering of the Notes made hereby in any way and has no obligation to consider your interest as an owner of Notes in taking any actions that might affect the value of the Notes.

The U.S. Federal Tax Consequences Of An Investment In The Notes Are Unclear.

There is no direct legal authority regarding the proper U.S. federal tax treatment of the Notes, and we do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service. Consequently, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the Notes are uncertain, and the Internal Revenue Service or a court might not agree with the treatment of the Notes as prepaid forward contracts. If the Internal Revenue Service were successful in asserting an alternative treatment of the Notes, the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Notes might be materially and adversely affected. As described below under “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations,” the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service released a notice requesting comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. Any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the Notes, including the character and timing of income or loss and the degree, if any, to which income realized by non-U.S. persons should be subject to withholding tax, possibly with retroactive effect. Both U.S. and non-U.S. persons considering an investment in the Notes should review carefully the section of this pricing supplement entitled “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” and consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the Notes (including possible alternative treatments and the issues presented by the notice), as well as tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

 

PRS-16

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There Can Be No Assurance That The Canadian Income Tax Consequences Of An Investment In The Notes Will Not Change In The Future.

There can be no assurance that Canadian federal income tax laws, the judicial interpretation thereof, or the administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency will not be changed in a manner that adversely affects investors. For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the Notes, please read the section entitled “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this pricing supplement as well as the section entitled “Certain Income Tax Consequences—Certain Canadian Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement dated April 30, 2015. You should consult your tax advisor with respect to your own particular situation.

 

PRS-17

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INFORMATION REGARDING THE REFERENCE INDEX

 

Included in the following pages is a brief description of the Reference Index. This information has been obtained from publicly available sources. Also set forth below are tables that provide the quarterly high and low closing price of the Reference Index. We obtained the historical closing price information set forth below from Bloomberg Professional^® service (“Bloomberg”) without independent verification.

We have not undertaken an independent review or due diligence of the information obtained from Bloomberg. The historical performance of the Reference Index should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurances can be given as to the Index End Levels of the Reference Index. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Reference Index will result in any positive return on your initial investment.

Information from outside sources is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this Pricing Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement. We have not independently verified any of the information herein obtained from outside sources.

This Pricing Supplement relates only to the Notes offered hereby and does not relate to the Reference Index or the securities that make up the Reference Index.

All information regarding the S&P 500^® Index reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P Dow Jones Indices” or “S&P”), the Index sponsor. S&P has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the S&P 500^® Index at any time. Neither we nor the agent has independently verified the accuracy or completeness of any information with respect to the S&P 500^® Index in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes.

According to publicly available information, on July 2, 2012, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., which owned the S&P Indices business, and CME Group, Inc., which is a 90% owner of the joint venture that owned the Dow Jones Indexes business, announced the launch of a new joint venture, S&P Dow Jones Indices. S&P Dow Jones Indices owns the S&P Indices business, including the S&P 500^® Index, and the Dow Jones Indexes business.

General

The S&P 500^® Index is published by S&P and is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement in the large capitalization segment of the United States equity market. The S&P 500^® Index covers approximately 75% of the United States equity market by market capitalization.

The calculation of the value of the S&P 500^® Index (discussed below in further detail) is 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 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. Historically, the “Market Value” of any S&P component stock was calculated as the product of the market price per share and the number of the then-outstanding shares of such S&P component stock. As discussed below, during March 2005, S&P began to use a new methodology to calculate the Market Value of the S&P component stocks and S&P completed its transition to the new calculation methodology during September 2005.

S&P chooses companies for inclusion in the S&P 500^® Index with the aim of achieving a distribution by broad industry groupings that approximates the distribution of these groupings in the common stock population of the Standard & Poor’s Stock Guide Database, which S&P uses as an assumed model for the composition of the total market. Relevant criteria employed by S&P include the financial viability of the particular company, the market capitalization of that company ($4 billion or greater), the contribution of that company to the index’s sector balance, and the market value and trading activity of the common stock of that company. Continued index membership is not necessarily subject to these guidelines. S&P aims to minimize unnecessary turnover and each removal is determined on a case-by-case basis. Companies that substantially violate one or more of criteria for index inclusion and companies that no longer meet the inclusion criteria as a result of a merger, acquisition or significant restructuring will be considered for removal.

 

PRS-18

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The S&P 500^® Index does not reflect the payment of dividends on the stocks underlying it.

Computation of the S&P 500^® Index

Prior to March 2005, the Market Value of a component stock was calculated as the product of the market price per share and the total number of outstanding shares of the component stock. In March 2004, S&P announced that it would transition the S&P 500^® Index to float-adjusted market capitalization weights. The transition began in March 2005 and was completed in September 2005. S&P’s criteria for selecting stock for the S&P 500^® Index was not changed by the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company’s weight in the S&P 500^® Index (i.e., its Market Value). Currently, S&P calculates the S&P 500^® Index based on the total float-adjusted market capitalization of each component stock, where each stock’s weight in the S&P 500^® Index is proportional to its float-adjusted market value. Under float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the S&P 500^® Index reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all of a company’s outstanding shares. S&P defines three groups of shareholders whose holdings are subject to float adjustment:

 

●

holdings by other publicly traded corporations, venture capital firms, private equity firms, strategic partners, or leveraged buyout groups;

 

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holdings by government entities, including all levels of government in the United States or foreign countries; and

 

●

holdings by current or former officers and directors of the company, founders of the company, or family trusts of officers, directors, or founders, as well as holdings of trusts, foundations, pension funds, employee stock ownership plans, or other investment vehicles associated with and controlled by the company.

Where holdings in one of these groups exceed 10% of the outstanding shares of a company, the holdings of that group are excluded from the float-adjusted count of shares to be used in the index calculation. Treasury stock, stock options, restricted shares, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock and rights are also not part of the float.

Mutual funds, investment advisory firms, pension funds, or foundations not associated with the company and investment funds in insurance companies are part of the float. Also included in the float are shares held in a trust to allow investors in countries outside the country of domicile, shares that trust beneficiaries may buy or sell without difficulty or significant additional expense beyond typical brokerage fees, and, if a company has multiple classes of stock outstanding, shares in an unlisted or non-traded class that can be converted by shareholders to a listed class without undue delay and cost.

For each stock, an investable weight factor (“IWF”) is calculated by dividing the available float shares, defined as the total shares outstanding less shares held in one or more of the three groups listed above where the group holdings exceed 10% of the outstanding shares, by the total shares outstanding. The float-adjusted index is then calculated by: dividing the sum of the IWF multiplied by both the price and the total shares outstanding for each stock by the index divisor. For companies with multiple classes of stock, S&P calculates the weighted average IWF for each stock using the proportion of the total company market capitalization of each share class as weights. In these cases, the stock price is based on one class, usually the most liquid class, and the share count is based on the total shares outstanding.

The S&P 500^® Index is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology: the level of the S&P 500^® Index reflects the total Market Value of all the component stocks relative to the S&P 500 base period of 1941-43. The daily calculation of the S&P 500^® Index is computed by dividing the Market Value of the S&P 500 component stocks by the index divisor.

The S&P 500^® Index maintenance includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, share changes, stock splits, stock dividends and stock price adjustments due to company restructurings or spin-offs. Continuity in index values is maintained by adjusting the index divisor for all changes in the S&P 500 constituents’ share capital after the base period of 1941-43 with the index value as of the base period set at 10. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends do not require index divisor adjustments because following a stock split or stock dividend, both the stock price and number of shares outstanding are adjusted by S&P so that there is no change in the Market Value of the component stock. Corporate actions (such as stock splits, stock dividends, spin-offs and rights offerings) are applied after the close of trading on the day before the ex-date. Share changes resulting from exchange offers are applied on the ex-date.

 

PRS-19

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To prevent the level of the S&P 500^® Index from changing due to corporate actions, all corporate actions which affect the total Market Value of the S&P 500^® Index require an index divisor adjustment. By adjusting the index divisor for the change in total Market Value, the level of the S&P 500^® Index remains constant. This helps maintain the level of the S&P 500^® Index as an accurate barometer of stock market performance and ensures that the movement of the S&P 500^® Index does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the S&P 500^® Index. All index divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading and after the calculation of the closing levels of the S&P 500^® Index. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends, require simple changes in the common shares outstanding and the stock prices of the companies in the S&P 500^® Index and do not require index divisor adjustments.

The table below summarizes the types of index maintenance adjustments and indicates whether or not an index divisor adjustment is required.

 

Type of Corporate Action		Comments		Divisor Adjustment
Company added/deleted		Net change in market value determines divisor adjustment.		Yes
Change in shares outstanding		Any combination of secondary issuance, share repurchase or buy back—share counts revised to reflect change.		Yes
Stock split		Share count revised to reflect new count. Divisor adjustment is not required since the share count and price changes are offsetting.		No
Spin-off		If spun-off company is not being added to the index, the divisor adjustment reflects the decline in index market value (i.e., the value of the spun-off unit).		Yes
Spin-off		Spun-off company added to the index, no company removed from the index.		No
Spin-off		Spun-off company added to the index, another company removed to keep number of names fixed. Divisor adjustment reflects deletion.		Yes
Change in IWF		Increasing (decreasing) the IWF increases (decreases) the total market value of the index. The divisor change reflects the change in market value caused by the change to an IWF.		Yes
Special dividend		When a company pays a special dividend the share price is assumed to drop by the amount of the dividend; the divisor adjustment reflects this drop in index market value.		Yes
Rights offering		Each shareholder receives the right to buy a proportional number of additional shares at a set (often discounted) price. The calculation assumes that the offering is fully subscribed. Divisor adjustment reflects increase in market cap measured as the shares issued multiplied by the price paid.		Yes

Each of the corporate events exemplified in the table requiring an adjustment to the index divisor has the effect of altering the Market Value of the component stock and consequently of altering the aggregate Market Value of the S&P 500 component stocks (the “Post-Event Aggregate Market Value”). In order that the level of the S&P 500^® Index (the “Pre-Event Index Value”) not be affected by the altered Market Value (whether increase or decrease) of the affected component stock, a new index divisor (“New Divisor”) is derived as follows:

 

		Post-Event Aggregate Market Value New Divisor		= Pre-Event Index Value

 

		New Divisor =		Post-Event Aggregate Market Value           Pre-Event Index Value

 

PRS-20

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A large part of the S&P 500^® Index maintenance process involves tracking the changes in the number of shares outstanding of each of the S&P 500^® Index companies. Four times a year, on a Friday close to the end of each calendar quarter, the share totals of companies in the S&P 500^® Index are updated as required by any changes in the number of shares outstanding and then the index divisor is adjusted accordingly. In addition, changes in a company’s shares due to its acquisition of another public company are made as soon as reasonably possible. Changes in a company’s shares outstanding of 5% or more due to public offerings, tender offers, Dutch auctions or exchange offers are also made as soon as reasonably possible. Other changes of 5% or more (due to, for example, company stock repurchases, private placements, an acquisition of a privately held company, redemptions, exercise of options, warrants, conversion of preferred stock, notes, debt, equity participations, at-the-market stock offerings or other recapitalizations) are made weekly, and are announced on Wednesdays for implementation after the close of trading on the following Wednesday. If a 5% or more change causes a company’s IWF to change by 5 percentage points or more (for example from 0.80 to 0.85), the IWF will be updated at the same time as the share change, except IWF changes resulting from partial tender offers will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Changes to an IWF of less than 5 percentage points are implemented at the next IWF review, which occurs annually. In the case of certain rights issuances, in which the number of rights issued and/or terms of their exercise are deemed substantial, a price adjustment and share increase may be implemented immediately.

License Agreement

We and S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC have entered into a non-transferable, non-exclusive license agreement providing for the sublicense to us, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use the S&P 500^®Index in connection with the issuance of the Notes.

The license agreement between us and S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC provides that the following language must be stated in this pricing supplement:

The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”), and has been licensed for use by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Standard & Poor’s^®, S&P^® and S&P 500^® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”); Dow Jones^® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in securities particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce with respect to the S&P 500 Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices or its licensors. The S&P 500 Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce or the Notes. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take the needs of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce or the owners of the Notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500 Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has 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, surrendered or redeemed, as the case may be. S&P Dow Jones Indices has 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 S&P 500 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 within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, 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 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, 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 S&P 500 Index. S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P 500 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 MAKES 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 OBTAINED BY CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, OWNERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S&P 500 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 CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.

 

PRS-21

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Historical Data

We obtained the closing levels listed below from Bloomberg Financial Markets (“Bloomberg”) without independent verification. You can obtain the level of the S&P 500^® Index at any time from Bloomberg under the symbol “SPX” or from the S&P Dow Jones Indices website at www.standardandpoors.com. No information contained on the S&P Dow Jones Indices website is incorporated by reference into this pricing supplement.

The following graph sets forth daily closing levels of the Index for the period from January 1, 2006 to February 1, 2016. The closing level on February 1, 2016 was 1939.38.

 

 

PRS-22

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The following table sets forth the high and low closing levels, as well as end-of-period closing levels, of the Index for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2015, and for the period from January 1, 2016 through February 1, 2016.

 

		High				Low				Last
2006
First Quarter			1307.25				1254.78				1294.83
Second Quarter			1325.76				1223.69				1270.20
Third Quarter			1339.15				1234.49				1335.85
Fourth Quarter			1427.09				1331.32				1418.30
2007
First Quarter			1459.68				1374.12				1420.86
Second Quarter			1539.18				1424.55				1503.35
Third Quarter			1553.08				1406.70				1526.75
Fourth Quarter			1565.15				1407.22				1468.36
2008
First Quarter			1447.16				1273.37				1322.70
Second Quarter			1426.63				1278.38				1280.00
Third Quarter			1305.32				1106.39				1166.36
Fourth Quarter			1161.06				752.44				903.25
2009
First Quarter			934.70				676.53				797.87
Second Quarter			946.21				811.08				919.32
Third Quarter			1071.66				879.13				1057.08
Fourth Quarter			1127.78				1025.21				1115.10
2010
First Quarter			1174.17				1056.74				1169.43
Second Quarter			1217.28				1030.71				1030.71
Third Quarter			1148.67				1022.58				1141.20
Fourth Quarter			1259.78				1137.03				1257.64
2011
First Quarter			1343.01				1256.88				1325.83
Second Quarter			1363.61				1265.42				1320.64
Third Quarter			1353.22				1119.46				1131.42
Fourth Quarter			1285.09				1099.23				1257.60
2012
First Quarter			1416.51				1277.06				1408.47
Second Quarter			1419.04				1278.04				1362.16
Third Quarter			1465.77				1334.76				1440.67
Fourth Quarter			1461.40				1353.33				1426.19
2013
First Quarter			1569.19				1457.15				1569.19
Second Quarter			1669.16				1541.61				1606.28
Third Quarter			1725.52				1614.08				1681.55
Fourth Quarter			1848.36				1655.45				1848.36
2014
First Quarter			1878.04				1741.89				1872.34
Second Quarter			1962.87				1815.69				1960.23
Third Quarter			2011.36				1909.57				1972.29
Fourth Quarter			2090.57				1862.49				2058.90
2015
First Quarter			2117.39				1992.67				2067.89
Second Quarter			2130.82				2057.64				2063.11
Third Quarter			2128.28				1867.61				1920.03
Fourth Quarter			2109.79				1923.82				2043.94
2016
January 1, 2016 through February 1, 2016			2016.71				1859.33				1939.38

 

PRS-23

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USE OF PROCEEDS AND HEDGING

 

The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be used as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus and to hedge market risks of the Bank associated with its obligation to pay the Principal Amount at maturity of the Notes.

We may hedge our obligations under the Notes by, among other things, purchasing securities, futures, options or other derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the value of the Index and/or securities underlying the Index, and we may adjust these hedges by, among other things, purchasing or selling securities, futures, options or other derivative instruments at any time. Our cost of hedging will include the projected profit that our counterparty expects to realize in consideration for assuming the risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the Notes. Because hedging our obligations entails risk and may be influenced by market forces beyond our or our counterparty’s control, such hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or could result in a loss. It is possible that we could receive substantial returns from these hedging activities while the value of the Notes declines.

We expect to hedge our obligations under the Notes through one of our affiliates and/or another unaffiliated counterparty.

We have no obligation to engage in any manner of hedging activity and we will do so solely at our discretion and for our own account. No holder of the Notes will have any rights or interest in our hedging activity or any positions we or any unaffiliated counterparty may take in connection with our hedging activity. The hedging activity discussed above may adversely affect the value of the Notes from time to time. See “Additional Risk Factors – The Inclusion of Dealer Spread and Projected Profit from Hedging in the Original Issue Price is Likely to Adversely Affect Secondary Market Prices” and “Additional Risk Factors – Certain Business and Trading Activities May Create Conflicts with Your Interests and Could Potentially Adversely Affect the Value of the Notes” in this Pricing Supplement.

 

PRS-24

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THE BANK’S ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE NOTES

 

The Bank’s estimated value of the Notes set forth on the cover of this Pricing Supplement is equal to the sum of the values of the following hypothetical components: (1) a fixed-income debt component with the same maturity as the Notes, valued using our internal funding rate for structured debt described below, and (2) the derivative or derivatives underlying the economic terms of the Notes. The Bank’s estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which the Bank would be willing to buy your Notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The internal funding rate used in the determination of the Bank’s estimated value generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The discount is based on, among other things, our view of the funding value of the Notes as well as the higher issuance, operational and ongoing liability management costs of the Notes in comparison to those costs for our conventional fixed-rate debt. For additional information, see “Additional Risk Factors—The Bank’s Estimated Value Is Not Determined by Reference to Credit Spreads for Our Conventional Fixed-Rate Debt.” The value of the derivative or derivatives underlying the economic terms of the Notes is derived from the Bank’s or a third party hedge provider’s internal pricing models. These models are dependent on inputs such as the traded market prices of comparable derivative instruments and on various other inputs, some of which are market-observable, and which can include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors, as well as assumptions about future market events and/or environments. Accordingly, the Bank’s estimated value of the Notes is determined when the terms of the Notes are set based on market conditions and other relevant factors and assumptions existing at that time. See “Additional Risk Factors—The Bank’s Estimated Value Does Not Represent Future Values of the Notes and May Differ from Others’ Estimates.”

The Bank’s estimated value of the Notes will be lower than the original issue price of the Notes because costs associated with selling, structuring and hedging the Notes are included in the original issue price of the Notes. These costs include the selling commissions paid to the Bank and other affiliated or unaffiliated dealers, the projected profits that our hedge counterparties, which may include our affiliates, expect to realize for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the Notes and the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the Notes. Because hedging our obligations entails risk and may be influenced by market forces beyond our control, this hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or it may result in a loss. We or one or more of our affiliates will retain any profits realized in hedging our obligations under the Notes. See “Additional Risk Factors—The Bank’s Estimated Value of the Notes Will Be Lower Than the Original Issue Price (Price to Public) of the Notes” in this Pricing Supplement.

 

PRS-25

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CERTAIN BENEFIT PLAN INVESTOR CONSIDERATIONS

 

Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan to which Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), applies (a “plan”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the Notes. Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the plan. When we use the term “holder” in this section, we are referring to a beneficial owner of the Notes and not the record holder.

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) prohibit plans, as well as individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans to which Section 4975 of the Code applies (also “plans”), from engaging in specified transactions involving “plan assets” with persons who are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Code (collectively, “parties in interest”) with respect to such plan. A violation of those “prohibited transaction” rules may result in an excise tax or other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for such persons, unless statutory or administrative exemptive relief is available. Therefore, a fiduciary of a plan should also consider whether an investment in the Notes might constitute or give rise to a prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code.

Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans, as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA, certain church plans, as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA, and foreign plans, as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA (collectively, “Non-ERISA Arrangements”), are not subject to the requirements of ERISA, or Section 4975 of the Code, but may be subject to similar rules under other applicable laws or regulations (“Similar Laws”).

We and our affiliates may each be considered a party in interest with respect to many plans. Special caution should be exercised, therefore, before the Notes are purchased by a plan. In particular, the fiduciary of the plan should consider whether statutory or administrative exemptive relief is available. The U.S. Department of Labor has issued five prohibited transaction class exemptions (“PTCEs”) that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the purchase or holding of the Notes. Those class exemptions are:

 

●

PTCE 96-23, for specified transactions determined by in-house asset managers;

 

●

PTCE 95-60, for specified transactions involving insurance company general accounts;

 

●

PTCE 91-38, for specified transactions involving bank collective investment funds;

 

●

PTCE 90-1, for specified transactions involving insurance company separate accounts; and

 

●

PTCE 84-14, for specified transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers.

In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide an exemption for transactions between a plan and a person who is a party in interest (other than a fiduciary who has or exercises any discretionary authority or control with respect to investment of the plan assets involved in the transaction or renders investment advice with respect thereto) solely by reason of providing services to the plan (or by reason of a relationship to such a service provider), if in connection with the transaction of the plan receives no less, and pays no more, than “adequate consideration” (within the meaning of Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA).

Any purchaser or holder of the Notes or any interest in the Notes will be deemed to have represented by its purchase and holding that either:

 

●

no portion of the assets used by such purchaser or holder to acquire or purchase the Notes constitutes assets of any plan or Non-ERISA Arrangement; or

 

●

an administrative or statutory exemption applies to their purchase and holding of the Notes and the purchase and holding of the Notes by such purchaser or holder will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a similar violation under any Similar Law.

 

PRS-26

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Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the Notes on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any plan consult with their counsel regarding the potential consequences under ERISA and the Code of the acquisition of the Notes and the availability of exemptive relief.

The Notes are contractual financial instruments. The financial exposure provided by the Notes is not a substitute or proxy for, and is not intended as a substitute or proxy for, individualized investment management or advice for the benefit of any purchaser or holder of the Notes. The Notes have not been designed and will not be administered in a manner intended to reflect the individualized needs and objectives of any purchaser or holder of the Notes.

Each purchaser or holder of the Notes acknowledges and agrees that:

(i) the purchaser or holder or its fiduciary has made and shall make all investment decisions for the purchaser or holder and the purchaser or holder has not relied and shall not rely in any way upon us or our affiliates to act as a fiduciary or adviser of the purchaser or holder with respect to (a) the design and terms of the Notes, (b) the purchaser or holder’s investment in the Notes, or (c) the exercise of or failure to exercise any rights we have under or with respect to the Notes;

(ii) we and our affiliates have acted and will act solely for our own account in connection with (a) all transactions relating to the Notes and (b) all hedging transactions in connection with our obligations under the Notes;

(iii) any and all assets and positions relating to hedging transactions by us or our affiliates are assets and positions of those entities and are not assets and positions held for the benefit of the purchaser or holder;

(iv) our interests may be adverse to the interests of the purchaser or holder; and

(v) neither we nor any of our affiliates is a fiduciary or adviser of the purchaser or holder in connection with any such assets, positions or transactions, and any information that we or any of our affiliates may provide is not intended to be impartial investment advice.

Purchasers of the Notes have the exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their purchase, holding and subsequent disposition of the Notes does not violate the fiduciary or prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law. Nothing herein shall be construed as a representation that an investment in the Notes would be appropriate for, or would meet any or all of the relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by, plans or Non-ERISA Arrangements generally or any particular plan or Non-ERISA Arrangement.

 

PRS-27

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following discussion supplements the discussion in the section called “Certain Income Tax Consequences—United States Taxation” in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, and is subject to the limitations and exceptions set forth therein. Capitalized terms used in this section without definition shall have the respective meanings given such terms in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement.

The following summary describes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the Notes. This summary applies only to holders that acquire their Notes in this offering for a price equal to the principal amount, which we understand will be at par, and hold such Notes as capital assets, within the meaning of Section 1221 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This summary does not apply to any holder that is subject to special rules, such as:

 

●

a dealer in securities,

 

●

a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities holdings,

 

●

a bank,

 

●

a life insurance company,

 

●

a tax-exempt organization,

 

●

a person that owns the notes as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion transaction for tax purposes,

 

●

a person that purchases or sells the notes as part of a wash sale for tax purposes,

 

●

a regulated investment company or real estate investment trust

 

●

a U.S. holder (as defined in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement) whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar

 

●

a U.S. holder subject to the alternative minimum tax, or

 

●

U.S. expatriates.

This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Code, existing and proposed Treasury Regulations thereunder, current administrative rulings, judicial decisions and other applicable authorities. All of the foregoing are subject to change, which change may apply retroactively and could affect the continued validity of this summary. This summary does not describe any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, locality or taxing jurisdiction other than the U.S. federal government. This discussion also does not purport to be a complete analysis of all tax considerations relating to the Notes.

You should consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax and other tax consequences of your investment in the Notes in your particular circumstances, including the application of state, local or other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.

If a partnership holds the Notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the tax treatment of the partnership. You should consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax and other tax consequences of your investment in the Notes if you are a partner in a partnership holding the Notes.

 

PRS-28

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General

We will not attempt to ascertain whether any of the issuers of the shares that constitute the underlying Index (the shares hereafter referred to as “Underlying Shares”) should be treated as a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of section 1297 of the Code (A “PFIC”). If any of the issuers of Underlying Shares were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply to a U.S. holder (as defined below) upon the sale, exchange or retirement of the Notes. Potential investors considering an investment in the Notes should refer to information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or another governmental authority by the issuers of Underlying Shares and consult their tax advisers regarding the possible consequences to them if any issuer of Underlying Shares is or becomes a PFIC.

As the law applicable to the U.S. federal taxation of instruments such as the Notes is technical and complex, the discussion below necessarily represents only a general summary. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the Notes are uncertain. No statutory, judicial or administrative authority directly discusses how the Notes should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In the opinion of our counsel, Mayer Brown LLP, it would be generally reasonable to treat the Notes as pre-paid cash-settled derivative contracts. The terms of the Notes will provide that you agree to treat the Notes in this manner for all U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion is based on the characterization described above. The discussion in this section assumes that there is a significant possibility of a significant loss of principal on an investment in the notes.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

Subject to the discussion below of Section 1260 of the Code, if you are a U.S. holder, you should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange or payment on maturity in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time and your tax basis in the Notes. In general, your tax basis in the Notes will be equal to the price you paid for them. Such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Notes for more than one year. Capital gain recognized by an individual U.S. holder is generally taxed at preferential rates where the property is held for more than one year and is generally taxed at ordinary income rates where the property is held for one year or less. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. The holding period for Notes of a U.S. holder who acquires the Notes upon issuance will generally begin on the date after the issue date (i.e., the settlement date) of the Notes. If the Notes are held by the same U.S. holder until maturity, that holder’s holding period will generally include the maturity date. It is possible that the Internal Revenue Service could assert that a U.S. holder’s holding period in respect of the Notes should end on the date on which the amount the holder is entitled to receive upon the maturity of the Notes is determined, even though the holder will not receive any amounts from us in respect of the Notes prior to the maturity of the Notes. In such case, a U.S. holder may be treated as having a holding period in respect of the Notes that is one year or less even if the holder receives cash upon maturity of the Notes at a time that is more than one year after the beginning of its holding period.

The constructive ownership rules of Section 1260 of the Code could possibly apply to notes that have a term in excess of one year and reference a “pass-thru entity” (as defined in Section 1260(c)(2) of the Code). Examples of “pass-thru entities” include (but are not limited to) regulated investment companies (e.g., most exchange-traded funds), real estate investment trusts, passive foreign investment companies and partnerships. It is not entirely clear how Section 1260 applies to the Underlying Shares that are wholly or partially comprised of “pass-thru entities.” We generally do not intend to make an inquiry as to whether any Underlying Shares contain any “pass-thru entities”, and it is possible that Notes for which the Underlying Shares contain a “pass-thru entity” could be wholly or partially subject to Section 1260 of the Code. If the Notes were subject to Section 1260 of the Code, then, among other consequences, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain that you realize upon the sale, redemption or maturity of the Notes would be recharacterized as ordinary income (and you would be subject to an interest charge on deferred tax liability with respect to such recharacterized amount) to the extent that such capital gain exceeds the amount of long-term capital gain that you would have realized had you purchased the actual number of interests in the Underlying Shares on the date that you purchased the Notes and sold those interests on the date of the sale, redemption or maturity of the Notes. It is not clear how this computation would be made if the Underlying Shares are partially comprised of “pass-thru entities.” Accordingly, if the Underlying Shares contain a “pass-thru entity,” you should consult your tax advisor about the potential application of Section 1260 of the Code to the Notes.

 

PRS-29

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Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in the Notes

As noted above, there is no judicial or administrative authority discussing how the Notes should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, other treatments would also be reasonable and the Internal Revenue Service might assert that treatment other than that described above is more appropriate.

The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the Notes. According to the notice, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury are actively considering whether the 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. The notice also states that the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department are also considering other relevant issues, including whether gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital and whether the special “constructive ownership rules” of Section 1260 of the Code might be applied to such instruments. Similarly, the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department have current projects open with regard to the tax treatment of pre-paid forward contracts and contingent notional principal contracts. While it is not clear whether the Notes would be viewed as similar to instruments discussed in such notice, it is possible that any future guidance could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the Notes, possibly with retroactive effect.

Similarly, the Internal Revenue Service might assert, and a possible alternative treatment with respect to the Notes would be, to treat the Notes as a single debt instrument. Such a debt instrument may be subject to the special tax rules governing contingent payment debt instruments.

If the Notes are subject to such special rules applicable to contingent payment debt instruments, the amount of interest U.S. holders are required to take into account for each accrual period will be determined by constructing a projected payment schedule for the Notes and applying rules similar to those for accruing “original issue discount” or OID on a hypothetical noncontingent debt instrument with that projected payment schedule. In addition to accruing interest income in accordance with the comparable yield, a U.S. holder will be required to make adjustments if the actual amounts that holder receives in any taxable year differs from the projected payment schedule. These rules could possibly have the effect of requiring U.S. holders to include amounts in income in respect of the Notes prior to receipt of cash attributable to that income.

U.S. holders will recognize gain or loss on the sale, redemption or maturity of Notes treated as contingent payment debt instruments in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received at that time and their adjusted basis in the Notes. In general, a U.S. holder’s adjusted basis in such Notes will equal the amount the holder paid for the Notes, increased by the amount of interest that was previously accrued with respect to the Notes. Any such gain will generally be ordinary income and any such loss that will generally be ordinary loss to the extent the interest included as income in the current or previous taxable years, and thereafter will be capital loss.

It is also possible that you could be required to recognize gain or loss at any time when the Underlying Shares (or any component thereof) are modified, adjusted, discontinued or replaced with a successor index.

You are urged to consult your tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above considerations.

 

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Additional Information for U.S. Holders.

For information regarding backup withholding and information reporting considerations with respect to the Notes, please see the discussion under “Certain Income Tax Consequences—United States Taxation—U.S. Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

For purposes of this discussion, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of a security that is not a partnership or other entity treated as a partnership and is not a U.S. holder. If you are a non-U.S. holder, you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax for amounts paid in respect of the Notes, provided that the payment is not effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale or exchange of the notes or their settlement at maturity may be subject to U.S. federal income tax if you are a nonresident alien individual and are present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the settlement at maturity, sale or exchange and certain other conditions are satisfied.

If you are engaged in the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and if gain realized on the settlement at maturity, sale or exchange of the Notes, is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the U.S.), you generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if you were a U.S. holder as described under the heading “—U.S. Holders,” above. In addition, non-U.S. holders that are foreign corporations, may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by any applicable tax treaty) of a portion of their earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively connected with their conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., subject to certain adjustments.

Notwithstanding the above, if we determine that there is a material risk that we will be required to withhold on any payments on the Notes, we may withhold on any such payment to a non-U.S. holder at a 30% rate, unless such non-U.S. holder has provided to us (i) a valid Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or (ii) a valid Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E claiming tax treaty benefits that reduce or eliminate withholding. If we elect to withhold and such non-U.S. holder has provided us with a valid Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E claiming tax treaty benefits that reduce or eliminate withholding, we may nevertheless withhold up to 30% on any payments if there is any possible characterization of the payments that would not be exempt from withholding under the treaty.

A dividend equivalent payment made with respect to an equity-linked instrument is treated as a U.S.-source dividend. Such payments are generally subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (or lower rate if a tax treaty applies) when paid to a non-U.S. holder. Treasury regulations provide that certain equity-linked instruments with payments that are contingent upon or determined by reference to U.S.-source dividends (including payments reflecting adjustments for dividends), are considered to pay dividend equivalents. Applicable regulations exempt equity-linked instruments issued prior to 2017 from these rules. Depending on the composition of the Underlying Shares, a note might be treated as an equity-linked instrument; however, since it is issued prior to 2017, it will be exempt from the withholding tax rules specified for dividend equivalents.

As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative characterization, by reason of change or clarification of the law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments as to the Notes to become subject to withholding tax, we will withhold tax at the applicable statutory rate. Additionally, as discussed above, the Internal Revenue Service has indicated that it is considering whether income in respect of instruments such as the Notes should be subject to withholding tax. Prospective non-U.S. holders of the Notes should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.

The gross estate of a non-U.S. holder domiciled outside the United States includes only property situated in the United States. A security may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if an individual non-U.S. holder holds the security at the time of his or her death. Individual non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of holding the Notes at death.

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

The proceeds received from a sale, exchange or retirement of the Notes may be subject to information reporting and, if the holder fails to provide certain identifying information (such as an accurate taxpayer identification number in the case of a U.S. holder) or meet certain other conditions, may also be subject to backup withholding at the rate specified in the Code. A non-U.S. holder (or financial institution holding the Notes on behalf of the non-U.S. holder) that provides the applicable withholding agent with the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 will generally establish an exemption from backup withholding. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not additional taxes and may be refunded or credited against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the relevant information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Additional Information for Investors

For information regarding the applicability of FATCA to the Notes, please see the discussion under “Certain Income Tax Consequences—United States Taxation—Recent Legislative Developments” in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement. FATCA may impose a 30% withholding tax on payments of gross proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of property that gives rise to U.S.-source dividends or interest. The Internal Revenue Service recently announced in published guidance its intent to amend the regulations to extend the effective date of withholding on gross proceeds to 1 January 2019. Similarly, the Internal Revenue Service announced its intention to delay the effective date of withholding tax on “foreign passthru payments” to the later of 1 January 2019 or the date of publication of final U.S. Treasury regulations defining such term.

 

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CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

In the opinion of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, our Canadian tax counsel, the following summary describes the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Canadian Tax Act”) generally applicable at the date hereof to an investor who acquires beneficial ownership of a Note pursuant to this pricing supplement and who for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and at all relevant times: (a) is neither resident nor deemed to be resident in Canada; (b) deals at arm’s length with the Issuer and any transferee resident (or deemed to be resident) in Canada to whom the investor disposes of the security; (c) does not use or hold the Note in, or in the course of, carrying on a business in Canada; (d) is entitled to receive all payments (including any interest and principal) made on the Note, and (e) is not a, and deals at arm’s length with any, “specified shareholder” of the Issuer for purposes of the thin capitalization rules in the Canadian Tax Act (a “Non-Resident Holder”). A “specified shareholder” for these purposes generally includes a person who (either alone or together with persons with whom that person is not dealing at arm’s length for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act) owns or has the right to acquire or control or is otherwise deemed to own 25% or more of the Issuer’s shares determined on a votes or fair market value basis. Special rules which apply to non-resident insurers carrying on business in Canada and elsewhere are not discussed in this summary.

This summary is supplemental to and should be read together with the description of material Canadian federal income tax considerations relevant to a Non-Resident Holder owning Notes under “Certain Income Tax Consequences—Certain Canadian Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement and a Non-Resident Holder should carefully read that description as well.

This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular Non-Resident Holder. Non-Resident Holders are advised to consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.

Based on Canadian tax counsel’s understanding of the Canada Revenue Agency’s administrative policies, and having regard to the terms of the Notes, interest payable on the Notes should not be considered to be “participating debt interest” as defined in the Canadian Tax Act and accordingly, a Non-Resident Holder should not be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax in respect of amounts paid or credited or deemed to have been paid or credited by the Issuer on a Note as, on account of or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, interest.

Non-Resident Holders should consult their own advisors regarding the consequences to them of a disposition of Notes to a person with whom they are not dealing at arm’s length for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act.

 

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SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

 

Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, CIBC World Markets Corp. (“CIBCWM”) will purchase the Notes from the Bank for distribution to other registered broker-dealers or will offer the Notes directly to investors.

Notes sold by CIBCWM to the public will initially be offered at the price to public set forth on the cover page of this Pricing Supplement. CIBCWM intends to purchase each of the Notes from the Bank at a purchase price equal to the price to public net of a commission of         % of the Principal Amount of such Notes. Any Notes sold by CIBCWM to securities dealers may be sold at an agreed discount to the price to public. The price to public for Notes purchased by certain fee-based advisory accounts may vary between         % and         % of the face amount of the Notes. Any sale of a Note to a fee-based advisory account at a price to public below         % of the face amount will reduce the agent’s commission specified on the cover page of this Pricing Supplement with respect to such Note. The price to public paid by any fee-based advisory account will be reduced by the amount of any fees assessed by the securities dealer or dealers involved in the sale of the Notes to such advisory account but not by more than 3.25% of the face amount of the Notes. If all of the offered Notes are not sold at the price to public, CIBCWM may change the offering price and the other selling terms. In addition to offers and sales at the price to public, CIBCWM may offer the Notes from time to time for sale in one or more transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to market prices or at negotiated prices.

The Bank owns, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding equity securities of CIBCWM. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, CIBCWM may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer.

The Bank may use this pricing supplement in the initial sale of the Notes. In addition, CIBCWM or another of the Bank’s affiliates may use this pricing supplement in market-making transactions in any notes after their initial sale. Unless CIBCWM or we inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used by CIBCWM in a market-making transaction.

While CIBCWM may make markets in the Notes, it is under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice. See the sections titled “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement.

The price at which you purchase the Notes includes costs that the Bank or its affiliates expect to incur and profits that the Bank or its affiliates expect to realize in connection with hedging activities related to the Notes, as set forth above. These costs and profits will likely reduce the secondary market price, if any secondary market develops, for the Notes. As a result, you may experience an immediate and substantial decline in the market value of your Notes on the Issue Date.

 

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