424B2 1 dp214847_424b2-6231gs.htm FORM 424B2

The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration No. 333-265158

 

Subject to Completion. Dated July 23, 2024.

Pricing Supplement to the Prospectus dated May 23, 2022 and to the Prospectus Supplement dated June 27, 2022

 

barclays PLC logo

Barclays Bank PLC
$
Digital iShares® 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF-Linked Global Medium-Term Notes, Series A, due

 

The notes will not bear interest. The amount that you will be paid on your notes on the stated maturity date (expected to be the second scheduled business day after the determination date) is based on the performance of the iShares® 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (which we refer to as the underlier) as measured from and including the trade date to and including the determination date (expected to be between 12 and 14 months after the trade date). If the final underlier level on the determination date is greater than or equal to 90.00% of the initial underlier level (set on the trade date and is expected to be the closing level of the underlier on the trade date), you will receive the maximum settlement amount, which is expected to be the threshold settlement amount (expected to be between $1,065.70 and $1,077.20 for each $1,000 face amount of your notes). If the final underlier level is less than 90.00% of the initial underlier level, the return on your notes will be negative.

 

You could lose your entire investment in the notes. Any payment on the notes, including any repayment of principal, is not guaranteed by any third party and is subject to (a) the creditworthiness of Barclays Bank PLC and (b) the risk of exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power (as described on page PS-3 of this pricing supplement) by the relevant U.K. resolution authority.

 

To determine your payment at maturity, we will calculate the underlier return, which is the percentage increase or decrease in the final underlier level from the initial underlier level. On the stated maturity date, for each $1,000 face amount of your notes, you will receive an amount in cash equal to:

 

·if the underlier return is greater than or equal to -10.00% (the final underlier level is greater than or equal to 90.00% of the initial underlier level), the maximum settlement amount; or

 

·if the underlier return is negative and is below -10.00% (the final underlier level is less than the initial underlier level by more than 10.00%), the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) approximately 1.1111 times (b) the sum of the underlier return plus 10.00% times (c) $1,000 (in which case you will receive less than $1,000).

 

Because we have provided only a brief summary of the terms of your notes above, you should read the detailed description of the terms of the notes found in “Summary Information” on page PS-2 in this pricing supplement.

 

Your investment in the notes involves certain risks, including among other things, our credit risk and the risk of exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes” beginning on page PS- 13 of this pricing supplement so that you may better understand those risks.

 

Notwithstanding and to the exclusion of any other term of the notes or any other agreements, arrangements or understandings between Barclays Bank PLC and any holder or beneficial owner of the notes (or the trustee on behalf of the holders of the notes), by acquiring the notes, each holder and beneficial owner of the notes acknowledges, accepts, agrees to be bound by and consents to the exercise of, any U.K. Bail-in Power by the relevant U.K. resolution authority. See “Consent to U.K. Bail-in Power” in this pricing supplement and “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

  Initial Issue Price Price to Public Agent’s Commission Proceeds to Barclays Bank PLC
Per Note $1,000 (face amount) 100% of face amount 0.88% of face amount 99.12% of face amount
Total $             $             $             $            
Our estimated value of the notes on the trade date, based on our internal pricing models, is expected to be between $964.30 and $984.30 per note. The estimated value is expected to be less than the initial issue price of the notes. See “Additional Information Regarding Our Estimated Value of the Notes” on page PS-2 of this pricing supplement.

 

Barclays Capital Inc. will receive commissions from the issuer equal to 0.88% of the face amount of the notes, or $8.80 per $1,000 face amount of your notes, and may retain all or a portion of these commissions or use all or a portion of these commissions to pay selling concessions or fees to other dealers.

 

The notes will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or quotation system. Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or determined that this pricing supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The notes constitute our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The notes are not deposit liabilities of Barclays Bank PLC and are not covered by the U.K. Financial Services Compensation Scheme or insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or deposit insurance agency of the United States, the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction.

 

Barclays Bank PLC may use this pricing supplement in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, Barclays Capital Inc. or any other affiliate of Barclays Bank PLC may use this pricing supplement in a market-making transaction in a note after its initial sale. Unless Barclays Bank PLC or its agent informs the purchaser otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used in a market-making transaction.

 

barclays PLC logo

Pricing Supplement dated July     , 2024

 

 

 

SUMMARY INFORMATION

 

You should read this pricing supplement together with the prospectus dated May 23, 2022, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated June 27, 2022 relating to our Global Medium-Term Notes, Series A, of which the notes are a part. This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the notes and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth under “Risk Factors” in the prospectus supplement and “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes” on page PS-13 of this pricing supplement, as the notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

 

You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):

 

Prospectus dated May 23, 2022:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/312070/000119312522157585/d337542df3asr.htm

 

Prospectus supplement dated June 27, 2022:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000312070/000095010322011301/dp169388_424b2-prosupp.htm

 

Our SEC file number is 1-10257 and our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 0000312070. As used in this pricing supplement, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Barclays Bank PLC.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING OUR ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE NOTES

 

The final terms for the notes will be determined on the date the notes are initially priced for sale to the public (the “trade date”) based on prevailing market conditions on or prior to the trade date, and will be communicated to investors either orally or in a final pricing supplement.

 

Our internal pricing models take into account a number of variables and are based on a number of subjective assumptions, which may or may not materialize, typically including volatility, interest rates and our internal funding rates. Our internal funding rates (which are our internally published borrowing rates based on variables, such as market benchmarks, our appetite for borrowing and our existing obligations coming to maturity) may vary from the levels at which our benchmark debt securities trade in the secondary market. Our estimated value on the trade date is based on our internal funding rates. Our estimated value of the notes might be lower if such valuation were based on the levels at which our benchmark debt securities trade in the secondary market.

 

Our estimated value of the notes on the trade date is expected to be less than the initial issue price of the notes. The difference between the initial issue price of the notes and our estimated value of the notes is expected to result from several factors, including any sales commissions expected to be paid to Barclays Capital Inc. or another affiliate of ours, any selling concessions, discounts, commissions or fees expected to be allowed or paid to non-affiliated intermediaries, the estimated profit that we or any of our affiliates expect to earn in connection with structuring the notes, the estimated cost that we may incur in hedging our obligations under the notes, and estimated development and other costs that we may incur in connection with the notes. These other costs will include a fee paid to iCapital Markets LLC, an electronic platform in which an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, who is acting as a dealer in connection with the distribution of the notes, holds an indirect minority equity interest, for services it is providing in connection with this offering.

 

Our estimated value on the trade date is not a prediction of the price at which the notes may trade in the secondary market, nor will it be the price at which Barclays Capital Inc. may buy or sell the notes in the secondary market. Subject to normal market and funding conditions, Barclays Capital Inc. or another affiliate of ours intends to offer to purchase the notes in the secondary market but it is not obligated to do so.

 

PS-2

 

Assuming that all relevant factors remain constant after the trade date, the price at which Barclays Capital Inc. may initially buy or sell the notes in the secondary market, if any, and the value that we may initially use for customer account statements, if we provide any customer account statements at all, may exceed our estimated value on the trade date for a temporary period expected to be approximately three months after the initial issue date of the notes because, in our discretion, we may elect to effectively reimburse to investors a portion of the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the notes and other costs in connection with the notes that we will no longer expect to incur over the term of the notes. We made such discretionary election and determined this temporary reimbursement period on the basis of a number of factors, which may include the tenor of the notes and/or any agreement we may have with the distributors of the notes. The amount of our estimated costs that we effectively reimburse to investors in this way may not be allocated ratably throughout the reimbursement period, and we may discontinue such reimbursement at any time or revise the duration of the reimbursement period after the initial issue date of the notes based on changes in market conditions and other factors that cannot be predicted.

 

We urge you to read “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes” on page PS-13 of this pricing supplement.

 

You may revoke your offer to purchase the notes at any time prior to the trade date. We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase, the notes prior to their trade date. In the event of any changes to the terms of the notes, we will notify you and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes in which case we may reject your offer to purchase.

 

CONSENT TO U.K. BAIL-IN POWER

 

Notwithstanding and to the exclusion of any other term of the notes or any other agreements, arrangements or understandings between us and any holder or beneficial owner of the notes (or the trustee on behalf of the holders of the notes), by acquiring the notes, each holder and beneficial owner of the notes acknowledges, accepts, agrees to be bound by and consents to the exercise of, any U.K. Bail-in Power by the relevant U.K. resolution authority.

 

Under the U.K. Banking Act 2009, as amended, the relevant U.K. resolution authority may exercise a U.K. Bail-in Power in circumstances in which the relevant U.K. resolution authority is satisfied that the resolution conditions are met. These conditions include that a U.K. bank or investment firm is failing or is likely to fail to satisfy the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”) threshold conditions for authorization to carry on certain regulated activities (within the meaning of section 55B FSMA) or, in the case of a U.K. banking group company that is a European Economic Area (“EEA”) or third country institution or investment firm, that the relevant EEA or third country relevant authority is satisfied that the resolution conditions are met in respect of that entity.

 

The U.K. Bail-in Power includes any write-down, conversion, transfer, modification and/or suspension power, which allows for (i) the reduction or cancellation of all, or a portion, of the principal amount of, interest on, or any other amounts payable on, the notes; (ii) the conversion of all, or a portion, of the principal amount of, interest on, or any other amounts payable on, the notes into shares or other securities or other obligations of Barclays Bank PLC or another person (and the issue to, or conferral on, the holder or beneficial owner of the notes such shares, securities or obligations); (iii) the cancellation of the notes and/or (iv) the amendment or alteration of the maturity of the notes, or amendment of the amount of interest or any other amounts due on the notes, or the dates on which interest or any other amounts become payable, including by suspending payment for a temporary period; which U.K. Bail-in Power may be exercised by means of a variation of the terms of the notes solely to give effect to the exercise by the relevant U.K. resolution authority of such U.K. Bail-in Power. Each holder and beneficial owner of the notes further acknowledges and agrees that the rights of the holders or beneficial owners of the notes are subject to, and will be varied, if necessary, solely to give effect to, the exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power by the relevant U.K. resolution authority. For the avoidance of doubt, this consent and acknowledgment is not a waiver of any rights holders or beneficial owners of the notes may have at law if and to the extent that any U.K. Bail-in Power is exercised by the relevant U.K. resolution authority in breach of laws applicable in England.

 

PS-3

 

For more information, please see “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes—Risks Relating to the Issuer—You May Lose Some or All of Your Investment If Any U.K. Bail-in Power Is Exercised by the Relevant U.K. Resolution Authority” in this pricing supplement as well as “U.K. Bail-in Power,” “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Securities Generally—Regulatory action in the event a bank or investment firm in the Group is failing or likely to fail, including the exercise by the relevant U.K. resolution authority of a variety of statutory resolution powers, could materially adversely affect the value of any securities” and “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Securities Generally—Under the terms of the securities, you have agreed to be bound by the exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power by the relevant U.K. resolution authority” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

KEY TERMS

 

Issuer: Barclays Bank PLC

 

Underlier: the iShares® 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (Bloomberg ticker symbol, “TLT UQ<Equity>”)

 

Underlying index: ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index, as maintained by ICE Data Indices, LLC or its affiliates (collectively “IDI”)

 

Specified currency: U.S. dollars (“$”)

 

Face amount: each note will have a face amount of $1,000; $             in the aggregate for all the notes

 

Purchase at amount other than face amount: the amount we will pay you at the stated maturity date for your notes will not be adjusted based on the issue price you pay for your notes, so if you acquire notes at a premium (or discount) to face amount and hold them to the stated maturity date, it could affect your investment in a number of ways. The return on your investment in such notes will be lower (or higher) than it would have been had you purchased the notes at face amount. Also, the stated threshold level would not offer the same measure of protection to your investment as would be the case if you had purchased the notes at face amount. See “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes—Risks Relating to the Notes Generally—If You Purchase Your Notes at a Premium to Face Amount, the Return on Your Investment Will Be Lower Than the Return on Notes Purchased at Face Amount or a Discount and the Impact of Certain Key Terms of the Notes Will Be Negatively Affected” on page PS-13 of this pricing supplement.

 

Cash settlement amount (on the stated maturity date): for each $1,000 face amount of your notes, we will pay you on the stated maturity date an amount in cash equal to:

 

·if the final underlier level is greater than or equal to the threshold level, the threshold settlement amount; or

 

·if the final underlier level is less than the threshold level, the sum of (1) $1,000 plus (2) the product of (i) $1,000 times (ii) the buffer rate times (iii) the sum of the underlier return plus the threshold amount (in which case you will receive less than $1,000).

 

Any payment on the notes, including any repayment of principal, is not guaranteed by any third party and is subject to (a) the creditworthiness of Barclays Bank PLC, and (b) the risk of exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power by the relevant U.K. resolution authority.

 

Initial underlier level (to be set on the trade date):                     , the closing level of the underlier on the trade date

 

Final underlier level: the closing level of the underlier on the determination date, subject to adjustment in limited circumstances as provided under “Reference Assets—Exchange-Traded Funds—Adjustments Relating to Securities with an Exchange-Traded Fund as a Reference Asset” on page S-77 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, as modified by “Supplemental Terms of the Notes” below; and subject to market disruption events and non-trading days as described under “Reference Assets—Exchange-Traded Funds—Market Disruption Events for Securities with an Exchange-Traded Fund That Does Not Hold Equity Securities as a Reference Asset” on page S-76 of the accompanying prospectus supplement

 

PS-4

 

Underlier return: the quotient of (1) the final underlier level minus the initial underlier level divided by (2) the initial underlier level, expressed as a percentage

 

Threshold level: 90.00% of the initial underlier level

 

Threshold amount: 10.00%

 

Threshold settlement amount (to be set on the trade date): expected to be between $1,065.70 and $1,077.20

 

Cap level (to be set on the trade date): expected to be between 106.57% and 107.72% of the initial underlier level

 

Maximum settlement amount (to be set on the trade date): expected to be the threshold settlement amount

 

Buffer rate: the quotient of the initial underlier level divided by the threshold level, which equals approximately 111.11%

 

Trade date:

 

Original issue date (settlement date): expected to be five scheduled business days following the trade date

 

Determination date (to be set on the trade date): a specified date that is expected to be between 12 and 14 months after the trade date, subject to postponement in the event of a market disruption event or non-trading day as described under “Reference Assets—Exchange-Traded Funds—Market Disruption Events for Securities with an Exchange-Traded Fund That Does Not Hold Equity Securities as a Reference Asset” on page S-76 of the accompanying prospectus supplement. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event will the determination date be postponed by more than five trading days.

 

Stated maturity date (to be set on the trade date): a specified date that is expected to be the second scheduled business day after the determination date. The maturity date will be postponed if the determination date is postponed due to the occurrence or continuance of a market disruption event or a non-trading day on the determination date. In such a case, the maturity date will be postponed by the same number of business days from but excluding the originally scheduled determination date to and including the actual determination date. The maturity date will also be postponed if that date is not a business day. See “Terms of the Notes—Payment Dates” on page S-44 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and “Reference Assets—Exchange-Traded Funds—Market Disruption Events for Securities with an Exchange-Traded Fund That Does Not Hold Equity Securities as a Reference Asset” on page S-76 of the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

No interest: the notes will not bear interest

 

No listing: the notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system

 

No redemption: the notes will not be subject to redemption right or price dependent redemption right

 

Closing level: the official closing price per share of the underlier as published with respect to the regular weekday close of trading on that trading day as displayed on Bloomberg Professional® service (“Bloomberg”) page “TLT UQ<Equity>” or any successor page on Bloomberg or any successor service, as applicable. In certain circumstances, the closing level of the underlier will be based on the alternate calculation of the underlier described under “Reference Assets—Exchange-Traded Funds—Adjustments Relating to Securities with an Exchange-Traded Fund as a Reference Asset” on page S-77 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, as modified by “Supplemental Terms of the Notes” below.

 

Business day: as defined under “Terms of the Notes—Business Day” on page S-45 of the accompanying prospectus supplement

 

PS-5

 

Trading day: notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the accompanying prospectus supplement, with respect to the underlier, a day, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion, on which (i) the primary exchange or market of trading for shares or other interest in the underlier or the shares of any successor underlier is scheduled to be open for trading; and (ii) trading in the underlier is generally conducted on such market or exchange

 

Use of proceeds and hedging: as described under “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page S-106 of the accompanying prospectus supplement

 

Tax consequences: you should review carefully the sections in the accompanying prospectus supplement entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—Notes Treated as Prepaid Forward or Derivative Contracts” and, if you are a non-U.S. holder, “—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders.” The following discussion, when read in combination with those sections, constitutes the full opinion of our special tax counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, regarding the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the notes. The following discussion supersedes the discussion in the accompanying prospectus supplement to the extent it is inconsistent therewith.

 

Based on current market conditions, in the opinion of our special tax counsel, it is reasonable to treat the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes as prepaid forward contracts with respect to the underlier. Assuming this treatment is respected, upon a sale or exchange of the notes (including redemption at maturity), you should recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and your tax basis in the notes, which should equal the amount you paid to acquire the notes. This gain or loss on your notes should be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if you hold your notes for more than a year, whether or not you are an initial purchaser of notes at the original issue price. However, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or a court may not respect this treatment, in which case the timing and character of any income or loss on the notes could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, in 2007 the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. The notice focuses in particular on whether to require investors in these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; the relevance of factors such as the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; the degree, if any, to which income (including any mandated accruals) realized by non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” regime, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose a notional interest charge. While the notice requests comments on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the notes, possibly with retroactive effect. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, including possible alternative treatments and the issues presented by this notice.

 

Treasury regulations under Section 871(m) generally impose a withholding tax on certain “dividend equivalents” under certain “equity linked instruments.” A recent IRS notice excludes from the scope of Section 871(m) instruments issued prior to January 1, 2027 that do not have a “delta of one” with respect to underlying securities that could pay U.S.-source dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes (each an “Underlying Security”). Based on our determination that the notes do not have a “delta of one” within the meaning of the regulations, we expect that these regulations will not apply to the notes with regard to non-U.S. holders. Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Section 871(m) is complex and its application may depend on your particular circumstances, including whether you enter into other transactions with respect to an Underlying Security. If necessary, further information regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) will be provided in the pricing supplement for the notes. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the notes.

 

ERISA: as described under “Benefit Plan Investor Considerations” on page S-92 of the accompanying prospectus supplement

 

PS-6

 

Supplemental plan of distribution: we will agree to sell to Barclays Capital Inc. (the “agent”), and the agent will agree to purchase from us, the face amount of the notes at the price specified on the cover of this pricing supplement. The agent will commit to take and pay for all of the notes, if any are taken. The agent proposes initially to offer the notes to the public at the initial issue price set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement, and to certain unaffiliated securities dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of 0.88% of the face amount.

 

We expect that delivery of the notes will be made against payment for the notes on the original issue date, which is more than one business day following the trade date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the accompanying prospectus supplement, under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, effective May 28, 2024, 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 on any date prior to one business day before delivery will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement and should consult their own advisor.

 

We have been advised by Barclays Capital Inc. that it intends to make a market in the notes. However, neither Barclays Capital Inc. nor any of our affiliates that makes a market is obligated to do so and any of them may stop doing so at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity or trading market for the notes.

 

Calculation agent: Barclays Bank PLC

 

CUSIP no.: 06745UK74

 

ISIN no.: US06745UK746

 

Conflicts of interest: Barclays Capital Inc. is an affiliate of Barclays Bank PLC and, as such, has a “conflict of interest” in this offering within the meaning of Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Consequently, the offering is being conducted in compliance with the provisions of Rule 5121. Barclays Capital Inc. is not permitted to sell notes in this offering to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the account holder.

 

FDIC: the notes are not bank deposits and are not insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) or any other governmental agency, nor are they obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL TERMS OF THE NOTES

 

For purposes of the notes offered by this pricing supplement, all references to each of the following terms used in the accompanying prospectus supplement will be deemed to refer to the corresponding term used in this pricing supplement as set forth in the table below:

 

Prospectus Supplement Term Pricing Supplement Term
Reference asset underlier
Payment at maturity cash settlement amount
Maturity date stated maturity date
Principal amount face amount
Initial price initial underlier level
Final price final underlier level
Initial valuation date trade date
Scheduled trading day trading day
Reference asset sponsor underlier sponsor

 

In addition, the following terms used in this pricing supplement are not used with respect to the notes in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement: underlier return, cap level, maximum settlement amount, threshold level, threshold amount, threshold settlement amount and buffer rate. Accordingly, please refer to “Key Terms” on PS-4 of this pricing supplement for the definitions of these

 

PS-7

 

terms. Additionally, if information in this pricing supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus or prospectus supplement, this pricing supplement will supersede those documents.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under “Reference Assets—Exchange-Traded Fund—Adjustments Relating to Securities with an Exchange-Traded Fund as a Reference Asset” on page S-77 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, if the shares of the underlier are de-listed or if the underlier is liquidated or otherwise terminated and the calculation agent determines that no successor fund is available, the calculation agent may in its sole discretion adjust any variable described in this pricing supplement to ensure an equitable result, including but not limited to the initial underlier level, any level derived from the initial underlier level, the final underlier level and the closing level of the underlier on any relevant date, but it may not accelerate the maturity date. All such adjustments will occur in the manner described under “Reference Assets—Equity Securities—Share Adjustments Relating to Securities with an Equity Security as a Reference Asset—Anti-dilution Adjustments” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

PS-8

 

SELECTED PURCHASE CONSIDERATIONS

 

The notes are not appropriate for all investors. The notes may be an appropriate investment for you if all of the following statements are true:

 

·You do not seek an investment that produces periodic interest or coupon payments or other sources of current income.

 

·You seek a fixed return if the final underlier level is greater than or equal to the threshold level.

 

·You do not anticipate that the final underlier level will be less than the threshold level, and you are willing and able to accept the risk that, if it is, you will lose some, and possibly all, of the face amount of your notes.

 

·You understand and accept that any positive return on the notes will be limited by the threshold settlement amount, and you will not participate in any positive performance of the underlier above the cap level, which may be significant.

 

·You are willing and able to accept the risks associated with an investment linked to the performance of the underlier, as explained in more detail in the “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes” section of this pricing supplement.

 

·You understand and accept that you will not be entitled to receive dividends or distributions that may be paid to holders of the underlier.

 

·You do not seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market, and you are willing and able to hold the notes to maturity.

 

·You are willing and able to assume our credit risk for all payments on the notes.

 

·You are willing and able to consent to the exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power by any relevant U.K. resolution authority.

 

The notes may not be an appropriate investment for you if any of the following statements are true:

 

·You seek an investment that produces periodic interest or coupon payments or other sources of current income.

 

·You seek an investment that provides for the full repayment of the face amount of your notes at maturity.

 

·You anticipate that the final underlier level will be less than the threshold level, or you are unwilling or unable to accept the risk that, if it is, you will lose some, and possibly all, of the face amount of your notes.

 

·You seek an investment with uncapped exposure to any positive performance of the underlier.

 

·You are unwilling or unable to accept the risks associated with an investment linked to the performance of the underlier, as explained in more detail in the “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes” section of this pricing supplement.

 

·You seek an investment that entitles you to dividends or distributions on the underlier.

 

·You seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market and/or you are unwilling or unable to hold the notes to maturity.

 

·You are unwilling or unable to assume our credit risk for all payments on the notes.

 

·You are unwilling or unable to consent to the exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power by any relevant U.K. resolution authority.

 

You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment in the notes. You should reach a decision whether to invest in the notes after carefully considering, with your advisors, the appropriateness of the notes in light of your investment objectives and the specific information set forth in this pricing supplement, the prospectus and the prospectus supplement. Neither the issuer nor Barclays Capital Inc. makes any recommendation as to the appropriateness of the notes for investment.

 

PS-9

 

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLES

 

The following table and chart are provided for purposes of illustration only. They should not be taken as an indication or prediction of future investment results and are intended merely to illustrate the impact that the various hypothetical closing levels on the determination date could have on the cash settlement amount at maturity assuming all other variables remain constant.

 

The examples below are based on a range of final underlier levels that are entirely hypothetical; no one can predict what the closing level will be on any day throughout the term of your notes, and no one can predict what the final underlier level will be on the determination date. The underlier has been highly volatile in the past—meaning that the closing level has changed considerably in relatively short periods—and its performance cannot be predicted for any future period.

 

The information in the following examples reflects hypothetical rates of return on the notes assuming that they are purchased on the original issue date at the face amount and held to the stated maturity date. If you sell your notes in a secondary market prior to the stated maturity date, your return will depend upon the market value of your notes at the time of sale, which may be affected by a number of factors that are not reflected in the table below, such as interest rates, the volatility of the underlier and our creditworthiness. In addition, assuming no changes in market conditions or our creditworthiness and any other relevant factors, the value of your notes on the trade date will, and the price you may receive for your notes may, be significantly less than the initial issue price. For more information on the value of your notes in the secondary market, see “Risk Factors” on page S-9 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes—Risks Relating to the Estimated Value of the Notes and the Secondary Market—The Estimated Value of Your Notes Is Not a Prediction of the Prices at Which You May Sell Your Notes in the Secondary Market, if Any, and Such Secondary Market Prices, if Any, Will Likely Be Lower Than the Initial Issue Price of Your Notes and May Be Lower Than the Estimated Value of Your Notes” on page PS-20 of this pricing supplement. The information in the table also reflects the key hypothetical terms and assumptions in the following box.

 

Key Hypothetical Terms and Assumptions
Face amount $1,000
Cap level 106.57% of the initial underlier level
Threshold settlement amount $1,065.70
Threshold level 90.00% of the initial underlier level
Buffer rate approximately 111.11%
Threshold amount 10.00%
Neither a market disruption event nor a non-trading day occurs on the originally scheduled determination date
No change in or affecting the underlier, any of the underlier assets or the policies of the underlier’s investment advisor or the method by which the underlying index sponsor calculates the underlying index
Notes purchased on original issue date for the initial issue price noted on the cover page of this pricing supplement and held to the stated maturity date

 

Moreover, we have not yet set the initial underlier level that will serve as the baseline for determining the underlier return and the amount that we will pay on your notes, if any, at maturity. We will not do so until the trade date. As a result, the actual initial underlier level may differ substantially from the closing level of the underlier prior to the trade date.

 

For these reasons, the actual performance of the underlier over the term of your notes, as well as the amount payable at maturity, if any, may bear little relation to the hypothetical examples shown below or to the historical closing levels of the underlier shown elsewhere in this pricing supplement. For information about the historical closing levels of the underlier during recent periods, see “The Underlier—Historical Closing Levels of the Underlier” below. Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available information to determine the levels of the underlier between the date of this pricing supplement and the date of your purchase of the notes.

 

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Also, the hypothetical examples shown below do not take into account the effects of applicable taxes. Because of the U.S. tax treatment applicable to your notes, tax liabilities could affect the after-tax rate of return on your notes to a comparatively greater extent than the after-tax return on the underlier assets.

 

The levels in the left column of the table below represent hypothetical final underlier levels and are expressed as percentages of the initial underlier level. The amounts in the right column represent the hypothetical cash settlement amounts, each based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level (expressed as a percentage of the initial underlier level), and are expressed as percentages of the face amount of a note (rounded to the nearest one-thousandth of a percent). Thus, a hypothetical cash settlement amount of 100.000% means that the value of the cash payment that we would deliver for each $1,000 of the outstanding face amount of the notes on the stated maturity date would equal 100.000% of the face amount of a note, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level (expressed as a percentage of the initial underlier level) and the assumptions noted above.

 

Hypothetical Final Underlier Level
(as Percentage of Initial Underlier Level)
Hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount
(as Percentage of Face Amount)
150.000% 106.570%
140.000% 106.570%
130.000% 106.570%
120.000% 106.570%
110.000% 106.570%
106.570% 106.570%
105.000% 106.570%
102.500% 106.570%
100.000% 106.570%
95.000% 106.570%
90.000% 106.570%
89.999% 99.999%
80.000% 88.889%
75.000% 83.333%
50.000% 55.556%
25.000% 27.778%
0.000% 0.000%

 

If, for example, the final underlier level were determined to be 25.000% of the initial underlier level, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be approximately 27.778% of the face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you purchased your notes on the original issue date at the face amount and held them to the stated maturity date, you would lose approximately 72.222% of your investment (if you purchased your notes at a premium to face amount, you would lose a correspondingly higher percentage of your investment). In addition, if the final underlier level were determined to be 90.000% or more of the initial underlier level, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be limited to the threshold settlement amount, or 106.570% of each $1,000 face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you purchased your notes on the original issue date and held them to the stated maturity date, you would not receive more than the threshold settlement amount for each $1,000 face amount of your notes, regardless of the extent to which the final underlier level may be greater than 90.000% of the initial underlier level.

 

The following chart also shows a graphical illustration of the hypothetical cash settlement amounts (expressed as a percentage of the face amount of your notes) that we would pay on your notes on the stated maturity date, if the final underlier level (expressed as a percentage of the initial underlier level) were any of the hypothetical levels shown on the horizontal axis. The chart shows that any hypothetical final underlier level (expressed as a percentage of the initial underlier level) of less than 90.000% (the section left of the 90.000% marker on the horizontal axis) would result in a hypothetical cash settlement amount of less than 100.000% of the face amount of your notes (the section below the 100.000% marker on the vertical axis) and, accordingly, in a loss of principal to the holder of the notes. The chart also shows that any hypothetical final underlier level (expressed as a percentage of the initial underlier level)

 

PS-11

 

of greater than or equal to 90.000% (the section right of the 90.000% marker on the horizontal axis) would result in a capped return on your investment.

 

 

The cash settlement amounts shown above are entirely hypothetical; they are based on closing levels for the underlier that may not be achieved on the determination date and on assumptions that may prove to be erroneous. The actual market value of your notes on the stated maturity date or at any other time, including any time you may wish to sell your notes, may bear little relation to the hypothetical cash settlement amounts shown above, and these amounts should not be viewed as an indication of the financial return on an investment in the notes. The hypothetical cash settlement amounts on notes held to the stated maturity date in the examples above assume you purchased your notes at their face amount and have not been adjusted to reflect the actual issue price you pay for your notes. The return on your investment (whether positive or negative) in your notes will be affected by the amount you pay for your notes. If you purchase your notes for a price other than the face amount, the return on your investment will differ from, and may be significantly lower than, the hypothetical returns suggested by the above examples.

 

Please read “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes—Risks Relating to the Estimated Value of the Notes and the Secondary Market—Many Economic and Market Factors Will Impact the Value of Your Notes” on page PS-19 of this pricing supplement.

 

We cannot predict the actual final underlier level or what the market value of your notes will be on any particular trading day, nor can we predict the relationship between the closing level of the underlier and the market value of your notes at any time prior to the stated maturity date. The actual amount that you will receive, if any, at maturity and the rate of return on the notes will depend on the actual initial underlier level, cap level and threshold settlement amount that we will set on the trade date and the actual final underlier level determined by the calculation agent as described above. Moreover, the assumptions on which the hypothetical returns are based may turn out to be inaccurate. Consequently, the amount of cash to be paid in respect of your notes, if any, on the stated maturity date may be very different from the information reflected in the table and chart above.

 

PS-12

 

Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes

 

An investment in the notes involves significant risks. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the notes. Investing in the notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the underlier or any of the underlier assets, i.e. the assets held by the underlier. Some of the risks that apply to an investment in the notes are summarized below, but we urge you to read the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes generally in the “Risk Factors” section of the prospectus supplement. You should not purchase the notes unless you understand and can bear the risks of investing in the notes.

 

Risks Relating to the Notes Generally

 

You May Lose Your Entire Investment in the Notes

 

You can lose your entire investment in the notes. The cash payment on your notes, if any, on the stated maturity date will be based on the performance of the underlier as measured from the initial underlier level set on the trade date to the closing level of the underlier on the determination date (also referred to as the “final underlier level”). If the final underlier level is less than the threshold level, you will lose approximately 1.1111% of the face amount of your notes for every 1% that the final underlier level is less than the threshold level. Thus, you may lose your entire investment in the notes, which would include any premium to face amount you paid when you purchased the notes.

 

Also, the market price of your notes prior to the stated maturity date may be significantly lower than the purchase price you pay for your notes. Consequently, if you sell your notes before the stated maturity date, you may receive far less than the amount of your investment in the notes.

 

Your Maximum Payment on the Notes Is Limited to the Threshold Settlement Amount

 

Your ability to participate in any change in the value of the underlier over the term of your notes will be limited because of the maximum settlement amount (which is equal to the threshold settlement amount), which will be set on the trade date. The maximum settlement amount will limit the cash settlement amount you may receive for each of your notes at maturity, no matter how much the level of the underlier may rise beyond the initial underlier level over the term of your notes. Accordingly, the amount payable for each of your notes may be significantly less than it would have been had you invested directly in the underlier.

 

If You Purchase Your Notes at a Premium to Face Amount, the Return on Your Investment Will Be Lower Than the Return on Notes Purchased at Face Amount or a Discount and the Impact of Certain Key Terms of the Notes Will Be Negatively Affected

 

The cash settlement amount will not be adjusted based on the issue price you pay for the notes. If you purchase notes at a price that differs from the face amount of the notes, then the return on your investment in such notes held to the stated maturity date will differ from, and may be substantially less than, the return on notes purchased at face amount or a discount to face amount. If you purchase your notes at a premium to face amount and hold them to the stated maturity date, the return on your investment in the notes will be lower than it would have been had you purchased the notes at face amount or a discount to face amount. In addition, the impact of the threshold level and the cap level on the return on your investment will depend upon the price you pay for your notes relative to face amount. For example, while the threshold level will still provide for an increase in the return on the notes if the final underlier level is greater than or equal to the threshold level but less than the cap level, if the final underlier level is less than the threshold level you will incur a greater percentage decrease in your investment in the notes than would have been the case for notes purchased at face amount or a discount to face amount. Similarly, if you purchase your notes at a premium to face amount, the cap level will only permit a lower return on your investment in the notes than would have been the case for notes purchased at face amount or a discount to face amount.

 

PS-13

 

The Stated Maturity Date of the Notes Is a Pricing Term and Will Be Determined By Us on the Trade Date

 

We will not fix the stated maturity date until the trade date. The term of the notes could be as short as the low end of the range and as long as the high end of the range set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement. You should be willing and able to hold your notes for up to the high end of the range set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement. The stated maturity date selected by us could have an impact on the value of the notes.

 

Any Payment on the Notes Will Be Determined Based on the Closing Levels of the Underlier on the Dates Specified

 

Any payment on the notes will be determined based on the closing levels of the underlier on the dates specified. You will not benefit from any more favorable value of the underlier determined at any other time.

 

No Interest Payments or Rights to Receive Any Underlier Asset

 

As a holder of the notes, you will not receive interest payments. As a result, even if the amount payable on the stated maturity date exceeds the face amount of your notes, the overall return you earn on your notes may be less than you would have earned by investing in a non-fund-linked debt security of comparable maturity that bears interest at a prevailing market rate. In addition, as a holder of the notes, you will not have rights to receive dividends or other distributions or other rights that holders of the underlier or the underlier assets would have. Furthermore, investing in the notes will not make you a holder of any of the underlier assets. Your notes will be paid in cash and you will have no right to receive delivery of any shares of the underlier or any underlier assets.

 

The Payment on the Notes Will Be Determined by Reference to the Price Performance of the Underlier

 

The payment on the notes is based on the price performance of the underlier, which does not include dividends or other distributions on the underlier or the underlier assets. The magnitude of this lost dividend or distribution yield may be particularly significant. The underlier is a bond fund and, as with any bond fund, distributions of interest payments on the bonds held by the underlier would be expected to make up a significant portion of the overall yield on a direct investment in the underlier. The notes will not reflect distributions of interest payments on the bonds held by the underlier and, therefore, will not reflect the interest component of the yield on the underlier. As a result, the performance of the underlier as measured for purposes of the notes may be significantly less than the return that a direct investor in the underlier would realize.

 

The U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of an Investment in the Notes Are Uncertain

 

There is no direct legal authority regarding the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of the notes, and we do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS. Consequently, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the notes are uncertain, and the IRS or a court might not agree with the treatment of the notes as prepaid forward contracts, as described above under “Key Terms—Tax consequences.” If the IRS were successful in asserting an alternative treatment for the notes, the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the notes could be materially and adversely affected.

 

In addition, in 2007 the Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. Any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the notes, possibly with retroactive effect. You should review carefully the sections of the accompanying prospectus supplement entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—Notes Treated as Prepaid Forward or Derivative Contracts” and, if you are a non-U.S. holder, “—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders,” and consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the notes (including possible alternative treatments and the issues

 

PS-14

 

presented by the 2007 notice), as well as tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

 

Risks Relating to the Issuer

 

Credit of Issuer

 

The notes are unsecured and unsubordinated debt obligations of the issuer, Barclays Bank PLC, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. Any payment to be made on the notes, including any repayment of principal, is subject to the ability of Barclays Bank PLC to satisfy its obligations as they come due and is not guaranteed by any third party. As a result, the actual and perceived creditworthiness of Barclays Bank PLC may affect the market value of the notes and, in the event Barclays Bank PLC were to default on its obligations, you might not receive any amount owed to you under the terms of the notes.

 

You May Lose Some or All of Your Investment If Any U.K. Bail-in Power Is Exercised by the Relevant U.K. Resolution Authority

 

Notwithstanding and to the exclusion of any other term of the notes or any other agreements, arrangements or understandings between Barclays Bank PLC and any holder or beneficial owner of the notes (or the trustee on behalf of the holders of the notes), by acquiring the notes, each holder and beneficial owner of the notes acknowledges, accepts, agrees to be bound by, and consents to the exercise of, any U.K. Bail-in Power by the relevant U.K. resolution authority as set forth under “Consent to U.K. Bail-in Power” in this pricing supplement. Accordingly, any U.K. Bail-in Power may be exercised in such a manner as to result in you and other holders and beneficial owners of the notes losing all or a part of the value of your investment in the notes or receiving a different security from the notes, which may be worth significantly less than the notes and which may have significantly fewer protections than those typically afforded to debt securities. Moreover, the relevant U.K. resolution authority may exercise the U.K. Bail-in Power without providing any advance notice to, or requiring the consent of, the holders and beneficial owners of the notes. The exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power by the relevant U.K. resolution authority with respect to the notes will not be a default or an Event of Default (as each term is defined in the senior debt securities indenture) and the trustee will not be liable for any action that the trustee takes, or abstains from taking, in either case, in accordance with the exercise of the U.K. Bail-in Power by the relevant U.K. resolution authority with respect to the notes. See “Consent to U.K. Bail-in Power” in this pricing supplement as well as “U.K. Bail-in Power,” “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Securities Generally—Regulatory action in the event a bank or investment firm in the Group is failing or likely to fail, including the exercise by the relevant U.K. resolution authority of a variety of statutory resolution powers, could materially adversely affect the value of any securities” and “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Securities Generally—Under the terms of the securities, you have agreed to be bound by the exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power by the relevant U.K. resolution authority” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

Risks Relating to the Underlier

 

Certain Features of the Underlier Will Impact the Value of the Notes

 

The performance of the underlier will not fully replicate the performance of the underlying index (as defined above), and the underlier may hold securities or other assets not included in the underlying index. The value of the underlier is subject to:

 

·Management risk. This is the risk that the investment strategy for the underlier, the implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints, may not produce the intended results. The underlier’s investment adviser may have the right to use a portion of the underlier’s assets to invest in securities that are not included in the underlying index. The underlier is not actively managed, and the underlier’s investment adviser will generally not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets.

 

·Derivatives risk. The underlier may invest in derivatives, including forward contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options and swaps. A derivative is a financial contract, the

 

PS-15

 

value of which depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset such as a security or an index. Compared to conventional securities, derivatives can be more sensitive to changes in interest rates or to sudden fluctuations in market prices, and thus the underlier’s losses may be greater than if the underlier invested only in conventional securities.

 

·Transaction costs and fees. Unlike the underlying index, the underlier will reflect transaction costs and fees that will reduce its performance relative to the underlying index.

 

Generally, the longer the time remaining to maturity, the more the market price of the notes will be affected by the factors described above. In addition, the underlier may diverge significantly from the performance of the underlying index due to differences in trading hours between the underlier and the securities composing the underlying index or other circumstances. During periods of market volatility, the component securities held by the underlier may be unavailable in the secondary market, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the intraday net asset value per share of the underlier and the liquidity of the underlier may be adversely affected. This kind of market volatility may also disrupt the ability of market participants to create and redeem shares in the underlier. Further, market volatility may adversely affect, sometimes materially, the prices at which market participants are willing to buy and sell shares of the underlier. As a result, under these circumstances, the market value of the underlier may vary substantially from the net asset value per share of the underlier. Because the notes are linked to the performance of the underlier and not the underlying index, the return on your notes may be less than that of an alternative investment linked directly to the underlying index.

 

The Notes Are Subject to Significant Risks Associated With Fixed-Income Securities, Including Interest Rate-Related Risks

 

The underlier attempts to track the performance of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds. Investing in notes that provide exposure to the underlier, which primarily holds bonds, differs significantly from investing directly in bonds to be held to maturity, as the value of the underlier changes, at times significantly, during each trading day based upon the current market prices of the underlying bonds. The market prices of these bonds are volatile and significantly influenced by a number of factors, particularly the duration of the underlying bonds, the yields on these bonds as compared to current market interest rates and the actual or perceived credit quality of the U.S. government.

 

In general, fixed-income instruments are significantly affected by changes in current market interest rates. As interest rates rise, the prices of fixed-income instruments are likely to decrease, and as interest rate fall, the price of fixed-income securities are likely to increase. Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes, usually making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. As a result, rising interest rates may cause the value of the long-dated bonds underlying the underlier to decline, possibly significantly, which would adversely affect the value of the notes. Interest rates are subject to volatility due to a variety of factors, including:

 

·sentiment regarding underlying strength or weakness in the U.S. economy and global economies;

 

·expectations regarding the level of price inflation;

 

·sentiment regarding credit quality in the U.S. and global credit markets;

 

·Federal Reserve policies regarding interest rates; and

 

·the performance of U.S. and foreign capital markets.

 

The Notes Are Subject to Significant Risks Associated With Fixed-Income Securities, Including Credit Risk

 

The underlier attempts to track the performance of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds. The prices of the bonds underlying the underlier are significantly influenced by the creditworthiness of the U.S. government. The bonds underlying the underlier may have their credit ratings downgraded, or their credit spreads may widen significantly. Following a ratings downgrade or the widening of credit spreads, the bonds underlying the underlier may suffer significant and rapid price declines. There can be no assurance

 

PS-16

 

that some or all of the factors that contributed to that credit crisis will not depress the price, perhaps significantly, of the bonds underlying the underlier, which would adversely affect the value of the notes.

 

The Value of the Notes May Be Influenced by Unpredictable Changes in the Markets and Economies of the U.S.

 

The value of the underlier, which attempts to track the performance of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds, may be influenced by unpredictable changes, or expectations of changes, in the U.S. market. Changes in the U.S. government that may influence the value of the notes include:

 

·economic performance, including any financial or economic crises and changes in the gross domestic product, the principal sectors, inflation, employment and labor, and prevailing prices and wages;

 

·the monetary system, including the monetary policy, the exchange rate policy, the economic and tax policies, banking regulation, credit allocation and exchange controls;

 

·the external sector, including the amount and types of foreign trade, the geographic distribution of trade, the balance of payments, and reserves and exchange rates;

 

·public finance, including the budget process, any entry into or termination of any economic or monetary agreement or union, the prevailing accounting methodology, the measures of fiscal balance, revenues and expenditures, and any government enterprise or privatization program; and

 

·public debt, including external debt, debt service and the debt record.

 

These factors interrelate in complex ways, and the effect of one factor on the market value of the bonds underlying the underlier may offset or enhance the effect of another factor. Changes in the value of the underlier may adversely affect any payment on the notes.

 

Your Investment Is Subject to Concentration Risks

 

The underlier invests in U.S. Treasury bonds that are all obligations of the United States with a similar remaining time to maturity. As a result, the underlier is concentrated in the performance of bonds issued by a single issuer and having the same general tenor and terms. Although your investment in the notes will not result in the ownership or other direct interest in the U.S. Treasury bonds held by the underlier, the return on your investment in the notes will be subject to certain risks similar to those associated with a direct investment in U.S. Treasury bonds. This increases the risk that any downgrade of the credit ratings of the U.S. government from its current ratings, any increase in risk that the U.S. Treasury may default on its obligations perceived by the market (whether for credit or legislative process reasons) or any other market events that create a decrease in demand for U.S. Treasury bonds would significantly adversely affect the underlier. In addition, to the extent that any such decrease in demand is more concentrated in the particular U.S. Treasury bond maturities owned by the underlier, the underlier could be severely affected.

 

Anti-dilution Protection Is Limited, and the Calculation Agent Has Discretion to Make Anti-dilution Adjustments

 

The calculation agent may in its sole discretion make adjustments affecting the amounts payable on the notes upon the occurrence of certain events that the calculation agent determines have a diluting or concentrative effect on the theoretical value of the shares of the underlier. However, the calculation agent might not make such adjustments in response to all events that could affect the shares of the underlier. The occurrence of any such event and any adjustment made by the calculation agent (or a determination by the calculation agent not to make any adjustment) may adversely affect the market price of, and any amounts payable on, the notes. See “Reference Assets—Exchange-Traded Funds—Adjustments Relating to Securities with an Exchange-Traded Fund as a Reference Asset—Anti-dilution Adjustments” in the accompanying prospectus supplement, as modified by “Supplemental Terms of the Notes” above.

 

PS-17

 

Adjustments to the Underlier or the Underlying Index Could Adversely Affect the Value of the Notes

 

The investment adviser of the underlier may add, delete or substitute the component securities held by the underlier or make changes to its investment strategy, and the sponsor of the underlying index may add, delete, substitute or adjust the securities composing the underlying index or make other methodological changes to the underlying index that could affect its performance. In addition, if the shares of the underlier are de-listed or if the underlier is liquidated or otherwise terminated, the calculation agent may select a successor fund that the calculation agent determines to be comparable to the underlier or, if no successor fund is available, the calculation agent will calculate the value to be used as the closing level of the underlier. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of the underlier and, consequently, the value of the notes. See “Reference Assets—Exchange-Traded Funds—Adjustments Relating to Securities with an Exchange-Traded Fund as a Reference Asset” on page S-77 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, as modified by “Supplemental Terms of the Notes” above.

 

Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest

 

We and Our Affiliates, and Any Dealer Participating in the Distribution of the Notes, May Engage in Various Activities or Make Determinations That Could Materially Affect Your Notes in Various Ways and Create Conflicts of Interest

 

We and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the notes, as described below. In performing these roles, our and our affiliates’ economic interests are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the notes.

 

In connection with our normal business activities and in connection with hedging our obligations under the notes, we and our affiliates make markets in and trade various financial instruments or products for our accounts and for the account of our clients and otherwise provide investment banking and other financial services with respect to these financial instruments and products. These financial instruments and products may include securities, derivative instruments or assets that may relate to the underlier or its components. In any such market making, trading and hedging activity, investment banking and other financial services, we or our affiliates may take positions or take actions that are inconsistent with, or adverse to, the investment objectives of the holders of the notes. We and our affiliates have no obligation to take the needs of any buyer, seller or holder of the notes into account in conducting these activities. Such market making, trading and hedging activity, investment banking and other financial services may negatively impact the value of the notes.

 

In addition, the role played by Barclays Capital Inc., as the agent for the notes, could present significant conflicts of interest with the role of Barclays Bank PLC, as issuer of the notes. For example, Barclays Capital Inc. or its representatives may derive compensation or financial benefit from the distribution of the notes and such compensation or financial benefit may serve as an incentive to sell the notes instead of other investments. Furthermore, we and our affiliates establish the offering price of the notes for initial sale to the public, and the offering price is not based upon any independent verification or valuation.

 

Furthermore, if any dealer participating in the distribution of the notes or any of its affiliates conducts hedging activities for us in connection with the notes, that participating dealer or its affiliates will expect to realize a projected profit from such hedging activities, and this projected profit will be in addition to any selling concession that the participating dealer realizes for the sale of the notes to you. This additional projected profit may create a further incentive for the participating dealer to sell the notes to you.

 

In addition to the activities described above, we will also act as the calculation agent for the notes. As calculation agent, we will determine any values of the underlier and make any other determinations necessary to calculate any payments on the notes. In making these determinations, we may be required to make discretionary judgments, including determining whether a market disruption event has occurred on any date that the value of the underlier is to be determined; if the shares of the underlier are de-listed or if the underlier is liquidated or otherwise terminated, selecting a successor underlier or, if no successor underlier is available, determining the closing level of the underlier; and determining whether to adjust any variable described herein in the case of certain events related to the underlier that the calculation agent determines have a diluting or concentrative effect on the theoretical value of the shares of the underlier.

 

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In making these discretionary judgments, our economic interests are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the notes, and any of these determinations may adversely affect any payments on the notes.

 

Risks Relating to the Estimated Value of the Notes and the Secondary Market

 

Lack of Liquidity

 

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Barclays Capital Inc. and other affiliates of Barclays Bank PLC intend to make a secondary market for the notes but are not required to do so, and may discontinue any such secondary market making at any time, without notice. Barclays Capital Inc. may at any time hold unsold inventory, which may inhibit the development of a secondary market for the notes. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the notes easily. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the notes, the price at which you may be able to trade your notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which Barclays Capital Inc. and other affiliates of Barclays Bank PLC are willing to buy the notes. The notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be willing and able to hold your notes to maturity.

 

Many Economic and Market Factors Will Impact the Value of Your Notes

 

In addition to the level of the underlier, the value of the notes will be affected by a number of economic and market factors that may either offset or magnify each other, including: the expected volatility of the underlier; the time to maturity of the notes; interest and yield rates in the market generally; supply and demand for the notes; a variety of economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events; and our creditworthiness, including actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings.

 

The Estimated Value of Your Notes Is Expected to Be Lower Than the Initial Issue Price of Your Notes

 

The estimated value of your notes on the trade date is expected to be lower, and may be significantly lower, than the initial issue price of your notes. The difference between the initial issue price of your notes and the estimated value of the notes is expected as a result of certain factors, such as any sales commissions expected to be paid to Barclays Capital Inc. or another affiliate of ours, any selling concessions, discounts, commissions or fees expected to be allowed or paid to non-affiliated intermediaries, the estimated profit that we or any of our affiliates expect to earn in connection with structuring the notes, the estimated cost that we may incur in hedging our obligations under the notes, and estimated development and other costs that we may incur in connection with the notes. These other costs will include a fee paid to iCapital Markets LLC, an electronic platform in which an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, who is acting as a dealer in connection with the distribution of the notes, holds an indirect minority equity interest, for services it is providing in connection with this offering.

 

The Estimated Value of Your Notes Might Be Lower If Such Estimated Value Were Based on the Levels at Which Our Debt Securities Trade in the Secondary Market

 

The estimated value of your notes on the trade date is based on a number of variables, including our internal funding rates. Our internal funding rates may vary from the levels at which our benchmark debt securities trade in the secondary market. As a result of this difference, the estimated values referenced above might be lower if such estimated values were based on the levels at which our benchmark debt securities trade in the secondary market.

 

The Estimated Value of Your Notes Is Based on Our Internal Pricing Models, Which May Prove to Be Inaccurate and May Be Different from the Pricing Models of Other Financial Institutions

 

The estimated value of your notes on the trade date is based on our internal pricing models, which take into account a number of variables and are based on a number of subjective assumptions, which may or may not materialize. These variables and assumptions are not evaluated or verified on an independent basis. Further, our pricing models may be different from other financial institutions’ pricing models and the methodologies used by us to estimate the value of the notes may not be consistent with those of other

 

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financial institutions that may be purchasers or sellers of notes in the secondary market. As a result, the secondary market price of your notes may be materially different from the estimated value of the notes determined by reference to our internal pricing models.

 

The Estimated Value of Your Notes Is Not a Prediction of the Prices at Which You May Sell Your Notes in the Secondary Market, If Any, and Such Secondary Market Prices, If Any, Will Likely Be Lower Than the Initial Issue Price of Your Notes and May Be Lower Than the Estimated Value of Your Notes

 

The estimated value of the notes will not be a prediction of the prices at which Barclays Capital Inc., other affiliates of ours or third parties may be willing to purchase the notes from you in secondary market transactions (if they are willing to purchase, which they are not obligated to do). The price at which you may be able to sell your notes in the secondary market at any time will be influenced by many factors that cannot be predicted, such as market conditions (described above under “Many Economic and Market Factors Will Impact the Value of Your Notes”), and any bid and ask spread for similar sized trades, and may be substantially less than our estimated value of the notes. Further, as secondary market prices of your notes take into account the levels at which our debt securities trade in the secondary market, and do not take into account our various costs related to the notes such as fees, commissions, discounts, and the costs of hedging our obligations under the notes, secondary market prices of your notes will likely be lower than the initial issue price of your notes. As a result, the price at which Barclays Capital Inc., other affiliates of ours or third parties may be willing to purchase the notes from you in secondary market transactions, if any, will likely be lower than the price you paid for your notes, and any sale prior to the maturity date could result in a substantial loss to you.

 

The Temporary Price at Which We May Initially Buy the Notes in the Secondary Market and the Value We May Initially Use for Customer Account Statements, If We Provide Any Customer Account Statements at All, May Not Be Indicative of Future Prices of Your Notes

 

Assuming that all relevant factors remain constant after the trade date, the price at which Barclays Capital Inc. may initially buy or sell the notes in the secondary market (if Barclays Capital Inc. makes a market in the notes, which it is not obligated to do) and the value that we may initially use for customer account statements, if we provide any customer account statements at all, may exceed our estimated value of the notes on the trade date, as well as the secondary market value of the notes, for a temporary period after the initial issue date of the notes. The price at which Barclays Capital Inc. may initially buy or sell the notes in the secondary market and the value that we may initially use for customer account statements may not be indicative of future prices of your notes.

 

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The Underlier

 

All information contained in this pricing supplement regarding the underlier has been derived from publicly available information, without independent verification. This information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, iShares® Trust and BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”). The underlier is an investment portfolio of iShares® Trust and is maintained and managed by BFA. BFA is currently the investment adviser to the underlier. The underlier is an exchange-traded fund that trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol “TLT.”

 

The underlier seeks to track the investment results, before fees and expenses, of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities greater than twenty years, which is currently the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. The underlying index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to twenty years, have $300 million or more of outstanding face value (excluding amounts held by the Federal Reserve System) and are fixed-rate and denominated in U.S. dollars. For more information about the underlying index, see Annex A in this pricing supplement.

 

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the underlier. “Representative sampling” is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market value and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, duration, maturity or credit ratings and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The underlier may or may not hold all of the securities in the underlying index.

 

The underlying index is a financial calculation, based on a grouping of financial instruments, and is not an investment product, while the underlier is an actual investment portfolio. The performance of the underlier and the underlying Index may vary for a number of reasons, including transaction costs, non-U.S. currency valuations, asset valuations, corporate actions (such as mergers and spin-offs), timing variances and differences between the underlier’s portfolio and the underlying index resulting from the underlier’s use of representative sampling or from legal restrictions (such as diversification requirements) that apply to the underlier but not to the underlying index.

 

“Tracking error” is the divergence of the performance of the underlier’s portfolio from that of the underlying index. Because the underlier uses a representative sampling indexing strategy, it can be expected to have a larger tracking error than if it used a replication indexing strategy. “Replication” is an indexing strategy in which a fund invests in substantially all of the securities in its underlying index in approximately the same proportions as in the underlying index.

 

iShares® Trust is a registered investment company that consists of numerous separate investment portfolios, including the underlier. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by iShares® Trust pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, can be located by reference to SEC file numbers 333-92935 and 811-09729, respectively, through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

In addition, information about the underlier may be obtained from other sources, including, but not limited to, the underlier sponsor’s website (including information regarding the underlier’s fees and top ten holdings). We are not incorporating by reference into this pricing supplement the website or any material it includes. Neither we nor any agent or dealer for this offering makes any representation that this publicly available information regarding the underlier is accurate or complete.

 

Historical Closing Levels of the Underlier

 

You should not take the historical levels of the underlier as an indication of the future performance of the underlier. The closing level of the underlier has fluctuated in the past and may, in the future, experience significant fluctuations. Any historical upward or downward trend in the closing level of the underlier during any period shown below is not an indication that the underlier is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time during the term of your notes. We cannot give you any

 

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assurance that the future performance of the underlier or the underlier assets will not result in a loss on your initial investment on the stated maturity date.

 

Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation to you as to the performance of the underlier. The actual performance of the underlier over the term of the notes, as well as the cash settlement amount, may bear little relation to the historical levels shown below.

 

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the underlier based on the daily closing levels from January 2, 2019 through July 19, 2024. The closing level of the underlier on July 19, 2024 was $92.92. The dotted line indicates a hypothetical buffer level of 90.00% of the closing level of the underlier on July 19, 2024. The actual buffer level will be equal to 90.00% of the initial underlier level.

 

 

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Annex A

 

The ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index

 

All information contained in this pricing supplement regarding the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index is derived from publicly available information, without independent verification. This information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, ICE Data Indices, LLC or its affiliates (collectively “IDI”), a subsidiary of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. IDI has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the underlying index.

 

The underlying index is a market-value weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate U.S. Treasury securities with a remaining maturity of greater than 20 years. The underlying index was launched on December 31, 2015. The underlying index is reported by Bloomberg L.P. under the ticker symbol “IDCOT20.”

 

Index Eligibility Criteria and Inclusion Rules

 

The underlying index consists of securities that meet the criteria listed below (the “Eligible Bond universe”). The basis of the Eligible Bond universe are those securities for which content is available daily, including evaluations and reference data, through ICE Data Pricing & Reference Data, LLC (“PRD”).

 

Maturity. Each security must have greater than twenty years remaining term to final maturity as of the rebalancing date.

 

Size. Each security is required to have a minimum amount outstanding of U.S. $300 million, excluding amounts held by the Federal Reserve System Open Market Account (“SOMA”). Amounts outstanding of qualifying coupon securities are not reduced by any portions that have been stripped.

 

Coupon. The Eligible Bond universe includes only fixed-rate securities, excluding zero coupon Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (“STRIPS”).

 

Currency. The Eligible Bond universe includes only securities with principal and interest denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

Bond Type. The Eligible Bond universe includes sovereign debt publicly issued by the U.S. government in its domestic market, excluding the following: inflation-linked securities, U.S. Treasury bills, original issue zero coupon securities, STRIPs, any government agency debt issued with or without a U.S. government guarantee and securities issued or marketed primarily to retail investors.

 

Index Maintenance

 

The underlying index is rebalanced monthly. Securities are required to meet the inclusion rules highlighted in the previous section to be considered for inclusion at the beginning of any given month. This includes the availability of evaluated pricing and reference data through PRD.

 

Rebalancing. The underlying index is rebalanced on the last calendar day of the month based on information available up to and including the third business day before the last business day of the month. No changes are made to constituents holdings other than on month end rebalancing dates.

 

Reinvestment of Cash Flows. Cash that has accrued intra-month from interest and principal payments by the securities included in the underlying index earns no reinvestment return during the month. Accumulated cash (from coupon and principal payments) is retained in the underlying index until month-end and then removed as part of rebalancing, such that the cash is reinvested pro rata across the underlying index.

 

New Issues. New issues must be auctioned on or before the calendar month end rebalancing date in order to qualify for inclusion in the coming month.

 

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Index Policies

 

Timing and Pricing Source. The underlying index’s level is calculated using 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time using bid-side evaluations from PRD. These evaluations are based upon methodologies designed to reflect the market upon which the underlying index is based.

 

Calendar. The underlying index follows the SIFMA U.S. bond market holiday schedule. The underlying index’s level is calculated daily at the end of each day on which SIFMA declares the U.S. fixed income markets open. When the bond market closes early per the SIFMA schedule, the underlying index’s level may be calculated at a time in accordance with the recommended close. However, evaluated pricing from PRD must be available to calculate the underlying index’s level.

 

Exceptional Market Conditions and Corrections. IDI retains the right to delay the publication of the level of the underlying index. Furthermore, IDI retains the right to suspend the publication of the level of the underlying index if it believes that circumstances prevent the proper calculation of the underlying index. If evaluated prices are not available, the underlying index will not be recalculated unless IDI decides otherwise. Reasonable efforts are made to ensure the correctness and validity of data used in index calculations. Where errors have occurred in the determination or calculation of the underlying index, the decision to make a restatement will be assessed on a case by case basis. Such decision will take account of the significance, impact; age; and scale of the error. Errors involving security reference data discovered after the rebalancing will typically not result in a restatement.

 

In the event that there is a market-wide event resulting in evaluated prices not being available, IDI will determine its approach on a case by case basis, taking into account information and notifications provided by PRD. Market-wide events include, but are not limited to, technological problems or failures, natural disaster or other business continuity planning-related event. IDI will communicate any issues with publication of the underlying index during the day through the regular client communication channels; in addition, IDI may also contact clients directly; post a notice on the IDI website; send a message via the market data portal; or use other such forms of communication.

 

Annual Rules Review. Potential rule changes are considered on an annual basis. An initial set of proposed changes under consideration is generally published in April. Investor clients are encouraged to comment on the proposals by way of an online survey. At the end of a commentary period, final decisions are announced, generally in July, and adopted changes, if any, are generally implemented at the September month-end rebalancing. IDI, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to issue rule changes apart from this annual cycle.

 

Expert Judgment. “Expert Judgment” refers to the exercise of discretion by IDI with respect to the use of data in determining the underlying index. Expert Judgment includes extrapolating values from prior or related transactions, adjusting values for factors that might influence the quality of data such as market events or impairment of a buyer or seller’s credit quality, or weighting firm bids or offers greater than a particular concluded transaction.

 

While IDI mostly relies on input data obtained from its sources, on certain occasions, where decisions relating to the pricing of the underlying index are required to maintain the integrity of the values and ensure that the underlying index continues to operate in line with the methodology, IDI may apply Expert Judgment. Where it is required in the determination of the underlying index, it may only be applied by suitably experienced and qualified staff members on the IDI team. Using their expertise and knowledge, and the information available to them, they will make an assessment of what input data or security evaluation would be most appropriate to use to correctly reflect the underlying index objective.

 

Ultimately any exercise of Expert Judgment is overseen by the governance committee of IDI, which ensures that the published methodologies have been followed.

 

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