 |
RBC Capital Markets®
|
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-227001
|
|
|
The information in this preliminary terms supplement is not complete and may be changed.
|
|||
|
Preliminary Terms Supplement
Subject to Completion:
Dated March 13, 2019
Pricing Supplement Dated March __, 2019 to the Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-EI-1, Prospectus Supplement, and Prospectus Each Dated
September 7, 2018
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery Feature
Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two Equity Indices, Due March 30, 2023 Royal Bank of Canada |
||
|
|
|
||
Royal Bank of Canada is offering Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery Feature (the “Notes”) linked to the lesser performing of two equity indices (each, a
“Reference Index” and collectively, the “Reference Indices”). The Notes offered are senior unsecured obligations of Royal Bank of Canada and under the circumstances specified below, and will have the terms described in the documents described
above, as supplemented or modified by this terms supplement. We will not make any payments on the Notes until the maturity date or a prior automatic call.
The Notes will be automatically called at the applicable Call Amount if the closing level of each Reference Index is greater than
or equal to its Initial Level on any quarterly Observation Date. The Call Amounts are based on a rate of return of [7.00% to 9.00%] per annum (the “Call Return Rate,” which will be determined on the Trade Date), and will increase on each
quarterly Observation Date to reflect that rate of return. If the Notes are not called, you may lose all or a substantial portion of your principal amount.
|
Reference Indices
|
Initial Levels*
|
Barrier Levels
|
||
|
Dow Jones Industrial Average® (“INDU”)
|
70% of its Initial Level
|
|||
|
Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”)
|
70% of its Initial Level
|
* For each Reference Index, the Initial Level will be its closing level on the Trade
Date.
The Notes do not guarantee any
return of principal at maturity. Any payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk.
Investing in the Notes involves
a number of risks. See “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” beginning on page PS-5 of the product prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018, “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018,
and “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page P-7 of this terms supplement.
The Notes will not
constitute deposits insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other Canadian or U.S. government agency or instrumentality. The
Notes are not subject to conversion into our common shares under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of the Notes or determined that this terms supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
|
Issuer:
|
Royal Bank of Canada
|
Stock Exchange Listing:
|
None
|
|
Trade Date:
|
March 27, 2019
|
Principal Amount:
|
$1,000 per Note
|
|
Issue Date:
|
March 29, 2019
|
Maturity Date:
|
March 30, 2023
|
|
Valuation Date:
|
March 27, 2023 (which is the final Observation Date)
|
||
|
Initial Level:
|
For each Reference Index, its closing level on the Trade Date.
|
||
|
Final Level:
|
For each Reference Index, its closing level on the Valuation Date.
|
||
|
Call Feature:
|
If the closing level of each Reference Index is greater than or equal to its Initial Level starting in March 2020 or on any Observation
Date thereafter, the Notes will be called and we will pay the applicable Call Amount on the corresponding Call Settlement Date.
|
||
|
Observation Dates and
Call Settlement Dates:
|
Annually, as set forth below.
|
||
|
Payment at Maturity (if
held to maturity):
|
If the Notes are not called on any Observation Date (including the Valuation Date), we will pay you at maturity an amount based on the Final Level of the
Lesser Performing Reference Index:
If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Initial Level, but greater than or equal to its Barrier Level, then the investor
will receive at maturity the Recovery Amount of $1,080 per $1,000 in principal amount.
If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Barrier Level, then the investor will receive at maturity, for each $1,000 in
principal amount, a cash payment equal to:
$1,000 + ($1,000 x Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Index)
Investors could lose some or all of their initial investment if there has been a decline in the level of Lesser Performing Reference Index.
|
||
|
Lesser Performing
Reference Index:
|
The Reference Index with the lowest Percentage Change.
|
||
|
CUSIP:
|
78013X3J5
|
||
|
Per Note
|
Total
|
||
|
Price to public(1)
|
100.00%
|
$
|
|
|
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)
|
2.50%
|
$
|
|
|
Proceeds to Royal Bank of Canada
|
97.50%
|
$
|
(1) Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forego some or all of their underwriting
discount or selling concessions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these accounts may be between $975.00 and $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount.
The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the Trade Date is expected to be between $937.60 and $957.60 per $1,000 in principal amount, and will be less than the
price to public. The final pricing supplement relating to the Notes will set forth our estimate of the initial value of the Notes as of the Trade Date. The actual value of the Notes at any time will reflect many factors, cannot be predicted with
accuracy, and may be less than this amount. We describe our determination of the initial estimated value in more detail below.
If the Notes priced on the date of this terms supplement, RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“RBCCM”), acting as our agent, would receive a commission of
approximately $25.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes and would use a portion of that commission to allow selling concessions to other dealers of up to approximately $25.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes. The other dealers
may forgo, in their sole discretion, some or all of their selling concessions. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below.
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
SUMMARY
The information in this “Summary” section is qualified by the more detailed information set forth in this terms supplement, the product prospectus
supplement, the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus.
|
General:
|
This terms supplement relates to an offering of Auto-Callable Barrier Notes (the “Notes”) linked to
the lesser performing of two equity indices (the “Reference Indices”).
|
|
Issuer:
|
Royal Bank of Canada (“Royal Bank”)
|
|
Trade Date (Pricing
Date):
|
March 27, 2019
|
|
Issue Date:
|
March 29, 2019
|
|
Denominations:
|
Minimum denomination of $1,000, and integral multiples of $1,000 thereafter.
|
|
Designated Currency:
|
U.S. Dollars
|
|
Call Feature:
|
If, on any Observation Date, the closing level of each Reference Index is greater than or equal to its Initial Level, then
the Notes will be automatically called and the applicable Call Amount will be paid on the corresponding Call Settlement Date.
|
|
Call Return Rate:
|
7.00% to 9.00% per annum (to be determined on the Trade Date)
|
|
Observation
Dates/Call Settlement
Dates/Call Amounts:
|
Observation Date
|
Call Settlement Date
|
Call Amounts (to be
determined on the Trade
Date)
|
|||
|
March 27, 2020
|
April 1, 2020
|
[$1,070 - $1,090]
|
||||
|
March 29, 2021
|
April 1, 2021
|
[$1,140 - $1,180]
|
||||
|
March 28, 2022
|
March 31, 2022
|
[$1,210 - $1,270]
|
||||
|
March 27, 2023 (the “Valuation Date”)
|
March 30, 2023 (the “Maturity Date”)
|
[$1,280 - $1,360]
|
|
Valuation Date:
|
March 27, 2023
|
|
Maturity Date:
|
March 30, 2023
|
|
Initial Level:
|
For each Reference Index, its closing level on the Trade Date.
|
|
Final Level:
|
For each Reference Index, its closing level on the Valuation Date.
|
|
Barrier Level:
|
For each Reference Index, 70% of its Initial Level.
|
|
Payment at Maturity (if
not previously called
and held to maturity):
|
If the Notes are not called on any Observation Date (including the Valuation Date), we will pay you at maturity an amount
based on the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index:
· If the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Initial Level, but greater than or equal to its Barrier Level, then the investor will receive at maturity the
Recovery Amount of $1,080 per $1,000 in principal amount.
· If the Final
Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is below its Barrier Level, you will receive at maturity, for each $1,000 in principal amount, a cash payment equal to:
$1,000 + ($1,000 x Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Index)
The amount of cash that you receive will be less than your principal amount, if anything, resulting in a loss that is
proportionate to the decline of the Lesser Performing Reference Index from the Trade Date to the Valuation Date. Investors in the Notes could lose some or all of
their investment if the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Barrier Level.
|
|
Percentage Change:
|
With respect to each Reference Index:
Final Level – Initial Level
Initial Level
|
|
Lesser Performing
Reference Index:
|
The Reference Index with the lowest Percentage Change.
|
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
|
Recovery Amount:
|
$1,080 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes.
|
|
Market Disruption
Events:
|
The occurrence of a market disruption event (or a non-trading day) as to either of the Reference Indices will result in the
postponement of an Observation Date or the Valuation Date as to that Reference Index, as described in the product prospectus supplement, but not to any non-affected Reference Index.
|
|
Calculation Agent:
|
RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“RBCCM”)
|
|
U.S. Tax Treatment:
|
By purchasing a Note, each holder agrees (in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial ruling to the
contrary) to treat the Notes as a callable pre-paid cash-settled derivative contract linked to the Reference Indices for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the Notes
are uncertain and the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the Notes should be taxed in a manner that is different from that described in the preceding sentence. Please see the section below, “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal
Income Tax Consequences,” and the discussion (including the opinion of our counsel Morrison & Foerster LLP) in the product prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018 under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences,” which apply to the Notes.
|
|
Secondary Market:
|
RBCCM (or one of its affiliates), though not obligated to do so, may maintain a secondary market in the Notes after the
Issue Date. The amount that you may receive upon sale of your Notes prior to maturity may be less than the principal amount of your Notes.
|
|
Listing:
|
The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
|
|
Clearance and
Settlement:
|
DTC global (including through its indirect participants Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg as described under
“Description of Debt Securities—Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance” in the prospectus dated September 7, 2018).
|
|
Terms Incorporated in
the Master Note:
|
All of the terms appearing above the item captioned “Secondary Market” on the cover page and pages P-2 and P-3 of this
terms supplement and the terms appearing under the caption “General Terms of the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018, as modified by this terms supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
ADDITIONAL TERMS OF YOUR NOTES
You should read this terms supplement together with the prospectus dated September 7, 2018, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated
September 7, 2018 and the product prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018, relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series H, of which these Notes are a part. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this terms supplement will have
the meanings given to them in the product prospectus supplement. In the event of any conflict, this terms supplement will control. The Notes vary from the
terms described in the product prospectus supplement in several important ways. You should read this terms supplement carefully.
This terms supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the Notes and supersedes all prior or
contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of
ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” in the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018 and “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement dated
September 7, 2018, as the Notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the Notes. You may access these documents on
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if that address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):
Prospectus dated September 7, 2018:
Prospectus Supplement dated September 7, 2018:
Product Prospectus Supplement ERN-EI-1 dated September 7, 2018:
Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1000275. As used in this terms supplement, “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Royal Bank of Canada.
Royal Bank of Canada has filed a registration statement (including a product prospectus supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a
prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this terms supplement relates. Before you invest, you should read those documents and the other documents relating to this offering that we have filed with the SEC for more complete information
about us and this offering. You may obtain these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Royal Bank of Canada,
any agent or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the product prospectus supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus if you so request by calling toll-free at 1-877-688-2301.
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLES
The table set out below is included for illustration purposes only. The table illustrates payment upon an automatic call and the
Payment at Maturity of the Notes for a hypothetical range of performance for the Lesser Performing Reference Index, assuming the following terms:
|
Hypothetical Initial Level (for each Reference Index):
|
1,000.00*
|
|
Hypothetical Barrier Level (for each Reference Index):
|
700.00, which is 70% of the hypothetical Initial Level
|
|
Principal Amount:
|
$1,000 per Note
|
|
Hypothetical Call Return Rate:
|
8.00% per annum (the midpoint of the Call Return Rate of 7.00% to 9.00% per annum)
|
|
Hypothetical Call Amounts:
|
$1,080 if called on the first Observation Date, increasing by $80 on each subsequent Observation Date, as set forth in the table above.
|
|
Recovery Amount:
|
$1,080 per $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes
|
* The hypothetical Initial Level of 1,000.00 used in the examples below has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the
actual Initial Level of any Reference Index. The actual Initial Level for each Reference Index will be set forth in the final pricing supplement relating to the Notes. We make no representation or warranty as to which of the Reference Indices will be the Lesser Performing Reference Index. It is possible that the Final Level of each Reference Index will be less than its Initial Level.
Summary of the Hypothetical Examples
|
Notes Are Called on an Observation Date
|
Notes Are Not Called on Any
Observation Date |
|||||||||
|
Example 1
|
Example 2
|
Example 3
|
Example 4
|
Example 5
|
||||||
|
INDU
|
RTY
|
INDU
|
RTY
|
INDU
|
RTY
|
INDU
|
RTY
|
INDU
|
RTY
|
|
|
Initial Level
|
1,000
|
1,000
|
1,000
|
1,000
|
1,000
|
1,000
|
1,000
|
1,000
|
1,000
|
1,000
|
|
Closing Level on the First Observation Date
|
1,250
|
1,300
|
1,100
|
975
|
900
|
1,050
|
880
|
805
|
980
|
805
|
|
Closing Level on the Second Observation Date
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
1,025
|
1,030
|
850
|
1,200
|
780
|
900
|
780
|
1,100
|
|
Closing Levels on the Third Observation Date
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
850
|
1,200
|
780
|
900
|
780
|
1,100
|
|
Closing Level on the Final Observation Date
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
1,035
|
1,500
|
850
|
1,200
|
600
|
1,120
|
|
Percentage Change of the Reference Indices
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
-15%
|
20%
|
-40%
|
12%
|
|
Percentage Change of the Lesser Performing Reference Index
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
-15%
|
-40%
|
|||||
|
Call Amount
|
$1,080
|
$1,160
|
$1,320 (paid on the maturity date)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|||||
|
Payment at Maturity (if not previously called)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
$1,080 (the Recovery Amount)
|
$600
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable Upon an Automatic Call
The following hypothetical examples illustrate payments of the Call Amounts set forth in the table in the “Summary” section above.
Example 1: The level of the Lesser Performing Reference
Index increases by 25% from the Initial Level to a closing level of 1,250 on the first Observation Date. Because the closing level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index on the first Observation Date is greater than its Initial Level,
the investor receives on the applicable Call Settlement Date a cash payment of $1,080, representing the corresponding hypothetical Call Amount. After the Notes are
called, they will no longer remain outstanding and there will be no further payments on the Notes.
Example 2: The level of the Lesser Performing Reference
Index decreases by 10% from the Initial Level of 1,000 to its closing level on the first Observation Date of 900, but the level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index increases by 10% from the Initial Level to a closing level of 1,100 on the
second Observation Date. Because the Notes are not called on the first Observation Date and the closing level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index on the second Observation Date is greater than its Initial Level, the investor
receives on the applicable Call Settlement Date a cash payment of $1,160, representing the corresponding hypothetical Call Amount. After the Notes are called, they
will no longer remain outstanding and there will be no further payments on the Notes.
Example 3: The Notes are not called on any of the
Observation Dates and the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is 1,200 on the Valuation Date, which is greater than its Initial Level. Because the Notes are not called on any of the preceding Observation Dates and the
closing level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index on the Valuation Date is greater than its Initial Level, the investor receives on the Maturity Date a cash payment of $1,320,
representing the corresponding hypothetical Call Amount.
Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity
The following hypothetical examples illustrate how the payments at maturity set forth in the table above are calculated, assuming the Notes have not been called.
Example 4: The level of the Lesser Performing Reference
Index decreases by 15% from the Initial Level to its Final Level of 850. The Notes are not called on any Observation Date because the closing level of at least one Reference Index is below its Initial Level on each Observation Date
(including the Valuation Date). Because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Initial Level but greater than its Barrier Level, the investor receives at maturity, a cash payment of $1,080 per Note (the Recovery
Amount), despite the decline in the level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index.
Example 5: The level of the Lesser Performing Reference
Index is 600 on the Valuation Date, which is less than its Barrier Level. The Notes are not called on any Observation Date because the closing level of at least one Reference Index is below its Initial Level on each Observation Date
(including the Valuation Date). Because the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index is less than its Barrier Level, we will pay only $600 for each $1,000 in the principal amount of the Notes, calculated as follows:
Principal Amount + (Principal Amount x Reference Index Return of the Lesser Performing Reference Index)
= $1,000 + ($1,000 x -40%) = $1,000 - $400 = $600
* * *
The payments shown above are entirely hypothetical; they are based on levels of the Reference Indices that may not be achieved and on assumptions
that may prove to be erroneous. The actual market value of your Notes on the Maturity Date or at any other time, including any time you may wish to sell your Notes, may bear little relation to the hypothetical payments at maturity shown above,
and those amounts should not be viewed as an indication of the financial return on an investment in the Notes or on an investment in the securities included in any Reference Index.
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
SELECTED RISK CONSIDERATIONS
An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Reference Indices.
These risks are explained in more detail in the section “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the product prospectus supplement. In addition to the risks described in the prospectus supplement and the product prospectus supplement,
you should consider the following:
| · |
Principal at Risk — Investors in the Notes could lose all or a substantial portion of their principal
amount if there is a decline in the level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index between the Trade Date and the Valuation Date. If the Notes are not automatically called and the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index
on the Valuation Date is less than its Barrier Level, the amount of cash that you receive at maturity will represent a loss of your principal that is proportionate to the decline in the closing level of the Lesser Performing Reference
Index from the Trade Date to the Valuation Date.
|
| · |
The Notes Are Subject to an Automatic Call — If, on any Observation Date, the closing level of each
Reference Index is greater than or equal to its Initial Level, then the Notes will be automatically called. If the Notes are automatically called, then, on the applicable Call Settlement Date, for each $1,000 in principal amount, you
will receive the applicable Call Amount on the corresponding Call Settlement Date. You will not receive any payments after the Call Settlement Date and you will not receive any return on the Notes that exceeds the applicable Call
Amount set forth above, even if the level of one or both of the Reference Indices increases substantially. You may be unable to reinvest your proceeds from the automatic call in an investment with a return that is as high as the
return on the Notes.
|
| · |
The Notes Do Not Pay Interest and Your Return May Be Lower than the Return on a Conventional Debt Security of
Comparable Maturity – There will be no periodic interest payments on the Notes as there would be on a conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt security having the same maturity. The return that you will receive on the
Notes, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. Your return may be less than the return you would earn if you bought a conventional senior interest bearing debt security of Royal Bank.
|
| · |
The Notes Are Linked to the Lesser Performing Reference Index, Even if the Other Reference Index Performs Better
— If any of the Reference Indices has a Final Level that is less than its Initial Level or its Barrier Level, your return will be linked to the lesser performing of the two Reference Indices. Even if the Final Level of the
other Reference Index has increased compared to its Initial Level, or has experienced a decrease that is less than that of the Lesser Performing Reference Index, your return will only be determined by reference to the performance of
the Lesser Performing Reference Index, regardless of the performance of the other Reference Index.
|
| · |
Your Payment on the Notes Will Be Determined by Reference to Each Reference Index Individually, Not to a Basket,
and the Payment at Maturity Will Be Based on the Performance of the Lesser Performing Reference Index — The Payment at Maturity will be determined only by reference to the performance of the Lesser Performing Reference
Index, regardless of the performance of the other Reference Index. The Notes are not linked to a weighted basket, in which the risk may be mitigated and diversified among each of the basket components. For example, in the case of
notes linked to a weighted basket, the return would depend on the weighted aggregate performance of the basket components reflected as the basket return. As a result, the depreciation of one basket component could be mitigated by the
appreciation of the other basket component, as scaled by the weighting of those basket components. However, in the case of the Notes, the individual performance of each of the Reference Indices would not be combined, and the
depreciation of one Reference Index would not be mitigated by any appreciation of the other Reference Index. Instead, your return will depend solely on the Final Level of the Lesser Performing Reference Index.
|
| · |
Payments on the Notes Are Subject to Our Credit Risk, and Changes in Our Credit Ratings Are Expected to Affect
the Market Value of the Notes — The Notes are our senior unsecured debt securities. As a result, your receipt of any Call Amounts, if payable, and the amount due on the maturity date is dependent upon our ability to repay
our obligations on the applicable payment date. This will be the case even if the levels of the Reference Indices increase after the Trade Date. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition will be at any time during
the term of the Notes.
|
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
| · |
There May Not Be an Active Trading Market for the Notes-Sales in the Secondary Market May Result in Significant
Losses — There may be little or no secondary market for the Notes. The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. RBCCM and our other affiliates may make a market for the Notes; however, they are not required to do
so. RBCCM or any other affiliate of ours may stop any market-making activities at any time. Even if a secondary market for the Notes develops, it may not provide significant liquidity or trade at prices advantageous to you. We expect
that transaction costs in any secondary market would be high. As a result, the difference between bid and asked prices for your Notes in any secondary market could be substantial.
|
| · |
Owning the Notes Is Not the Same as Owning the Securities Represented by the Reference Indices — The
return on your Notes is unlikely to reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the securities represented by the Reference Indices. For instance, you will not receive or be entitled to receive any dividend payments or
other distributions on those securities during the term of your Notes. As an owner of the Notes, you will not have voting rights or any other rights that holders of the Reference Indices may have. Furthermore, the Reference Indices
may appreciate substantially during the term of the Notes, while your potential return will be limited to the applicable Call Amounts.
|
| · |
The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Will Be Less than the Price to the Public — The initial estimated value set forth that will be set forth in the final pricing supplement for the Notes does not represent a minimum price at which we, RBCCM
or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase the Notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. If you attempt to sell the Notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them
and the initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the levels of the Reference Indices, the borrowing rate we pay to issue securities of this kind, and the inclusion in the price to the public of the
underwriting discount and the estimated costs relating to our hedging of the Notes. 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. Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which you may be
able to sell your Notes prior to maturity may be less than your original purchase price, as any such sale price would not be expected to include the underwriting discount and the hedging costs relating to the Notes. In addition to
bid-ask spreads, the value of the Notes determined by RBCCM for any secondary market price is expected to be based on the secondary rate rather than the internal funding rate used to price the Notes and determine the initial estimated
value. As a result, the secondary price will be less than if the internal funding rate was used. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your Notes to
maturity.
|
| · |
The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes that We Will Provide in the Final Pricing Supplement Are Estimates
Only, Calculated as of the Time the Terms of the Notes Are Set — The initial estimated value of the Notes will be based on the value of our obligation to make the payments on the Notes, together with the mid-market value of
the derivative embedded in the terms of the Notes. See “Structuring the Notes” below. Our estimates are based on a variety of assumptions, including our credit spreads, expectations as to dividends, interest rates and volatility, and
the expected term of the Notes. These assumptions are based on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. Other entities may value the Notes or similar securities at a price that is significantly different
than we do.
|
The value of the Notes at any time after the Trade Date will vary based on many factors, including changes in market conditions,
and cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold the Notes in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from the initial estimated value of your Notes.
| · |
Inconsistent Research — We or our affiliates may issue research reports on securities that are, or may
become, components of the Reference Indices. We may also publish research from time to time on financial markets and other matters that may influence the levels of the Reference Indices or the value of the Notes, or express opinions
or provide recommendations that may be inconsistent with purchasing or holding the Notes or with the investment view implicit in the Notes or the Reference Indices. You should make your own independent investigation of the merits of
investing in the Notes and the Reference Indices.
|
| · |
An Investment in the Notes Is Subject to Risks Associated in Investing in Stocks With a Small Market
Capitalization – The RTY consists of stocks issued by companies with relatively small market capitalizations.
|
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
These companies often have greater stock price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than
large-capitalization companies. As a result, the level of the RTY may be more volatile than that of a market measure that does not track solely small-capitalization stocks. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies are also generally more
vulnerable than those of large-capitalization companies to adverse business and economic developments, and the stocks of small-capitalization companies may be thinly traded, and be less attractive to many investors if they do not pay dividends.
In addition, small capitalization companies are often less well-established and less stable financially than large-capitalization companies and may depend on a small number of key personnel, making them more vulnerable to loss of those
individuals. Small capitalization companies tend to have lower revenues, less diverse product lines, smaller shares of their target markets, fewer financial resources and fewer competitive strengths than large-capitalization companies. These
companies may also be more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products or services.
| · |
Market Disruption Events and Adjustments — The payment
at maturity, each Observation Date and the Valuation Date are subject to adjustment as described in the product prospectus supplement. For a description of what constitutes a market disruption event as well as the consequences of
that market disruption event, see “General Terms of the Notes—Market Disruption Events” in the product prospectus supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
INFORMATION REGARDING THE REFERENCE INDICES
All disclosures contained in this terms supplement regarding the Reference Indices, including, without limitation, their make-up,
method of calculation, and changes in their components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, the applicable index sponsor. Each of these sponsors has no
obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the applicable Reference Index. The consequences of an index sponsor discontinuing publication of a Reference Index are discussed in the section of the product prospectus
supplement entitled “General Terms of the Notes—Unavailability of the Level of the Reference Asset.” Neither we nor RBCCM accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of any Reference Index or any successor index.
We obtained the information regarding the historical performance of each Reference Index set forth below from Bloomberg Financial
Markets.
Dow Jones Industrial Average® (“INDU”)
The INDU
The INDU is a price-weighted index, which means an underlying stock’s weight in the INDU is based on its price per share rather than the total market
capitalization of the issuer. The INDU is designed to provide an indication of the composite performance of 30 common stocks of corporations representing a broad cross-section of U.S. industry. The corporations represented in the INDU tend to be
market leaders in their respective industries and their stocks are typically widely held by individuals and institutional investors.
The INDU is maintained by an Averages Committee comprised of the Managing Editor of The Wall Street Journal (“WSJ”), the head of Dow Jones Indexes
research and the head of CME Group Inc. research. The Averages Committee was created in March 2010, when Dow Jones Indexes became part of CME Group Index Services, LLC, a joint venture company owned 90% by CME Group Inc. and 10% by Dow Jones
& Company. Generally, composition changes occur only after mergers, corporate acquisitions or other dramatic shifts in a component's core business. When such an event necessitates that one component be replaced, the entire INDU is reviewed.
As a result, when changes are made they typically involve more than one component. While there are no rules for component selection, a stock typically is added only if it has an excellent reputation, demonstrates sustained growth, is of interest
to a large number of investors and accurately represents the sector(s) covered by the average.
Changes in the composition of the INDU are made entirely by the Averages Committee without consultation with the corporations represented in the
INDU, any stock exchange, any official agency or us. Unlike most other indices, which are reconstituted according to a fixed review schedule, constituents of the INDU are reviewed on an as-needed basis. Changes to the common stocks included in
the INDU tend to be made infrequently, and the underlying stocks of the INDU may be changed at any time for any reason. The companies currently represented in the INDU are incorporated in the United States and its territories and their stocks are
listed on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.
The INDU initially consisted of 12 common stocks and was first published in the WSJ in 1896. The INDU was increased to include 20 common stocks in
1916 and to 30 common stocks in 1928. The number of common stocks in the INDU has remained at 30 since 1928, and, in an effort to maintain continuity, the constituent corporations represented in the INDU have been changed on a relatively
infrequent basis.
Computation of the INDU
The level of the INDU is the sum of the primary exchange prices of each of the 30 component stocks included in the INDU, divided by a divisor that is
designed to provide a meaningful continuity in the level of the INDU. Because the INDU is price-weighted, stock splits or changes in the component stocks could result in distortions in the index level. In order to prevent these distortions
related to extrinsic factors, the divisor is periodically changed in accordance with a mathematical formula that reflects adjusted proportions within the INDU. The current divisor of the INDU is published daily in the WSJ and other publications.
In addition, other statistics based on the INDU may be found in a variety of publicly available sources.
License Agreement
S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and Dow Jones® is a registered
trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). These trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. “DJIA®” is a trademark of Dow Jones. The trademark has been sublicensed for certain purposes by
us. The INDU is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by us.
The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P or any of their respective affiliates (collectively,
“S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the Notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the
Notes particularly or the ability of the INDU to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to the INDU is the licensing of the INDU
and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
third party licensors. The INDU is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices
without regard to us or the Notes. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of us or holders of the Notes into consideration in determining,
composing or calculating the INDU. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the Notes or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Notes or in the determination
or calculation of the equation by which the Notes are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Notes. There is no assurance that
investment products based on the INDU will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its subsidiaries are not investment advisors. Inclusion of a security or futures contract
within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security or futures contract, nor is it considered to be investment advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may
independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the Notes currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the Notes. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products
which are linked to the performance of the INDU. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the Notes.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDU OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER
PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDU OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO
THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
Historical Information
The graph below illustrates the performance of this Reference Index from January 1, 2009 to March 12, 2019, assuming an Initial Level of 25,554.66,
which was its closing level on March 12, 2019. The red line represents a hypothetical Barrier Level of 17,888.26, which is equal to 70% of the closing level on March 12, 2019, rounded to two decimal places. The actual Barrier Level will be based
on the closing level of this Reference Index on the Trade Date.
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”)
The RTY was developed by Russell Investments (“Russell”) before FTSE International Limited and Russell combined in 2015 to create FTSE Russell, which
is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group. Russell began dissemination of the RTY (Bloomberg L.P. index symbol “RTY”) on January 1, 1984. FTSE Russell calculates and publishes the RTY. The RTY was set to 135 as of the close of business on
December 31, 1986. The RTY is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. As a subset of the Russell 3000® Index, the RTY consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the
Russell 3000® Index. The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. The RTY is determined, comprised, and
calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to the Notes.
Selection of Stocks Underlying the RTY
All companies eligible for inclusion in the RTY must be classified as a U.S. company under FTSE Russell’s country-assignment methodology. If a
company is incorporated, has a stated headquarters location, and trades in the same country (American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares are not eligible), then the company is assigned to its country of incorporation. If any of
the three factors are not the same, FTSE Russell defines three Home Country Indicators (“HCIs”): country of incorporation, country of headquarters, and country of the most liquid exchange (as defined by a two-year average daily dollar trading
volume) (“ADDTV”) from all exchanges within a country. Using the HCIs, FTSE Russell compares the primary location of the company’s assets with the three HCIs. If the primary location of its assets matches any of the HCIs, then the company is
assigned to the primary location of its assets. If there is insufficient information to determine the country in which the company’s assets are primarily located, FTSE Russell will use the primary country from which the company’s revenues are
primarily derived for the comparison with the three HCIs in a similar manner. FTSE Russell uses the average of two years of assets or revenues data to reduce potential turnover. If conclusive country details cannot be derived from assets or
revenues data, FTSE Russell will assign the company to the country of its headquarters, which is defined as the address of the company’s principal executive offices, unless that country is a Benefit Driven Incorporation “BDI” country, in which
case the company will be assigned to the country of its most liquid stock exchange. BDI countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel
Islands, Cook Islands, Curacao, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Turks and Caicos Islands. For any companies incorporated or headquartered in a
U.S. territory, including countries such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. HCI is assigned.
All securities eligible for inclusion in the RTY must trade on a major U.S. exchange. Stocks must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on their
primary exchange on the last trading day in May to be eligible for inclusion during annual reconstitution. However, in order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last day of May, it will
be considered eligible if the average of the daily closing prices (from its primary exchange) during the month of May is equal to or greater than $1.00. Initial public offerings are added each quarter and must have a closing price at or above
$1.00 on the last day of their eligibility period in order to qualify for index inclusion. If an existing stock does not trade on the “rank day” (typically the last trading day in May, but a confirmed timetable is announced each spring), but
does have a closing price at or above $1.00 on another eligible U.S. exchange, that stock will be eligible for inclusion.
An important criterion used to determine the list of securities eligible for the RTY is total market capitalization, which is defined as the market
price as of the rank day in May for those securities being considered at annual reconstitution times the total number of shares outstanding. Where applicable, common stock, non-restricted exchangeable shares and partnership units/membership
interests are used to determine market capitalization. Any other form of shares such as preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants, rights, installment receipts or trust receipts, are
excluded from the calculation. If multiple share classes of common stock exist, they are combined to determine total shares outstanding. In cases where the common stock share classes act independently of each other (e.g., tracking stocks), each
class is considered for inclusion separately. If multiple share classes exist, the pricing vehicle will be designated as the share class with the highest two-year trading volume as of the rank day in May.
Companies with a total market capitalization of less than $30 million are not eligible for the RTY. Similarly, companies with only 5% or less of
their shares available in the marketplace are not eligible for the RTY. Royalty trusts, limited liability companies, closed-end investment companies (companies that are required to report Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, as defined by the SEC,
including business development companies), blank check companies, special purpose acquisition companies, and limited partnerships are also ineligible for inclusion. Exchange traded funds and mutual funds are also excluded. Bulletin board, pink
sheets, and over-the-counter (“OTC”) traded securities are not eligible for inclusion.
Annual reconstitution is a process by which the RTY is completely rebuilt. Based on closing levels of the company’s common stock on its primary exchange on the rank day
of May of each year, FTSE Russell reconstitutes the composition of the RTY using the then existing market capitalizations of eligible companies. Reconstitution of the RTY occurs on the last Friday in June or, when the last Friday in June is the
29th or 30th, reconstitution occurs on the prior Friday. In addition, FTSE Russell adds initial public offerings to the RTY on a quarterly basis based on total market capitalization ranking within the market-adjusted capitalization breaks
established during the most recent reconstitution.
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
After membership is determined, a security’s shares are adjusted to include only those shares available to the public. This is often referred to as “free float.” The
purpose of the adjustment is to exclude from market calculations the capitalization that is not available for purchase and is not part of the investable opportunity set.
Historical Information for Russell 2000® Index (“RTY”)
The graph below illustrates the performance of this Reference Index from January 1, 2009 to March 12, 2019, assuming an Initial Level of 1,549.835,
which was its closing level on March 12, 2019. The red line represents a hypothetical Barrier Level of 1,084.885, which is equal to 70% of the closing level on March 12, 2019, rounded to three decimal places. The actual Barrier Level will be
based on the closing level of this Reference Index on the Trade Date.
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCUSSION OF
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following disclosure supplements, and to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussion in the product prospectus supplement
dated September 7, 2018 under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
Under Section 871(m) of the Code, a “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States.
Such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are
“specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a
payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the U.S. Treasury Department
regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2021. Based on our determination that the Notes are not delta-one
instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the Notes. However, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the
occurrence of certain events affecting a Reference Index or the Notes (for example, upon a Reference Index rebalancing), and following such occurrence the Notes could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S.
holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the Reference Indices or the Notes should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the Notes and their
other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable withholding agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to
amounts so withheld.
The accompanying product prospectus supplement notes that FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds from a sale or redemption
of Notes will only apply to payments made after December 31, 2018. That discussion is modified to reflect regulations proposed by the U.S. Treasury Department in December 2018 indicating an intent to eliminate the requirement under FATCA of
withholding on gross proceeds of the disposition of financial instruments. The U.S. Treasury Department has indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization. Prospective investors are urged to consult
with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in the Notes.
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)
We expect that delivery of the Notes will be made against payment for the Notes on or about March 29, 2019, which is the second (2nd)
business day following the Trade Date (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+2”). See “Plan of Distribution” in the prospectus dated September 7, 2018. For additional information as to the relationship between us and RBCCM, please see the
section “Plan of Distribution—Conflicts of Interest” in the prospectus dated September 7, 2018.
In the initial offering of the Notes, they will be offered to investors at a purchase price equal to par, except with respect to certain accounts as
indicated on the cover page of this document.
The value of the Notes shown on your account statement may be based on RBCCM’s estimate of the value of the Notes if RBCCM or another of our affiliates were to make a
market in the Notes (which it is not obligated to do). That estimate will be based upon the price that RBCCM may pay for the Notes in light of then prevailing market conditions, our creditworthiness and transaction costs. For a period of
approximately 3 months after the issue date of the Notes, the value of the Notes that may be shown on your account statement may be higher than RBCCM’s estimated value of the Notes at that time. This is because the estimated value of the Notes
will not include the underwriting discount and our hedging costs and profits; however, the value of the Notes shown on your account statement during that period may be a higher amount, reflecting the addition of RBCCM’s underwriting discount and
our estimated costs and profits from hedging the Notes. This excess is expected to decrease over time until the end of this period. After this period, if RBCCM repurchases your Notes, it expects to do so at prices that reflect their estimated
value.
We may use this terms supplement in the initial sale of the Notes. In addition, RBCCM or another of our affiliates may use this terms supplement in a market-making
transaction in the Notes after their initial sale. Unless we or our agent informs the purchaser otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this terms supplement
is being used in a market-making transaction.
|
|
|
|
Auto-Callable Barrier Notes with Recovery
Feature Linked to the Lesser Performing of Two
Equity Indices
|
STRUCTURING THE NOTES
The Notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Reference Indices. As is the case for all of our debt
securities, including our structured notes, the economic terms of the Notes reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. In addition, because structured notes result in increased operational, funding and liability
management costs to us, we typically borrow the funds under these Notes at a rate that is more favorable to us than the rate that we might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. Using this relatively
lower implied borrowing rate rather than the secondary market rate, is a factor that is likely to reduce the initial estimated value of the Notes at the time their terms are set. Unlike the estimated value that will be included in the final
pricing supplement, any value of the Notes determined for purposes of a secondary market transaction may be based on a different funding rate, which may result in a lower value for the Notes than if our initial internal funding rate were used.
In order to satisfy our payment obligations under the Notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call
options, put options or other derivatives) on the issue date with RBCCM or one of our other subsidiaries. The terms of these hedging arrangements take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the
volatility of the Reference Indices, and the tenor of the Notes. The economic terms of the Notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.
The lower implied borrowing rate is a factor that reduces the economic terms of the Notes to you. The initial offering price of the Notes also reflects the underwriting
commission and our estimated hedging costs. These factors result in the initial estimated value for the Notes on the Trade Date being less than their public offering price. See “Selected Risk Considerations—The Initial Estimated Value of the
Notes Will Be Less than the Price to the Public” above.