BofA Finance LLC
11/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/25/2024 10:21
Primary Offering Prospectus - Form 424B2
This pricing supplement, which is not complete and may be changed, relates to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933. This pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these Notes in any country or jurisdiction where such an offer would not be permitted.
Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
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The Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust, due September 23, 2027 (the "Notes") are expected to price on December 19, 2024 and expected to issue on December 24, 2024.
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Approximate 2.75 year term if not called prior to maturity.
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Payments on the Notes will depend on the individual performance of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust (each an "Underlying").
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Contingent coupon rate of 7.50% per annum (0.625% per month) payable monthly if the Observation Value of each Underlying on the applicable Observation Date is greater than or equal to 80.00% of its Starting Value, assuming the Notes have not been called.
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Beginning with the June 20, 2025 Call Observation Date, automatically callable quarterly for an amount equal to the principal amount plus the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment, if the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to 100.00% of its Starting Value on any Call Observation Date.
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Assuming the Notes are not called prior to maturity, if either Underlying declines by more than 20% from its Starting Value, at maturity your investment will be subject to 1:1 downside exposure to decreases in the value of the Least Performing Underlying beyond a 20% decline, with up to 80% of the principal at risk; otherwise, at maturity, you will receive the principal amount. At maturity you will also receive a final Contingent Coupon Payment if the Observation Value of each Underlying on the final Observation Date is greater than or equal to 80.00% of its Starting Value.
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All payments on the Notes are subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance LLC ("BofA Finance" or the "Issuer"), as issuer of the Notes, and Bank of America Corporation ("BAC" or the "Guarantor"), as guarantor of the Notes.
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The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
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CUSIP No. 09711FFA0.
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The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date is expected to be between $903.50 and $943.50 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes, which is less than the public offering price listed below. The actual value of your Notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page PS-10 of this pricing supplement and "Structuring the Notes" on page PS-24 of this pricing supplement for additional information.
There are important differences between the Notes and a conventional debt security. Potential purchasers of the Notes should consider the information in "Risk Factors" beginning on page PS-10of this pricing supplement, page PS-5 of the accompanying product supplement, page S-6 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, and page 7 of the accompanying prospectus.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Public offering price(1)
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Underwriting discount(1)(2)
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Proceeds, before expenses, to BofA Finance(2)
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Per Note
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$1,000.00
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$30.00
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$970.00
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Total
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(1)
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Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forgo some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these fee-based advisory accounts may be as low as $970.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
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(2)
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The underwriting discount per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes may be as high as $30.00, resulting in proceeds, before expenses, to BofA Finance of as low as $970.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
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The Notes and the related guarantee:
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Are Not FDIC Insured
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Are Not Bank Guaranteed
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May Lose Value
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Selling Agent
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
Terms of the Notes
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Issuer:
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BofA Finance
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Guarantor:
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BAC
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Denominations:
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The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000.00 and whole multiples of $1,000.00 in excess thereof.
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Term:
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Approximately 2.75 years, unless previously automatically called.
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Underlyings:
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The VanEck® Gold Miners ETF (Bloomberg symbol: "GDX") and the iShares® Silver Trust (Bloomberg symbol: "SLV").
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Pricing Date*:
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December 19, 2024
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Issue Date*:
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December 24, 2024
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Valuation Date*:
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September 20, 2027, subject to postponement as described under "Description of the Notes-Certain Terms of the Notes-Events Relating to Observation Dates" in the accompanying product supplement.
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Maturity Date*:
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September 23, 2027
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Starting Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, its Closing Market Price on the pricing date.
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Observation Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, its Closing Market Price on the applicable Observation Date or Call Observation Date, as applicable, multiplied by its Price Multiplier.
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Ending Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, its Observation Value on the Valuation Date.
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Call Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, 100.00% of its Starting Value.
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Price Multiplier:
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With respect to each Underlying, 1, subject to adjustment for certain events relating to that Underlying as described in "Description of the Notes - Anti-Dilution and Discontinuance Adjustments Relating to ETFs" beginning on page PS-28 of the accompanying product supplement.
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Coupon Barrier:
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With respect to each Underlying, 80.00% of its Starting Value.
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Threshold Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, 80.00% of its Starting Value.
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Contingent Coupon Payment:
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If, on any monthly Observation Date, the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier, we will pay a Contingent Coupon Payment of $6.25 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes (equal to a rate of 0.625% per month or 7.50% per annum) on the applicable Contingent Payment Date (including the Maturity Date).
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Automatic Call:
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Beginning with the June 20, 2025 Call Observation Date, all (but not less than all) of the Notes will be automatically called if the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Call Value on any Call Observation Date. If the Notes are automatically called, the Early Redemption Amount will be paid on the applicable Call Payment Date. No further amounts will be payable following an Automatic Call.
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Early Redemption Amount:
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For each $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes, $1,000.00, plus the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment.
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Redemption Amount:
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If the Notes have not been automatically called prior to maturity, the Redemption Amount per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes will be:
a) If the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Threshold Value:
b) If the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Threshold Value:
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-2
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
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In this case, the Redemption Amount (excluding any final Contingent Coupon Payment) will be less than the principal amount and you could lose up to 80.00% of your investment in the Notes.
The Redemption Amount will also include a final Contingent Coupon Payment if the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier.
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Observation Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-4
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Contingent Payment Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-4
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Call Observation Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-6
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Call Payment Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-6. Each Call Payment Date is also a Contingent Payment Date.
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Calculation Agent:
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BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofAS"), an affiliate of BofA Finance.
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Selling Agent:
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BofAS
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CUSIP:
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09711FFA0
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Underlying Return:
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With respect to each Underlying,
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Least Performing Underlying:
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The Underlying with the lowest Underlying Return.
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Events of Default and Acceleration:
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If an Event of Default, as defined in the senior indenture relating to the Notes and in the section entitled "Description of Debt Securities of BofA Finance LLC-Events of Default and Rights of Acceleration; Covenant Breaches" on page 54 of the accompanying prospectus, with respect to the Notes occurs and is continuing, the amount payable to a holder of the Notes upon any acceleration permitted under the senior indenture will be equal to the amount described under the caption "Redemption Amount" above, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the Maturity Date of the Notes and as though the Valuation Date were the third Trading Day prior to the date of acceleration. We will also determine whether a final Contingent Coupon Payment is payable based upon the prices of the Underlyings on the deemed Valuation Date; any such final Contingent Coupon Payment will be prorated by the calculation agent to reflect the length of the final contingent payment period. In case of a default in the payment of the Notes, whether at their maturity or upon acceleration, the Notes will not bear a default interest rate.
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* Subject to change.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-3
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
Observation Dates, Contingent Payment Dates, Call Observation Dates and Call Payment Dates
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Observation Dates*
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Contingent Payment Dates
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January 21, 2025
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January 24, 2025
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February 19, 2025
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February 24, 2025
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March 19, 2025
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March 24, 2025
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April 21, 2025
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April 24, 2025
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May 19, 2025
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May 22, 2025
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June 20, 2025
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June 25, 2025
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July 21, 2025
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July 24, 2025
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August 19, 2025
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August 22, 2025
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September 19, 2025
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September 24, 2025
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October 20, 2025
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October 23, 2025
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November 19, 2025
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November 24, 2025
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December 19, 2025
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December 24, 2025
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January 20, 2026
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January 23, 2026
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February 19, 2026
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February 24, 2026
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March 19, 2026
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March 24, 2026
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April 20, 2026
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April 23, 2026
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May 19, 2026
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May 22, 2026
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June 22, 2026
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June 25, 2026
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July 20, 2026
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July 23, 2026
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August 19, 2026
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August 24, 2026
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September 21, 2026
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September 24, 2026
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October 19, 2026
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October 22, 2026
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November 19, 2026
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November 24, 2026
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December 21, 2026
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December 24, 2026
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January 19, 2027
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January 22, 2027
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February 19, 2027
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February 24, 2027
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March 19, 2027
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March 24, 2027
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April 19, 2027
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April 22, 2027
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May 19, 2027
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May 24, 2027
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June 21, 2027
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June 24, 2027
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July 19, 2027
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July 22, 2027
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August 19, 2027
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August 24, 2027
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September 20, 2027 (the "Valuation Date")
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September 23, 2027 (the "Maturity Date")
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-4
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
* The Observation Dates are subject to postponement as set forth in "Description of the Notes-Certain Terms of the Notes-Events Relating to Observation Dates" on page PS-21 of the accompanying product supplement.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-5
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
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Call Observation Dates*
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Call Payment Dates
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June 20, 2025
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June 25, 2025
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September 19, 2025
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September 24, 2025
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December 19, 2025
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December 24, 2025
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March 19, 2026
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March 24, 2026
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June 22, 2026
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June 25, 2026
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September 21, 2026
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September 24, 2026
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December 21, 2026
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December 24, 2026
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March 19, 2027
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March 24, 2027
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June 21, 2027
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June 24, 2027
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* The Call Observation Dates are subject to postponement as set forth in "Description of the Notes-Certain Terms of the Notes-Events Relating to Observation Dates" on page PS-21 of the accompanying product supplement, with references to "Observation Dates" being read as references to "Call Observation Dates."
Any payments on the Notes depend on the credit risk of BofA Finance, as Issuer, and BAC, as Guarantor, and on the performance of the Underlyings. The economic terms of the Notes are based on BAC's internal funding rate, which is the rate it would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes, and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements BAC's affiliates enter into. BAC's internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate it would pay when it issues conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. This difference in funding rate, as well as the underwriting discount, if any, and the hedging related charges described below (see "Risk Factors" beginning on page PS-10), will reduce the economic terms of the Notes to you and the initial estimated value of the Notes. Due to these factors, the public offering price you pay to purchase the Notes will be greater than the initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date.
The initial estimated value range of the Notes is set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement. The final pricing supplement will set forth the initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the Notes, see "Risk Factors" beginning on page PS-10 and "Structuring the Notes" on page PS-24.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-6
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
Contingent Coupon Payment and Redemption Amount Determination
On each Contingent Payment Date, if the Notes have not been previously called, you may receive a
Contingent Coupon Payment per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes determined as follows:
Assuming the Notes have not been automatically called, on the Maturity Date, you will receive a cash payment per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes determined as follows:
All payments described above are subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance, as Issuer, and BAC, as Guarantor.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-7
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
Total Contingent Coupon Payment Examples
The table below illustrates the hypothetical total Contingent Coupon Payments per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes over the term of the Notes, based on the Contingent Coupon Payment of $6.25, depending on how many Contingent Coupon Payments are payable prior to an Automatic Call or maturity. Depending on the performance of the Underlyings, you may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments during the term of the Notes.
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Number of Contingent Coupon Payments
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Total Contingent Coupon Payments
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0
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$0.00
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2
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$12.50
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4
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$25.00
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6
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$37.50
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8
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$50.00
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10
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$62.50
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12
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$75.00
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14
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$87.50
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16
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$100.00
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18
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$112.50
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20
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$125.00
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22
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$137.50
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24
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$150.00
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26
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$162.50
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28
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$175.00
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30
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$187.50
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32
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$200.00
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33
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$206.25
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-8
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments at Maturity
Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Table
The following table is for purposes of illustration only. It assumes the Notes have not been automatically called prior to maturity and is based on hypothetical values and shows hypothetical returns on the Notes. The table illustrates the calculation of the Redemption Amount and the return on the Notes based on a hypothetical Starting Value of 100 for the Least Performing Underlying, a hypothetical Coupon Barrier of 80 for the Least Performing Underlying, a hypothetical Threshold Value of 80 for the Least Performing Underlying, the Contingent Coupon Payment of $6.25 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes and a range of hypothetical Ending Values of the Least Performing Underlying. The actual amount you receive and the resulting return will depend on the actual Starting Values, Coupon Barriers, Threshold Values, Observation Values and Ending Values of the Underlyings, whether the Notes are automatically called prior to maturity, and whether you hold the Notes to maturity. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the Notes.
For recent actual values of the Underlyings, see "The Underlyings" section below. The Ending Value of each Underlying will not include any income generated by dividends or other distributions paid with respect to shares or units of that Underlying or on the securities included in that Underlying, as applicable. In addition, all payments on the Notes are subject to Issuer and Guarantor credit risk.
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Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying
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Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying
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Redemption Amount per Note (including any final Contingent Coupon Payment)
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Return on the Notes(1)
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160.00
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60.00%
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$1,006.25
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0.625%
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150.00
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50.00%
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$1,006.25
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0.625%
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140.00
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40.00%
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$1,006.25
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0.625%
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130.00
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30.00%
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$1,006.25
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0.625%
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120.00
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20.00%
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$1,006.25
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0.625%
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110.00
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10.00%
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$1,006.25
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0.625%
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105.00
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5.00%
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$1,006.25
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0.625%
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102.00
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2.00%
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$1,006.25
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0.625%
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100.00(2)
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0.00%
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$1,006.25
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0.625%
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90.00
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-10.00%
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$1,006.25
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0.625%
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80.00(3)
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-20.00%
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$1,006.25
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0.625%
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79.99
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-20.01%
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$999.90
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-0.010%
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70.00
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-30.00%
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$900.00
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-10.000%
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60.00
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-40.00%
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$800.00
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-20.000%
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50.00
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-50.00%
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$700.00
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-30.000%
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0.00
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-100.00%
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$200.00
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-80.000%
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(1)
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The "Return on the Notes" is calculated based on the Redemption Amount and potential final Contingent Coupon Payment, not including any Contingent Coupon Payments paid prior to maturity.
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(2)
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The hypothetical Starting Value of 100 used in the table above has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent a likely Starting Value of any Underlying.
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(3)
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This is the hypothetical Coupon Barrier and Threshold Value of the Least Performing Underlying.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-9
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
Risk Factors
Your investment in the Notes entails significant 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 of an investment in the Notes, including those discussed below, with your advisors in light of your particular circumstances. The Notes are not an appropriate investment for you if you are not knowledgeable about significant elements of the Notes or financial matters in general. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the Notes in the "Risk Factors" sections beginning on page PS-5 of the accompanying product supplement, page S-6 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and page 7 of the accompanying prospectus, each as identified on page PS-29 below.
Structure-related Risks
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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. If the Notes are not automatically called prior to maturity and the Ending Value of either Underlying is less than its Threshold Value, at maturity, your investment will be subject to 1:1 downside exposure to decreases in the value of the Least Performing Underlying beyond a 20% decline and you will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Threshold Value. In that case, you will lose some or a significant portion of your investment in the Notes.
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Your return on the Notes is limited to the return represented by the Contingent Coupon Payments, if any, over the term of the Notes. Your return on the Notes is limited to the Contingent Coupon Payments paid over the term of the Notes, regardless of the extent to which the Observation Value or Ending Value of any Underlying exceeds its Coupon Barrier or Starting Value, as applicable. Similarly, the amount payable at maturity or upon an Automatic Call will never exceed the sum of the principal amount and the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment, regardless of the extent to which the Observation Value or Ending Value of any Underlying exceeds its Starting Value. In contrast, a direct investment in the Underlyings or in the securities held by or included in the Underlying would allow you to receive the benefit of any appreciation in their values. Any return on the Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned those securities and received the dividends paid or distributions made on them.
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The Notes are subject to a potential Automatic Call, which would limit your ability to receive the Contingent Coupon Payments over the full term of the Notes. The Notes are subject to a potential Automatic Call. Beginning with the June 20, 2025 Call Observation Date, the Notes will be automatically called if, on any Call Observation Date, the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Call Value. If the Notes are automatically called prior to the Maturity Date, you will be entitled to receive the Early Redemption Amount on the applicable Call Payment Date, and no further amounts will be payable on the Notes. In this case, you will lose the opportunity to continue to receive Contingent Coupon Payments after the date of the Automatic Call. If the Notes are called prior to the Maturity Date, you may be unable to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk that could provide a return that is similar to the Notes.
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You may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments. The Notes do not provide for any regular fixed coupon payments. Investors in the Notes will not necessarily receive any Contingent Coupon Payments on the Notes. If the Observation Value of any Underlying is less than its Coupon Barrier on an Observation Date, you will not receive the Contingent Coupon Payment applicable to that Observation Date. If the Observation Value of any Underlying is less than its Coupon Barrier on all the Observation Dates during the term of the Notes, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments during the term of the Notes, and will not receive a positive return on the Notes.
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Your return on the Notes may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity. Any 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. In addition, if interest rates increase during the term of the Notes, the Contingent Coupon Payment (if any) may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity.
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The Contingent Coupon Payment, Early Redemption Amount or Redemption Amount, as applicable, will not reflect changes in the prices of the Underlyings other than on the Observation Dates or Call Observation Dates, as applicable. The prices of the Underlyings during the term of the Notes other than on the Observation Dates or Call Observation Dates, as applicable, will not affect payments on the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, investors should generally be aware of the performance of the Underlyings while holding the Notes, as the performance of the Underlyings may influence the market value of the Notes. The calculation agent will determine whether each Contingent Coupon Payment is payable and will calculate the Early Redemption Amount or the Redemption Amount, as applicable, by comparing only the Starting Value, the Coupon Barrier, the Call Value or the Threshold Value, as applicable, to the Observation Value or the Ending Value for each Underlying. No other prices of the Underlyings will be taken into account. As a result, if the Notes are not automatically called prior to maturity and the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Threshold Value, you will receive less than the principal amount at maturity even if the price of each Underlying was always above its Threshold Value prior to the Valuation Date.
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Because the Notes are linked to the least performing (and not the average performance) of the Underlyings, you may not receive any return on the Notes and may lose some or a significant portion of your investment in the Notes even if the Observation Value or Ending Value of one Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier or Threshold Value, as applicable. Your Notes are linked to the least performing of the Underlyings, and a change in the price of one Underlying may not correlate with changes in the price of the other Underlying. The Notes are not linked to a basket composed of the Underlyings, where the
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-10
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
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depreciation in the price of one Underlying could be offset to some extent by the appreciation in the price of the other Underlying. In the case of the Notes, the individual performance of each Underlying would not be combined, and the depreciation in the price of one Underlying would not be offset by any appreciation in the price of the other Underlying. Even if the Observation Value of an Underlying is at or above its Coupon Barrier on an Observation Date, you will not receive the Contingent Coupon Payment with respect to that Observation Date if the Observation Value of the other Underlying is below its Coupon Barrier on that day. In addition, even if the Ending Value of an Underlying is at or above its Threshold Value, you will lose some or a significant portion of your investment in the Notes if the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is below its Threshold Value.
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Any payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk and the credit risk of the Guarantor, and any actual or perceived changes in our or the Guarantor's creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the Notes. The Notes are our senior unsecured debt securities. Any payment on the Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor. The Notes are not guaranteed by any entity other than the Guarantor. As a result, your receipt of any payments on the Notes will be dependent upon our ability and the ability of the Guarantor to repay our respective obligations under the Notes on the applicable payment date, regardless of the performance of the Underlyings. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition or the financial condition of the Guarantor will be at any time after the pricing date of the Notes. If we and the Guarantor become unable to meet our respective financial obligations as they become due, you may not receive the amount(s) payable under the terms of the Notes.
In addition, our credit ratings and the credit ratings of the Guarantor are assessments by ratings agencies of our respective abilities to pay our obligations. Consequently, our or the Guarantor's perceived creditworthiness and actual or anticipated decreases in our or the Guarantor's credit ratings or increases in the spread between the yield on our respective 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 and the ability of the Guarantor to pay our respective obligations, such as the values of the Underlyings, an improvement in our or the Guarantor's credit ratings will not reduce the other investment risks related to the Notes. |
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We are a finance subsidiary and, as such, have no independent assets, operations, or revenues. We are a finance subsidiary of the Guarantor, have no operations other than those related to the issuance, administration and repayment of our debt securities that are guaranteed by the Guarantor, and are dependent upon the Guarantor and/or its other subsidiaries to meet our obligations under the Notes in the ordinary course. Therefore, our ability to make payments on the Notes may be limited.
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Valuation and Market-related Risks
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The public offering price you pay for the Notes will exceed their initial estimated value. The range of initial estimated values of the Notes that is provided on the cover page of this preliminary pricing supplement, and the initial estimated value as of the pricing date that will be provided in the final pricing supplement, are each estimates only, determined as of a particular point in time by reference to our and our affiliates' pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables, including our credit spreads and those of the Guarantor, the Guarantor's internal funding rate, mid-market terms on hedging transactions, expectations on interest rates, dividends and volatility, price-sensitivity analysis, and the expected term of the Notes. These pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. If you attempt to sell the Notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and lower than their initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the prices of the Underlyings, changes in the Guarantor's internal funding rate, and the inclusion in the public offering price of the underwriting discount, if any, and the hedging related charges, all as further described in "Structuring the Notes" below. 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.
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The initial estimated value does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we, BAC, BofAS or any of our other affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your Notes at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including the performance of the Underlyings, our and BAC's creditworthiness and changes in market conditions.
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We cannot assure you that a trading market for your Notes will ever develop or be maintained. We will not list the Notes on any securities exchange. We cannot predict how the Notes will trade in any secondary market or whether that market will be liquid or illiquid.
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Conflict-related Risks
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Trading and hedging activities by us, the Guarantor and any of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may create conflicts of interest with you and may affect your return on the Notes and their market value. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may buy or sell shares or units of the Underlyings or the securities or assets held by or included in the Underlyings, as applicable, or futures or options contracts or exchange traded instruments on the Underlyings or those securities, or other instruments whose value is derived from the Underlyings or those securities or assets. While we, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may from time to time own shares or units of the Underlyings or the securities or assets represented by the Underlyings, except to the extent that BAC's common stock may be included in the Underlyings, we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including BofAS, do not control any company included in the Underlyings, and have not verified any disclosure made by any other company. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may execute such purchases or sales for our
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-11
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
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own or their own accounts, for business reasons, or in connection with hedging our obligations under the Notes. These transactions may present a conflict of interest between your interest in the Notes and the interests we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including BofAS, may have in our or their proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions, including block trades, for our or their other customers, and in accounts under our or their management. These transactions may adversely affect the prices of the Underlyings in a manner that could be adverse to your investment in the Notes. On or before the pricing date, any purchases or sales by us, the Guarantor or our other affiliates, including BofAS or others on our or their behalf (including those for the purpose of hedging some or all of our anticipated exposure in connection with the Notes), may affect the prices of the Underlyings. Consequently, the prices of the Underlyings may change subsequent to the pricing date, which may adversely affect the market value of the Notes.
We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, also expect to engage in hedging activities that could affect the prices of the Underlyings on the pricing date. In addition, these hedging activities, including the unwinding of a hedge, may decrease the market value of your Notes prior to maturity, and may affect the amounts to be paid on the Notes. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may purchase or otherwise acquire a long or short position in the Notes and may hold or resell the Notes. For example, BofAS may enter into these transactions in connection with any market making activities in which it engages. We cannot assure you that these activities will not adversely affect the prices of the Underlyings, the market value of your Notes prior to maturity or the amounts payable on the Notes. |
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There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent. One of our affiliates will be the calculation agent for the Notes and, as such, will make a variety of determinations relating to the Notes, including the amounts that will be paid on the Notes. Under some circumstances, these duties could result in a conflict of interest between its status as our affiliate and its responsibilities as calculation agent.
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Underlying-related Risks
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An investment in the Notes is subject to risks associated with investing in stocks in the gold and silver mining industries. All or substantially all of the equity securities held by the GDX and the SLV are issued by companies whose primary line of business is directly associated with the gold and/or silver mining industries, respectively. As a result, the value of the Notes may be subject to greater volatility and be more adversely affected by a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting these industries than a different investment linked to securities of a more broadly diversified group of issuers. Investments related to gold and silver are considered speculative and are affected by a variety of factors. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of gold and silver mining companies. Also, gold and silver mining companies are highly dependent on the price of gold and silver bullion, respectively, and may be adversely affected by a variety of worldwide economic, financial and political factors. The price of gold has fluctuated in recent years and may continue to fluctuate substantially over short periods of time so the trading price of the shares of the GDX and the SLV may be more volatile than other types of investments. Fluctuation in the prices of gold and silver may be due to a number of factors, including changes in inflation and changes in industrial and commercial demand for metals. Additionally, increased environmental or labor costs may depress the value of metal investments. In times of significant inflation or great economic uncertainty, gold, silver and other precious metals may outperform traditional investments such as bonds and stocks. However, in times of stable economic growth, traditional equity and debt investments could offer greater appreciation potential and the value of gold, silver and other precious metals may be adversely affected, which could in turn affect the GDX's and the SLV's returns. If a natural disaster or other event with a significant economic impact occurs in a region where the companies in which the GDX or the SLV invests operate, that disaster or event could negatively affect the profitability of these companies and, in turn, the GDX's or the SLV's investment in them. These factors could affect the gold and silver mining industries and could affect the value of the equity securities held by the GDX or the SLV and the price of the GDX or the SLV during the term of the Notes, which may adversely affect the value of your Notes.
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In addition, the GDX is classified as "non-diversified" under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. A non-diversified fund generally may invest a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers. As a result, the GDX may be more susceptible to the risks associated with these particular companies, or to a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting these companies.
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An investment in the Notes is subject to risks associated with foreign securities markets, including emerging markets. Some of the securities held by the GDX are issued by foreign companies and you should be aware that investments in securities linked to the value of foreign equity securities involve particular risks. Foreign securities markets may have less liquidity and may be more volatile than the U.S. securities markets, and market developments may affect foreign markets differently than U.S. securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize a foreign securities market, as well as cross-shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading prices and volumes in those markets. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about non-U.S. companies that are not subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC, and non-U.S. companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.
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The prices and performance of securities of non-U.S. companies are subject to political, economic, financial, military and social factors which could negatively affect foreign securities markets, including the possibility of recent or future changes in a foreign government's economic, monetary and fiscal policies, the possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to foreign companies or investments in foreign equity securities, the possibility of imposition of withholding taxes on dividend
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-12
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
income, the possibility of fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies, the possibility of outbreaks of hostility or political instability and the possibility of natural disaster or adverse public health developments. Moreover, the relevant non-U.S. economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in important respects, such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, trade surpluses or deficits, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.
In addition, the GDX may include companies in countries with emerging markets. Countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions (due to economic dependence upon commodity prices and international trade), and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens, currency devaluations or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of holdings difficult or impossible at times.
The securities included in the GDX may be listed on a foreign stock exchange. A foreign stock exchange may impose trading limitations intended to prevent extreme fluctuations in individual security prices and may suspend trading in certain circumstances. These actions could limit variations in the Closing Price of the GDX which could, in turn, adversely affect the value of the Notes.
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The Notes are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. The GDX holds securities traded outside of the United States. Its share price will fluctuate based upon its net asset value ("NAV"), which will in turn depend in part upon changes in the value of the currencies in which the securities held by the GDX are traded. Accordingly, investors in the Notes will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the currencies in which the securities held by the GDX are traded. An investor's net exposure will depend on the extent to which these currencies strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar. If the dollar strengthens against these currencies, the NAV of the GDX will be adversely affected and the price of the GDX may decrease.
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The stocks held by the GDX are concentrated in one sector. The GDX holds securities issued by companies in the gold miners sector. As a result, some of the stocks that will determine the performance of the Notes are concentrated in one sector. Although an investment in the Notes will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the securities held by the GDX, the return on an investment in the Notes will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct equity investment in companies in this sector. Accordingly, by investing in the Notes, you will not benefit from the diversification which could result from an investment linked to companies that operate in multiple sectors.
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The performance of the GDX may not correlate with the performance of its underlying index as well as the NAV per share of the GDX, especially during periods of market volatility. The performance of the GDX and that of its underlying index generally will vary due to, for example, transaction costs, management fees, certain corporate actions, and timing variances. Moreover, it is also possible that the performance of the GDX may not fully replicate or may, in certain circumstances, diverge significantly from the performance of its underlying index. This could be due to, for example, the GDX not holding all or substantially all of the underlying assets included in its underlying index and/or holding assets that are not included in its underlying index, the temporary unavailability of certain securities in the secondary market, the performance of any derivative instruments held by the GDX, differences in trading hours between the GDX (or the underlying assets held by the GDX) and its underlying index, or other circumstances. This variation in performance is called the "tracking error," and, at times, the tracking error may be significant. In addition, because the shares of the GDX are traded on a securities exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market price of one share of the GDX may differ from its NAV per share; shares of the GDX may trade at, above, or below its NAV per share. During periods of market volatility, securities held by the GDX may be unavailable in the secondary market, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the NAV per share of the GDX and the liquidity of the GDX may be adversely affected. Market volatility may also disrupt the ability of market participants to trade shares of the GDX. Further, market volatility may adversely affect, sometimes materially, the prices at which market participants are willing to buy and sell shares of the GDX. As a result, under these circumstances, the market value of shares of the GDX may vary substantially from the NAV per share of the GDX.
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The Notes are subject to risks associated with silver. The SLV seeks to reflect generally the performance of the price of silver, less the SLV's expenses and liabilities. The price of silver is primarily affected by global demand for and supply of silver. Silver prices can fluctuate widely and may be affected by numerous factors. These include general economic trends, increases in silver hedging activity by silver producers, significant changes in attitude by speculators and investors in silver, technical developments, substitution issues and regulation, as well as specific factors including industrial and jewelry demand, expectations with respect to the rate of inflation, the relative strength of the U.S. dollar (the currency in which the price of silver is generally quoted) and other currencies, interest rates, central bank sales, forward sales by producers, global or regional political or economic events and production costs and disruptions in major silver-producing countries, such as Mexico, China and Peru. The demand for and supply of silver affect silver prices, but not necessarily in the same manner as supply and demand affect the prices of other commodities. The supply of silver consists of a combination of new mine production and existing stocks of bullion and fabricated silver held by governments, public and private financial institutions, industrial organizations and private individuals. In addition, the price of silver has on occasion been subject to very rapid short-term changes due to speculative activities. From time to time, above-ground inventories of silver may also influence the market. The major end uses for silver include industrial applications, jewelry and silverware. It is not possible to predict the aggregate effect of all or any combination of these factors.
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There are risks associated with commodities trading on the London Bullion Market Association. The investment objective of the SLV is to reflect generally the price of silver before the payment of its expenses and liabilities. The price of silver is determined by the
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-13
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
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London Bullion Market Association (the "LBMA") or an independent service provider appointed by the LBMA. The LBMA is a self-regulatory association of bullion market participants. Although all market-making members of the LBMA are supervised by the Bank of England and are required to satisfy a capital adequacy test, the LBMA itself is not a regulated entity. If the LBMA should cease operations, or if bullion trading should become subject to a value added tax or other tax or any other form of regulation currently not in place, the role of the LBMA silver price as a global benchmark for the value of silver may be adversely affected. The LBMA is a principals' market that operates in a manner more closely analogous to an over-the-counter physical commodity market than a regulated futures market, and certain features of U.S. futures contracts are not present in the context of LBMA trading. For example, there are no daily price limits on the LBMA that would otherwise restrict fluctuations in the prices of LBMA contracts. In a declining market, it is possible that prices would continue to decline without limitation within a trading day or over a period of trading days. The LBMA may alter, discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of the LBMA silver price, which could adversely affect the value of the Notes. The LBMA, or an independent service provider appointed by the LBMA, will have no obligation to consider your interests in calculating or revising the LBMA silver price. All of these factors could adversely affect the price of the SLV and, therefore, the return on the Notes.
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Single commodity prices tend to be more volatile than, and may not correlate with, the prices of commodities generally. The SLV is linked to a single commodity and not to a diverse basket of commodities or a broad-based commodity index. The SLV's underlying commodity may not correlate to the price of commodities generally and may diverge significantly from the prices of commodities generally. As a result, the Notes carry greater risk and may be more volatile than securities linked to the prices of more commodities or a broad-based commodity index.
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The SLV is not an investment company or commodity pool and will not be subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended. Accordingly, you will not benefit from any regulatory protections afforded to persons who invest in regulated investment companies or commodity pools.
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The performance of the SLV may not correlate with the performance of its underlying commodity as well as the NAV per share of the SLV, especially during periods of market volatility. The SLV does not fully replicate the performance of its underlying commodity, which is silver, due to the fees and expenses charged by the SLV or by restrictions on access to its underlying commodity due to other circumstances. The SLV does not generate any income, and as the SLV regularly sells its underlying commodity to pay for ongoing expenses, the amount of its underlying commodity represented by each share gradually declines over time. The SLV sells its underlying commodity to pay expenses on an ongoing basis irrespective of whether the trading price of the shares rises or falls in response to changes in the price of its underlying commodity. The sale by the SLV of its underlying commodity to pay expenses at a time of low prices for its underlying commodity could adversely affect the value of the Notes. Additionally, there is a risk that part or all of the SLV's holdings in its underlying commodity could be lost, damaged or stolen. Access to the SLV's underlying commodity could also be restricted by natural events (such as an earthquake) or human actions (such as a terrorist attack). All of these factors may lead to a lack of correlation between the performance of the SLV and its underlying commodity. In addition, because the shares of the SLV are traded on a securities exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market value of one share of the SLV may differ from the NAV per share of the SLV. During periods of market volatility, the SLV's underlying commodity may be unavailable in the secondary market, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the NAV per share of the SLV and the liquidity of the SLV may be adversely affected. This kind of market volatility may also disrupt the ability of market participants to create and redeem shares of the SLV. Further, market volatility may adversely affect, sometimes materially, the prices at which market participants are willing to buy and sell shares of the SLV. As a result, under these circumstances, the market value of shares of the SLV may vary substantially from the NAV per share of the SLV. For all of the foregoing reasons, the performance of the SLV may not correlate with the performance of its underlying commodity as well as the NAV per share of the SLV, which could materially and adversely affect the value of the Notes in the secondary market and/or reduce any payment on the Notes.
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The anti-dilution adjustments will be limited. The calculation agent may adjust the Price Multiplier of an Underlying and other terms of the Notes to reflect certain actions by an Underlying, as described in the section "Description of the Notes-Anti-Dilution and Discontinuance Adjustments Relating to ETFs" in the accompanying product supplement. The calculation agent will not be required to make an adjustment for every event that may affect an Underlying and will have broad discretion to determine whether and to what extent an adjustment is required.
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The publisher or the sponsor or investment advisor of an Underlying may adjust that Underlying in a way that affects its prices, and the publisher or the sponsor or investment advisor has no obligation to consider your interests. The publisher or the sponsor or investment advisor of an Underlying can add, delete, or substitute the components included in that Underlying or make other methodological changes that could change its price. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of your Notes.
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Tax-related Risks
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The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the Notes. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the Notes or securities similar to the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are not certain. Under the terms of the Notes, you will have agreed with us to treat the Notes as contingent income-bearing single financial contracts, as described below under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary-General." If the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") were successful in asserting an alternative characterization for the Notes, the timing and character of income, gain or loss with respect to the Notes may differ. No ruling will be requested from the IRS with respect to the Notes and no assurance can be given that the IRS will agree with the statements made in the section entitled "U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary."
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-14
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
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You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the Notes.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-15
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
The Underlyings
All disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Underlyings, 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 investment advisor of the GDX and the investment advisor of the SLV (collectively, the "Investment Advisors"). The Investment Advisors, which license the copyright and all other rights to the respective Underlyings, have no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Underlyings. The consequences of any Investment Advisor discontinuing publication of the applicable Underlying are discussed in "Description of the Notes - Anti-Dilution and Discontinuance Adjustments Relating to ETFs - Discontinuance of or Material Change to an ETF" in the accompanying product supplement. None of us, the Guarantor, the calculation agent, or BofAS accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of any Underlying or any successor underlying. None of us, the Guarantor, BofAS or any of our other affiliates makes any representation to you as to the future performance of the Underlyings. You should make your own investigation into the Underlyings.
The VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
We have derived the following information from publicly available documents published by VanEck ETF Trust (the "Trust") (or, with respect to its underlying index, NYSE Arca).
Information provided to or filed with the SEC relating to the GDX under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, can be located by reference to its Central Index Key, or CIK, 0001137360 through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Additional information about the GDX may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. We have not made any independent investigation as to the accuracy or completeness of such information.
The GDX is an investment portfolio maintained, managed and advised by the Trust. The GDX is an exchange traded fund that trades on NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol "GDX." The GDX seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (the "Underlying Index"). The GDX utilizes a "passive" or "indexing" investment approach in attempting to track the performance of the Underlying Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Underlying Index. The GDX will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks that comprise the Underlying Index.
The Underlying Index
The Underlying Index is a modified market capitalization weighted index comprised of securities issued by publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining of gold or silver. The Underlying Index is calculated, maintained and published by ICE Data Indices, LLC ("IDI"), the index sponsor.
Eligibility Criteria for Index Components
The Underlying Index includes common stocks, American Depositary Receipts or Global Depositary Receipts of selected companies that are involved in mining for gold and silver and that are listed for trading and electronically quoted on a major stock market that is accessible by foreign investors. Generally, this includes exchanges in most developed markets and major emerging markets, and includes companies that are cross-listed, i.e., both U.S. and Canadian listings. IDI will use its discretion to avoid exchanges and markets that are considered "frontier" in nature or have major restrictions to foreign ownership. The universe of companies eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index will specifically include those companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues from gold mining and related activities (40% for companies that are already included in the Underlying Index). Also, the Underlying Index will maintain an exposure to companies with a significant revenue exposure to silver mining in addition to gold mining, which will not exceed 20% of the Underlying Index weight at each rebalance.
Further, both streaming companies and royalty companies are eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index. Companies that have not yet commenced production are also eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index, provided that they have tangible revenues that are related to the mining of either gold or silver ore. There are no restrictions imposed on the index universe in how much a particular company has hedged in gold or silver production via futures, options or forward contracts.
Only companies with a market capitalization of greater than $750 million that have an average daily trading volume of at least 50,000 shares over the past three months and an average daily value traded of at least $1 million over the past three months are eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index. A buffer is enforced for companies already in the Underlying Index. For companies already included in the Underlying Index, the market capitalization requirement at each rebalance is $450 million, the average daily volume requirement is at least 30,000 shares over the past three months and the average daily value traded requirement is at least $600,000 over the past three months.
IDI has the discretion to not include all companies that meet the minimum criteria for inclusion.
Calculation of the Underlying Index
The Underlying Index is calculated by IDI on a net total return basis. The calculation is based on the current modified market capitalization divided by a divisor. The divisor was determined on the initial capitalization base of the Underlying Index and the base level and may be adjusted as a result of corporate actions and composition changes, as described below. The level of the Underlying Index was set at 500.00 on December 19, 2002, which is
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-16
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
the index base date. The Underlying Index is calculated using the following formula:
Where:
t = Index Calculation Date;
D ntr,t = the Index Divisor on Index Calculation Date t;
P i,t = Price (in the Index Base Currency) of Index Constituent i on Index Calculation Date t;
Q i,t = number of Shares of Index Constituent i on Index Calculation Date t
Underlying Index Maintenance
Quarterly Index Rebalances
The Underlying Index is reviewed quarterly so that the selection and weightings of the constituents continues to reflect as closely as possible the Underlying Index's objective of measuring the performance of highly capitalized companies in the gold mining industry. IDI may at any time and from time to time change the number of securities comprising the Underlying Index by adding or deleting one or more securities, or replacing one or more securities contained in the Underlying Index with one or more substitute securities of its choice, if in IDI's discretion such addition, deletion or substitution is necessary or appropriate to maintain the quality and/or character of the Underlying Index. A company will be removed from the Underlying Index during the quarterly review if either (1) its market capitalization falls below $450 million or (2) its average daily trading volume for the previous three months is less than 30,000 shares and its average daily traded value for the previous three months is less than $600,000.
Weightings at Quarterly Index Rebalances
At the time of the quarterly rebalance, the component security weights (also referred to as the multiplier or share quantities of each component security) will be modified to conform to the following asset diversification requirements:
1. the weight of any single component security may not account for more than 20% of the total value of the Underlying Index;
2. the component securities are split into two subgroups-large and small, which are ranked by unadjusted market capitalization weight in the Underlying Index. Large securities are defined as having a starting index weight greater than or equal to 5%. Small securities are defined as having a starting index weight below 5%; and
3. the final aggregate weight of those component securities which individually represent more than 4.5% of the total value of the Underlying Index may not account for more than 45% of the total index value.
The weights of the components securities (taking into account expected component changes and share adjustments) are modified in accordance with the Underlying Index's diversification rules.
Diversification Rule 1: If any component stock exceeds 20% of the total value of the Underlying Index, then all stocks greater than 20% of the Underlying Index are reduced to represent 20% of the value of the Underlying Index. The aggregate amount by which all component stocks are reduced is redistributed proportionately across the remaining stocks that represent less than 20% of the index value. After this redistribution, if any other stock then exceeds 20%, the stock is set to 20% of the index value and the redistribution is repeated.
Diversification Rule 2: The components are sorted into two groups, large are components with a starting index weight of 5% or greater and small are components with a weight of under 5% (after any adjustments for Diversification Rule 1). If there are no components that classify as large components after Diversification Rule 1 is run, then Diversification Rule 2 is not executed. Alternatively, if the starting aggregate weight of the large components after Diversification Rule 1 is run is not greater than 45% of the starting index weight, then Diversification Rule 2 is not executed. If Diversification Rule 2 is executed, then the large group will represent in the aggregate 45% and the small group will represent 55% in the aggregate of the final index weight. This will be adjusted through the following process: The weight of each of the large stocks will be scaled down proportionately (with a floor of 5%) so that the aggregate weight of the large components will be reduced to represent 45% of the Underlying Index. If any large component stock falls below a weight equal to the product of 5% and the proportion by which the stocks were scaled down following this distribution, then the weight of the stock is set equal to 5% and the components with weights greater than 5% will be reduced proportionately. The weight of each of the small components will be scaled up proportionately from the redistribution of the large components. If any small component stock exceeds a weight equal to the product of 4.5% and the proportion by which the stocks were scaled down following this distribution, then the weight of the stock is set equal to 4.5%. The redistribution of weight to the remaining stocks is repeated until the entire amount has been redistributed.
Changes to the Underlying Index composition and/or the component security weights in the Underlying Index are determined and announced prior to
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
taking effect. These changes typically become effective after the close of trading on the third Friday of each calendar quarter month in connection with the quarterly index rebalance.
Corporate Action-Related Adjustments
The Underlying Index may be adjusted in order to maintain the continuity of the index level and the composition. The underlying aim is that the index continues to reflect as closely as possible the value of the underlying portfolio. Adjustments take place in reaction to events that occur with constituents, in order to mitigate or eliminate the effect of that event on the Underlying Index.
The Index Divisor will be adjusted for corporate actions and any additions, deletions and share changes, as described in more detail below. The Index Divisor is calculated as follows:
Where:
t = Index Calculation Date t;
D ntr,t = the Index Divisor on Index Calculation Date t;
APC i,t = the Adjusted Previous Close Price (for net dividends going ex-dividend on Index Calculation Date t and corporate actions, and denominated in the Index Base Currency) of Index Constituent i on Index Calculation Date t;
Q i,t = number of Shares of Index Constituent i on Index Calculation Date t;
Index(NTR) t-1 = the Underlying Index Level from Date t-1;
Adjustments take place in reaction to events that occur with constituents in order to mitigate or eliminate the effect of that event on the performance of the Underlying Index as follow:
(1) Removal of constituents. Any stock deleted from the Underlying Index as a result of a corporate action such as a merger, acquisition, spin-off, delisting or bankruptcy is typically not replaced with a new constituent. The total number of stocks in the Underlying Index is reduced by one every time a company is deleted. In certain circumstances, IDI may decide to add another constituent into the Underlying Index as a result of the pending removal of a current constituent. If a company is removed from the Underlying Index, the divisor will be adapted to maintain the index level.
a. Mergers and acquisitions. In the event that a merger or acquisition occurs between members of the Underlying Index, the acquired company is deleted and its market capitalization moves to the acquiring company's stock. In the event that only one of the parties to a merger or acquisition is a member of the Underlying Index, an acquiring member of the Underlying Index continues as a member of the Underlying Index and its shares will be adjusted at the next rebalance while an acquired member of the Underlying Index is removed from the Underlying Index and its market capitalization redistributed proportionately across the remaining constituents via a divisor adjustment, and the acquiring company may be considered for inclusion at the next rebalance.
b. Suspensions and company distress. Immediately upon a company's filing for bankruptcy, an announcement will be made to remove the constituent from the Underlying Index effective for the next trading day. If the constituent is trading on an over-the-counter market, the last trade or price on that market is utilized as the deletion price on that day. If the stock does not trade on the relevant exchange between the bankruptcy announcement and the current index business day, the stock may be deleted from the Underlying Index with a presumed market value of $0.
c. Split-up / spin-off. The closing price of the index constituent is adjusted by the value of the spin-off and the shares of the index constituent will not be adjusted.
(2) Dividends. The Underlying Index will be adjusted for dividends that are special. To determine whether a dividend should be considered a special dividend, the compiler will use the following criteria: (a) the declaration of a dividend additional to those dividends declared as part of a company's normal results and dividend reporting cycle; or (b) the identification of an element of a dividend paid in line with a company's normal results and dividend reporting cycle as an element that is unambiguously additional to the company's normal payment.
(3) Rights issues and other rights. In the event of a rights issue, the price is adjusted for the value of the right before the open on the ex-date, and the shares are increased to maintain the constituent's existing weighting within the Underlying Index. The adjustment assumes that the rights issue is fully subscribed. The amount of the price adjustment is determined from the terms of the rights issue, including the subscription price, and the price of the underlying security. IDI shall only enact adjustments if the rights represent a positive value, or are in-the-money, or, alternatively, represent or can be converted into a tangible cash value.
(4) Bonus issues, stock splits and reverse stock splits. For bonus issues, stock splits and reverse stock splits, the number of shares included in the Underlying Index will be adjusted in accordance with the ratio given in the corporate action. Since the event won't change the value of the company included in the Underlying Index, the divisor will not be changed because of this.
(5) Changes in number of shares. Changes in the number of shares outstanding, typically due to share repurchases, tenders or offerings, will not
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-18
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
be reflected in the Underlying Index.
Other Adjustments
In cases not expressly covered by the rules governing the Underlying Index, operational adjustments will take place along the lines of the aim of the Underlying Index. Operational adjustments may also take place if, in IDI's opinion, it is desirable to do so to maintain a fair and orderly market in derivatives on the Underlying Index and/or is in the best interests of the investors in products based on the Underlying Index and/or the proper functioning of the markets. Any such modifications or exercise of expert judgment will also be governed by any applicable policies, procedures and guidelines in place by IDI at such time.
Historical Performance of the GDX
The following graph sets forth the daily historical performance of the GDX in the period from January 2, 2019 through November 20, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On November 20, 2024, the Closing Market Price of the GDX was $37.72.
This historical data on the GDX is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the GDX or what the value of the Notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the Closing Market Price of the GDX during any period set forth above is not an indication that the Closing Market Price of the GDX is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the Notes.
Before investing in the Notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the Closing Market Prices and trading pattern of the GDX.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-19
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
The iShares® Silver Trust
The SLV trades under the ticker symbol "SLV" on NYSE Arca. iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC ("iShares Delaware") is the sponsor of the SLV. The Bank of New York Mellon is the trustee of the SLV, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London branch is the custodian of the SLV.
The SLV seeks to reflect generally the price of silver before the payment of its expenses and liabilities. The assets of the SLV consist primarily of silver held by the custodian on behalf of the SLV. The SLV issues shares ("Shares") in exchange for deposits of silver and distributes silver in connection with the redemption of Shares. The Shares of the SLV are intended to constitute a simple and cost-effective means of making an investment similar to an investment in silver.
The SLV issues Shares in blocks of 50,000 Shares (a block of 50,000 Shares is called a "Basket") to certain authorized participants, on an ongoing basis. Baskets are only issued or redeemed in exchange for an amount of silver determined by the trustee on each day that NYSE Arca is open for regular trading.
The Shares of the SLV represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of the assets of the SLV. The SLV is a passive investment vehicle and the trustee of the SLV does not actively manage the silver held by the SLV. The trustee of the SLV sells silver held by the SLV to pay the SLV's expenses on an as-needed basis irrespective of then-current silver prices. Currently, the SLV's only ordinary recurring expense is expected to be iShares Delaware's fee, which is accrued daily at an annualized rate equal to 0.50% of the NAV of the SLV and is payable monthly in arrears. The trustee of the SLV will, when directed by iShares Delaware, and, in the absence of such direction, may, in its discretion, sell silver in such quantity and at such times as may be necessary to permit payment of iShares Delaware's fee and of SLV expenses or liabilities not assumed by iShares Delaware.
Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the SLV pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, can be located by reference to SEC file numbers 333-262440 and 001-32863, respectively, through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Information on that website is not included or incorporated by reference in this document. According to the SLV's prospectus, the SLV is not a mutual fund or any other type of investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and is not subject to regulation thereunder, the SLV is not a commodity pool within the meaning of the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended, and is not subject to regulation thereunder, and iShares Delaware is not subject to regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity pool operator or a commodity trading advisor.
Creation and Redemption
The SLV issues and redeems Baskets on a continuous basis. Baskets are only issued or redeemed in exchange for an amount of silver determined by the trustee on each day that NYSE Arca is open for regular trading. No Shares are issued unless the custodian has allocated to the SLV's account (except for an unallocated amount of silver not in excess of 1,100 ounces), the corresponding amount of silver. At the creation of the SLV, a Basket required delivery of 500,000 ounces of silver. The amount of silver necessary for the creation of a Basket, or to be received upon redemption of a Basket, will decrease over the life of the SLV, due to the payment or accrual of fees and other expenses or liabilities payable by the trust. Baskets may be created or redeemed only by Authorized Participants, who pay the trustee a transaction fee for each order to create or redeem Baskets.
Valuation of Silver; Computation of NAV
On each business day, as soon as practicable after 4:00 p.m. (New York time), the trustee evaluates the silver held by the SLV and determines the NAV of the SLV and the NAV per Share. For purposes of making these calculations, a business day means any day other than a day when NYSE Arca is closed for regular trading. The trustee values the silver held by the SLV using that day's LBMA Silver Price. LBMA Silver Price is the price per ounce, in U.S. dollars, of unallocated silver delivered in London determined by the ICE Benchmark Administration following an electronic auction consisting of one or more 30-second rounds starting at 12:00 p.m. (London time) on each day that the London silver market is open for business and published shortly thereafter. Once the value of the SLV's silver has been determined, the trustee subtracts all accrued fees, expenses and other liabilities of the SLV from the total value of the silver and all other assets of the SLV. The resulting figure is the NAV of the SLV. The trustee determines the NAV per Share by dividing the NAV of the SLV by the number of Shares outstanding on the day the computation is made.
Historical Performance of the SLV
The following graph sets forth the daily historical performance of the SLV in the period from January 2, 2019 through November 20, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On November 20, 2024, the Closing Market Price of the SLV was $28.10.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-20
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
This historical data on the SLV is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the SLV or what the value of the Notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the Closing Market Price of the SLV during any period set forth above is not an indication that the Closing Market Price of the SLV is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the Notes.
Before investing in the Notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the Closing Market Prices and trading pattern of the SLV.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-21
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
Supplement to the Plan of Distribution; Role of BofAS and Conflicts of Interest
BofAS, a broker-dealer affiliate of ours, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA") and will participate as selling agent in the distribution of the Notes. Accordingly, the offering of the Notes will conform to the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121. BofAS may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the account holder.
We expect to deliver the Notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than one business day following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the Notes occurs more than one business day from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes more than one business day prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
Under our distribution agreement with BofAS, BofAS will purchase the Notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this pricing supplement, less the indicated underwriting discount, if any. BofAS will sell the Notes to other broker-dealers that will participate in the offering and that are not affiliated with us, at an agreed discount to the principal amount. Each of those broker-dealers may sell the Notes to one or more additional broker-dealers. BofAS has informed us that these discounts may vary from dealer to dealer and that not all dealers will purchase or repurchase the Notes at the same discount. Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forgo some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these fee-based advisory accounts may be as low as $970.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
BofAS and any of our other broker-dealer affiliates may use this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus for offers and sales in secondary market transactions and market-making transactions in the Notes. However, they are not obligated to engage in such secondary market transactions and/or market-making transactions. These broker-dealer affiliates may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and any such sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market conditions at the time of the sale.
At BofAS's discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the Notes, BofAS may offer to buy the Notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the Notes. Any price offered by BofAS for the Notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Underlyings and the remaining term of the Notes. However, none of us, the Guarantor, BofAS or any of our other affiliates is obligated to purchase your Notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that any party will purchase your Notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the Notes.
Any price that BofAS may pay to repurchase the Notes will depend upon then prevailing market conditions, the creditworthiness of us and the Guarantor, and transaction costs. At certain times, this price may be higher than or lower than the initial estimated value of the Notes.
European Economic Area and United Kingdom
None of this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation (as defined below). This pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement have been prepared on the basis that any offer of Notes in any Member State of the European Economic Area (the "EEA") or in the United Kingdom (each, a "Relevant State") will only be made to a legal entity which is a qualified investor under the Prospectus Regulation ("Qualified Investors"). Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant State of Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement may only do so with respect to Qualified Investors. Neither BofA Finance nor BAC has authorized, nor does it authorize, the making of any offer of Notes other than to Qualified Investors. The expression "Prospectus Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
PROHIBITION OF SALES TO EEA AND UNITED KINGDOM RETAIL INVESTORS - The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the United Kingdom. For these purposes: (a) a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended ("MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (the Insurance Distribution Directive) where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; and (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 for the Notes. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or in the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
United Kingdom
The communication of this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement, the accompanying
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-22
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
prospectus and any other document or materials relating to the issue of the Notes offered hereby is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of Section 21 of the United Kingdom's Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the "FSMA"). Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who fall within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Financial Promotion Order")), or who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order, or who are any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). In the United Kingdom, the Notes offered hereby are only available to, and any investment or investment activity to which this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relates will be engaged in only with, Relevant Persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any of their contents.
Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of the Notes may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to BofA Finance, as Issuer, or BAC, as Guarantor.
All applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with in respect to anything done by any person in relation to the Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-23
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
Structuring the Notes
The Notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Underlyings. The related guarantee is BAC's obligation. As is the case for all of our and BAC's respective debt securities, including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the Notes reflect our and BAC's actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. In addition, because market-linked notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us and BAC, BAC typically borrows the funds under these types of notes at a rate, which we refer to in this pricing supplement as BAC's internal funding rate, that is more favorable to BAC than the rate that it might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security. This generally relatively lower internal funding rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the Notes, along with the fees and charges associated with market-linked notes, typically results in the initial estimated value of the Notes on the pricing date being less than their public offering price.
In order to meet our payment obligations on the Notes, at the time we issue the Notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with BofAS or one of our other affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined based upon terms provided by BofAS and its affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our and BAC's creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Underlyings, the tenor of the Notes and the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the Notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.
BofAS has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include hedging related charges, reflecting the costs associated with, and our affiliates' profit earned from, these hedging arrangements. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, actual profits or losses from these hedging transactions may be more or less than any expected amounts.
For further information, see "Risk Factors" beginning on page PS-5 and "Supplemental Use of Proceeds" on page PS-20 of the accompanying product supplement.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-24
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary
The following summary of the material U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the Notes supplements, and to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussion under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the accompanying prospectus and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), regulations promulgated under the Code by the U.S. Treasury Department ("Treasury") (including proposed and temporary regulations), rulings, current administrative interpretations and official pronouncements of the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. This summary does not include any description of the tax laws of any state or local governments, or of any foreign government, that may be applicable to a particular holder.
Although the Notes are issued by us, they will be treated as if they were issued by BAC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly throughout this tax discussion, references to "we," "our" or "us" are generally to BAC unless the context requires otherwise.
This summary is directed solely to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders that, except as otherwise specifically noted, will purchase the Notes upon original issuance and will hold the Notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, which generally means property held for investment, and that are not excluded from the discussion under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the accompanying prospectus.
You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the Notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws.
General
Although there is no statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addressing the characterization of the Notes, we intend to treat the Notes for all tax purposes as contingent income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Underlyings and under the terms of the Notes, we and every investor in the Notes agree, in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat the Notes in accordance with such characterization. In the opinion of our counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, it is reasonable to treat the Notes as contingent income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Underlyings. This discussion assumes that the Notes constitute contingent income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Underlyings for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Notes did not constitute contingent income-bearing single financial contracts, the tax consequences described below would be materially different.
This characterization of the Notes is not binding on the IRS or the courts. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the Notes or any similar instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no ruling is being requested from the IRS with respect to their proper characterization and treatment. Due to the absence of authorities on point, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are not certain, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or any court will agree with the characterization and tax treatment described in this pricing supplement. Accordingly, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes, including possible alternative characterizations.
Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion is based on the characterization described above. The discussion in this section assumes that there is a significant possibility of a significant loss of principal on an investment in the Notes.
We will not attempt to ascertain whether the issuer of any Underlying would be treated as a "passive foreign investment company" ("PFIC"), within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code, or a United States real property holding corporation, within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code. If the issuer of any Underlying were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply to a holder of the Notes. You should refer to information filed with the SEC by the issuers of the Underlyings and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you, if any, if the issuer of any Underlying is or becomes a PFIC or is or becomes a United States real property holding corporation.
U.S. Holders
Although the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any Contingent Coupon Payment on the Notes is uncertain, we intend to take the position, and the following discussion assumes, that any Contingent Coupon Payment constitutes taxable ordinary income to a U.S. Holder at the time received or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of accounting. By purchasing the Notes you agree, in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat any Contingent Coupon Payment as described in the preceding sentence.
Upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes prior to maturity, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized (other than amounts representing any Contingent Coupon Payment, which would be taxed as described above) and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Notes. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Notes will equal the amount paid by that holder to acquire them. Subject to the discussion below concerning the possible application of the "constructive ownership" rules of Section 1260 of the Code, this capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the Notes for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-25
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
Possible Application of Section 1260 of the Code. Since the Underlyings are the type of financial assets described under Section 1260 of the Code (including, among others, any equity interest in pass-through entities such as exchange traded funds, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, partnerships, and passive foreign investment companies, each a "Section 1260 Financial Asset"), while the matter is not entirely clear, there may exist a risk that an investment in the Notes will be treated , in whole or in part, as a "constructive ownership transaction" to which Section 1260 of the Code applies. If Section 1260 of the Code applies, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S. Holder in respect of the Notes will be recharacterized as ordinary income (the "Excess Gain"). In addition, an interest charge will also apply to any deemed underpayment of tax in respect of any Excess Gain to the extent such gain would have resulted in gross income inclusion for the U.S. Holder in taxable years prior to the taxable year of the sale, exchange, redemption, or settlement (assuming such income accrued at a constant rate equal to the applicable federal rate as of the date of sale, exchange, redemption, or settlement).
If an investment in the Notes is treated as a constructive ownership transaction, it is not clear to what extent any long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder in respect of the Notes will be recharacterized as ordinary income. It is possible, for example, that the amount of the Excess Gain (if any) that would be recharacterized as ordinary income in respect of the Notes will equal the excess of (i) any long-term capital gain recognized by the U.S. Holder in respect of the Notes and attributable to Section 1260 Financial Assets, over (ii) the "net underlying long-term capital gain" (as defined in Section 1260 of the Code) such U.S. Holder would have had if such U.S. Holder had acquired an amount of the corresponding Section 1260 Financial Assets at fair market value on the original issue date for an amount equal to the portion of the issue price of the Notes attributable to the corresponding Section 1260 Financial Assets and sold such amount of Section 1260 Financial Assets at maturity or upon sale, exchange or redemption of the Notes at fair market value. Unless otherwise established by clear and convincing evidence, the net underlying long-term capital gain is treated as zero and therefore it is possible that all long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S. Holder in respect of the Notes will be recharacterized as ordinary income if Section 1260 of the Code applies to an investment in the Notes. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of Section 1260 of the Code to an investment in the Notes.
As described below, the IRS, as indicated in Notice 2008-2 (the "Notice"), is considering whether Section 1260 of the Code generally applies or should apply to the Notes, including in situations where the Underlyings are not the type of financial asset described under Section 1260 of the Code.
Alternative Tax Treatments. Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the proper tax treatment of the Notes, prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding all possible alternative tax treatments of an investment in the Notes. In particular, the IRS could seek to subject the Notes to the Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments. If the IRS were successful in that regard, the timing and character of income on the Notes would be affected significantly. Among other things, a U.S. Holder would be required to accrue original issue discount every year at a "comparable yield" determined at the time of issuance. In addition, any gain realized by a U.S. Holder at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes generally would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes generally would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. Holder's prior accruals of original issue discount, and as capital loss thereafter.
In addition, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as a unit consisting of a deposit and a put option written by the Note holder, in which case the timing and character of income on the Notes would be affected significantly.
The Notice sought comments from the public on the taxation of financial instruments currently taxed as "prepaid forward contracts." This Notice addresses instruments such as the Notes. According to the Notice, the IRS and Treasury are considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the Notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis, regardless of whether any payments are made prior to maturity. It is not possible to determine what guidance the IRS and Treasury will ultimately issue, if any. Any such future guidance may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain, or loss in respect of the Notes, possibly with retroactive effect.
The IRS and Treasury are also considering additional issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether foreign holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, whether Section 1260 of the Code, concerning certain "constructive ownership transactions," generally applies or should generally apply to such instruments, and whether any of these determinations depend on the nature of the underlying asset.
In addition, proposed Treasury regulations require the accrual of income on a current basis for contingent payments made under certain notional principal contracts. The preamble to the regulations states that the "wait and see" method of accounting does not properly reflect the economic accrual of income on those contracts, and requires current accrual of income for some contracts already in existence. While the proposed regulations do not apply to prepaid forward contracts, the preamble to the proposed regulations expresses the view that similar timing issues exist in the case of prepaid forward contracts. If the IRS or Treasury publishes future guidance requiring current economic accrual for contingent payments on prepaid forward contracts, it is possible that you could be required to accrue income over the term of the Notes.
It is also possible that the IRS could assert that your Notes should be treated as partially giving rise to "collectibles" gain or loss if you have held your Notes for more than one year, although we do not think such a treatment would be appropriate in this case because a sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes is not a sale, exchange, or redemption of a collectible but is rather a sale, exchange, or redemption of a derivative contract that reflects the value, in part, of a collectible. "Collectibles" gain is currently subject to tax at marginal rates of up to 28%.
Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of the Notes, it is also possible that the IRS could seek to characterize the Notes in a manner that results in tax consequences that are different from those described above. For example, the IRS could possibly
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-26
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
assert that any gain or loss that a holder may recognize at maturity or upon the sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes should be treated as ordinary gain or loss.
Non-U.S. Holders
Because the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Notes (including any Contingent Coupon Payment) is uncertain, we (or the applicable paying agent) will withhold U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the entire amount of any Contingent Coupon Payment made unless such payments are effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the U.S. (in which case, to avoid withholding, the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide a Form W-8ECI). We (or the applicable paying agent) will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. To claim benefits under an income tax treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder must obtain a taxpayer identification number and certify as to its eligibility under the appropriate treaty's limitations on benefits article, if applicable. In addition, special rules may apply to claims for treaty benefits made by Non-U.S. Holders that are entities rather than individuals. The availability of a lower rate of withholding under an applicable income tax treaty will depend on whether such rate applies to the characterization of the payments under U.S. federal income tax laws. A Non-U.S. Holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Except as discussed below, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax for amounts paid in respect of the Notes (not including, for the avoidance of doubt, amounts representing any Contingent Coupon Payment which would be subject to the rules discussed in the previous paragraph) upon the sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes or their settlement at maturity, provided that the Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification requirements and that the payment is not effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a U.S. trade or business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes or their settlement at maturity may be subject to U.S. federal income tax if that Non-U.S. Holder is a non-resident alien individual and is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale, exchange, redemption, or settlement and certain other conditions are satisfied.
If a Non-U.S. Holder of the Notes is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and if any Contingent Coupon Payment and gain realized on the settlement at maturity, or upon sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes, is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the U.S.), the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax, generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such Contingent Coupon Payment and gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder. Such Non-U.S. Holders should read the material under the heading "-U.S. Holders," for a description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the Notes. In addition, if such Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by any applicable tax treaty) of a portion of its earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., subject to certain adjustments.
A "dividend equivalent" payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a Non-U.S. Holder. Under Treasury 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, IRS guidance provides 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, 2027. 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 the Underlyings or the Notes, 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 Underlyings 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 paying agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.
As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative characterization, by reason of change or clarification of the law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments as to the Notes to become subject to withholding tax in addition to the withholding tax described above, tax will be withheld at the applicable statutory rate. Prospective Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of such alternative characterizations.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax. Under current law, while the matter is not entirely clear, individual Non-U.S. Holders, and entities whose property is potentially includible in those individuals' gross estates for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty benefit, a Note is likely to be treated as U.S. situs property, subject to U.S. federal estate tax. These individuals and entities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in a Note.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Please see the discussion under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations - General - Backup Withholding and Information Reporting" in the
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-27
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
accompanying prospectus for a description of the applicability of the backup withholding and information reporting rules to payments made on the Notes.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-28
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF and the iShares® Silver Trust
Where You Can Find More Information
The terms and risks of the Notes are contained in this pricing supplement and in the following related product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, which can be accessed at the following links:
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Product Supplement EQUITY-1 dated December 30, 2022:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1682472/000119312522315473/d429684d424b2.htm |
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Series A MTN prospectus supplement dated December 30, 2022 and prospectus dated December 30, 2022:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1682472/000119312522315195/d409418d424b3.htm |
This pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or obtained from BofAS by calling 1-800-294-1322. Before you invest, you should read this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus for information about us, BAC and this offering. Any prior or contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you may have received are superseded by this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. Certain terms used but not defined in this pricing supplement have the meanings set forth in the accompanying product supplement or prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to "we," "us," "our," or similar references are to BofA Finance, and not to BAC.
The Notes are our senior debt securities. Any payments on the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by BAC. The Notes and the related guarantee are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or secured by collateral. The Notes will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, except obligations that are subject to any priorities or preferences by law. The related guarantee will rank equally in right of payment with all of BAC's other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, except obligations that are subject to any priorities or preferences by law, and senior to its subordinated obligations. Any payments due on the Notes, including any repayment of the principal amount, will be subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance, as Issuer, and BAC, as Guarantor.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-29
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