Subject to Completion Preliminary Term Sheet dated
November 21, 2017 Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-202524
(To Prospectus dated March 5, 2015,
Prospectus Supplement dated March 5, 2015 and
Product Supplement EQUITY INDICES STR-1 dated
April 23, 2015)

Units	Pricing Date*	November   , 2017
$10 principal amount per unit	Settlement Date*	November   , 2017
CUSIP No.	Maturity Date*	November   , 2021
	* Subject to change based on the actual date the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”)

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index

§ Automatically callable if the closing level of the Index on any Observation Date, occurring approximately one, two, three and four years after the pricing date, is at or above the Starting Value

§ In the event of an automatic call, the amount payable per unit will be:

§ [$11.20 to $11.30] if called on the first Observation Date

§ [$12.40 to $12.60] if called on the second Observation Date

§ [$13.60 to $13.90] if called on the third Observation Date

§ [$14.80 to $15.20] if called on the final Observation Date

§ If not called on the first three Observation Dates, a maturity of approximately four years

§ If not called, 1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Index, with up to 100% of the principal amount at risk

§ All payments are subject to the credit risk of HSBC USA Inc.

§ No interest payments

§ In addition to the underwriting discount set forth below, the notes include a hedging-related charge of $0.075 per unit. See “Supplement to the Plan of Distribution—Role of MLPF&S”

§ No listing on any securities exchange

 

The notes are being issued by HSBC USA Inc. (“HSBC”). Investing in the notes involves a number of risks. There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks and costs. See “Risk Factors” and “Additional Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-7 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES STR-1.

The estimated initial value of the notes on the pricing date is expected to be between $9.50 and $9.80 per unit, which will be less than the public offering price listed below. The market value of the notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy. See “Summary” on page TS-2 and “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet for additional information.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or passed upon the accuracy or the adequacy of this document, the accompanying product supplement, prospectus or prospectus supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

	Per Unit	Total
Public offering price(1)	$    10.00	$
Underwriting discount(1)	$      0.20	$
Proceeds, before expenses, to HSBC	$      9.80	$

(1) For any purchase of 500,000 units or more in a single transaction by an individual investor or in combined transactions with the investor's household in this offering, the public offering price and the underwriting discount will be $9.95 per unit and $0.15 per unit, respectively. See “Supplement to the Plan of Distribution” below.

The notes:

Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

Merrill Lynch & Co.

November , 2017

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

Summary

The Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November , 2021 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities and are not a direct or indirect obligation of any third party. The notes are not deposit liabilities or other obligations of a bank and are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States or any other jurisdiction. The notes will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured debt. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, depend on the credit risk of HSBC and its ability to satisfy its obligations as they come due. The notes will be automatically called at the applicable Call Amount if the closing level of the Index, which is the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (the “Index”), on any Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Starting Value. If your notes are not called, you will lose all or a portion of the principal amount of your notes. Payments on the notes, including the amount you receive at maturity or upon an automatic call, will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit and will depend on the performance of the Index, subject to our credit risk. See “Terms of the Notes” below.

The estimated initial value of the notes will be less than the price you pay to purchase the notes. The estimated initial value is determined by reference to our or our affiliates’ internal pricing models and reflects our internal funding rate, which is the borrowing rate we pay to issue market-linked notes, and the market prices for hedging arrangements related to the notes (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives). This internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would use when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. The difference in the borrowing rate, as well as the underwriting discount and the costs associated with hedging the notes, including the hedging related charge described below, will reduce the economic terms of the notes (including the Call Amounts and Call Premiums). The notes are subject to an automatic call, and the initial estimated value is based on an assumed tenor of the notes. The estimated initial value will be calculated on the pricing date and will be set forth in the pricing supplement to which this term sheet relates.

Terms of the Notes		Payment Determination
Issuer:	HSBC USA Inc. (“HSBC”)	Automatic Call Provision:   Redemption Amount Determination: If the notes are not called you will receive the Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date, determined as follows:   You will receive per unit:   Because the Threshold Value for the notes is equal to the Starting Value, you will lose all or a portion of your investment if the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value.
Principal Amount:	$10.00 per unit
Term:	Approximately four years, if not called on the first three Observation Dates
Market Measure:	The S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index (Bloomberg symbol: “SPSIBI”), a price return index.
Starting Value:	The closing level of the Index on the pricing date.
Ending Value:	The Observation Level of the Index on the final Observation Date.
Observation Level:	The closing level of the Index on any Observation Date.
Observation Dates:	On or about November , 2018, November , 2019, November , 2020 and November , 2021 (the final Observation Date), approximately one, two, three and four years after the pricing date. The scheduled Observation Dates are subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-18 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES STR-1.
Call Level:	100% of the Starting Value
Call Amounts (per Unit) and Call Premiums:	[$11.20 to $11.30], representing a Call Premium of [12.00% to 13.00%] of the principal amount, if called on the first Observation Date; [$12.40 to $12.60], representing a Call Premium of [24.00% to 26.00%] of the principal amount, if called on the second Observation Date; [$13.60 to $13.90], representing a Call Premium of [36.00% to 39.00%] of the principal amount, if called on the third Observation Date; and [$14.80 to $15.20], representing a Call Premium of [48.00% to 52.00%] of the principal amount, if called on the final Observation Date. The actual Call Amounts and Call Premiums will be determined on the pricing date.
Call Settlement Dates:	Approximately the fifth business day following the applicable Observation Date, subject to postponement as described beginning on page PS-17 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES STR-1; provided however, that the Call Settlement Date related to the final Observation Date will be the maturity date.
Threshold Value:	100% of the Starting Value.
Fees Charged:	The public offering price of the notes includes the underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit as listed on the cover page and an additional charge of $0.075 per unit more fully described on page TS-11.
Calculation Agent:	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) and HSBC, acting jointly.

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-2

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

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 1-800-294-1322:

§ Product supplement EQUITY INDICES STR-1 dated April 23, 2015:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420415024641/v408141_424b2.htm

§ Prospectus supplement dated March 5, 2015:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420415014311/v403645_424b2.htm

§ Prospectus dated March 5, 2015:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000119312515078931/d884345d424b3.htm

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 83246. 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. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth under “Risk Factors” in the section indicated on the cover of this term sheet. The notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement EQUITY INDICES STR-1. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to HSBC.

Investor Considerations

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

§ You anticipate that the closing level of the Index on any of the Observation Dates will be equal to or greater than the Starting Value and, in that case, you accept an early exit from your investment.

§ You accept that the return on the notes will be limited to the return represented by the applicable Call Premium even if the percentage change in the level of the Index is significantly greater than the applicable Call Premium.

§ If the notes are not called, you accept that your investment will result in a loss, which could be significant, if the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value.

§ You are willing to forgo the interest payments that are paid on traditional interest bearing debt securities.

§ You are willing to forgo dividends or other benefits of owning the stocks included in the Index.

§ You are willing to accept that a secondary market is not expected to develop for the notes, and understand that the market prices for the notes, if any, may be less than the principal amount and will be affected by various factors, including our actual and perceived creditworthiness, our internal funding rate and the fees charged, 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 Call Amounts and the Redemption Amount.

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

§ You wish to make an investment that cannot be automatically called prior to maturity.

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

§ You anticipate that the Observation Level will be less than the Call Level on each Observation Date.

§ You seek an uncapped return on your investment

§ You seek principal repayment 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 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.

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-3

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

Examples of Hypothetical Payments

The following 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 Call Amount or Redemption Amount, as applicable, based on the hypothetical terms set forth below. The actual amount you receive and the resulting return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Threshold Value, Call Level, Observation Levels, Call Premiums, and the 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 100.00;

3) a Call Level of 100.00;

4) an expected term of the notes of approximately four years, if the notes are not called on the first three Observation Dates;

5) a Call Premium of 12.50% of the principal amount if the notes are called on the first Observation Date; 25.00% if called on the second Observation Date; 37.50% if called on the third Observation Date; and 50.00% if called on the final Observation Date (the midpoint of the applicable Call Premium ranges); and

6) Observation Dates occurring approximately one, two, three and four years after the pricing date.

The hypothetical Starting Value of 100.00 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only, and does not represent a likely actual Starting Value of the Index. For recent actual levels of the Index, see “The Index” section below. The Index is a price return index and as such the level of the Index 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. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-4

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

Notes Are Called on an Observation Date

The notes will be called at $10.00 plus the applicable Call Premium if the Observation Level on one of the Observation Dates is equal to or greater than the Call Level. After the notes are called, they will no longer remain outstanding and there will not be any further payments on the notes.

Example 1 - The Observation Level on the first Observation Date is 110.00. Therefore, the notes will be called at $10.00 plus the Call Premium of $1.25 = $11.25 per unit.

Example 2 - The Observation Level on the first Observation Date is below the Call Level, but the Observation Level on the second Observation Date is 105.00. Therefore, the notes will be called at $10.00 plus the Call Premium of $2.50 = $12.50 per unit.

Example 3 - The Observation Levels on the first and second Observation Dates are below the Call Level, but the Observation Level on the third Observation Date is 105.00. Therefore, the notes will be called at $10.00 plus the Call Premium of $3.75 = $13.75 per unit.

Example 4 - The Observation Levels on the first, second and third Observation Dates are below the Call Level, but the Observation Level on the fourth Observation Date is 110.00. Therefore, the notes will be called at $10.00 plus the Call Premium of $5.00 = $15.00 per unit.

Notes Are Not Called on Any Observation Date

Example 5 - The notes are not called on any Observation Date and the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value. The Redemption Amount will be less, and possibly significantly less, than the principal amount. For example, if the Ending Value is 85.00, the Redemption Amount per unit will be:

 

Summary of the Hypothetical Examples
	Notes Are Called on an Observation Date				Notes Are Not Called on Any Observation Date
	Example 1	Example 2	Example 3	Example 4	Example 5
Starting Value	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Call Level	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Threshold Value	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Observation Level on the First Observation Date	110.00	90.00	90.00	90.00	88.00
Observation Level on the Second Observation Date	N/A	105.00	90.00	90.00	78.00
Observation Level on the Third Observation Date	N/A	N/A	105.00	90.00	85.00
Observation Level on the Final Observation Date	N/A	N/A	N/A	110.00	95.00
Return of the Index	10.00%	5.00%	5.00%	10.00%	-15.00%
Return of the Notes	12.50%	25.00%	37.50%	50.00%	-15.00%
Call Amount / Redemption Amount per Unit	$11.25	$12.50	$13.75	$15.00	$8.50

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-5

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

Risk Factors

We urge you to read the section “Risk Factors” in the product supplement and in the accompanying prospectus supplement. Investing in the notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the stocks included in the Index. You should understand the risks of investing in the notes and should reach an investment decision only after careful consideration, with your advisers, with respect to the notes in light of your particular financial and other circumstances and the information set forth in this term sheet and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus.

In addition to the risks in the product supplement identified below, you should review “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement, including the explanation of risks relating to the notes described in the section “— Risks Relating to All Note Issuances.”

§ If the notes are not called, your investment will 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.

§ Your investment return is limited to the return represented by the applicable Call Premium and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the stocks included in the Index.

§ 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.

§ The estimated initial value of the notes will be less than the public offering price and may differ from the market value of the notes in the secondary market, if any. We will determine the estimated initial value by reference to our or our affiliates’ internal pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables, which can include volatility and interest rates. These pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide valuations for the notes that are different from our estimated initial value. The estimated initial value will reflect our internal funding rate we use to issue market-linked notes, as well as the mid-market value of the hedging arrangements related to the notes (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives).

§ Our internal funding rate for the issuance of these notes is lower than the rate we would use when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. This is one of the factors that may result in the market value of the notes being less than their estimated initial value. As a result of the difference between our internal funding rate and the rate we would use when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities, the estimated initial value of the notes may be lower if it were based on the levels at which our fixed or floating rate debt securities trade in the secondary market. In addition, if we were to use the rate we use for our conventional fixed or floating rate debt issuances, we would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you.

§ The price of your notes in the secondary market, if any, immediately after the pricing date will be less than the public offering price. The public offering price takes into account certain costs, principally the underwriting discount, the hedging costs described on page TS-11 and the costs associated with issuing the notes. The costs associated with issuing the notes will be used or retained by us or one of our affiliates. If you were to sell your notes in the secondary market, if any, the price you would receive for your notes may be less than the price you paid for them.

§ The estimated initial value does not represent a minimum price at which we, MLPF&S or any of our respective affiliates would be willing to purchase your notes in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The price of your notes in the secondary market, if any, at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors, including the level of the Index and changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. The notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments, and you should, therefore, be able and willing to hold the notes to maturity. Any sale of the notes prior to maturity could result in a loss to you.

§ 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.

§ Our business, hedging and trading activities, and those of MLPF&S and our respective affiliates (including trades in shares of companies included in the Index), and any hedging and trading activities we, MLPF&S or our respective affiliates engage in for our clients’ accounts, may affect the market value and return of the notes and may create conflicts of interest with you.

§ The Index sponsor may adjust the Index in a way that affects its level, and has 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 by issuers of those securities.

§ While we, MLPF&S or our respective affiliates may from time to time own securities of companies included in the Index, we, MLPF&S and our respective affiliates do not control any company included in the Index, and have not verified any disclosure made by any other company.

§ There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agents, one of which is us and one of which is MLPF&S. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agents.

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-6

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

§ 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 PS-30 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES STR-1.

Additional Risk Factors

The stocks included in the Index are concentrated in one sector.

All of the stocks included in the Index are issued by companies in the biotechnology sector. As a result, the stocks that will determine the performance of the notes are concentrated in the biotechnology sector. Although an investment in the notes will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the stocks underlying the Index, the return on an investment in the notes will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct equity investment in companies in the biotechnology sector, including those discussed below. Accordingly, by investing in the notes, you will not benefit from the diversification that could result from an investment linked to companies in multiple sectors.

Adverse conditions in the biotechnology sector may reduce your return on the notes.

As noted above, all of the stocks included in the Index are issued by companies whose primary lines of business are directly associated with the biotechnology sector. The profitability of these companies is largely dependent on, among other things, demand for the companies’ products, regulatory influences on the biotechnology market (including healthcare reform and receipt of regulatory approvals and compliance with complex regulatory requirements), pricing and reimbursement from third party payors, continued innovation and successful development of new products, talent attraction and retention, maintaining intellectual property rights and industry competition. Any adverse developments affecting the biotechnology sector could adversely affect the level of the Index and, in turn, the value of the notes.

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-7

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

The Index

All disclosures contained in this term sheet regarding the Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index sponsor” or “S&P Dow Jones”). The Index sponsor, which owns the copyright and all other rights to the Index, has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Index. The consequences of the Index sponsor discontinuing publication of the Index are discussed in the section entitled “Description of the Notes—Discontinuance of an Index” beginning on page PS-20 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES STR-1. None of us, the calculation agents, or MLPF&S accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Index or any successor index.

The Index

The Index is an equally-weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of the biotechnology sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Market Index (“S&P TMI”), an index that measures the performance of the U.S. equity market. The S&P TMI includes all U.S. common equities listed on the NYSE (including NYSE Arca), the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, and the Nasdaq Capital Market. Each of the component stocks in the Index is a constituent company within the biotechnology sub-industry portion of the S&P TMI.

As of October 31, 2017, the Index included 101 index components, all of which accounted for less than 3.5% of the weight of the index.

To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, companies must be in the S&P TMI, and must be included in the relevant Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) sub-industry. The GICS was developed to establish a global standard for categorizing companies into sectors and industries. In addition, companies must satisfy one of the two following combined size and liquidity criteria:

1. float-adjusted market capitalization above US$500 million and float-adjusted liquidity ratio above 90%; or

2. float-adjusted market capitalization above US$400 million and float-adjusted liquidity ratio above 150%.

All U.S. companies satisfying these requirements are included in the Index. The total number of companies in the Index should be at least 35. If there are fewer than 35 stocks, stocks from a supplementary list of highly correlated sub-industries that meet the market capitalization and liquidity thresholds above are included in order of their float-adjusted market capitalization to reach 35 constituents. Minimum market capitalization requirements may be relaxed to ensure there are at least 22 companies in the Index as of each rebalancing effective date.

Eligibility factors include:

Market Capitalization: Float-adjusted market capitalization should be at least US$400 million for inclusion in the Index. Existing index components must have a float-adjusted market capitalization of US$300 million to remain in the Index at each rebalancing.

Liquidity: The liquidity measurement used is a liquidity ratio, defined as dollar value traded over the previous 12-months divided by the float-adjusted market capitalization as of the Index rebalancing reference date. Stocks having a float-adjusted market capitalization above US$500 million must have a liquidity ratio greater than 90% to be eligible for addition to the Index. Stocks having a float-adjusted market capitalization between US$400 and US$500 million must have a liquidity ratio greater than 150% to be eligible for addition to the Index. Existing index constituents must have a liquidity ratio greater than 50% to remain in the Index at the quarterly rebalancing. The length of time to evaluate liquidity is reduced to the available trading period for IPOs or spin-offs that do not have 12 months of trading history.

Domicile: U.S. companies only.

Takeover Restrictions: At the discretion of the Index sponsor, constituents with shareholder ownership restrictions defined in company organizational documents may be deemed ineligible for inclusion in the Index. Ownership restrictions preventing entities from replicating the index weight of a company may be excluded from the eligible universe or removed from the Index.

Turnover: The Index sponsor has indicated that turnover in index membership should be avoided when possible. At times a company may appear to temporarily violate one or more of the addition criteria. However, the addition criteria are for addition to the Index, not for continued membership. As a result, an index constituent that appears to violate the criteria for addition to the Index will not be deleted unless ongoing conditions warrant a change in the composition of the Index.

Computation of the Index

The Index is equally-weighted, with adjustments to constituent weights to ensure concentration and liquidity requirements, and calculated by the divisor methodology used in all of the Index sponsor’s equity indices.

The initial divisor is set to have a base index value of 1,000 on December 17, 1999. The index value is calculated as the index market value divided by the index divisor:

Index Value = Index Market Value / Divisor

In order to maintain index series continuity, the divisor is also adjusted at each rebalancing.

(Index Value) before rebalancing = (Index Value) after rebalancing

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-8

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

Therefore,

(Divisor) after rebalancing = (Index Market Value) after rebalancing / (Index Value) before rebalancing

At each quarterly rebalancing, the stocks underlying the Index are initially equally-weighted using closing prices as of the second Friday of the last month of the quarter as the reference price. Adjustments are then made to ensure that there are no stocks whose weight in the Index is more than can be traded in a single day for a US$2 billion portfolio.

The Index sponsor calculates a maximum basket liquidity weight for each stock in the Index using the ratio of its three-month median daily value traded to US$2 billion. Each stock’s weight in the Index is then compared to its maximum basket liquidity weight and is set to the lesser of its maximum basket liquidity weight or its initial equal weight. All excess weight is redistributed across the Index to the uncapped component stocks. If necessary, a final adjustment is made to ensure that no stock in the Index has a weight greater that 4.5%. This step of the iterative weighting process may force the weight of those stocks limited to their maximum basket liquidity weight to exceed that weight. In such cases, the Index sponsor will make no further adjustments. If the Index contains exactly 22 companies as of the rebalancing effective date, the Index will be equally weighted without basket liquidity constraints.

Index Maintenance

Index maintenance follows the S&P TMI, and the treatment of corporate actions is the same as in the S&P TMI. In particular, treatment of spin-offs, special dividends and other corporate actions is the same, as set forth in the relevant index methodology.

Index membership is reviewed quarterly. Rebalancings occur after the closing on the third Friday of the quarter ending month. The reference date for additions and deletions is after the closing of the last trading date of the previous month. Closing prices as of the second Friday of the last month of the quarter are used for setting index weights.

The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the Index in the period from January 1, 2008 through November 16, 2017. 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 November 16, 2017, the closing level of the Index was 6,331.27.

Historical Performance of the Index

 

This historical data on the Index is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Index or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the Index during any period set forth above 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 notes.

Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the levels of the Index.

License Agreement

S&P^® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and Dow Jones^® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). These trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. “Standard & Poor’s^®”, “S&P 500^®” and “S&P^®” are trademarks of S&P. These trademarks have been sublicensed for certain purposes by us. The Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by us.

The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-9

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

the holders of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly or the ability of the Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to the Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors. The Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us or the notes. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the notes or the timing of the issuance or sale of the notes or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the notes are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes. There is no assurance that investment products based on the Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its subsidiaries are not investment advisors. Inclusion of a security or futures contract within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security or futures contract, nor is it considered to be investment advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the notes currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the notes. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the Index. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the notes.

S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-10

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

Supplement to the Plan of Distribution

We may deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than two 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 two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the notes occurs more than two business days from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than two 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, 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. At MLPF&S’s discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the notes, MLPF&S may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the estimated initial value of the notes. Any price offered by MLPF&S for the notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Index, the remaining term of the notes, and the issuer’s creditworthiness. However, neither we nor any of our affiliates is obligated to purchase your notes at any price, or at any time, and we cannot assure you that we, MLPF&S or any of our respective affiliates will purchase your notes at a price that equals or exceeds the estimated initial value of the notes.

The value of the notes shown on your account statement provided by MLPF&S will be based on their estimate of the value of the notes if MLPF&S or one of its affiliates were to make a market in the notes, which it is not obligated to do. This estimate will be based upon the price that MLPF&S may pay for the notes in light of then-prevailing market conditions, and other considerations, as mentioned above, and will include transaction costs. At certain times, this price may be higher than or lower than the estimated initial value of the notes.

The distribution of the Note Prospectus in connection with these offers or sales will be solely for the purpose of providing investors with the description of the terms of the notes that was made available to investors in connection with their initial offering. Secondary market investors should not, and will not be authorized to, rely on the Note Prospectus for information regarding HSBC or for any purpose other than that described in the immediately preceding sentence.

An investor’s household, as referenced on the cover of this term sheet, will generally include accounts held by any of the following, as determined by MLPF&S in its discretion and acting in good faith based upon information then available to MLPF&S:

· the investor’s spouse (including a domestic partner), siblings, parents, grandparents, spouse’s parents, children and grandchildren, but excluding accounts held by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews or any other family relationship not directly above or below the individual investor;

· a family investment vehicle, including foundations, limited partnerships and personal holding companies, but only if the beneficial owners of the vehicle consist solely of the investor or members of the investor’s household as described above; and

· a trust where the grantors and/or beneficiaries of the trust consist solely of the investor or members of the investor’s household as described above; provided that, purchases of the notes by a trust generally cannot be aggregated together with any purchases made by a trustee’s personal account.

Purchases in retirement accounts will not be considered part of the same household as an individual investor’s personal or other non-retirement account, except for individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), simplified employee pension plans (“SEPs”), savings incentive match plan for employees (“SIMPLEs”), and single-participant or owners only accounts (i.e., retirement accounts held by self-employed individuals, business owners or partners with no employees other than their spouses).

Please contact your Merrill Lynch financial advisor if you have any questions about the application of these provisions to your specific circumstances or think you are eligible.

Role of MLPF&S

MLPF&S will participate as selling agent in the distribution of the notes. 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.

Payments on the notes, including the amount you receive at maturity or upon an automatic call, will be calculated based on the $10 per unit principal amount and will depend on the performance of the Index. 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 by MLPF&S seeking bids from market participants, which could include one of our affiliates and MLPF&S and its affiliates. These hedging arrangements take into account a number of factors, including the issuer’s creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Index, the tenor of the notes and the tenor of the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the notes depend in part on the terms of the hedging arrangements.

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-11

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

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, additional profits and losses from these hedging arrangements may be realized by MLPF&S or any third party hedge providers.

For further information, see “Risk Factors—General Risks Relating to the Notes” beginning on page PS-7 and “Use of Proceeds” on page PS-16 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES STR-1.

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-12

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®
Linked to the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, due November  , 2021  

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 pre-paid executory contracts with respect to the Index that requires you to pay us at inception an amount equal to the purchase price of the notes and that entitles you to receive at maturity or upon earlier redemption an amount in cash linked to the level of the Index.

§ Under this characterization and tax treatment of the notes, a U.S. holder (as defined in the prospectus supplement) generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of the notes. This capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the notes for more than one year, and otherwise will be short-term capital gain or loss. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

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

§ Under current Internal Revenue Service guidance, withholding on “dividend equivalent” payments (as discussed in the product supplement and prospectus supplement), if any, will not apply to notes that are issued as of the date of this pricing supplement unless such notes are “delta-one” instruments. Additionally, the IRS has announced that withholding under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (as discussed in the prospectus supplement) on payments of gross proceeds from a sale or redemption of the notes will only apply to payments made after December 31, 2018.

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 PS-30 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES STR-1.

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 1-800-294-1322.

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.

“Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^®” is a registered service mark of Bank of America Corporation, the parent company of MLPF&S.

Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® TS-13