424B2 1 dp34616_424b2-arn2.htm FORM 424B2
 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
Title of Each Class of
Securities Offered
 
 
Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price
 
 
Amount of
Registration Fee
Notes
 
$10,639,530.00
 
$1,451.23
 
Term Sheet ARN-2
(To the Prospectus dated March 23, 2012, the Prospectus Supplement dated March 23, 2012, and the Product Supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1 dated October 23, 2012)
 
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-180300-03
 
 
The notes are being issued by Credit Suisse AG (“Credit Suisse”). There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks.  See “Risk Factors” and “Additional Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-5 of this term sheet and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-6 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1.
 

 
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 Note Prospectus (as defined below) is truthful or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 

 
   
Per Unit
   
Total
 
Public offering price                                             
  $ 10.00     $ 10,639,530.00  
Underwriting discount                                             
  $ 0.20     $ 212,790.60  
Proceeds, before expenses, to Credit Suisse
  $ 9.80     $ 10,426,739.40  
 
 
The notes:
 
Are Not FDIC Insured
Are Not Bank Guaranteed
May Lose Value
 
 
Merrill Lynch & Co.
November 29, 2012
 
 
 

 
Accelerated Return Notes®
Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014

 
Summary
 
The Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The notes are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Switzerland or any other jurisdiction and are not secured by collateral. The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of Credit Suisse. The notes provide you a leveraged return, subject to a cap, if the Ending Value (as determined below) of the Energy Select Sector Index (the “Index”) is greater than the Starting Value. If the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value, you will lose all or a portion of the principal amount of your notes.
 
The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and the documents listed below (together, the “Note Prospectus”).  The documents have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website as indicated below or obtained from MLPF&S by calling 1-866-500-5408:
 
 
§
Product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1 dated October 23, 2012:
 
 
§
Prospectus supplement and prospectus dated March 23, 2012:
 
Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, for information about us and this offering.  Any prior or contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you may have received are superseded by the Note Prospectus. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1.  Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to Credit Suisse.
 
Terms of the Notes
Redemption Amount Determination
   
Issuer:
Credit Suisse AG, acting through its Nassau Branch (“Credit Suisse”)
On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows:
 
Principal Amount:
$10.00 per unit
Term:
Approximately 14 months
Market Measure:
The Energy Select Sector Index (Bloomberg symbol: "IXE"), a price return index.
Starting Value:
710.98
Ending Value:
The average of the closing levels of the Market Measure on each scheduled calculation day occurring during the maturity valuation period. The calculation days are subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-17 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1.
Capped Value:
$11.92 per unit of the notes, which represents a return of 19.20% over the principal amount.
Maturity Valuation Period:
January 22, 2014, January 23, 2014, January 24, 2014, January 27, 2014, and January 28, 2014
Participation Rate:
300%
Joint Calculation Agents:
Credit Suisse International and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), acting jointly.
Fees Charged:
The public offering price of the notes includes the underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit as listed on the cover page and an additional charge of $0.075 per unit more fully described on page TS-11
 
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
TS-2
 
 

 
Accelerated Return Notes®
Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014

 
Investor Considerations
 
You may wish to consider an investment in the notes if:
 
The notes may not be an appropriate investment for you if:
 
§ You anticipate that the Index will increase moderately from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.
 
§ You are willing to risk a loss of principal and return if the Index decreases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.
 
§ You accept that the return on the notes, if any, will be capped.
 
§ You are willing to forgo the interest payments that are paid on traditional interest bearing debt securities.
 
§ You are willing to forgo dividends or other benefits of owning the stocks included in the Index.
 
§ You are willing to accept a limited market for sales prior to maturity, and understand that the market prices for the notes, if any, will be affected by various factors, including our actual and perceived creditworthiness, and the fees charged on the notes, as described on page TS-2.
 
§ You are willing to assume our credit risk, as issuer of the notes, for all payments under the notes, including the Redemption Amount.
 
 
§ You believe that the Index will decrease from the Starting Value or that it will not increase sufficiently over the term of the notes to provide you with your desired return.
 
§ You seek principal protection or preservation of capital.
 
§ You seek an uncapped return on your investment.
 
§ You seek interest payments or other current income on your investment.
 
§ You want to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the stocks included in the Index.
 
§ You seek an investment for which there will be a liquid secondary market.
 
§ You are unwilling or are unable to take market risk on the notes or to take our credit risk as issuer of the notes.
 
We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.
 
 
Hypothetical Payout Profile
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
 
 
This graph reflects the returns on the notes, based on the Participation Rate of 300% and the Capped Value of $11.92. The green line reflects the returns on the notes, while the dotted gray line reflects the returns of a direct investment in the stocks included in the Index, excluding dividends.
 
This graph has been prepared for purposes of illustration only.
 
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
TS-3
 
 

 
Accelerated Return Notes®
Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014

 
Hypothetical Payments at Maturity
 
The following table and examples are for purposes of illustration only.  They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical returns on the notes. The actual amount you receive and the resulting total rate of return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Ending Value, and term of your investment.
 
The following table is based on a Starting Value of 100, the Participation Rate of 300%, and the Capped Value of $11.92 per unit.  It illustrates the effect of a range of Ending Values on the Redemption Amount per unit of the notes and the total rate of return to holders of the notes.  The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes.
 
Ending Value
Percentage Change from the Starting Value to the Ending Value
Redemption Amount per Unit
Total Rate of Return on the Notes
60.00
 
-40.00%
$6.00
 
-40.00%
 
70.00
 
-30.00%
$7.00
 
-30.00%
 
80.00
 
-20.00%
$8.00
 
-20.00%
 
90.00
 
-10.00%
$9.00
 
-10.00%
 
94.00
 
-6.00%
$9.40
 
-6.00%
 
97.00
 
-3.00%
$9.70
 
-3.00%
 
100.00
(1)
0.00%
$10.00
 
0.00%
 
103.00
 
3.00%
$10.90
 
9.00%
 
106.00
 
6.00%
$11.80
 
18.00%
 
110.00
 
10.00%
$11.92
(2)
19.20%
 
120.00
 
20.00%
$11.92
 
19.20%
 
130.00
 
30.00%
$11.92
 
19.20%
 
140.00
 
40.00%
$11.92
 
19.20%
 
150.00
 
50.00%
$11.92
 
19.20%
 
160.00
 
60.00%
$11.92
 
19.20%
 
 
(1)
The hypothetical Starting Value of 100 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only. The actual Starting Value is 710.98, which was the closing level of the Market Measure on the pricing date.
 
(2)
The Redemption Amount per unit cannot exceed the Capped Value.
 
For recent actual levels of the Market Measure, see “The Index” section below.  The Index is a price return index and as such the Ending Value will not include any income generated by dividends paid on the stocks included in the Index, which you would otherwise be entitled to receive if you invested in those stocks directly.  In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.
 
Redemption Amount Calculation Examples
 
Example 1
The Ending Value is 80.00, or 80.00% of the Starting Value:
Starting Value:        100.00
Ending Value:         80.00

Example 2
The Ending Value is 103.00, or 103.00% of the Starting Value:
Starting Value:       100.00
Ending Value:        103.00

Example 3
The Ending Value is 130.00, or 130.00% of the Starting Value:
Starting Value:      100.00
Ending Value:       130.00
 
 
 
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
TS-4
 
 

 
Accelerated Return Notes®
Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014

 
Risk Factors
 
There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security.  An investment in the notes involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page PS-6 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1 identified above under “Summary.” We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.
 
 
§
Depending on the performance of the Index as measured shortly before the maturity date, your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal.
 
 
§
Your return may be less than the yield you could earn by owning a conventional fixed or floating debt security of comparable maturity.
 
 
§
Payments on the notes are subject to our credit risk, and actual or perceived changes in our creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the notes.  If we become insolvent or are unable to pay our obligations, you may lose your entire investment.
 
 
§
Your investment return, if any, is limited to the return represented by the Capped Value and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the stocks included in the Index.
 
 
§
If you attempt to sell the notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for the notes due to, among other things, the inclusion of fees charged for developing, hedging and distributing the notes, as described on page TS-11 and various credit, market and economic factors that interrelate in complex and unpredictable ways.
 
 
§
A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. We, MLPF&S and our respective affiliates are not obligated to make a market for, or to repurchase, the notes.
 
 
§
Our business, hedging and trading activities, and those of MLPF&S and our respective affiliates (including trades in shares of companies included in the Index), and any hedging and trading activities we, MLPF&S or our respective affiliates engage in for our clients’ accounts, may affect the market value and return of the notes and may create conflicts of interest with you.
 
 
§
The Index sponsor may adjust the Index in a way that affects its level, and has no obligation to consider your interests.
 
 
§
You will have no rights of a holder of the securities represented by the Index, and you will not be entitled to receive securities or dividends or other distributions by the issuers of those securities.
 
 
§
While we, MLPF&S or our respective affiliates may from time to time own securities of companies included in the Index, we, MLPF&S and our respective affiliates do not control any company included in the Index, and are not responsible for any disclosure made by any other company.
 
 
§
There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent.  We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent.
 
 
§
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the notes.  See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” below and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page PS-25 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1.
 
 
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
TS-5
 
 

 
Accelerated Return Notes®
Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014

 

Additional Risk Factors
 
MLPF&S, acting as the Index Compilation Agent, determines the composition of the Select Sector Indices based on the sector classification methodology of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P”).

The stocks included in each Select Sector Index, including the Index, are selected by MLPF&S (the “Index Compilation Agent”). The Index Compilation Agent assigns a company’s stock to a particular Select Sector Index based on S&P’s sector classification methodology as set forth in S&P’s Global Industry Classification Standard. S&P has sole control over the removal of stocks from the S&P 500® Index and the selection of replacement stocks to be added to the S&P 500® Index. The Index Compilation Agent will compile the Select Sector Indices without regard to the notes. The Index Compilation Agent has no obligation to take the interests of the holders of the notes into consideration in compiling the Select Sector Indices, including when compiling the Index.

S&P may cause an adjustment to the S&P 500® Index in a way that affects its level, and has no obligation to consider your interests.

S&P is responsible for calculating and maintaining the S&P 500® Index, from which the stocks included in the Index are selected. S&P can add, delete, or substitute the stocks included in the S&P 500® Index or make other methodological changes that could change the level of the S&P 500® Index and therefore the composition and level of the Index. Changing the companies included in the Index may affect the level of the Index, as a newly added company may perform significantly better or worse than the company or companies it replaces. Additionally, S&P may alter, discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of the S&P 500® Index, any of which could adversely affect the value of the notes. S&P has no obligation to consider your interests in calculating or revising the S&P 500® Index.

The stocks included in the Index are concentrated in one sector.

All of the stocks included in the Index are issued by companies in the energy sector. As a result, the stocks that will determine the performance of the notes are concentrated in one sector. Although an investment in the notes will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the stocks underlying the Index, the return on an investment in the notes will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct equity investment in companies in the energy sector. Accordingly, by investing in the notes, you will not benefit from the diversification which could result from an investment linked to companies that operate in multiple sectors.

The stocks of companies in the energy sector are subject to swift price fluctuations.

The issuers of the stocks included in the Index develop and produce, among other things, crude oil and natural gas, and provide, among other things, drilling services and other services related to energy resources production and distribution. Stock prices for these types of companies are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for energy products in general. The price of oil and gas, exploration and production spending, government regulation, world events and economic conditions will likewise affect the performance of these companies. Correspondingly, the stocks of companies in the energy sector are subject to swift price fluctuations caused by events relating to international politics, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects and tax and other governmental regulatory policies. Weak demand for the companies’ products or services or for energy products and services in general, as well as negative developments in these other areas, would adversely impact the value of the stocks included in the Index and, therefore, the level of the Index and the value of the notes.
 
 
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
TS-6
 
 

 
Accelerated Return Notes®
Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014

 
The Index
 
All disclosures contained in this term sheet regarding the Index, the Select Sector Indices, and the S&P 500® Index, including, without limitation, their makeup, method of their 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, S&P and MLPF&S, as described in this section and in the sections “Risk Factors” and “Additional Risk Factors” above.  The consequences of any discontinuance of the Index are discussed in the section entitled "Description of ARNs - Discontinuance of an Index" beginning on page PS-19 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1. None of us, the calculation agent, or MLPF&S accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of the Index or any successor index.

The Select Sector Indices

The Index is one 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 only one Select Sector Index, and the combined companies of the nine 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 nine Select Sector Indices seek to represent the ten S&P 500® Index sectors.  The S&P 500® Index sectors, with the approximate percentage of the market capitalization of the S&P 500® Index included in each sector as of October 26, 2012 indicated in parentheses: Consumer Discretionary (11.08%); Consumer Staples (10.90%); Energy (11.27%); Financials (15.08%); Health Care (12.28%); Industrials (9.90%); Information Technology (19.22%); Materials (3.50%); Telecommunication Services (3.17%); and Utilities (3.60%). MLPF&S, acting as the Index Compilation Agent, determines the composition of the Select Sector Indices based on S&P’s sector classification methodology.

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.
 
·
The nine 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 one and only 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’s sector classification methodology as set forth in S&P’s Global Industry Classification Standard.
 
·
Each Select Sector Index is calculated by S&P 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. However, under certain conditions, the number of shares of a component stock within the Select Sector Index may be adjusted to conform to Internal Revenue Code requirements.
 
·
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; (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 s 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.
 
 
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
TS-7
 
 

 
Accelerated Return Notes®
Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014


 
Each Select Sector Index is calculated using the same methodology utilized by S&P 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 that a Component Stock’s Select Sector Index assignment should be changed, S&P 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 for additions and deletions from the S&P 500® Index insofar as practicable.

The Index

The Index (Index symbol: “IXE”) is a modified market capitalization-based index.  The Index is intended to track the movements of companies that are components of the S&P 500® Index and are involved in the development or production of energy products.  The Index includes companies from the oil, gas and consumable fuels industry, as well as the energy equipment and services industry.  The Index, which serves as a benchmark for the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (Index fund symbol: “XLE”), was established with a value of 250 on June 30, 1998.

The S&P 500® Index

The S&P 500® Index is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement. The calculation of the level of the S&P 500® Index 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.

S&P chooses companies for inclusion in the S&P 500® Index with the aim of achieving a distribution by broad industry groupings that approximates the distribution of these groupings in the common stock population of its Stock Guide Database of over 10,000 companies, which S&P uses as an assumed model for the composition of the total market. Relevant criteria employed by S&P include the viability of the particular company, the extent to which that company represents the industry group to which it is assigned, the extent to which the market price of that company’s common stock generally is responsive to changes in the affairs of the respective industry, and the market value and trading activity of the common stock of that company.  S&P from time to time, in its sole discretion, may add companies to, or delete companies from, the S&P 500® Index to achieve the objectives stated above.

S&P calculates the S&P 500® Index by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks of the S&P 500® Index 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 S&P 500® Index constituent stocks and received the dividends paid on those stocks.

Computation of the S&P 500® Index

While S&P currently employs the following methodology to calculate the S&P 500® Index, no assurance can be given that S&P will not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect the Redemption Amount.
Historically, the market value of any component stock of the S&P 500® Index 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, S&P began shifting the S&P 500® Index halfway from a market capitalization weighted formula to a float-adjusted formula, before moving the S&P 500® Index to full float adjustment on September 16, 2005. S&P’s criteria for selecting stocks for the S&P 500® Index did not change with the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company’s weight in the S&P 500® Index.

Under float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the S&P 500® Index reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all of a company’s outstanding shares. S&P defines three groups of shareholders whose holdings are subject to float adjustment:
 
·
holdings by other publicly traded corporations, venture capital firms, private equity firms, strategic partners, or leveraged buyout groups;

 
·
holdings by government entities, including all levels of government in the U.S. or foreign countries; and
 
 
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
TS-8
 
 

 
Accelerated Return Notes®
Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014


 
 
·
holdings by current or former officers and directors of the company, founders of the company, or family trusts of officers, directors, or founders, as well as holdings of trusts, foundations, pension funds, employee stock ownership plans, or other investment vehicles associated with and controlled by the company.

However, treasury stock, stock options, restricted shares, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock, and rights are not part of the float. In cases where holdings in a group exceed 10% of the outstanding shares of a company, the holdings of that group are excluded from the float-adjusted count of shares to be used in the index calculation. Mutual funds, investment advisory firms, pension funds, or foundations not associated with the company and investment funds in insurance companies, shares of a U.S. company traded in Canada as “exchangeable shares,” shares that trust beneficiaries may buy or sell without difficulty or significant additional expense beyond typical brokerage fees, and, if a company has multiple classes of stock outstanding, shares in an unlisted or non-traded class if such shares are convertible by shareholders without undue delay and cost, are also part of the float.

For each stock, an investable weight factor (“IWF”) is calculated by dividing the available float shares, defined as the total shares outstanding less shares held in one or more of the three groups listed above where the group holdings exceed 10% of the outstanding shares, by the total shares outstanding. The float-adjusted index is then calculated by multiplying, for each stock in the S&P 500® Index, the IWF, the price, and total number of shares outstanding, adding together the resulting amounts, and then dividing that sum by the index divisor. For companies with multiple classes of stock, S&P calculates the weighted average IWF for each stock using the proportion of the total company market capitalization of each share class as weights.

The S&P 500® Index is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The level of the S&P 500® Index reflects the total market value of all 500 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 S&P 500® Index 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 S&P 500® Index, it serves as a link to the original base period level of the S&P 500® Index. The index divisor keeps the S&P 500® Index comparable over time and is the manipulation point for all adjustments to the S&P 500® Index, which is index maintenance.

Maintenance of the S&P 500® Index

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 S&P 500® Index, and do not require index divisor adjustments.

To prevent the level of the S&P 500® Index from changing due to corporate actions, corporate actions which affect the total market value of the S&P 500® Index require an index divisor adjustment. By adjusting the index divisor for the change in market value, the level of the S&P 500® Index remains constant and does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the S&P 500® Index. Index divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading and after the calculation of the S&P 500® Index 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. 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 Wednesdays for implementation after the close of trading on the following Wednesday. Changes of less than 5.00% due to a company’s acquisition of another company in the S&P 500® Index are made as soon as reasonably possible. All other 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.
 
Changes in IWFs of more than five percentage points caused by corporate actions (such as merger and acquisition activity, restructurings, or spinoffs) will be made as soon as reasonably possible. Other changes in IWFs will be made annually when IWFs are reviewed.
 
 
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
TS-9
 
 

 
Accelerated Return Notes®
Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014

 
The following graph shows the monthly historical performance of the Index in the period from January 2007 through October 2012.  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 level of the Index was 710.98.
 
Historical Performance of the Index
 
 
This historical data on the Index is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Index or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the Index during any period set forth above is not an indication that the level of the Index 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 levels and trading pattern of the Index.
 
License Agreement and Trademarks
 
We have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with MLPF&S with respect to the Index. The Index is determined, composed and calculated by MLPF&S without regard to us, the notes or the holders of the notes.  MLPF&S has no obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index.
 
MLPF&S DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND MLPF&S SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, UNAVAILABILITY, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN.  MLPF&S MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF THE INDICES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN.  MLPF&S MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL MLPF&S, IN ITS CAPACITY AS LICENSOR, HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR LOST PROFITS, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
 
“Energy Select Sector Index” or “Select Sector Indices” are trademarks of MLPF&S or its affiliates and will be licensed for use by us.
Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC; Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates. The S&P 500® Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC , any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”).  S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly or the ability of the S&P 500® Index to track general market performance.  S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to MLPF&S and to us with respect to
 
 
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
TS-10
 
 

 
Accelerated Return Notes®
Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014

  
 
the S&P 500® Index is the use of the S&P 500® Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors.  The S&P 500® Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to MLPF&S, us, or the notes.  S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of MLPF&S or the holders of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500® Index.  S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the notes or the timing of the issuance or sale of the notes or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the notes are to be converted into cash.  S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes. There is no assurance that investment products based on the S&P 500® Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns.  S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor.  Inclusion of a security within the S&P 500® Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the notes currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the notes.  In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the S&P 500® Index.  It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the S&P 500® Index and the notes.
 
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P 500® INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO.  S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN.  S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY MLPF&S, US, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S&P 500® INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO.  WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBLITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.
 
Supplement to the Plan of Distribution
 
We will deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than three business days 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 three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise.  Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than three business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
 
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.  In the original offering of the notes, the notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units.
 
If you place an order to purchase the notes, you are consenting to MLPF&S acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.
 
MLPF&S may repurchase and resell the notes, with repurchases and resales being made at prices related to then-prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.  MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions; however it is not obligated to engage in any such transactions.
 
The distribution of the Note Prospectus in connection with these offers or sales will be solely for the purpose of providing investors with the description of the terms of the notes that was made available to investors in connection with their initial offering.  Secondary market investors should not, and will not be authorized to, rely on the Note Prospectus for information regarding Credit Suisse or for any purpose other than that described in the immediately preceding sentence.
 
Role of MLPF&S
 
Under our distribution agreement with MLPF&S, MLPF&S will purchase the notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount.  We also expect to enter into a hedging transaction with an affiliate of MLPF&S to hedge our obligations under the notes.  MLPF&S has advised us that the hedging transaction will include a charge of approximately $0.075, reflecting an estimated profit to be credited to MLPF&S from transactions through which the notes are structured and resulting obligations hedged. 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 this amount. MLPF&S has advised us that in entering into the hedging arrangements for the notes, they seek bids from market participants, which may include one of our affiliates. The underwriting discount and the hedging related charge are included in the public offering price.
 
All costs related to the notes, including the underwriting discount and the hedging-related costs and charges, reduce the economic terms of the notes to you. For further information regarding these charges, our trading and hedging activities and conflicts of interest, see "Risk Factors—General Risks Relating to ARNs” beginning on page PS-6 and “Supplemental Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page PS-15 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1.
 
 
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
TS-11
 
 

 
Accelerated Return Notes®
Linked to the Energy Select Sector Index, due January 31, 2014

 
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
 
The following discussion is a brief summary of material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to an investment in the notes.  The following summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by the discussion under the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page PS-25 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1, which you should carefully review prior to investing in the notes.
 
There are no regulations, published rulings, or judicial decisions addressing the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the notes or securities with terms that are substantially the same as those of the notes.  Thus, the characterization of the notes is not certain.  In the absence of an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary and pursuant to the terms of the notes, you agree with us, to treat your notes, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as a prepaid financial contract, with respect to the Index, that is eligible for open transaction treatment.  The balance of this discussion assumes that the notes will be treated as prepaid financial contracts.  You should be aware that such characterization of the notes is not certain, nor is it binding on the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or the courts.  Thus, it is possible that the IRS would seek to characterize your note in a manner that results in tax consequences to you that are different from those described below.  We are not responsible for any adverse consequences that you may experience as a result of any alternative characterization of the notes for U.S. federal income tax or other tax purposes.  You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of such characterization and any possible alternative characterizations of the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
 
If the notes are treated as prepaid financial contracts, U.S. holders should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale or maturity of your note in an amount equal to the difference between the amount received at such time and the amount paid for the notes. Such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the notes have been held for more than one year.
 
You should consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax and other tax consequences of your investment in the notes in your particular circumstances, including the application of state, local or other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.
 
Non-U.S. Holders. The Treasury Department has issued proposed regulations under Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code which could ultimately require us to treat all or a portion of any payment in respect of your notes as a “dividend equivalent” payment that is subject to withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable treaty). You could also be required to make certain certifications in order to avoid or minimize such withholding obligations, and you could be subject to withholding (subject to your potential right to claim a refund from the IRS) if such certifications were not received or were not satisfactory. You should consult your tax advisor concerning the potential application of these regulations to payments you receive with respect to the notes when these regulations are finalized.
 
Where You Can Find More Information
 
We have filed a registration statement (including a product supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this term sheet relates.  Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, and the other documents that we have filed with the SEC, for more complete information about us and this offering.  You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.  Alternatively, we, any agent, or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you these documents if you so request by calling MLPF&S toll-free at 1-866-500-5408.
 
 
“Accelerated Return Notes®” and “ARNs®” are registered service marks of Bank of America Corporation, the parent company of MLPF&S.
 
 
 
 
Accelerated Return Notes®
TS-12