The notes are
being issued by The Bank of Nova Scotia (“BNS”). There are
important differences between the notes and a conventional debt
security, including different investment risks and certain
additional costs. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-8 of this
term sheet, “Additional Risk Factors” on page TS-9 of this term
sheet and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-8 of product
supplement EQUITY SUN-1.
The initial estimated value of the notes as of
the pricing date is expected to be between $8.88 and $9.19 per
unit, which is less than the public offering price listed
below. See “Summary” on the following page, “Risk Factors”
beginning on page TS-8 of this term sheet and “Structuring the
Notes” on page TS-15 of this term sheet for additional information.
The actual value of your notes at any time will reflect many
factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.
None of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission,
or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this Note Prospectus (as defined below)
is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
|
Per
Unit
|
|
Total
|
Public offering
price(1)
|
$10.00
|
$
|
|
Underwriting
discount(1)
|
$0.20
|
$
|
|
Proceeds, before
expenses, to BNS
|
$9.80
|
$
|
|
|
(1) |
For any purchase of 300,000 units or more in a single
transaction by an individual investor or in combined transactions
with the investor’s household in this offering, the public offering
price and the underwriting discount will be $9.95 per unit and
$0.15 per unit, respectively. See “Supplement to the Plan of
Distribution” below.
|
The notes:
Are Not FDIC Insured
|
Are Not Bank Guaranteed
|
May Lose Value
|
BofA Securities
July , 2022
Summary
The Autocallable
Market-Linked Step Up Notes Linked to the Russell 2000®
Index due July , 2027 (the “notes”) are our senior
unsecured debt securities. The notes are not guaranteed or insured
by the CDIC or the FDIC, and are not, either directly or
indirectly, an obligation of any third party. The notes are not
bail-inable debt securities (as defined in the prospectus).
The notes will rank equally with
all of our other unsecured senior debt. Any payments due on the
notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the
credit risk of BNS. The notes will be automatically called
at the applicable Call Amount if the Observation Level of the
Market Measure, which is the Russell 2000®
Index (the “Index”), is equal to or greater than the Call Level on
the relevant Observation Date. If the notes are not called, at
maturity, the notes provide you with a Step Up Payment if the
Ending Value of the Index is equal to or greater than the Starting
Value, but is not greater than the Step Up Value. If the Ending
Value is greater than the Step Up Value, you will participate on a
1-for-1 basis in the increase in the level of the Index above the
Starting Value. If the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value
but greater than or equal to the Threshold Value, you will receive
the principal amount of your notes. If the Ending Value is less
than the Threshold Value, you will lose a portion, which could be
significant, of the principal amount of your notes. Any payments on
the notes will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per
unit and will depend on the performance of the Index, subject to
our credit risk. See “Terms of the Notes” below.
The economic terms of
the notes (including the Call Premiums and Call Amounts) are based
on our internal funding rate, which is the rate we would pay to
borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes, and the
economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements. Our
internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would pay
when we issue conventional fixed rate debt securities. This
difference in funding rate, as well as the underwriting discount
and the hedging related charge described below, will reduce the
economic terms of the notes to you and the initial estimated value
of the notes on the pricing date. Due to these factors, the public
offering price you pay to purchase the notes will be greater than
the initial estimated value of the notes.
On the cover page of
this term sheet, we have provided the initial estimated value range
for the notes. This range of estimated values was determined by
reference to our internal pricing models, which take into
consideration certain factors, such as our internal funding rate on
the pricing date and our assumptions about market parameters. For
more information about the initial estimated value and the
structuring of the notes, see “Structuring the Notes” on page
TS-15.
|
Issuer:
|
|
The Bank
of Nova Scotia (“BNS”)
|
|
|
Call Settlement
Dates:
|
|
Approximately the fifth business day following the applicable
Observation Date, subject to postponement if the related
Observation Date is postponed, as described on page PS-25 of
product supplement EQUITY SUN-1.
|
|
Principal
Amount:
|
|
$10.00
per unit
|
|
|
Call Premiums:
|
|
[$0.70 to $0.80] per unit if called on the first Observation
Date (which represents a return of [7.00% to 8.00%] over the
principal amount), [$1.40 to $1.60] per unit if called on the
second Observation Date (which represents a return of [14.00% to
16.00%] over the principal amount), [$2.10 to $2.40] per unit if
called on the third Observation Date (which represents a return of
[21.00% to 24.00%] over the principal amount) and [$2.80 to $3.20]
per unit if called on the final Observation Date (which represents
a return of [28.00% to 32.00%] over the principal amount). The
actual Call Premiums will be determined on the pricing date.
|
|
Term:
|
|
Approximately five years, if not called
|
|
|
Ending Value:
|
|
The
closing level of the Market Measure on the calculation day. The
scheduled calculation day is subject to postponement in the event
of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-27
of product supplement EQUITY SUN-1.
|
|
Market Measure:
|
|
The
Russell 2000®
Index (Bloomberg symbol: “RTY”), a price return index
|
|
|
Step Up Value:
|
|
130.00%
of the Starting Value.
|
|
Starting Value:
|
|
The
closing level of the Market Measure on the pricing date.
|
|
|
Step Up Payment:
|
|
$3.00
per unit, which represents a return of 30.00% over the principal
amount.
|
|
Observation
Level:
|
|
The
closing level of the Market Measure on the applicable Observation
Date.
|
|
|
Threshold Value:
|
|
85.00%
of the Starting Value.
|
|
Observation
Dates:
|
|
On or
about August , 2023, July , 2024, July , 2025 and
July , 2026, approximately one, two, three and four years
after the pricing date. The Observation Dates are subject to
postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described
beginning on page PS-27 of product supplement EQUITY SUN-1.
|
|
|
Calculation Day:
|
|
Approximately the fifth scheduled Market Measure Business Day
immediately preceding the maturity date.
|
|
Call Level:
|
|
100.00%
of the Starting Value.
|
|
|
Fees and Charges:
|
|
The
underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit listed on the cover page
and the hedging related charge of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.05 per unit described in “Structuring the Notes” on
page TS-15. |
|
Call Amounts
(per Unit):
|
|
[$10.70 to $10.80] if called on the
first Observation Date, [$11.40 to $11.60] if called on the second
Observation Date, [$12.10 to $12.40] if called on the third
Observation Date and [$12.80 to $13.20] if called on the final
Observation Date.
The actual Call Amounts will be
determined on the pricing date.
|
|
|
Calculation Agent:
|
|
BofA
Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”).
|
Determining Payment on the Notes
Automatic Call Provision
The notes will be
called automatically on an Observation Date if the Observation
Level on that Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Call
Level. If the notes are called, you will receive $10 per unit plus
the applicable Call Premium.
Redemption Amount Determination
If the notes are
not automatically called, on the maturity date, you will receive a
cash payment per unit determined as follows:
The terms and
risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the
following:
◾ |
Product supplement EQUITY SUN-1 dated December 29, 2021:
|
◾ |
Prospectus supplement dated December 29, 2021:
|
◾ |
Prospectus dated December 29, 2021:
|
These documents
(together, the “Note Prospectus”) have been filed as part of a
registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be
accessed on the SEC website as indicated above or obtained from
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S)
or BofAS by calling 1-800-294-1322. Before you invest, you should
read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, for
information about us and this offering. Any prior or
contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you
may have received are superseded by the Note Prospectus.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the
meanings set forth in product supplement EQUITY SUN-1. Unless
otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all
references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar
references are to BNS.
Investor Considerations
You may wish to consider an
investment in the notes if:
◾ |
You are willing to receive a return on your investment capped
at the applicable Call Premium if the relevant Observation Level is
equal to or greater than the Call Level.
|
◾ |
You anticipate that the notes will be automatically called or
that the Index will not decrease from the Starting Value to an
Ending Value that is less than the Threshold Value.
|
◾ |
You are willing to risk a substantial loss of principal and
return if the notes are not automatically called and the Index
decreases from the Starting Value to an Ending Value that is less
than the Threshold Value.
|
◾ |
You are willing to forgo the interest payments that are paid
on conventional interest bearing debt securities.
|
◾ |
You are willing to forgo dividends or other benefits of owning
the stocks included in the Index.
|
◾ |
You are willing to accept a limited or no market for sales
prior to maturity, and understand that the market prices for the
notes, if any, will be affected by various factors, including our
actual and perceived creditworthiness, our internal funding rate
and fees and charges on the notes.
|
◾
|
You are willing to assume our credit
risk, as issuer of the notes, for all payments under the notes,
including the Redemption Amount.
|
The notes may not be an appropriate
investment for you if:
◾ |
You want to hold your notes for the full term.
|
◾ |
You believe that the notes will not be automatically called
and the Index will decrease from the Starting Value to the Ending
Value.
|
◾ |
You seek 100% principal repayment or preservation of
capital.
|
◾ |
You seek interest payments or other current income on your
investment.
|
◾ |
You want to receive dividends or other distributions paid on
the stocks included in the Index.
|
◾ |
You seek an investment for which there will be a liquid
secondary market.
|
◾
|
You are unwilling or are unable to
take market risk on the notes or to take our credit risk as issuer
of the notes.
|
We urge you to
consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors
before you invest in the notes.
|
Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments at
Maturity
The graph below is based on
hypothetical numbers and
values. The graph below shows a
payout profile at maturity, which would only apply if the notes are
not called on any Observation Date.
Autocallable Market-Linked Step Up Notes
This graph
reflects the returns on the notes, based on the Threshold Value of
85.00% of the Starting Value, the Step Up Payment of $3.00 per unit
and the Step Up Value of 130.00% of the Starting Value. The green
line reflects the returns on the notes, while the dotted gray line
reflects the returns of a direct investment in the stocks included
in the Index, excluding dividends.
This graph has
been prepared for purposes of illustration only.
The following table and examples are for purposes of
illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show
hypothetical returns on the
notes, assuming the notes are not called on any Observation Date.
They illustrate the calculation of the Redemption Amount and total
rate of return based on a hypothetical Starting Value of 100, a
hypothetical Threshold Value of 85, a hypothetical Step Up Value of
130, the Step Up Payment of $3.00 per unit and a range of
hypothetical Ending Values. The
actual amount you receive and the resulting total rate of return
will depend on the actual Starting Value, Threshold Value, Ending
Value, Step Up Value, whether the notes are called on an
Observation Date and whether you hold the notes to maturity.
The following examples do not take into account any tax
consequences from investing in the notes.
For recent actual levels of the
Market Measure, see “The Index” section below. The Index is a price
return index and as such the Ending Value will not include any
income generated by dividends paid on the stocks included in the
Index, which you would otherwise be entitled to receive if you
invested in those stocks directly. In addition, all payments on the
notes are subject to issuer credit risk.
|
|
Percentage
Change from the
Starting Value
to the Ending
Value
|
|
Redemption
Amount per
Unit
|
|
Total Rate of
Return on the
Notes
|
0.00
|
|
-100.00%
|
|
$1.50
|
|
-85.00%
|
25.00
|
|
-75.00%
|
|
$4.00
|
|
-60.00%
|
50.00
|
|
-50.00%
|
|
$6.50
|
|
-35.00%
|
75.00
|
|
-25.00%
|
|
$9.00
|
|
-10.00%
|
80.00
|
|
-20.00%
|
|
$9.50
|
|
-5.00%
|
85.00(1)
|
|
-15.00%
|
|
$10.00
|
|
0.00%
|
90.00
|
|
-10.00%
|
|
$10.00
|
|
0.00%
|
95.00
|
|
-5.00%
|
|
$10.00
|
|
0.00%
|
100.00(2)
|
|
0.00%
|
|
$13.00 (3)
|
|
30.00%
|
105.00
|
|
5.00%
|
|
$13.00
|
|
30.00%
|
110.00
|
|
10.00%
|
|
$13.00
|
|
30.00%
|
120.00
|
|
20.00%
|
|
$13.00
|
|
30.00%
|
125.00
|
|
25.00%
|
|
$13.00
|
|
30.00%
|
130.00(4)
|
|
30.00%
|
|
$13.00
|
|
30.00%
|
140.00
|
|
40.00%
|
|
$14.00
|
|
40.00%
|
150.00
|
|
50.00%
|
|
$15.00
|
|
50.00%
|
160.00
|
|
60.00%
|
|
$16.00
|
|
60.00%
|
(1) |
This is the hypothetical Threshold Value.
|
(2) |
The hypothetical
Starting Value of 100 used in these examples has been chosen for
illustrative purposes only, and does not represent a likely actual
Starting Value for the Market Measure.
|
(3) |
This amount represents the sum of the principal amount and the
Step Up Payment of $3.00.
|
(4)
|
This is the hypothetical Step Up Value.
|
Redemption Amount Calculation Examples
Example 1
|
The Ending Value is 75.00, or 75.00% of the Starting
Value:
|
Starting Value:
|
100.00 |
Threshold Value:
|
85.00 |
Ending Value:
|
75.00 |
|
Redemption Amount per unit
|
Example 2
|
The Ending Value is 95.00, or 95.00% of the Starting
Value:
|
Starting Value:
|
100.00 |
Threshold Value:
|
85.00 |
Ending Value:
|
95.00 |
Redemption Amount per unit =
$10.00, the principal
amount, since the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value, but
is equal to or greater than the Threshold Value.
|
Example 3
|
The Ending Value is 110.00, or 110.00% of the Starting
Value:
|
Starting Value:
|
100.00 |
Step Up Value:
|
130.00 |
Ending Value:
|
110.00 |
$10.00 + $3.00 =
$13.00
|
Redemption Amount per unit,
the principal amount plus the
Step Up Payment, since the Ending Value is equal to or greater than
the Starting Value, but less than the Step Up Value.
|
Example 4
|
The Ending Value is 150.00, or 150.00% of the Starting
Value:
|
Starting Value:
|
100.00 |
Step Up Value:
|
130.00 |
Ending Value:
|
150.00 |
|
Redemption Amount per unit
|
Risk Factors
There are
important differences between the notes and a conventional debt
security. An investment in the notes involves significant
risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review
the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the
“Risk Factors” sections beginning on page PS-8 of product
supplement EQUITY SUN-1, page S-2 of the prospectus supplement, and
page 5 of the prospectus identified above. We also urge you to
consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors
before you invest in the notes.
Structure-Related Risks
|
◾ |
If the notes are not automatically called, depending on the
performance of the Index as measured shortly before the maturity
date, your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed
return of principal.
|
|
◾ |
Your return on the notes may be less than the yield you could
earn by owning a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security
of comparable maturity.
|
|
◾ |
If the notes are called, your investment return is limited to
the return represented by the applicable Call Premium.
|
|
◾ |
Your investment return may be less than a comparable
investment directly in the stocks included in the Index.
|
Market
Measure-Related Risks
|
◾ |
The Index sponsor may adjust the Index in a way that may
adversely affect its level and your interests, and the Index
sponsor has no obligation to consider your interests.
|
|
◾ |
You will have no rights of a holder of the securities included
in the Index, and you will not be entitled to receive securities or
dividends or other distributions by the issuers of those
securities.
|
|
◾ |
While we, MLPF&S, BofAS or our respective affiliates may
from time to time own securities of companies included in the
Index, we, MLPF&S, BofAS and our respective affiliates do not
control any company included in the Index, and have not verified
any disclosure made by any other company.
|
Valuation- and
Market-Related Risks
|
◾ |
Our initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than
the public offering price of the notes. Our initial estimated value
of the notes is only an estimate. The public offering price of the
notes will exceed our initial estimated value because it includes
costs associated with selling and structuring the notes, as well as
hedging our obligations under the notes with a third party, which
may include BofAS or one of its affiliates. These costs include the
underwriting discount and an expected hedging related charge, as
further described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-15.
|
|
◾ |
Our initial estimated value of the notes does not represent
future values of the notes and may differ from others’ estimates.
Our initial estimated value of the notes is determined by reference
to our internal pricing models when the terms of the notes are
set. These pricing models consider certain factors, such as
our internal funding rate on the pricing date, the expected term of
the notes, market conditions and other relevant factors existing at
that time, and our assumptions about market parameters, which can
include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other
factors. Different pricing models and assumptions could
provide valuations for the notes that are different from our
initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other
relevant factors in the future may change, and any of our
assumptions may prove to be incorrect. On future dates, the market
value of the notes could change significantly based on, among other
things, the performance of the Index, changes in market conditions,
our creditworthiness, interest rate movements and other relevant
factors. These factors, together with various credit, market
and economic factors over the term of the notes, are expected to
reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any
secondary market and will affect the value of the notes in complex
and unpredictable ways. Our initial estimated value does not
represent a minimum price at which we or any agents would be
willing to buy your notes in any secondary market (if any exists)
at any time.
|
|
◾ |
Our initial estimated value is not determined by reference to
credit spreads or the borrowing rate we would pay for our
conventional fixed-rate debt securities. The internal funding rate
used in the determination of our initial estimated value of the
notes generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for
our conventional fixed-rate debt securities and the borrowing rate
we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities. If we
were to use the interest rate implied by the credit spreads for our
conventional fixed-rate debt securities, or the borrowing rate we
would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities, we would
expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you.
Consequently, our use of an internal funding rate for the notes
would have an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes,
the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date, and
the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any
secondary market.
|
|
◾ |
A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes.
None of us, MLPF&S or BofAS is obligated to make a market for,
or to repurchase, the notes. There is no assurance that any party
will be willing to purchase your notes at any price in any
secondary market.
|
Conflict-Related Risks
|
◾ |
Our business, hedging and trading activities, and those of
MLPF&S, BofAS and our respective affiliates (including trades
in shares of companies included in the Index), and any hedging and
trading activities we, MLPF&S, BofAS or our respective
|
affiliates engage in for our
clients’ accounts, may affect the market value and return of the
notes and may create conflicts of interest with you.
|
◾ |
There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the
calculation agent, which is BofAS. We have the right to
appoint and remove the calculation agent.
|
General Credit Risks
|
◾ |
Payments on the notes are subject to our credit risk, and
actual or perceived changes in our creditworthiness are expected to
affect the value of the notes. If we become insolvent or are unable
to pay our obligations, you may lose your entire investment.
|
Tax-Related
Risks
|
◾ |
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the notes are
uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the notes. See
“Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” below.
|
|
◾ |
The conclusion that no portion of the interest paid or
credited or deemed to be paid or credited on a note will be
“Participating Debt Interest” subject to Canadian withholding tax
is based in part on the current published administrative position
of the CRA. There cannot be any assurance that CRA’s
current published administrative practice will not be subject to
change, including potential expansion in the current administrative
interpretation of Participating Debt Interest subject to Canadian
withholding tax. If, at any time, the interest paid or
credited or deemed to be paid or credited on a note is subject to
Canadian withholding tax, you will receive an amount that is less
than the Redemption Amount. You should consult your own adviser as
to the potential for such withholding and the potential for
reduction or refund of part or all of such withholding, including
under any bilateral Canadian tax treaty the benefits of which you
may be entitled. For a discussion of the Canadian federal income
tax consequences of investing in the notes, see “Summary of
Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” below, “Canadian
Taxation—Debt Securities” on page 66 of the prospectus and
“Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Federal Income Tax
Consequences” on page PS-40 of product supplement EQUITY
SUN-1.
|
Additional Risk Factors
Additional Risk Factors Related to the Market Measure
The notes are
subject to risks associated with small-size capitalization
companies.
The stocks composing the Index are
issued by companies with small-sized market capitalization. The
stock prices of small-size companies may be more volatile than
stock prices of large capitalization companies. Small-size
capitalization companies may be less able to withstand adverse
economic, market, trade and competitive conditions relative to
larger companies. Small-size capitalization companies may also be
more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products
or services.
Additional
Risk Factors Related to General Credit Considerations
The COVID-19 virus
may have an adverse impact on BNS.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health
Organization declared the outbreak of a strain of novel coronavirus
disease, COVID-19, a global pandemic. Governments in affected areas
have imposed a number of measures designed to contain the outbreak,
including business closures, travel restrictions, quarantines and
cancellations of gatherings and events. The spread of COVID-19 has
had disruptive effects in countries in which BNS operates and the
global economy more widely, as well as causing increased volatility
and declines in financial markets. COVID-19 has materially impacted
and continues to materially impact the markets in which BNS
operates. If the pandemic is prolonged, or further diseases emerge
that give rise to similar effects, the adverse impact on the global
economy could deepen and result in further declines in financial
markets. A substantial amount of BNS’s business involves making
loans or otherwise committing resources to specific companies,
industries or countries. The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on such
borrowers, industries and countries could have a material adverse
effect on BNS’s financial results, businesses, financial condition
or liquidity. The COVID-19 pandemic may also result in disruption
to BNS’s key suppliers of goods and services and result in
increased unavailability of staff adversely impacting the quality
and continuity of service to customers and the reputation of BNS.
As a result, the business, results of operations, corporate
reputation and financial condition of BNS could be adversely
impacted for a substantial period of time.
Other Terms of the Notes
Business Day
A “business day” means a day which is a Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is neither a legal holiday nor a
day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law
to close in New York City.
The
Index
All disclosures contained in this
term sheet regarding the Index, including, without limitation, its
make-up, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have
been derived from publicly available sources. The Index was
developed by Russell Investments (“Russell”) before FTSE
International Limited and Russell combined in 2015 to create FTSE
Russell, which is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group. The
information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by,
FTSE Russell (the “Index sponsor”). The Index sponsor, which
licenses the copyright and all other rights to the Index, has no
obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication
of, the Index. The consequences of the Index sponsor discontinuing
publication of the Index are discussed in the section entitled
“Description of the Notes—Discontinuance of an Index” beginning on
page PS-29 of product supplement EQUITY SUN-1. None of us, the
calculation agent, MLPF&S, or BofAS accepts any responsibility
for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Index or any
successor index.
General
The Index measures the composite
price performance of stocks of 2,000 companies in the U.S. equity
market. As of September 30, 2021, the top five Russell Global
Sectors were Health Care, Financials, Consumer Discretionary,
Industrials and Technology. (Sector designations are determined by
the Index sponsor using criteria it has selected or developed.
Index sponsors may use very different standards for determining
sector designations. In addition, many companies operate in a
number of sectors, but are listed in only one sector and the basis
on which that sector is selected may also differ. As a result,
sector comparisons between indices with different index sponsors
may reflect differences in methodology as well as actual
differences in the sector composition of the indices.)
The Index
includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities that form
the Russell 3000®
Index. The Russell 3000®
Index is comprised of the 3,000 largest companies, or 98% based on
market capitalization, of the investable U.S. equity market. The
Index is designed to track the performance of the small
capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market.
Selection of Constituent Stocks of the Index
The Index is a sub-index of the
Russell 3000®
Index. To be eligible for inclusion in the Russell 3000®
Index, and, consequently, the Index, a company’s stocks must be
listed on the last trading day of May of a given year and FTSE
Russell must have access to documentation verifying the company’s
eligibility for inclusion. Eligible initial public offerings are
added to Russell U.S. Indices at the end of each calendar quarter,
based on total market capitalization rankings within the
market-adjusted capitalization breaks established during the most
recent reconstitution. To be added to any Russell U.S. index during
a quarter outside of reconstitution, initial public offerings must
meet additional eligibility criteria.
A company is included in the U.S.
equity markets and is eligible for inclusion in the Russell
3000®
Index, and consequently, the Index, if that company incorporates
in, has its headquarters in and also trades with the highest
liquidity (as defined by a two-year average daily dollar trading
volume from all exchanges) in the United States or its territories.
If a company satisfies any one of these criteria and the primary
location of that company’s assets or its revenue, based on an
average of two years of assets or revenues data, is also in the
United States, that company will also be considered part of the
U.S. equity market. In addition, if there is insufficient
information to assign a company to the U.S. equity markets based on
its assets or revenue, the company may nonetheless be assigned to
the U.S. equity markets if the headquarters of the company is
located in certain “benefit-driven incorporation countries,” or
“BDIs,” and that company’s most liquid stock exchange is also in
the United States. The BDI countries are Anguilla, Antigua and
Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire,
British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook
Islands, Curacao, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of
Man, Jersey, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Saba, Sint
Eustatius, Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos Islands. ADRs and ADSs
are not eligible for inclusion in the Index.
Exclusions from
the Index
FTSE Russell specifically excludes
the following companies and securities from the Index: (i)
preferred and convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares,
participating preferred stock, warrants, rights, depositary
receipts, installment receipts and trust receipts; (ii) royalty
trusts, U.S. limited liability companies, closed-end investment
companies (companies that are required to report Acquired Fund Fees
and Expenses, as defined by the SEC, including business development
companies), blank check companies, special purpose acquisition
companies and limited partnerships; (iii) companies with a total
market capitalization less than $30 million; (iv) companies with
only a small portion of their shares available in the marketplace
(companies with 5% or less float); (v) bulletin board, pink sheets
or over-the-counter traded securities; (vi) companies that
generate, or have historically generated, unrelated business
taxable income and have not taken steps to block their unrelated
business taxable income to equity holders; and (vii) exchange
traded funds and mutual funds.
Initial
List of Eligible Securities
The primary criterion FTSE Russell
uses to determine the initial list of securities eligible for the
Russell 3000®
Index and consequently, the Index, is total market capitalization,
which is calculated by multiplying the total outstanding shares for
a company times the market price as of the “rank day” (typically
the last trading day in May but a confirmed timetable is announced
each spring) in May. All common stock share classes are combined in
determining market capitalization. If multiple share classes have
been combined, the pricing vehicle will be designated as the share
class with the highest two-year trading volume as of the rank day
in May. In cases where the common stock share classes act
independently of each other (e.g., tracking stocks), each class is
considered for inclusion separately. Stocks must have a closing
price at or above $1.00 on their primary exchange on the last
trading day of May of each year to be eligible for inclusion in the
Index. In order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing
member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last
trading day of May, it will be
considered eligible if the average of the daily closing prices from
their primary exchange during the month of May is equal to or
greater than $1.00.
Annual
Reconstitution
The Index is reconstituted annually
by FTSE Russell to reflect changes in the marketplace. The list of
companies is ranked based on total market capitalization on the
rank day in May, with the actual reconstitution effective on the
first trading day following the final Friday of June each year,
unless the final Friday in June is the 29th or 30th, in which case
reconstitution will be effective on the preceding Friday. Changes
in the constituents are preannounced and subject to change if any
corporate activity occurs or if any new information is received
prior to release.
Index
Calculation and Capitalization Adjustments
As a capitalization-weighted index,
the Index reflects changes in the capitalization, or market value,
of the underlier stocks relative to the capitalization on a base
date. This discussion describes the “price return” calculation of
the Index. The current Index value is the compounded result of the
cumulative daily (or monthly) return percentages, where the
starting value of the Index is equal to the base value (100) and
base date (December 31, 1978). Returns between any two dates can
then be derived by dividing the ending period index value
(IV1)
by the beginning period (IV0)
index value, so that the return equals [(IV1
/ IV0)
– 1] * 100. The ending period index value, for purposes of
calculating the Index value, on any date is determined by adding
the market values of the underlier stocks, which are derived by
multiplying the primary closing price of each stock by the number
of available shares, to arrive at the total market capitalization
of the 2,000 stocks.
Constituent stocks of the Index are
weighted in the Index by their free-float market capitalization,
which is calculated by multiplying the primary closing price by the
number of free-float shares. Free-float shares are shares that are
available to the public for purchase as determined by FTSE Russell.
FTSE Russell determines shares available to the public for purchase
based on information recorded in corporate filings with the SEC and
other reliable sources in the event of missing or questionable
data. FTSE Russell removes the following types of shares from total
market capitalization to arrive at free-float market
capitalization:
Officers and directors’ holdings
— shares held by
officers and directors.
Large private holdings — shares held
by an individual, a group of individuals acting together or a
corporation (that is included in the Index) if such holdings
constitute 10% or more of the shares outstanding.
Institutional holdings — shares held
by investment companies, partnerships, insurance companies, mutual
funds or banks are excluded if the holding is greater than 30%. If
a firm has a direct relationship to the company, such as board
representation, they are considered strategic holdings and excluded
regardless of the size of holding per the officers and directors’
exclusion rule.
Publicly listed companies — shares
held by publicly listed companies. Holdings considered as
Institutional will be considered as available unless the 30%
threshold is surpassed, regardless of listing.
ESOP or LESOP shares — shares held by
employee stock ownership plans and leveraged employee stock
ownership plans.
Initial public offering lock-ups —
shares locked-up during an initial public offering are not
available to the public and will be excluded from the market value
at the time the initial public offering enters the Index.
Government holdings — shareholdings
listed as “government of.” Shares held by government investment
boards and/or investment arms are treated like shares held by large
private shareholdings and are excluded if the number of shares is
greater than 10% of outstanding shares. Shares held by a government
pension plan are considered institutional holdings and will not be
excluded unless the holding is greater than 30%.
Corporate Actions
Affecting the Index
FTSE Russell adjusts the Index on a
daily basis in response to certain corporate actions and events.
Therefore, a company’s membership in the Index and its weight in
the Index can be impacted by these corporate actions. The
adjustment is applied based on sources of public information,
including press releases and SEC filings. Prior to the completion
of a corporate action or event, FTSE Russell estimates the
effective date. FTSE Russell will then adjust the anticipated
effective date based on public information until the date is
considered final. Depending on the time on a given day that an
action is determined to be final, FTSE Russell will generally
either (1) apply the action before the open on the ex-date or (2)
apply the action after providing appropriate notice to its clients
regarding the impact of the action and the effective date. FTSE
Russell applies the following methodology guidelines when adjusting
the Index in response to corporate actions and events:
“No Replacement” Rule — Securities
that are deleted from the Index between reconstitution dates, for
any reason (e.g., mergers, acquisitions or other similar corporate
activity) are not replaced. Thus, the number of securities in the
Index over the past year will fluctuate according to corporate
activity.
Mergers and Acquisitions — Between
constituents: When mergers and acquisitions take place between
companies that are both constituents of a Russell index, the target
company is deleted and its market capitalization simultaneously
moves to the acquiring company’s stock. In the absence of an active
market for the target company at the time of index implementation,
the target company will be deleted from the Index using a synthetic
price based on the offer terms. Given sufficient market hours after
confirmation, FTSE Russell effects this action after the close on
the last day of trade of the target company, or at an appropriate time once the
transaction has been deemed to be final (implementation may occur
prior to the last day of trade to avoid potential delays with the
associated synthetic pricing).
Between a constituent and a
non-constituent: If the target company is a member of the Index, it
is deleted from the Index after FTSE Russell determines that the
action or event is final. If the acquiring company is a member of
the Index, its shares are adjusted by adding the target company’s
market capitalization (if the increase in shares is greater than
5%). If the target company is not a member of a Russell index
shares of the acquiring company will remain unchanged. If a
non-index member acquires an index member, the acquired member will
be deleted from the Index once the action is final.
Reincorporation — Members of the Index
that reincorporate to another country and continue to trade in the
United States and companies that reincorporate to the United States
during the year are analyzed for assignment by FTSE Russell during
annual reconstitution. Members that reincorporate in another
country and no longer trade in the United States are immediately
deleted from the Russell U.S. indices.
Reclassification of shares (pricing
vehicles) — Pricing vehicles will not be assessed or changed
outside of a reconstitution period unless the existing class ceases
to exist. In the event of
extenuating circumstances signaling a necessary pricing vehicle
change, proper notification will be made.
Rights Offerings — Rights offered to
shareholders are reflected in the Index only if the subscription
price of the rights is at a discount to the market price. Provided
that FTSE Russell has been alerted to the rights offer prior to the
ex-date, it will adjust the price of the stock for the value of the
rights and increased shares according to the terms of the offering
before the open on the ex-date. Where the Rights Issue /
Entitlement offer subscription price remains unconfirmed on the
ex-date, an estimated price will be used. FTSE Russell will
estimate the subscription price using the value being raised and
the offer terms. This treatment applies for both transferable and
non-transferable rights. Rights issued as part of a poison pill
arrangement or entitlements that give shareholders the right to
purchase ineligible securities such as convertible debt are
excluded from this treatment.
Changes to Shares Outstanding —
Changes to shares outstanding due to buybacks (including Dutch
auctions), secondary offerings, and other potential changes are
generally updated on the last Friday of June (unless the last
Friday occurs on the 29th or 30th, when reconstitution will occur
on the Friday prior). FTSE Russell only applies month-end changes
to available shares outstanding if the cumulative change in the
number of shares outstanding is greater than 5%. Share changes that
are confirmed by their vendors and verified by FTSE Russell by use
of an SEC filing at least six days prior to month end are
implemented and communicated to clients who subscribe at the
Premier level five trading days prior to month end. The float
factor last determined (either at reconstitution or due to a
corporate action implementation) is applied to the new shares. No
such changes are made in June due to the most recent annual
reconstitution.
Spin-offs — Spin-offs will
be valued using an estimate prior to ex-date. When a spin-off
results in an eligible security type being listed on an eligible
exchange, the spin-off company will remain in the Index until the
next index review, regardless of size. When an index constituent
spins off an ineligible security type or the spin-off company is
listed on an ineligible exchange only, the security will be added
to the Index on the ex-date and subsequently removed with notice at
market price once “regular way” trade has commenced.
Tender Offers — A company acquired as
a result of a cash tender offer is removed if (i) Where offer acceptances are below 90%, there
is reason to believe that the remaining free float is under 5%
based on information available at the time; or (ii) Following
completion of the offer the acquirer has stated intent to
finalize the acquisition via a short-form merger, squeeze-out, top-up option or
any other compulsory
mechanism; or (iii) Offer
acceptances reach 90% (initial, extension or subsequent); and (iv)
Shareholders have validly tendered and the shares have been
irrevocably accepted for payment; and all pertinent offer
conditions have been reasonably met and the acquirer has not
explicitly stated that it does not intend to acquire the remaining
shares.
Voluntary Exchange Offers — A publicly
traded company may offer to exchange or split-off some or all of
its ownership in a separate publicly traded company. Once the offer
expires, FTSE Russell will decrease the available shares in the
offering company, and increase the available shares of ‘split-off’
company, based on the results of the offering. FTSE Russell will
effect this change based on, but not limited to, preliminary
results, company filings, and exchange notices.
Bankruptcy and Voluntary Liquidations
— Companies that file for a Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy or
have filed a liquidation plan will be removed from the Index at the
time of the bankruptcy filing; whereas companies filing for a
Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy will remain a member of the
Index, unless the company is de-listed from the primary exchange,
in which case normal de-listing rules apply. If a company files for
bankruptcy, is delisted and it can be confirmed that it will not
trade OTC, FTSE Russell may remove the stock at a nominal price of
$0.0001.
Stock Distributions — A price
adjustment for stock distributions is applied on the ex-date of the
distribution. When the number of shares for the distribution is
fixed, FTSE Russell increases the number of shares on the ex-date.
When the number of shares is an undetermined amount based on future
earnings and profits, FTSE Russell increases the number of shares
on the pay-date.
Dividends — FTSE Russell includes
gross dividends in the daily total return calculation of the Index
on the basis of their ex-dates. If a dividend is payable in stock
and cash and the number of shares to be issued cannot be determined
by the ex-date, the dividend is treated as all cash. Regular cash
dividends are reinvested across the Index at the close on the
dividend ex-date, while special cash dividends are subtracted from
the price of the stock before the open on the ex-date.
Halted Securities — Halted securities
are not removed from the Index until the time they are actually
delisted from the exchange. If a security is halted and declared
bankrupt without any indication of compensation to shareholders,
the last traded price will be adjusted down to zero value and it
will subsequently be removed from the Index with T+2 notice. In all
other cases, the security will continue to be included in the Index
for a period of up to 20 business days at its last traded price. If
the security continues to be suspended at the end of a period of up
to 20 business days, FTSE Russell will review it to decide whether
to remove it at zero value, repeating such
review as
applicable at successive 20 business day intervals until trading
recommences or specified time limits expire and the security is
removed.
The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the
Index in the period from January 1, 2012 through June 23,
2022. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg
L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or
completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On
June 23, 2022, the closing level of the Index was 1,711.673.
Historical Performance of the Index
This
historical data on the Index is not necessarily indicative of the
future performance of the Index or what the value of the notes may
be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the
Index during any period set forth above is not an indication that
the level of the Index is more or less likely to increase or
decrease at any time over the term of the notes.
Before investing in the notes, you
should consult publicly available sources for the levels of the
Index.
License
Agreement
FTSE Russell has entered into a
non-exclusive license agreement with us, granting us, and certain
of our affiliates, in exchange for a fee, permission to use the
Index in connection with the offer and sale of the notes. We are
not affiliated with FTSE Russell; the only relationship between
FTSE Russell and us is the licensing of the use of the Russell
2000®
Index (a trademark of FTSE Russell) and trademarks relating to the
Index. We do not accept any responsibility for the calculation,
maintenance or publication of the Index or any successor
index.
The notes are not sponsored,
endorsed, sold or promoted by FTSE Russell. FTSE Russell makes no
representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of
the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of
investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly or
the ability of the Index to track general stock market performance
or a segment of the same.
FTSE Russell’s publication of the
Index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by FTSE Russell as
to the advisability of investment in any or all of the securities
upon which the Index is based. FTSE Russell’s only relationship to
us is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of FTSE
Russell and of the Index which is determined, composed and
calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to us or the notes. FTSE
Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the notes nor
any associated literature or publications and FTSE Russell makes no
representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy
or completeness, or otherwise. FTSE Russell reserves the right, at
any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any
way change the Index. FTSE Russell has no obligation or liability
in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the
notes.
FTSE RUSSELL DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE
ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE RUSSELL 2000®
INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND FTSE RUSSELL SHALL HAVE NO
LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. FTSE
RUSSELL MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE
OBTAINED BY US, INVESTORS, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER
PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE RUSSELL 2000®
INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FTSE RUSSELL MAKES NO EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH
RESPECT TO THE RUSSELL 2000®
INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE
FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL FTSE RUSSELL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR
ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES.
Supplement to the Plan of Distribution
Under our distribution agreement with
BofAS, BofAS will purchase the notes from us as principal at the
public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet,
less the indicated underwriting discount.
MLPF&S will purchase the notes
from BofAS for resale, and will receive a selling concession in
connection with the sale of the notes in an amount up to the full
amount of the underwriting discount set forth on the cover of this
term sheet.
We may deliver the notes against
payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater
than two business days following the pricing date. Under Rule
15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the
secondary market generally are required to settle in two business
days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree
otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the notes
occurs more than two business days from the pricing date,
purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than two business days
prior to the settlement date will be required to specify
alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed
settlement.
The notes will not be listed on any
securities exchange. In the original offering of the notes, the
notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units. If
you place an order to purchase the notes, you are consenting to
MLPF&S and/or one of its affiliates acting as a principal in
effecting the transaction for your account.
MLPF&S and BofAS may repurchase
and resell the notes, with repurchases and resales being made at
prices related to then-prevailing market prices or at negotiated
prices, and these prices will include MLPF&S’s and BofAS’s
trading commissions and mark-ups or mark-downs. MLPF&S and
BofAS may act as principal or agent in these market-making
transactions; however, neither is obligated to engage in any such
transactions. At their discretion, for a short, undetermined
initial period after the issuance of the notes, MLPF&S and
BofAS may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price
that may exceed the initial estimated value of the notes. Any price
offered by MLPF&S or BofAS for the notes will be based on
then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations,
including the performance of the Index and the remaining term of
the notes. However, none of us, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our
respective affiliates is obligated to purchase your notes at any
price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that we, MLPF&S,
BofAS or any of our respective affiliates will purchase your notes
at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of
the notes.
The value of the notes shown on your
account statement produced by MLPF&S will be based on BofAS’s
estimate of the value of the notes if BofAS or another of its
affiliates were to make a market in the notes, which it is not
obligated to do. That estimate will be based upon the price that
BofAS may pay for the notes in light of then-prevailing market
conditions, and other considerations, as mentioned above, and will
include transaction costs. At certain times, this price may be
higher than or lower than the initial estimated value of the
notes.
The distribution of the Note
Prospectus in connection with these offers or sales will be solely
for the purpose of providing investors with the description of the
terms of the notes that was made available to investors in
connection with their initial offering. Secondary market investors
should not, and will not be authorized to, rely on the Note
Prospectus for information regarding BNS or for any purpose other
than that described in the immediately preceding sentence.
An
investor’s household, as referenced on the cover of this term
sheet, will generally include accounts held by any of the
following, as determined by MLPF&S in its discretion and acting
in good faith based upon information then available to
MLPF&S:
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the investor’s spouse (including
a domestic partner), siblings, parents, grandparents, spouse’s
parents, children and grandchildren, but excluding accounts held by
aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews or any other family
relationship not directly above or below the individual
investor;
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a family investment vehicle,
including foundations, limited partnerships and personal holding
companies, but only if the beneficial owners of the vehicle consist
solely of the investor or members of the investor’s household as
described above; and
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a trust where the grantors and/or
beneficiaries of the trust consist solely of the investor or
members of the investor’s household as described above; provided
that, purchases of the notes by a trust generally cannot be
aggregated together with any purchases made by a trustee’s personal
account.
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Purchases in retirement accounts
will not be considered part of the same household as an individual
investor’s personal or other non-retirement account, except for
individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), simplified employee
pension plans (“SEPs”), savings incentive match plan for employees
(“SIMPLEs”), and single-participant or owners only accounts (i.e.,
retirement accounts held by self-employed individuals, business
owners or partners with no employees other than their
spouses).
Please contact
your Merrill financial advisor if you have any questions about the
application of these provisions to your specific circumstances or
think you are eligible.
Structuring the Notes
The notes are our unsecured senior
debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance
of the Index. As is the case for all of our debt securities,
including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the notes
reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of
pricing. The internal funding rate we use in pricing the
market-linked note is typically lower than the rate we would pay
when we issue conventional fixed-rate debt securities of comparable
maturity. This generally relatively lower internal funding rate,
which is reflected in the economic terms of the notes, along with
the fees and charges associated with market-linked notes, typically
results in the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing
date being less than their public offering price.
Payments on the notes, including the
amount you receive at maturity or upon an automatic call, will be
calculated based on the performance of the Index and the $10 per
unit principal amount. In order to meet these payment obligations,
at the time we issue the notes, we may choose to enter into certain
hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options
or other derivatives) with BofAS or one of its affiliates.
The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined by seeking
bids from market participants, including MLPF&S, BofAS and its
affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including
our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of
the Index, the tenor of the notes and the tenor of the hedging
arrangements. The economic terms of the notes and their initial
estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging
arrangements.
BofAS has advised us that the hedging
arrangements will include a hedging related charge of approximately
$0.05 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit to be credited to
BofAS from these transactions. Since hedging entails risk and
may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, additional
profits and losses from these hedging arrangements may be realized
by BofAS or any third party hedge providers.
For further information, see “Risk
Factors” beginning on page PS-8 and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging”
on page PS-22 of product supplement EQUITY SUN-1.
Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
An investor should read carefully the
description of principal Canadian federal income tax considerations
under “Canadian
Taxation”
in the accompanying prospectus relevant to a holder (as defined on
page 65 of the prospectus) owning debt securities, and the
description of principal Canadian federal income tax considerations
under “Supplemental
Discussion of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences”
in the product supplement EQUITY SUN-1. In addition to the
assumptions, limitations and conditions described therein, such
discussion assumes that a Non-Resident Holder is not an entity in
respect of which the Bank is a “specified entity” as defined in
proposals to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Act”) released
by the Minister of Finance (Canada) on April 29, 2022 with respect
to “hybrid mismatch arrangements”, as defined (the “Hybrid Mismatch
Proposals”). In general terms, the Hybrid Mismatch Proposals
provide that two entities will be treated as specified entities in
respect of one another if one entity, directly or indirectly, holds
a 25% equity interest in the other entity, or a third entity,
directly or indirectly, holds a 25% equity interest in both
entities.
Such discussion further assumes that
no amount paid or payable to a Non-Resident Holder will be the
deduction component of a “hybrid mismatch arrangement” under which
the payment arises within the meaning of proposed paragraph
18.4(3)(b) of the Act contained in the Hybrid Mismatch
Proposals.
Investors should note that the Hybrid
Mismatch Proposals are in consultation form, are highly complex,
and there remains significant uncertainty as to their
interpretation and application. There can be no assurance that the
Hybrid Mismatch Proposals will be enacted in their current form, or
at all.
Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a general
description of certain U.S. federal tax considerations relating to
the notes. Prospective purchasers of the notes should consult their
tax advisors as to the consequences under the tax laws of the
country of which they are residents for tax purposes and the tax
laws of the U.S. of acquiring, holding and disposing of the notes
and receiving payments under the notes. This summary is based upon
the law as in effect on the date of this document and is subject to
any change in law that may take effect after such date. We urge you
to read the more detailed discussion in the “Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”
section beginning on page PS-41 of product supplement EQUITY
SUN-1.
No statutory, regulatory, judicial or
administrative authority directly discusses how the notes should be
treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the U.S.
federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes are
uncertain. Accordingly, we urge you to consult your tax advisor as
to the tax consequences of your investment in the notes (and of
having agreed to the required tax treatment of your notes described
below) and as to the application of state, local or other tax laws
to your investment in your notes and the possible effects of
changes in federal or other tax laws.
Pursuant to the terms of the notes,
BNS and you agree, in the absence of a statutory or regulatory
change or an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the
contrary, to characterize your notes as prepaid derivative
contracts with respect to the Index. If your notes are so treated,
you should generally recognize long-term capital gain or loss if
you hold your notes for more than one year (and, otherwise,
short-term capital gain or loss) upon the taxable disposition of
your notes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount
you receive at such time and the amount you paid for your notes.
The deductibility of capital losses is subject to
limitations.
However, it is possible that the
Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”)
could assert that your holding period in respect of your notes
should end on the date on which the amount you are entitled to
receive upon maturity or automatic call of your notes is
determined, even though you will not receive any amounts from BNS
in respect of your notes prior to the maturity or automatic call of
your notes. In such case, you may be treated as having a holding
period in respect of your notes prior to the maturity or automatic
call of your notes, and such holding period may be treated as less
than one year even if you receive cash upon the maturity or
automatic call of your notes at a time that is more than one year
after the beginning of your holding period.
Based on certain
factual representations received from us, our special U.S. tax
counsel, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, is of
the opinion that it would be reasonable to treat your notes in the
manner described above. However, because there is no authority that
specifically addresses the tax treatment of the notes, it is
possible that your notes could alternatively be treated for tax
purposes as a single contingent payment debt instrument or pursuant
to some other characterization, such that the timing and character
of your income from the notes could differ materially and adversely
from the treatment described above.
Notice 2008-2. In 2007, the IRS
released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the
notes. According to Notice 2008-2, the IRS and the U.S. Department
of the Treasury (the “Treasury”)
are actively considering whether a holder of an instrument such as
the notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current
basis. It is not possible to determine what guidance they will
ultimately issue, if any. It is possible, however, that under such
guidance, holders of the notes will ultimately be required to
accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive
basis. The IRS and the Treasury are also considering other relevant
issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such
instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether
non-U.S. holders of such instruments should be subject to
withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, and whether the
special “constructive
ownership rules”
of Section 1260 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”)
should be applied to such instruments. Both U.S. and non-U.S.
holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the
significance, and the potential impact, of the above
considerations.
Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income.
U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or certain trusts are
subject to an additional 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their
“net
investment income,”
or “undistributed
net investment income”
in the case of an estate or trust, which may include any income or
gain realized with respect to the notes, to the extent of their net
investment income or undistributed net investment income (as the
case may be) that, when added to their other modified adjusted
gross income, exceeds $200,000 for an unmarried individual,
$250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a
surviving spouse), $125,000 for a married individual filing a
separate return or the dollar amount at which the highest tax
bracket begins for an estate or trust. The 3.8% Medicare tax is
determined in a different manner than the regular income tax. U.S.
holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the 3.8%
Medicare tax.
Specified Foreign Financial Assets.
U.S. holders may be subject to reporting obligations with respect
to their notes if they do not hold their notes in an account
maintained by a financial institution and the aggregate value of
their notes and certain other “specified
foreign financial assets”
(applying certain attribution rules) exceeds an applicable
threshold. Significant penalties can apply if a U.S. holder is
required to disclose its notes and fails to do so.
Backup Withholding and Information
Reporting. The proceeds received from a taxable disposition
of the notes will be subject to information reporting unless you
are an “exempt
recipient”
and may also be subject to backup withholding at the rate specified
in the Code if you fail to provide certain identifying information
(such as an accurate taxpayer number, if you are a U.S. holder) or
meet certain other conditions.
Amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules are not additional taxes and may be refunded or
credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided
the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Holders. If you are a
non-U.S. holder, subject to Section 871(m) of the Code and FATCA,
discussed below, you should generally not be subject to generally
applicable information reporting and backup withholding
requirements with respect to payments on your notes if you comply
with certain certification and identification requirements as to
your non-U.S. status including providing us (and/or the applicable
withholding agent) a properly executed and fully completed
applicable IRS Form W-8. Subject to Section 897 of the Code and
Section 871(m) of the Code, discussed below, gain realized from the
taxable disposition of a note generally will not be subject to U.S.
tax unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with a trade or
business conducted by you in the U.S., (ii) you are a non-resident
alien individual and are present in the U.S. for 183 days or more
during the taxable year of such taxable disposition and certain
other conditions are satisfied or (iii) you have certain other
present or former connections with the U.S.
Section 897. We will not attempt to
ascertain whether the issuer of any stock included in the Index
would be treated as a “United States real property holding
corporation” (“USRPHC”) within the meaning of Section 897 of the
Code. We also have not attempted to determine whether the
notes should be treated as “United
States real property interests”
(“USRPI”)
as defined in Section 897 of the Code. If any such entity and/or
the notes were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax
consequences could possibly apply, including subjecting any gain
realized by a non-U.S. holder in respect of the notes upon a
taxable disposition (including cash settlement) of the notes to
U.S. federal income tax on a net basis, and the proceeds from such
a taxable disposition to a withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should
consult their tax advisors regarding the potential treatment of any
such entity as a USRPHC and/or the notes as USRPI.
Section 871(m). A 30% withholding tax
(which may be reduced by an applicable income tax treaty) is
imposed under Section 871(m) of the Code on certain “dividend
equivalents” paid or deemed paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect
to a “specified equity-linked instrument” that references one or
more dividend-paying U.S. equity securities or indices containing
U.S. equity securities. The withholding tax can apply even if
the instrument does not provide for payments that reference
dividends. Treasury regulations provide that the withholding
tax applies to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on
specified equity-linked instruments that have a delta of one
(“delta-one specified equity-linked instruments”) issued after 2016
and to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on all other
specified equity-linked instruments issued after 2017. However, the
IRS has issued guidance that states that the Treasury and the IRS
intend to amend the effective dates of the Treasury regulations to
provide that withholding on dividend equivalents paid or deemed
paid will not apply to specified equity-linked instruments that are
not delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and are issued
before January 1, 2023.
Based on our determination that the
notes are not “delta-one” with respect to the Index or any U.S.
stock included in the Index, our special U.S. tax counsel is of the
opinion that the notes should not be delta-one specified
equity-linked instruments and thus should not be subject to
withholding on dividend equivalents. Our determination is not
binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this
determination. Furthermore, the application of Section 871(m) of
the Code will depend on our determinations on the date the terms of
the notes are set. If withholding is required, we will not make
payments of any additional amounts.
Nevertheless, after the date the
terms are set, it is possible that your notes could be deemed to be
reissued for tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events
affecting the Index, any U.S. stock included in the Index or your
notes, and following such occurrence your notes could be treated as
delta-one specified equity-linked instruments that are subject to
withholding on dividend equivalents. It is also possible that
withholding tax or other tax under Section 871(m) of the Code could
apply to the notes under these rules if you enter, or have entered,
into certain other transactions in respect of the Index or any U.S.
stock included in the Index or the notes. If you enter, or
have entered, into other transactions in respect of the Index or
any U.S. stock included in the Index or the notes, you should
consult your tax advisor regarding the application of Section
871(m) of the Code to your notes in the context of your other
transactions.
Because of the
uncertainty regarding the application of the 30% withholding tax on
dividend equivalents to the notes, you are urged to consult your
tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 871(m)
of the Code and the 30% withholding tax to an investment in the
notes.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax Treatment of Non-U.S.
Holders. A note may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if
an individual non-U.S. holder holds the note at the time of his or
her death. The gross estate of a non-U.S. holder domiciled outside
the U.S. includes only property situated in the U.S. Individual
non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the
U.S. federal estate tax consequences of holding the notes at
death.
FATCA. The Foreign Account Tax
Compliance Act (“FATCA”)
was enacted on March 18, 2010, and imposes a 30% U.S. withholding
tax on “withholdable
payments”
(i.e., certain U.S.-source payments, including interest (and
original issue discount), dividends or other fixed or determinable
annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross
proceeds from a disposition of property of a type which can produce
U.S.-source interest or dividends) and “passthru
payments”
(i.e., certain payments attributable to withholdable payments) made
to certain foreign financial institutions (and certain of their
affiliates) unless the payee foreign financial institution agrees
(or is required), among other things, to disclose the identity of
any U.S. individual with an account at the institution (or the
relevant affiliate) and to annually report certain information
about such account. FATCA also requires withholding agents making
withholdable payments to certain foreign entities that do not
disclose the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of
any substantial U.S. owners (or do not certify that they do not
have any substantial U.S. owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%.
Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds
or credits of such taxes.
Pursuant to final and temporary
Treasury regulations and other IRS guidance, the withholding and
reporting requirements under FATCA will generally apply to certain
“withholdable payments”, will not apply to gross proceeds on a sale
or disposition, and will apply to certain foreign passthru payments
only to the extent that such payments are made after the date that
is two years after final regulations defining the term “foreign
passthru payment” are published. If withholding is required, we (or
the applicable paying agent) will not be required to pay additional
amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. Foreign financial
institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in
jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the
U.S. governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.
Investors should consult their own
advisors about the application of FATCA, in particular if they may
be classified as financial institutions (or if they hold their
notes through a foreign entity) under the FATCA rules.
Proposed Legislation. In 2007,
legislation was introduced in Congress that, if it had been
enacted, would have required holders of notes purchased after the
bill was enacted to accrue interest income over the term of the
notes despite the fact that there will be no interest payments over
the term of the notes.
Furthermore, in
2013 the House Ways and Means Committee released in draft form
certain proposed legislation relating to financial instruments. If
it had been enacted, the effect of this legislation generally would
have been to require instruments such as the notes to be marked to
market on an annual basis with all gains and losses to be treated
as ordinary, subject to certain exceptions.
It is not
possible to predict whether any similar or identical bills will be
enacted in the future, or whether any such bill would affect the
tax treatment of your notes. You are urged to consult your tax
advisor regarding the possible changes in law and their possible
impact on the tax treatment of your notes.
Both U.S. and
non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the
U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes,
as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any
state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction (including that of
BNS).
Where You Can Find More Information
We have filed a registration statement (including a product
supplement, a prospectus supplement and a prospectus) with the SEC
for the offering to which this term sheet relates. Before you
invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term
sheet, and the other documents that we have filed with the SEC, for
more complete information about us and this offering. You may
get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC
website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we, any agent, or any
dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you
these documents if you so request by calling MLPF&S or BofAS
toll-free at 1-800-294-1322.