FWP 1 dfwp.htm PRELIMINARY TERM SHEET Preliminary Term Sheet

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration No. 333-158663

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Term Sheet dated July 29, 2009

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The LIRNs are being offered by Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”). The LIRNs will have the terms specified in this term sheet as supplemented by the documents indicated herein under “Additional Terms” (together the “Note Prospectus”). Investing in the LIRNs involves a number of risks. There are important differences between the LIRNs and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks. See “Risk Factors” on page TS-5 of this term sheet and beginning on page S-10 of product supplement LIRN-2. LIRNs:

 

Are Not FDIC Insured   Are Not Bank Guaranteed   May Lose Value

In connection with this offering, each of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) and its broker-dealer affiliate First Republic Securities Company, LLC (“First Republic”) is acting in its capacity as a principal for your account.

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Note Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

    

Per Unit

    

Total

Public offering price (1)

   $10.00      $

Selling discount (1)

   $0.20      $

Proceeds, before expenses, to Bank of America Corporation

   $9.80      $

 

  (1) The public offering price and selling discount for any purchase of 500,000 or more units in a single transaction by an individual investor will be $9.95 per unit and $0.15 per unit, respectively.

*Depending on the date the LIRNs are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”), which may be in August or September 2009, the settlement date may occur in August or September 2009 and the maturity date may occur in August or September 2011. Any reference in this term sheet to the month in which the pricing date, settlement date, or maturity date will occur is subject to change as specified above.

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.   Banc of America Investment Services, Inc.

August     , 2009

 

Units

Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®

Linked to the Russell 2000® Index,

due August , 2011

$10 principal amount per unit

Term Sheet No.

Expected Pricing Date* August , 2009

Settlement Date* September , 2009

Maturity Date* August , 2011

CUSIP No.

Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®

200% leveraged upside exposure to increases in the level of the Russell 2000® Index (the “Index”), subject to a cap of 38% to 42%

A maturity of approximately 24 months

1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the level of the Index in excess of a Threshold Value with up to 90% of the principal amount at risk

Payment of the Redemption Amount at maturity is subject to the credit risk of Bank of America Corporation

No periodic interest payments

No listing on any securities exchange

This debt is not guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program

STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS

PRINCIPAL PROTECTION

ENHANCED INCOME

MARKET PARTICIPATION

ENHANCED PARTICIPATION


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Summary

The Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due August     , 2011 (the “LIRNs”) are our senior unsecured debt securities and are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or secured by collateral. The LIRNs will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt, and any payments due on the LIRNs, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of BAC. The LIRNs provide a leveraged return for investors, subject to a cap, if the level of the Russell 2000® Index (the “Index”) increases moderately from the Starting Value of the Index, determined on the pricing date, to the Ending Value of the Index, determined during the Maturity Valuation Period. Investors must be willing to forgo interest payments on the LIRNs and be willing to accept a return that is capped or a repayment that is less, and potentially significantly less, than the Original Offering Price of the LIRNs.

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement LIRN-2. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to BAC.

 

Terms of the LIRNs

 

Issuer:   Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”)
Original Offering Price:   $10.00 per unit
Term:   Approximately 24 months
Market Measure:   Russell 2000® Index (Bloomberg symbol: “RTY”)
Starting Value:   The closing level of the Index on the pricing date. The Starting Value will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth in the final term sheet made available in connection with sales of the LIRNs.
Ending Value:   The average of the closing levels of the Index on each scheduled calculation day during the Maturity Valuation Period. If it is determined that a scheduled calculation day is not a Market Measure Business Day, or if a Market Disruption Event occurs on a scheduled calculation day, the Ending Value will be determined as more fully described in product supplement LIRN-2.
Threshold Value:   90% of the Starting Value, rounded to two decimal places.
Capped Value:   $13.80 to $14.20 per unit of the LIRNs, which represents a return of 38.00% to 42.00% over the $10.00 Original Offering Price. The actual Capped Value of the LIRNs will be determined on the pricing date and set forth in the final term sheet made available in connection with sales of the LIRNs.
Participation Rate:   200%
Downside Leverage Factor:   100%
Maturity Valuation Period:   Five scheduled calculation days shortly before the maturity date, determined on the pricing date and set forth in the final term sheet that will be made available in connection with sales of the LIRNs.
Calculation Agent:   MLPF&S, a subsidiary of BAC

Determining the Redemption Amount for the LIRNs

On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit (the “Redemption Amount”) calculated as follows:

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Hypothetical Payout Profile

 

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This graph reflects the hypothetical returns on the LIRNs, based on the Participation Rate of 200%, a Threshold Value equal to 90% of the Starting Value, and a hypothetical Capped Value of $14.00 (a 40.00% return), the midpoint of the Capped Value range of $13.80 to $14.20. The green line reflects the hypothetical returns on the LIRNs, while the dotted gray line reflects the return of a hypothetical direct investment in the stocks included in the Index, excluding dividends.

 

This graph has been prepared for purposes of illustration only. Your actual return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Ending Value, Capped Value, Threshold Value, and the term of your investment.

 

Hypothetical Redemption Amounts

Examples

Set forth below are four examples of Redemption Amount calculations (rounded to two decimal places) payable at maturity, based upon the Participation Rate of 200%, the Downside Leverage Factor of 100%, a hypothetical Starting Value of 525.22 (the closing level of the Index on July 21, 2009), a hypothetical Threshold Value of 472.70, and a hypothetical Capped Value of $14.00 (per unit), the midpoint of the range of $13.80 to $14.20.

Example 1 — The hypothetical Ending Value is 70% of the hypothetical Starting Value and is less than the hypothetical Threshold Value:

 

Hypothetical Starting Value:

   525.22   

Hypothetical Ending Value:

   367.65   

Hypothetical Threshold Value:

   472.70   

 

$10 –

  [   $10  x   (   472.70 - 367.65

 

  )   x 100%   ]   = $8.00
        525.22

 

       

Redemption Amount (per unit) = $8.00

Example 2 — The hypothetical Ending Value is 96% of the hypothetical Starting Value and is greater than the hypothetical Threshold Value:

 

Hypothetical Starting Value:

   525.22   

Hypothetical Ending Value:

   504.21   

Hypothetical Threshold Value:

   472.70   

Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10.00

If the Ending Value is less than or equal to the Starting Value but is greater than or equal to the Threshold Value, the Redemption Amount (per unit) will equal the $10.00 Original Offering Price.

Example 3 — The hypothetical Ending Value is 104% of the hypothetical Starting Value:

 

Hypothetical Starting Value:

   525.22   

Hypothetical Ending Value:

   546.23   

 

$10 +

  [   $10 × 200% x   (   546.23 - 525.22

 

  )   ]   = $10.80
        525.22

 

     

Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10.80

Example 4 — The hypothetical Ending Value is 150% of the hypothetical Starting Value:

 

Hypothetical Starting Value:

   525.22   

Hypothetical Ending Value:

   787.83   

 

$10 +

  [   $10 × 200% x   (   787.83 - 525.22

 

  )   ]   = $20.00
        525.22

 

     

Redemption Amount (per unit) = $14.00 (The Redemption Amount cannot be greater than the Capped Value.)

 

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The following table illustrates, for a hypothetical Starting Value of 525.22 (the closing level of the Index on July 21, 2009), a Threshold Value of 90% of the hypothetical Starting Value, and a range of hypothetical Ending Values of the Index:

 

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the percentage change from the hypothetical Starting Value to the hypothetical Ending Value;

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the hypothetical Redemption Amount per unit of the LIRNs (rounded to two decimal places);

  §  

the total rate of return to holders of the LIRNs;

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the pretax annualized rate of return to holders of the LIRNs; and

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the pretax annualized rate of return of a hypothetical direct investment in the stocks included in the Index, which includes an assumed aggregate dividend yield of 1.81% per annum, as more fully described below.

The table below reflects the Participation Rate of 200%, the Downside Leverage Factor of 100%, and a hypothetical Capped Value of $14.00 (per unit), the midpoint of the Capped Value range of $13.80 to $14.20.

 

Hypothetical
Ending Value

 

Percentage Change from
the Hypothetical Starting
Value to the Hypothetical
Ending Value

 

Hypothetical

Redemption
Amount per Unit

 

Total Rate
of Return on
the LIRNs

 

Pretax Annualized
Rate of Return
on the LIRNs(1)

 

Pretax Annualized Rate

of Return of the Stocks
Included in the Index (1)(2)

   262.61   -50.00%     $6.00   -40.00%   -23.98%   -29.45%
   315.13   -40.00%     $7.00   -30.00%   -17.06%   -21.79%
   367.65   -30.00%     $8.00   -20.00%   -10.85%   -15.01%
   420.18   -20.00%     $9.00   -10.00%     -5.20%     -8.90%
        472.70(3)   -10.00%   $10.00      0.00%      0.00%     -3.32%
   504.21     -4.00%   $10.00      0.00%      0.00%     -0.19%
   514.72     -2.00%   $10.00      0.00%      0.00%      0.82%
       525.22(4)      0.00%   $10.00      0.00%      0.00%      1.81%
   535.72      2.00%   $10.40      4.00%      1.97%      2.80%
   546.23      4.00%   $10.80      8.00%      3.89%      3.76%
   577.74    10.00%   $12.00    20.00%      9.33%      6.59%
   630.26    20.00%       $14.00(5)    40.00%    17.55%    11.05%
   682.79    30.00%   $14.00    40.00%    17.55%    15.25%
   735.31    40.00%   $14.00    40.00%    17.55%    19.21%
   787.83    50.00%   $14.00    40.00%    17.55%    22.97%

 

(1) The annualized rates of return specified in this column are calculated on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis and assume an investment term from July 26, 2009 to July 26, 2011, a term expected to be similar to that of the LIRNs.

 

(2) This rate of return assumes:

 

  (a) a percentage change in the aggregate price of the stocks included in the Index that equals the percentage change in the level of the Index from the hypothetical Starting Value to the relevant hypothetical Ending Value;

 

  (b) a constant dividend yield of 1.81% per annum, paid quarterly from the date of initial delivery of the LIRNs, applied to the level of the Index at the end of each quarter, assuming this level increases or decreases linearly from the hypothetical Starting Value to the relevant hypothetical Ending Value; and

 

  (c) no transaction fees or expenses.

 

(3) This is the hypothetical Threshold Value. The actual Threshold Value will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth in the final term sheet made available in connection with sales of the LIRNs.

 

(4) This is the hypothetical Starting Value, which was the closing level of the Index on July 21, 2009. The actual Starting Value will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth in the final term sheet made available in connection with sales of the LIRNs.

 

(5) The Redemption Amount per unit of the LIRNs cannot exceed the hypothetical Capped Value of $14.00 (the midpoint of the range of $13.80 to $14.20). The actual Capped Value will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth in the final term sheet made available in connection with sales of the LIRNs.

The above figures are for purposes of illustration only. The actual amount you receive and the resulting total and pretax annualized rates of return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Ending Value, Capped Value, Threshold Value, and the term of your investment.

 

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Risk Factors

There are important differences between the LIRNs and a conventional debt security. An investment in the LIRNs involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the LIRNs in the “Risk Factors” sections included in product supplement LIRN-2 and the MTN prospectus supplement identified below under “Additional Terms.” We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the LIRNs.

 

  §  

Your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal.

 

  §  

Your yield may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity.

 

  §  

Your return, if any, is limited to the return represented by the Capped Value.

 

  §  

Your investment return, if any, may be less than a comparable investment directly in the stocks included in the Index.

 

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You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to the Index.

 

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In seeking to provide you with what we believe to be commercially reasonable terms for the LIRNs, while providing the selling agents with compensation for their services, we have considered the costs of developing, hedging, and distributing the LIRNs.

 

  §  

A trading market is not expected to develop for the LIRNs.

 

  §  

The Redemption Amount will not be affected by all developments relating to the Index.

 

  §  

Russell Investments (“Russell”) may adjust the Index in a way that affects its level, and Russell has no obligation to consider your interests.

 

  §  

You will have no rights as a holder of the securities represented by the Index, and you will not be entitled to receive any of those securities or dividends or other distributions by the issuers of those securities.

 

  §  

While we or our affiliates may from time to time own shares of companies included in the Index, we do not control any company included in the Index, and are not responsible for any disclosure by any other company.

 

  §  

If you attempt to sell the LIRNs prior to maturity, their market value, if any, will be affected by various factors that interrelate in complex ways, and their market value may be less than their Original Offering Price.

 

  §  

Payments on the LIRNs are subject to our credit risk, and changes in our credit ratings are expected to affect the value of LIRNs.

 

  §  

Purchases and sales by us and our affiliates of stocks included in the Index may affect your return.

 

  §  

Our trading and hedging activities may create conflicts of interest with you.

 

  §  

Our hedging activities may affect your return on the LIRNs and their market value.

 

  §  

Our business activities relating to the companies represented by the Index may create conflicts of interest with you.

 

  §  

There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent.

 

  §  

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the LIRNs are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the LIRNs. See “Summary Tax Consequences” and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Taxation Considerations” below and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” in product supplement LIRN-2.

Investor Considerations

 

You may wish to consider an investment in the LIRNs if:

 

§  

You anticipate that the level of the Index will increase moderately from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.

 

§  

You accept that your investment may result in a loss, which could be significant, if the level of the Index decreases from the Starting Value to an Ending Value that is less than the Threshold Value.

 

§  

You accept that the return on the LIRNs will not exceed the return represented by the Capped Value.

 

§  

You are willing to forgo interest payments on the LIRNs, such as fixed or floating rate interest paid on traditional interest bearing debt securities.

 

§  

You seek exposure to the Index with no expectation of dividends or other benefits of owning the stocks included in the Index.

 

§  

You are willing to accept that a trading market is not expected to develop for the LIRNs. You understand that secondary market prices for the LIRNs, if any, will be affected by various factors, including our actual and perceived creditworthiness.

 

§  

You are willing to make an investment, the payments on which depend on our creditworthiness, as the issuer of the LIRNs.

The LIRNs may not be an appropriate investment for you if:

 

§  

You anticipate that the level of the Index will decrease from the Starting Value to the Ending Value or that the level of the Index will not increase sufficiently over the term of the LIRNs to provide you with your desired return.

 

§  

You seek 100% principal protection or preservation of capital.

 

§  

You seek a return on your investment that will not be capped at a percentage that will be between 38.00% and 42.00% over the Original Offering Price.

 

§  

You seek interest payments or other current income on your investment.

 

§  

You want to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the stocks included in the Index.

 

§  

You seek assurances that there will be a liquid market if and when you want to sell the LIRNs prior to maturity.

 

§  

You are unwilling or are unable to assume the credit risk associated with us, as the issuer of the LIRNs.


 

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Other Provisions

We may deliver the LIRNs against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than three business days following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the LIRNs occurs more than three business days from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade LIRNs more than three business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

If you place an order to purchase the LIRNs, you are consenting to each of MLPF&S and its broker-dealer affiliate First Republic acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.

Supplement to the Plan of Distribution

MLPF&S, First Republic, and Banc of America Investment Services, Inc. (“BAI”), each a broker-dealer subsidiary of BAC, are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”)) and will participate as selling agents in the distribution of the LIRNs. Accordingly, offerings of the LIRNs will conform to the requirements of NASD Rule 2720. Under our distribution agreement with the selling agents, MLPF&S will purchase the LIRNs from us on the issue date as principal at the purchase price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated selling discount. In the original offering of the LIRNs, the LIRNs will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units.

MLPF&S, First Republic, and BAI may use this Note Prospectus for offers and sales in secondary market transactions and market-making transactions in the LIRNs but are not obligated to engage in such secondary market transactions and/or market-making transactions. MLPF&S, First Republic, and BAI may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and any such sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.

 

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The Index

All disclosures contained in this term sheet regarding the Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, Russell. Russell, which owns the copyright and all other rights to the Index, has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Index. The consequences of Russell discontinuing publication of the Index are discussed in the section of product supplement LIRN-2 entitled “Description of the LIRNs - Discontinuance of a Market Measure.” Neither we, the calculation agent, nor MLPF&S accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of the Index or any successor index.

“Russell 2000®” and “Russell 3000®” are trademarks of Russell and have been licensed for use by our subsidiary MLPF&S. The LIRNs are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Russell, and Russell makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the LIRNs.

Russell began dissemination of the Index (Bloomberg L.P. index symbol “RTY”) on January 1, 1984 and calculates and publishes the Index. The Index was set to 135 as of the close of business on December 31, 1986. The Index measures the composite price performance of stocks of 2,000 companies which are either incorporated in the United States or its territories, or are eligible for inclusion as a BDI (as defined below). All 2,000 stocks are traded on a major U.S. exchange and form a part of the Russell 3000® Index. The Russell 3000® Index is composed of the 3,000 largest companies either incorporated in the United States or its territories, or companies eligible for inclusion as a BDI, as determined by market capitalization. The Index consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000® Index. The Index is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the United States equity market. The Index is determined, comprised, and calculated by Russell without regard to the LIRNs.

Selection of Stocks Underlying the Index

Companies incorporated in the United States and its territories are eligible for inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index and the Index. Beginning during the annual reconstitution of the Index in 2007, companies incorporated in the following countries or regions are also reviewed for eligibility for inclusion: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Netherlands Antilles, Panama, and Turks and Caicos Islands. Companies incorporated in these regions are considered Benefit Driven Incorporation (“BDI”) companies, because they typically incorporate in BDI regions for operations, tax, political, or other financial market benefits. However, not all companies incorporated in BDI regions are eligible for inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index and the Index. Companies incorporated in BDI regions must also meet one of the following criteria in order to be considered eligible: (i) the company has its headquarters in the U.S. or (ii) the company’s headquarters is also in a BDI-designated region or country and the primary exchange for local shares is in the U.S. For new companies located in the BDI regions eligible for inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index and the Index and that trade on multiple exchanges, the determination of the company’s primary exchange is based on the average daily dollar trading value (“ADDTV”), which is the accumulated dollar trading volume divided by the actual number of trading days in the past year. However, the primary exchange is a factor for inclusion only if both its incorporation and its headquarters are in a BDI region or if multiple headquarters are listed in the SEC filings. If the company has its headquarters in a country other than the U.S. or the BDI regions, it is not eligible for inclusion regardless of the location of the primary exchange. Headquarters and primary exchanges will be analyzed once a year during reconstitution unless the security is delisted from the U.S. exchange.

All securities eligible for inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index and the Index must trade on a major U.S. exchange. Bulletin board, pink-sheets, and over-the-counter (OTC) traded securities are not eligible for inclusion. Stocks must trade at or above $1.00 on their primary exchange on the last trading day in May to be eligible for inclusion during annual reconstitution or during the initial public offering eligibility periods. However, if a stock falls below $1.00 intra-year, it will not be removed until the next annual reconstitution, provided it is still trading below $1.00 at that time. However, in order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last day of May, it will be considered eligible if the average of the daily closing prices (from its primary exchange) during the month of May is equal to or greater than $1.00. Nonetheless, a stock’s closing price (on its primary exchange) on the last trading day in May will be used to calculate market capitalization and index membership. Quarterly initial public offering additions must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on the last day of their eligibility period in order to qualify for index inclusion. If a stock, new or existing, does not have a closing price at or above $1.00 (on its primary exchange) on the last trading day in May, but does have a closing price at or above $1.00 on another major U.S. exchange, that stock will be eligible for inclusion, but the lowest price from a non-primary exchange will be used to calculate market capitalization and index membership.

The primary criteria used to determine the list of securities eligible for the Index is total market capitalization, which is defined as the market price as of the last trading day in May for those securities being considered at annual reconstitution times the total number of shares outstanding. Common stock, non-restricted exchangeable shares and membership interests are used to determine market capitalization; any other form of shares such as preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants and rights, or trust receipts, are excluded from the calculation.

Royalty trusts, limited liability companies, closed-end investment companies (business development companies are eligible), blank check companies, special purpose acquisition companies, and limited partnerships are also ineligible for inclusion. In addition, Berkshire Hathaway is excluded as a special exception due to its similarity to a mutual fund and lack of liquidity. In general, only one class of common stock of a company is eligible for inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index, although exceptions to this general rule have been made where Russell has determined that each class of common stock acts independent of the other.

Annual reconstitution is a process by which the Index is completely rebuilt. Based on closing levels of the company’s common stock on its primary exchange on the last trading day of May of each year, Russell reconstitutes the composition of the Russell 3000® Index using the then existing market capitalizations of eligible companies. Reconstitution of the Russell 3000® Index occurs on the last Friday in June or, when the last Friday in June is the 28th, 29th, or 30th, reconstitution occurs on the prior Friday. In addition, since September 2004, Russell has added initial public offerings to the Russell 3000® Index on a quarterly basis based on market capitalization guidelines established during the most recent reconstitution.

 

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After membership is determined, a security’s shares are adjusted to include only those shares available to the public. This is often referred to as “free float.” The purpose of the adjustment is to exclude from market calculations the capitalization that is not available for purchase and is not part of the investable opportunity set.

As a capitalization-weighted index, the Index reflects changes in the capitalization, or market value, of the component stocks relative to the capitalization on a base date. The current Index level is calculated by adding the market values of the Index’s component stocks, which are derived by multiplying the price of each stock by the number of shares outstanding, to arrive at the total market capitalization of the 2,000 stocks. The total market capitalization is then divided by a divisor, which represents the “adjusted” capitalization of the Index on the base date of December 31, 1986. To calculate the Index, closing prices will be used for exchange-traded and Nasdaq stocks. If a component stock is not open for trading, the most recently traded price for that security will be used in calculating the Index. In order to provide continuity for the Index’s level, the divisor is adjusted periodically to reflect events including changes in the number of common shares outstanding for component stocks, company additions or deletions, corporate restructurings, and other capitalization changes.

The following graph sets forth the monthly historical performance of the Index in the period from January 2004 through June 2009. This historical data on the Index is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Index or what the value of the LIRNs may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the Index during any period set forth below is not an indication that the Index is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the LIRNs. On July 21, 2009, the closing level of the Index was 525.22.

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Before investing in the LIRNs, you should consult publicly available sources for the levels and trading pattern of the Index. The generally unsettled international environment and related uncertainties, including the risk of terrorism, may result in the Index and financial markets generally exhibiting greater volatility than in earlier periods.

License Agreement

Russell and MLPF&S have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement providing for the license to MLPF&S and its affiliates, including us, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use indices owned and published by Russell in connection with some securities, including the LIRNs. The license agreement provides that the following language must be stated in this term sheet:

The LIRNs are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Russell. Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the LIRNs or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the LIRNs particularly or the ability of the Index to track general stock market performance or a segment of the same. Russell’s publication of the Index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by Russell as to the advisability of investment in any or all of the securities upon which the Index is based. Russell’s only relationship to MLPF&S and to us is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of Russell and of the Index, which is determined, composed, and calculated by Russell without regard to MLPF&S, us, or the LIRNs. Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the LIRNs nor any associated literature or publications and Russell makes no representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or

 

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completeness, or otherwise. Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate, or in any way change the Index. Russell has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the LIRNs.

RUSSELL DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND RUSSELL SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. RUSSELL MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY MLPF&S, US, HOLDERS OF THE LIRNS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. RUSSELL MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL RUSSELL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 

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Summary Tax Consequences

You should consider the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the LIRNs, including the following:

 

   

You agree with us (in the absence of an administrative determination, or judicial ruling to the contrary) to characterize and treat the LIRNs for all tax purposes as a single financial contract with respect to the Index that requires you to pay us at inception an amount equal to the purchase price of the LIRNs and that entitles you to receive at maturity an amount in cash based upon the performance of the Index.

 

   

Under this characterization and tax treatment of the LIRNs, upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale or exchange of the LIRNs prior to maturity, you generally will recognize capital gain or loss. This capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the LIRNs for more than one year.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Taxation Considerations

Set forth below is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to an investment in the LIRNs. The following summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by the discussion under the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” in product supplement LIRN-2, which you should carefully review prior to investing in the LIRNs.

General. Although there is no statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addressing the characterization of the LIRNs, we intend to treat the LIRNs for all tax purposes as a single financial contract with respect to the Index that requires the investor to pay us at inception an amount equal to the purchase price of the LIRNs and that entitles the investor to receive at maturity an amount in cash based upon the performance of the Index. Under the terms of the LIRNs, we and every investor in the LIRNs agree, in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat the LIRNs as described in the preceding sentence. This discussion assumes that the LIRNs constitute a single financial contract with respect to the Index for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the LIRNs did not constitute a single financial contract, the tax consequences described below would be materially different. The discussion in this section also assumes that there is a significant possibility of a significant loss of principal on an investment in the LIRNs.

This characterization of the LIRNs is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or the courts. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the LIRNs or any similar instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no ruling is being requested from the IRS with respect to their proper characterization and treatment. Due to the absence of authorities on point, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the LIRNs are not certain, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or any court will agree with the characterization and tax treatment described in product supplement LIRN-2. Accordingly, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the LIRNs, including possible alternative characterizations.

Settlement At Maturity or Sale or Exchange Prior to Maturity. Assuming that the LIRNs are properly characterized and treated as single financial contracts with respect to the Index for U.S. federal income tax purposes, upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale or exchange of the LIRNs prior to maturity, a U.S. Holder (as defined in product supplement LIRN-2) generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s basis in the LIRNs. This capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the LIRNs for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Possible Future Tax Law Changes. On December 7, 2007, the IRS released Notice 2008-2 (“Notice”) seeking comments from the public on the taxation of financial instruments currently taxed as “prepaid forward contracts.” This Notice addresses instruments such as the LIRNs. According to the Notice, the IRS and Treasury are considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the LIRNs should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis, regardless of whether any payments are made prior to maturity. It is not possible to determine what guidance the IRS and Treasury will ultimately issue, if any. Any such future guidance may affect the amount, timing, and character of income, gain, or loss in respect of the LIRNs, possibly with retroactive effect. The IRS and Treasury are also considering additional issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether foreign holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, whether Section 1260 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, concerning certain “constructive ownership transactions,” generally applies or should generally apply to such instruments, and whether any of these determinations depend on the nature of the underlying asset. We urge you to consult your own tax advisors concerning the impact and the significance of the above considerations. We intend to continue treating the LIRNs for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the manner described herein unless and until such time as we determine, or the IRS or Treasury determines, that some other treatment is more appropriate.

You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the LIRNs, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws. See the discussion under the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” in product supplement LIRN-2.

 

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Additional Terms

You should read this term sheet, together with the documents listed below, which together contain the terms of the LIRNs and supersede all prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth under “Risk Factors” in the sections indicated on the cover of this term sheet. The LIRNs 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 LIRNs.

You may access the following 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):

 

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Product supplement LIRN-2 dated April  21, 2009:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000095014409003415/g18702p2e424b5.htm

 

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Series L MTN prospectus supplement dated April 21, 2009 and prospectus dated April 20, 2009:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000095014409003387/g18667b5e424b5.htm

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC Website is 70858.

We have filed a registration statement (including a product supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this term sheet relates. Before you invest, you should read the product supplement, the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus in that registration statement, and the other documents relating to this offering that we have filed with the SEC for more complete information about us and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we, any agent, or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the Note Prospectus if you so request by calling MLPF&S toll-free at 1-866-500-5408.

Structured Investments Classification

MLPF&S classifies certain structured investments (the “Structured Investments”), including the LIRNs, into four categories, each with different investment characteristics. The description below is intended to briefly describe the four categories of Structured Investments offered: Principal Protection, Enhanced Income, Market Participation, and Enhanced Participation. A Structured Investment may, however, combine characteristics that are relevant to one or more of the other categories. As such, a category should not be relied upon as a description of any particular Structured Investment.

Principal Protection: Principal Protected Structured Investments offer full or partial principal protection against decreases in value of the underlying market measure (or increases in the value of an underlying market measure for bearish Structured Investments), while offering market exposure and the opportunity for a better return than may be available from comparable fixed income securities. Principal protection may not be achieved if the investment is sold prior to maturity.

Enhanced Income: Structured Investments offering enhanced income may offer an enhanced income stream through interim fixed or variable coupon payments. However, in exchange for receiving current income, investors may forfeit upside potential on the underlying asset. These investments generally do not include the principal protection feature.

Market Participation: Market Participation Structured Investments can offer investors exposure to specific market sectors, asset classes, and/or strategies that may not be readily available through traditional investment alternatives. Returns obtained from these investments are tied to the performance of the underlying asset. As such, subject to certain fees, the returns will generally reflect any increases or decreases in the value of such assets. These investments generally do not include the principal protection feature.

Enhanced Participation: Enhanced Participation Structured Investments may offer investors the potential to receive better than market returns on the performance of the underlying asset. Some structures may offer leverage in exchange for a capped or limited upside potential and also in exchange for downside risk. These investments generally do not include the principal protection feature.

The classification of Structured Investments is meant solely for informational purposes and is not intended to fully describe any particular Structured Investment nor guarantee any particular performance.

“Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®” and “LIRNs®” are registered service marks of our subsidiary, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

 

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