424B2 1 d387563d424b2.htm TERM SHEET Term Sheet

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)

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., due August 9, 2013

  2,332,389   $10.00   $23,323,890.00   $2,672.92

 

 

(1)

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


 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424 (b)(2)

Registration No. 333-180488

 

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The notes are being issued by Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”). There are important differences between the notes 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-8 of product supplement STEPS-4.

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 (as defined below) is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

    

Per Unit

      

Total

        

Public offering price (1)

     $10.000           $23,323,890.00        

Underwriting discount

     $0.175               $408,168.08        

Proceeds, before expenses, to BAC

     $9.825           $22,915,721.92        

 

  (1)

Plus accrued interest from the scheduled settlement date, if settlement occurs after that date.

The notes:

 

    

 

Are Not FDIC Insured

 

  

 

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

 

  

 

May Lose Value

 

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

July 26, 2012

 

2,332,389 Units

$10 principal amount per unit

CUSIP No. 06051R667

Pricing Date July 26, 2012

Settlement Date August 2, 2012

Maturity Date August 9, 2013

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.

 

 

Maturity of approximately one year

 

 

Interest payable quarterly at the rate of 11% per annum

 

 

A payment of $0.743 per unit if the Underlying Stock increases to or above 111.00% of the Starting Value

 

 

1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Underlying Stock beyond a 5% decline, with up to 95% of your principal at risk

 

 

All payments on the notes subject to the credit risk of Bank of America Corporation

 

 

Limited secondary market liquidity, with no exchange listing


STEP Income Securities®

Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., due August 9, 2013

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Summary

The STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., due August 9, 2013 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The notes 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. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of BAC. The notes provide quarterly interest payments. Additionally, if the Ending Value is at or above the Step Level, the notes will also provide a payment of $0.743 per unit at maturity. If the Ending Value is less than the Step Level, the Redemption Amount will not be greater than your principal amount. If the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value, the Redemption Amount will be less, and possibly significantly less, than the principal amount of your notes.

The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and the documents listed below (together, the “Note Prospectus”). The documents have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website as indicated below or obtained from MLPF&S by calling 1-866-500-5408:

 

  §  

Product supplement STEPS-4 dated April 3, 2012:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000119312512147923/d326525d424b5.htm

 

  §  

Series L MTN prospectus supplement dated March 30, 2012 and prospectus dated March 30, 2012:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000119312512143855/d323958d424b5.htm

Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, for information about us and this offering. Any prior or contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you may have received are superseded by the Note Prospectus. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement STEPS-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 Notes

 

Issuer:

 

 

Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”)

 

Original Offering Price:

 

 

$10 per unit

 

Term:

 

 

Approximately one year

 

Underlying Stock:

 

 

Common stock of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (the “Underlying Company”) (NYSE symbol: FCX)

 

Starting Value:

 

 

32.13 (the Volume Weighted Average Price on the pricing date)

 

Volume Weighted Average Price:

 

 

The volume weighted average price (rounded to two decimal places) shown on page “AQR” on Bloomberg L.P. for trading in shares of the Underlying Stock taking place from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 4:02 p.m. on all U.S. exchanges.

 

Ending Value:

 

 

The Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the valuation date, multiplied by the Price Multiplier. The valuation date is subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page S-19 of product supplement STEPS-4.

 

Valuation Date:

 

 

August 2, 2013

 

Interest Rate:

 

 

11.00% per annum

 

Interest Payment Dates:

 

 

Quarterly, on November 9, 2012, February 9, 2013, May 9, 2013 and the maturity date

 

Step Payment:

 

 

$0.743 per unit, which represents a return of 7.43% of the Original Offering Price.

 

Step Level:

 

 

35.66 (111.00% of the Starting Value, rounded to two decimal places)

 

Threshold Value:

 

 

30.52 (95.00% of the Starting Value, rounded to two decimal places)

 

Price Multiplier:

 

 

1, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to the Underlying Stock described beginning on page S-33 of product supplement STEPS-4.

 

Calculation Agent:

 

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a subsidiary of BAC.

 

Fees Charged:

 

 

The public offering price of the notes includes the underwriting discount of $0.175 per unit as listed on the cover page and an additional charge of $0.075 per unit more fully described on page TS-7.

 

Redemption Amount Determination

In addition to interest payable, on the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows:

 

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STEP Income Securities®

 

 

TS-2


STEP Income Securities®

Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., due August 9, 2013

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Investor Considerations

 

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

 

§  

You anticipate that the Ending Value will be greater than or equal to the Step Level.

 

§  

You seek interest payments on your investment.

 

§  

You accept that the maximum return on the notes is limited to the sum of the quarterly interest payments and the Step Payment, if any.

 

§  

You accept that your investment will result in a loss, which could be significant, if the Ending Value is below the Threshold Value.

 

§  

You are willing to forgo dividends or other benefits of owning shares of the Underlying Stock.

 

§  

You are willing to accept a limited market for sales prior to maturity, and understand that the market prices for the notes, if any, will be affected by various factors, including our actual and perceived creditworthiness, and the fees charged on the notes, as described on page TS-2.

 

§  

You are willing to assume our credit risk, as issuer of the notes, for all payments under the notes, including the Redemption Amount.

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

 

§  

You anticipate that the Ending Value will be less than the Step Level.

 

§  

You anticipate that the price of the Underlying Stock will increase substantially and do not want a payment at maturity that is limited to the Step Payment.

 

§  

You seek 100% principal protection or preservation of capital.

 

§  

In addition to interest payments, you seek an additional guaranteed return above the principal amount.

 

§  

You seek to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the Underlying Stock.

 

§  

You seek an investment for which there will be a liquid secondary market.

 

§  

You are unwilling or are unable to take market risk on the notes or to take our credit risk as issuer of the notes.

 

 

We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

Hypothetical Payments at Maturity

The following examples are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical payments on the notes. The actual amount you receive and the resulting return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Threshold Value, Ending Value, Step Level, and term of your investment. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes. These examples are based on:

 

1) a Starting Value of 100.00;

 

2) a Threshold Value of 95.00;

 

3) a Step Level of 111.00;

 

4) the Step Payment of $0.743 per unit;

 

5) the term of the notes from August 2, 2012 to August 9, 2013; and

 

6) the interest rate of 11.00% per annum.

The hypothetical Starting Value of 100.00 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only. The actual Starting Value is 32.13, which was the Volume Weighted Average Price of the Underlying Stock on the pricing date. For recent actual prices of the Underlying Stock, see “The Underlying Stock” section below. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.

Example 1

The Ending Value is 115.00 (115.00% of the Starting Value)

The Ending Value is greater than the Step Level. Consequently, in addition to the quarterly interest payments, you will receive on the maturity date the principal amount of your notes plus the Step Payment of $0.743 per unit. The Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date will therefore be equal to $10.743 per unit ($10.000 plus the Step Payment of $0.743 per unit).

Example 2

The Ending Value is 105.00 (105.00% of the Starting Value)

The Ending Value is greater than the Starting Value but below the Step Level. Consequently, you will receive the quarterly interest payments, but you will not receive the Step Payment on the maturity date. The Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date will therefore be equal to $10.000.

 

 

STEP Income Securities®

 

 

TS-3


STEP Income Securities®

Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., due August 9, 2013

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Example 3

The Ending Value is 96.00 (96.00% of the Starting Value)

The Ending Value is less than the Starting Value, but greater than the Threshold Value. Consequently, you will receive the quarterly interest payments, but you will not receive the Step Payment on the maturity date. The Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date will therefore be equal to $10.000.

Example 4

The Ending Value is 70.00 (70.00% of the Starting Value)

The Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value. Consequently, you will receive the quarterly interest payments, but you will not receive the Step Payment on the maturity date, and you will participate on a 1-for-1 basis in the decrease in the price of the Underlying Stock below the Threshold Value. The Redemption Amount per unit will equal:

 

   

$10 –

  [   $10 ×   (   95.00 –  70.00   )     ]   = $7.50  
            100.00          

On the maturity date, you will receive the Redemption Amount per unit of $7.500.

Summary of the Hypothetical Examples

 

         
      Example 1    Example 2    Example 3    Example 4
   
     

The Ending Value is

greater than or equal to

the Step Level

  

The Ending Value is

less than the Step Level

but greater than or

equal to the Starting

Value

  

The Ending Value is

less than the Starting

Value but greater

than or equal to the

Threshold Value

  

The Ending Value

is less than the

Threshold Value

   

Starting Value

   100.00    100.00    100.00    100.00
   

Ending Value

   115.00    105.00    96.00    70.00
   

Step Level

   111.00    111.00    111.00    111.00
   

Threshold Value

   95.00    95.00    95.00    95.00
   

Interest Rate (per annum)

   11.00%    11.00%    11.00%    11.00%
   

Step Payment

   $0.743    $0.000    $0.000    $0.000
   

Redemption Amount per Unit

   $10.743    $10.000    $10.000    $7.500
   

Total Return of the Underlying Stock (1)

   18.95%    8.95%    -0.05%    -26.05%
   

Total Return on the Notes (2)

   18.64%    11.21%    11.21%    -13.79%
   
                     

 

(1)

The total return of the Underlying Stock assumes:

 

  (a) the percentage change in the price of the Underlying Stock from the Starting Value to the Ending Value;

 

  (b) a constant dividend yield of 3.87% per year; and

 

  (c) no transaction fees or expenses.

 

(2)

The total return on the notes includes interest paid on the notes from August 2, 2012 to August 9, 2013.

 

 

STEP Income Securities®

 

 

TS-4


STEP Income Securities®

Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., due August 9, 2013

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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. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page S-8 of product supplement STEPS-4, page S-5 of the MTN prospectus supplement, and page 8 of the prospectus identified above under “Summary”. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

 

  §  

Depending on the performance of the Underlying Stock as measured shortly before the maturity date, your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal.

 

  §  

Your yield may be less than the yield you could earn by owning a conventional debt security of comparable maturity.

 

  §  

Payments on the notes are subject to our credit risk, and actual or perceived changes in our creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the notes. If we become insolvent or are unable to pay our obligations, you may lose your entire investment.

 

  §  

You will not receive a Step Payment at maturity unless the Ending Value is greater than or equal to the Step Level.

 

  §  

Your investment return, if any, is limited to the return represented by the periodic interest payments over the term of the notes and the Step Payment, if any, and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the Underlying Stock.

 

  §  

If you attempt to sell the notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for the notes due to, among other things, the inclusion of fees charged for developing, hedging and distributing of the notes, as described on page TS-7 and various credit, market and economic factors that interrelate in complex and unpredictable ways.

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

Our business activities as a full service financial institution, including our commercial and investment banking activities, our hedging and trading activities (including trades in shares of the Underlying Stock) and any hedging and trading activities we engage in for our clients’ accounts, may affect the market value of the notes and their return and may create conflicts of interest with you.

 

  §  

The Underlying Company will have no obligations relating to the notes, and neither we nor MLPF&S will perform any due diligence procedures with respect to the Underlying Company in connection with this offering.

 

  §  

You will have no rights of a holder of the Underlying Stock, and you will not be entitled to receive shares of the Underlying Stock or dividends or other distributions by the Underlying Company.

 

  §  

While we or our affiliates may from time to time own shares of the Underlying Company, we do not control the Underlying Company, and are not responsible for any disclosure made by the Underlying Company.

 

  §  

The Redemption Amount will not be adjusted for all corporate events that could affect the Underlying Stock. See “Description of the Notes — Anti-Dilution Adjustments” beginning on page S-22 of product supplement STEPS-4.

 

  §  

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” below and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page S-30 of product supplement STEPS-4.

 

 

STEP Income Securities®

 

 

TS-5


STEP Income Securities®

Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., due August 9, 2013

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The Underlying Stock

We have derived the following information from publicly available documents published by the Underlying Company. We have not performed any independent review of the following information. The Underlying Company, through its subsidiary, is a copper, gold and molybdenum mining company. The Underlying Company primarily mines for copper and owns mining interests in Chile and Indonesia. The Underlying Company, through a subsidiary, is also involved in smelting and refining of copper concentrates.

Because the Underlying Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Underlying Company is required to file periodically certain financial and other information specified by the SEC. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the Underlying Company can be located at the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549 or through the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov by reference to SEC CIK number 831259.

This term sheet relates only to the notes and does not relate to the Underlying Stock or to any other securities of the Underlying Company. Neither we nor any of our affiliates have participated or will participate in the preparation of the Underlying Company’s publicly available documents. Neither we nor any of our affiliates have made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Underlying Company in connection with the offering of the notes. Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation that the publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the Underlying Company are accurate or complete. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that all events occurring prior to the date of this term sheet, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of these publicly available documents that would affect the trading price of the Underlying Stock, have been or will be publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the Underlying Company could affect the value of the Underlying Stock and therefore could affect your return on the notes. The selection of the Underlying Stock is not a recommendation to buy or sell the Underlying Stock.

The Underlying Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FCX”.

Historical Data

The following table shows the quarterly high and low Closing Market Prices of the shares of the Underlying Stock on its primary exchange from the first quarter of 2007 through the pricing date. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P.

 

              High ($)            Low ($)    

2007

   First Quarter    33.10    25.25
   Second Quarter    42.21    33.37
   Third Quarter    54.34    36.53
   Fourth Quarter    58.93    44.64

2008

   First Quarter    53.29    38.58
   Second Quarter    62.93    48.82
   Third Quarter    57.78    26.61
   Fourth Quarter    26.48    8.40

2009

   First Quarter    21.53    11.07
   Second Quarter    30.21    19.14
   Third Quarter    36.58    22.50
   Fourth Quarter    43.66    32.70

2010

   First Quarter    44.05    33.35
   Second Quarter    43.67    29.33
   Third Quarter    43.52    29.09
   Fourth Quarter    60.05    43.62

2011

   First Quarter    60.92    47.79
   Second Quarter    57.44    46.83
   Third Quarter    56.30    30.45
   Fourth Quarter    42.80    29.87

2012

   First Quarter    46.73    37.36
   Second Quarter    39.11    31.60
   Third Quarter (through the pricing date)    35.47    31.43

This historical data on the Underlying Stock is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Underlying Stock or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the price per share of the Underlying Stock

 

 

STEP Income Securities®

 

 

TS-6


STEP Income Securities®

Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., due August 9, 2013

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during any period set forth above is not an indication that the price per share of the Underlying Stock is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the prices and trading pattern of the Underlying Stock.

Supplement to the Plan of Distribution

We will 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, purchasers who wish to trade the 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.

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. In the original offering of the notes, the notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units.

If you place an order to purchase the notes, you are consenting to MLPF&S acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.

MLPF&S may repurchase and resell the notes, with repurchases and resales being made at prices related to then-prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions; however it is not obligated to engage in any such transactions.

Role of MLPF&S and Conflicts of Interest

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 notes. Accordingly, offerings of the notes will conform to the requirements of Rule 5121 applicable to FINRA members. MLPF&S may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the account holder.

Under our distribution agreement with MLPF&S, MLPF&S will purchase the notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount. The public offering price includes, in addition to the underwriting discount, a charge of approximately $0.075 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit earned by MLPF&S from transactions through which the notes are structured and resulting obligations hedged. Actual profits or losses from these hedging transactions may be more or less than this amount. In entering into the hedging arrangements for the notes, we seek competitive terms and may enter into hedging transactions with MLPF&S or another of our affiliates.

All charges related to the notes, including the underwriting discount and the hedging related costs and charges, reduce the economic terms of the notes. For further information regarding these charges, our trading and hedging activities and conflicts of interest, see “Risk Factors — General Risks Relating to the Notes” beginning on page S-8 and “Use of Proceeds” on page S-17 in product supplement STEPS-4.

Summary Tax Consequences

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

 

   

There is no statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addressing the characterization of the notes.

 

   

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 an income-bearing single financial contract linked to the Underlying Stock.

 

   

Under this characterization and tax treatment of the notes, we intend to take the position that the stated periodic interest payments constitute taxable ordinary income to a U.S. Holder (as defined beginning on page 62 of the prospectus) at the time received or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting. Upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale or exchange of the notes prior to maturity (other than amounts representing accrued stated periodic interest payments), a U.S. Holder 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.

 

   

No assurance can be given that the IRS or any court will agree with this characterization and tax treatment.

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. You should review carefully the discussion under the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page S-30 of product supplement STEPS-4.

 

 

STEP Income Securities®

 

 

TS-7


STEP Income Securities®

Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., due August 9, 2013

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Validity of the Notes

In the opinion of McGuireWoods LLP, as counsel to BAC, when the trustee has made an appropriate entry on Schedule 1 to the Master Registered Global Senior Note, dated March 30, 2012 (the “Master Note”) identifying the notes offered hereby as supplemental obligations thereunder in accordance with the instructions of BAC, and the notes have been delivered against payment therefor as contemplated in this Note Prospectus, all in accordance with the provisions of the Senior Indenture, such notes will be legal, valid and binding obligations of BAC, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors now or hereafter in effect, and to equitable principles that may limit the right to specific enforcement of remedies, and further subject to 12 U.S.C. §1818(b)(6)(D) (or any successor statute) and any bank regulatory powers now or hereafter in effect and to the application of principles of public policy. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the federal laws of the United States, the laws of the State of New York and the Delaware General Corporation Law (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting the foregoing). In addition, this opinion is subject to the assumption that the trustee’s certificate of authentication of the Master Note has been manually signed by one of the trustee’s authorized officers and to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the Senior Indenture, the validity, binding nature and enforceability of the Senior Indenture with respect to the trustee, the legal capacity of natural persons, the genuineness of signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to McGuireWoods LLP as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to McGuireWoods LLP as photocopies thereof, the authenticity of the originals of such copies and certain factual matters, all as stated in the letter of McGuireWoods LLP dated March 30, 2012, which has been filed as an exhibit to BAC’s Registration Statement relating to the notes filed with the SEC on March 30, 2012.

Where You Can Find More Information

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 Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, and the other documents 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 these documents if you so request by calling MLPF&S toll-free at 1-866-500-5408.

Market-Linked Investments Classification

 

LOGO

MLPF&S classifies certain market-linked investments (the “Market-Linked Investments”) into categories, each with different investment characteristics. The following description is meant solely for informational purposes and is not intended to represent any particular Enhanced Income Market-Linked Investment or guarantee any performance.

Enhanced Income Market-Linked Investments are short- to medium-term market-linked notes that 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.

STEP Income Securities®” and “STEPS®” are our registered service marks.

 

 

STEP Income Securities®

 

 

TS-8