Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration No. 333-180488
Subject to Completion
Preliminary Term Sheet dated October 16, 2012
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, and certain additional costs. See “Risk Factors” and “Additional Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 of product supplement LIRN-3.
The estimated initial value of the notes at the time the terms of the notes are set will be less than the public offering price. See “Summary” on the following page, “Risk Factors” on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-11 of this term sheet for additional information. The actual value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.
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) (2) |
$10.00 | $ | ||||||||
| Underwriting discount (1) (2) |
$0.20 | $ | ||||||||
| Proceeds, before expenses, to BAC |
$9.80 | $ | ||||||||
| (1) | For any purchase of 500,000 units or more in a single transaction by an individual investor, the public offering price and the underwriting discount will be $9.95 per unit and $0.15 per unit, respectively. |
| (2) | For any purchase by certain fee-based trusts and discretionary accounts managed by U.S. Trust operating through Bank of America, N.A., the public offering price and underwriting discount will be $9.80 per unit and $0.00 per unit, respectively. |
The notes:
| Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
Merrill Lynch & Co.
October , 2012
Units
$10 principal amount per unit
CUSIP No.
Bank of America
Pricing Date* October , 2012
Settlement Date* November , 2012
Maturity Date* April , 2014
*Subject to change based on the actual date the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”)
Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract
| • |
|
Maturity of approximately 18 months |
| • |
|
2-to-1 upside exposure to increases in the price of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, subject to a capped return of [40% to 44%] |
| • |
|
1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the price of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract beyond a 5% decline, with 95% of your principal at risk |
| • |
|
All payments occur at maturity and are subject to the credit risk of Bank of America Corporation |
| • |
|
No periodic interest payments |
| • |
|
Limited secondary market liquidity, with no exchange listing |
Enhanced Return
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
Summary
The Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract due April , 2014 (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 you a leveraged return, subject to a cap, if the Ending Value of the Market Measure, which is the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract (the “Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract”), is greater than its Starting Value. If the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value, you will lose a portion, which could be significant, of the principal amount of your notes. The amount you receive at maturity will be calculated based on the $10 Original Offering Price per unit and the performance of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract. See “Terms of the Notes” below.
Payments on the notes depend on our credit risk and on the performance of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract. The economic terms of the notes (including the Capped Value) are based on the rate we would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes and the terms of certain related hedging arrangements. The implied borrowing rate for market-linked notes is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. This difference in borrowing rate, as well as the underwriting discount and the hedging related charge described below, will reduce the economic terms of the notes to you and the estimated initial value of the notes.
Due to these factors, the public offering price you pay to purchase the notes will be greater than the estimated initial value of the notes determined immediately at the time the terms of the notes are set. This estimated initial value is expected to be between $9.65 and $9.69 per unit. The estimated initial value will be calculated shortly before pricing and will be set forth in the final term sheet made available to investors in the notes. For more information about the estimated initial value and the structuring of the notes, see “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-11.
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-2 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:
| § | Product supplement LIRN-3 dated April 2, 2012: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000119312512146420/d326518d424b5.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
These documents (together, the “Note Prospectus”) have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website as indicated above or obtained from MLPF&S by calling 1-866-500-5408.
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 LIRN-3. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to BAC.
Investor Considerations
We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-3 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments at Maturity
The below graph is based on hypothetical numbers and values.
|
This graph reflects the returns on the notes, based on the Participation Rate of 200%, a Threshold Value of 95% of the Starting Value and a Capped Value of $14.20, the midpoint of the Capped Value range of [$14.00 to $14.40]. The green line reflects the returns on the notes, while the dotted gray line reflects the returns of a direct investment in crude oil, as measured by the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract.
This graph has been prepared for purposes of illustration only. |
The following table and examples are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical returns on the notes. They illustrate the calculation of the Redemption Amount and total rate of return based on a hypothetical Starting Value of 100, Threshold Value of 95, Participation Rate of 200%, Capped Value of $14.20 per unit, and a range of hypothetical Ending Values. The actual amount you receive and the resulting total rate of return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Threshold Value, Ending Value, Capped Value, and whether you hold the notes to maturity. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes.
For recent actual prices of the Market Measure, see “The Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract” section below. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.
| Ending Value |
Percentage Change from Value to the Ending Value |
Redemption |
Total Rate | |||||||||||||||
| 60.00 | -40.00 | % | $6.50 | -35.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 70.00 | -30.00 | % | $7.50 | -25.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 80.00 | -20.00 | % | $8.50 | -15.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 90.00 | -10.00 | % | $9.50 | -5.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 94.00 | -6.00 | % | $9.90 | -1.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 95.00 | (1) | -5.00 | % | $10.00 | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||
| 97.00 | -3.00 | % | $10.00 | 0.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 100.00 | (2) | 0.00 | % | $10.00 | 0.00 | % | ||||||||||||
| 103.00 | 3.00 | % | $10.60 | 6.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 106.00 | 6.00 | % | $11.20 | 12.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 110.00 | 10.00 | % | $12.00 | 20.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 120.00 | 20.00 | % | $14.00 | 40.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 130.00 | 30.00 | % | $14.20 | (3) | 42.00 | % | ||||||||||||
| 140.00 | 40.00 | % | $14.20 | 42.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 150.00 | 50.00 | % | $14.20 | 42.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| 160.00 | 60.00 | % | $14.20 | 42.00 | % | |||||||||||||
| (1) | This is the hypothetical Threshold Value. |
| (2) | The hypothetical Starting Value of 100 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only, and does not represent a likely actual Starting Value for the Market Measure. |
| (3) | The Redemption Amount per unit cannot exceed the hypothetical Capped Value. |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-4 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
Redemption Amount Calculation Examples
Example 1
The Ending Value is 85.00, or 85.00% of the Starting Value:
| Starting Value: |
100.00 | |
| Ending Value: |
85.00 | |
| Threshold Value: |
95.00 |
| $10 - |
[ | $10 × | ( | 95 – 85 | ) | ] | = $9.00 | Redemption Amount per unit | ||||||||||
| 100 |
Example 2
The Ending Value is 98.00, or 98.00% of the Starting Value:
| Starting Value: |
100.00 | |
| Ending Value: |
98.00 | |
| Threshold Value: |
95.00 |
Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10.00, the Original Offering Price, since the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value but equal to or greater than the Threshold Value.
Example 3
The Ending Value is 110.00, or 110.00% of the Starting Value:
| Starting Value: |
100.00 | |
| Ending Value: |
110.00 |
| $10 + |
[ | $10 × 200% × | ( | 110 – 100 | ) | ] | = $12.00 | Redemption Amount per unit | ||||||||||
| 100 |
Example 4
The Ending Value is 150.00, or 150.00% of the Starting Value:
| Starting Value: |
100.00 | |
| Ending Value: |
150.00 |
| $10 + |
[ | $10 × 200% × | ( | 150 – 100 | ) | ] | = $20.00, however, because the Redemption Amount for the notes cannot exceed the Capped Value, the Redemption Amount will be $14.20 per unit | |||||||||||
| 100 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-5 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
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-9 of product supplement LIRN-3, 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 Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract as measured shortly before the maturity date, your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal. |
| § | Your return on the notes may be less than the yield you could earn by owning a conventional fixed or floating rate 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. |
| § | Your investment return, if any, is limited to the return represented by the Capped Value and may be less than a comparable investment directly in crude oil, as measured by the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract. |
| § | The public offering price you pay for the notes will exceed their estimated initial value. The estimated initial value of the notes that will be provided in the final term sheet is an estimate only, calculated to reflect the costs and charges included in the notes and the implied borrowing rate at the time the terms of the notes are set, and is provided for informational purposes only. The estimated initial value does not represent a minimum price at which we, MLPF&S or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your notes at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors, including changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. |
| § | A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. Neither we nor MLPF&S is obligated to make a market for, or to repurchase, the notes. There is no assurance that any party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price in any secondary market. |
| § | If you attempt to sell the notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and lower than their estimated initial value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the level of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, the implied borrowing rate we pay to issue market-linked notes, and the inclusion in the public offering price of the underwriting discount and the hedging related charge, all as further described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-11. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the notes in complex and unpredictable ways. |
| § | Our business activities as a full service financial institution, including our commercial and investment banking activities, our hedging and trading activities (including trades in crude oil and related futures contracts) and any hedging and trading activities we engage in for our clients’ accounts, may affect the market value and return of the notes and may create conflicts of interest with you. |
| § | Ownership of the notes will not entitle you to any rights with respect to crude oil or any related futures contracts. |
| § | Suspensions or disruptions of trading in crude oil and related futures contracts may adversely affect the value of the notes. |
| § | The notes will not be regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. |
| § | 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-34 of product supplement LIRN-3. |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-6 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
Additional Risk Factors
The price movements in the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract may not correlate with changes in Brent crude oil’s spot price.
The Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract is a futures contract for Brent crude oil that trades on the ICE. Unlike equities, which typically entitle the holder to a continuing stake in a corporation, a commodity futures contract is typically an agreement to buy a set amount of an underlying physical commodity at a predetermined price during a stated delivery period. A futures contract reflects the expected value of the underlying physical commodity upon delivery in the future. In contrast, the underlying physical commodity’s current or “spot” price reflects the immediate delivery value of the commodity.
The notes are linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract and not to the spot price of Brent crude oil, and an investment in the notes is not the same as buying and holding Brent crude oil. While price movements in the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract may correlate with changes in Brent crude oil’s spot price, the correlation will not be perfect and price movements in the spot market for Brent crude oil may not be reflected in the futures market (and vice versa). Accordingly, an increase in the spot price of Brent crude oil may not result in an increase in the price of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract. The price of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract may decrease while the spot price for Brent crude oil remains stable or increases, or does not decrease to the same extent.
The market value of the notes may be affected by price movements in distant-delivery futures contracts associated with the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract.
The price movements in the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract may not be reflected in the market value of the notes. If you are able to sell your notes, the price you receive could be affected by changes in the values of futures contracts for Brent crude oil that have more distant delivery dates than the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract. The prices for these distant-delivery futures contracts may not increase to the same extent as the prices of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, or may decrease to a greater extent, which may adversely affect the value of the notes.
The notes include the risk of a concentrated position in a single commodity.
The notes are linked to a single exchange-traded physical commodity underlying the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, Brent crude oil. An investment in the notes may therefore carry risks similar to a concentrated investment in a single commodity. Accordingly, a decline in the value of Brent crude oil may adversely affect the price of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract and the value of the notes. Technological advances or the discovery of new oil reserves could lead to increases in worldwide production of oil and corresponding decreases in the price of Brent crude oil. In addition, further development and commercial exploitation of alternative energy sources and technologies, including solar, wind, or geothermal energy and hybrid and electric automobiles, could reduce the demand for Brent crude oil and result in lower prices. As a result of any of these events, the value of the notes could decrease.
Crude oil prices can be volatile as a result of various factors that we cannot control, and this volatility may reduce the value of the notes.
Historically, oil prices have been highly volatile. They are affected by numerous factors, including oil supply and demand, the level of global industrial activity, the driving habits of consumers, political events and policies, regulations, weather, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs, and, especially, direct government intervention such as embargoes, and supply disruptions in major producing or consuming regions such as the Middle East, the United States, Latin America, and Russia. The outcome of meetings of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries also can affect liquidity and world oil supply and, consequently, the value of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract. Market expectations about these events and speculative activity also may cause oil prices to fluctuate unpredictably. If the volatility of Brent crude oil and the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract increases or decreases, the value of the notes may be adversely affected.
Furthermore, a significant proportion of world oil production capacity is controlled by a small number of producers. These producers have, in certain recent periods, implemented curtailments of output and trade. These efforts at supply curtailment, or the cessation of supply, could affect the value of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract. Additionally, the development of substitute products for oil could adversely affect the value of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract and the value of the notes.
The policies of the ICE are subject to change, in a manner which may reduce the value of the notes.
The policies of the ICE concerning the manner in which the price of Brent crude oil is calculated may change in the future. The ICE is not our affiliate, and we have no ability to control or predict the actions of the ICE. The ICE may also from time to time change its rules or bylaws or take emergency action under its rules. The ICE may discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of information relating to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract. Any such actions could affect the price of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, and therefore, the value of the notes.
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-7 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
Other Terms of the Notes
The provisions of this section supersede and replace the definition of “Market Disruption Event” set forth in product supplement LIRN-3.
Market Disruption Event
A “Market Disruption Event” means any of the following events as determined by the calculation agent:
| (A) | the suspension of, or material limitation on, trading in Brent crude oil, or futures contracts or options related to Brent crude oil, on the Relevant Market (as defined below); |
| (B) | the failure of trading to commence, permanent discontinuance of trading, or a discontinuance of trading at or within 15 minutes of the close, in Brent crude oil, or futures contracts or options related to Brent crude oil, on the Relevant Market; |
| (C) | the failure of the ICE to calculate or publish the official settlement price of Brent crude oil for that day (or the information necessary for determining the official settlement prices); or |
| (D) | any other event which the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, materially interferes with its ability or the ability of any of its affiliates to unwind all or a material portion of a hedge that the calculation agent or its 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 ICE in the Relevant Market under ordinary circumstances. |
“Relevant Market” means the market on which members of the ICE, or any successor thereto, quote prices for the buying and selling of Brent crude oil, or if such market is no longer the principal trading market for Brent crude oil or options or futures contracts for Brent crude oil, such other exchange or principal trading market for Brent crude oil, as determined in good faith by the calculation agent, which serves as the source of prices for Brent crude oil, and any principal exchanges where options or futures contracts on Brent crude oil are traded.
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-8 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
The Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract
We have derived all information regarding the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract and the ICE from publicly available sources. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change without notice by, the ICE. The consequences of the ICE discontinuing trading in the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract are discussed in the section entitled “Discontinuance of a Market Measure” beginning on page S-27 of product supplement LIRN-3. None of us, the calculation agent, or MLPF&S accepts any responsibility for the calculation or dissemination of information relating to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract.
The Futures Market
An exchange-traded futures contract, such as the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, provides for the future purchase and sale of a specified type and quantity of a commodity, at a particular price and on a specific date. Futures contracts are standardized so that each investor trades contracts with the same requirements as to quality, quantity, and delivery terms. Rather than settlement by physical delivery of the commodity, futures contracts may be settled for the cash value of the right to receive or sell the specified commodity on the specified date. Exchange-traded futures contracts are traded on organized exchanges such as the ICE, known as “contract markets,” through the facilities of a centralized clearing house and a brokerage firm which is a member of the clearing house.
The ICE Futures Europe
IntercontinentalExchange, Inc. was established in May 2000. Its founding shareholders represented some of the world’s largest energy traders. In June 2001, IntercontinentalExchange, Inc. expanded its business into futures trading by acquiring the International Petroleum Exchange (the “IPE”), now the ICE, which operated Europe’s leading open-outcry energy futures exchange. Since 2003, ICE has partnered with the Chicago Climate Exchange to host its electronic marketplace. In April 2005, the entire ICE portfolio of energy futures became fully electronic.
IPE, the predecessor of the ICE was established in London in 1980 as a traditional open-cry auction market by a group of energy and trading companies. The IPE launched the gas oil futures contracts in 1981, followed by the Brent crude oil futures contract in 1988 and the natural gas futures contract in 1997.
The ICE is a “Recognized Investment Exchange” in the United Kingdom and is regulated by the U.K. Financial Services Authority. Trading in futures and options is offered exclusively electronically, and access to the trading platform is offered directly via the Internet, through private telecommunications lines, through an independent software vendor, or through the ICE exchange member’s own system.
The Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract
The “Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract” is the first nearby Brent crude oil futures contract traded on the ICE. Brent crude oil has served as a global benchmark for Atlantic Basin crude oils in general, and low-sulfur (“sweet”) crude oils in particular, since the 1970’s. The Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract is a deliverable contract based on an Exchange of Futures for Physical Delivery, or “EFP”, with an option to cash settle. This mechanism enables companies to take delivery of physical crude supplies through EFP or, alternatively and more commonly, open positions that can be cash settled at expiration.
Trading in each first nearby futures contract ceases on the business day (a trading day which is not a public holiday in England and Wales) immediately preceding:
| • | either the 15th day before the first day of the delivery month, if that 15th day is a business day; or |
| • | if that 15th day is not a trading day, the next preceding business day. |
Trading hours for the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract are from 01:00 London local time (23:00 on Sundays) to 23:00 London local time. The contract price is in U.S. dollars and cents per barrel. The Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract trades in a contract size of 1,000 barrels (42,000 U.S. gallons). The minimum price fluctuation for the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract is one cent per barrel, and the ICE does not set forth a standard permitted maximum price fluctuation for the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract. The settlement price on each trading day is the weighted average price of trades during a two minute settlement period from 19:28:00, London time.
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-9 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
The following graph shows the monthly historical performance of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract in the period from January 2007 through September 2012. 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. On October 10, 2012, the settlement price of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract was 114.33.
This historical data on the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the price of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract during any period set forth above is not an indication that the price of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract 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 Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract.
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-10 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
Supplement to the Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest
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.
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.
We may deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than three business days following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the notes occurs more than three business days from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade 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 will not receive an underwriting discount for notes sold to certain fee-based trusts and fee-based discretionary accounts managed by U.S. Trust operating through Bank of America, N.A.
The value of the notes shown on your account statement will be based on MLPF&S’s estimate of the value of the notes if MLPF&S or another of our affiliates were to make a market in the notes, which it is not obligated to do. That estimate will be based upon the price that MLPF&S may pay for the notes in light of then prevailing market conditions, our creditworthiness and transaction costs. At certain times, this price may be higher than or lower than the estimated initial value of the notes.
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, and these will include MLPF&S’s trading commissions and mark-ups. MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions; however it is not obligated to engage in any such transactions.
Structuring the Notes
The notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the notes reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. In addition, because market-linked notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us, we typically borrow the funds under these notes at a rate that is more favorable to us than the rate that we might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable estimated maturity and is generally lower by an amount ranging from 0.25% to 0.50% per annum (equivalent to $0.04 to $0.07 per unit) at the time we commence the offering of our market-linked notes. This generally relatively lower implied borrowing rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the notes, along with the fees and charges associated with market-linked notes, typically reduces the estimated initial value of the notes at the time the terms of the notes are set.
At maturity, we are required to pay the Redemption Amount to holders of the notes, which will be calculated based on the performance of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract and the $10 per unit Original Offering Price. In order to meet these payment obligations, at the time we issue the notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with MLPF&S or one of its affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined based upon terms provided by MLPF&S and its affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, the tenor of the note and the tenor of the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the notes depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.
MLPF&S has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include a hedging related charge of approximately $0.075 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit to be credited to MLPF&S from these transactions. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, actual profits or losses from these hedging transactions may be more or less than this amount.
The lower implied borrowing rate, the underwriting discount and the hedging-related costs and charges, reduce the economic terms of the notes to you and result in the estimated initial value for the notes (estimated at the time the terms of the notes are set) being less than the public offering price for the notes. For further information, see “Risk Factors — General Risks Relating to LIRNs” beginning on page S-9 and “Use of Proceeds” on page S-19 of product supplement LIRN-3.
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-11 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
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 a single financial contract with respect to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract. |
| • | Under this characterization and tax treatment of the notes, a U.S. Holder (as defined beginning on page 62 of the prospectus) generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon maturity or upon a sale or exchange of the notes prior to maturity. This capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held 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-34 of product supplement LIRN-3.
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-12 |
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract, due April , 2014 |
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
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 Return Market-Linked Investment or guarantee any performance.
Enhanced Return Market-Linked Investments are short- to medium-term investments that 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 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.
| Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® | TS-13 |