Preliminary Pricing Supplement No. 458

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)2
File No. 333-180728

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

 

Subject To Completion, dated September 18, 2014

 

PRICING SUPPLEMENT No. 458 dated September     , 2014

(To Product Supplement No. 7 dated September 10, 2012,

Prospectus Supplement dated April 13, 2012

and Prospectus dated April 13, 2012)

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Wells Fargo & Company

Medium-Term Notes, Series K

Upside Participation ETF Linked Notes (Averaging)

 

 
 

Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

 
  n  

Linked to an International ETF Basket comprised of the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (80%); and the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF (20%)

 
  n  

Potential for a positive return at maturity based on the percentage increase, if any, from the starting price of the basket to the average ending price. The payment at maturity will reflect the following terms:

 
    n  

If the average ending price is greater than the starting price, you will receive the original offering price plus a positive return at maturity equal to 115% to 125% (to be determined on the pricing date) of the percentage increase from the starting price to the average ending price

 
    n  

If the average ending price is less than or equal to the starting price, you will receive the original offering price at maturity, but you will not receive any positive return on your investment

 
  n  

Average ending price of the basket based on the average of fund closing prices of the basket components on specified dates occurring quarterly during the term of the notes

 
  n  

Repayment of the original offering price at maturity regardless of basket performance

 
  n  

All payments on the notes are subject to the credit risk of Wells Fargo & Company, and you will have no ability to pursue the shares of the basket components or any securities held by the basket components for payment; if Wells Fargo & Company defaults on its obligations, you could lose some or all of your investment

 
  n  

No periodic interest payments or dividends

 
  n  

No exchange listing; designed to be held to maturity

 

 

On the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, the estimated value of the notes is approximately $940.19 per note. While the estimated value of the notes on the pricing date may differ from the estimated value set forth above, we do not expect it to differ significantly absent a material change in market conditions or other relevant factors. In no event will the estimated value of the notes on the pricing date be less than $925.19 per note. The estimated value of the notes was determined for us by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC using its proprietary pricing models. It is not an indication of actual profit to us or to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any of our other affiliates, nor is it an indication of the price, if any, at which Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any other person may be willing to buy the notes from you at any time after issuance. See “Investment Description” in this pricing supplement.

The notes have complex features and investing in the notes involves risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. See “Selected Risk Considerations” herein on page PRS-[9] and “Risk Factors” in the accompanying product supplement.

The notes are unsecured obligations of Wells Fargo & Company and all payments on the notes are subject to the credit risk of Wells Fargo & Company. The notes are not deposits or other obligations of a depository institution and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Deposit Insurance Fund or any other governmental agency of the United States or any other jurisdiction.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these notes or determined if this pricing supplement or the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

    Original Offering Price   Agent Discount(1)   Proceeds to Wells Fargo
Per Note       $1,000.00   $16.20   $983.80
Total              

 

(1) 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, is the agent for the distribution of the notes and is acting as principal. See “Investment Description” in this pricing supplement for further information.

Wells Fargo Securities


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Investment Description

The Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021 are senior unsecured debt securities of Wells Fargo & Company that provide:

 

  (i)

the possibility of a positive return at maturity if, and only if, the average ending price of the basket of exchange traded funds (the “Basket”) is greater than the starting price of the Basket; and

  (ii)

repayment of principal regardless of the performance of the Basket.

All payments on the notes are subject to the credit risk of Wells Fargo.

The Basket is comprised of the following two unequally-weighted basket components:

 

n  

the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (80%), an exchange traded fund that seeks to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (an equity index that is designed to measure equity performance in global emerging markets); and

n  

the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF (20%), an exchange traded fund that seeks to track the MSCI EAFE Index (an equity index that is designed to measure equity performance in developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada).

You should read this pricing supplement together with product supplement no. 7 dated September 10, 2012, the prospectus supplement dated April 13, 2012 and the prospectus dated April 13, 2012 for additional information about the notes. Information included in this pricing supplement supersedes information in the product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus to the extent it is different from that information. Certain defined terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the product supplement.

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

 

n   Product Supplement No. 7 dated September 10, 2012, filed with the SEC on September 10, 2012:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/72971/000119312512385940/d407901d424b2.htm

n   Prospectus Supplement dated April 13, 2012 and Prospectus dated April 13, 2012 filed with the SEC on April 13, 2012:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/72971/000119312512162780/d256650d424b2.htm

 

 

iShares® is a registered mark of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”). The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by BTC, its affiliate, BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), iShares Trust or iShares, Inc. None of BTC, BFA, iShares Trust or iShares, Inc. makes any representations or warranties to the holders of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in the notes. None of BTC, BFA, iShares Trust or iShares, Inc. will have any obligation or liability in connection with the registration, operation, marketing, trading or sale of the notes or in connection with Wells Fargo & Company’s use of information about the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF and the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF.

 

PRS-2


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Investment Description (Continued)

 

The original offering price of each note of $1,000 includes certain costs that are borne by you. Because of these costs, the estimated value of the notes on the pricing date will be less than the original offering price. The costs included in the original offering price relate to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes, as well as to our funding considerations for debt of this type.

The costs related to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes include (i) the agent discount, (ii) the projected profit that our hedge counterparty (which may be one of our affiliates) expects to realize for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the notes and (iii) hedging and other costs relating to the offering of the notes.

Our funding considerations take into account the higher issuance, operational and ongoing management costs of market-linked debt such as the notes as compared to our conventional debt of the same maturity, as well as our liquidity needs and preferences. Our funding considerations are reflected in the fact that we determine the economic terms of the notes based on an assumed funding rate that is generally lower than the interest rates implied by secondary market prices for our debt obligations and/or by other traded instruments referencing our debt obligations, which we refer to as our “secondary market rates.” As discussed below, our secondary market rates are used in determining the estimated value of the notes.

If the costs relating to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes were lower, or if the assumed funding rate we use to determine the economic terms of the notes were higher, the economic terms of the notes would be more favorable to you and the estimated value would be higher. The estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.

Determining the estimated value

Our affiliate, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“WFS”), calculated the estimated value of the notes set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement based on its proprietary pricing models. Based on these pricing models and related market inputs and assumptions referred to in this section below, WFS determined an estimated value for the notes by estimating the value of the combination of hypothetical financial instruments that would replicate the payout on the notes, which combination consists of a non-interest bearing, fixed-income bond (the “debt component”) and one or more derivative instruments underlying the economic terms of the notes (the “derivative component”).

The estimated value of the debt component is based on a reference interest rate, determined by WFS as of a recent date, that generally tracks our secondary market rates. Because WFS does not continuously calculate our reference interest rate, the reference interest rate used in the calculation of the estimated value of the debt component may be higher or lower than our secondary market rates at the time of that calculation. As noted above, we determine the economic terms of the notes based upon an assumed funding rate that is generally lower than our secondary market rates. In contrast, in determining the estimated value of the notes, we value the debt component using a reference interest rate that generally tracks our secondary market rates. Because the reference interest rate is generally higher than the assumed funding rate, using the reference interest rate to value the debt component generally results in a lower estimated value for the debt component, which we believe more closely approximates a market valuation of the debt component than if we had used the assumed funding rate.

WFS calculated the estimated value of the derivative component based on a proprietary derivative-pricing model, which generated a theoretical price for the derivative instruments that constitute the derivative component based on various inputs, including the “derivative component factors” identified in “Selected Risk Considerations—The Value Of The Notes Prior To Stated Maturity Will Be Affected By Numerous Factors, Some Of Which Are Related In Complex Ways.” These inputs may be market-observable or may be based on assumptions made by WFS in its discretion.

The estimated value of the notes determined by WFS is subject to important limitations. See “Selected Risk Considerations—The Estimated Value Of The Notes Is Determined By Our Affiliate’s Pricing Models, Which May Differ From Those Of Other Dealers” and “—Our Economic Interests And Those Of Any Dealer Participating In The Offering Are Potentially Adverse To Your Interests.”

 

PRS-3


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Investment Description (Continued)

 

Valuation of the notes after issuance

The estimated value of the notes is not an indication of the price, if any, at which WFS or any other person may be willing to buy the notes from you in the secondary market. The price, if any, at which WFS or any of its affiliates may purchase the notes in the secondary market will be based upon WFS’s proprietary pricing models and will fluctuate over the term of the notes due to changes in market conditions and other relevant factors. However, absent changes in these market conditions and other relevant factors, except as otherwise described in the following paragraph, any secondary market price will be lower than the estimated value on the pricing date because the secondary market price will be reduced by a bid-offer spread, which may vary depending on the aggregate face amount of the notes to be purchased in the secondary market transaction, and the expected cost of unwinding any related hedging transactions. Accordingly, unless market conditions and other relevant factors change significantly in your favor, any secondary market price for the notes is likely to be less than the original offering price.

If WFS or any of its affiliates makes a secondary market in the notes at any time up to the issue date or during the 6-month period following the issue date, the secondary market price offered by WFS or any of its affiliates will be increased by an amount reflecting a portion of the costs associated with selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes that are included in the original offering price. Because this portion of the costs is not fully deducted upon issuance, any secondary market price offered by WFS or any of its affiliates during this period will be higher than it would be if it were based solely on WFS’s proprietary pricing models less the bid-offer spread and hedging unwind costs described above. The amount of this increase in the secondary market price will decline steadily to zero over this 6-month period. If you hold the notes through an account at WFS or any of its affiliates, we expect that this increase will also be reflected in the value indicated for the notes on your brokerage account statement.

If WFS or any of its affiliates makes a secondary market in the notes, WFS expects to provide those secondary market prices to any unaffiliated broker-dealers through which the notes are held and to commercial pricing vendors. If you hold your notes through an account at a broker-dealer other than WFS or any of its affiliates, that broker-dealer may obtain market prices for the notes from WFS (directly or indirectly), but could also obtain such market prices from other sources, and may be willing to purchase the notes at any given time at a price that differs from the price at which WFS or any of its affiliates is willing to purchase the notes. As a result, if you hold your notes through an account at a broker-dealer other than WFS or any of its affiliates, the value of the notes on your brokerage account statement may be different than if you held your notes at WFS or any of its affiliates.

The notes will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system. Although WFS and/or its affiliates may buy the notes from investors, they are not obligated to do so and are not required to make a market for the notes. There can be no assurance that a secondary market will develop.

 

PRS-4


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Investor Considerations

We have designed the notes for investors who:

 

n  

seek exposure to the average upside performance of the Basket, without exposure to any decline in the Basket, by:

 

  ¨  

participating 115% to 125% (to be determined on the pricing date) in the percentage increase, if any, in the value of the Basket from the starting price to the average ending price, where the average ending price is based on the average of fund closing prices of the basket components on specified dates occurring quarterly during the term of the notes; and

 

  ¨  

providing for the repayment of principal at maturity regardless of the performance of the Basket;

 

n  

understand that if the average ending price of the Basket is not greater than the starting price, they will not receive any positive return on their investment in the notes;

 

n  

are willing to forgo interest payments on the notes and dividends on shares of the basket components; and

 

n  

are willing to hold the notes until maturity.

The notes are not designed for, and may not be a suitable investment for, investors who:

 

n  

seek a liquid investment or are unable or unwilling to hold the notes to maturity;

 

n  

seek certainty of receiving a return on their investment;

 

n  

seek exposure to the upside performance of the Basket as measured solely from the pricing date to a date near stated maturity;

 

n  

are unwilling to purchase notes with an estimated value as of the pricing date that is lower than the original offering price and that may be as low as the lower estimated value set forth on the cover page;

 

n  

seek current income;

 

n  

are unwilling to accept the risk of exposure to the foreign emerging equity markets and foreign developed equity markets;

 

n  

seek exposure to the Basket but are unwilling to accept the risk/return trade-offs inherent in the payment at stated maturity for the notes;

 

n  

are unwilling to accept the credit risk of Wells Fargo to obtain exposure to the Basket generally, or to the exposure to the Basket that the notes provide specifically; or

 

n  

prefer the lower risk of fixed income investments with comparable maturities issued by companies with comparable credit ratings.

 

PRS-5


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Terms of the Notes

 

 

  Market Measure:

 

 

A basket (the “Basket”) comprised of the following basket components, with the average component return of each basket component having the weighting noted parenthetically: the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (80%); and the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (20%).

  Pricing Date:  

 

September 30, 2014.*

  Issue Date:  

 

October 3, 2014.* (T+3)

 

  Original

  Offering Price:

 

$1,000 per note. References in this pricing supplement to a “note” are to a note with a face amount of $1,000.

 

 

 

  Redemption

  Amount:

 

The “redemption amount” per note will equal:

 
 

 

if the average ending price is greater than the starting price: $1,000 plus:

                             
   
   
          $1,000   x         average ending price – starting price       x participation rate         ; or  
                  starting price                
                             
 

 

if the average ending price is less than or equal to the starting price: $1,000.

                             
                             
 

 

All calculations with respect to the redemption amount will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths rounded upward (e.g., .000005 would be rounded to .00001); and the redemption amount will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent rounded upward.

 

 

  Stated Maturity

  Date:

 

 

October 7, 2021*. If the final calculation day is postponed for any basket component, the stated maturity date will be the later of (i) October 7, 2021* and (ii) the third business day after the final postponed calculation day.

 

  Starting Price:

 

 

The “starting price” is 100.

 

  Average Ending
  Price:

 

 

The “average ending price” will be equal to the product of (i) 100 and (ii) an amount equal to 1 plus the sum of: (A) 80% of the average component return of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF; and (B) 20% of the average component return of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF.

 

 

  Participation

  Rate:    

 

 

The “participation rate” is 115% to 125% (to be determined on the pricing date).

 

 

 

  Average

  Component

  Return:

 

 

The “average component return” of a basket component will be equal to:

 

average component price – initial component price

initial component price

 

where,

•   the “initial component price” will be the fund closing price of such basket component on the pricing date; and

•   the “average component price” will be the arithmetic average of the fund closing prices of such basket component on the calculation days.

 

 

PRS-6


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Terms of the Notes (Continued)

 

Calculation

Days:

 

Quarterly, on the last trading day of each March, June, September and December, commencing December 2014 and ending September 2021*. If any such day is not a trading day with respect to a basket component, the calculation day for such basket component will be postponed to the next succeeding trading day with respect to such basket component. Notwithstanding the postponement of a calculation day for a particular basket component due to a non-trading day for such basket component, the originally scheduled calculation day will remain the calculation day for any basket component not affected by such non-trading day. A calculation day is also subject to postponement due to the occurrence of a market disruption event.

 

Calculation

Agent:

 

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

Material Tax

Consequences:

 

 

For a discussion of the material U.S. federal tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the notes, see “United States Federal Tax Considerations.”

Agent:

 

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company. The agent may resell the notes to other securities dealers at the original offering price of the notes less a concession not in excess of $15.00 per note. Such securities dealers may include Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC (“WFA”), one of our affiliates. In addition to the concession allowed to WFA, WFS will pay $1.20 per note of the agent’s discount to WFA as a distribution expense fee for each note sold by WFA.

 

The agent or another affiliate of ours expects to realize hedging profits projected by its proprietary pricing models to the extent it assumes the risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the notes. If any dealer participating in the distribution of the notes or any of its affiliates conducts hedging activities for us in connection with the notes, that dealer or its affiliate will expect to realize a profit projected by its proprietary pricing models from such hedging activities. Any such projected profit will be in addition to the discount, concession or distribution expense fee received in connection with the sale of the notes to you.

 

 

Denominations:

 

 

$1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000.

 

CUSIP:

 

 

94986RUZ2

 

*

To the extent that we make any change to the expected pricing date or expected issue date, the calculation days and stated maturity date may also be changed in our discretion to ensure that the term of the notes remains the same.

 

PRS-7


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Determining Payment at Stated Maturity

On the stated maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per note (the redemption amount) calculated as follows:

 

LOGO

 

PRS-8


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Selected Risk Considerations

The notes have complex features and your investment in the notes will involve risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Risk Factors” section of the product supplement. You should reach an investment decision only after you have carefully considered with your advisors the suitability of an investment in the notes in light of your particular circumstances. The indices underlying the basket components are sometimes referred to collectively as the “underlying indices” and individually as an “underlying index.”

 

 

You May Not Receive Any Positive Return On Your Investment In The Notes. Any amount you receive on the notes at stated maturity in excess of the original offering price will depend on the percentage increase, if any, in the average ending price of the Basket relative to the starting price. Because the value of the Basket will be subject to market fluctuations, the average ending price may be less than the starting price, in which case you will only receive the original offering price of your notes at stated maturity. Even if the average ending price is greater than the starting price, the amount you receive at stated maturity may only be slightly greater than the original offering price, and your yield on the notes may be less than the yield you would earn if you bought a traditional interest-bearing debt security of Wells Fargo or another issuer with a similar credit rating with the same stated maturity date.

 

 

You Will Be Required To Recognize Taxable Income On The Notes Prior To Maturity. If you are a U.S. holder of a note, you will be required to recognize taxable interest income in each year that you hold the note, even though you will not receive any payment on the note prior to maturity (or earlier sale, exchange or retirement). In addition, any gain you recognize will be treated as ordinary interest income rather than capital gain. You should review the section of this pricing supplement entitled “United States Federal Tax Considerations.”

 

 

The Average Ending Price Will Be Based On The Average Of Fund Closing Prices Of The Basket Components On Calculation Days Occurring Quarterly During The Term Of The Notes And Therefore May Be Less Than The Value Of The Basket At Stated Maturity. For purposes of determining the redemption amount you receive at stated maturity, the performance of the Basket will be measured based on the percentage change from the starting price to the average ending price. The average ending price will be calculated based on the average component return of each basket component, which in turn will be calculated by reference to averages of the fund closing prices of the basket components on calculation days occurring quarterly over the term of the notes. This method of measuring the performance of the Basket may result in a lower redemption amount at stated maturity than an alternative measure based solely on the fund closing prices of the basket components on a date at or near stated maturity

You should understand, in particular, that if the value of the Basket is greater at or near stated maturity than it was, on average, on the calculation days occurring quarterly over the term of the notes, the notes will underperform the actual return on the Basket. For example, if the value of the Basket increases at a more or less steady rate over the term of the notes, the average ending price of the Basket will be less than the value of the Basket at or near stated maturity, and the notes will underperform the actual return on the Basket. This underperformance will be especially significant if there is a significant increase in the value of the Basket later in the term of the notes. In addition, because of the way the average ending price is calculated, it is possible that you will not receive any positive return on your investment at stated maturity even if the value of the Basket at or near stated maturity is significantly greater than its value on the pricing date. One scenario in which this may occur is when the value of the Basket declines early in the term of the notes and increases significantly later in the term of the notes. You should not invest in the notes unless you understand and are willing to accept the return characteristics associated with the averaging feature of the notes.

 

 

The Notes Are Subject To The Credit Risk Of Wells Fargo. The notes are our obligations and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. Any amounts payable under the notes are subject to our creditworthiness, and you will have no ability to pursue the shares of the basket components or any securities held by the basket components for payment. As a result, our actual and perceived creditworthiness may affect the value of the notes and, in the event we were to default on our obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the terms of the notes.

Ÿ           The Estimated Value Of The Notes On The Pricing Date, Based On WFS’s Proprietary Pricing Models, Will Be Less Than The Original Offering Price. The original offering price of the notes includes certain costs that are borne by you. Because of these costs, the estimated value of the notes on the pricing date will be less than the original offering price. The costs included in the original offering price relate to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes, as well as to our funding considerations for debt of this type. The costs related to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes include (i) the agent discount, (ii) the projected profit that our hedge counterparty (which may be one of our affiliates) expects to realize for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the notes and (iii) hedging and other costs relating to the offering of the notes. Our funding considerations are reflected in the fact that we determine the economic terms of the notes based on an assumed funding rate that is generally lower than our secondary market rates. If the costs relating to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes were

 

PRS-9


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Selected Risk Considerations (Continued)

 

 

lower, or if the assumed funding rate we use to determine the economic terms of the notes were higher, the economic terms of the notes would be more favorable to you and the estimated value would be higher.

 

 

The Estimated Value Of The Notes Is Determined By Our Affiliate’s Pricing Models, Which May Differ From Those Of Other Dealers. The estimated value of the notes was determined for us by WFS using its proprietary pricing models and related market inputs and assumptions referred to above under “Investment Description—Determining the estimated value.” Certain inputs to these models may be determined by WFS in its discretion. WFS’s views on these inputs may differ from other dealers’ views, and WFS’s estimated value of the notes may be higher, and perhaps materially higher, than the estimated value of the notes that would be determined by other dealers in the market. WFS’s models and its inputs and related assumptions may prove to be wrong and therefore not an accurate reflection of the value of the notes.

 

 

The Estimated Value Of The Notes Is Not An Indication Of The Price, If Any, At Which WFS Or Any Other Person May Be Willing To Buy The Notes From You In The Secondary Market. The price, if any, at which WFS or any of its affiliates may purchase the notes in the secondary market will be based on WFS’s proprietary pricing models and will fluctuate over the term of the notes as a result of changes in the market and other factors described in the next risk consideration. Any such secondary market price for the notes will also be reduced by a bid-offer spread, which may vary depending on the aggregate face amount of the notes to be purchased in the secondary market transaction, and the expected cost of unwinding any related hedging transactions. Unless the factors described in the next risk consideration change significantly in your favor, any such secondary market price for the notes is likely to be less than the original offering price.

If WFS or any of its affiliates makes a secondary market in the notes at any time up to the issue date or during the 6-month period following the issue date, the secondary market price offered by WFS or any of its affiliates will be increased by an amount reflecting a portion of the costs associated with selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes that are included in the original offering price. Because this portion of the costs is not fully deducted upon issuance, any secondary market price offered by WFS or any of its affiliates during this period will be higher than it would be if it were based solely on WFS’s proprietary pricing models less the bid-offer spread and hedging unwind costs described above. The amount of this increase in the secondary market price will decline steadily to zero over this 6-month period. If you hold the notes through an account at WFS or any of its affiliates, we expect that this increase will also be reflected in the value indicated for the notes on your brokerage account statement. If you hold your notes through an account at a broker-dealer other than WFS or any of its affiliates, the value of the notes on your brokerage account statement may be different than if you held your notes at WFS or any of its affiliates, as discussed above under “Investment Description.”

 

 

The Value Of The Notes Prior To Stated Maturity Will Be Affected By Numerous Factors, Some Of Which Are Related In Complex Ways. The value of the notes prior to stated maturity will be affected by the value of the Basket on any prior calculation days, the then-current value of the Basket, interest rates at that time and a number of other factors, some of which are interrelated in complex ways. The effect of any one factor may be offset or magnified by the effect of another factor. The following factors, which we refer to as the “derivative component factors,” are expected to affect the value of the notes: Basket performance; interest rates; volatility of the Basket; correlation between the basket components; time remaining to maturity; dividend yields on the securities included in the Basket; and currency exchange rates. In addition to the derivative component factors, the value of the notes will be affected by actual or anticipated changes in our creditworthiness, as reflected in our secondary market rates. Because numerous factors are expected to affect the value of the notes, changes in the prices of the basket components may not result in a comparable change in the value of the notes.

 

 

The Notes Will Not Be Listed On Any Securities Exchange And We Do Not Expect A Trading Market For The Notes To Develop. The notes will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system. Although the agent and/or its affiliates may purchase the notes from holders, they are not obligated to do so and are not required to make a market for the notes. There can be no assurance that a secondary market will develop. Because we do not expect that any market makers will participate in a secondary market for the notes, the price at which you may be able to sell your notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which the agent is willing to buy your notes. If a secondary market does exist, it may be limited. Accordingly, there may be a limited number of buyers if you decide to sell your notes prior to stated maturity. This may affect the price you receive upon such sale. Consequently, you should be willing to hold the notes to stated maturity.

 

 

The Amount You Receive On The Notes Will Depend Upon The Performance Of The Basket And Therefore The Notes Are Subject To The Following Risks, As Discussed In More Detail In The Product Supplement:

 

   

Your Return On The Notes Could Be Less Than If You Owned The Shares Of The Basket Components. Your return on the notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the shares of the basket components because,

 

PRS-10


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Selected Risk Considerations (Continued)

 

 

among other reasons, the redemption amount will be determined by reference only to the average ending price, which will be calculated by reference only to the fund closing prices of the shares of the basket components without taking into consideration the value of dividends and other distributions paid on such shares.

 

   

Historical Prices Of The Basket Components Or The Securities Included In The Basket Components Should Not Be Taken As An Indication Of The Future Performance Of The Basket Components During The Term Of The Notes.

 

   

Changes That Affect The Basket Components Or The Underlying Indices May Affect The Value Of The Notes And The Amount You Will Receive At Stated Maturity.

 

   

We Cannot Control Actions By Any Of The Unaffiliated Companies Whose Securities Are Included In The Basket Components Or The Underlying Indices.

 

   

We And Our Affiliates Have No Affiliation With The Sponsors Of The Basket Components Or The Sponsors Of The Underlying Indices And Have Not Independently Verified Their Public Disclosure Of Information.

 

 

Changes In The Value Of The Basket Components May Offset Each Other. Price movements in the basket components may not correlate with each other. Even if the average component price of one of the basket components increases, the average component price of the other basket component may not increase as much or may even decline in value. Therefore, in calculating the average ending price of the Basket, an increase in the average component price of one of the basket components may be moderated, or wholly offset, by a lesser increase or a decline in the average component price of the other basket component. This may be particularly the case with the Basket since one of the basket components has a 80% weighting in the Basket.

 

 

An Investment Linked To The Shares Of The Basket Components Is Different From An Investment Linked To The Underlying Indices. The performance of the shares of a basket component may not exactly replicate the performance of the related underlying index because the basket component may not invest in all of the securities included in the related underlying index and because the basket component will reflect transaction costs and fees that are not included in the calculation of the related underlying index. A basket component may also hold securities or derivative financial instruments not included in the related underlying index. It is also possible that a basket component may not fully replicate the performance of the underlying index due to the temporary unavailability of certain securities in the secondary market or due to other extraordinary circumstances. In addition, because the shares of a basket component are traded on a securities exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the value of a share of a basket component may differ from the net asset value per share of such basket component. As a result, the performance of a basket component may not correlate perfectly with the performance of the related underlying index, and the return on the notes based on the performance of the basket components will not be the same as the return on securities based on the performance of the related underlying indices.

 

 

You Will Not Have Any Shareholder Rights With Respect To The Shares Of The Basket Components.

 

 

Anti-dilution Adjustments Relating To The Shares Of The Basket Components Do Not Address Every Event That Could Affect Such Shares.

 

 

An Investment In The Notes Is Subject To Risks Associated With Foreign Securities Markets. The basket components include the stocks of foreign companies and you should be aware that investments in securities linked to the value of foreign equity securities involve particular risks. Foreign securities markets may have less liquidity and may be more volatile than the U.S. securities markets, and market developments may affect foreign markets differently than U.S. securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize a foreign securities market, as well as cross-shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading prices and volumes in those markets. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about non-U.S. companies that are not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and non-U.S. companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.

The prices and performance of securities of non-U.S. companies are subject to political, economic, financial, military and social factors which could negatively affect foreign securities markets, including the possibility of recent or future changes in a foreign government’s economic, monetary and fiscal policies, the possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to foreign companies or investments in foreign equity securities, the possibility of imposition of withholding taxes on dividend income, the possibility of fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies, the possibility of outbreaks of hostility or political instability and the possibility of natural disaster or adverse public health developments. Moreover, the relevant non-U.S. economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in important respects, such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, trade surpluses or deficits, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.

 

PRS-11


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Selected Risk Considerations (Continued)

 

In addition, the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF includes companies in countries with emerging markets. Countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions (due to economic dependence upon commodity prices and international trade), and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens, currency devaluations or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of holdings difficult or impossible at times.

The securities included in the basket components may be listed on a foreign stock exchange. A foreign stock exchange may impose trading limitations intended to prevent extreme fluctuations in individual security prices and may suspend trading in certain circumstances. These actions could limit variations in the closing price of the basket components which could, in turn, adversely affect the value of the notes.

 

 

Exchange Rate Movements May Impact The Value Of The Notes. The notes will be denominated in U.S. dollars. Since the value of securities included in the basket components is quoted in a currency other than U.S. dollars and, as per the basket components, is converted into U.S. dollars or another currency, the amount payable on the notes on the maturity date will depend in part on the relevant exchange rates.

 

 

The Stated Maturity Date May Be Postponed If The Final Calculation Day Is Postponed. A calculation day with respect to a basket component will be postponed if the originally scheduled calculation day is not a trading day with respect to that basket component or if the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event has occurred or is continuing with respect to a basket component on that calculation day. If such a postponement occurs with respect to the final calculation day, the stated maturity date will be the later of (i) the initial stated maturity date and (ii) three business days after the postponed final calculation day.

 

 

Our Economic Interests And Those Of Any Dealer Participating In The Offering Are Potentially Adverse To Your Interests. You should be aware of the following ways in which our economic interests and those of any dealer participating in the distribution of the notes, which we refer to as a “participating dealer,” are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the notes. In engaging in certain of the activities described below, our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may take actions that may adversely affect the value of and your return on the notes, and in so doing they will have no obligation to consider your interests as an investor in the notes. Our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may realize a profit from these activities even if investors do not receive a favorable investment return on the notes.

 

   

The calculation agent is our affiliate and may be required to make discretionary judgments that affect the return you receive on the notes. WFS, which is our affiliate, will be the calculation agent for the notes. As calculation agent, WFS will determine the fund closing prices of the basket components on each calculation day and may be required to make other determinations that affect the return you receive on the notes at maturity. In making these determinations, the calculation agent may be required to make discretionary judgments, including determining whether a market disruption event has occurred with respect to a basket component on a scheduled calculation day, which may result in postponement of the calculation day with respect to that basket component; determining the fund closing price of a basket component if the calculation day is postponed with respect to that basket component to the last day to which it may be postponed and a market disruption event occurs on that day; adjusting the adjustment factor and other terms of the notes in certain circumstances; if a basket component undergoes a liquidation event, selecting a successor basket component or, if no successor basket component is available, determining the fund closing price of such basket component; and determining whether to adjust the fund closing price of a basket component on any calculation day in the event of certain changes in or modifications to the basket component or the underlying index. In making these discretionary judgments, the fact that WFS is our affiliate may cause it to have economic interests that are adverse to your interests as an investor in the notes, and WFS’s determinations as calculation agent may adversely affect your return on the notes.

 

   

The estimated value of the notes was calculated by our affiliate and is therefore not an independent third-party valuation. WFS calculated the estimated value of the notes set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement, which involved discretionary judgments by WFS, as described under “Selected Risk Considerations—The Estimated Value Of The Notes Is Determined By Our Affiliate’s Pricing Models, Which May Differ From Those Of Other Dealers” above. Accordingly, the estimated value of the notes set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement is not an independent third-party valuation.

 

PRS-12


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Selected Risk Considerations (Continued)

 

   

Research reports by our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may be inconsistent with an investment in the notes and may adversely affect the prices of the basket components. Our affiliates or any dealer participating in the offering of the notes or its affiliates may, at present or in the future, publish research reports on one or more of the basket components or the underlying indices or the companies whose securities are included in the basket components or the underlying indices. This research is modified from time to time without notice and may, at present or in the future, express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the notes. Any research reports on one or more of the basket components or the underlying indices or the companies whose securities are included in the basket components or the underlying indices could adversely affect the prices of the applicable basket components and, therefore, adversely affect the value of and your return on the notes. You are encouraged to derive information concerning the basket components from multiple sources and should not rely on the views expressed by us or our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates. In addition, any research reports on one or more of the basket components or the underlying indices or the companies whose securities are included in the basket components or the underlying indices published on or prior to the pricing date could result in an increase in the prices of the basket components on the pricing date, which would adversely affect investors in the notes by increasing the prices at which the basket components must close on each calculation day in order for investors in the notes to receive a favorable return.

 

   

Business activities of our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates with the companies whose securities are included in the basket components may adversely affect the prices of the basket components. Our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may, at present or in the future, engage in business with the companies whose securities are included in the basket components or the underlying indices, including making loans to those companies (including exercising creditors’ remedies with respect to such loans), making equity investments in those companies or providing investment banking, asset management or other advisory services to those companies. These business activities could adversely affect the prices of the basket components and, therefore, adversely affect the value of and your return on the notes. In addition, in the course of these business activities, our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may acquire non-public information about one or more of the companies whose securities are included in the basket components or the underlying indices. If our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates do acquire such non-public information, we and they are not obligated to disclose such non-public information to you.

 

   

Hedging activities by our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may adversely affect the prices of the basket components. We expect to hedge our obligations under the notes through one or more hedge counterparties, which may include our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates. Pursuant to such hedging activities, our hedge counterparties may acquire shares of the basket components, securities included in the basket components or the underlying indices or listed or over-the-counter derivative or synthetic instruments related to the basket components or such securities. Depending on, among other things, future market conditions, the aggregate amount and the composition of such positions are likely to vary over time. To the extent that our hedge counterparties have a long hedge position in shares of the basket components or any of the securities included in the basket components or the underlying indices, or derivative or synthetic instruments related to the basket components or such securities, they may liquidate a portion of such holdings at or about the time of a calculation day or at or about the time of a change in the securities included in the basket components or the underlying indices. These hedging activities could potentially adversely affect the prices of the shares of the basket components and, therefore, adversely affect the value of and your return on the notes.

 

   

Trading activities by our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may adversely affect the prices of the basket components. Our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may engage in trading in the shares of the basket components or the securities included in the basket components or the underlying indices and other instruments relating to the basket components or such securities on a regular basis as part of their general broker-dealer and other businesses. Any of these trading activities could potentially adversely affect the prices of the shares of the basket components and, therefore, adversely affect the value of and your return on the notes.

              A participating dealer or its affiliates may realize hedging profits projected by its proprietary pricing models in addition to any selling concession and/or distribution expense fee, creating a further incentive for the participating dealer to sell the notes to you. If any participating dealer or any of its affiliates conducts hedging activities for us in connection with the notes that participating dealer or its affiliates will expect to realize a projected profit from such hedging activities and this projected profit will be in addition to the concession and/or distribution expense fee that the participating dealer realizes for the sale of the notes to you. This additional projected profit may create a further incentive for the participating dealer to sell the notes to you.

 

PRS-13


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Hypothetical Returns

The following table illustrates, for a hypothetical participation rate of 120% (the midpoint of the specified range of the participation rate) and a range of hypothetical average ending prices of the Basket:

 

   

the hypothetical percentage change from the starting price to the hypothetical average ending price;

 

   

the hypothetical redemption amount payable at stated maturity per note;

 

   

the hypothetical total pre-tax rate of return; and

 

   

the hypothetical pre-tax annualized rate of return.

 

Hypothetical

average ending

price

 

Hypothetical

percentage change

from the starting price

to the hypothetical

average ending price

 

Hypothetical

redemption amount

payable at

stated maturity

per note

 

Hypothetical

pre-tax total

rate of return

 

Hypothetical

pre-tax

annualized

rate of return(1)

150.00   50.00%   $1,600.00   60.00%   6.81%
140.00   40.00%   $1,480.00   48.00%   5.67%
130.00   30.00%   $1,360.00   36.00%   4.43%
120.00   20.00%   $1,240.00   24.00%   3.09%
110.00   10.00%   $1,120.00   12.00%   1.62%
105.00   5.00%   $1,060.00   6.00%   0.83%
100.00(2)   0.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
95.00   -5.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
90.00   -10.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
80.00   -20.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
70.00   -30.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
60.00   -40.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
50.00   -50.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
25.00   -75.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
0.00   -100.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
(1)

The annualized rates of return are calculated on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis with compounding.

(2)

The starting price.

The above figures are for purposes of illustration only and may have been rounded for ease of analysis. The actual amount you receive at stated maturity and the resulting pre-tax rates of return will depend on the actual average ending price and the actual participation rate.

 

PRS-14


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Hypothetical Payments at Stated Maturity

Set forth below are four examples of payment at stated maturity calculations (rounded to two decimal places), reflecting a hypothetical participation rate of 120% (the midpoint of the specified range for the participation rate) and assuming average component returns as indicated in the examples. In order to more clearly present the hypothetical movements of the basket components, the graphs accompanying the hypothetical calculations use different scales for the fund closing prices on the vertical axis.

Example 1. The basket components generally appreciate earlier in the term of the notes and depreciate later in the term of the notes, and the redemption amount is greater than the original offering price:

 

LOGO

 

   

iShares MSCI

Emerging Markets

ETF

 

iShares MSCI

EAFE

ETF

  Initial Component Price

  $44.14   $66.16

  Average Component Price  

  $61.83   $96.01

  Average Component Return

  40.08%   45.12%

Based on the average component returns set forth above, the average ending price would equal:

100 x [1 + (80% x 40.08%) + (20% x 45.12%)] = 141.088

Since the average ending price is greater than the starting price, the redemption amount would equal:

 

$1,000  +         $1,000  x           141.088 – 100        

  x  120%  

     

  =  $1,493.06

            100            

On the stated maturity date you would receive $1,493.06 per note.

This example illustrates a scenario in which the averaging feature results in a greater return at maturity than a return based solely on the fund closing prices of the basket components on a date near maturity. In this scenario, the fund closing prices of the basket components increase early in the term of the notes, remain consistently above their initial component prices for a significant period of time and then decrease to prices below the average component prices near maturity of the notes. Note that, as Example 2 illustrates, there are other scenarios in which the averaging approach would result in a lower return at maturity.

 

PRS-15


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Hypothetical Payments at Stated Maturity (Continued)

 

Example 2. The basket components generally depreciate earlier in the term of the notes and appreciate later in the term of the notes, and the redemption amount is equal to the original offering price:

 

LOGO

 

   

iShares MSCI

Emerging Markets

ETF

 

iShares MSCI

EAFE

ETF

  Initial Component Price

  44.14   66.16

  Average Component Price  

  43.51   65.10

  Average Component Return

  -1.43%   -1.60%

Based on the average component returns set forth above, the average ending price would equal:

100 x [1 + (80% x -1.43%) + (20% x -1.60%)] = 98.536

Since the average ending price is less than the starting price, the redemption amount would equal $1,000.

On the stated maturity date you would receive $1,000 per note.

This example illustrates a scenario in which the averaging feature results in a lower return at maturity than a return based solely on the fund closing prices of the basket components on a date near maturity. In this scenario, the fund closing prices of the basket components decrease early in the term of the notes, remain consistently below the initial component prices for a significant period of time and then increase later in the term of the notes, with prices near maturity of the notes that are greater than the initial and average component prices. Although the fund closing prices of the basket components near maturity are significantly greater than the initial component prices, you would not receive any return on your notes.

 

PRS-16


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Hypothetical Payments at Stated Maturity (Continued)

 

Example 3. The basket components generally appreciate over the term of the notes, and the redemption amount is greater than the original offering price:

 

LOGO

 

   

iShares MSCI

Emerging Markets

ETF

 

iShares MSCI

EAFE

ETF

  Initial Component Price

  44.14   66.16

  Average Component Price  

  75.27   107.37

  Average Component Return

  70.53%   62.29%

Based on the average component returns set forth above, the average ending price would equal:

100 x [1 + (80% x 70.53%) + (20% x 62.29%)] = 168.882

Since the average ending price is greater than the starting price, the redemption amount would equal:

 

$1,000  +         $1,000  x           168.882 – 100        

  x  120%  

     

  =  $1,826.58

            100            

On the stated maturity date you would receive $1,826.58 per note.

This example illustrates a scenario in which the averaging feature results in a lower return at maturity than a return based solely on the fund closing prices of the basket components on a date near maturity. In this scenario, the fund closing prices of the basket components steadily increase over the term of the notes, resulting in fund closing prices near maturity that are greater than the average component prices.

 

PRS-17


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Hypothetical Payments at Stated Maturity (Continued)

 

Example 4. The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF generally depreciates, and the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF generally appreciates, over the term of the notes, and the redemption amount is greater than the original offering price:

 

LOGO

 

   

iShares MSCI

Emerging Markets

ETF

 

iShares MSCI

EAFE

ETF

  Initial Component Price

  44.14   66.16

  Average Component Price  

  35.55   135.72

  Average Component Return

  -19.46%   105.14%

Based on the average component returns set forth above, the average ending price would equal:

100 x [1 + (80% x -19.46%) + (20% x 105.14%)] = 105.460

Since the average ending price is greater than the starting price, the redemption amount would equal:

 

$1,000  +         $1,000  x           105.460 – 100        

  x  120%  

     

  =  $1,065.52

            100            

On the stated maturity date you would receive $1,065.52 per note.

In this example, the 19.46% decrease in the fund closing price of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a significant impact on the average ending price notwithstanding the increase in the fund closing price of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF due to the 80% weighting of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF. Although the average component price is significantly greater than the initial component price for one of the two basket components, the average ending price is only slightly greater than the starting price.

To the extent that the average component returns, average ending price and the actual participation rate differ from the values assumed above, the results indicated above would be different.

 

PRS-18


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

Hypothetical Historical Performance of the Basket

The Basket will represent a weighted portfolio of the following two basket components, with the return of each basket component having the weighting noted parenthetically: the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (80%); and the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (20%). The value of the Basket will increase or decrease depending upon the performance of the basket components. For more information regarding the basket components, see “The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF” and “The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF.” The Basket does not reflect the performance of all major securities markets.

While historical information on the value of the Basket does not exist for dates prior to the pricing date, the following graph sets forth the hypothetical historical daily values of the Basket for the period from January 1, 2004 to September 16, 2014 assuming that the Basket was constructed on January 1, 2004 with a starting price of 100 and that each of the basket components had the applicable weighting as of such day. We obtained the closing prices and other information used by us in order to create the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets (“Bloomberg”) without independent verification.

The values of the Basket depicted in the graph below have been calculated in a manner that is different from the manner in which the average ending price of the Basket will be determined. The value of the Basket depicted on any date in the graph below is based on the fund closing price of each basket component on that date (relative to its fund closing price on January 1, 2004). By contrast, the average ending price of the Basket will be calculated based on the average of fund closing prices of the basket components on calculation days occurring quarterly during the term of the notes (relative to the fund closing prices of the basket components on the pricing date).

The hypothetical historical basket values, as calculated solely for the purposes of the offering of the notes, fluctuated in the past and may, in the future, experience significant fluctuations. Any historical upward or downward trend in the value of the Basket during any period shown below is not an indication that the percentage change in the value of the Basket is more likely to be positive or negative during the term of the notes. The hypothetical historical values do not give an indication of future values of the Basket.

 

LOGO

 

PRS-19


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF is an exchange traded fund that seeks to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, an equity index that is designed to measure equity performance in global emerging markets. According to publicly available information, (i) on July 1, 2013, the name of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF changed from the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund to the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and (ii) Greece, Qatar and United Arab Emirates are now included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index while Morocco has been removed from the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The information about the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF contained herein updates the information under “The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund” in Annex A to the product supplement.

We obtained the closing prices listed below from Bloomberg without independent verification. You can obtain the value of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF at any time from Bloomberg under the symbol “EEM” or from the iShares website at www.ishares.com. No information contained on the iShares website is incorporated by reference into this pricing supplement.

The following graph sets forth daily closing prices of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF for the period from January 1, 2004 to September 16, 2014. The closing price on September 16, 2014 was $44.14. The historical performance of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the term of the notes.

 

LOGO

 

PRS-20


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices, as well as end-of-period closing prices, of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2004 through June 30, 2014 and for the period from July 1, 2014 to September 16, 2014.

 

      High         Low         Last    

2004

        

First Quarter

   $ 19.73       $ 18.39       $ 19.44   

Second Quarter

   $ 20.20       $ 15.91       $ 18.03   

Third Quarter

   $ 19.16       $ 16.95       $ 19.16   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 22.41       $ 18.92       $ 22.41   

2005

        

First Quarter

   $ 24.65       $ 21.23       $ 22.54   

Second Quarter

   $ 24.37       $ 21.67       $ 23.83   

Third Quarter

   $ 28.32       $ 23.93       $ 28.32   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 29.83       $ 25.07       $ 29.40   

2006

        

First Quarter

   $ 33.59       $ 30.43       $ 33.02   

Second Quarter

   $ 37.03       $ 27.34       $ 31.23   

Third Quarter

   $ 33.14       $ 29.20       $ 32.29   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 38.15       $ 31.80       $ 38.10   

2007

        

First Quarter

   $ 39.53       $ 35.03       $ 38.75   

Second Quarter

   $ 44.42       $ 39.13       $ 43.82   

Third Quarter

   $ 50.11       $ 39.50       $ 49.78   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 55.64       $ 47.27       $ 50.10   

2008

        

First Quarter

   $ 50.37       $ 42.17       $ 44.79   

Second Quarter

   $ 51.70       $ 44.43       $ 45.19   

Third Quarter

   $ 44.43       $ 31.33       $ 34.53   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 33.90       $ 18.22       $ 24.97   

2009

        

First Quarter

   $ 27.09       $ 19.94       $ 24.81   

Second Quarter

   $ 34.64       $ 25.65       $ 32.23   

Third Quarter

   $ 39.29       $ 30.75       $ 38.91   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 42.07       $ 37.56       $ 41.50   

2010

        

First Quarter

   $ 43.22       $ 36.83       $ 42.12   

Second Quarter

   $ 43.98       $ 36.16       $ 37.32   

Third Quarter

   $ 44.77       $ 37.59       $ 44.77   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 48.58       $ 44.77       $ 47.62   

2011

        

First Quarter

   $ 48.69       $ 44.63       $ 48.69   

Second Quarter

   $ 50.21       $ 45.50       $ 47.60   

Third Quarter

   $ 48.46       $ 34.95       $ 35.07   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 42.80       $ 34.36       $ 37.94   

2012

        

First Quarter

   $ 44.76       $ 38.23       $ 42.94   

Second Quarter

   $ 43.54       $ 36.68       $ 39.19   

Third Quarter

   $ 42.37       $ 37.42       $ 41.32   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 44.35       $ 40.14       $ 44.35   

2013

        

First Quarter

   $ 45.20       $ 41.80       $ 42.78   

Second Quarter

   $ 44.23       $ 36.63       $ 38.57   

Third Quarter

   $ 43.29       $ 37.34       $ 40.77   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 43.66       $ 40.44       $ 41.77   

2014

        

First Quarter

   $ 40.99       $ 37.09       $ 40.99   

Second Quarter

   $ 43.95       $ 40.82       $ 43.23   

July 1, 2014 to September 16, 2014

   $ 45.85       $ 43.32       $ 44.14   

 

PRS-21


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF is an exchange traded fund that seeks to track the MSCI EAFE Index, an equity index that is designed to measure equity performance in developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. According to publicly available information, (i) on July 1, 2013, the name of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF changed from the iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund to the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and (ii) Greece has been removed from the MSCI EAFE Index. The information about the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF contained herein updates the information under “The iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund” in Annex A to the product supplement.

We obtained the closing prices listed below from Bloomberg without independent verification. You can obtain the value of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF at any time from Bloomberg under the symbol “EFA” or from the iShares website at www.ishares.com. No information contained on the iShares website is incorporated by reference into this pricing supplement.

The following graph sets forth daily closing prices of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF for the period from January 1, 2004 to September 16, 2014. The closing price on September 16, 2014 was $66.16. The historical performance of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the term of the notes.

 

LOGO

 

PRS-22


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices, as well as end-of-period closing prices, of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2004 through June 30, 2014 and for the period from July 1, 2014 to September 16, 2014.

 

      High         Low         Last    

2004

        

First Quarter

   $ 48.09       $ 45.06       $ 47.23   

Second Quarter

   $ 48.04       $ 43.41       $ 47.67   

Third Quarter

   $ 47.49       $ 44.60       $ 47.16   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 53.36       $ 47.18       $ 53.30   

2005

        

First Quarter

   $ 55.27       $ 51.18       $ 52.92   

Second Quarter

   $ 53.87       $ 51.33       $ 52.35   

Third Quarter

   $ 58.50       $ 52.05       $ 58.09   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 60.91       $ 54.72       $ 59.42   

2006

        

First Quarter

   $ 65.40       $ 60.33       $ 64.99   

Second Quarter

   $ 70.58       $ 59.60       $ 65.35   

Third Quarter

   $ 68.46       $ 61.62       $ 67.78   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 74.31       $ 67.96       $ 73.26   

2007

        

First Quarter

   $ 76.94       $ 70.95       $ 76.27   

Second Quarter

   $ 81.79       $ 76.47       $ 80.63   

Third Quarter

   $ 83.77       $ 73.70       $ 82.56   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 86.18       $ 78.24       $ 78.50   

2008

        

First Quarter

   $ 78.35       $ 68.31       $ 71.90   

Second Quarter

   $ 78.52       $ 68.10       $ 68.70   

Third Quarter

   $ 68.04       $ 53.08       $ 56.30   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 55.88       $ 35.71       $ 44.87   

2009

        

First Quarter

   $ 45.44       $ 31.69       $ 37.59   

Second Quarter

   $ 49.04       $ 38.57       $ 45.81   

Third Quarter

   $ 55.81       $ 43.91       $ 54.70   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 57.28       $ 52.66       $ 55.30   

2010

        

First Quarter

   $ 57.96       $ 50.45       $ 56.00   

Second Quarter

   $ 58.03       $ 46.29       $ 46.51   

Third Quarter

   $ 55.42       $ 47.09       $ 54.92   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 59.46       $ 54.25       $ 58.23   

2011

        

First Quarter

   $ 61.91       $ 55.31       $ 60.09   

Second Quarter

   $ 63.87       $ 57.10       $ 60.14   

Third Quarter

   $ 60.80       $ 46.66       $ 47.75   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 55.57       $ 46.45       $ 49.53   

2012

        

First Quarter

   $ 55.80       $ 49.15       $ 54.90   

Second Quarter

   $ 55.51       $ 46.55       $ 49.96   

Third Quarter

   $ 55.15       $ 47.62       $ 53.00   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 56.88       $ 51.96       $ 56.82   

2013

        

First Quarter

   $ 59.89       $ 56.90       $ 58.98   

Second Quarter

   $ 63.53       $ 57.03       $ 57.38   

Third Quarter

   $ 65.05       $ 57.55       $ 63.79   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 67.06       $ 62.71       $ 67.06   

2014

        

First Quarter

   $ 68.03       $ 62.31       $ 67.17   

Second Quarter

   $ 70.67       $ 66.26       $ 68.37   

July 1, 2014 to September 16, 2014

   $ 69.25       $ 64.90       $ 66.16   

 

PRS-23


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

United States Federal Tax Considerations

Prospective investors should note that the discussion under the section called “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement does not apply to the notes issued under this pricing supplement and is superseded by the following discussion.

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income and certain estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the notes. It applies to you only if you purchase a note for cash in the initial offering at the “issue price,” which is the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold to the public, and hold the note as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). It does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances or if you are a holder subject to special rules, such as:

 

   

a financial institution;

 

   

a “regulated investment company”;

 

   

a “real estate investment trust”;

 

   

a tax-exempt entity, including an “individual retirement account” or “Roth IRA”;

 

   

a dealer or trader in securities subject to a mark-to-market method of tax accounting with respect to the notes;

 

   

a person holding a note as part of a “straddle” or conversion transaction or who has entered into a “constructive sale” with respect to a note;

 

   

a person subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

   

a U.S. holder (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; or

 

   

an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership holding the notes or a partner in such a partnership, you should consult your tax adviser as to the particular U.S. federal tax consequences of holding and disposing of the notes to you.

In addition, we will not attempt to ascertain whether any issuer of any shares to which a note relates (such shares hereafter referred to as “underlying shares”) is treated as a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. If any issuer of underlying shares were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply to a non-U.S. holder upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of a note. You should refer to information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other governmental authorities by the issuers of the underlying shares and consult your tax adviser regarding the possible consequences to you if any issuer is or becomes a USRPHC.

This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, all as of the date hereof, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this pricing supplement may affect the tax consequences described herein. Any consequences resulting from the Medicare tax on investment income are not discussed. The consequences of receipt, ownership or disposition of any underlying shares are also not discussed. You should consult your tax adviser with regard to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction.

General

In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the notes will be treated as “contingent payment debt instruments” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the discussion herein is based on this treatment.

 

PRS-24


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

United States Federal Tax Considerations (Continued)

 

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a U.S. holder. As used herein, the term “U.S. holder” means, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of a note that is:

 

   

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; or

 

   

an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

Interest Accruals on the Notes. Pursuant to rules governing the tax treatment of contingent payment debt instruments (the “contingent debt regulations”), you will be required to accrue interest income on the notes on a constant yield basis, based on a comparable yield, as described below, regardless of whether you use the cash or accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, you will be required to include interest in your taxable income each year in that you hold the notes even though the notes do not provide for a payment until maturity (or earlier sale, exchange or retirement).

Under the contingent debt regulations, you will be required to accrue an amount of ordinary interest income, as original issue discount (“OID”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for each accrual period prior to and including the maturity date of the notes that equals the product of:

 

   

the adjusted issue price (as defined below) of the notes as of the beginning of the accrual period,

 

   

the comparable yield (as defined below) of the notes, adjusted for the length of the accrual period, and

 

   

a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the accrual period that you held the notes and the denominator of which is the number of days in the accrual period.

The “adjusted issue price” of a note is its issue price increased by any interest income previously accrued.

As used in the contingent debt regulations, the term “comparable yield” means the greater of (i) the annual yield we would pay, as of the issue date, on a fixed-rate debt instrument with no contingent payments, but with terms and conditions otherwise comparable to those of the notes, and (ii) the applicable federal rate. We have determined that the comparable yield for the notes is a rate of [ ]% per annum, compounded semi-annually. Based on the comparable yield set forth above, the “projected payment schedule” for a note (assuming a price of $ [ ]) consists of a single projected amount equal to $ [ ] due at maturity.

The following table states the amount of OID (without taking into account any income or loss recognized in connection with the sale, exchange or retirement of the note) that will be deemed to have accrued with respect to a note for each accrual period (assuming a day count convention of 30 days per month and 360 days per year), based upon the comparable yield set forth above.

 

PRS-25


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

United States Federal Tax Considerations (Continued)

 

ACCRUAL PERIOD

  

OID DEEMED TO ACCRUE

DURING ACCRUAL

PERIOD (PER NOTE)

   TOTAL OID DEEMED TO
HAVE ACCRUED FROM
ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE
(PER NOTE) AS OF  END
OF ACCRUAL PERIOD

Original Issue Date through December 31, 2014

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

January 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

July 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

July 1, 2021 through the Maturity Date

   $ [    ]    $ [    ]

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, you are required under the contingent debt regulations to use the comparable yield and the projected payment schedule established by us in determining interest accruals and adjustments in respect of a note, unless you timely disclose and justify the use of a different comparable yield and projected payment schedule to the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”).

The comparable yield and the projected payment schedule will not be used for any purpose other than to determine your interest accruals and adjustments thereto in respect of a note for U.S. federal income tax purposes. They do not constitute a projection or representation by us regarding the actual amount that will be paid on a note.

Sale, Exchange or Retirement of Notes. You will recognize taxable gain or loss on the sale, exchange or retirement of a note equal to the difference between the amount received and your adjusted tax basis in the note. Any gain recognized will be treated as ordinary interest income, and any loss will be ordinary loss to the extent of previous interest inclusions and capital loss thereafter. If you are a non-corporate U.S. holder, any loss you recognize will not be subject to the two percent floor limitation on miscellaneous itemized deductions. Any capital loss you recognize may be subject to limitations. Moreover, if you recognize a loss that meets certain thresholds you may be required to file a disclosure statement with the IRS.

Your adjusted tax basis in a note generally will be equal to your original purchase price for the note, increased by any interest income you previously accrued.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Backup withholding may apply in respect of the amounts paid to you on a note, unless you provide proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number, and otherwise comply with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. The amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not an additional tax and may be refunded, or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. In addition, information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with the payment on the notes and the proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the notes, unless you provide proof of an applicable exemption from the information reporting rules.

 

PRS-26


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

United States Federal Tax Considerations (Continued)

 

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a non-U.S. holder. As used herein, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of a note that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is classified as a nonresident alien;

 

   

a foreign corporation; or

 

   

a foreign estate or trust.

The term “non-U.S. holder” does not include any of the following holders:

 

   

a holder who is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition of a note;

 

   

certain former citizens or residents of the United States; or

 

   

a holder for whom income or gain in respect of the notes is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

Such holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes.

Subject to the discussions above concerning Section 897 of the Code and below concerning backup withholding and FATCA, you will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of the notes, provided that:

 

   

You do not own, directly or by attribution, ten percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote;

 

   

You are not a controlled foreign corporation related, directly or indirectly, to us through stock ownership;

 

   

You are not a bank receiving interest under Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code; and

 

   

the certification requirement described below has been fulfilled with respect to the beneficial owner.

The certification requirement referred to in the preceding paragraph will be fulfilled if the beneficial owner of a note (or a financial institution holding a note on behalf of the beneficial owner) furnishes to the applicable withholding agent an appropriate IRS Form W-8 on which the beneficial owner certifies under penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Information returns will be filed with the IRS with respect to amounts treated as interest, and may be filed with the IRS in connection with the payment of proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the notes. You may be subject to backup withholding in respect of amounts paid to you, unless you comply with certification procedures to establish that you are not a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise establish an exemption. Compliance with the certification procedures described above will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to you will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax

Individual non-U.S. holders and entities the property of which is potentially includible in such an individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers) should consider the U.S. federal estate tax implications of an investment in the notes. Absent an applicable treaty benefit, a note will be treated as U.S.-situs property subject to U.S. federal estate tax if payments on the note if received by the decedent at the time of death would have been subject to U.S. federal withholding tax (even if the W-8 certification requirement described above were satisfied and not taking into account an elimination of such U.S. federal withholding tax due to the

 

PRS-27


Market Linked Notes

Notes Linked to an International ETF Basket due October 7, 2021

 

United States Federal Tax Considerations (Continued)

 

application of an income tax treaty). You should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of an investment in the notes in your particular situation and the availability of benefits provided by an applicable estate tax treaty, if any.

FATCA Legislation

Legislation commonly referred to as “FATCA” generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on payments to certain non-U.S. entities (including financial intermediaries) with respect to certain financial instruments, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements have been satisfied. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the non-U.S. entity’s jurisdiction may modify these requirements. Withholding (if applicable) applies to any payment on the notes of amounts treated as interest and, after December 31, 2016, to payments of gross proceeds of the sale, exchange or retirement of the notes. If withholding applies to the notes, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the potential application of FATCA to the notes.

 

PRS-28