424B2 1 d424b2.htm FINAL TERM SHEET NO. 542 Final Term Sheet No. 542

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount

to be

Registered

 

Proposed
Maximum

Offering

Price Per

Unit

  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
 

Amount of
Registration

Fee(1)

Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM, due January 25, 2013

  4,432,442   $10.00   $44,324,420   $5,146.07
 
 
(1)

Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933.


Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration No. 333-158663

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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 below 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, 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           $44,324,420.00        

Underwriting discount (1)

     $0.20           $886,488.40        

Proceeds, before expenses, to Bank of America Corporation

     $9.80           $43,437,931.60        

 

  (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 $0.15 per unit, respectively.

 

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

 

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  January 27, 2011     

 

4,432,442 Units

Pricing Date

January 27, 2011

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

Settlement Date

February 4, 2011

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

Linked to the Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM,

Maturity Date

January 25, 2013

due January 25, 2013

CUSIP No.

06052R567

$10 principal amount per unit

Term Sheet No. 542

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

138% leveraged upside exposure to increases in the level of the Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM (the “Index”)

1-to-1 downside exposure, with no downside limit

A maturity of approximately two years

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

Market Downside Protection

Enhanced Income

Market Access

Enhanced Return

Enhanced Return


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Summary

The Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM, due January 25, 2013 (the “LIRNs”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The LIRNs 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 if the level of the Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM (the “Index”) increases 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 repayment that is less, and potentially significantly less, than the Original Offering Price.

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 per unit

 

Term:  

Approximately two years

 

Market Measure:  

The Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM (Bloomberg symbol: “DJGT”)

 

Starting Value:  

184.30

 

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 beginning on page S-24 of product supplement LIRN-2.

 

Threshold Value:  

184.30 (which is 100% of the Starting Value). Accordingly, you will lose all or a portion of your investment if the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value

 

Participation Rate:  

138%

 

Downside Leverage Factor:  

100%

 

Maturity Valuation Period:  

January 15, 2013, January 16, 2013, January 17, 2013, January 18, 2013, and January 22, 2013

 

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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Leveraged Index Return Notes®

 

 

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Hypothetical Payout Profile

 

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This graph reflects the hypothetical returns on the LIRNs at maturity, based upon the Participation Rate of 138%% and the Threshold Value equal to 100% of the Starting Value. The green line reflects the hypothetical returns on the LIRNs, while the dotted gray line reflects the hypothetical returns of a 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 Ending Value and the term of your investment.

  

Hypothetical Redemption Amounts

Examples

Set forth below are two examples of hypothetical Redemption Amount calculations (rounded to two decimal places) payable at maturity, based upon the Participation Rate of 138%, the Downside Leverage Factor of 100%, and the Starting Value and Threshold Value of 184.30.

Example 1 — The hypothetical Ending Value is 70% of the Starting Value:

 

Starting Value:

     184.30      

Hypothetical Ending Value:

     129.01      

Threshold Value:

     184.30      

 

 

$10 –

  [   $10 ×   (  

129.01 –  184.30

 

  )   × 100%   ]   = $7.00  
         

 

184.30

         

Hypothetical Redemption Amount (per unit) = $7.00

Example 2 —The hypothetical Ending Value is 110% of the Starting Value:

 

Starting Value:

     184.30      

Hypothetical Ending Value:

     202.73      

 

 

$10 +

  [   $10 × 138% ×   (  

202.73 –  184.30

 

  )   ]   = $11.38  
         

 

184.30

       

Hypothetical Redemption Amount (per unit)= $11.38

 

 

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

 

 

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The following table illustrates, for the Starting Value and Threshold Value of 184.30, and a range of hypothetical Ending Values of the Index:

 

  §  

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

  §  

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

  §  

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

The table below is based on the Participation Rate of 138% and the Downside Leverage Factor of 100%.

 

Hypothetical

Ending  Value(1)

 

Percentage Change from
the Starting

Value to the Hypothetical

Ending Value

 

Hypothetical

Redemption
Amount per Unit(2)

 

Hypothetical

Total Rate
of Return on
the LIRNs

  92.15   -50.00%     5.00   -50.00%
110.58   -40.00%     6.00   -40.00%
129.01   -30.00%     7.00   -30.00%
156.66   -15.00%     8.50   -15.00%
165.87   -10.00%     9.00   -10.00%
176.93     -4.00%     9.60     -4.00%
180.61     -2.00%     9.80     -2.00%
    184.30 (3)      0.00%   10.00      0.00%
193.52      5.00%   10.69      6.90%
202.73    10.00%   11.38    13.80%
211.95    15.00%   12.07    20.70%
221.16    20.00%   12.76    27.60%
230.38    25.00%   13.45    34.50%
239.59    30.00%   14.14    41.40%
248.81    35.00%   14.83    48.30%
258.02    40.00%   15.52    55.20%
267.24    45.00%   16.21    62.10%
276.45    50.00%   16.90    69.00%

 

(1) The Index is a price return index. Accordingly, the Ending Value will not include any income generated by dividends paid on the stocks included in the Index, which you would otherwise be entitled to receive if you invested in those stocks directly.

 

(2) The hypothetical Redemption Amount per unit of the LIRNs is based on the Participation Rate.

 

(3) This is the Starting Value and Threshold Value.

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 Ending Value and the term of your investment.

 

 

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

 

 

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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 beginning on page S-10 of product supplement LIRN-2 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 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 investment return, if any, may be less than 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 LIRNs while providing the selling agent with compensation for its services, we have considered the costs of developing, hedging, and distributing the LIRNs.

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

Dow Jones Trademark Holdings, LLC, a part of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. (collectively, “Dow Jones”), and CME Group Index Services LLC (“CME”) may adjust the Index in a way that affects its level, and Dow Jones and CME have no obligation to consider your interests.

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

Your return on the LIRNs may be affected by factors affecting the international securities markets.

 

  §  

Exchange rate movements may impact the value of the LIRNs.

 

  §  

While we or our affiliates may from time to time own stocks included in 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 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 the 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 the 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” beginning on page S-35 of product supplement LIRN-2.

 

 

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

 

 

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Investor Considerations

 

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

 

§  

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

 

§  

You accept that your investment will result in a loss, which could be significant, if the Ending Value of the Index decreases from the Starting 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 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 LIRNs prior to maturity.

 

§  

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


 

Other Provisions

We will 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, purchasers who wish to trade the 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 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. (“FINRA”) and will participate as selling agent in the distribution of the LIRNs. Accordingly, offerings of the LIRNs will conform to the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121. Under our distribution agreement with MLPF&S, 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 underwriting discount. In the original offering of the LIRNs, the LIRNs 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 LIRNs 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.

 

 

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

 

 

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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 Dow Jones as stated in those sources, and these policies are subject to change at the discretion of Dow Jones. Dow Jones has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Index. The consequences of Dow Jones discontinuing publication of the Index are discussed in the section “Description of LIRNs—Discontinuance of a Market Measure” on page S-30 of product supplement LIRN-2. None of us, the calculation agent, or the selling agent accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Index or any successor index.

The “Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM” is a product of Dow Jones Indexes and has been licensed for use. “Dow Jones®”, “Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM” and “Dow Jones Indexes” are service marks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings, LLC, and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by us. The LIRNs based on the Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM, are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Dow Jones, CME or their respective affiliates and Dow Jones, CME and their respective affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s).

We have derived all information contained in this term sheet regarding the Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available information. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by Dow Jones. The Index is calculated, maintained and published by Dow Jones. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information.

The Index is composed of 50 stocks, selected from the Dow Jones World Index to reflect the performance of the world’s leading multinational companies. The base date for the Index is December 31, 1991, with a corresponding base value of 100. As of December 31, 2010, the component companies of the Index had their headquarters in the following countries (with the percentage of component companies noted parenthetically): United States (62.56%); United Kingdom (10.45%); Switzerland (6.86%); France (3.93%); Germany (3.47%); Japan (3.01%); Spain (2.79%); Australia (2.42%); South Korea (1.40%); Russia (1.18%); Brazil (1.09%); and Italy (0.83%).

Index Composition and Maintenance

The 50 stocks composing the Index are selected from the Dow Jones World Index, a broad market benchmark that covers 34 countries. The initial components of the Index were selected as follows:

(a) If a company had more than one class of shares in all of the components of the Dow Jones World Index, then only the most liquid class was eligible.

(b) If a company did not generate revenue from foreign markets, it was ineligible.

(c) For countries with significant barriers to direct foreign investment, Dow Jones may opt to include depository receipts or other types of offshore listings in the Index.

(d) A selection list was defined as the largest 100 companies in the Dow Jones World Index by free-float market capitalization.

(e) Companies on the selection list were ranked by each of the following:

        (i) Free-float market capitalization

        (ii) Sales/revenue

        (iii) Net income

(f) For each company, a final rank was calculated by weighting the free-float market capitalization rank at 60%, the sales/revenue rank at 20% and the net income rank at 20%.

(g) The top 50 stocks by final rank were selected as the components of the Index.

The composition of the Index is reviewed annually, based on the free-float market capitalization of the stocks in the Dow Jones World Index as of the end of the preceding April. Changes to the composition of the Index are announced in early June, and following a minimum two-week notification period, the composition changes are implemented after official closing prices have been determined on the third Friday of June. All changes become effective at the opening of trading for the next index dissemination day. The annual review process proceeds according to the initial selection of the Index as described above under (a) and (b), but a selection is defined as the 50 current component stocks plus the 50 largest noncomponent stocks ranked by free-float market capitalization. The companies on the selection list are then ranked as described above. The top 50 stocks by final rank are selected as Index components. Once the Index component list is established, it is finalized based on the following buffer rules: (i) if a non-component is ranked among the top 30 stocks on the selection list, then it replaces the lowest-ranked component in the Index; and (ii) if a component is not ranked among the top 70 stocks on the selection list, then it is replaced by the highest-ranked non-component on the selection list.

In addition to the annual review process, the component weights for the stocks in the Index are reviewed quarterly based on market capitalization and free-float data as of the Wednesday immediately preceding the third Friday of March, June, September, and December. At each quarterly update, the free-float weighting of each component is capped at 10% of the total market capitalization of the Index. If the free-float weighting of a component exceeds 10%, it is reduced to 10% by a weighting cap factor.

Dow Jones also continually reviews the composition of the Index to reflect extraordinary corporate actions involving the component companies, such as mergers, takeovers, spin-offs, initial public offerings, delistings, and bankruptcy filings, and publishes a monthly selection list to indicate possible changes in the composition of the Index at the next annual review.

 

 

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

 

 

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Index Composition Adjustments

The following summarizes adjustments to the Index necessitated by specific corporate events:

(i) Initial Public Offerings — An initial public offering becomes eligible for inclusion in the Index at the next annual review. It will replace the smallest component in the Index if it is a component of the Dow Jones World Index, qualifies for the Index selection list and is among the top 30 companies on the selection list.

(ii) Spin-offs — If the largest spin-off company is among the top 70 companies on the Index selection list, it will replace its parent company in the Index. Otherwise, the original component is replaced by the highest ranked non-component on the selection list. Changes in the Index composition due to a spin-off are effective on the same day the corporate action becomes effective, following a minimum notification period of two trading days.

(iii) Mergers and Takeovers — If both companies are components of the Index, and if the surviving company satisfies the selection criteria for the Index, then it will replace one of the two components. The other original component will be replaced by the highest ranked non-component on the selection list. If the surviving company does not satisfy the selection criteria for the Index, then the two original components will be replaced by the two highest ranked non-components on the selection list. For mergers and takeovers occurring between a component and a non-component of the Index, if the surviving company satisfies the selection criteria for the Index, then it replaces the original component company. If the surviving company does not satisfy the selection criteria for the Index, then the original component will be replaced by the highest ranked non-component on the selection list. Changes in the Index composition due to a merger or takeover are effective on the same day the corporate action becomes effective, following a minimum notification period of two trading days.

Index Calculation

The Index is calculated with the “Laspeyres formula,” which measures the aggregate price changes in the component stocks against a fixed base quantity weight. The formula for calculating the Index value can be expressed as follows:

 

Index =    free-float market capitalization of the Index    ×100
  adjusted base date market capitalization of the Index   

The free-float market capitalization of the Index is equal to the sum of the products of the closing price, market capitalization, and free-float factor for each component stock as of the time the Index is being calculated. Dow Jones calculates and disseminates the Index over a 24-hour dissemination period. The Index closing level is based on each component stock’s last traded price at the close of trading on its primary market during that day’s Index dissemination period and is published at 5:30 p.m., New York City time. If, on a particular day, a stock does not trade at all, or trading in a stock is suspended before the opening of its primary market or the primary market for a stock is closed due to a holiday, Dow Jones will use the stock’s closing price for the previous day to calculate the Index closing level for that day. All trading prices are converted into U.S. dollars and the Index closing level for a trading day is determined by using the last available WM closing spot rates as reported by Reuters on that trading day.

Index Divisor Adjustments

Dow Jones uses an index divisor to insulate the Index from the effects of component changes to the Index and various corporate actions. Dow Jones divides the affected Index’s market capitalization by the index divisor after the close of trading on each day that there is a change in either Index membership or shares outstanding for an Index component. The index divisor is adjusted as necessary to maintain the continuity of the Index and to prevent distortions due to changes in the composition of the Index resulting from the addition, deletion, or replacement of component companies, as well as changes of more than 10% in a component company’s number of free-float shares. Other corporate actions requiring divisor adjustments include mergers, takeovers, spin-offs, rights offerings, share repurchases, public offerings, return of capital distributions, special cash distributions, and special stock distributions of other than the same stock.

Changes to Weightings

If the number of free-float shares outstanding for an Index component changes by more than 10% due to an extraordinary corporate action, then the new number of free-float shares and free-float weighting will become effective on the same day the corporate action becomes effective, following a minimum notification period of two trading days. If the number of free-float shares outstanding for an Index component changes by less than 10% due to an extraordinary corporate action, or if the changes occur over a prolonged period, then the number of free-float shares and free-float weighting will become effective at the next quarterly shares update. If a company’s free-float shares change due to changes in its ownership structure, then the new free-float total will become effective at the next quarterly shares update.

 

 

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

 

 

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The following graph sets forth the monthly historical performance of the Index in the period from January 2005 through December 2010. 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 level of the Index is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the LIRNs. On the pricing date, the closing level of the Index was 184.30.

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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

The “Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM” is a product of Dow Jones Indexes, a licensed trademark of CME, and has been licensed for use. “Dow Jones®”, “Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM” and “Dow Jones Indexes” are service marks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings, LLC, and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by us. The LIRNs based on the Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM, are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Dow Jones, CME or their respective affiliates. Dow Jones, CME and their respective affiliates make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the LIRNs or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the LIRNs particularly. The only relationship of Dow Jones, CME or any of their respective affiliates to us is the licensing of certain trademarks, trade names and service marks of Dow Jones and of the Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM, which is determined, composed and calculated by CME without regard to us or the LIRNs. Dow Jones and CME have no obligation to take the needs of us or the owners of the LIRNs into consideration in determining, composing or calculating Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM. Dow Jones, CME and their respective affiliates are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the LIRNs to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the LIRNs are to be converted into cash. Dow Jones, CME and their respective affiliates have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the LIRNs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the LIRNs currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the LIRNs. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the Dow Jones Global Titans 50 IndexSM and the LIRNs.

DOW JONES, CME AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE DOW JONES GLOBAL TITANS 50 INDEXSM OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND DOW JONES, CME AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. DOW JONES, CME AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, OWNERS OF THE LIRNs, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE DOW JONES GLOBAL TITANS 50 INDEXSM OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. DOW JONES, CME AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE DOW JONES GLOBAL TITANS 50 INDEXSM OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL DOW JONES, CME OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN CME AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF CME.

 

 

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

 

 

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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” beginning on page S-35 of 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 on page S-36 of 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. From time to time, there may be legislative proposals or interpretive guidance addressing the tax treatment of financial instruments such as the LIRNs. We cannot predict the likelihood of any such legislation or guidance being adopted, or the ultimate impact on the LIRNs. 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 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.

Additional Medicare Tax on Unearned Income. With respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. Holders, including individuals, 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 LIRNs.

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” beginning on page S-35 of product supplement LIRN-2.

 

 

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

 

 

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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.

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 through 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.

“Leveraged Index Return Notes®” and “LIRNs®” are our registered service marks.

 

 

Leveraged Index Return Notes®

 

 

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