FWP 1 dfwp.htm FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS MITTS LINKED TO GOLD SPOT Free Writing Prospectus MITTS linked to Gold Spot

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration No. 333-158663

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Term Sheet dated December 22, 2010

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The MITTS® are being offered by Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”). The MITTS will have the terms specified in this term sheet as supplemented by the documents indicated below under “Additional Terms” (together, the “Note Prospectus”). Investing in the MITTS involves a number of risks. There are important differences between the MITTS and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks. See “Risk Factors” and “Additional Risk Factors” on page TS-5 of this term sheet and beginning on page S-13 of product supplement MITTS-4. MITTS:

 

 

Are Not FDIC Insured

 

 

 

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

 

 

 

May Lose Value

 

In connection with this offering, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) 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         $     

Underwriting discount (1)

     $0.25         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Bank of America Corporation

     $9.75         $     

 

  (1)

The public offering price and underwriting discount for any purchase of 500,000 units or more in a single transaction by an individual investor will be $9.95 per unit and $0.20 per unit, respectively. The public offering price and underwriting discount for any purchase by certain fee-based trusts and fee-based discretionary accounts managed by U.S. Trust operating through Bank of America, N.A. will be $9.75 per unit and $0.00 per unit, respectively.

*Depending on the date the MITTS® are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”), which may be in January 2011 or February 2011, the settlement date may occur in January 2011 or February 2011, and the maturity date may occur in January 2016 or February 2016. Any reference in this term sheet to the month in which the pricing date, the settlement date, or the maturity date will occur is subject to change as specified above.

 

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

 

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January     , 2011

  

 

Units Expected Pricing Date* January , 2011 Market Index Target-Term Securities® Settlement Date* February , 2011 Linked to the Gold Spot Price, Maturity Date* February , 2016 due February , 2016 CUSIP No. $10 principal amount per unit Term Sheet No. Market Index Target-Term Securities® 100% participation in increases in the Gold Spot Price, subject to a cap of between 45% and 55% 100% principal protected at maturity against decreases in the Gold Spot Price A maturity of approximately five years Repayment of principal at maturity is subject to the credit risk of Bank of America Corporation No periodic interest payments No listing on any securities exchange Enhanced Income Market Access Enhanced Return Enhanced Return


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Summary

The Market Index Target-Term Securities® Linked to the Gold Spot Price, due February     , 2016 (the “MITTS”), are our senior unsecured debt securities. The MITTS are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or secured by collateral. The MITTS will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt, and any payments due on the MITTS, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of BAC. The MITTS provide investors with a 100% participation rate in increases in the Gold Spot Price from the Starting Value, determined on the pricing date, to the Ending Value, determined on a calculation day shortly before the maturity date, subject to a maximum return of 45% to 55% over the Original Offering Price. Investors must be willing to forgo interest payments on the MITTS and be willing to accept a return that is capped.

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement MITTS-4. 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 MITTS

 

Issuer:

 

 

Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”)

 

Original Offering Price:

 

 

$10.00 per unit

 

Base Value:

 

 

$10.00 per unit

 

Term:

 

 

Approximately five years

 

Market Measure:

 

 

The London Gold Market Fixing Ltd P.M. Fixing Price (the “Gold Spot Price”), which is a benchmark price used in markets where gold is sold for U.S. dollars and delivered immediately.

 

Starting Value:

 

 

The Gold Spot Price on the pricing date, subject to the Starting Value Commodity-Based Market Measure Disruption Calculation, as more fully described on page S-42 of product supplement MITTS-4. The Starting Value will be determined on the pricing date and set forth in the final term sheet that will be made available in connection with sales of the MITTS.

 

Ending Value:

 

 

The Gold Spot Price on the calculation day (as defined below). If it is determined that the scheduled calculation day is not a Market Measure Business Day, or if a Market Disruption Event (as defined on TS-7) occurs on the scheduled calculation day, the Ending Value will be determined as more fully described beginning on page S-32 of product supplement MITTS-4.

 

Capped Value:

 

 

$14.50 to $15.50 per unit of the MITTS, which represents a return of 45% to 55% over the Original Offering Price. The actual Capped Value will be determined on the pricing date and set forth in the final term sheet that will be made available in connection with sales of the MITTS.

 

Calculation Day:

 

 

The fifth scheduled Market Measure Business Day immediately preceding 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 MITTS.

 

Participation Rate:

 

 

100%

 

Minimum Redemption Amount:

 

 

$10.00 per unit

 

Calculation Agent:

 

 

MLPF&S, a subsidiary of BAC

 

Determining the Redemption Amount for the MITTS

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

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Market Index Target-Term Securities®

 

 

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Hypothetical Payout Profile

 

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This graph reflects the hypothetical returns on the MITTS at maturity, based upon the Participation Rate of 100% and a hypothetical Capped Value of $15.00 (a 50% return), the midpoint of the Capped Value range of $14.50 to $15.50. The blue line reflects the hypothetical returns on the MITTS, while the dotted gray line reflects the hypothetical returns of a direct investment in gold, as measured by the Gold Spot Price.

 

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

Hypothetical Redemption Amounts

Examples

Set forth below are three examples of hypothetical Redemption Amount calculations (rounded to two decimal places) payable at maturity, based upon the Participation Rate of 100%, the Base Value of $10.00 (per unit), a hypothetical Starting Value of 1,388.75, which was the Gold Spot Price on December 15, 2010, the Minimum Redemption Amount of $10.00 (per unit), and a hypothetical Capped Value of $15.50 (per unit), the midpoint of the Capped Value range of $14.50 to $15.50.

Example 1 — The hypothetical Ending Value is 90% of the hypothetical Starting Value:

 

Hypothetical Starting Value:

     1,388.75      

Hypothetical Ending Value:

     1,249.88      

 

Redemption Amount (per unit) = the greater of (a) $10 +

  [   $10 × 100% ×   (  

1,249.88 –  1,388.75

 

  )   ]   = $9.00 and(b)$10.00  
       

 

1,388.75

       

Hypothetical Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10.00 (The Redemption Amount cannot be less than the $10.00 Minimum Redemption Amount.)

Example 2 — The hypothetical Ending Value is 130% of the hypothetical Starting Value:

 

Hypothetical Starting Value:

     1,388.75      

Hypothetical Ending Value:

     1,805.38      

 

Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10 +

  [   $10 × 100% ×   (  

1,805.38 –  1,388.75

 

  )   ]   = $13.00  
       

 

1,388.75

       

Hypothetical Redemption Amount (per unit) = $13.00

Example 3 — The hypothetical Ending Value is 210% of the hypothetical Starting Value:

 

Hypothetical Starting Value:

     1,388.75      

Hypothetical Ending Value:

     2,916.38      

 

Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10 +

  [   $10 × 100% ×   (  

2,916.38 –  1,388.75

 

  )   ]   = $21.00  
       

 

1,388.75

       

Hypothetical Redemption Amount (per unit) = $15.50 (The Redemption Amount cannot be greater than the Capped Value.)

 

 

Market Index Target-Term Securities®

 

 

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The following table illustrates, for a hypothetical Starting Value of 1,388.75 (the Gold Spot Price on December 15, 2010) and a range of hypothetical Ending Values:

 

  §  

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

  §  

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

  §  

the hypothetical total rate of return to holders of the MITTS.

The table below reflects the Participation Rate of 100%, the Base Value of $10.00 (per unit), the Minimum Redemption Amount of $10.00 (per unit), and a hypothetical Capped Value of $15.00 (per unit), the midpoint of the Capped Value range of $14.50 to $15.50.

 

Hypothetical

Ending Value

 

Percentage Change from

the Hypothetical Starting

Value to the Hypothetical

Ending Value

 

Hypothetical

Redemption

Amount per Unit

 

Hypothetical

Total Rate

of Return on

the MITTS

   694.38     -50.00%   $10.00     0.00%
   833.25     -40.00%   $10.00     0.00%
   972.13     -30.00%   $10.00     0.00%
1,111.00     -20.00%   $10.00     0.00%
1,249.88     -10.00%   $10.00     0.00%
1,319.31       -5.00%   $10.00     0.00%
1,354.03       -2.50%   $10.00     0.00%
    1,388.75 (1)        0.00%       $10.00 (2)     0.00%
1,423.47        2.50%   $10.25     2.50%
1,458.19        5.00%   $10.50     5.00%
1,527.63      10.00%   $11.00   10.00%
1,666.50      20.00%   $12.00   20.00%
1,805.38      30.00%   $13.00   30.00%
1,944.25      40.00%   $14.00   40.00%
2,083.13      50.00%       $15.00 (3)   50.00%
2,222.00      60.00%   $15.00   50.00%
2,360.88      70.00%   $15.00   50.00%
2,499.75      80.00%   $15.00   50.00%
2,638.63      90.00%   $15.00   50.00%
2,777.50    100.00%   $15.00   50.00%
2,916.38    110.00%   $15.00   50.00%

 

(1) This is the hypothetical Starting Value, which was the Gold Spot Price on December 15, 2010. The actual Starting Value will be determined on the pricing date and set forth in the final term sheet made available in connection with sales of the MITTS.

 

(2) The Redemption Amount will not be less than the Minimum Redemption Amount of $10.00 per unit of the MITTS.

 

(3) The Redemption Amount cannot exceed the hypothetical Capped Value of $15.00 per unit of the MITTS (the midpoint of the Capped Value range of $14.50 to $15.50). The actual Capped Value will be determined on the pricing date and set forth in the final term sheet made available in connection with sales of the MITTS.

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

 

 

Market Index Target-Term Securities®

 

 

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Risk Factors

There are important differences between the MITTS and a conventional debt security. An investment in the MITTS involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the MITTS in the “Additional Risk Factors” section below and the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page S-13 of product supplement MITTS-4 and page S-4 of 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 MITTS.

 

  §  

You may not earn a return on your investment.

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

Your investment return on the MITTS, 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 gold.

 

  §  

You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to the Gold Spot Price.

 

  §  

In seeking to provide you with what we believe to be commercially reasonable terms for the MITTS while providing MLPF&S with compensation for its services, we have considered the costs of developing, hedging, and distributing the MITTS.

 

  §  

A trading market is not expected to develop for the MITTS. MLPF&S is not obligated to make a market for, or to repurchase, the MITTS.

 

  §  

The Redemption Amount will not be affected by all developments relating to the Gold Spot Price.

 

  §  

Ownership of the MITTS will not entitle you to any rights with respect to gold or any related futures contracts.

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

The Gold Spot Price may change unpredictably, affecting the value of the MITTS in unforeseeable ways.

 

  §  

Suspensions or disruptions of market trading in gold and related futures markets may adversely affect the value of the MITTS.

 

  §  

The MITTS will not be regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

  §  

Purchases and sales by us and our affiliates of gold 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 MITTS and their market value.

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

You should consider the tax consequences of investing in the MITTS. See “Summary Tax Consequences” and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Taxation Considerations” below and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page S-56 of product supplement MITTS-4.

Additional Risk Factors

There are risks associated with investing in gold or gold-linked MITTS.

The Gold Spot Price is derived from a principals’ market which operates as an over-the-counter physical commodity market. Certain features of U.S. futures markets are not present in the context of trading on such principals’ markets. For example, there are no daily price limits that would otherwise restrict the extent of daily fluctuations in the prices of the commodities in such markets. In a declining market, therefore, it is possible that prices would continue to decline without limitation within a trading day or over a period of trading days.

Gold prices are subject to volatile price movements over short periods of time and are affected by numerous factors. These include economic factors, including the structure of and confidence in the global monetary system, expectations of the future rate of inflation, the relative strength of, and confidence in, the U.S. dollar (the currency in which the price of gold is generally quoted), interest rates and gold borrowing and lending rates, and global or regional economic, financial, political, regulatory, judicial, or other events. Gold prices may also be affected by industry factors such as industrial and jewelry demand, lending, sales and purchases of gold by the official sector, including central banks and other governmental agencies and multilateral institutions that hold gold, levels of gold production and production costs, and short-term changes in supply and demand because of trading activities in the gold market. It is not possible to predict the aggregate effect of all or any combination of these factors.

The market value of the MITTS may be affected by price movements in distant-delivery futures contracts associated with the Gold Spot Price.

The price movements in the Gold Spot Price may not be reflected in the market value of the MITTS. If you are able to sell your MITTS, the price you receive could be affected by changes in the values of futures contracts on gold, which have more distant delivery dates than the Gold Spot Price. The prices for these futures contracts may not increase to the same extent as the Gold Spot Price, or may decrease to a greater extent, which may adversely affect the value of the MITTS.

Changes in the methodology used to calculate the Gold Spot Price or changes in laws or regulations may affect the value of the MITTS.

Members of the London Bullion Market Association (the “LBMA”) set the Gold Spot Price, and may adjust the value of the Gold Spot Price in a way that adversely affects the value of the MITTS. In setting the Gold Spot Price, these respective publishers have no obligation to consider your interests. The LBMA may from time to time change any rule or bylaw or take emergency action under its rules, any of which could affect the Gold Spot Price. Any change of this kind could cause a decrease in the Gold Spot Price, which would adversely affect the value of the MITTS.

In addition, the price of gold could be adversely affected by the promulgation of new laws or regulations or by the reinterpretation of existing laws or regulations (including, without limitation, those relating to taxes and duties on commodities or commodity components) by one or more governments, governmental agencies or instrumentalities, courts, or other official bodies. Any event of this kind could adversely affect the Gold Spot Price and, as a result, could adversely affect the value of the MITTS.

 

 

Market Index Target-Term Securities®

 

 

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Investor Considerations

 

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

 

§  

You anticipate that the Gold Spot Price will increase from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.

 

§  

You accept that the return on the MITTS will be zero if the Gold Spot Price is unchanged or decreases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.

 

§  

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

 

§  

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

 

§  

You seek exposure to the Gold Spot Price with no expectation of the benefits of owning gold or any related futures contract.

 

§  

You are willing to accept that a trading market is not expected to develop for the MITTS. You understand that secondary market prices for the MITTS, 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 MITTS.

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

 

§  

You anticipate that the Gold Spot Price will decrease from the Starting Value to the Ending Value or that the Gold Spot Price will not increase sufficiently over the term of the MITTS to provide you with your desired return.

 

§  

You seek an investment that provides a guaranteed redemption amount above the principal.

 

§  

You seek a return on your investment that will not be capped at a percentage that will be between 45% and 55% over the Original Offering Price.

 

§  

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

 

§  

You seek an investment that provides you with the benefits of owning gold or any related futures contracts.

 

§  

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

 

§  

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


 

Other Terms of the MITTS

The provisions of this section supersede and replace the definition of “Market Disruption Event” set forth beginning on page S-42 of product supplement MITTS-4.

Market Disruption Event

A “Market Disruption Event” means any of the following events, as determined in good faith by the calculation agent:

(A) the suspension of or material limitation on trading in gold, or futures contracts or options related to gold, on the Relevant Market (as defined below);

(B) the failure of trading to commence, or permanent discontinuance of trading, in gold, or futures contracts or options related to gold, on the Relevant Market; or

(C) the failure of the LBMA (as defined above) to calculate or publish the official fixing price of gold for that day (or the information necessary for determining the official fixing prices).

(D) any other event which the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, materially interferes with our ability or the ability of any of our affiliates to unwind all or a material portion of a hedge that we or our affiliates have effected or may effect in connection with the Notes.

For the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred:

(A) a limitation on the hours in a trading day and/or number of days of trading will not constitute a Market Disruption Event if it results from an announced change in the regular trading hours of the Relevant Market; and

(B) a suspension of or material limitation on trading in the Relevant Market will not include any time when trading is not conducted or prices are not quoted by the LBMA in the Relevant Market under ordinary circumstances.

Relevant Market

“Relevant Market” means the market in London on which members of the LBMA, or any successor thereto, quote prices for the buying and selling of gold or, if such market is no longer the principal trading market for gold or options or futures contracts for gold, such other exchange or principal trading market for gold as determined in good faith by the calculation agent which serves as the source of prices for gold, and any principal exchanges where options or futures contracts on gold are traded.

 

 

Market Index Target-Term Securities®

 

 

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Other Provisions

We may deliver the MITTS 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 MITTS occurs more than three business days from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the MITTS 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 MITTS, you are consenting to MLPF&S acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.

Supplement to the Plan of Distribution

MLPF&S, a broker-dealer subsidiary of BAC, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”)) and will participate as selling agent in the distribution of the MITTS. Accordingly, offerings of the MITTS will conform to the requirements of NASD Rule 2720. Under our distribution agreement with MLPF&S, MLPF&S will purchase the MITTS from us on the issue date as principal at the purchase price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount. MLPF&S will not receive an underwriting discount for MITTS sold to certain fee-based trusts and fee-based discretionary accounts managed by U.S. Trust operating through Bank of America, N.A. In the original offering of the MITTS, the MITTS will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units.

MLPF&S may use this Note Prospectus for offers and sales in secondary market transactions and market-making transactions in the MITTS but is not obligated to engage in such secondary market transactions and/or market-making transactions. MLPF&S 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.

 

 

Market Index Target-Term Securities®

 

 

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The Gold Spot Price

The Gold Spot Price is a benchmark price used in the markets where gold is sold for U.S. dollars and delivered immediately. The Gold Spot Price is published by Bloomberg, L.P. (“Bloomberg”) under the symbol GOLDLNPM. The Gold Spot Price is an internationally published benchmark of the spot price of gold in U.S. dollars as determined at 3:00 p.m. London time. The Gold Spot Price is determined by five market-making members of the LBMA. These members meet by telephone each London business day at 3:00 p.m. to determine the Gold Spot Price. The five members are the Bank of Nova Scotia–ScotiaMocatta, Barclays Bank Plc, Deutsche Bank AG, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., and Société Générale.

The London bullion market is an OTC market, as opposed to an exchange-traded environment. Members of the London bullion market typically trade with each other and with their clients on a principal-to-principal basis. All risks, including those of credit, are between the two parties to a transaction.

An investment in the MITTS does not entitle you to any ownership interest, either directly or indirectly, in gold or in any gold transaction traded on the London bullion market.

The MITTS are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by the LBMA. The LBMA takes no responsibility for the accuracy and/or the completeness of information provided in this term sheet, the MITTS-4 product supplement, the MTN prospectus supplement, or the prospectus. In addition, the LBMA is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of the sale of the MITTS, prices at which the MITTS are to initially be sold, or the quantities of the MITTS to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the Redemption Amount. The LBMA has no obligation in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the MITTS.

The following graph sets forth the monthly historical performance of the Gold Spot Price in the period from January 2005 through November 2010. This historical data on the Gold Spot Price is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Gold Spot Price or what the value of the MITTS may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the Gold Spot Price during any period set forth below is not an indication that the Gold Spot Price is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the MITTS. On December 15, 2010, the Gold Spot Price was 1,388.75.

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Market Index Target-Term Securities®

 

 

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Summary Tax Consequences

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

 

   

Although there are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings, or judicial decisions addressing the characterization, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of the MITTS, we intend to treat the MITTS as debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, where required, intend to file information returns with the IRS in accordance with such treatment.

 

   

A U.S. Holder will be required to report original issue discount (“OID”) or interest income based on a “comparable yield” with respect to a MITTS without regard to cash, if any, received on the MITTS.

 

   

Upon a sale, exchange, or retirement of a MITTS prior to maturity, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange, or retirement and the holder’s tax basis in the MITTS. A U.S. Holder generally will treat any gain as ordinary interest income, and any loss as ordinary up to the amount of previously accrued OID and then as capital loss. At maturity, (i) if the actual Redemption Amount exceeds the projected Redemption Amount, a U.S. Holder must include such excess as interest income, or (ii) if the projected Redemption Amount exceeds the actual Redemption Amount, a U.S. Holder will generally treat such excess first as an offset to previously accrued OID for the taxable year, then as an ordinary loss to the extent of all prior OID inclusions, and thereafter as a capital loss.

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 MITTS. 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” beginning on page S-56 of product supplement MITTS-4, which you should carefully review prior to investing in the MITTS. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in product supplement MITTS-4.

General. There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings, or judicial decisions addressing the characterization, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of the MITTS or other instruments with terms substantially the same as the MITTS. However, although the matter is not free from doubt, under current law, each MITTS should be treated as a debt instrument for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We currently intend to treat the MITTS as debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, where required, intend to file information returns with the IRS in accordance with such treatment, in the absence of any change or clarification in the law, by regulation or otherwise, requiring a different characterization of the MITTS. You should be aware, however, that the IRS is not bound by our characterization of the MITTS as indebtedness and the IRS could possibly take a different position as to the proper characterization of the MITTS for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the MITTS are not in fact treated as debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the MITTS could differ materially from the treatment discussed below, with the result that the timing and character of income, gain, or loss recognized in respect of a MITTS could differ materially from the timing and character of income, gain, or loss recognized in respect of a MITTS had the MITTS in fact been treated as debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, prospective purchasers are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of investing in the MITTS. The following summary assumes that the MITTS will be treated as debt instruments of BAC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Interest Accruals. The amount payable on the MITTS at maturity will depend on the performance of the Gold Spot Price. Accordingly, we intend to take the position that the MITTS will be treated as “contingent payment debt instruments” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, subject to taxation under the “noncontingent bond method,” and the balance of this discussion assumes that this characterization is proper and will be respected. Under this characterization, the MITTS generally will be subject to the Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments. Under those regulations, a U.S. Holder will be required to report OID or interest income based on a “comparable yield” and a “projected payment schedule,” established by us for determining interest accruals and adjustments with respect to a MITTS. A U.S. Holder who does not use the “comparable yield” and follow the “projected payment schedule” to calculate its OID and interest income on a MITTS must timely disclose and justify the use of other estimates to the IRS.

Sale, Exchange, or Retirement of the MITTS. Upon a sale, exchange, or retirement of a MITTS prior to maturity, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange, or retirement and the holder’s tax basis in the MITTS. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in a MITTS generally will equal the cost of that MITTS, increased by the amount of OID previously accrued by the holder for that MITTS (without regard to any positive or negative adjustments under the contingent payment debt regulations). A U.S. Holder generally will treat any gain as interest income, and will treat any loss as ordinary loss to the extent of the excess of previous interest inclusions over the total negative adjustments previously taken into account as ordinary losses, and the balance as long-term or short-term capital loss depending upon the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the MITTS. At maturity, (i) if the actual Redemption Amount exceeds the projected Redemption Amount, a U.S. Holder must include such excess as interest income, or (ii) if the projected Redemption Amount exceeds the actual Redemption Amount, a U.S. Holder will generally treat such excess first as an offset to previously accrued OID for the taxable year, then as an ordinary loss to the extent of all prior OID inclusions, and thereafter as a capital loss. The deductibility of capital losses by a U.S. Holder is subject to limitations.

 

 

Market Index Target-Term Securities®

 

 

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Hypothetical Tax Accrual Table. The following table is based upon a hypothetical projected payment schedule (including a hypothetical Redemption Amount) and a hypothetical comparable yield equal to 4.13% per annum (compounded semi-annually), which is our current estimate of the comparable yield, based upon market conditions as of the date of this term sheet as determined by us for purposes of illustrating the application of the Code and the Treasury regulations to the MITTS as if the MITTS had been issued on February 4, 2011 and were scheduled to mature on February 2, 2016. This tax accrual table is based upon a hypothetical projected payment schedule per $10 principal amount of the MITTS, which would consist of a single payment of $12.2651 at maturity. The following table is for illustrative purposes only, and we make no representations or predictions as to what the actual Redemption Amount will be. The actual “projected payment schedule” will be completed on the pricing date, and included in the final term sheet.

 

Accrual Period

       Interest Deemed to Accrue
on the MITTS During
Accrual Period
(per Unit of the MITTS)
   Total Interest Deemed to
Have Accrued on
the MITTS as of End of
Accrual Period
(per Unit of the MITTS)

February 4, 2011 to December 31, 2011

     $0.3786    $0.3786

January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012

     $0.4330    $0.8116

January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013

     $0.4512    $1.2628

January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014

     $0.4700    $1.7328

January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015

     $0.4896    $2.2224

January 1, 2016 to February 2, 2016

     $0.0427    $2.2651

Hypothetical Projected Redemption Amount = $12.2651 per unit of the MITTS.

Additional Medicare Tax on Unearned Income. With respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. Holders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on unearned income. For individual U.S. Holders, the additional Medicare tax applies to the lesser of (i) “net investment income,” or (ii) the excess of “modified adjusted gross income” over $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly or $125,000 if married and filing separately). “Net investment income” generally equals the taxpayer’s gross investment income reduced by the deductions that are allocable to such income. Investment income generally includes passive income such as interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, rents, and capital gains. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the MITTS.

You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the MITTS, 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” beginning on page S-56 of product supplement MITTS-4.

 

 

Market Index Target-Term Securities®

 

 

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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 MITTS 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” and “Additional Risk Factors” in the sections indicated on the cover of this term sheet. The MITTS 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 MITTS.

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 MITTS-4 dated September 24, 2009:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000119312509197085/d424b5.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.

Market-Linked Investments Classification

Market-Linked Investments come in four basic categories, each designed to meet a different set of investor risk profiles, time horizons, income requirements and market views (bullish, bearish, moderate outlook, etc.). The following descriptions of these categories are meant solely for informational purposes and are not intended to represent any particular Market-Linked Investment or guarantee performance. Certain Market-Linked Investments may have overlapping characteristics.

Market Downside Protection: Market Downside Protection Market-Linked Investments combine some of the capital preservation features of traditional bonds with the growth potential of equities and other asset classes. They offer full or partial market downside protection at maturity, while offering market exposure that may provide better returns than comparable fixed income securities. It is important to note that the market downside protection feature provides investors with protection only at maturity, subject to issuer credit risk. In addition, in exchange for full or partial protection, you forfeit dividends and full exposure to the linked asset’s upside. In some circumstances, this could result in a lower return than with a direct investment in the asset.

Enhanced Income: These short- to medium-term market-linked notes offer you a way to enhance your income stream, either though variable or fixed-interest coupons, an added payout at maturity based on the performance of the linked asset, or both. In exchange for receiving current income, you will generally forfeit upside potential on the linked asset. Even so, the prospect of higher interest payments and/or an additional payout may equate to a higher return potential than you may be able to find through other fixed-income securities. Enhanced Income Market-Linked Investments generally do not include market downside protection. The degree to which your principal is repaid at maturity is generally determined by the performance of the linked asset. Although enhanced income streams may help offset potential declines in the asset, you can still lose part or all of your original investment.

Market Access: Market Access notes may offer exposure to certain market sectors, asset classes and/or strategies that may not even be available through the other three categories of Market-Linked Investments. Subject to certain fees, the returns on Market Access Market- Linked Investments will generally correspond on a one-to-one basis with any increases or decreases in the value of the linked asset, similar to a direct investment. In some instances, they may also provide interim coupon payments. These investments do not include the market downside protection feature and, therefore, your principal remains at risk.

Enhanced Return: These short- to medium-term investments offer you a way to enhance exposure to a particular market view without taking on a similarly enhanced level of market-downside risk. They can be especially effective in a flat to moderately positive market (or, in the case of bearish investments, a flat to moderately negative market). In exchange for the potential to receive better-than market returns on the linked asset, you must generally accept a degree of market downside risk and capped upside potential. As these investments are not market downside protected, and do not assure full repayment of principal at maturity, you need to be prepared for the possibility that you may lose all or part of your investment.

“MITTS®” and “Market Index Target-Term Securities®” are our registered service marks.

 

 

Market Index Target-Term Securities®

 

 

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