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Product Prospectus Supplement No. STEPS-1
(To Prospectus dated December 26, 2018 and Prospectus Supplement dated December 26, 2018)
April 10, 2019
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-228614 |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to a Single Equity Security
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The STEP Income Securities® (the “notes”) are senior unsecured debt securities issued by The Bank of Nova Scotia (the “Bank”). All payments
due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of the Bank.
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The notes do not guarantee the return of principal at maturity. Instead, the payment at maturity will be based on the performance of an underlying “Market Measure,” which will be either the common equity securities or American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) of a company other than us, the agents, and our respective affiliates (the “Underlying Stock”).
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The notes pay periodic interest payments at a fixed interest rate over their term and provide an opportunity to earn an additional fixed payment at maturity (the “Step Payment”). However, your payment at maturity will be exposed to any negative performance of the Underlying Stock below the Threshold
Value (as defined below) on a 1-to-1 basis.
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If the value of the Underlying Stock increases from its Starting Value to an Ending Value (each as defined below) that is greater than or equal to a specified “Step Level,” the cash payment per unit at maturity (the “Redemption Amount”) will equal the principal amount plus the Step Payment. Your maximum return on the notes will equal the interest payments plus the Step Payment, if any.
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If the Ending Value is less than the Step Level, but greater than or equal to the Threshold Value, you will receive your principal amount at maturity. However, if
the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value, you will be subject to 1-to-1 downside exposure to the decrease of the Underlying Stock below the Threshold Value. In such case, you may lose all or a significant portion of the
principal amount of your notes.
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This product prospectus supplement describes the general terms of the notes, the risk factors to consider before investing, the general manner in
which they may be offered and sold, and other relevant information.
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For each offering of the notes, we will provide you with a pricing
supplement (which we refer to as a “term sheet”) that will describe the specific terms of that offering, including the specific Underlying Stock, the Threshold Value, the Step Level, the Step Payment, the interest rate, the interest payment dates, and
certain related risk factors. The term sheet will identify, if applicable, any additions or changes to the terms specified in this product prospectus supplement.
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The notes will be issued in denominations of whole units. Unless
otherwise set forth in the applicable term sheet, each unit will have a principal amount of $10. The term sheet may also set forth a minimum number of units that you must purchase.
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Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, the notes will not be listed on a securities exchange or quotation system.
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Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”)
and one or more of its affiliates may act as our agents to offer the notes and MLPF&S will act in a principal capacity in such role.
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The notes are unsecured and are not savings accounts or insured deposits of a bank. The notes are not
insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) or any other governmental agency
of the United States, Canada, or any other jurisdiction. Potential purchasers of the notes should consider the information in “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-6 of this product prospectus supplement, page S-2 of the accompanying prospectus
supplement, and page 5 of the accompanying prospectus. You may lose all or a significant portion of your principal amount of the notes.
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 passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this
product prospectus supplement, the prospectus supplement, or the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Merrill Lynch & Co.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SUMMARY
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PS-3
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RISK FACTORS
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PS-6
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USE OF PROCEEDS AND HEDGING
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PS-16
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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
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PS-17
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SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
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PS-28
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SUPPLEMENTAL DISCUSSION OF CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
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PS-30
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
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PS-31
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ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
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PS-39
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“STEP Income Securities®” and "STEPS" are registered service marks of Bank of America Corporation, the parent corporation of MLPF&S.
PS-2
SUMMARY
The information in this “Summary” section is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed explanation set forth
elsewhere in this product prospectus supplement, the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus, as well as the applicable term sheet. Neither we nor MLPF&S have authorized any other person to provide you with any information different from the
information set forth in these documents. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information about the notes, you should not rely on it.
Key Terms:
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General:
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The notes are senior unsecured debt securities issued by the Bank, are not guaranteed or insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or the
FDIC, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. They rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured debt from time to time outstanding. All payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, are subject to our credit risk.
The payment at maturity on the notes will be based on the performance of an Underlying Stock, and there is no guaranteed return of principal at
maturity. Therefore, you may lose all or a significant portion of your principal amount if the value of the Underlying Stock decreases from the Starting Value to an Ending Value that is less than the Threshold Value.
Each issue of the notes will mature on the date set forth in the applicable term sheet. We cannot redeem the notes at any earlier date; however, the
maturity date of the notes may be accelerated under the limited circumstances as set forth in the section “Description of the Notes—Anti-Dilution Adjustments—Reorganization Events.” We will make periodic interest payments on the notes at
the fixed interest rate specified in the applicable term sheet.
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Interest Rate:
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The interest rate will be specified in the applicable term sheet.
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Underlying Stock:
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The common equity securities of a company (the “Underlying
Company”) represented either by a class of equity securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”), or by ADRs registered under the Exchange Act.
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Underlying Stock Performance:
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The performance of the Underlying Stock will be measured according to the percentage change of the Underlying Stock from its Starting Value to its
Ending Value.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet:
The “Starting Value” will be the price of the Underlying Stock on the date when the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”), determined as set forth in the applicable term sheet.
The “Threshold Value” will be a price of the
Underlying Stock that equals a specified percentage (100% or less) of the Starting Value. The Threshold Value will be determined on the pricing date and set forth in the term sheet. If the Threshold Value is equal to 100% of the Starting
Value, you will be exposed to any decrease in the value of the Underlying Stock from the Starting Value to the Ending Value on a 1-to-1 basis, and you may lose all of your principal amount of the notes.
The “Ending Value” will equal the Closing
Market Price (as defined below) of the Underlying Stock on the valuation date multiplied by the Price Multiplier (as defined below) on that day.
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PS-3
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If a Market Disruption Event (as defined under “Description of the Notes—Market Disruption Events”) occurs and is continuing on the valuation date,
or if certain other events occur, the calculation agent will determine the Ending Value as set forth in the section “Description of the Notes—The Starting Value and the Ending Value—Ending Value.”
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Price Multiplier:
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Unless otherwise set forth in the term sheet, the “Price
Multiplier” for the Underlying Stock will be 1, and will be subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to the Underlying Stock described below under “Description of the Notes—Anti-Dilution Adjustments.”
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Redemption Amount at Maturity:
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At maturity, you will receive a Redemption Amount that will equal the principal amount plus the Step Payment if the Ending Value
is greater than or equal to the Step Level. If the Ending Value is less than the Step Level, but is greater than or equal to the Threshold Value, then the Redemption Amount will equal the principal amount. If the Ending Value is less than
the Threshold Value, you will be subject to 1-to-1 downside exposure to the decrease of the Underlying Stock below the Threshold Value, and will receive a Redemption Amount that is less than the principal amount and, if the Threshold Value
is equal to 100% of the Starting Value, could be zero.
All payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, are subject to our credit risk as issuer
of the notes.
The Redemption Amount, denominated in U.S. dollars, will be calculated as follows:
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Principal at Risk:
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You may lose all or a significant portion of the principal amount of the notes. Further, if you sell your notes prior to maturity, you may find that
the market value per note is less than the price that you paid for the notes.
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PS-4
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Calculation Agent:
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The calculation agent will make all determinations associated with the notes. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable term sheet, we will
appoint MLPF&S or one of its affiliates to act as calculation agent for the notes. See the section entitled “Description of the Notes—Role of the Calculation Agent.”
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Agents:
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MLPF&S and one or more of its affiliates will act as our agents in connection with each offering of the notes and will receive an underwriting
discount based on the number of units of the notes sold. None of the agents is your fiduciary or advisor solely as a result of the making of any offering of the notes, and you should not rely upon this product prospectus supplement, the
term sheet, or the accompanying prospectus or prospectus supplement as investment advice or a recommendation to purchase the notes.
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Listing:
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Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, the notes will not be listed on a securities exchange or quotation system.
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This product prospectus supplement relates only to the notes and does not relate to the Underlying Stock described
in any term sheet. You should read carefully the entire prospectus, prospectus supplement, and this product prospectus supplement, together with the applicable term sheet, to understand fully the terms of your notes, as well as the tax and other
considerations important to you in making a decision about whether to invest in any notes. In particular, you should review carefully the sections in this product prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus
entitled “Risk Factors,” which highlight a number of risks of an investment in the notes, to determine whether an investment in the notes is appropriate for you. If information in this product prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the
prospectus or prospectus supplement, this product prospectus supplement will supersede those documents. However, if information in any term sheet is inconsistent with this product prospectus supplement, that term sheet will supersede this
product prospectus supplement.
Neither we nor any agent is making an offer to sell the notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
Certain capitalized terms used and not defined in this product prospectus supplement have the meanings ascribed to
them in the prospectus supplement and prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this product prospectus supplement to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to the Bank.
You are urged to consult with your own attorneys and business and tax advisors before making a decision to purchase
any notes.
PS-5
RISK FACTORS
Your investment in the notes is subject to investment risks, many of which differ from those of a
conventional debt security. Your decision to purchase the notes should be made only after carefully considering the risks, including those discussed below, in light of your particular circumstances. The notes are not an appropriate investment for
you if you are not knowledgeable about the material terms of the notes or investments in equity or equity-based securities in general.
General Risks Relating to the Notes
Your investment may
result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal. There is no fixed principal repayment amount on the notes at maturity. The payment at maturity will be based on the performance of the Underlying Stock and therefore, you may
lose all or a significant portion of your principal amount if the value of the Underlying Stock decreases from the Starting Value to an Ending Value that is less than the Threshold Value. If the Threshold Value is equal to 100% of the Starting Value,
the Redemption Amount could be zero and you may lose all of the principal amount.
You will not receive a
Step Payment at maturity unless the Ending Value of the Underlying Stock is greater than or equal to the Step Level on the valuation date. If the Ending Value of your notes is less than the Step Level on the valuation date, you will not
receive a Step Payment on the maturity date. This will be the case even if the value of the Underlying Stock to which your notes are linked is equal to or greater than the Step Level at certain points during the term of the notes.
Your return on the notes
may be less than the yield on a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. The return that you receive on the notes may be less than the return you would earn if you purchased a conventional debt security with
the same maturity date. As a result, your investment in the notes may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you consider factors, such as inflation, that affect the time value of money.
Your investment return
is limited to the return represented by the periodic interest payments over the term of the notes and the Step Payment, if any, and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the Underlying Stock. Your return on the notes is
based on the periodic interest payments over the term of the notes and on the performance of the Underlying Stock from the Starting Value to the Ending Value. However, your return on the notes will never exceed the sum of (i) the periodic interest
payments over the term of the notes and (ii) the Step Payment, if any, at maturity, regardless of the extent to which the Ending Value exceeds the Step Level. In contrast, a direct investment in the Underlying Stock would allow you to receive the
full benefit of any appreciation in the value of the Underlying Stock.
In addition, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable term sheet or in this product prospectus supplement under
“Description of the Notes—Anti-Dilution Adjustments,” the Ending Value will not reflect the value of dividends paid, or distributions made, on the Underlying Stock, or any other rights associated with the Underlying Stock. Your return on the notes
will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of the Underlying Stock.
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. The notes are our senior unsecured debt securities, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. As a result, your receipt of the interest payments on
the notes and the
PS-6
Redemption Amount at maturity is dependent upon our ability to repay our obligations on the payment dates, regardless of whether the
Underlying Stock increases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition will be on any payment date. If we become unable to meet our financial obligations as they become due, you may not
receive the amounts payable under the terms of the notes.
In addition, our credit ratings are an assessment by ratings agencies of our ability to pay our obligations.
Consequently, our perceived creditworthiness and actual or anticipated decreases in our credit ratings or increases in the spread between the yield on our securities and the yield on U.S. Treasury securities (the “credit spread”) prior to the maturity date may adversely affect the market value of the notes. However, because your return on the notes depends upon factors in addition to
our ability to pay our obligations, such as the value of the Underlying Stock, an improvement in our credit ratings will not reduce the other investment risks related to the notes.
Our initial estimated
value of the notes will be lower than the public offering price of the notes. Our initial estimated value of the notes is only an estimate. The public offering price of the notes will exceed our initial estimated value because it includes
costs associated with selling and structuring the notes, as well as hedging our obligations under the notes with a third party, which may include MLPF&S or one of its affiliates. These costs include the underwriting discount and an expected
hedging related charge.
Our initial estimated
value of the notes does not represent future values of the notes and may differ from others’ estimates. Our initial estimated value of the notes is determined by reference to our internal pricing models when the terms of the notes are set.
These pricing models consider certain factors, such as our internal funding rate (which is the rate we would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes, such as the notes) on the pricing date, the expected term of the notes,
market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, and our assumptions about market parameters, which can include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide
valuations for the notes that are different from our initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change, and any of our assumptions may prove to be incorrect. On future dates, the market value
of the notes could change significantly based on, among other things, the performance of the Underlying Stock, changes in market conditions, our creditworthiness, interest rate movements and other relevant factors. These factors, together with
various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the notes in complex and unpredictable ways. Our
initial estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which we or any agents would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time.
Our initial estimated
value is not determined by reference to credit spreads or the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities. The internal funding rate used in the determination of our initial estimated value of the notes
generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities and the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities. If we were to use the interest rate implied by the credit
spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities, or the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities, we would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you. Consequently, our use of an
internal funding rate for the notes would have an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes, the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date, and the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any secondary market.
PS-7
We cannot assure you
that there will be a trading market for your notes. If a secondary market exists, we cannot predict how the notes will trade, or whether that market will be liquid or illiquid. The development of a trading market for the notes will depend
on various factors, including our financial performance and changes in the value of the Underlying Stock. The number of potential buyers of your notes in any secondary market may be limited. There is no assurance that any party will be willing to
purchase your notes at any price in any secondary market.
We anticipate that one or more of the agents or their affiliates will act as a market-maker for the notes, but none of
them is required to do so and may cease to do so at any time. Any price at which an agent or its affiliate may bid for, offer, purchase, or sell any notes may be higher or lower than the applicable public offering price, and that price may differ
from the values determined by pricing models that it may use, whether as a result of dealer discounts, mark-ups, or other transaction costs. These bids, offers, or transactions may adversely affect the prices, if any, at which those notes might
otherwise trade in the market. In addition, if at any time any entity were to cease acting as a market-maker for any issue of the notes, it is likely that there would be significantly less liquidity in that secondary market. In such case, the price
at which those notes could be sold likely would be lower than if an active market existed.
Unless otherwise stated in the term sheet, we will not list the notes on any securities exchange or quotation system.
Even if an application were made to list your notes, we cannot assure you that the application will be approved or that your notes will be listed and, if listed, that they will remain listed for their entire term. The listing of the notes on any
securities exchange or quotation system will not necessarily ensure that a trading market will develop, and if a trading market does develop, that there will be liquidity in the trading market.
The Redemption Amount
will not reflect changes in the value of
the Underlying Stock other than on the valuation
date. Changes in the value of the Underlying Stock during the term of the notes other than on the valuation date will not be reflected in the calculation of the Redemption Amount. To calculate the Redemption Amount, the calculation agent
will compare only the Ending Value to the Step Level or the Threshold Value, as applicable. No other values of the Underlying Stock will be taken into account. As a result, even if the value of the Underlying Stock has increased at certain times
during the term of the notes, you will receive a Redemption Amount that is less than the principal amount if the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value.
If you attempt to sell
the notes prior to maturity, their market value, if any, will be affected by various factors that interrelate in complex ways, and their market value may be less than the principal amount. The notes are not designed to be short-term trading
instruments. The limited protection, if any, against the risk of losses provided by the Threshold Value will only apply if you hold the notes to maturity. You have no right to have your notes redeemed prior to maturity. If you wish to liquidate
your investment in the notes prior to maturity, your only option would be to sell them. At that time, there may be an illiquid market for the notes or no market at all. Even if you were able to sell the notes, there are many factors outside of our
control that may affect their market value, some of which, but not all, are stated below. The impact of any one factor may be offset or magnified by the effect of another factor. The following paragraphs describe a specific factor’s expected impact
on the market value of the notes, assuming all other conditions remain constant.
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Value of the Underlying Stock. We anticipate that the market
value of the notes prior to maturity generally will depend to a significant extent on the value of the Underlying Stock. In general, it is expected that the market value of the notes will decrease as the
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PS-8
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value of the Underlying Stock decreases, and increase as the value of the Underlying Stock increases (up to the Step Level). However, as the value of the Underlying
Stock increases or decreases, the market value of the notes is not expected to increase or decrease at the same rate. If you sell your notes when the value of the Underlying Stock is less than, or not sufficiently above, the Threshold
Value, then you may receive less than the principal amount of your notes.
In addition, we do not expect that the notes will trade in any secondary market at a price that is greater than the sum of the principal amount, the value of any
remaining interest payments and the Step Payment.
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Volatility of the Underlying Stock. Volatility is the term used
to describe the size and frequency of market fluctuations. Increases or decreases in the volatility of the Underlying Stock may have an adverse impact on the market value of the notes. Even if the value of the Underlying Stock increases
after the applicable pricing date, if you are able to sell your notes before their maturity date, you may receive substantially less than the amount that would be payable at maturity based on that value because of the anticipation that the
value of the Underlying Stock will continue to fluctuate until the Ending Value is determined.
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Economic and Other Conditions Generally. The general economic
conditions of the capital markets in the United States, as well as geopolitical conditions and other financial, political, regulatory, and judicial events and related uncertainties that affect stock markets generally, may adversely affect
the value of the Underlying Stock and the market value of the notes. If the Underlying Stock is an ADR, the value of your notes may also be adversely affected by similar events in the markets of the relevant foreign country.
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Interest Rates. We expect that changes in interest rates will
affect the market value of the notes. In general, if U.S. interest rates increase, we expect that the market value of the notes will decrease, and conversely, if U.S. interest rates decrease, we expect that the market value of the notes
will increase. In general, we expect that the longer the amount of time that remains until maturity, the more significant the impact of these changes will be on the value of the notes. The level of interest rates also may affect the U.S.
economy and any applicable market outside of the U.S., and, in turn, the value of the Underlying Stock, and, thus, the market value of the notes may be adversely affected. If the Underlying Stock is an ADR, the level of interest rates in
the relevant foreign country may affect the economy of that foreign country and, in turn, the value of the ADR, and, thus, the market value of the notes may be adversely affected.
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Dividend Yields. In general, if the cumulative dividend yield on
the Underlying Stock increases, we anticipate that the market value of the notes will decrease; conversely, if that dividend yield decreases, we anticipate that the market value of your notes will increase.
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Our Financial Condition and Creditworthiness. Our perceived
creditworthiness, including any increases in our credit spreads and any actual or anticipated decreases in our credit ratings, may adversely affect the market value of the notes. In general, we expect the longer the amount of time that
remains until maturity, the more significant the impact will be on the value of the notes. However, a decrease in our credit spreads or an improvement in our credit ratings will not necessarily increase the market value of the notes.
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PS-9
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Time to Maturity. There may be a disparity between the market
value of the notes prior to maturity and their value at maturity. This disparity is often called a time “value,” “premium,” or “discount,” and reflects expectations concerning the value of the Underlying Stock prior to the maturity date. As
the time to maturity decreases, this disparity may decrease, such that the value of the notes will approach the expected Redemption Amount and the interest payment to be paid at maturity.
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Trading and hedging activities by us, the agents, and our respective affiliates may affect your return on the notes and their market value. We, the agents,
and our respective affiliates may buy or sell shares of the Underlying Stock, futures, options contracts or exchange-traded instruments on
the Underlying Stock, or other listed or over-the counter derivative instruments linked to the Underlying Stock. We, the agents, or our respective affiliates may execute such purchases or sales for our own or their own accounts, for business
reasons, or in connection with hedging our obligations under the notes. These transactions could affect the value of the Underlying Stock in a manner that could be adverse to your investment in the notes. On or before the applicable pricing date,
any purchases by us (including those for the purpose of hedging some or all of our anticipated exposure in connection with the notes), the agents, and our respective affiliates, or others on our or their behalf may increase the value of the
Underlying Stock. Consequently, the value of the Underlying Stock may decrease subsequent to the pricing date of an issue of the notes, adversely affecting the market
value of the notes.
We, the agents, or one or more of our respective affiliates may also engage in hedging activities that could increase
the value of the Underlying Stock on the applicable pricing date. In addition, these activities may decrease the market value of your notes prior to maturity, including on the valuation date, and may reduce the Redemption Amount. We, the agents, or
one or more of our respective affiliates may purchase or otherwise acquire a long or short position in the notes, and may hold or resell the notes. For example, the agents may enter into these transactions in connection with any market making
activities in which they engage. We cannot assure you that these activities will not adversely affect the value of the Underlying Stock, the market value of your notes prior to maturity or the Redemption Amount.
Our trading, hedging and
other business activities, and those of the agents or one or more of our respective affiliates, may create conflicts of interest with you.
We, the agents, or one or more of our respective affiliates may engage in trading activities related to the Underlying Stock that are not for your account or on your behalf. We, the agents, or one or more of our respective affiliates also may issue
or underwrite other financial instruments with returns based upon the Underlying Stock. In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the agents and their affiliates may hold and trade our or our affiliates’ debt and equity
securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Certain of the agents or their affiliates may also have a lending relationship with us. In
order to hedge such exposure, the agents may enter into transactions such as the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our or our affiliates’ securities, including potentially the notes. Any such short positions
could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes. These trading and other business activities may present a conflict of interest between your interest in the notes and the interests we, the agents and our respective affiliates may have in
our proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions, including block trades, for our or their other customers, and in accounts under our or their management. These trading and other business activities, if they influence the value of the
Underlying Stock or secondary trading in your notes, could be adverse to your interests as a beneficial owner of the notes.
PS-10
We, the agents, and our respective affiliates expect to enter into arrangements or adjust or close out
existing transactions to hedge our obligations under the notes. We, the agents, or our respective affiliates also may enter into hedging transactions relating to other notes or instruments that we or they issue, some of which may have returns
calculated in a manner related to that of a particular issue of the notes. We may enter into such hedging arrangements with one or more of our subsidiaries or affiliates, or with one or more of the agents or their affiliates. Such a party may enter
into additional hedging transactions with other parties relating to the notes and the Underlying Stock. This hedging activity is expected to result in a profit to those engaging in the hedging activity, which could be more or less than initially
expected, but could also result in a loss. We, the agents, and our respective affiliates will price these hedging transactions with the intent to realize a profit, regardless of whether the value of the notes increases or decreases or whether the
Redemption Amount on the notes is more or less than the principal amount of the notes. Any profit in connection with such hedging activities will be in addition to any other compensation that we, the agents, and our respective affiliates receive for
the sale of the notes, which creates an additional incentive to sell the notes to you.
There may be potential
conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent. We expect to appoint MLPF&S or one of its affiliates as the calculation agent for the notes and, as such, it will
determine the Starting Value, the Threshold Value, the Step Level, the interest payments, the Ending Value and the Redemption Amount. As the calculation agent, MLPF&S or one of its affiliates will have discretion in making various determinations
that affect your notes, such as the anti-dilution adjustments. The exercise of this discretion by the calculation agent could adversely affect the value of your notes and may present the calculation agent with a conflict of interest of the kind
described under “—Trading and hedging activities by us, the agents, and our respective affiliates may affect your return on the notes and their market value” and “—Our trading, hedging and other business activities, and those of the agents or one or more of
our respective affiliates, may create conflicts of interest with you” above.
The U.S. federal income
tax consequences of an investment in the notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of notes. Significant aspects of the tax treatment of the notes are uncertain. There is no direct legal authority as to the proper U.S. federal
income tax treatment of the notes, and we do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding the tax treatment of the notes, and the IRS or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described in this product
prospectus supplement or the term sheet. If the IRS were successful in asserting an alternative treatment for the notes, the timing and/or character of income on the notes could be affected materially and adversely affected.
In addition, in 2007, the IRS released Notice 2008-2, which may affect the U.S. federal income tax treatment of
“prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments, and the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) are actively considering various issues relating to such instruments. Any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after
consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in certain notes, possibly with retroactive effect.
Prospective investors should review the discussion under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” herein and the
discussion in the term sheet relating to an offering of notes for a discussion of the tax treatment and possible alternative treatments of the notes.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal
income tax consequences of an investment in the notes (including possible
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application of alternative treatments and the issues presented by Notice 2008-2), as well as any tax
consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction (including that of the Underlying Company).
For a more complete discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the notes, please see
“Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” herein, any further Canadian tax discussions in the term sheet and “Canadian Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax
situation and the consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of the notes and receiving any payments that might be due under the notes.
Any conclusion that no portion of the
interest paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited on a note will be “Participating Debt Interest” (as defined below) subject to Canadian withholding tax is based in part on the current published administrative position of the Canada
Revenue Agency (the “CRA”). There cannot be any assurance that CRA’s current published administrative practice will not be subject to change, including potential expansion in the current administrative interpretation of Participating Debt
Interest subject to Canadian withholding tax. If, at any time, the interest paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited on a note is subject to Canadian withholding tax, you will receive an amount that is less than the Redemption Amount. You should consult your own adviser as to the potential for such withholding and the potential for reduction or refund of part or all of such withholding,
including under any bilateral Canadian tax treaty the benefits of which you may be entitled.
Risks Relating to the Underlying Stock
You must rely on your
own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to the Underlying Stock. In the ordinary course of business, we, the agents, and our respective affiliates may have expressed views on expected movements in an Underlying Stock, and may do so in the future. These views or reports
may be communicated to our clients and clients of these entities. However, these views are subject to change from time to time. Moreover, other professionals who deal in markets relating to an Underlying Stock may at any time have significantly
different views from our views and the views of these entities. For these reasons, you are encouraged to derive information concerning an Underlying Stock from multiple sources, and you should not rely on our views or the views expressed by these
entities.
You will have no rights
of a security holder, you will have no rights to receive any shares of the Underlying Stock, and you will not be entitled to dividends or other
distributions by the Underlying Company. The notes are our debt securities. They are not equity instruments, shares of stock or securities of any other issuer. Investing in the notes will not make you a holder of the Underlying Stock. You
will not have any voting rights, any rights to receive dividends or other distributions, or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Stock, or any positions that we, MLPF&S or any of our respective affiliates may take in connection with
our hedging activities with respect to the notes. As a result, the return on your notes may not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of the Underlying Stock and received the dividends paid or other distributions made in
connection with them. Your notes will be paid in cash and you have no right to receive shares of the Underlying Stock.
If shares of the
Underlying Company are also listed on a foreign exchange, your return may be affected by factors affecting international securities markets. The value of securities traded outside of the U.S. may be adversely affected by a variety of
factors relating to
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the relevant securities markets. Factors which could affect those markets, and therefore the return on your notes, include:
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Market Liquidity and Volatility. The relevant foreign
securities markets may be less liquid and/or more volatile than U.S. or other securities markets and may be affected by market developments in different ways than U.S. or other securities markets.
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Political, Economic, and Other Factors. The prices and
performance of securities of companies in foreign countries may be affected by political, economic, financial, and social factors in those regions. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize a particular securities market
and cross-shareholdings in companies in the relevant foreign markets may affect prices and the volume of trading in those markets. In addition, recent or future changes in government, economic, and fiscal policies in the relevant
jurisdictions, the possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws, or other laws or restrictions, and possible fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies, are factors that could negatively affect the relevant
securities markets. The relevant foreign economies may differ from the U.S. economy in economic factors such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, and self-sufficiency.
In particular, many emerging nations are undergoing rapid change, involving the restructuring of economic, political, financial and legal systems. Regulatory and
tax environments may be subject to change without review or appeal, and many emerging markets suffer from underdevelopment of capital markets and tax systems. In addition, in some of these nations, issuers of the relevant securities face
the threat of expropriation of their assets, or nationalization of their businesses. The economic and financial data about some of these countries may be unreliable. Additionally, the accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards and requirements applicable to foreign companies may differ from those applicable to U.S. companies.
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Publicly Available Information. There is generally less publicly
available information about foreign companies than about U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC. In addition, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards and requirements in foreign countries
differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.
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We, the agents and our respective affiliates do not control the Underlying Company and have not verified any disclosure made by the Underlying Company. We, the
agents, or our respective affiliates currently, or in the future, may engage in business with the Underlying Company, and we, the agents, or our respective affiliates may from time to time own securities of the Underlying Company. However, none of
us, the agents, or any of our respective affiliates has the ability to control any actions of the Underlying Company or has undertaken any independent review of, or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to, the Underlying Company. Unless
otherwise specified therein, any information in the term sheet regarding the Underlying Company is derived from publicly available information. Any prospective purchaser of the notes should undertake an independent investigation of the Underlying
Stock and the Underlying Company as in its judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment in the notes.
Our business activities
and those of the agents relating to the Underlying Company may create conflicts of interest with you. We, the agents and our respective
affiliates, at the time of any offering of the notes or in the future, may engage in business with the Underlying Company, including making loans to, equity investments in, or providing
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investment banking, asset management, or other services to the Underlying Company, its affiliates, and its competitors.
In connection with these activities, any of these entities may receive information about those companies that we will
not divulge to you or other third parties. We, the agents, and our respective affiliates have published, and in the future may publish, research reports on one or more of these companies. The agents may also publish research reports relating to our
or our affiliates’ securities, including the notes. This research is modified from time to time without notice and may express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding your notes. Any of these activities
may adversely affect the price of the Underlying Stock and, consequently, the market value of your notes. None of us, the agents, or our respective affiliates makes any representation to any purchasers of the notes regarding any matters whatsoever
relating to the Underlying Company. Any prospective purchaser of the notes should undertake an independent investigation of the Underlying Stock and the Underlying Company as in its judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect
to an investment in the notes. The selection of the Underlying Stock does not reflect any investment recommendations from us, the agents, or our respective affiliates.
The Underlying Company
will have no obligations relating to the notes and we will not perform any due diligence procedures with respect to the Underlying Company. The Underlying Company will not have any financial or legal obligation with respect to the notes or the amounts to be paid to you,
including any obligation to take our interests or the interests of noteholders into consideration for any reason, including when taking any corporate actions that might adversely affect the value of the Underlying Stock or the value of the notes.
The Underlying Company will not receive any of the proceeds from any offering of the notes, and will not be responsible for, or participate in, the offering of the notes. No Underlying Company will be responsible for, or participate in, the
determination or calculation of the amount receivable by holders of the notes.
None of us, the agents, or any of our respective affiliates will conduct any due diligence inquiry with respect to the
Underlying Stock in connection with an offering of the notes. None of us, the agents, or any of our respective affiliates has made any independent investigation as to the completeness or accuracy of publicly available information regarding the
Underlying Company or as to the future performance of the Underlying Stock. Any prospective purchaser of the notes should undertake such independent investigation of the Underlying Stock and the Underlying Company as in its judgment is appropriate
to make an informed decision with respect to an investment in the notes.
The Price Multiplier or
other Terms of the Notes will not be adjusted for all corporate events that could affect the Underlying Company. The Price Multiplier or other terms of the notes may be adjusted for the specified corporate events affecting the Underlying
Stock, as described in the section entitled “Description of the Notes—Anti-Dilution Adjustments.” However, these adjustments do not cover all corporate events that could affect the market price of an Underlying Stock, such as offerings of common
shares for cash or in connection with certain acquisition transactions. The occurrence of any event that does not require the calculation agent to adjust the Price Multiplier or other terms of the notes may adversely affect the Redemption Amount,
and, as a result, the market value of the notes.
Risks Relating to Underlying Stocks that Are ADRs
The value of an ADR may
not accurately track the value of the common shares of the related Underlying Company. If the Underlying Stock is an ADR, each ADR will represent shares of the relevant Underlying Company. Generally, the ADRs are issued under a deposit
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agreement that sets forth the rights and responsibilities of the depositary, the Underlying Company and the holders of the ADRs. The trading patterns of the ADRs will generally reflect the characteristics and
valuations of the underlying common shares; however, the value of the ADRs may not completely track the value of those shares. There are important differences between the rights of holders of ADRs and the rights of holders of the underlying common
shares. In addition, trading volume and pricing on the applicable non-U.S. exchange may, but will not necessarily, have similar characteristics as the ADRs. For example, certain factors may increase or decrease the public float of the ADRs and, as a
result, the ADRs may have less liquidity or lower market value than the underlying common shares.
Exchange rate movements
may adversely impact the value of an Underlying Stock that is an ADR. If an Underlying Stock is an ADR, the market price of the Underlying Stock will generally track the U.S. dollar value of the market price of the underlying common
shares. Therefore, if the value of the related foreign currency in which the underlying common shares are traded decreases relative to the U.S. dollar, the market price of the Underlying Stock may decrease while the market price of the underlying
common shares remains stable or increases, or does not decrease to the same extent. As a result, changes in, and the volatility of, the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the relevant non-U.S. currency could have a negative impact on the
value of the Underlying Stock and consequently, the value of your notes.
Adverse trading
conditions in the applicable non-U.S. market may negatively affect the value of an Underlying Stock that is an ADR. Holders of an Underlying Company’s ADRs may usually surrender the ADRs in order to receive and trade the underlying common
shares. This provision permits investors in the ADRs to take advantage of price differentials between markets. However, this provision may also cause the market prices of the Underlying Stock to more closely correspond with the values of the common
shares in the applicable non-U.S. markets. As a result, a market outside of the United States for the underlying common shares that is not liquid may also result in an illiquid market for the ADRs, which may negatively impact the value of such ADRs
and, consequently, the value of your notes.
Delisting of an Underlying Stock that is an ADR may adversely affect the value of the notes.
If an Underlying Stock that is an ADR is no longer listed or admitted to trading on a U.S. securities exchange
registered under the Exchange Act or included in the OTC Bulletin Board Service operated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”),
or if the ADR facility between the Underlying Company and the ADR depositary is terminated for any reason, the Market Measure for the notes will be deemed to be the Underlying Company’s common equity securities rather than the ADRs, and the
calculation agent will determine the price of the Market Measure by reference to those common shares, as described below under “Description of the Notes—Delisting of ADRs or Termination of ADR Facility.” Replacing the original ADRs with the
underlying common shares may adversely affect the value of the notes and the Redemption Amount.
Other Risk Factors Relating to the Underlying Stock
The applicable term sheet may set forth additional risk factors as to the Underlying Stock that you should review prior
to purchasing the notes.
PS-15
USE OF PROCEEDS AND HEDGING
We will use the net proceeds we receive from each sale of the notes for the purposes described in the prospectus
supplement under “Use of Proceeds.” In addition, we expect that we or our affiliates may use a portion of the net proceeds to hedge our obligations under the notes, although we have no obligation to do so.
PS-16
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
General
Each issue of the notes will be part of a series of medium-term
notes entitled “Senior Note Program, Series A” that will be issued under the senior debt securities indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time. The senior debt securities indenture is described
more fully in the prospectus and prospectus supplement. The following description of the notes supplements and, to the extent it is inconsistent with, supersedes the description of the general terms and
provisions of the notes and debt securities set forth under the headings “Description of the Notes” in the prospectus supplement and “Description of the Debt Securities We May Offer” in the prospectus. These
documents should be read in connection with the applicable term sheet.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, the notes are not bail-inable notes (as defined in
the accompanying prospectus) and the applicable discussions in the accompanying prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplement relating to bail-inable notes will not apply to the notes.
The maturity date of the notes and the aggregate principal amount of each issue of notes will be stated in the term
sheet. If any scheduled payment date is not a business day, we will make the required payment on the next business day, and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delay.
The notes do not guarantee the return of principal at maturity. The notes will be payable only in U.S. dollars.
The notes are our senior unsecured securities and will rank equally with all of our senior unsecured and unsubordinated
debts, except for debts required to be preferred by law.
The notes are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or by any other U.S. or foreign
governmental agency.
Prior to the maturity date, the notes are not redeemable at our option or repayable at the option of any holder;
however, the maturity date of the notes may be accelerated under the limited circumstances set forth below. The notes are not subject to any sinking fund. The notes are not subject to the defeasance provisions described in the prospectus under the
caption “Description of the Debt Securities We May Offer—Defeasance.”
The notes will be issued only in global form through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). We will issue the notes in denominations of whole units. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable term sheet, each unit will have a principal amount of $10. The
CUSIP number for each issue of the notes will be set forth in the applicable term sheet. You may transfer the notes only in whole units.
Interest
The notes will bear periodic interest payments at the fixed interest rate specified in the applicable term sheet.
Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable term sheet, the interest will be paid quarterly in cash in arrears on each interest payment date specified in the term sheet. Interest payable on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
of twelve 30-day months.
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Each interest payment will include interest accrued from, and including, the issue date or the most recent interest
payment date to, but excluding, the next interest payment date. Unless otherwise specified in the term sheet, for so long as the notes are held in book-entry form only, we will pay interest to the persons in whose names the notes are registered at
the close of business one business day prior to each interest payment date. If an interest payment date falls on a day that is not a business day, that interest payment will be made on the next succeeding business day and no additional interest will
accrue as a result of the delayed payment.
Unless otherwise set forth in the term sheet, a “business day” means any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or Toronto.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the final payment of interest and the Redemption Amount will be paid to the person in
whose names the notes are registered on the maturity date.
Payment at Maturity
At maturity, subject to our credit risk as issuer of the notes, in addition to the final interest payment on the notes,
you will receive a Redemption Amount, denominated in U.S. dollars. The “Redemption Amount” will be calculated as follows:
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If the Ending Value is greater than or equal to the Step Level, then the Redemption Amount will equal:
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If the Ending Value is less than the Step Level but is greater than or equal to the Threshold Value, then the Redemption Amount will equal the principal amount.
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If the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value, then the Redemption Amount will equal:
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The Redemption Amount will not be less than zero.
The “Step
Level” will be a price of the Underlying Stock that reflects a specified percentage above the Starting Value. The Step Level will be determined on the pricing date and set forth in the term sheet.
The “Step Payment”
will be a dollar amount representing a fixed percentage of the principal amount and set forth in the term sheet.
The “Threshold Value”
will be a price of the Underlying Stock that equals a specified percentage of the Starting Value, which will be less than or equal to 100%. The Threshold Value will be determined on the pricing date and set forth in the term sheet. If the Threshold
Value is equal to 100% of the Starting Value, then the Redemption Amount for the notes will be less than the principal amount if there is any decrease in the value of the Underlying Stock from the Starting Value to the Ending Value, and you may lose
all of your principal amount of the notes.
PS-18
Each term sheet will provide examples of payments on the notes based on certain hypothetical Ending Values.
The term sheet will set forth information as to the Underlying Stock, including information as to the historical values
of the Underlying Stock. However, historical values of the Underlying Stock are not indicative of its future performance or the performance of your notes.
An investment in the notes does not entitle you to any ownership interest, including any voting rights, in the
Underlying Stock, nor dividends paid or other distributions made, by the Underlying Company.
The Starting Value and the Ending Value
Starting Value
Unless otherwise specified in the term sheet, the “Starting Value” will be the price of one share of the Underlying Stock on the pricing date, determined as set forth in the term sheet.
Ending Value
Unless otherwise specified in the term sheet, the “Ending Value” will equal the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the valuation date multiplied by the Price Multiplier on that day.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, the following definitions will apply:
The “valuation
date” means a trading day shortly before the maturity date. The valuation date will be set forth in the term sheet.
A “trading
day” means a day on which trading is generally conducted (or was scheduled to have been generally conducted, but for the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event) on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and in the over-the-counter market for equity securities in the United States, or any successor exchange or market, or
in the case of a security traded on one or more non-U.S. securities exchanges or markets, on the principal non-U.S. securities exchange or market for such security.
If the calculation agent determines that a Market Disruption Event has occurred on the scheduled valuation date, the
valuation date will be the immediately succeeding trading day during which no Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing; provided that the Ending Value of the Underlying Stock will be determined (or, if not determinable, estimated) by the
calculation agent on a date no later than the second scheduled trading day prior to the maturity date, regardless of the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event on that day, and such day will be deemed to be the valuation date.
The “Closing Market
Price” for one share of the Underlying Stock (or one unit of any other security for which a Closing Market Price must be determined) on any trading day means any of the following (in each case subject to the prior paragraph):
PS-19
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if the Underlying Stock (or such other security) is listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, the last reported sale price, regular way (or, in
the case of The NASDAQ Stock Market, the official closing price), of the principal trading session on that day on the principal U.S. securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act on which the Underlying Stock (or such other
security) is listed or admitted to trading;
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if the Underlying Stock (or such other security) is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange but is included in the OTC Bulletin Board,
the last reported sale price of the principal trading session on the OTC Bulletin Board on that day;
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if the Underlying Stock (or such other security) is issued by a foreign issuer and its closing price cannot be determined as set forth in the two bullet points above,
and the Underlying Stock (or such other security) is listed or admitted to trading on a non-U.S. securities exchange or market, the last reported sale price, regular way, of the principal trading session on that day on the primary non-U.S.
securities exchange or market on which the Underlying Stock (or such other security) is listed or admitted to trading (converted to U.S. dollars using such exchange rate as determined by the calculation agent); or
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if the Closing Market Price cannot be determined as set forth in the prior bullets, the mean, as determined by the calculation agent, of the bid prices for the
Underlying Stock (or such other security) obtained from as many dealers in that security (which may include us, MLPF&S and any of our respective affiliates), but not exceeding three, as will make the bid prices available to the
calculation agent. If no such bid price can be obtained, the Closing Market Price will be determined (or, if not determinable, estimated) by the calculation agent.
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The initial “Price
Multiplier” for the Underlying Stock will be one, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable term sheet. The Price Multiplier will be subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to the Underlying Stock described below under
“—Anti-Dilution Adjustments.”
Market Disruption Events
As to the Underlying Stock (or the “successor Underlying Stock,” which is the common equity securities of a Successor
Entity (as defined below)), a “Market Disruption Event” means one or more of the following events, as determined by the calculation agent :
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the suspension of or material limitation of trading, in each case, for more than two consecutive hours of trading, or during the one-half hour period preceding the
close of trading, of the shares of the Underlying Stock (or the successor to the Underlying Stock) on the primary exchange where such shares trade, as determined by the calculation agent (without taking into account any extended or
after-hours trading session); or
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the suspension of or material limitation of trading, in each case, for more than two consecutive hours of trading, or during the one-half hour period preceding the
close of trading, on the primary exchange that trades options contracts or futures contracts related to the shares of the Underlying Stock (or successor to the Underlying Stock) as determined by the calculation agent (without taking into
account any extended or after-hours trading session), in options contracts or futures contracts related to the shares of the Underlying Stock; or
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the determination that the scheduled valuation date is not a trading day by reason of an extraordinary event, occurrence, declaration, or otherwise.
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a limitation on the hours in a trading day or number of days of trading will not constitute a Market Disruption Event if it results from an announced change in the
regular business hours of the relevant exchange;
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a decision to permanently discontinue trading in the shares of the Underlying Stock (or successor Underlying Stock) or the relevant futures or options contracts
relating to such shares will not constitute a Market Disruption Event;
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a suspension in trading in a futures or options contract on the shares of the
Underlying Stock (or successor Underlying Stock), by a major
securities market by reason of (a) a price change violating limits set by that securities market, (b) an imbalance of orders relating to those contracts, or (c) a disparity in bid and ask quotes relating to those contracts, will each
constitute a suspension of or material limitation on trading in futures or options contracts relating to the Underlying Stock;
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subject to paragraph (3) above, a suspension of or material limitation on trading on the relevant exchange will not include any time when that exchange is closed for
trading under ordinary circumstances; and
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for the purpose of clause (A) above, any limitations on trading during significant market fluctuations under NYSE Rule 80B, or any applicable rule or regulation
enacted or promulgated by the NYSE or any other self-regulatory organization or the SEC of similar scope as determined by the calculation agent, will be considered “material” if so determined by the calculation agent.
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Anti-Dilution Adjustments
As to the Underlying Stock (or successor Underlying Stock), the calculation agent may adjust the Price Multiplier (and
as a result, the Ending Value), and any other terms of the notes (such as the Starting Value), if an event described below occurs after the pricing date and on or before the valuation date and if the calculation agent determines that such an event
has a diluting or concentrative effect on the theoretical value of the shares of the Underlying Stock (or successor Underlying Stock).
The Price Multiplier resulting from any of the adjustments specified below will be rounded to the eighth decimal place
with five one-billionths being rounded upward. No adjustments to the Price Multiplier will be required unless the adjustment would require a change of at least 0.1% in the Price Multiplier then in effect. Any adjustment that would require a change
of less than 0.1% in the Price Multiplier which is not applied at the time of the event may be reflected at the time of any subsequent adjustment that would require a change of the Price Multiplier. The required adjustments specified below do not
cover all events that could affect the Underlying Stock.
No adjustments to the Price Multiplier or any other terms of the notes will be required other than those specified below. However, the calculation agent may
make additional adjustments or adjustments that differ from those described herein to the Price Multiplier or any other terms of the notes to reflect changes to the Underlying Stock if the calculation agent determines that the adjustment is
appropriate to ensure an equitable result.
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The calculation agent will be solely responsible for the determination of any adjustments to the Price Multiplier or
any other terms of the notes and of any related determinations with respect to any distributions of stock, other securities or other property or assets, including cash, in connection with any corporate event described below.
No adjustments are required to be made for certain other events, such as offerings of common equity securities by the
Underlying Company for cash or in connection with the occurrence of a partial tender or exchange offer for the Underlying Stock by the Underlying Company.
Following an event that results in an adjustment to the Price Multiplier or any of the other terms of the notes, the
calculation agent may (but is not required to) provide holders of the notes with information about that adjustment as it deems appropriate, depending on the nature of the adjustment. Upon written request by any holder of the notes, the calculation
agent will provide that holder with information about such adjustment.
Anti-Dilution Adjustments to Underlying Stocks that Are Common Equity
The calculation agent may adjust the Price Multiplier (and as a result, the Ending Value), and any other terms of the
notes (such as the Starting Value), as a result of certain events related to the Underlying Stock, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
Stock Splits and
Reverse Stock Splits. If the Underlying Stock is subject to a stock split or reverse stock split, then once such split has become effective, the Price Multiplier will be adjusted such that the new Price Multiplier will equal the product of:
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the prior Price Multiplier; and
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the number of shares that a holder of one share of the Underlying Stock before the effective date of the stock split or reverse stock split would
have owned immediately following the applicable effective date.
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For example, a two-for-one stock split would ordinarily change a Price Multiplier of one into a Price Multiplier of
two. In contrast, a one-for-two reverse stock split would ordinarily change a Price Multiplier of one into a Price Multiplier of one-half.
Stock Dividends. If
the Underlying Stock is subject to (i) a stock dividend (i.e., an issuance of additional shares of Underlying Stock) that is given ratably to all holders of the Underlying Stock or (ii) a distribution of additional shares of the Underlying Stock as a
result of the triggering of any provision of the organizational documents of the Underlying Company, then, once the dividend has become effective and the Underlying Stock is trading ex-dividend, the Price Multiplier will be adjusted on the
ex-dividend date such that the new Price Multiplier will equal the prior Price Multiplier plus the product of:
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the prior Price Multiplier; and
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the number of additional shares issued in the stock dividend with respect to one share of the Underlying Stock;
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provided that no adjustment will be made for a stock dividend for which the number of shares of the Underlying Stock paid or distributed is based on a fixed cash equivalent value, unless such distribution is an Extraordinary Dividend (as defined
below).
PS-22
For example, a stock dividend of one new share for each share held would ordinarily change a Price Multiplier of one
into a Price Multiplier of two.
Extraordinary
Dividends. There will be no adjustments to the Price Multiplier to reflect any cash dividends or cash distributions paid with respect to the Underlying Stock other than Extraordinary Dividends, as described below, and distributions
described under the section entitled “—Reorganization Events” below.
An “Extraordinary
Dividend” means, with respect to a cash dividend or other distribution with respect to the Underlying Stock, a dividend or other distribution that the calculation agent determines is not declared or otherwise made according to the Underlying
Company’s then existing policy or practice of paying such dividends on a quarterly or other regular basis. If an Extraordinary Dividend occurs, the Price Multiplier will be adjusted on the ex-dividend date so that the new Price Multiplier will equal
the product of:
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the prior Price Multiplier; and
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a fraction, the numerator of which is the Closing Market Price per share of the Underlying Stock on the trading day preceding the ex-dividend date
and the denominator of which is the amount by which the Closing Market Price per share of the Underlying Stock on that preceding trading day exceeds the Extraordinary Dividend Amount.
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The “Extraordinary
Dividend Amount” with respect to an Extraordinary Dividend will equal:
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in the case of cash dividends or other distributions that constitute regular dividends, the amount per share of the Underlying Stock of that
Extraordinary Dividend minus the amount per share of the immediately preceding non-Extraordinary Dividend for that share; or
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in the case of cash dividends or other distributions that do not constitute regular dividends, the amount per share of the Underlying Stock of that
Extraordinary Dividend.
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To the extent an Extraordinary Dividend is not paid in cash, the value of the non-cash component will be determined by
the calculation agent. A distribution on the Underlying Stock described in the section “—Issuance of Transferable Rights or Warrants” or clause (a), (d) or (e) of the section entitled “—Reorganization Events” below that also constitutes an
Extraordinary Dividend will only cause an adjustment under those respective sections.
Issuance of Transferable
Rights or Warrants. If the Underlying Company issues transferable rights or warrants to all holders of record of the Underlying Stock to subscribe for or purchase the Underlying Stock, including new or existing rights to purchase the
Underlying Stock under a shareholder rights plan or arrangement, then the Price Multiplier will be adjusted on the trading day immediately following the issuance of those transferable rights or warrants so that the new Price Multiplier will equal the
prior Price Multiplier plus the product of:
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·
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the prior Price Multiplier; and
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·
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the number of shares of the Underlying Stock that can be purchased with the cash value of those warrants or rights distributed on one share of the
Underlying Stock.
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PS-23
The number of shares that can be purchased will be based on the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the date
the new Price Multiplier is determined. The cash value of those warrants or rights, if the warrants or rights are traded on a registered national securities exchange, will equal the closing price of that warrant or right. If the warrants or rights are
not traded on a registered national securities exchange, the cash value will be determined by the calculation agent and will equal the average of the bid prices obtained from three dealers at 3:00 p.m., New York time on the date the new Price
Multiplier is determined, provided that if only two of those bid prices are available, then the cash value of those warrants or rights will equal the average of those bids and if only one of those bids is available, then the cash value of those
warrants or rights will equal that bid.
Reorganization Events
If after the pricing date and on or prior to the valuation date of the notes, as to the Underlying Stock:
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(a)
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there occurs any reclassification or change of the Underlying Stock, including, without limitation, as a result of the issuance of tracking stock by the
Underlying Company;
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(b)
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the Underlying Company, or any surviving entity or subsequent surviving entity of the Underlying Company (a “Successor Entity”), has been subject to a merger, combination, or consolidation and is not the surviving entity;
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(c)
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any statutory exchange of securities of the Underlying Company or any Successor Entity with another corporation occurs, other than under clause (b)
above;
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(d)
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the Underlying Company is liquidated or is subject to a proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar law;
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(e)
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the Underlying Company issues to all of its shareholders securities of an issuer other than the Underlying Company, including equity securities of an
affiliate of the Underlying Company, other than in a transaction described in clauses (b), (c), or (d) above;
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(f)
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a tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction is consummated for all the outstanding shares of the Underlying Company;
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(g)
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there occurs any reclassification or change of the Underlying Stock that results in a transfer or an irrevocable commitment to transfer all such
outstanding shares of the Underlying Stock to another entity or person;
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(h)
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the Underlying Company or any Successor Entity is the surviving entity of a merger, combination, or consolidation, that results in the outstanding
Underlying Stock (other than Underlying Stock owned or controlled by the other party to such transaction) immediately prior to such event collectively representing less than 50% of the outstanding Underlying Stock immediately following such
event; or
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(i)
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the Underlying Company ceases to file the financial and other information with the SEC in accordance with Section 13(a) of the
Exchange Act (an event in clauses (a) through (i), a “Reorganization Event”),
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PS-24
If the Underlying Company ceases to file the financial and other information with the SEC in accordance with Section 13(a)
of the Exchange Act, as contemplated by clause (i) above, and the calculation agent determines that sufficiently similar information is not otherwise available to you, then the calculation agent may cause the maturity date of the notes to be
accelerated to the fifth business day following the date of that determination and the Redemption Amount payable to you will be calculated as though the date of early repayment were the stated maturity date of the notes, and as though the valuation
date were the fifth trading day prior to the date of acceleration. If the calculation agent determines that sufficiently similar information is available to you, the Reorganization Event will be deemed to have not occurred.
If the notes are accelerated as described in the two preceding paragraphs, you will also receive interest accrued on the
notes until the date that the Redemption Amount is paid. However, upon any such acceleration, you will not be entitled to any interest that would have accrued after the date of acceleration.
Alternative Anti-Dilution and Reorganization Adjustments
The calculation agent may elect to not make any of the adjustments to the Price Multiplier or to the other terms of the
notes, but may instead make adjustments, in its discretion, to the Price Multiplier or any other terms of the notes (such as the Starting Value) that will reflect the adjustments to the extent practicable made by the Options Clearing Corporation on
options contracts on the Underlying Stock or any successor common stock. For example, if the Underlying Stock is subject to a two-for-one stock split, and the Options Clearing Corporation adjusts the strike prices of the options contract on the
Underlying Stock by dividing the strike price by two, then the calculation agent may also elect to divide the Starting Value by two. In this case, the Price Multiplier will remain one. This adjustment would have the same economic effect on holders of
the notes as if the Price Multiplier had been adjusted.
Anti-Dilution Adjustments to Underlying Stocks that Are ADRs
For purposes of the
anti-dilution adjustments set forth above, if the Underlying Stock is an ADR (an “Underlying ADR”), the calculation agent will consider the effect of any of the relevant events on the Underlying ADR, and adjustments will be made as if the Underlying ADR was the Underlying
Stock described above. For example, if the stock represented by the Underlying ADR is subject to a two-for-one stock split, and assuming an initial Price Multiplier of 1, the Price Multiplier for the Underlying ADR would be adjusted so that it equals
two.
PS-25
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, with respect to notes linked to an Underlying ADR (or an Underlying
Stock issued by a non-U.S. Underlying Company), the term “dividend” means the dividends paid to holders of the Underlying ADR (or the Underlying Stock issued by the non-U.S. Underlying Company), and such dividends may reflect the netting of any
applicable foreign withholding or similar taxes that may be due on dividends paid to a U.S. person.
The calculation agent may determine not to make an adjustment if:
| (A) |
holders of the Underlying ADR are not eligible to participate in any of the events that would otherwise require anti-dilution adjustments as set forth above if the notes
had been linked directly to the common shares of the Underlying Company represented by the Underlying ADR; or
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| (B) |
to the extent that the calculation agent determines that the Underlying Company or the depositary for the ADRs has adjusted the number of common shares of the Underlying
Company represented by each share of the Underlying ADR, so that the market price of the Underlying ADR would not be affected by the corporate event.
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If the Underlying Company or the depositary for the ADRs, in the absence of any of the events described above, elects to
adjust the number of common shares of the Underlying Company represented by each share of the Underlying ADR, then the calculation agent may make the appropriate anti-dilution adjustments to reflect such change. The depositary for the ADRs may also
make adjustments in respect of the ADRs for share distributions, rights distributions, cash distributions and distributions other than shares, rights, and cash. Upon any such adjustment by the depositary, the calculation agent may adjust the Price
Multiplier or other terms of the notes as the calculation agent determines to account for that event.
Delisting of ADRs or Termination of ADR Facility
If an Underlying ADR is no longer listed or admitted to trading on a U.S. securities exchange registered under the
Exchange Act or included in the OTC Bulletin Board Service operated by FINRA, or if the ADR facility between the Underlying Company and the ADR depositary is terminated for any reason, then, on and after the date that the Underlying ADR is no longer so
listed or admitted to trading or the date of such termination, as applicable (the “termination date”), the Market Measure for the notes will be deemed to be the Underlying Company’s common equity securities rather than the Underlying ADR. The
calculation agent will determine the price of the Market Measure by reference to those common shares. Under such circumstances, the calculation agent may modify any terms of the notes as it deems necessary, to ensure an equitable result. On and after
the termination date, for all purposes, the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Company’s common shares on their primary exchange will be converted to U.S. dollars using such exchange rate as determined by the calculation agent.
Underlying Stock
Any information regarding the Underlying Stock or the Underlying Company will be derived from publicly available documents. The Underlying Stock will be registered under the Exchange Act. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by any Underlying Company can be located at the SEC’s facilities or through the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. None of us, the agents, or any of our respective affiliates will have
independently verified the accuracy or completeness of any of the information or reports of an Underlying Company.
PS-26
The selection of the
Underlying Stock is not a recommendation to buy or sell the Underlying Stock. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries or affiliates makes any representation to any purchaser of the notes as to the performance of the Underlying Stock.
Role of the Calculation Agent
The calculation agent has the sole discretion to make all determinations regarding the notes as described in this product
prospectus supplement, including determinations regarding the Starting Value, the Threshold Value, the Step Level, the Ending Value, the Price Multiplier, the Closing Market Price, the Redemption Amount, any Market Disruption Events, any anti-dilution
adjustments, a successor Underlying Stock, business days, and trading days. Absent manifest error, all determinations of the calculation agent will be conclusive for all purposes and final and binding on you and us, without any liability on the part
of the calculation agent.
We expect to appoint MLPF&S or one of its affiliates as the calculation agent for each issue of the notes. However,
we may change the calculation agent at any time without notifying you. The identity of the calculation agent will be set forth in the applicable term sheet.
Same-Day Settlement and Payment
The notes will be delivered in book-entry form only through DTC against payment by purchasers of the notes in immediately
available funds. We will pay interest and the Redemption Amount in immediately available funds so long as the notes are maintained in book-entry form.
Events of Default and Acceleration
Events of default are defined in the senior debt securities indenture. If such an event occurs and is continuing, unless
otherwise stated in the term sheet, the amount payable to a holder of the notes upon any acceleration permitted under the senior debt securities indenture will be equal to the Redemption Amount described under the caption “—Payment at Maturity,”
determined as if the notes matured on the date of acceleration, and as if the valuation date were the fifth Market Measure Business Day prior to the date of acceleration. If a bankruptcy proceeding is commenced in respect of us, your claim may be
limited under applicable bankruptcy law. In case of a default in payment of the notes, whether at their maturity or upon acceleration, they will not bear a default interest rate.
For additional discussion of these matters, please see the discussion in the prospectus under the headings “Description
of the Debt Securities We May Offer—Modification and Waiver of the Debt Securities” and “—Events of Default”.
Listing
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, the notes will not be listed on a securities exchange or quotation system.
PS-27
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
MLPF&S and one or more of its affiliates may act as our agents for any offering of the notes, and MLPF&S will act
in a principal capacity in such role, unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet. Each agent will be a party to the distribution agreement described in the “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” of the accompanying
prospectus supplement.
Each agent will receive an underwriting discount that is a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the notes sold
through its efforts, which will be set forth in the applicable term sheet. You must have an account with the applicable agent in order to purchase the notes.
None of the agents is acting as your fiduciary or advisor solely as a result of the making of any offering of the notes,
and you should not rely upon this product prospectus supplement, the term sheet, or the accompanying prospectus or prospectus supplement as investment advice or a recommendation to purchase any notes. You should make your own investment decision
regarding the notes after consulting with your legal, tax, and other advisors.
MLPF&S and its affiliates may use this product prospectus supplement, the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus,
together with the applicable term sheet, in market-making transactions for any notes after their initial sale solely for the purpose of providing investors with the description of the terms of the notes that were made available to investors in
connection with the initial distribution of the notes. Secondary market investors should not, and will not be authorized to rely on these documents for information regarding the Bank or for any purpose other than that described in the immediately
preceding sentence.
Selling Restrictions
European Economic Area
MLPF&S has represented and agreed, and each further dealer appointed under the program will be required to represent
and agree, that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available the notes to any retail investor in the European Economic Area. Consequently no key information document required by the PRIIPs
Regulation for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making the notes available to retail investors in the European Economic Area has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail
investor in the European Economic Area may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. For the purposes of this provision:
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the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or
more) of the following:
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| a. |
a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or
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| b. |
a customer within the meaning of Insurance Distribution Directive 2016/97/EU, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in
point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
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| c. |
not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended;
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PS-28
| (b) |
the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and
by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the notes; and
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the expression “PRIIPs Regulation” means Regulation (EU) No
1286/2014.
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United Kingdom
MLPF&S has represented and agreed, and each further dealer appointed under the program will be required to represent
and agree, that:
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in relation to any notes which have a maturity of less than one year, (i) it is a person whose ordinary activities involve it in acquiring, holding, managing, or
disposing of investments (as principal or as agent) for the purposes of its business and (ii) it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any notes other than to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding,
managing, or disposing of investments (as principal or as agent) for the purposes of their businesses or who it is reasonable to expect will acquire, hold, manage, or dispose of investments (as principal or as agent) for the purposes of their
businesses where the issue of the notes would otherwise constitute a contravention of section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”) by the Bank;
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it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity
(within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any notes in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Bank; and
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it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving
the United Kingdom.
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PS-29
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCUSSION OF CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
In the opinion of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, LLP, Canadian counsel to the Bank, the following is a summary of the
principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to a purchaser who acquires, as a beneficial owner, the notes, including entitlement to all payments thereunder, pursuant to the initial offering by the Bank made in connection
with the original issuance of the notes and who, at all relevant times, for purposes of the application of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Income Tax Regulations (collectively, the “Act”) is not, and is not deemed to be, resident in Canada, deals at arm’s length with the Bank and any transferee resident (or deemed to be resident) in Canada to whom the purchaser disposes of the notes, does
not use or hold the notes in a business carried on in Canada, and is not a “specified non-resident shareholder” of the Bank for purposes of the Act or a non-resident person not dealing at arm’s length with a “specified shareholder” (as defined in
subsection 18(5) of the Act) of the Bank (a ‘‘Non-Resident Holder’’). Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a
non-Canadian holder that is an insurer carrying on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere.
This summary is based upon the current provisions of the Act and an understanding of the current administrative policies
and assessing practices of the CRA published in writing prior to the date hereof. This summary takes into account all specific proposals to amend the Act publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof
(the “Proposals”) and assumes that all Proposals will be enacted in the form proposed. However, no assurances can be given that the Proposals will be
enacted as proposed, or at all. This summary does not otherwise take into account any changes in law or administrative practices or assessing policies, whether by legislative, administrative or judicial action, nor does it take into account tax
legislation or considerations of any province, territory or foreign jurisdiction, which may differ from those discussed herein.
This summary assumes that no interest paid on the notes will be in respect of a debt or other obligation to pay an amount
to a person with whom the Bank does not deal at arm’s length, within the meaning of the Act.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not, and is not intended to be, legal or tax advice to any particular
holder. This summary is not exhaustive of all Canadian federal income tax considerations. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should consult their own tax advisors with regard to their own particular circumstances.
Interest paid or credited or deemed for purposes of the Act to be paid or credited on a note (including any amount paid at
maturity in excess of the principal amount and interest deemed to be paid on the note in certain cases involving the assignment, deemed assignment or other transfer of a note to the Bank or any other resident or deemed resident of Canada) to a
Non-Resident Holder will not be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax unless any portion of such interest is contingent or dependent on the use of or production from property in Canada or is computed by reference to revenue, profit, cash
flow, commodity price or any other similar criterion or by reference to dividends paid or payable to shareholders of any class of shares of the capital stock of a corporation (“Participating Debt
Interest”) subject to certain exceptions. Unless otherwise specified in the relevant term sheet, no portion of the interest paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited on a note will be Participating Debt Interest. Any conclusion that
interest paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited on a note will not be Participating Debt Interest will be based in part on the published administrative position of the CRA.
No other Canadian federal taxes on income or gains will be payable by a Non-Resident Holder on interest or principal, or
on proceeds received by a Non-Resident Holder on the disposition of a note, including on a redemption, payment on maturity, repurchase or purchase for cancellation.
PS-30
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of your
investment in the notes are uncertain. There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of how the notes should be treated for U.S. federal
income tax purposes and we do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS. The following is a general description of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the notes and does not purport to be a complete
analysis of all tax consequences relating to the notes. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, rulings and decisions, in each case, as available and in
effect as of the date of this document, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Tax consequences under state, local and non-U.S. laws are not addressed herein. The term sheet may contain a further discussion of the U.S.
federal income tax consequences applicable to certain notes. The summary of the U.S. federal income tax considerations contained in the term sheet supersedes the following summary to the extent it is inconsistent therewith. In addition, the discussion
below assumes that an investor in the notes will be subject to a significant risk that it will lose a significant amount of its investment in the notes. If an investor in the notes is not subject to a significant risk that it will lose a significant
amount of its investment in the notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of those notes may differ substantially from that described in the discussion below and such treatment will be described in the term sheet. Prospective purchasers of the notes
are urged to read the discussion below in addition to the discussion in the applicable term sheet relating to the notes and to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences under the tax laws of the country of which they are a resident for tax
purposes and the tax laws of Canada and the U.S. of acquiring, holding and disposing of the notes and receiving payments under the notes.
This discussion applies to you only if you acquire your notes upon initial issuance and hold your notes
as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This discussion does not apply to you if you are a member of a class of holders subject to special rules, such as:
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a dealer in securities or currencies,
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a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for its securities holdings,
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a financial institution or a bank,
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a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) or a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) or a common trust fund,
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a life insurance company,
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a tax-exempt organization or an investor holding the notes in a tax-advantaged account (such as an “Individual Retirement Account” or “Roth IRA”), as defined in
Section 408 or 408A of the Code, respectively,
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a person that owns the notes as part of a hedging transaction, straddle, synthetic security, conversion transaction, or other integrated transaction, or enters into a
“constructive sale” with respect to the notes or a “wash sale” with respect to the notes or any Underlying Stock,
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a U.S. holder (as defined below) whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar, or
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taxpayers subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code.
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If you are considering the purchase of a note, you should consult your tax advisor concerning 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 non-U.S. jurisdictions.
PS-31
Except as otherwise noted under “non-U.S. holders” below, this discussion is only applicable to you if
you are a U.S. holder. You are a U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of a note and you are: (i) an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the U.S. for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) a domestic corporation or other entity that is
treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its
source, or (iv) a trust if a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration, and one or more U.S. persons for U.S. federal income tax purposes have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
An individual may, subject to certain exceptions, be deemed to be a resident of the U.S. for U.S.
federal income tax purposes by reason of being present in the U.S. for at least 31 days in the calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period ending in the current calendar year (counting for such purposes all of the
days present in the current year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding year, and one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding year).
If a partnership, or any entity treated 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 tax treatment of the partnership. A partner in a partnership holding the notes should consult its tax advisor with regard to the
U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in the notes.
In addition, we will not attempt to ascertain whether an Underlying Company would be treated as a
passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code. If any such entity were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply upon the taxable disposition of a note. You should refer to
information filed with the SEC or the equivalent governmental authority by such entities and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you if any such entity is or becomes a PFIC.
Unless otherwise specified in the term sheet, we expect that our counsel, Cadwalader, Wickersham &
Taft LLP, based on certain factual representations received from us, would be able to opine that it would be reasonable to treat your notes as prepaid derivative contracts with respect to the Underlying Stock and the terms of the notes require you and
us (in the absence of a statutory or regulatory change or an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the notes for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization. We intend to treat interest payments on the
notes (including any interest payments paid on or with respect to the maturity date) as ordinary income includable in income by you in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, it is possible
that the IRS could assert that any positive adjustments attributable to dividends on the Underlying Stock should be included as ordinary income at the time of adjustment; therefore, you could have ordinary income without cash in respect of such
dividend adjustments. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above considerations.
If the notes are so treated, you should generally recognize gain or loss upon such taxable disposition
of your notes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time (other than amounts representing accrued and stated periodic interest payments, which would be taxed as described in the preceding paragraph, and possibly
any ordinary income attributable to dividend adjustments as discussed above) and your tax basis in the notes. In general, your tax basis in your notes will be equal to the amount you paid for your notes. Subject to the discussion below of the
“constructive ownership” rules, such
PS-32
recognized gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your notes for more
than one year (otherwise, such gain or loss would be short-term capital gain or loss if held for one year or less). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
It is possible that the IRS could assert that your holding period in respect of your notes should end
on the date on which the amount you are entitled to receive upon maturity of your notes is determined, even though you will not receive any amounts from the Bank in respect of your notes prior to the maturity of your notes. In such case, you may be
treated as having a holding period in respect of your notes ending prior to the maturity date for your notes, and your holding period may be treated as less than one year even if you receive cash on the maturity date of your notes at a time that is
more than one year after the beginning of your holding period.
Except to the extent otherwise required by law or specified in the term sheet, we intend to treat your
notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described above unless and until such time as the IRS and the Treasury determine that some other treatment is more appropriate.
Notice 2008-2
In 2007, the IRS released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the notes. According to
Notice 2008-2, the IRS and the Treasury are actively considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis, and they are seeking taxpayer comments on the subject. It is not
possible to determine what guidance they will ultimately issue, if any. It is possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the notes will ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The
IRS and the Treasury are also considering other relevant issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether non-U.S. holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax
on any deemed income accruals, and whether the special “constructive ownership rules” of Section 1260 of the Code should be applied to such instruments. Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance,
and the potential impact, of the above considerations on their investments in the notes.
Section 1260
If a note references an Underlying Stock that is treated as equity in a RIC (or a “trust”) such as
certain exchange traded funds, a REIT, a PFIC, a partnership (including a master limited partnership), or other “pass-thru entity” for purposes of Section 1260 of the Code, it is possible that the "constructive ownership" rules of Section 1260 of the
Code may apply, in which case the tax consequences of a taxable disposition of the notes could be materially and adversely affected. Under the “constructive ownership” rules, if an investment in the notes is treated as a “constructive ownership
transaction”, any long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S. holder in respect of such notes will be recharacterized as ordinary income to the extent such gain exceeds the amount of “net underlying long-term capital gain” (as defined in Section 1260
of the Code) of the U.S. holder (the “Excess Gain”). In addition, an interest charge would also apply to any deemed underpayment of tax in respect of any “Excess Gain” to the extent such gain would have resulted in a gross income inclusion for the U.S.
holder in taxable years prior to the taxable year of the taxable disposition of the notes (assuming such income accrued such that the amount in each successor year is equal to the income in the prior year increased at a constant rate equal to the
applicable federal rate as of the date of the taxable disposition).
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Because the application of the constructive ownership rules to the notes is unclear, holders are urged to consult their
tax advisors regarding the potential application of those rules to an investment in the notes.
Alternative Treatments
Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of your notes, it is
possible that the IRS could seek to characterize your notes in a manner that results in tax consequences to you that are materially different from those described above and could materially and adversely affect the timing and/or character of income or
loss with respect to the notes.
Contingent
Payment Debt Instrument. If the notes have a term that is more than one year, it is possible that the notes could be treated as debt instruments subject to the special tax rules governing contingent payment debt instruments. If the notes are
so treated, you would be required to accrue interest income over the term of your notes based upon the yield at which we would issue a non-contingent fixed-rate debt instrument with other terms and conditions similar to your notes. You would recognize
gain or loss upon the taxable disposition of your notes in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount you receive at such time and your adjusted basis in your notes. In general, your adjusted basis in your notes would be equal to the
amount you paid for your notes, increased by the amount of interest you previously accrued with respect to your notes. Any gain you recognize upon a taxable disposition of your notes would be ordinary income and any loss recognized by you at such time
would be ordinary loss to the extent of interest you included in income in the current or previous taxable years in respect of your notes, and, thereafter, would be capital loss.
Contingent
Short-Term Debt Instrument. Similarly, if the notes have a term of one year or less, it is possible that the notes could be treated as contingent short-term debt instruments. However, there are no specific rules that govern this type of
instrument, and therefore, if the notes were characterized as single contingent short-term debt instruments, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the notes would not be entirely clear.
Other
Alternative Treatments. The IRS could also possibly assert that (i) you should be treated as owning the Underlying Stock, (ii) any gain or loss that you recognize upon a taxable disposition of the notes should be treated as ordinary gain or
loss or short-term capital gain or loss, (iii) you should be required to accrue interest income over the term of your notes, or (iv) you should be required to include in ordinary income an amount equal to any increase in the Underlying Stock that is
attributable to ordinary income that is realized in respect of the Underlying Stock, such as interest, dividends or net-rental income. You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of any possible alternative characterizations of your
notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income
U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or certain trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on
all or a portion of their “net investment income,” or “undistributed net investment income” in the case of an estate or trust, which may include any income or gain realized with respect to the notes, to the extent of their net investment income or
undistributed net investment income (as the case may be) that, when added to their other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds $200,000 for an unmarried individual, $250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse),
$125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return or the dollar amount at which the highest tax bracket begins for an estate or trust. The
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Information Reporting with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets
U.S. holders may be subject to reporting obligations with respect to their notes if they do not hold
their notes in an account maintained by a financial institution and the aggregate value of their notes and certain other “specified foreign financial assets” (applying certain attribution rules) exceeds an applicable threshold. Significant penalties
can apply if a U.S. holder is required to disclose its notes and fails to do so.
Treasury Regulations Requiring Disclosure of Reportable Transactions
Treasury regulations require U.S. taxpayers to report certain transactions (“Reportable Transactions”)
on IRS Form 8886. An investment in the notes or a sale of the notes generally should not be treated as a Reportable Transaction under current law, but it is possible that future legislation, regulations or administrative rulings could cause your
investment in the notes or a sale of the notes to be treated as a Reportable Transaction. You should consult with your tax advisor regarding any tax filing and reporting obligations that may apply in connection with acquiring, owning or disposing of
notes.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
The proceeds received from a taxable disposition of the notes will be subject to information reporting
unless you are an “exempt recipient” and may also be subject to backup withholding at the rate specified in the Code if you fail to provide certain identifying information (such as an accurate taxpayer number, if you are a U.S. holder) or meet certain
other conditions. If you are a non-U.S. holder and you provide a properly executed and fully completed applicable IRS Form W-8, you will generally establish an exemption from backup withholding.
Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not additional taxes and may be refunded or
credited against U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Holders
For purposes of this discussion, you are a non-U.S. holder if you are the beneficial owner of the notes
and are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) a non-resident alien individual; (ii) a non-U.S. corporation; or (iii) an estate or trust that, in either case, is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis on income or gain from
the notes. Subject to Section 871(m) of the Code and FATCA, discussed below, we generally expect to treat payments made to a non-U.S. holder upon the taxable disposition of the notes as exempt from U.S. withholding tax and from generally applicable
information reporting and backup withholding requirements with respect to payments on the notes if the non-U.S. holder complies with certain certification and identification requirements as to its non-U.S. status, including providing us (and/or the
applicable withholding agent) a fully completed and validly executed applicable IRS Form W-8.
In general, gain realized on a taxable disposition of the notes by a non-U.S. holder will not be
subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless:
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the gain with respect to the notes is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the U.S.;
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the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who holds the notes as a capital asset and is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of such
taxable disposition (including but not limited to disposition by sale, exchange, redemption or repayment of principal at maturity) and certain other conditions are satisfied; or
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the non-U.S. holder has certain other present or former connections with the U.S.
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If the gain realized on a taxable disposition of the notes by the non-U.S. holder is described in
either of the three preceding bullet points, the non-U.S. holder may be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to the gain except to the extent that an income tax treaty reduces or eliminates the tax and the appropriate documentation is
provided.
Section
897. We will not attempt to ascertain whether an Underlying Company would be treated as a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or whether the notes should be treated as “United States real property interests”
(“USRPIs”), each as defined in Section 897 of the Code. If an Underlying Company and the notes were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply, including subjecting any gain to a non-U.S. holder in respect of
a note upon a taxable disposition of the note to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis, and the proceeds from such a taxable disposition to a 15% withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential treatment of
any such entity as a USRPHC and the notes as USRPIs.
Section
871(m). The Treasury has issued regulations under which a 30% withholding tax (which may be reduced by an applicable income tax treaty) is imposed on certain “dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to a
“specified equity-linked instrument” that references one or more U.S.-source dividend-paying equity securities (an “871(m) Specified ELI”). The withholding tax can apply even if the 871(m) Specified ELI does not provide for payments that reference
dividends. Under these regulations, the withholding tax generally will apply to 871(m) Specified ELIs (or a combination of 871(m) Specified ELIs treated as having been entered into in connection with each other) issued (or reissued, as discussed below)
on or after January 1, 2019, but will also apply to certain 871(m) Specified ELIs (or a combination of 871(m) Specified ELIs treated as having been entered into in connection with each other) that have a delta of one (“Delta-One Specified ELIs”) issued
(or reissued, as discussed below) on or after January 1, 2017. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the Treasury and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the Treasury regulations to provide that withholding on dividend
equivalents paid or deemed paid will not apply to specified equity-linked instruments that are not Delta-One Specified ELIs and are issued before January 1, 2021.
The 30% withholding tax may also apply if the notes are deemed to be reissued for tax purposes upon the
occurrence of certain events affecting an Underlying Stock or the notes, and following such occurrence the notes could be treated as Delta-One Specified ELIs that are subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. It is also possible that withholding
tax or other Section 871(m) tax could apply to the notes under these rules if a non-U.S. holder enters, or has entered, into certain other transactions in respect of an Underlying Stock or the notes. Because of the uncertainty regarding the application
of the 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents to the notes, non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) of the Code to the notes (including in the context of their other
transactions in respect of an Underlying Stock or the notes, if any).
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U.S.
Federal Estate Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders. The notes may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if an individual non-U.S. holder holds the notes at the time of his or her death. The gross estate of a non-U.S. holder domiciled outside the
U.S. includes only property situated in the U.S. Individual non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of holding the notes at death.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) generally imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on
“withholdable payments” (i.e., certain U.S.-source payments, including interest (and original issue discount), dividends, other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of
property of a type which can produce U.S. -source interest or dividends) and “passthru payments” (i.e., certain payments attributable to withholdable payments) made to certain foreign financial institutions (and certain of their affiliates) unless the
payee foreign financial institution agrees (or is required), among other things, to disclose the identity of any U.S. individual with an account of the institution (or the relevant affiliate) and to annually report certain information about such
account. FATCA also requires withholding agents making withholdable payments to certain foreign entities that do not disclose the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of any substantial U.S. owners (or do not certify that they do not have
any substantial U.S. owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.
Pursuant to final and temporary Treasury regulations and other IRS guidance, the withholding and
reporting requirements under FATCA will generally apply to certain “withholdable payments”, will not apply to gross proceeds on a sale or disposition, and will apply to certain foreign passthru payments only to the extent that such payments are made
after the date that is two years after final regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payment” are published. If withholding is required, we (or the applicable paying agent) will not be required to pay additional amounts with respect to the
amounts so withheld. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.
Investors should consult their tax advisors about the application of FATCA, in particular if they may
be classified as financial institutions (or if they hold their notes through a foreign entity) under the FATCA rules.
Proposed Legislation
In 2007, legislation was introduced in Congress that, if it had been enacted, would have required
holders of instruments similar to the notes that were purchased after the bill was enacted to accrue interest income over the term of such instruments even if such instruments provide that there will be no interest payments over their term.
Additionally, in 2013, the House Ways and Means Committee released in draft form certain proposed
legislation relating to financial instruments. If it had been enacted, the effect of this legislation generally would have been to require instruments such as the notes to be marked to market on an annual basis with all gains and losses to be treated
as ordinary, subject to certain exceptions.
It is not possible to predict whether any similar or identical bills will be enacted in the future, or
whether any such bill would affect the tax treatment of your notes. Holders are urged
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to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible changes in law and their possible impact on an investment in
the notes.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal
income tax consequences of an investment in the notes (including possible application of Section 1260 of the Code, alternative treatments and the issues presented by Notice 2008-2), as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state,
local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction (including that of an Underlying Company).
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ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing, or other employee benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) (a “Plan”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the Plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the notes. Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary should
consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the Plan.
In addition, we, the agents, and certain of our respective subsidiaries and affiliates may be each considered a party in
interest within the meaning of ERISA, or a disqualified person (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code), with respect to many Plans, as well as many individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans (also “Plans”). Prohibited transactions within the meaning of ERISA or the Code would likely arise, for example, if the notes are acquired by or with the assets of a Plan with respect
to which we or any of our affiliates is a party in interest or a disqualified person, unless the notes are acquired under an exemption from the prohibited transaction rules. A violation of these prohibited transaction rules could result in an excise
tax or other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for such persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory or administrative exemption.
Under ERISA and various prohibited transaction class exemptions (“PTCEs”) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, exemptive relief may be available for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the purchase, holding, or disposition of the notes. Those
exemptions include PTCE 96-23 (for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), PTCE 95-60 (for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTCE 91-38 (for certain transactions involving bank collective
investment funds), PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving insurance company separate accounts), PTCE 84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified asset managers), and the exemption under Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and
Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code for certain transactions with a person that is a party in interest or disqualified person solely by reason of providing services to Plans or being an affiliate of such a service provider and in connection with which the
Plan receives no less, nor pays no more, than adequate consideration (the “Service Provider Exemption”).
Because we and the Bank each may be considered a party in interest or disqualified person with respect to many Plans, the
notes may not be purchased, held, or disposed of by any Plan, any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity (a “Plan Asset Entity”) or any person investing plan assets of any Plan, unless such purchase, holding, or disposition is eligible for exemptive relief, including relief available under PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1, or 84-14
or the Service Provider Exemption, or such purchase, holding, or disposition is otherwise not prohibited. Any purchaser, including any fiduciary purchasing on behalf of a Plan, transferee or holder of the notes will be deemed to have represented, in
its corporate and its fiduciary capacity, by its purchase and holding of the notes that either (a) it is not and will not be a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity and is not purchasing such notes on behalf of or with plan assets of any Plan or any plan subject to similar laws or (b) its purchase, holding, and disposition will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction due to the application of a statutory or administrative exemption or such purchase, holding, and disposition will not otherwise be prohibited under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a violation of any similar laws.
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Further, any person acquiring or holding the notes on behalf of any plan or with any plan assets shall be deemed to
represent on behalf of itself and such plan that (x) the plan is paying no more than, and is receiving no less than, adequate consideration within the meaning of Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and/or Section 4975(f)(10) of the Code in connection with the
transaction or any redemption of the notes, (y) none of us, MLPF&S or any other agent directly or indirectly exercises any discretionary authority or control or renders investment advice or otherwise acts in a fiduciary capacity with respect to the
assets of the plan within the meaning of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code (z) in making the foregoing representations and warranties, such person has applied sound business principles in determining whether fair market value will be paid, and has
made such determination acting in good faith.
The fiduciary investment considerations summarized above generally apply to employee benefit plans maintained by
private-sector employers and to individual retirement accounts and other arrangements subject to Section 4975 of the Code, but generally do not apply to governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in
Section 3(33) of ERISA), and foreign plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA). However, these other plans may be subject to similar provisions under applicable federal, state, local, foreign, or other regulations, rules, or laws (“similar laws”). The fiduciaries of plans subject to similar laws should also consider the foregoing issues in general terms as well as any further issues
arising under the applicable similar laws.
In addition, any purchaser, that is a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity or that is acquiring the notes on behalf of a Plan or a
Plan Asset Entity, including any fiduciary purchasing on behalf of a Plan or Plan Asset entity, will be deemed to have represented, in its corporate and its fiduciary capacity, by its purchase and holding of the notes that (a) none of us, MLPF&S,
or any of our respective affiliates is a “fiduciary” (under Section 3(21) of ERISA, or under any final or proposed regulations thereunder, or with
respect to a governmental, church, or foreign plan under any similar laws) with respect to the acquisition, holding or disposition of the notes, or as a result of any exercise by us or our affiliates of any rights in connection with the notes, (b) no
advice provided by us or any of our affiliates has formed a primary basis for any investment decision by or on behalf of such purchaser in connection with the notes and the transactions contemplated with respect to the notes, and (c) such purchaser
recognizes and agrees that any communication from us or any of our affiliates to the purchaser with respect to the notes is not intended by us or any of our affiliates to be impartial investment advice and is rendered in its capacity as a seller of
such notes and not a fiduciary to such purchaser. Purchasers of the notes have exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their purchase, holding, and disposition of the notes do not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or the Code or any
similar regulations applicable to governmental or church plans, as described above.
This discussion is a general summary of some of the rules which apply to benefit plans and their related investment
vehicles. This summary does not include all of the investment considerations relevant to Plans and other benefit plan investors such as governmental, church, and foreign plans and should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion. Due to the
complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the notes on behalf of or with “plan
assets” of any Plan or other benefit plan investor consult with their legal counsel prior to directing any such purchase.
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