The notes are being issued by Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”). There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment
risks and certain additional costs. See “Risk Factors” and “Additional Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-6 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-1.
The initial estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date is $9.6693 per unit, which is less than the public offering
price listed below. See “Summary” on the following page, “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-12 of this term sheet for additional information. The actual value of your notes at
any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Note
Prospectus (as defined below) is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
|
Per Unit
|
Total
|
|
Public offering price
|
$10.00
|
$8,258,600.00
|
|
Underwriting discount
|
$ 0.20
|
$165,172.00
|
|
Proceeds, before expenses, to RBC
|
$ 9.80
|
$8,093,428.00
|
The notes:
|
Are Not FDIC Insured
|
Are Not Bank Guaranteed
|
May Lose Value
|
BofA Securities
July 29, 2021
Summary
The Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due July 28, 2023 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The notes are not
guaranteed or insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or secured by collateral. The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and
unsubordinated debt. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of RBC. The notes are not bail-inable notes (as defined in the prospectus supplement). The notes provide you a
leveraged return, subject to a cap, if the Ending Value of the Market Measure, which is the Russell 2000® Index (the “Index”), is greater than the Starting Value. If the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value, you will lose a
portion, which could be significant, of the principal amount of your notes. Any payments on the notes will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit and will depend on the performance of the Index, subject to our credit risk. See
“Terms of the Notes” below.
The economic terms of the notes (including the Capped Value) are based on our internal funding rate, which is the rate we would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes and the
economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements. Our internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. This difference in funding rate, as well as the
underwriting discount and the hedging related charge described below, reduced 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 is greater than the initial estimated value of the notes.
On the cover page of this term sheet, we have provided the initial estimated value for the notes. This initial estimated value was determined based on our and our affiliates’ pricing models, which take
into consideration our internal funding rate and the market prices for the hedging arrangements related to the notes. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the notes, see “Structuring the Notes” on page
TS-12.
|
Terms of the Notes
|
|
Issuer:
|
Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”)
|
|
Principal Amount:
|
$10.00 per unit
|
|
Term:
|
Approximately two years
|
|
Market Measure:
|
The Russell 2000® Index (Bloomberg symbol: “RTY”), a price return index.
|
|
Starting Value:
|
2,240.029
|
|
Ending Value:
|
The average of the closing levels of the Market Measure on each calculation day occurring during the Maturity Valuation Period. The scheduled calculation days are
subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-18 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-1.
|
|
Threshold Value:
|
2,016.026 (90% of the Starting Value, rounded to three decimal places).
|
|
Participation Rate:
|
200%
|
|
Capped Value:
|
$11.265 per unit, which represents a return of 12.65% over the principal amount.
|
|
Maturity Valuation Period:
|
July 19, 2023, July 20, 2023, July 21, 2023, July 24, 2023 and July 25, 2023
|
|
Fees and Charges:
|
The underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit listed on the cover page and the hedging related charge of $0.075 per unit described in “Structuring the Notes” on page
TS-12.
|
|
Calculation Agent:
|
BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”).
|
|
Redemption Amount Determination
|
|
On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
In this case, you will receive a payment that is less, and possibly significantly less, than the principal amount per unit.
|
|
The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:
|
◾
|
Product supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-1 dated September 25, 2018:
|
|
◾
|
Series H MTN prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018:
|
|
◾
|
Prospectus dated September 7, 2018:
|
As a result of the completion of the reorganization of Bank of America’s U.S. broker-dealer business, references to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) in the
accompanying product supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-1 and prospectus supplement, as such references relate to MLPF&S’s institutional services, should be read as references to BofAS.
These documents (together, the “Note Prospectus”) have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website as indicated above or
obtained from MLPF&S 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 INDICES LIRN-1. Unless otherwise indicated or
unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to RBC.
|
You may wish to consider an investment in the notes if:
|
|
◾
|
You anticipate that the Index will increase moderately from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.
|
|
◾
|
You are willing to risk a loss of principal and return if the Index decreases from the Starting Value to an Ending Value that is below the Threshold Value.
|
|
◾
|
You accept that the return on the notes will be capped.
|
|
◾
|
You are willing to forgo the interest payments that are paid on conventional interest bearing debt securities.
|
|
◾
|
You are willing to forgo dividends or other benefits of owning the stocks included in the Index.
|
|
◾
|
You are willing to accept a limited or no market for sales prior to maturity, and understand that the market prices for the notes, if any, will be affected by various factors, including our actual and perceived creditworthiness,
our internal funding rate and fees and charges on the notes.
|
|
◾
|
You are willing to assume our credit risk, as issuer of the notes, for all payments under the notes, including the Redemption Amount.
|
|
The notes may not be an appropriate investment for you if:
|
|
◾
|
You believe that the Index will decrease from the Starting Value to the Ending Value or that it will not increase sufficiently over the term of the notes to provide you with your desired return.
|
|
◾
|
You seek 100% principal repayment or preservation of capital.
|
|
◾
|
You seek an uncapped return on your investment.
|
|
◾
|
You seek interest payments or other current income on your investment.
|
|
◾
|
You want to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the stocks included in the Index.
|
|
◾
|
You seek an investment for which there will be a liquid secondary market.
|
|
◾
|
You are unwilling or are unable to take market risk on the notes or to take our credit risk as issuer of the notes.
|
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
Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®
This graph reflects the returns on the notes, based on the Participation Rate of 200%, the Threshold Value of 90% of the Starting Value and the Capped Value of $11.265. 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. 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 90, the Participation Rate of 200%, the Capped Value of $11.265 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 and Ending Value, and whether you hold the notes to
maturity. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes.
For recent actual levels of the Market Measure, see “The Index” section below. The Index is a price return index and as such the Ending Value will not include any income generated by dividends paid on the stocks
included in the Index, which you would otherwise be entitled to receive if you invested in those stocks directly. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.
|
|
|
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%
|
|
$1.000
|
|
-90.00%
|
|
50.00
|
|
-50.00%
|
|
$6.000
|
|
-40.00%
|
|
80.00
|
|
-20.00%
|
|
$9.000
|
|
-10.00%
|
|
90.00(1)
|
|
-10.00%
|
|
$10.000
|
|
0.00%
|
|
94.00
|
|
-6.00%
|
|
$10.000
|
|
0.00%
|
|
95.00
|
|
-5.00%
|
|
$10.000
|
|
0.00%
|
|
97.00
|
|
-3.00%
|
|
$10.000
|
|
0.00%
|
|
100.00(2)
|
|
0.00%
|
|
$10.000
|
|
0.00%
|
|
102.00
|
|
2.00%
|
|
$10.400
|
|
4.00%
|
|
104.00
|
|
4.00%
|
|
$10.800
|
|
8.00%
|
|
105.00
|
|
5.00%
|
|
$11.000
|
|
10.00%
|
|
106.33
|
|
6.33%
|
|
$11.265(3)
|
|
12.65%
|
|
110.00
|
|
10.00%
|
|
$11.265
|
|
12.65%
|
|
120.00
|
|
20.00%
|
|
$11.265
|
|
12.65%
|
|
130.00
|
|
30.00%
|
|
$11.265
|
|
12.65%
|
|
140.00
|
|
40.00%
|
|
$11.265
|
|
12.65%
|
|
150.00
|
|
50.00%
|
|
$11.265
|
|
12.65%
|
|
160.00
|
|
60.00%
|
|
$11.265
|
|
12.65%
|
|
(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. The actual Starting Value is 2,240.029, which was the closing level of the Market
Measure on the pricing date.
|
|
(3)
|
The Redemption Amount per unit cannot exceed the Capped Value.
|
Redemption Amount Calculation Examples
|
Example 1
|
|
The Ending Value is 80.00, or 80.00% of the Starting Value:
|
|
Starting Value:
|
100.00
|
|
Threshold Value:
|
90.00
|
|
Ending Value:
|
80.00
|
|
|
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:
|
90.00
|
|
Ending Value:
|
95.00
|
|
Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10.00, the principal amount, since the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value but equal to or greater than the Threshold Value.
|
|
Example 3
|
|
The Ending Value is 104.00, or 104.00% of the Starting Value:
|
|
Starting Value:
|
100.00
|
|
Ending Value:
|
104.00
|
|
|
= $10.80 Redemption Amount per unit
|
|
Example 4
|
|
The Ending Value is 130.00, or 130.00% of the Starting Value:
|
|
Starting Value:
|
100.00
|
|
Ending Value:
|
130.00
|
|
|
= $16.00, however, because the Redemption Amount for the notes cannot exceed the Capped Value, the Redemption Amount will be $11.265 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-6 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-1, page S-1 of the MTN prospectus supplement, and page 1 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
|
◾
|
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.
|
|
◾
|
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.
|
|
◾
|
Your investment return is limited to the return represented by the Capped Value and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the stocks included in the Index.
|
Valuation and Market-related Risks
|
◾
|
The initial estimated value of the notes is an estimate only, determined as of a particular point in time by reference to our and our affiliates’ pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables,
including our credit spreads, our internal funding rate on the pricing date, mid-market terms on hedging transactions, expectations on interest rates and volatility, price-sensitivity analysis, and the expected term of the notes. These
pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect.
|
|
◾
|
The public offering price you pay for the notes exceeds the initial estimated value. If you attempt to sell the notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and lower than the initial
estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the level of the Index, our internal funding rate, and the inclusion in the public offering price of the underwriting discount and the hedging related charge, all as further
described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-12. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any
secondary market and will affect the value of the notes in complex and unpredictable ways.
|
|
◾
|
The initial estimated value does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of
your notes at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including the performance of the Index, our creditworthiness and changes in market conditions.
|
|
◾
|
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.
|
Market Measure-related Risks
|
◾
|
The Index sponsor may adjust the Index in a way that affects its level, and has no obligation to consider your interests.
|
|
◾
|
You will have no rights of a holder of the securities represented by 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.
|
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 and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page
PS-30 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-1. For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the notes, see “Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the prospectus dated September 7, 2018.
|
Additional Risk Factors
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.
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 LIRNs—Discontinuance of an Index” beginning on page PS-19 of
product supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-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.
Russell began dissemination of the Index (Bloomberg L.P. index symbol “RTY”) on January 1, 1984. FTSE Russell calculates and publishes the Index. The Index was set to 135 as of the close of business
on December 31, 1986. The Index is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market.
As a subset of the Russell 3000® Index, the Index consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000® Index. The Russell 3000® Index measures the
performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. The Index is determined, comprised, and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to the notes.
“Russell 2000®” and “Russell 3000®” are trademarks of FTSE Russell and have been licensed for use by us. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by FTSE
Russell, and FTSE Russell makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the notes.
Selection of Stocks Underlying the Index
All companies eligible for inclusion in the Index must be classified as a U.S. company under FTSE Russell’s
country-assignment methodology. If a company is incorporated, has a stated headquarters location, and trades on a standard exchange in the same country (American
Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares are not eligible), then the company is assigned to its country of incorporation. If any of the three factors are not the same, FTSE Russell defines three Home Country Indicators (“HCIs”): country
of incorporation, country of headquarters, and country of the most liquid exchange (as defined by a two-year average daily dollar trading volume) (“ADDTV”) from all exchanges
within a country. Using the HCIs, FTSE Russell compares the primary location of the company’s assets with the three HCIs. If the primary location of its assets matches any of the HCIs, then the company is assigned to the primary location of its assets. If there is insufficient information to determine the country in which the company’s assets are primarily located, FTSE Russell will use the primary location of the company’s revenue for the
comparison and assigns the company to the appropriate country in a similar fashion. FTSE Russell uses the average of two years of assets or revenues data to reduce potential turnover. If conclusive country
details cannot be derived from assets or revenues data, FTSE Russell will assign the company to the country in which its headquarters are located, unless the country is a Benefit Driven Incorporation “BDI”
country. If the country in which its headquarters is located is a BDI, it will be assigned to the country of its most liquid stock exchange. BDI countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Curacao, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey,
Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Turks and Caicos Islands. For any companies incorporated or headquartered in a U.S. territory, including countries such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands, a
U.S. HCI is assigned. “N-shares” issued by companies controlled by individuals or entities in Mainland China are not eligible for inclusion.
All securities eligible for inclusion in the Index must trade on a major U.S. exchange. Stocks must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on their primary exchange on the “rank day” in May of each
year (timetable is announced each spring) to be eligible for inclusion during annual reconstitution. However, in order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last day of May, it will be
considered eligible if the average of the daily closing prices (from its primary exchange) during the month of May is equal to or greater than $1.00. FTSE Russell adds initial public offerings (IPOs) each quarter to ensure that new additions to
the institutional investing opportunity set are reflected in representative indexes. A stock added during the quarterly IPO process is considered a new index addition, and therefore must have a closing price on its primary exchange at or above
$1.00 on the last day of the eligibility period in order to qualify for index inclusion. If an existing index member does not trade on the rank day, it must price at $1.00 or above on another eligible U.S. exchange to remain eligible.
An important criterion used to determine the list of securities eligible for the Index is total market capitalization, which is defined as the market price as of the rank day in May for those
securities being considered at annual reconstitution times the total number of shares outstanding. Where applicable, common stock, non-restricted exchangeable shares and partnership units/membership interests are used to determine market
capitalization. Any other form of shares such as preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants, rights, installment
receipts or trust receipts, are excluded from the calculation. If multiple share classes of common stock exist, they are combined to determine total shares outstanding. In cases where the common stock share classes act independently of
each other (e.g., tracking stocks), each class is considered for inclusion separately. If multiple share classes exist, the pricing vehicle will be designated as the share class with the highest two-year trading volume as of the rank day in May.
Companies with a total market capitalization of less than $30 million are not eligible for the Index. Similarly, companies with only 5% or less of their shares available in the marketplace are not
eligible for the Index. Royalty trusts, 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 are also ineligible for inclusion. Exchange traded funds and mutual funds are also
excluded. Bulletin board, pink sheets, and over-the-counter (“OTC”) traded securities are not eligible for inclusion.
Annual reconstitution is a process by which the Index is completely rebuilt. Based on closing levels of the company’s common stock on its primary exchange on the rank day of May of each year, FTSE
Russell reconstitutes the composition of the Index using the then existing market capitalizations of eligible companies. Reconstitution of the Index occurs on the last Friday in June or, when the last Friday in June is the 29th or 30th,
reconstitution occurs on the prior Friday. In addition, FTSE Russell adds initial public offerings to the Index on a quarterly basis based on total market capitalization ranking within the market-adjusted capitalization breaks established during
the most recent reconstitution.
After membership is determined, a security’s shares are adjusted to include only those shares available to the public. This is often referred to as “free float.” The purpose of the adjustment is to exclude from
market calculations the capitalization that is not available for purchase and is not part of the investable opportunity set.
The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the Index in the period from January 1, 2011 through July 29, 2021. 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 the pricing date, the closing level of the Index was 2,240.029.
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
We have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with FTSE Russell providing for the license to us and certain of our affiliated or subsidiary companies, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use indices owned
and published by FTSE Russell (including the Index) in connection with certain securities, including the notes. The license agreement provides that the following language must be stated in this term sheet:
The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by FTSE Russell. FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the notes
or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly or the ability of the Index to track general 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 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 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 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 underwriting discount set forth on the
cover of this term sheet.
We will 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, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than two business days prior to the original
issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. In the original offering of the notes, the notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units. If you place an order to purchase the notes, you are
consenting to MLPF&S 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 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 RBC or for any purpose other than that described in the immediately preceding
sentence.
Structuring the Notes
The notes are our 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. In addition, because market-linked notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us, we typically borrow the funds under these notes at a
rate that is more favorable to us than the rate which we refer to as our internal funding rate, which is the rate that we might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security. 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, resulted in the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date being less than their public offering price.
At maturity, we are required to pay the Redemption Amount to holders of the notes, which will be calculated based on the $10 per unit principal amount and will depend on the performance of the Index. 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 $0.075 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—General Risks Relating to the LIRNs” beginning on page PS-6 and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page PS-15 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-1.
Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
For a discussion of the material Canadian federal income tax consequences relating to an investment in the notes, please see the section entitled “Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the prospectus dated September 7, 2018.
Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
You should consider the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, including the following:
|
◾
|
There is no statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addressing the characterization of the notes.
|
|
◾
|
You agree with us (in the absence of a statutory, regulatory, administrative, or judicial ruling to the contrary) to characterize and treat the notes for all tax purposes as pre-paid cash-settled derivative contracts in respect of the
Index.
|
|
◾
|
Under this characterization and tax treatment of the notes, a U.S. holder (as defined on page 41 of the prospectus) generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale or maturity of the notes. This capital gain or loss
generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the notes for more than one year.
|
|
◾
|
No assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service or any court will agree with this characterization and tax treatment.
|
|
◾
|
Under current Internal Revenue Service guidance, withholding on “dividend equivalent” payments (as discussed in the accompanying product supplement), if any, will not apply to notes that are issued as of the date of this pricing
supplement unless such notes are “delta-one” instruments. The discussion in the accompanying product supplement is modified to reflect recent Internal Revenue Service guidance, which states that the U.S. Treasury Department and the
Internal Revenue Service intend to amend the effective dates of the U.S. Treasury Department regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified equity-linked instruments that are not
delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2023.
|
|
◾
|
The accompanying product supplement notes that FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds from a sale or redemption of the notes will only apply to payments made after December 31, 2018. That discussion is modified to reflect
regulations proposed by the U.S. Treasury Department in December 2018 that eliminate the requirement of FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds upon the disposition of financial instruments. The U.S. Treasury Department has
indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in the
notes.
|
You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any
state, local, foreign, or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws. You should review carefully the discussion under the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page
PS-30 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES LIRN-1. In addition, any reference to “Morrison & Foerster LLP” in the aforementioned tax discussions in that product supplement should be read as a reference to “Ashurst LLP.”
Validity of the Notes
In the opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, the issue and sale of the notes has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of RBC in conformity with the Indenture, and when the notes have been duly
executed, authenticated and issued in accordance with the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor, the notes will be validly issued and, to the extent validity of the notes is a matter governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario or
Québec, or the laws of Canada applicable therein, and will be valid obligations of RBC, subject to equitable remedies which may only be granted at the discretion of a court of competent authority, subject to applicable bankruptcy, to rights to
indemnity and contribution under the notes or the Indenture which may be limited by applicable law, to insolvency and other laws of general application affecting creditors’ rights, to limitations under applicable limitations statutes and subject
to limitations as to the currency in which judgments in Canada may be rendered, as prescribed by the Currency Act (Canada). This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the Provinces of Ontario and Québec and the
federal laws of Canada applicable thereto. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the Trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all
as stated in the letter of such counsel dated September 7, 2018, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.1 to RBC’s Form 6-K filed with the SEC dated September 7, 2018.
In the opinion of Ashurst LLP, when the notes have been duly completed in accordance with the Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated by the prospectus supplement and the prospectus, the notes will be valid,
binding and enforceable obligations of the Bank, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or
affecting creditors’ rights and subject to general principles of equity, public policy considerations and the discretion of the court before which any suit or proceeding may be brought. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited
to the laws of the State of New York. This opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the Trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture and the genuineness of signatures and to such counsel’s reliance on the Bank and
other sources as to certain factual matters, all as stated in the legal opinion dated June 25, 2021, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.3 to the Bank’s Form 6-K dated June 25, 2021.
Terms Incorporated in Master Global Security
The terms appearing under the captions “Summary—Terms of the Notes” and “Summary—Redemption Amount Determination” on page TS-2 above, the pricing date, settlement date and maturity date appearing on the cover page,
and the applicable terms included in the documents listed under “Summary” on page TS-2 are incorporated into the master global security that represents the notes and is held by The Depository Trust Company.
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.
“Leveraged Index Return Notes®” and “LIRNs®” are the registered service marks of Bank of America Corporation, the parent company of MLPF&S and BofAS.