Results
BofA Finance LLC
10/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/30/2024 15:12
Primary Offering Prospectus - Form 424B2
Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
|
•
|
The Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund, due November 1, 2029 (the "Notes") priced on October 28, 2024 and will issue on October 31, 2024.
|
|
•
|
Approximate 5 year term if not called prior to maturity.
|
|
•
|
Payment on the Notes will depend on the individual performance of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund (each an "Underlying").
|
|
•
|
Beginning with the October 29, 2025 Call Observation Date, automatically callable at an amount equal to the applicable Call Amount if, on the applicable Call Observation Date, the Observation Value of each Underlying is equal to or greater than its Call Value. The Call Observation Dates and Call Amounts are indicated on page PS-4.
|
|
•
|
Assuming the Notes are not called prior to maturity, if the Ending Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to 100% of its Starting Value, at maturity, you will receive 125.00% upside exposure to increases in the value of the Least Performing Underlying; otherwise, at maturity, you will receive the principal amount.
|
|
•
|
Any payment on the Notes is 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.
|
|
•
|
No periodic interest payments.
|
|
•
|
The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
|
|
•
|
CUSIP No. 09711FE29.
|
The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date is $927.60 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-8 of this pricing supplement and "Structuring the Notes" on page PS-26 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-8of 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.
|
Public offering price(1)
|
Underwriting discount(1)(2)
|
Proceeds, before expenses, to BofA Finance(2)
|
|
|
Per Note
|
$1,000.00
|
$35.25
|
$964.75
|
|
Total
|
$100,000.00
|
$3,525.00
|
$96,475.00
|
|
(1)
|
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 $964.75 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
|
|
(2)
|
The underwriting discount per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes may be as high as $35.25, resulting in proceeds, before expenses, to BofA Finance of as low as $964.75 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes. The total underwriting discount and proceeds, before expenses, to BofA Finance specified above reflect the aggregate of the underwriting discounts per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
|
The Notes and the related guarantee:
|
Are Not FDIC Insured
|
Are Not Bank Guaranteed
|
May Lose Value
|
|
Selling Agent
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
Terms of the Notes
|
Issuer:
|
BofA Finance
|
|
Guarantor:
|
BAC
|
|
Denominations:
|
The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000.00 and whole multiples of $1,000.00 in excess thereof.
|
|
Term:
|
Approximately 5 years, unless previously automatically called.
|
|
Underlyings:
|
The Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund (Bloomberg symbol: "XLF"), the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund (Bloomberg symbol: "XLB") and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund (Bloomberg symbol: "XLU").
|
|
Pricing Date:
|
October 28, 2024
|
|
Issue Date:
|
October 31, 2024
|
|
Valuation Date:
|
October 29, 2029, 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.
|
|
Maturity Date:
|
November 1, 2029
|
|
Starting Value:
|
XLF: $47.21
XLB: $94.74
XLU: $81.01
|
|
Observation Value:
|
With respect to each Underlying, its Closing Market Price on the applicable Call Observation Date, multiplied by its Price Multiplier.
|
|
Ending Value:
|
With respect to each Underlying, its Closing Market Price on the Valuation Date, multiplied by its Price Multiplier.
|
|
Call Value:
|
XLF: $47.21, which is 100.00% of its Starting Value.
XLB: $94.74, which is 100.00% of its Starting Value.
XLU: $81.01, which is 100.00% of its Starting Value.
|
|
Price Multiplier:
|
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.
|
|
Redemption Barrier:
|
XLF: $47.21, which is 100.00% of its Starting Value.
XLB: $94.74, which is 100.00% of its Starting Value.
XLU: $81.01, which is 100.00% of its Starting Value.
|
|
Upside Participation Rate:
|
125.00%
|
|
Automatic Call:
|
Beginning with the October 29, 2025 Call Observation Date, all (but not less than all) of the Notes will be automatically called at an amount equal to the applicable Call Amount 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 applicable Call Amount will be paid on the applicable Call Payment Date. No further amounts will be payable following an Automatic Call.
|
|
Redemption Amount:
|
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 Redemption Barrier:
|
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-2
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
|
b) If the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Redemption Barrier:
|
|
|
Call Observation Dates:
|
As set forth beginning on page PS-4
|
|
Call Payment Dates:
|
As set forth beginning on page PS-4
|
|
Call Amounts (per $1,000.00 in principal amount):
|
As set forth beginning on page PS-4
|
|
Calculation Agent:
|
BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofAS"), an affiliate of BofA Finance.
|
|
Selling Agent:
|
BofAS
|
|
CUSIP:
|
09711FE29
|
|
Underlying Return:
|
With respect to each Underlying,
|
|
Least Performing Underlying:
|
The Underlying with the lowest Underlying Return.
|
|
Events of Default and Acceleration:
|
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. 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.
|
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-3
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
Call Observation Dates, Call Payment Dates and Call Amounts
|
Call Observation Dates*
|
Call Payment Dates
|
Call Amounts (per $1,000.00 in principal amount)
|
|
October 29, 2025
|
November 3, 2025
|
$1,090.00
|
|
April 28, 2026
|
May 1, 2026
|
$1,135.00
|
* 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" beginning on page PS-23 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-8), reduced 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 are paying to purchase the Notes is greater than the initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date.
The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date is set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the Notes, see "Risk Factors" beginning on page PS-8 and "Structuring the Notes" on page PS-26.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-4
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
Automatic Call and Redemption Amount Determination
*On each Call Observation Date, your Notes may be automatically called,
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.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-5
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments on the Notes
Examples and Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Table
The following examples and table are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical returns on the Notes. The examples and table illustrate payments on the Notes based on a hypothetical Starting Value of 100 for each Underlying, a hypothetical Call Value of 100 for each Underlying, a hypothetical Redemption Barrier of 100 for the Least Performing Underlying, Call Amounts as indicated on page PS-4, the Upside Participation Rate of 125.00% and a range of hypothetical Observation Values and Ending Values of the Least Performing Underlying. The actual amount you receive and the resulting return will depend on the actual Starting Values, Call Values, Redemption Barriers, 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.
If the Notes Are Called Prior to Maturity
The Notes will be called at an amount equal to the applicable Call Amount if on any Call Observation Date the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Call Value. After the Notes are called, they will no longer remain outstanding and there will not be any further payments on the Notes.
Example 1 - The Observation Value of each Underlying on the first Call Observation Date is 105.00 or higher. Therefore, the Notes will be called at $1,090.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
Example 2 - The Observation Value of each Underlying on the first Call Observation Dates is below its respective Call Value, but the Observation Value of each Underlying on the second Call Observation Date is 110.00 or higher. Therefore, the Notes will be called at $1,135.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
If the Notes Are Not Called Prior to Maturity
|
Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying
|
Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying
|
Redemption Amount per Note
|
Return on the Notes(1)
|
|
160.00
|
60.00%
|
$1,750.00
|
75.00%
|
|
150.00
|
50.00%
|
$1,625.00
|
62.50%
|
|
140.00
|
40.00%
|
$1,500.00
|
50.00%
|
|
130.00
|
30.00%
|
$1,375.00
|
37.50%
|
|
120.00
|
20.00%
|
$1,250.00
|
25.00%
|
|
110.00
|
10.00%
|
$1,125.00
|
12.50%
|
|
105.00
|
5.00%
|
$1,062.50
|
6.25%
|
|
102.00
|
2.00%
|
$1,025.00
|
2.50%
|
|
100.00(2)(3)
|
0.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
|
90.00
|
-10.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
|
80.00
|
-20.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
|
70.00
|
-30.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
|
60.00
|
-40.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
|
50.00
|
-50.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
|
0.00
|
-100.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
|
(1)
|
The "Return on the Notes" is calculated based on the Redemption Amount.
|
|
(2)
|
The hypothetical Starting Value of 100 used in the table above has been chosen for illustrative purposes only. The actual Starting Value of each Underlying is set
|
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-6
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
|
set forth on page PS-2 above.
|
|
|
(3)
|
This is the hypothetical Redemption Barrier of the Least Performing Underlying.
|
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-7
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
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
|
•
|
You may not earn a return on your investment. The payment you will receive at maturity will depend on whether the prices of each Underlying increases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value. If the price of each Underlying decreases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value (or if the price of each Underlying is unchanged), you will not receive any positive return on the Notes and will only receive the principal amount.
|
|
•
|
The Notes do not bear interest. Unlike a conventional debt security, no interest payments will be paid over the term of the Notes, regardless of the extent to which the Observation Value or Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying exceeds its Starting Value, Redemption Barrier or Call Value.
|
|
•
|
The Notes are subject to a potential Automatic Call, which would limit your ability to receive further payment on the Notes. The Notes are subject to a potential Automatic Call. 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 applicable Call Amount with respect to the applicable Call Observation Date and no further amounts will be payable following the Automatic Call. In this case, you will lose the opportunity to receive payment of any higher Call Amount or Redemption Amount that otherwise would be payable 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.
|
|
•
|
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.
|
|
•
|
The Call Amount or Redemption Amount, as applicable, will not reflect changes in the prices of the Underlyings other than on the Call Observation Dates or Valuation Date, as applicable. The prices of the Underlyings during the term of the Notes other than on the Call Observation Dates or Valuation Date, 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 the Notes will be automatically called and will calculate the Call Amount or the Redemption Amount, as applicable, by comparing only the Starting Value, the Call Value or the Redemption Barrier, 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 Redemption Barrier, you will receive only the principal amount at maturity even if the price of each Underlying has increased at certain times during the term of the Notes before the Least Performing Underlying decreases to a price on the Valuation Date that is less than its Redemption Barrier.
|
|
•
|
Because the Notes are linked to the least performing (and not the average performance) of the Underlyings, you may not receive any positive return on the Notes. 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 prices of the other Underlyings. The Notes are not linked to a basket composed of the Underlyings, where the depreciation in the price of one Underlying could be offset to some extent by the appreciation in the prices of the other Underlyings. 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 prices of the other Underlyings. Even if the Observation Value of an Underlying is at or above its Call Value on a Call Observation Date, your Notes will not be automatically called if the Observation Value of another Underlying is below its Call Value on that day.
|
|
•
|
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 |
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-8
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
|
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.
|
|
•
|
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.
|
Valuation and Market-related Risks
|
•
|
The public offering price you are paying for the Notes exceeds their initial estimated value. The initial estimated value of the Notes that is provided on the cover page of this pricing supplement is an estimate only, determined as of the pricing date 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.
|
|
•
|
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.
|
|
•
|
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.
|
Conflict-related Risks
|
•
|
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 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. 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 securities 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 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 have affected 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 may have engaged in hedging activities that could have affected 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. |
|
•
|
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.
|
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-9
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
Underlying-related Risks
|
•
|
Adverse conditions in the financial sector may reduce your return on the Notes. All of the stocks held by the XLF are issued by companies whose primary lines of business are directly associated with the financial sector. The profitability of these companies is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds, and can fluctuate significantly, particularly when market interest rates change. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of these companies' customers can negatively impact the sector. In addition, adverse international economic, business, or political developments, including with respect to the insurance sector, or to real estate and loans secured by real estate, could have a major effect on the price of the XLF. As a result of these factors, the value of the Notes may be subject to greater volatility and be more adversely affected by economic, political, or regulatory events relating to the financial services sector.
|
|
•
|
Economic conditions have adversely impacted the stock prices of many companies in the financial services sector. In recent years, international economic conditions have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant losses among many companies that operate in the financial services sector. These conditions have also resulted, and may continue to result, in a high degree of volatility in the stock prices of financial institutions, and substantial fluctuations in the profitability of these companies. Numerous financial services companies have experienced substantial decreases in the value of their assets, taken action to raise capital (including the issuance of debt or equity securities), or even ceased operations. Further, companies in the financial services sector have been subject to unprecedented government actions and regulation, which may limit the scope of their operations and, in turn, result in a decrease in value of these companies. Any of these factors may have an adverse impact on the performance of the XLF. As a result, the price of the XLF may be adversely affected by economic, political, or regulatory events affecting the financial services sector or one of the sub-sectors of the financial services sector. This in turn could adversely impact the market value of the Notes and the payment on the Notes.
|
|
•
|
Adverse conditions in the materials sector may reduce your return on the Notes. All of the stocks held by the XLB are issued by companies whose primary lines of business are directly associated with the materials sector. 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 this sector than a different investment linked to securities of a more broadly diversified group of issuers. Many materials companies are significantly affected by the level and volatility of commodity prices, exchange rates, import controls, worldwide competition, environmental policies and consumer demand. At times, worldwide production of industrial materials has exceeded demand as a result of over-building or economic downturns, leading to poor investment returns or losses. Other risks may include liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, depletion of resources and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. The materials sector may also be affected by economic cycles, technical progress, labor relations and government regulations. These factors could affect the materials sector and could affect the value of the equity securities held by the XLB and the price of the XLB during the term of the Notes, which may adversely affect the value of your Notes.
|
|
•
|
Adverse conditions in the utilities sector may reduce your return on the Notes. All or substantially all of the equity securities held by the XLU are issued by companies whose primary line of business is directly associated with the utilities sector. Utility companies are affected by supply and demand, operating costs, government regulation, environmental factors, liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities. Due to the capital intensive nature of utilities, many of these companies tend to be more greatly impacted by interest rates due to their relatively high debt ratios. Additionally, certain utility companies have experienced full or partial deregulation in recent years, and are therefore subject to greater competition. These factors could affect the utilities sector and could affect the value of the equity securities held by the XLU and the price of the XLU during the term of the Notes, which may adversely affect the value of your Notes.
|
|
•
|
The stocks held by the XLF, XLB and XLU are concentrated in three sectors. The Underlyings hold securities issued by companies in the financial sector, the materials sector and the utilities sector, respectively. As a result, the stocks that will determine the performance of the Notes are concentrated in three sectors. Although an investment in the Notes will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the securities held by the Underlyings, the return on an investment in the Notes will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct equity investment in companies in these sectors. 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.
|
|
•
|
The performance of an Underlying may not correlate with the performance of its underlying index as well as the net asset value per share or unit of the Underlying, especially during periods of market volatility. The performance of an Underlying 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 an Underlying 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 Underlying 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 Underlying, differences in trading hours between the Underlying (or the underlying assets held by the Underlying) 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 or units of each Underlying are traded on a securities exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market price of one share or unit of an Underlying may differ from its net asset value per share or unit; shares or units of the Underlying may trade at, above, or below its net asset value per share or unit. During periods of market volatility, securities held by an Underlying may be unavailable in the secondary market, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the net asset value per share or unit of the Underlying and the liquidity of the Underlying may be adversely affected. Market volatility may also disrupt the ability of market participants to trade shares or units of the Underlying. Further, market volatility may adversely affect, sometimes materially, the prices at which market participants are willing to buy and sell shares or units of the Underlying. As a result, under these circumstances, the
|
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-10
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
|
market value of shares or units of the Underlying may vary substantially from the net asset value per share or unit of the Underlying.
|
|
•
|
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.
|
|
•
|
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.
|
Tax-related Risks
|
•
|
You will be required to include income on the Notes over their term based on the comparable yield for the Notes. The Notes will be considered to be issued with original issue discount. You will be required to include income on the notes over their term based on the comparable yield. You are urged to review the section entitled "U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary" and consult your own tax advisor.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.
|
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-11
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
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 XLF, the investment advisor of the XLB and the investment advisor of the XLU (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 Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund
The shares of the XLF are issued by Select Sector SPDR® Trust, a registered investment company. The XLF seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Financial Select Sector Index, its underlying index. The XLF measures the performance of the financial sector of the U.S. equity market. The Financial Select Sector Index is composed of equity securities of companies in the diversified financial services; insurance; banks; capital markets; mortgage real estate investment trusts ("REITs"); consumer finance; and thrifts and mortgage finance industries. The shares of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund trade on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol "XLF." The shares of the XLF are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Accordingly, information filed with the SEC relating to the XLF, including its periodic financial reports, may be found on the SEC's website.
Investment Approach
The XLF utilizes a "passive" or "indexing" investment approach in attempting to track the performance of the Financial Select Sector Index. The XLF will invest in substantially all of the securities which comprise the Financial Select Sector Index. The XLF will normally invest at least 95% of its total assets in common stocks that comprise the Financial Select Sector Index.
Investment Objective and Strategy
The XLF seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Financial Select Sector Index. The investment manager of the XLF uses a replication strategy to try to achieve the XLF's investment objective, which means that the XLF generally invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the Financial Select Sector Index in approximately the same proportions as the Financial Select Sector Index. Under normal market conditions, the XLF generally invests at least 95% of its total assets in the securities comprising the Financial Select Sector Index. In certain situations or market conditions, the XLF may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies provided that the alternative is consistent with the XLF's investment objective and is in the best interest of the XLF. For example, if the XLF is unable to invest directly in a component security or if a derivative investment may provide higher liquidity than other types of investments, it may make larger than normal investments in derivatives to maintain exposure to the Financial Select Sector Index that it tracks. Consequently, under such circumstances, the XLF may invest in a different mix of investments than it would under normal circumstances. The XLF will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice prior to any material change in its investment policies. The XLF is managed with a passive investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities. This differs from an actively managed underlying, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index.
Notwithstanding the XLF's investment objective, the return on your Notes will not reflect any dividends paid on shares of the XLF, on the securities purchased by the XLF or on the securities that comprise the Financial Select Sector Index.
The Select Sector Indices
The Financial Select Sector Index is part of the Select Sector Indices. The Select Sector Indices are sub-indices of the S&P 500® Index. Each stock in the S&P 500® Index is allocated to at least one Select Sector Index, and the combined companies of the eleven Select Sector Indices represent all of the companies in the S&P 500® Index. The industry indices are sub-categories within each Select Sector Index and represent a specific industry segment of the overall Select Sector Index. The eleven Select Sector Indices seek to represent the eleven S&P 500® Index sectors. The index compilation agent for these indices (the "Index Compilation Agent") determines the composition of the Select Sector Indices based on S&P's sector classification methodology. (Sector designations are determined by the index sponsor using criteria it has selected or developed. Index sponsors may use very different standards for determining sector designations. In addition, many companies operate in a number of sectors, but are listed in only one sector and the basis on which that sector is selected may also differ. As a result, sector comparisons between indices with different index sponsors may reflect differences in methodology as well as actual differences in the sector composition of the indices.)
Each Select Sector Index was developed and is maintained in accordance with the following criteria:
|
•
|
Each of the component stocks in a Select Sector Index (the "Component Stocks") is a constituent company of the S&P 500® Index.
|
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-12
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
|
•
|
The eleven Select Sector Indices together will include all of the companies represented in the S&P 500® Index and each of the stocks in the S&P 500® Index will be allocated to at least one of the Select Sector Indices.
|
|
•
|
The Index Compilation Agent assigns each constituent stock of the S&P 500® Index to a Select Sector Index. The Index Compilation Agent assigns a company's stock to a particular Select Sector Index based on S&P Dow Jones Indices's sector classification methodology as set forth in its Global Industry Classification Standard.
|
|
•
|
Each Select Sector Index is calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices using a modified "market capitalization" methodology. This design ensures that each of the Component Stocks within a Select Sector Index is represented in a proportion consistent with its percentage with respect to the total market capitalization of that Select Sector Index.
|
For reweighting purposes, each Select Sector Index is rebalanced quarterly after the close of business on the second to last calculation day of March, June, September and December using the following procedures: (1) The rebalancing reference date is two business days prior to the last calculation day of each quarter; and (2) With prices reflected on the rebalancing reference date, and membership, shares outstanding, additional weight factor (capping factor) and investable weight factors (as described in the section "Computation of the S&P 500 Index®" below) as of the rebalancing effective date, each company is weighted using the modified market capitalization methodology. Modifications are made as defined below.
|
(i)
|
The indices are first evaluated to ensure none of the indices breach the maximum allowable limits defined in rules (ii) and (v) below. If any of the allowable limits are breached, the component stocks are reweighted based on their float-adjusted market capitalization weights.
|
|
(ii)
|
If any component stock has a weight greater than 24%, that component stock has its float-adjusted market capitalization weight capped at 23%. The 23% weight cap creates a 2% buffer to ensure that no component stock exceeds 25% as of the quarter-end diversification requirement date.
|
|
(iii)
|
All excess weight is equally redistributed to all uncapped component stocks within the relevant Select Sector Index.
|
|
(iv)
|
After this redistribution, if the float-adjusted market capitalization weight of any other component stock(s) then breaches 23%, the process is repeated iteratively until no component stock breaches the 23% weight cap.
|
|
(v)
|
The sum of the component stocks with weight greater than 4.8% cannot exceed 50% of the total index weight. These caps are set to allow for a buffer below the 5% limit.
|
|
(vi)
|
If the rule in step (v) is breached, all the component stocks are ranked in descending order of their float-adjusted market capitalization weights and the first component stock that causes the 50% limit to be breached has its weight reduced to 4.6%.
|
|
(vii)
|
This excess weight is equally redistributed to all component stocks with weights below 4.6%. This process is repeated iteratively until step (v) is satisfied.
|
|
(viii)
|
Index share amounts are assigned to each component stock to arrive at the weights calculated above. Since index shares are assigned based on prices one business day prior to rebalancing, the actual weight of each component stock at the rebalancing differs somewhat from these weights due to market movements.
|
|
(ix)
|
If necessary, the reweighting process may take place more than once prior to the close on the last business day of March, June, September or December to ensure conformity with all diversification requirements.
|
Each Select Sector Index is calculated using the same methodology utilized by S&P Dow Jones Indices in calculating the S&P 500® Index, using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The daily calculation of each Select Sector Index is computed by dividing the total market value of the companies in the Select Sector Index by a number called the index divisor.
The Index Compilation Agent at any time may determine that a Component Stock which has been assigned to one Select Sector Index has undergone such a transformation in the composition of its business, and should be removed from that Select Sector Index and assigned to a different Select Sector Index. In the event that the Index Compilation Agent notifies S&P Dow Jones Indices that a Component Stock's Select Sector Index assignment should be changed, S&P Dow Jones Indices will disseminate notice of the change following its standard procedure for announcing index changes and will implement the change in the affected Select Sector Indices on a date no less than one week after the initial dissemination of information on the sector change to the maximum extent practicable. It is not anticipated that Component Stocks will change sectors frequently.
Component Stocks removed from and added to the S&P 500® Index will be deleted from and added to the appropriate Select Sector Index on the same schedule used by S&P Dow Jones Indices for additions and deletions from the S&P 500® Index insofar as practicable.
The S&P 500® Index
The SPX includes a representative sample of 500 companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The SPX is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement. The calculation of the level of the SPX is based on the relative value of the aggregate market value of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-13
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943.
The SPX includes companies from eleven main groups: Communication Services; Consumer Discretionary; Consumer Staples; Energy; Financials; Health Care; Industrials; Information Technology; Real Estate; Materials; and Utilities. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC ("SPDJI"), the sponsor of the SPX, may from time to time, in its sole discretion, add companies to, or delete companies from, the SPX to achieve the objectives stated above.
Company additions to the SPX must have an unadjusted company market capitalization of $18.0 billion or more (an increase from the previous requirement of an unadjusted company market capitalization of $15.8 billion or more).
SPDJI calculates the SPX by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks of the SPX without taking account of the value of dividends paid on those stocks. As a result, the return on the Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the SPX constituent stocks and received the dividends paid on those stocks.
Computation of the SPX
While SPDJI currently employs the following methodology to calculate the SPX, no assurance can be given that SPDJI will not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect payments on the Notes.
Historically, the market value of any component stock of the SPX was calculated as the product of the market price per share and the number of then outstanding shares of such component stock. In March 2005, SPDJI began shifting the SPX halfway from a market capitalization weighted formula to a float-adjusted formula, before moving the SPX to full float adjustment on September 16, 2005. SPDJI's criteria for selecting stocks for the SPX did not change with the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company's weight in the SPX.
Under float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the SPX reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all of a company's outstanding shares. Float adjustment excludes shares that are closely held by control groups, other publicly traded companies or government agencies.
In September 2012, all shareholdings representing more than 5% of a stock's outstanding shares, other than holdings by "block owners," were removed from the float for purposes of calculating the SPX. Generally, these "control holders" will include officers and directors, private equity, venture capital and special equity firms, other publicly traded companies that hold shares for control, strategic partners, holders of restricted shares, ESOPs, employee and family trusts, foundations associated with the company, holders of unlisted share classes of stock, government entities at all levels (other than government retirement/pension funds) and any individual person who controls a 5% or greater stake in a company as reported in regulatory filings. However, holdings by block owners, such as depositary banks, pension funds, mutual funds and ETF providers, 401(k) plans of the company, government retirement/pension funds, investment funds of insurance companies, asset managers and investment funds, independent foundations and savings and investment plans, will ordinarily be considered part of the float.
Treasury stock, stock options, restricted shares, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock, and rights are not part of the float. Shares held in a trust to allow investors in countries outside the country of domicile, such as depositary shares and Canadian exchangeable shares, are normally part of the float unless those shares form a control block. If a company has multiple classes of stock outstanding, shares in an unlisted or non-traded class are treated as a control block.
For each stock, an investable weight factor ("IWF") is calculated by dividing the available float shares by the total shares outstanding. Available float shares are defined as the total shares outstanding less shares held by control holders. This calculation is subject to a 5% minimum threshold for control blocks. For example, if a company's officers and directors hold 3% of the company's shares, and no other control group holds 5% of the company's shares, SPDJI would assign that company an IWF of 1.00, as no control group meets the 5% threshold. However, if a company's officers and directors hold 3% of the company's shares and another control group holds 20% of the company's shares, SPDJI would assign an IWF of 0.77, reflecting the fact that 23% of the company's outstanding shares are considered to be held for control. As of July 31, 2017, companies with multiple share class lines are no longer eligible for inclusion in the SPX. Constituents of the SPX prior to July 31, 2017 with multiple share class lines will be grandfathered in and continue to be included in the SPX. If a constituent company of the SPX reorganizes into a multiple share class line structure, that company will remain in the SPX at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee in order to minimize turnover.
The SPX is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The level of the SPX reflects the total market value of all component stocks relative to the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. An indexed number is used to represent the results of this calculation in order to make the level easier to work with and track over time. The actual total market value of the component stocks during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943 has been set to an indexed level of 10. This is often indicated by the notation 1941- 43 = 10. In practice, the daily calculation of the SPX is computed by dividing the total market value of the component stocks by the "index divisor." By itself, the index divisor is an arbitrary number. However, in the context of the calculation of the SPX, it serves as a link to the original base period level of the SPX. The index divisor keeps the SPX comparable over time and is the manipulation point for all adjustments to the SPX, which is index maintenance.
Index Maintenance
Index maintenance includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, share changes, stock splits, stock dividends, and stock price adjustments due to company restructuring or spinoffs. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends, require changes in the common shares outstanding and the stock prices of the companies in the SPX, and do not require index divisor adjustments.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-14
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
To prevent the level of the SPX from changing due to corporate actions, corporate actions which affect the total market value of the SPX require an index divisor adjustment. By adjusting the index divisor for the change in market value, the level of the SPX remains constant and does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the SPX. Index divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading and after the calculation of the SPX closing level.
Changes in a company's shares outstanding of 5.00% or more due to mergers, acquisitions, public offerings, tender offers, Dutch auctions, or exchange offers are made as soon as reasonably possible. Share changes due to mergers or acquisitions of publicly held companies that trade on a major exchange are implemented when the transaction occurs, even if both of the companies are not in the same headline index, and regardless of the size of the change. All other changes of 5.00% or more (due to, for example, company stock repurchases, private placements, redemptions, exercise of options, warrants, conversion of preferred stock, notes, debt, equity participation units, at-the-market offerings, or other recapitalizations) are made weekly and are announced on Fridays for implementation after the close of trading on the following Friday. Changes of less than 5.00% are accumulated and made quarterly on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December, and are usually announced two to five days prior.
If a change in a company's shares outstanding of 5.00% or more causes a company's IWF to change by five percentage points or more, the IWF is updated at the same time as the share change. IWF changes resulting from partial tender offers are considered on a case by case basis.
Historical Performance of the XLF
The following graph sets forth the daily historical performance of the XLF in the period from January 2, 2019 through the pricing date. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On the pricing date, the Closing Market Price of the XLF was $47.21.
This historical data on the XLF is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the XLF or what the value of the Notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the Closing Market Price of the XLF during any period set forth above is not an indication that the Closing Market Price of the XLF 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 XLF.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-15
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
The Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund
The shares of the XLB are issued by Select Sector SPDR® Trust, a registered investment company. The XLB seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Materials Select Sector Index. The XLB measures the performance of the materials sector of the U.S. equity market. The XLB is composed of equity securities of companies in the following industries: chemical, construction material, containers and packaging, metals and mining, and paper and forest products. The Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund trades on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol "XLB." The shares of the XLB are registered under the Exchange Act. Accordingly, information filed with the SEC relating to the XLB, including its periodic financial reports, may be found on the SEC's website.
Investment Approach
The XLB utilizes a "passive" or "indexing" investment approach in attempting to track the performance of the Technology Select Sector Index. The XLB will invest in substantially all of the securities which comprise the Technology Select Sector Index. The XLB will normally invest at least 95% of its total assets in common stocks that comprise the Materials Select Sector Index.
Investment Objective and Strategy
The XLB seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Materials Select Sector Index. The investment manager of the XLB uses a replication strategy to try to achieve the XLB's investment objective, which means that the XLB generally invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the Materials Select Sector Index in approximately the same proportions as the Materials Select Sector Index. Under normal market conditions, the XLB generally invests at least 95% of its total assets in the securities comprising the Materials Select Sector Index. In certain situations or market conditions, the XLB may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies provided that the alternative is consistent with the XLB's investment objective and is in the best interest of the XLB. For example, if the XLB is unable to invest directly in a component security or if a derivative investment may provide higher liquidity than other types of investments, it may make larger than normal investments in derivatives to maintain exposure to the Materials Select Sector Index that it tracks. Consequently, under such circumstances, the XLB may invest in a different mix of investments than it would under normal circumstances. The XLB will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice prior to any material change in its investment policies. The XLB is managed with a passive investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities. This differs from an actively managed underlying, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index.
Notwithstanding the XLB's investment objective, the return on your Notes will not reflect any dividends paid on shares of the XLB, on the securities purchased by the XLB or on the securities that comprise the Materials Select Sector Index.
The Select Sector Indices
The underlying index of the XLB is part of the Select Sector Indices. The Select Sector Indices are sub-indices of the S&P 500® Index ("SPX"). Each stock in the SPX is allocated to at least one Select Sector Index, and the combined companies of the eleven Select Sector Indices represent all of the companies in the SPX. The industry indices are sub-categories within each Select Sector Index and represent a specific industry segment of the overall Select Sector Index. The eleven Select Sector Indices seek to represent the eleven SPX sectors. The index compilation agent for these indices (the "Index Compilation Agent") determines the composition of the Select Sector Indices based on S&P's sector classification methodology. (Sector designations are determined by the index sponsor using criteria it has selected or developed. Index sponsors may use very different standards for determining sector designations. In addition, many companies operate in a number of sectors, but are listed in only one sector and the basis on which that sector is selected may also differ. As a result, sector comparisons between indices with different index sponsors may reflect differences in methodology as well as actual differences in the sector composition of the indices.
Each Select Sector Index was developed and is maintained in accordance with the following criteria:
|
•
|
Each of the component stocks in a Select Sector Index (the "Component Stocks") is a constituent company of the SPX.
|
|
•
|
The eleven Select Sector Indices together will include all of the companies represented in the SPX and each of the stocks in the SPX will be allocated to at least one of the Select Sector Indices.
|
|
•
|
The Index Compilation Agent assigns each constituent stock of the SPX to a Select Sector Index. The Index Compilation Agent assigns a company's stock to a particular Select Sector Index based on S&P Dow Jones Indices's sector classification methodology as set forth in its Global Industry Classification Standard.
|
|
•
|
Each Select Sector Index is calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices using a modified "market capitalization" methodology. This design ensures that each of the component stocks within a Select Sector Index is represented in a proportion consistent with its percentage with respect to the total market capitalization of that Select Sector Index.
|
For reweighting purposes, each Select Sector Index is rebalanced quarterly after the close of business on the second to last calculation day of March, June, September and December using the following procedures: (1) The rebalancing reference date is two business days prior to the last calculation day of each quarter; and (2) With prices reflected on the rebalancing reference date, and membership, shares outstanding, additional weight factor (capping factor) and investable weight factors (as described in the section "Computation of the S&P 500 Index®" below) as of the rebalancing effective date, each company is weighted using the modified market capitalization methodology. Modifications are made as defined below.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-16
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
|
(i)
|
The indices are first evaluated to ensure none of the indices breach the maximum allowable limits defined in rules (ii) and (v) below. If any of the allowable limits are breached, the component stocks are reweighted based on their float-adjusted market capitalization weights.
|
|
(i)
|
If any component stock has a weight greater than 24%, that component stock has its float-adjusted market capitalization weight capped at 23%. The 23% weight cap creates a 2% buffer to ensure that no component stock exceeds 25% as of the quarter-end diversification requirement date.
|
|
(ii)
|
All excess weight is equally redistributed to all uncapped component stocks within the relevant Select Sector Index.
|
|
(iii)
|
After this redistribution, if the float-adjusted market capitalization weight of any other component stock(s) then breaches 23%, the process is repeated iteratively until no component stock breaches the 23% weight cap.
|
|
(iv)
|
The sum of the component stocks with weight greater than 4.8% cannot exceed 50% of the total index weight. These caps are set to allow for a buffer below the 5% limit.
|
|
(v)
|
If the rule in step (v) is breached, all the component stocks are ranked in descending order of their float-adjusted market capitalization weights and the first component stock that causes the 50% limit to be breached has its weight reduced to 4.6%.
|
|
(vi)
|
This excess weight is equally redistributed to all component stocks with weights below 4.6%. This process is repeated iteratively until step (v) is satisfied.
|
|
(vii)
|
Index share amounts are assigned to each component stock to arrive at the weights calculated above. Since index shares are assigned based on prices one business day prior to rebalancing, the actual weight of each component stock at the rebalancing differs somewhat from these weights due to market movements.
|
|
(viii)
|
If necessary, the reweighting process may take place more than once prior to the close on the last business day of March, June, September or December to ensure conformity with all diversification requirements.
|
|
•
|
Each Select Sector Index is calculated using the same methodology utilized by S&P Dow Jones Indices in calculating the SPX, using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The daily calculation of each Select Sector Index is computed by dividing the total market value of the companies in the Select Sector Index by a number called the index divisor.
|
|
•
|
The Index Compilation Agent at any time may determine that a Component Stock which has been assigned to one Select Sector Index has undergone such a transformation in the composition of its business, and should be removed from that Select Sector Index and assigned to a different Select Sector Index. In the event that the Index Compilation Agent notifies S&P Dow Jones Indices that a Component Stock's Select Sector Index assignment should be changed, S&P Dow Jones Indices will disseminate notice of the change following its standard procedure for announcing index changes and will implement the change in the affected Select Sector Indices on a date no less than one week after the initial dissemination of information on the sector change to the maximum extent practicable. It is not anticipated that Component Stocks will change sectors frequently.
|
|
•
|
Component Stocks removed from and added to the SPX will be deleted from and added to the appropriate Select Sector Index on the same schedule used by S&P Dow Jones Indices for additions and deletions from the SPX insofar as practicable.
|
The S&P 500® Index
The SPX includes a representative sample of 500 companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The SPX is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement. The calculation of the level of the SPX is based on the relative value of the aggregate market value of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-17
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
The SPX includes companies from eleven main groups: Communication Services; Consumer Discretionary; Consumer Staples; Energy; Financials; Health Care; Industrials; Information Technology; Real Estate; Materials; and Utilities. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC ("SPDJI"), the sponsor of the SPX, may from time to time, in its sole discretion, add companies to, or delete companies from, the SPX to achieve the objectives stated above.
Company additions to the SPX must have an unadjusted company market capitalization of $14.6 billion or more (an increase from the previous requirement of an unadjusted company market capitalization of $13.1 billion or more).
SPDJI calculates the SPX by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks of the SPX without taking account of the value of dividends paid on those stocks. As a result, the return on the Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the SPX constituent stocks and received the dividends paid on those stocks.
Computation of the SPX
While SPDJI currently employs the following methodology to calculate the SPX, no assurance can be given that SPDJI will not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect payments on the Notes.
Historically, the market value of any component stock of the SPX was calculated as the product of the market price per share and the number of then outstanding shares of such component stock. In March 2005, SPDJI began shifting the SPX halfway from a market capitalization weighted formula to a float-adjusted formula, before moving the SPX to full float adjustment on September 16, 2005. SPDJI's criteria for selecting stocks for the SPX did not change with the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company's weight in the SPX.
Under float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the SPX reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all of a company's outstanding shares. Float adjustment excludes shares that are closely held by control groups, other publicly traded companies or government agencies.
In September 2012, all shareholdings representing more than 5% of a stock's outstanding shares, other than holdings by "block owners," were removed from the float for purposes of calculating the SPX. Generally, these "control holders" will include officers and directors, private equity, venture capital and special equity firms, other publicly traded companies that hold shares for control, strategic partners, holders of restricted shares, ESOPs, employee and family trusts, foundations associated with the company, holders of unlisted share classes of stock, government entities at all levels (other than government retirement/pension funds) and any individual person who controls a 5% or greater stake in a company as reported in regulatory filings. However, holdings by block owners, such as depositary banks, pension funds, mutual funds and ETF providers, 401(k) plans of the company, government retirement/pension funds, investment funds of insurance companies, asset managers and investment funds, independent foundations and savings and investment plans, will ordinarily be considered part of the float.
Treasury stock, stock options, restricted shares, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock, and rights are not part of the float. Shares held in a trust to allow investors in countries outside the country of domicile, such as depositary shares and Canadian exchangeable shares, are normally part of the float unless those shares form a control block. If a company has multiple classes of stock outstanding, shares in an unlisted or non-traded class are treated as a control block.
For each stock, an investable weight factor ("IWF") is calculated by dividing the available float shares by the total shares outstanding. Available float shares are defined as the total shares outstanding less shares held by control holders. This calculation is subject to a 5% minimum threshold for control blocks. For example, if a company's officers and directors hold 3% of the company's shares, and no other control group holds 5% of the company's shares, SPDJI would assign that company an IWF of 1.00, as no control group meets the 5% threshold. However, if a company's officers and directors hold 3% of the company's shares and another control group holds 20% of the company's shares, SPDJI would assign an IWF of 0.77, reflecting the fact that 23% of the company's outstanding shares are considered to be held for control. As of July 31, 2017, companies with multiple share class lines are no longer eligible for inclusion in the SPX. Constituents of the SPX prior to July 31, 2017 with multiple share class lines will be grandfathered in and continue to be included in the SPX. If a constituent company of the SPX reorganizes into a multiple share class line structure, that company will remain in the SPX at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee in order to minimize turnover.
The SPX is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The level of the SPX reflects the total market value of all component stocks relative to the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. An indexed number is used to represent the results of this calculation in order to make the level easier to work with and track over time. The actual total market value of the component stocks during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943 has been set to an indexed level of 10. This is often indicated by the notation 1941- 43 = 10. In practice, the daily calculation of the SPX is computed by dividing the total market value of the component stocks by the "index divisor." By itself, the index divisor is an arbitrary number. However, in the context of the calculation of the SPX, it serves as a link to the original base period level of the SPX. The index divisor keeps the SPX comparable over time and is the manipulation point for all adjustments to the SPX, which is index maintenance.
Index Maintenance
Index maintenance includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, share changes, stock splits, stock dividends, and stock price adjustments due to company restructuring or spinoffs. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends, require changes in the common shares outstanding and the stock prices of the companies in the SPX, and do not require index divisor adjustments.
To prevent the level of the SPX from changing due to corporate actions, corporate actions which affect the total market value of the SPX require an
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-18
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
index divisor adjustment. By adjusting the index divisor for the change in market value, the level of the SPX remains constant and does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the SPX. Index divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading and after the calculation of the SPX closing level.
Changes in a company's shares outstanding of 5.00% or more due to mergers, acquisitions, public offerings, tender offers, Dutch auctions, or exchange offers are made as soon as reasonably possible. Share changes due to mergers or acquisitions of publicly held companies that trade on a major exchange are implemented when the transaction occurs, even if both of the companies are not in the same headline index, and regardless of the size of the change. All other changes of 5.00% or more (due to, for example, company stock repurchases, private placements, redemptions, exercise of options, warrants, conversion of preferred stock, notes, debt, equity participation units, at-the-market offerings, or other recapitalizations) are made weekly and are announced on Fridays for implementation after the close of trading on the following Friday. Changes of less than 5.00% are accumulated and made quarterly on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December, and are usually announced two to five days prior.
If a change in a company's shares outstanding of 5.00% or more causes a company's IWF to change by five percentage points or more, the IWF is updated at the same time as the share change. IWF changes resulting from partial tender offers are considered on a case by case basis.
Historical Performance of the XLB
The following graph sets forth the daily historical performance of the XLB in the period from January 2, 2019 through the pricing date. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On the pricing date, the Closing Market Price of the XLB was $94.74.
This historical data on the XLB is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the XLB or what the value of the Notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the Closing Market Price of the XLB during any period set forth above is not an indication that the Closing Market Price of the XLB 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 XLB.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-19
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
The Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
The shares of the XLU are issued by Select Sector SPDR® Trust, a registered investment company. The XLU seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Utilities Select Sector Index. The XLU measures the performance of the utilities sector of the U.S. equity market. The XLU is composed of equity securities of companies in the electric utilities, water utilities, multi-utilities, independent power producers and energy traders, and gas utilities industries. The XLU trades on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol "XLU."
Investment Approach
The XLU utilizes a "passive" or "indexing" investment approach in attempting to track the performance of the Utilities Select Sector Index. The XLU will invest in substantially all of the securities which comprise the Utilities Select Sector Index. The XLU will normally invest at least 95% of its total assets in common stocks that comprise the Utilities Select Sector Index.
Investment Objective and Strategy
The XLU seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Utilities Select Sector Index. The investment manager of the XLU uses a replication strategy to try to achieve the XLU's investment objective, which means that the XLU generally invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the Utilities Select Sector Index in approximately the same proportions as the Utilities Select Sector Index. Under normal market conditions, the XLU generally invests at least 95% of its total assets in the securities comprising the Utilities Select Sector Index. In certain situations or market conditions, the XLU may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies provided that the alternative is consistent with the XLU's investment objective and is in the best interest of the XLU. For example, if the XLU is unable to invest directly in a component security or if a derivative investment may provide higher liquidity than other types of investments, it may make larger than normal investments in derivatives to maintain exposure to the Utilities Select Sector Index that it tracks. Consequently, under such circumstances, the XLU may invest in a different mix of investments than it would under normal circumstances. The XLU will provide shareholders with at least 60 days notice prior to any material change in its investment policies. The XLU is managed with a passive investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities. This differs from an actively managed underlying, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index.
Notwithstanding the XLU's investment objective, the return on your Notes will not reflect any dividends paid on shares of the XLU, on the securities purchased by the XLU or on the securities that comprise the Utilities Select Sector Index.
The Select Sector Indices
The underlying index of the XLU is part of the Select Sector Indices. The Select Sector Indices are sub-indices of the S&P 500® Index ("SPX"). Each stock in the SPX is allocated to at least one Select Sector Index, and the combined companies of the eleven Select Sector Indices represent all of the companies in the SPX. The industry indices are sub-categories within each Select Sector Index and represent a specific industry segment of the overall Select Sector Index. The eleven Select Sector Indices seek to represent the eleven SPX sectors. The index compilation agent for these indices (the "Index Compilation Agent") determines the composition of the Select Sector Indices based on S&P's sector classification methodology. (Sector designations are determined by the index sponsor using criteria it has selected or developed. Index sponsors may use very different standards for determining sector designations. In addition, many companies operate in a number of sectors, but are listed in only one sector and the basis on which that sector is selected may also differ. As a result, sector comparisons between indices with different index sponsors may reflect differences in methodology as well as actual differences in the sector composition of the indices.
Each Select Sector Index was developed and is maintained in accordance with the following criteria:
|
•
|
Each of the component stocks in a Select Sector Index (the "Component Stocks") is a constituent company of the SPX.
|
|
•
|
The eleven Select Sector Indices together will include all of the companies represented in the SPX and each of the stocks in the SPX will be allocated to at least one of the Select Sector Indices.
|
|
•
|
The Index Compilation Agent assigns each constituent stock of the SPX to a Select Sector Index. The Index Compilation Agent assigns a company's stock to a particular Select Sector Index based on S&P Dow Jones Indices's sector classification methodology as set forth in its Global Industry Classification Standard.
|
|
•
|
Each Select Sector Index is calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices using a modified "market capitalization" methodology. This design ensures that each of the component stocks within a Select Sector Index is represented in a proportion consistent with its percentage with respect to the total market capitalization of that Select Sector Index.
|
For reweighting purposes, each Select Sector Index is rebalanced quarterly after the close of business on the second to last calculation day of March, June, September and December using the following procedures: (1) The rebalancing reference date is two business days prior to the last calculation day of each quarter; and (2) With prices reflected on the rebalancing reference date, and membership, shares outstanding, additional weight factor (capping factor) and investable weight factors (as described in the section "Computation of the S&P 500 Index®" below) as of the rebalancing effective date, each company is weighted using the modified market capitalization methodology. Modifications are made as defined below.
|
(i)
|
The indices are first evaluated to ensure none of the indices breach the maximum allowable limits defined in rules (ii) and (v) below. If
|
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-20
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
|
any of the allowable limits are breached, the component stocks are reweighted based on their float-adjusted market capitalization weights.
|
|
(i)
|
If any component stock has a weight greater than 24%, that component stock has its float-adjusted market capitalization weight capped at 23%. The 23% weight cap creates a 2% buffer to ensure that no component stock exceeds 25% as of the quarter-end diversification requirement date.
|
|
(ii)
|
All excess weight is equally redistributed to all uncapped component stocks within the relevant Select Sector Index.
|
|
(iii)
|
After this redistribution, if the float-adjusted market capitalization weight of any other component stock(s) then breaches 23%, the process is repeated iteratively until no component stock breaches the 23% weight cap.
|
|
(iv)
|
The sum of the component stocks with weight greater than 4.8% cannot exceed 50% of the total index weight. These caps are set to allow for a buffer below the 5% limit.
|
|
(v)
|
If the rule in step (v) is breached, all the component stocks are ranked in descending order of their float-adjusted market capitalization weights and the first component stock that causes the 50% limit to be breached has its weight reduced to 4.6%.
|
|
(vi)
|
This excess weight is equally redistributed to all component stocks with weights below 4.6%. This process is repeated iteratively until step (v) is satisfied.
|
|
(vii)
|
Index share amounts are assigned to each component stock to arrive at the weights calculated above. Since index shares are assigned based on prices one business day prior to rebalancing, the actual weight of each component stock at the rebalancing differs somewhat from these weights due to market movements.
|
|
(viii)
|
If necessary, the reweighting process may take place more than once prior to the close on the last business day of March, June, September or December to ensure conformity with all diversification requirements.
|
|
•
|
Each Select Sector Index is calculated using the same methodology utilized by S&P Dow Jones Indices in calculating the SPX, using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The daily calculation of each Select Sector Index is computed by dividing the total market value of the companies in the Select Sector Index by a number called the index divisor.
|
|
•
|
The Index Compilation Agent at any time may determine that a Component Stock which has been assigned to one Select Sector Index has undergone such a transformation in the composition of its business, and should be removed from that Select Sector Index and assigned to a different Select Sector Index. In the event that the Index Compilation Agent notifies S&P Dow Jones Indices that a Component Stock's Select Sector Index assignment should be changed, S&P Dow Jones Indices will disseminate notice of the change following its standard procedure for announcing index changes and will implement the change in the affected Select Sector Indices on a date no less than one week after the initial dissemination of information on the sector change to the maximum extent practicable. It is not anticipated that Component Stocks will change sectors frequently.
|
|
•
|
Component Stocks removed from and added to the SPX will be deleted from and added to the appropriate Select Sector Index on the same schedule used by S&P Dow Jones Indices for additions and deletions from the SPX insofar as practicable.
|
The S&P 500® Index
The SPX includes a representative sample of 500 companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The SPX is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement. The calculation of the level of the SPX is based on the relative value of the aggregate market value of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943.
The SPX includes companies from eleven main groups: Communication Services; Consumer Discretionary; Consumer Staples; Energy; Financials; Health Care; Industrials; Information Technology; Real Estate; Materials; and Utilities. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC ("SPDJI"), the sponsor of the SPX, may from time to time, in its sole discretion, add companies to, or delete companies from, the SPX to achieve the objectives stated above.
Company additions to the SPX must have an unadjusted company market capitalization of $18.0 billion or more (an increase from the previous requirement of an unadjusted company market capitalization of $15.8 billion or more).
SPDJI calculates the SPX by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks of the SPX without taking account of the value of dividends paid on those stocks. As a result, the return on the Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the SPX constituent stocks and received the dividends paid on those stocks.
Computation of the SPX
While SPDJI currently employs the following methodology to calculate the SPX, no assurance can be given that SPDJI will not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect payments on the Notes.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-21
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
Historically, the market value of any component stock of the SPX was calculated as the product of the market price per share and the number of then outstanding shares of such component stock. In March 2005, SPDJI began shifting the SPX halfway from a market capitalization weighted formula to a float-adjusted formula, before moving the SPX to full float adjustment on September 16, 2005. SPDJI's criteria for selecting stocks for the SPX did not change with the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company's weight in the SPX.
Under float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the SPX reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all of a company's outstanding shares. Float adjustment excludes shares that are closely held by control groups, other publicly traded companies or government agencies.
In September 2012, all shareholdings representing more than 5% of a stock's outstanding shares, other than holdings by "block owners," were removed from the float for purposes of calculating the SPX. Generally, these "control holders" will include officers and directors, private equity, venture capital and special equity firms, other publicly traded companies that hold shares for control, strategic partners, holders of restricted shares, ESOPs, employee and family trusts, foundations associated with the company, holders of unlisted share classes of stock, government entities at all levels (other than government retirement/pension funds) and any individual person who controls a 5% or greater stake in a company as reported in regulatory filings. However, holdings by block owners, such as depositary banks, pension funds, mutual funds and ETF providers, 401(k) plans of the company, government retirement/pension funds, investment funds of insurance companies, asset managers and investment funds, independent foundations and savings and investment plans, will ordinarily be considered part of the float.
Treasury stock, stock options, restricted shares, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock, and rights are not part of the float. Shares held in a trust to allow investors in countries outside the country of domicile, such as depositary shares and Canadian exchangeable shares, are normally part of the float unless those shares form a control block. If a company has multiple classes of stock outstanding, shares in an unlisted or non-traded class are treated as a control block.
For each stock, an investable weight factor ("IWF") is calculated by dividing the available float shares by the total shares outstanding. Available float shares are defined as the total shares outstanding less shares held by control holders. This calculation is subject to a 5% minimum threshold for control blocks. For example, if a company's officers and directors hold 3% of the company's shares, and no other control group holds 5% of the company's shares, SPDJI would assign that company an IWF of 1.00, as no control group meets the 5% threshold. However, if a company's officers and directors hold 3% of the company's shares and another control group holds 20% of the company's shares, SPDJI would assign an IWF of 0.77, reflecting the fact that 23% of the company's outstanding shares are considered to be held for control. As of July 31, 2017, companies with multiple share class lines are no longer eligible for inclusion in the SPX. Constituents of the SPX prior to July 31, 2017 with multiple share class lines will be grandfathered in and continue to be included in the SPX. If a constituent company of the SPX reorganizes into a multiple share class line structure, that company will remain in the SPX at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee in order to minimize turnover.
The SPX is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The level of the SPX reflects the total market value of all component stocks relative to the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. An indexed number is used to represent the results of this calculation in order to make the level easier to work with and track over time. The actual total market value of the component stocks during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943 has been set to an indexed level of 10. This is often indicated by the notation 1941- 43 = 10. In practice, the daily calculation of the SPX is computed by dividing the total market value of the component stocks by the "index divisor." By itself, the index divisor is an arbitrary number. However, in the context of the calculation of the SPX, it serves as a link to the original base period level of the SPX. The index divisor keeps the SPX comparable over time and is the manipulation point for all adjustments to the SPX, which is index maintenance.
Index Maintenance
Index maintenance includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, share changes, stock splits, stock dividends, and stock price adjustments due to company restructuring or spinoffs. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends, require changes in the common shares outstanding and the stock prices of the companies in the SPX, and do not require index divisor adjustments.
To prevent the level of the SPX from changing due to corporate actions, corporate actions which affect the total market value of the SPX require an index divisor adjustment. By adjusting the index divisor for the change in market value, the level of the SPX remains constant and does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the SPX. Index divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading and after the calculation of the SPX closing level.
Changes in a company's shares outstanding of 5.00% or more due to mergers, acquisitions, public offerings, tender offers, Dutch auctions, or exchange offers are made as soon as reasonably possible. Share changes due to mergers or acquisitions of publicly held companies that trade on a major exchange are implemented when the transaction occurs, even if both of the companies are not in the same headline index, and regardless of the size of the change. All other changes of 5.00% or more (due to, for example, company stock repurchases, private placements, redemptions, exercise of options, warrants, conversion of preferred stock, notes, debt, equity participation units, at-the-market offerings, or other recapitalizations) are made weekly and are announced on Fridays for implementation after the close of trading on the following Friday. Changes of less than 5.00% are accumulated and made quarterly on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December, and are usually announced two to five days prior.
If a change in a company's shares outstanding of 5.00% or more causes a company's IWF to change by five percentage points or more, the IWF is updated at the same time as the share change. IWF changes resulting from partial tender offers are considered on a case by case basis.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-22
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
Historical Performance of the XLU
The following graph sets forth the daily historical performance of the XLU in the period from January 2, 2019 through the pricing date. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On the pricing date, the Closing Market Price of the XLU was $81.01.
This historical data on the XLU is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the XLU or what the value of the Notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the Closing Market Price of the XLU during any period set forth above is not an indication that the Closing Market Price of the XLU 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 XLU.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-23
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
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 will 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, 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 $964.75 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 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
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-24
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
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.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-25
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
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, resulted 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-7 and "Supplemental Use of Proceeds" on page PS-19 of the accompanying product supplement.
Validity of the Notes
In the opinion of McGuireWoods LLP, as counsel to BofA Finance, as issuer, and BAC, as guarantor, when the trustee has made the appropriate entries or notations on Schedule 1 to the master global note that represents the Notes (the "Master Note") identifying the Notes offered hereby as supplemental obligations thereunder in accordance with the instructions of BofA Finance, and the Notes have been delivered against payment therefor as contemplated in this pricing supplement and the related prospectus, prospectus supplement and product supplement, all in accordance with the provisions of the indenture governing the Notes and the related guarantee, such Notes will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of BofA Finance, and the related guarantee will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of BAC, subject, in each case, to the effects of applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including laws relating to preferences, fraudulent transfers and equitable subordination), reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and to general principles of equity. This opinion is given as of the date of this pricing supplement and is limited to the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting either of the foregoing) and the laws of the State of New York as in effect on the date hereof. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee's authorization, execution and delivery of the indenture governing the Notes and due authentication of the Master Note, the validity, binding nature and enforceability of the indenture governing the Notes and the related guarantee with respect to the trustee, the legal capacity of individuals, the genuineness of signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to McGuireWoods LLP as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to McGuireWoods LLP as copies thereof, the authenticity of the originals of such copies and certain factual matters, all as stated in the opinion letter of McGuireWoods LLP dated December 8, 2022, which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (File Nos. 333-268718 and 333-268718-01) of BAC and BofA Finance, filed with the SEC on December 8, 2022.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-26
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary
The following summary of the material U.S. federal income 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 Internal Revenue Service ("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.
This discussion does not address the tax consequences applicable to holders subject to Section 451(b) of the Code. This summary assumes that the issue price of the Notes, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, equals the principal amount thereof.
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.
Tax Characterization of the Notes
The Notes will be treated as "contingent payment debt instruments" for U.S. federal income tax purposes, subject to taxation under the "noncontingent bond method." The balance of this discussion assumes that this characterization is proper and will be respected.
U.S. Holders
The Notes will be subject to Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments. Under those regulations, and as further described under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-General-Consequences to U.S. Holders-Debt Securities Subject to Contingencies" in the accompanying prospectus, a U.S. Holder will be required to report original issue discount ("OID") or interest income based on a "comparable yield" and a "projected payment schedule," established by us for determining interest accruals and adjustments with respect to the Notes. A U.S. Holder of the Notes generally will be required to include in income OID in excess of actual cash payments received for certain taxable years.
The following table is based upon a hypothetical projected payment schedule (including a hypothetical projected Redemption Amount) and a hypothetical comparable yield equal to 5.04% per annum (compounded semi-annually). The hypothetical comparable yield is our current estimate of the comparable yield based upon market conditions as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement. It has been determined by us for purposes of illustrating the application of the Code and the Treasury regulations to the Notes as if the Notes had been issued on October 31, 2024 and were scheduled to mature on November 1, 2029. This tax accrual table is based upon a hypothetical projected payment schedule per $1,000.00 principal amount of the Notes, which would consist of a single payment of $1,282.7642 at maturity. The following table is for tax purposes only, and we make no representations or predictions as to what the actual Redemption Amount will be. The actual "projected payment schedule" will be completed on the pricing date, and included in the final pricing supplement.
|
Accrual Period
|
Interest Deemed to Accrue During Accrual Period (per $1,000.00 principal amount of the Notes)
|
Total Interest Deemed to Have Accrued from Original Issue Date (per $1,000.00 principal amount of the Notes)
|
|
October 31, 2024 through December 31, 2024
|
$8.4012
|
$8.4012
|
|
January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025
|
$51.4838
|
$59.8650
|
|
January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026
|
$54.0903
|
$113.9553
|
|
January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027
|
$56.8508
|
$170.8061
|
|
January 1, 2028 through December 31, 2028
|
$59.7521
|
$230.5582
|
|
January 1, 2029 through November 1, 2029
|
$52.2060
|
$282.7642
|
Hypothetical Projected Redemption Amount = $1,282.7642 per Note.
Upon a sale, exchange, retirement, or other disposition of the Notes, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and that holder's tax basis in the Notes. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Notes generally will equal the cost of the Notes, increased by the amount of OID previously accrued by the holder for the Notes. A U.S. Holder generally will treat any gain as interest income, and will
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-27
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
treat any loss as ordinary loss to the extent of the previous interest inclusions in respect of the Notes, and the balance as long-term or short-term capital loss depending upon the U.S. Holder's holding period for the Note. The deductibility of capital losses by a U.S. Holder is subject to limitations.
Non-U.S. Holders
Please see the discussion under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations-General-Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders" in the accompanying prospectus for the material U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to Non-U.S. Holders of the Notes, except that the following disclosure supplements the discussion in the prospectus.
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.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Please see the discussion under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations - General - Backup Withholding and Information Reporting" in the accompanying prospectus for a description of the applicability of the backup withholding and information reporting rules to payments made on the Notes.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-28
|
Auto-Callable Enhanced Return Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund, the Materials Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR® Fund
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:
|
•
|
Product Supplement EQUITY-1 dated December 30, 2022:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1682472/000119312522315473/d429684d424b2.htm |
|
•
|
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.
|
AUTO-CALLABLE ENHANCED RETURN NOTES | PS-29
|