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 August 27, 2009

LOGO

LOGO

The notes are being offered by Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”). The notes 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 notes involves a number of risks. There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks. See “Risk Factors” on page TS-6 of this term sheet and beginning on page S-10 of product supplement STR-2. The notes:

 

Are Not FDIC Insured   Are Not Bank Guaranteed   May Lose Value

In connection with this offering, each of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) and its broker-dealer affiliate First Republic Securities Company, LLC (“First Republic”) is acting in its capacity as 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 notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”), which may be in September or October 2009, the settlement date may occur in September or October 2009, the maturity date may occur in September or October 2011 and the Observation Dates may be adjusted accordingly. Any reference in this term sheet to the month in which the pricing date, settlement date, maturity date, or any Observation Date will occur is subject to change as specified above.

 

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

September     , 2009

 

                        Units

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities®

Linked to the Russell 2000® Index,

due October     , 2011

$10 principal amount per unit

Term Sheet No.

  

Expected Pricing Date*

Settlement Date*

Maturity Date*

CUSIP No.

 

September     , 2009

October    , 2009

October    , 2011

•      The notes will be called at an amount equal to the $10 principal amount per unit plus a Call Premium of between 10% and 14% per annum if the closing value of the Russell 2000® Index (the “Index”) on any Observation Date is equal to or greater than 100% of its starting value

•      A maturity of approximately 2 years

•      1-to-1 downside loss if the notes are not called prior to maturity and the closing value of the Index decreases below the Threshold Value, with up to 90% of the principal amount at risk

•      Payments on the notes are 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

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities®

STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS

PRINCIPAL PROTECTION

ENHANCED INCOME

MARKET PARTICIPATION

ENHANCED PARTICIPATION

    


LOGO

 

Summary

The Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to the Russell 2000® Index, due October     , 2011 (the “notes”), are our senior unsecured debt securities and are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or secured by collateral. The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt, and any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of BAC. The notes provide for an automatic call if the Observation Level of the Russell 2000® Index (the “Index”) on any Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Call Level. If the notes are called on any Observation Date, you will receive on the Call Settlement Date an amount per unit (the “Call Amount”) equal to the $10 Original Offering Price of the notes plus the applicable Call Premium. If your notes are not called, the amount you receive on the maturity date (the “Redemption Amount”) will not be greater than the Original Offering Price per unit and will be based on the direction of and percentage change in the level of the Index from the Starting Value, as determined on the pricing date, to the Ending Value, as determined on the final Observation Date. Investors must be willing to forgo interest payments on the notes and be willing to accept a repayment that may be less, and potentially significantly less, than the Original Offering Price of the notes. Investors also must be prepared to have us call their notes on any Observation Date.

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement STR-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 Notes

 

Issuer:   Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”)
Original Offering Price:   $10 per unit
Term:   Approximately two years
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 notes.
Ending Value:   The Observation Level on the final Observation Date. If it is determined that a scheduled Observation Date is not a Market Measure Business Day, or if a Market Disruption Event occurs on a scheduled Observation Date, the Ending Value will be determined as more fully described in product supplement STR-2.
Observation Level:   The closing level of the Index on any Observation Date.
Observation Dates:  

October     , 2010; March     , 2011; and September     , 2011 (the final Observation Date).

The Observation Dates will occur approximately every six months beginning with the first Observation Date, which will occur approximately one year after the pricing date.

Call Level:   100% of the Starting Value.
Call Amounts (per Unit):   $11.00 - $11.40 if called on October     , 2010; $11.50 - $12.10 if called on March     , 2011; and $12.00 - $12.80 if called on September     , 2011. The actual Call Amounts will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth in the final term sheet made available in connection with the sale of the notes.
Call Premium:   10% - 14% of the Original Offering Price per annum. The actual Call Premium will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth in the final term sheet made available in connection with the sale of the notes.
Call Settlement Date:   The fifth Banking Business Day following an Observation Date, if the notes are called on that Observation Date, subject to postponement as described in product supplement STR-2; provided however, that the Call Settlement Date related to the final Observation Date will be the maturity date.
Threshold Value:   90% of the Starting Value (rounded to two decimal places).
Leverage Factor:   100%
Calculation Agent:   MLPF&S, a subsidiary of BAC

Determining Payment on the Notes

Automatic Call Provision:

The notes will be automatically called on an Observation Date if the Observation Level on that Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Call Level. If the notes are called, you will receive on the Call Settlement Date the Call Amount per unit applicable to that Observation Date, which is equal to the $10 Original Offering Price per unit plus the Call Premium.

LOGO

Payment at Maturity:

If the notes are not called prior to the maturity date, you will receive the Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date, calculated as follows:

LOGO


 

TS-2

LOGO

 


LOGO

 

Hypothetical Payments

Set forth below are five hypothetical examples of payment calculations, assuming:

1) a hypothetical Starting Value of 568.68, the closing level of the Index on August 20, 2009;

2) a hypothetical Threshold Value of 511.81 or 90% of the hypothetical Starting Value (rounded to two decimal places);

3) a hypothetical Call Level of 568.68 or 100% of the hypothetical Starting Value;

4) a term of the notes from August 27, 2009 to September 2, 2011, a term expected to be similar to that of the notes;

5) a hypothetical Call Premium of 12% of the $10.00 Original Offering Price per unit per annum, the midpoint of the Call Premium range of 10% to 14%; and

6) hypothetical Observation Dates occurring on August 27, 2010, February 28, 2011, and August 26, 2011.

The Notes Are Called on One of the Observation Dates

The notes have not been previously called and the Observation Level on the relevant Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Call Level. Consequently, the notes will be called at the Call Amount per unit equal to $10.00 plus the applicable Call Premium.

Example 1

If the call is related to the Observation Date that falls on August 27, 2010, the Call Amount per unit will be:

$10.00 plus the Call Premium of $1.20 = $11.20 per unit.

LOGO

Example 2

If the call is related to the Observation Date that falls on February 28, 2011, the Call Amount per unit will be:

$10.00 plus the Call Premium of $1.80 = $11.80 per unit.

LOGO

 

TS-3

LOGO

 


LOGO

 

Example 3

If the call is related to the Observation Date that falls on August 26, 2011, the Call Amount per unit will be:

$10.00 plus the Call Premium of $2.40 = $12.40 per unit.

LOGO

The Notes Are Not Called on Any of the Observation Dates

Example 4

The notes are not called on any of the Observation Dates and the hypothetical Ending Value of the Index on the final Observation Date is not less than 511.81, the hypothetical Threshold Value. The Redemption Amount per unit will therefore be $10.00.

LOGO

 

TS-4

LOGO

 


LOGO

 

Example 5

The notes are not called on any of the Observation Dates and the hypothetical Ending Value of the Index on the final Observation Date is less than 511.81, the hypothetical Threshold Value. The Redemption Amount will be less, and possibly significantly less, than the $10 Original Offering Price per unit.

If the Ending Value is 483.38, or 85% of the hypothetical Starting Value, the hypothetical Redemption Amount will be:

 

 

$10 +

  [   $10 ×   (   483.38 - 511.81

 

  )   x 100%   ]   = $9.50 per unit  
         

 

568.68

         

LOGO

These examples have been prepared for purposes of illustration only. Your actual return will depend on the actual Starting Value, the Observation Level on the applicable Observation Date, the Ending Value, if applicable, the Call Premium, and the term of your investment.

 

Summary of the Hypothetical Examples         
Notes Are Called on an Observation Date    Observation Date on
August 27, 2010
  Observation Date on
February 28, 2011
  Observation Date on
August 26, 2011

Hypothetical Starting Value

   568.68   568.68   568.68

Hypothetical Call Level

   568.68   568.68   568.68

Hypothetical Observation Level on the Observation Date

   625.55   597.11   597.11

Return of the Index (excluding any dividends)

   10.00%     5.00%     5.00%

Return of the Notes

   12.00%   18.00%   24.00%

Call Amount per Unit

   $11.20   $11.80   $12.40

 

Notes Are Not Called on Any Observation Date    Hypothetical Ending Value Is
Greater than the Hypothetical
Threshold Value
  Hypothetical Ending Value Is
Less than the Hypothetical
Threshold Value

Hypothetical Starting Value

   568.68     568.68

Hypothetical Ending Value

   540.25     483.38

Hypothetical Threshold Value

   511.81     511.81

Return of the Index (excluding any dividends)

   -5.00%   -15.00%

Return of the Notes

   0.00%     -5.00%

Redemption Amount per Unit

   $10.00      $9.50

 

TS-5

LOGO

 


LOGO

 

Risk Factors

There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security. An investment in the notes involves significant risks, including those listed below. The following is a list of certain of the risks involved in investing in the notes. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the “Risk Factors” sections included in product supplement STR-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 notes.

 

  §  

If the notes are not called prior to maturity, your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal.

 

  §  

Your return, if any, is limited to the return represented by the Call Premium.

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

The amount that you receive at maturity or upon a call will not be affected by all developments relating to the Index.

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

While we 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 made by any other company.

 

  §  

If you attempt to sell notes 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 notes are subject to our credit risk, and changes in our credit ratings are expected to affect the value of the notes.

 

  §  

Purchases and sales by us and our affiliates of shares of companies 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 notes 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 notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the notes. See “Summary Tax Consequences” and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Taxation Considerations” below and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” in product supplement STR-2.

 

TS-6

LOGO

 


LOGO

 

Investor Considerations

 

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

 

§  

You anticipate that the level of the Index will be equal to or higher than the Call Level on any Observation Date and you seek an early exit prior to maturity at a premium in that case.

 

§  

You are willing to receive a pre-determined return on your investment, capped at the Call Premium, in case the notes are called, regardless of the performance of the Index from the Starting Value to the date on which the notes are called.

 

§  

You are willing to accept that the notes may not be called prior to the maturity date, in which case your return on your investment will be equal to or less than the $10 Original Offering Price per unit.

 

§  

You accept that your investment will result in a loss, which could be significant, if the level of the Index decreases below the Threshold Value from the Starting Value to the Ending Value on the final Observation Date.

 

§  

You are willing to forgo interest payments on the notes, 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 notes. You understand that secondary market prices for the notes, 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 notes.

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

 

§  

You want to hold your notes for the full term.

 

§  

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

 

§  

You anticipate that the Observation Level will not be equal to or greater than the Call Level on any Observation Date.

 

§  

You seek a return on your investment that will not be capped at the Call Premium.

 

§  

You seek 100% principal protection or preservation of capital.

 

§  

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 notes prior to maturity.

 

§  

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


 

Other Provisions

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

If you place an order to purchase the notes, 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 notes. Accordingly, offerings of the notes will conform to the requirements of NASD Rule 2720. Under our distribution agreement with the selling agents, MLPF&S will purchase the notes 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 notes, the notes 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 notes 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.

 

TS-7

LOGO

 


LOGO

 

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 STR-2 entitled “Description of the Notes-Discontinuance of a Non-Exchange Traded Fund Market Measure.” None of us, the calculation agent, or MLPF&S accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of the Index or any successor index.

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

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 notes.

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 countries or 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 countries or 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. 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.

 

TS-8

LOGO

 


LOGO

 

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 July 2009. This historical data on the Index is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Index or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the Index during any period set forth 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 notes. On August 20, 2009, the closing level of the Index was 568.68.

LOGO

Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the values 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.

 

TS-9

LOGO

 


LOGO

 

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 notes. The license agreement provides that the following language must be stated in this term sheet:

The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Russell. Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly or the ability of the 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 notes. Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the notes nor any associated literature or publications and Russell makes no representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or 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 notes.

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 NOTES, 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.

 

TS-10

LOGO

 


LOGO

 

Summary Tax Consequences

You should consider the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, 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 notes for all tax purposes as a callable single financial contract linked to the Index that requires you to pay us at inception an amount equal to the purchase price of the notes and that entitles you to receive at maturity or upon earlier redemption an amount in cash linked to the level of the Index.

 

  §  

Under this characterization and tax treatment of the notes, upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the notes 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 hold the notes 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 notes. 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 STR-2, which you should carefully review prior to investing in the notes.

General. Although there is no statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addressing the characterization of the notes, we intend to treat the notes for all tax purposes as a callable single financial contract linked to the Index that requires you to pay us at inception an amount equal to the purchase price of the notes and that entitles you to receive at maturity or upon earlier redemption an amount in cash linked to the level of the Index. Under the terms of the notes, we and every investor in the notes agree, in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat the notes as described in the preceding sentence. This discussion assumes that the notes constitute a callable single financial contract linked to the Index for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the notes did not constitute a callable single financial contract, the tax consequences described below would be materially different.

This characterization of the notes is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or the courts. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the notes or any similar instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no ruling is being requested from the IRS with respect to their proper characterization and treatment. Due to the absence of authorities on point, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes are not certain, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or any court will agree with the characterization and tax treatment described in product supplement STR-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 notes, including possible alternative characterizations. The discussion in this section and in the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” in product supplement STR-2 assume that there is a significant possibility of a significant loss of principal on an investment in the notes.

Settlement at Maturity or Sale, Exchange, or Redemption Prior to Maturity. Assuming that the notes are properly characterized and treated as callable single financial contracts linked to the Index for U.S. federal income tax purposes, upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the notes prior to maturity, a U.S. Holder (as defined in product supplement STR-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 notes. This capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder holds the notes for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Possible Future Tax Law Changes. From time to time, there may be legislative proposals or interpretive guidance addressing the tax treatment of financial instruments such as the notes. We cannot predict the likelihood of any such legislation or guidance being adopted, or the ultimate impact on the notes. For example, 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 notes. According to the Notice, the IRS and Treasury are considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis, regardless of whether any payments are made prior to maturity. It is not possible to determine what guidance the IRS and Treasury will ultimately issue, if any. Any such future guidance may affect the amount, timing, and character of income, gain, or loss in respect of the notes, possibly with retroactive effect. The IRS and Treasury are also considering additional issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether foreign holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, whether Section 1260 of the 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 notes 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 notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws. See the discussion under the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” in product supplement STR-2.

 

TS-11

LOGO

 


LOGO

 

Additional Terms

You should read this term sheet, together with the documents listed below, which together contain the terms of the notes 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 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 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):

 

  §  

Product supplement STR-2 dated April  21, 2009:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000095014409003417/g18702p5e424b5.htm

 

  §  

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 notes, 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 the 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.

“Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities®” is a registered service mark of our subsidiary, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

 

TS-12

LOGO