The information in this pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This pricing supplement is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer
to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PRICING SUPPLEMENT
Subject to Completion, dated July 13, 2023
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-262557
(To Product Supplement MLN-WF-1 dated August 31, 2022
and Prospectus dated March 4, 2022)
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The Toronto-Dominion Bank
Senior Debt Securities, Series E
Equity Index Linked Securities
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Market Linked Securities—Callable with Contingent Coupon and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Lowest Performing of the Dow Jones Industrial Average®, the Russell 2000® Index and the S&P 500®
Index due July 26, 2027
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■ Linked to the lowest performing of the Dow Jones Industrial Average®, the Russell 2000® Index and the S&P 500® Index
(each referred to as an “Index”)
■ The securities are redeemable debt securities that, unlike ordinary debt securities, do not provide for fixed payments of interest and do not repay a fixed amount of principal at stated
maturity. Whether the securities pay a contingent coupon and, if they are not redeemed prior to maturity, whether you receive the face amount of your securities at stated maturity will depend, in each case, on the closing level of the
lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day. The lowest performing Index on any calculation day is the Index that has the lowest closing level on that calculation day as a percentage of its starting level
■ Contingent Coupon. The securities will pay a contingent coupon on a quarterly basis until the earlier of stated maturity or earlier redemption if,
and only if, the closing level of the lowest performing Index on the calculation day for that quarter is greater than or equal to its coupon threshold level. However, if the closing level of the
lowest performing Index on a calculation day is less than its coupon threshold level, you will not receive any contingent coupon for the relevant quarter. If the closing level of the lowest performing Index is less than its coupon
threshold level on every calculation day, you will not receive any contingent coupons throughout the entire term of the securities. The coupon threshold level for each Index is equal to 75% of its starting level. The contingent coupon
rate will be determined on the pricing date and will be at least 9.00% per annum
■ Optional Redemption. The Bank may, at its option, redeem the securities on any contingent coupon payment date beginning approximately six months
after issuance. If the Bank elects to redeem the securities prior to maturity, you will receive the face amount of your securities plus any contingent coupon payment otherwise due
■ Potential Loss of Principal. If the Bank does not redeem the securities prior to stated maturity, you will receive the face amount at stated
maturity if, and only if, the closing level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is greater than or equal to its downside threshold level. If the closing level of the lowest
performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its downside threshold level, you will lose more than 25%, and possibly all, of the face amount of your securities. The downside threshold level for
each Index is equal to 75% of its starting level
■ If the Bank does not redeem the securities prior to stated maturity, you will have full downside exposure to the lowest performing Index from its starting level if its closing level on
the final calculation day is less than its downside threshold level, but you will not participate in any appreciation of any Index and will not receive any dividends on securities included in any Index
■ Your return on the securities will depend solely on the performance of the Index that is the lowest performing Index on each calculation day. You
will not benefit in any way from the performance of the better performing Indices. Therefore, you will be adversely affected if any Index performs poorly, even if the other Indices perform
favorably
■ All payments on the securities are subject to the credit risk of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (the “Bank”)
■ No exchange listing; designed to be held to maturity
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The estimated value of the securities at the time the terms of your securities are set on the pricing date is expected to be between $915.00 and $955.00 per security, as discussed
further under “Selected Risk Considerations— Risks Relating to the Estimated Value of the Securities and Any Secondary Market” beginning on page P-12 and “Estimated Value of the Securities” herein. The estimated value is expected to be less than
the original offering price of the securities.
The securities have complex features and investing in the securities involves risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. See “Selected Risk
Considerations” beginning on page P-10 herein and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-5 of the accompanying product supplement and on page 1 of the accompanying prospectus.
The securities are senior unsecured debt obligations of the Bank, and, accordingly, all payments are subject to credit risk. The securities are not insured by the Canada Deposit
Insurance Corporation pursuant to the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (the “CDIC Act”) or the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission or other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or
passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this pricing supplement or the accompanying product supplement and prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Original Offering Price
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Agent Discount(1)
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Proceeds to The Toronto-Dominion Bank
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Per Security
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$1,000.00
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$23.25
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$976.75
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Total
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(1)
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The Agents may receive a commission of up to $23.25 (2.325%) per security and may use a portion of that commission to allow selling concessions to other dealers in connection with the
distribution of the securities, or will offer the securities directly to investors. The Agents may resell the securities to other securities dealers at the original offering price less a concession not in excess of $17.50 (1.75%) per
security. Such securities dealers may include Wells Fargo Advisors (“WFA”, the trade name of the retail brokerage business of Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC), an affiliate of Wells Fargo
Securities, LLC (“Wells Fargo Securities”). The other dealers may forgo, in their sole discretion, some or all of their selling concessions. In addition to the selling concession allowed to WFA, Wells Fargo Securities may pay $0.75
(0.075%) per security of the agent discount to WFA as a distribution expense fee for each security sold by WFA. The Bank will reimburse TD Securities (USA) LLC (“TDS”) for certain expenses in connection with its role in the offer and sale
of the securities, and the Bank will pay TDS a fee in connection with its role in the offer and sale of the securities. In respect of certain securities sold in this offering, we may pay a fee of up to $1.00 per security to selected
securities dealers in consideration for marketing and other services in connection with the distribution of the securities to other securities dealers. See “Terms of the Securities—Agents” herein and “Supplemental Plan of Distribution
(Conflicts of Interest) –Selling Restrictions” in the accompanying product supplement.
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TD Securities (USA) LLC
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Wells Fargo Securities
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Issuer:
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The Toronto-Dominion Bank (the “Bank”).
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Market Measures:
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average®, the Russell 2000® Index and the S&P 500® Index (each referred to as an “Index,” and
collectively as the “Indices”).
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Pricing Date*:
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July 21, 2023.
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Issue Date*:
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July 26, 2023.
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Original Offering
Price:
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$1,000 per security.
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Face Amount:
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$1,000 per security. References in this pricing supplement to a “security” are to a security with a face amount of $1,000.
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Contingent Coupon
Payment:
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On each contingent coupon payment date, you will receive a contingent coupon payment at a per annum rate equal to the contingent coupon rate if, and only if, the closing level of the lowest performing Index on the related calculation day is greater than or equal to its coupon threshold level. Each “contingent coupon payment,” if any, will be calculated per
security as follows: ($1,000 × contingent coupon rate)/4. Any contingent coupon payment will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent rounded upward.
If the closing level of the lowest performing Index on any calculation day is less than its coupon threshold level, you will not receive any contingent
coupon payment on the related contingent coupon payment date. If the closing level of the lowest performing Index is less than its coupon threshold level on all calculation days, you will not receive any contingent coupon payments over the
term of the securities.
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Contingent Coupon
Payment Dates:
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Quarterly, on the third business day following each calculation day (as each such calculation day may be postponed pursuant to “—Market Disruption Events and Postponement
Provisions” below, if applicable); provided that the contingent coupon payment date with respect to the final calculation day will be the stated maturity date.
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Contingent Coupon
Rate:
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The “contingent coupon rate” will be determined on the pricing date and will be at least 9.00% per annum.
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Optional
Redemption:
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The Bank may, at its option, redeem the securities, in whole but not in part, on any optional redemption date. If the Bank elects to redeem the securities prior to stated
maturity, on the applicable optional redemption date, you will be entitled to receive a cash payment per security in U.S. dollars equal to the face amount plus any final contingent coupon payment otherwise due.
If the Bank elects to redeem the securities on an optional redemption date, the Bank will give notice to the trustee on or before the calculation day immediately preceding
that optional redemption date. Any redemption of the securities will be at the Bank’s option and will not automatically occur based on the performance of any Index.
If the Bank redeems the securities, they will cease to be outstanding on the applicable optional redemption date and you will have no further rights under the securities after such optional redemption date.
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Calculation Days*:
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Quarterly, on the 21st day of each January, April, July and October, commencing in October 2023 and ending in July 2027, each subject to postponement as described below under
“—Market Disruption Events and Postponement Provisions.” We refer to the calculation day scheduled to occur in July 2027 (expected to be July 21, 2027) as the “final calculation day.”
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Optional Redemption
Dates:
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Quarterly, beginning approximately six months after the issue date, on the contingent coupon payment dates following each calculation day scheduled to occur from January
2024 to April 2027, inclusive.
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Stated Maturity
Date*:
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July 26, 2027, subject to postponement. The securities are not subject to repayment at the option of any holder of the securities prior to the stated maturity date.
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Maturity Payment
Amount:
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If the Bank does not redeem the securities prior to the stated maturity date, you will be entitled to receive on the stated maturity date a cash payment per security in
U.S. dollars equal to the maturity payment amount (in addition to the final contingent coupon payment, if any). The “maturity payment amount” per security will equal:
• if the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is greater than or
equal to its downside threshold level: $1,000; or
• if the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its
downside threshold level:
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$1,000 × performance factor of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day
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If the Bank does not redeem the securities prior to stated maturity and the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is
less than its downside threshold level, you will lose more than 25%, and possibly all, of the face amount of your securities at stated maturity.
Any return on the securities will be limited to the sum of your contingent coupon payments, if any. You will not participate in any appreciation of any
Index, but you will have full downside exposure to the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day if the ending level of that Index is less than its downside threshold level.
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Lowest Performing
Index:
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For any calculation day, the “lowest performing Index” will be the Index with the lowest performance factor on that calculation day.
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Performance Factor:
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With respect to an Index on any calculation day, its closing level on such calculation day divided by its starting level
(expressed as a percentage).
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Closing Level:
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With respect to each Index, closing level has the meaning set forth under “General Terms of the Securities—Certain Terms for Securities Linked to an Index—Certain
Definitions” in the accompanying product supplement.
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Starting Level:
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With respect to the Dow Jones Industrial Average®: , its closing level on the pricing date.
With respect to the Russell 2000® Index: , its closing level on the pricing date.
With respect to the S&P 500® Index: , its closing level on the pricing date.
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Ending Level:
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The “ending level” of an Index will be its closing level on the final calculation day.
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Coupon Threshold
Level:
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With respect to the Dow Jones Industrial Average®: , which is equal to 75% of its starting level.
With respect to the Russell 2000® Index: , which is equal to 75% of its starting level.
With respect to the S&P 500® Index: , which is equal to 75% of its starting level.
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Downside Threshold
Level:
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With respect to the Dow Jones Industrial Average®: , which is equal to 75% of its starting level.
With respect to the Russell 2000® Index: , which is equal to 75% of its starting level.
With respect to the S&P 500® Index: , which is equal to 75% of its starting level.
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Market Disruption
Events and
Postponement
Provisions:
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Each calculation day is subject to postponement due to non-trading days and the occurrence of a market disruption event. In addition, the stated maturity date will be postponed if the
final calculation day is postponed and will be adjusted for non-business days. For more information regarding adjustments to the calculation days and the stated maturity date, see “General Terms of the Securities—Consequences of a Market
Disruption Event; Postponement of a Calculation Day—Securities Linked to Multiple Market Measures” and “—Payment Dates” in the accompanying product supplement. For purposes of the accompanying product supplement, each optional redemption
date and the stated maturity date is a “payment date.” In addition, for information regarding the circumstances that may result in a market disruption event, see “General Terms of the Securities—Certain Terms for Securities Linked to an
Index—Market Disruption Events” in the accompanying product supplement.
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Calculation Agent:
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The Bank
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U.S. Tax Treatment:
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By purchasing the securities, you agree, in the absence of a statutory or regulatory change or an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat
the securities, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as prepaid derivative contracts with respect to the Market Measures with associated contingent coupons. Pursuant to this approach, any Contingent Coupon Payment that you receive should
be included in ordinary income at the time you receive the payment or when it accrues, depending on your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Based on certain factual representations received from us, our
special U.S. tax counsel, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, is of the opinion that it would be reasonable to treat the securities in the manner described above. However, because there is no authority that specifically
addresses the tax treatment of the securities, it is possible that your securities could alternatively be treated for tax purposes as a single contingent payment debt instrument, or pursuant to some other characterization, such that the
timing and character of your income from the securities could differ materially and adversely from the treatment described above, as described further under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” herein and in the product
supplement. An investment in the securities is not appropriate for non-U.S. holders, and we will not attempt to ascertain the tax consequences to non-U.S. holders of the purchase, ownership or disposition
of the securities.
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Canadian Tax
Treatment:
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Please see the discussion in the product supplement under “Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Tax Consequences,” which applies to the securities.
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Agents:
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TD Securities (USA) LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.
The Agents may receive a commission of up to $23.25 (2.325%) per security and may use a portion of that commission to allow selling concessions to other dealers in
connection with the distribution of the securities, or will offer the securities directly to investors. The Agents may resell the securities to other securities dealers at the original offering price less a concession not in excess of
$17.50 (1.75%) per security. Such securities dealers may include WFA. In addition to the selling concession allowed to WFA, Wells Fargo Securities may pay $0.75 (0.075%) per security of the agent discount to WFA as a distribution expense
fee for each security sold by WFA.
In addition, in respect of certain securities sold in this offering, we may pay a fee of up to $1.00 per security to selected securities dealers in consideration for
marketing and other services in connection with the distribution of the securities to other securities dealers.
The price at which you purchase the securities includes costs that the Bank, the Agents or their respective affiliates expect to incur and profits that the Bank, the
Agents or their respective affiliates expect to realize in connection with hedging activities related to the securities, as set forth above. These costs and profits will likely reduce the secondary market price, if any secondary market
develops, for the securities. As a result, you may experience an immediate and substantial decline in the market value of your securities on the pricing date. See “Selected Risk Considerations — Risks Relating To The Estimated Value Of The
Securities And Any Secondary Market — The Agent Discount, Offering Expenses and Certain Hedging Costs are Likely to Adversely Affect Secondary Market Prices” in this pricing supplement.
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Listing:
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The securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or electronic communications network
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Canadian
Bail-in:
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The securities are not bail-inable debt securities under the CDIC Act
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Denominations:
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$1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000.
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CUSIP / ISIN:
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89115F4D0/ US89115F4D01
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*To the extent that we make any change to the expected pricing date or expected issue date, the calculation days and stated maturity date may also be changed in our discretion to ensure that the term of the securities
remains the same.
Additional Information about the Bank and the Securities
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You should read this pricing supplement together with product supplement MLN-WF-1 dated August 31, 2022 and the prospectus dated March 4, 2022 for additional information about the securities.
Information included in this pricing supplement supersedes information in the product supplement and prospectus to the extent it is different from that information. Certain defined terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in
the product supplement or prospectus. In the event of any conflict, the following hierarchy will govern: first, this pricing supplement; second, the product supplement; and last, the prospectus. The
securities may vary from the terms described in the accompanying product supplement and prospectus in several important ways. You should read this pricing supplement, including the documents incorporated herein, carefully.
You may access the product supplement and prospectus on the SEC website www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filing for the relevant date on the SEC website):
• |
Product Supplement MLN-WF-1 dated August 31, 2022:
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Prospectus dated March 4, 2022:
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Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 0000947263. As used in this pricing supplement, the “Bank,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its
subsidiaries.
We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase, the securities prior to their issuance. In the event of any changes to the terms of the securities, we will notify you
and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes, in which case we may reject your offer to purchase.
Estimated Value of the Securities
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The final terms for the securities will be determined on the date the securities are initially priced for sale to the public, which we refer to as the
pricing date, as indicated under “Terms of the Securities” herein, based on prevailing market conditions on the pricing date, and will be communicated to investors in the final pricing supplement.
The economic terms of the securities are based on our internal funding rate (which is our internal borrowing rate based on variables such as market
benchmarks and our appetite for borrowing), and several factors, including any sales commissions expected to be paid to TDS or another affiliate of ours, any selling concessions, discounts, commissions or fees expected to be allowed or paid to
non-affiliated intermediaries, the estimated profit that we or any of our affiliates expect to earn in connection with structuring the securities, estimated costs which we may incur in connection with the securities and an estimate of the
difference between the amounts we pay to an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities and the amounts that an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities pays to us in connection with hedging your securities as described further under “Terms of the
Securities—Agents” herein and “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Hedging Activities and Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying product supplement. Because our internal funding rate generally represents a discount from the levels at which our
benchmark debt securities trade in the secondary market, the use of an internal funding rate for the securities rather than the levels at which our benchmark debt securities trade in the secondary market is expected to have an adverse effect on the
economic terms of the securities.
On the cover page of this pricing supplement, we have provided the estimated value range for the securities. The estimated value range was determined by
reference to our internal pricing models which take into account a number of variables and are based on a number of assumptions, which may or may not materialize, typically including volatility, interest rates (forecasted, current and historical
rates), price-sensitivity analysis, time to maturity of the securities, and our internal funding rate. For more information about the estimated value, see “Selected Risk Considerations — Risks Relating to the Estimated Value of the Securities and
Any Secondary Market” herein. Because our internal funding rate generally represents a discount from the levels at which our benchmark debt securities trade in the secondary market, the use of an internal funding rate for the securities rather than
the levels at which our benchmark debt securities trade in the secondary market is expected, assuming all other economic terms are held constant, to increase the estimated value of the securities. For more information see the discussion under
“Selected Risk Considerations — Risks Relating to the Estimated Value of the Securities and Any Secondary Market — The Estimated Value of Your Securities Is Based on Our Internal Funding Rate.”
Our estimated value on the pricing date is not a prediction of the price at which the securities may trade in the secondary market, nor will it be the price
at which the Agents may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market. Subject to normal market and funding conditions, the Agents or another affiliate of ours intends to offer to purchase the securities in the secondary market but it is not
obligated to do so.
Assuming that all relevant factors remain constant after the pricing date, the price at which the Agents may initially buy or sell the securities in the
secondary market, if any, may exceed our estimated value on the pricing date for a temporary period expected to be approximately four months after the issue date because, in our discretion, we may elect to effectively reimburse to investors a
portion of the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the securities and other costs in connection with the securities which we will no longer expect to incur over the term of the securities. We made such discretionary election and
determined this temporary reimbursement period on the basis of a number of factors, including the tenor of the securities and any agreement we may have with the distributors of the securities. The amount of our estimated costs which we effectively
reimburse to investors in this way may not be allocated ratably throughout the reimbursement period, and we may discontinue such reimbursement at any time or revise the duration of the reimbursement period after the issue date of the securities
based on changes in market conditions and other factors that cannot be predicted.
We urge you to read the “Selected Risk Considerations” in this pricing supplement.
The securities are not appropriate for all investors. The securities may be an appropriate investment for investors who:
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seek an investment with contingent coupon payments at a rate of at least 9.00% per annum (to be determined on the pricing date) until the earlier of stated maturity or early redemption, if, and only if,
the closing level of the lowest performing Index on the applicable calculation day is greater than or equal to 75% of its starting level;
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understand that if the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day has declined by more than 25% from its starting level, they will be fully exposed to the decline in the lowest performing Index from its
starting level and will lose more than 25%, and possibly all, of the face amount at stated maturity;
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are willing to accept the risk that they may receive few or no contingent coupon payments over the term of the securities;
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understand that the Bank may redeem the securities prior to stated maturity at its option beginning approximately six months after issuance and that it is more likely that the
bank will redeem the securities when it would otherwise be advantageous for you to continue to hold the securities; |
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understand that the return on the securities will depend solely on the performance of the Index that is the lowest performing Index on each calculation day and that they will not benefit in any way from the performance of the better
performing Indices;
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understand that the securities are riskier than alternative investments linked to only one of the Indices or linked to a basket composed of each Index;
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understand and are willing to accept the full downside risks of each Index;
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are willing to forgo participation in any appreciation of any Index and dividends on securities included in the Indices; and
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are willing to hold the securities until maturity.
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The securities may not be an appropriate investment for investors who:
◾ |
seek a liquid investment or are unable or unwilling to hold the securities to maturity;
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require full payment of the face amount of the securities at stated maturity;
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seek a security with a fixed term;
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are unwilling to purchase securities with an estimated value as of the pricing date that is lower than the original offering price and that may be as low as the lower estimated value set forth on the cover page;
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are unwilling to accept the risk that the closing level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day may decline by more than 25% from its starting level;
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seek certainty of current income over the term of the securities;
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seek exposure to the upside performance of any or each Index;
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seek exposure to a basket composed of each Index or a similar investment in which the overall return is based on a blend of the performances of the Indices, rather than solely on the lowest performing Index;
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are unwilling to accept the risk of exposure to the Indices;
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are unwilling to accept the credit risk of the Bank; or
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prefer the lower risk of conventional fixed income investments with comparable maturities issued by companies with comparable credit ratings.
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The considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the securities are an appropriate investment
for you will depend on your individual circumstances, and you should reach an investment decision only after you and your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors have carefully considered the appropriateness of an investment in the securities in light of your particular circumstances. You should also review carefully the “Selected Risk Considerations” herein and the “Risk Factors” in the accompanying product supplement
for risks related to an investment in the securities. For more information about the Indices, please see the sections titled “The Dow Jones Industrial Average®,” “The Russell 2000® Index” and “The S&P 500®
Index” below.
Determining Payment On A Contingent Coupon Payment Date and at Maturity
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Unless we have previously redeemed the securities at our option, on each contingent coupon payment date, you will either receive a contingent coupon payment or you will not
receive a contingent coupon payment, depending on the closing level of the lowest performing Index on the related calculation day.
Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day. The lowest performing Index on any calculation day is the
Index with the lowest performance factor on that calculation day. The performance factor of an Index on a calculation day is its closing level on that calculation day as a percentage of its starting level (i.e., its closing level on that
calculation day divided by its starting level).
Step 2: Determine whether a contingent coupon is paid on the applicable contingent coupon payment date based on the closing level of the lowest performing
Index on the relevant calculation day, as follows:
If we have not previously redeemed the securities at our option, then at maturity you will receive (in addition to the final contingent coupon payment, if any) a cash payment per security (the
maturity payment amount) calculated as follows:
Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day. The lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is the
Index with the lowest performance factor on the final calculation day. The performance factor of an Index on the final calculation day is its ending level as a percentage of its starting level (i.e., its ending level divided by its starting level).
Step 2: Calculate the maturity payment amount based on the ending level of the lowest performing Index, as follows:
Hypothetical Payout Profile
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The following profile illustrates the potential maturity payment amount on the securities (excluding the final contingent coupon payment, if any) for a range of hypothetical performances of the
lowest performing Index on the final calculation day from its starting level to its ending level, assuming the Bank has not redeemed the securities prior to the stated maturity date. As this profile illustrates, in no event will you have a positive
rate of return based solely on the maturity payment amount received at maturity; any positive return will be based solely on the contingent coupon payments, if any, received during the term of the securities. This graph has been prepared for
purposes of illustration only. Your actual return will depend on the actual ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day and whether you hold your securities to stated maturity. The performance of the better performing
Indices is not relevant to your return on the securities.
Selected Risk Considerations
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The securities have complex features and investing in the securities will involve risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. Some of the risks that apply to an
investment in the securities are summarized below, but we urge you to read the more detailed explanation of the risks relating to the securities generally in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying product supplement. You should reach an
investment decision only after you have carefully considered with your advisors the appropriateness of an investment in the securities in light of your particular circumstances.
Risks Relating To The Securities Generally
If The Bank Does Not Redeem The Securities Prior To Stated Maturity, You May Lose Some Or All Of The Face Amount Of Your Securities At Stated Maturity.
We will not repay you a fixed amount on the securities at stated maturity. If the Bank does not redeem the securities prior to stated maturity, you will receive a maturity payment amount that will be
equal to or less than the face amount, depending on the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.
If the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its downside threshold level, the maturity payment amount will be reduced by an amount equal to the
decline in the level of the lowest performing Index from its starting level (expressed as a percentage of its starting level). The downside threshold level for each Index is 75% of its starting level. For example, if the Bank does not redeem the
securities and the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day has declined by 25.1% from its starting level to its ending level, you will not receive any benefit of the contingent downside protection feature and you will lose 25.1% of the
face amount. As a result, you will not receive any protection if the level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day declines significantly and you may lose some, and possibly all, of the face amount at stated maturity, even if
the level of the lowest performing Index is greater than or equal to its starting level or its downside threshold level at certain times during the term of the securities.
Even if the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is greater than its downside threshold level, the maturity payment amount will not exceed the face amount, and
your yield on the securities, taking into account any contingent coupon payments you may have received during the term of the securities, may be less than the yield you would earn if you bought a traditional interest-bearing debt security of the
Bank or another issuer with a similar credit rating.
The Securities Do Not Provide For Fixed Payments Of Interest And You May Receive No Coupon Payments On One Or More Contingent Coupon Payment Dates, Or Even Throughout The Entire
Term Of The Securities.
On each contingent coupon payment date you will receive a contingent coupon payment if, and only if, the closing level of the lowest performing Index on the
related calculation day is greater than or equal to its coupon threshold level. The coupon threshold level for each Index is 75% of its starting level. If the closing level of the lowest performing Index on any calculation day is less than its
coupon threshold level, you will not receive any contingent coupon payment on the related contingent coupon payment date, and if the closing level of the lowest performing Index is less than its coupon threshold level on each calculation day over
the term of the securities, you will not receive any contingent coupon payments over the entire term of the securities.
The Securities Are Subject To The Full Risks Of Each Index And Will Be Negatively Affected If Any Index Performs Poorly, Even If The Other Indices Perform Favorably.
You are subject to the full risks of each Index. If any Index performs poorly, you will be negatively affected, even if the other Indices perform favorably. The securities are not linked to a basket
composed of the Indices, where the better performance of some Indices could offset the poor performance of others. Instead, you are subject to the full risks of whichever Index is the lowest performing Index on each calculation day. As a result,
the securities are riskier than an alternative investment linked to only one of the Indices or linked to a basket composed of each Index. You should not invest in the securities unless you understand and are willing to accept the full downside
risks of each Index.
Your Return On The Securities Will Depend Solely On The Performance Of The Index That Is The Lowest Performing Index On Each Calculation Day, And You Will Not Benefit In Any Way
From The Performance Of The Better Performing Indices.
Your return on the securities will depend solely on the performance of the Index that is the lowest performing Index on each calculation day. Although it is necessary for each Index to close at or
above its respective coupon threshold level on the relevant calculation day in order for you to receive a contingent coupon payment and above its respective downside threshold level on the final calculation day for you to receive the face amount of
your securities at maturity, you will not benefit in any way from the performance of the better performing Indices. The securities may underperform an alternative investment linked to a basket composed of the Indices, since in such case the
performance of the better performing Indices would be blended with the performance of the lowest performing Index, resulting in a better return than the return of the lowest performing Index alone.
You Will Be Subject To Risks Resulting From The Relationship Among The Indices.
It is preferable from your perspective for the Indices to be correlated with each other so that their levels will tend to increase or decrease at similar times and by similar magnitudes. By investing
in the securities, you assume the risk that the Indices will not exhibit this relationship. The less correlated the Indices, the more likely it is that any one of the Indices will be performing poorly at any time over the term of the securities.
All that is necessary for the securities to perform poorly is for one of the Indices to perform poorly; the performance of the better performing Indices is not relevant to your return on the securities. It is impossible to predict what the
relationship among the Indices will be over the term of the securities. To the extent the Indices represent a different equity market, such equity markets may not perform similarly over the term of the securities.
You May Be Fully Exposed To The Decline In The Lowest Performing Index On The Final Calculation Day From Its Starting Level, But Will Not Participate In Any Positive Performance Of
Any Index.
Even though you will be fully exposed to a decline in the level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day if its ending level is below its downside threshold level, you will not
participate in any increase in the level of any Index over the term of the securities. Your maximum possible return on the securities will be limited to the sum of the contingent coupon payments you receive, if any. Consequently, your return on the
securities may be significantly less than the return you could achieve on an alternative investment that provides for participation in an increase in the level of any or each Index.
Higher Contingent Coupon Rates Are Associated With Greater Risk.
The securities offer contingent coupon payments at a higher rate, if paid, than the fixed rate we would pay on conventional debt securities of the same maturity. These higher potential contingent
coupon payments are associated with greater levels of expected risk as of the pricing date as compared to conventional debt securities, including the risk that you may not receive a contingent coupon payment on one or more, or any, contingent
coupon payment dates and the risk that you may lose a substantial portion, and possibly all, of the face amount at maturity. The volatility of the Indices and the correlation among the Indices are important factors affecting this risk. Volatility
is a measurement of the size and frequency of daily fluctuations in the level of an Index, typically observed over a specified period of time. Volatility can be measured in a variety of ways, including on a historical basis or on an expected basis
as implied by option prices in the market. Correlation is a measurement of the extent to which the levels of the Indices tend to fluctuate at the same time, in the same direction and in similar magnitudes. Greater expected volatility of the Indices
or lower expected correlation among the Indices as of the pricing date may result in a higher contingent coupon rate, but it also represents a greater expected likelihood as of the pricing date that the closing level of at least one Index will be
less than its coupon threshold level on one or more calculation days, such that you will not receive one or more, or any, contingent coupon payments during the term of the securities, and that the closing level of at least one Index will be less
than its downside threshold level on the final calculation day such that you will lose a substantial portion, and possibly all, of the face amount at maturity. In general, the higher the contingent coupon rate is relative to the fixed rate we would
pay on conventional debt securities, the greater the expected risk that you will not receive one or more, or any, contingent coupon payments during the term of the securities and that you will lose a substantial portion, and possibly all, of the
face amount at maturity.
The Bank May Elect To Redeem The Securities Prior To The Stated Maturity Date And The Securities Are Subject To Reinvestment Risk.
The Bank may elect to redeem the securities in its discretion on any optional redemption date upon prior written notice as specified under “Terms of the Securities — Optional Redemption” herein.
Following an optional redemption, no further payments will be owed to you under the securities after the applicable optional redemption date. Therefore, because the securities could be called as early as the first potential optional redemption
date, the holding period could be limited. If the Bank does elect to redeem the securities prior to maturity, there is no guarantee that you would be able to reinvest the proceeds from an investment in the securities at a comparable return for a
similar level of risk. Furthermore, to the extent you are able to reinvest such proceeds in an investment with a comparable return for a similar level of risk, you may incur transaction costs such as dealer discounts and hedging costs built into
the price of the new securities.
It is more likely that the bank will elect to redeem the securities prior to maturity when the expected amounts payable on the securities, including contingent coupon payment(s) and the maturity
payment amount, are greater than the amounts that would be payable in the market on other comparable instruments issued by the Bank with a similar maturity. The greater likelihood of the Bank redeeming the securities in that environment increases
the risk that you will not be able to reinvest the proceeds from the redeemed securities in an equivalent investment with a similar contingent coupon rate. The Bank is less likely to redeem the securities prior to maturity when the expected amounts
payable on the securities, including contingent coupon payment(s) and the maturity payment amount, are less than the amounts that would be payable in the market on other comparable instruments issued by the Bank with a similar maturity, which
includes periods when the values of any of the Indices are less than their respective coupon threshold levels and/or their downside threshold levels. Therefore, the securities are more likely to remain outstanding when the expected amount payable
on the securities is less than what would be payable on other comparable instruments and when your risk of not receiving a contingent coupon payment and/or the face amount at maturity is relatively higher.
Each Calculation Day (Including The Final Calculation Day) And The Related Optional Redemption Date (Including The Stated Maturity Date) Is Subject To Market
Disruption Events And Postponements.
Each calculation day (including the final calculation day), and therefore the potential optional redemption date and/or contingent coupon payment date (including the maturity date), is subject to
postponement in the case of a market disruption event or a non-trading day as described herein and in the accompanying product supplement.
Risks Relating To An Investment In the Bank’s Debt Securities, Including The Securities
Investors Are Subject To The Bank’s Credit Risk, And the Bank’s Credit Ratings And Credit Spreads May Adversely Affect The Market Value Of The Securities.
Although the return on the securities will be based on the performance of the lowest performing Index, the payment of any amount due on the securities is subject to the Bank’s
credit risk. The securities are the Bank’s senior unsecured debt obligations. Investors are dependent on the Bank’s ability to pay all amounts due on the securities on each contingent coupon payment date, as well as the optional redemption date or
stated maturity date and, therefore, investors are subject to the credit risk of the Bank and to changes in the market’s view of the Bank’s creditworthiness. Any decrease in the Bank’s credit ratings or increase in the credit spreads charged by the
market for taking the Bank’s credit risk is likely to adversely affect the market value of the securities. If the Bank becomes unable to meet its financial obligations as they become due, investors may not receive any amounts due under the terms of
the securities.
Risks Relating To The Estimated Value Of The Securities And Any Secondary Market
The Estimated Value Of Your Securities Is Expected To Be Less Than The Original Offering Price Of Your Securities.
The estimated value of your securities on the pricing date is expected to be less than the original offering price of your securities. The difference between the original offering price of your
securities and the estimated value of the securities reflects costs and expected profits associated with selling and structuring the securities, as well as hedging our obligations under the securities. Because hedging our obligations entails risks
and may be influenced by market forces beyond our control, this hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or a loss.
The Estimated Value Of Your Securities Is Based On Our Internal Funding Rate.
The estimated value of your securities on the pricing date is determined by reference to our internal funding rate. The internal funding rate used in the determination of the estimated value of
the securities generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional, fixed-rate debt securities and the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional, fixed-rate debt securities. This discount is based on, among other
things, our view of the funding value of the securities as well as the higher issuance, operational and ongoing liability management costs of the securities in comparison to those costs for our conventional, fixed-rate debt, as well as estimated
financing costs of any hedge positions, taking into account regulatory and internal requirements. If the interest rate implied by the credit spreads for our conventional, fixed-rate debt securities, or the borrowing rate we would pay for our
conventional, fixed-rate debt securities were to be used, we would expect the economic terms of the securities to be more favorable to you. Additionally, assuming all other economic terms are held constant, the use of an internal funding rate for
the securities is expected to increase the estimated value of the securities at any time.
The Estimated Value Of The Securities Is Based On Our Internal Pricing Models, Which May Prove To Be Inaccurate And May Be Different From The Pricing Models Of Other Financial
Institutions.
The estimated value of your securities on the pricing date is based on our internal pricing models, which take into account a number of variables, such as our internal funding rate on the pricing
date, and are based on a number of subjective assumptions, which are not evaluated or verified on an independent basis and may or may not materialize. Further, our pricing models may be different from other financial institutions’ pricing models
and the methodologies used by us to estimate the value of the securities may not be consistent with those of other financial institutions that may be purchasers or sellers of the securities in the secondary market. As a result, the secondary market
price of your securities may be materially less than the estimated value of the securities determined by reference to our internal pricing models. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change, and any
assumptions may prove to be incorrect.
The Estimated Value Of Your Securities Is Not A Prediction Of The Prices At Which You May Sell Your Securities In The Secondary Market, If Any, And Such Secondary Market Prices,
If Any, Will Likely Be Less Than The Original Offering Price Of Your Securities And May Be Less Than The Estimated Value Of Your Securities.
The estimated value of the securities is not a prediction of the prices at which the Agents, other affiliates of ours or third parties may be willing to purchase the securities from you in secondary market
transactions (if they are willing to purchase, which they are not obligated to do). The price at which you may be able to sell your securities in the secondary market at any time, if any, may be based on pricing models that differ from our pricing
models and will be influenced by many factors that cannot be predicted, such as market conditions and any bid and ask spread for similar sized trades, and may be substantially less than our estimated value of the securities. Further, as secondary
market prices of your securities take into account the levels at which our debt securities trade in the secondary market and do not take into account our various costs and expected profits associated with selling and structuring the securities, as
well as hedging our obligations under the securities, secondary market prices of your securities will likely be less than the original offering price of your
securities. As a result, the price at which the Agents, other affiliates of ours or third parties may be willing to purchase the securities from you in secondary market transactions, if any, will
likely be less than the price you paid for your securities, and any sale prior to the stated maturity date could result in a substantial loss to you.
The Temporary Price At Which We May Initially Buy The Securities In The Secondary Market May Not Be Indicative Of Future Prices Of Your Securities.
Assuming that all relevant factors remain constant after the pricing date, the price at which the Agents may initially buy or sell the securities in the secondary market (if the Agents make a
market in the securities, which they are not obligated to do) may exceed the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date, as well as the secondary market value of the securities, for a temporary period after the pricing date of the
securities, as discussed further under “Estimated Value of the Securities”. The price at which the Agents may initially buy or sell the securities in the secondary market may not be indicative of future prices of your securities.
The Agent Discount, Offering Expenses And Certain Hedging Costs Are Likely To Adversely Affect Secondary Market Prices.
Assuming no changes in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which you may be able to sell the securities will likely be less than the original offering price. The
original offering price includes, and any price quoted to you is likely to exclude, the underwriting discount paid in connection with the initial distribution, offering expenses as well as the cost of hedging our obligations under the securities.
In addition, any such price is also likely to reflect dealer discounts, mark-ups and other transaction costs, such as a discount to account for costs associated with establishing or unwinding any related hedge transaction. In addition, because an
affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities is to conduct hedging activities for us in connection with the securities, that affiliate may profit in connection with such hedging activities and such profit, if any, will be in addition to the compensation
that the dealer receives for the sale of the securities to you. You should be aware that the potential to earn fees in connection with hedging activities may create a further incentive for the dealer to sell the securities to you in addition to the
compensation they would receive for the sale of the securities.
There May Not Be An Active Trading Market For The Securities — Sales In The Secondary Market May Result In Significant Losses.
There may be little or no secondary market for the securities. The securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any electronic communications network. The Agents and
their respective affiliates may make a market for the securities; however, they are not required to do so. The Agents and their respective affiliates may stop any market-making activities at any time. Even if a secondary market for the securities
develops, it may not provide significant liquidity or trade at prices advantageous to you. We expect that transaction costs in any secondary market would be high. As a result, the difference between bid and ask prices for your securities in any
secondary market could be substantial.
If you sell your securities before the stated maturity date, you may have to do so at a substantial discount from the principal amount irrespective of the level of the Indices, and as a result,
you may suffer substantial losses.
If The Level Of Any Indices Change, The Market Value Of Your Securities May Not Change In The Same Manner.
Your securities may trade quite differently from the performance of any of the Indices. Changes in the level of any indices generally or the lowest performing Index specifically may not result in a
comparable change in the market value of your securities. Even if the level of each Index increases above its starting level during the term of the securities, the market value of your securities may not increase by the same amount and could
decline.
Risks Relating To The Indices
Any Payments On The Securities Will Depend Upon The Performance Of The Indices And Therefore The Securities Are Subject To The Following Risks, Each As Discussed In More Detail In
The Accompanying Product Supplement.
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Investing In The Securities Is Not The Same As Investing In The Indices. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the Indices. As an
investor in the securities, your return will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned and held the securities included in the Indices for a period similar to the term of the securities because you will not receive
any dividend payments, distributions or any other payments paid on those securities. As a holder of the securities, you will not have any voting rights or any other rights that holders of the securities included in the Indices would have.
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Historical Levels Of The Indices Should Not Be Taken As An Indication Of The Future Performance Of The Indices During The Term Of The Securities.
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Changes That Affect The Indices May Adversely Affect The Value Of The Securities And Any Payments On The Securities.
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We Cannot Control Actions By Any Of The Unaffiliated Companies Whose Securities Are Included In The Indices.
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We And Our Affiliates And The Agents And Their Affiliates Have No Affiliation With Any Index Sponsor (Except To The Extent Wells Fargo Securities Is Included In The S&P 500® Index) And Have Not Independently Verified Their Public Disclosure Of
Information.
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An Investment In The Securities Is Subject To Risks Associated With Investing In Stocks With Small Market Capitalizations.
The stocks that constitute the Russell 2000® Index are issued by companies with relatively small market capitalization. These companies often have greater stock price volatility, lower
trading volume and less liquidity than large capitalization companies. As a result, the Russell 2000® Index may be more volatile than that of an equity index that does not track solely small capitalization stocks. Stock prices of small
capitalization companies are also generally more vulnerable than those of large capitalization companies to adverse business and economic developments, and the stocks of small capitalization companies may be thinly traded, and be less attractive to
many investors if they do not pay dividends. In addition, small capitalization companies are typically less well-established and less stable financially than large capitalization companies and may depend on a small number of key personnel, making
them more vulnerable to loss of those individuals. Small capitalization companies tend to have lower revenues, less diverse product lines, smaller shares of their target markets, fewer financial resources and fewer competitive strengths than large
capitalization companies. These companies may also be more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products or services.
Risks Relating To Hedging Activities And Conflicts Of Interest
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Trading And Business Activities By The Bank Or Its Affiliates May Adversely Affect The Market Value Of, And Any Amount Payable On, The Securities.
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There Are Potential Conflicts Of Interest Between You And The Calculation Agent.
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Risks Relating To Canadian And U.S. Federal Income Taxation
The Tax Consequences Of An Investment In The Securities Are Unclear.
Significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the securities are uncertain. You should read carefully the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” herein
and in the product supplement. You should consult your tax advisors as to the tax consequences of your investment in the securities. An investment in the securities is not appropriate for non-U.S. holders, and we will not attempt to ascertain the
tax consequences to non-U.S. holders of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the securities.
For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the securities, please see the discussion in the product supplement under “Supplemental
Discussion of Canadian Tax Consequences”. If you are not a Non-resident Holder (as that term is defined in the prospectus) for Canadian federal income tax purposes or if you acquire the securities in the secondary market, you should consult your
tax advisors as to the consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of the securities and receiving the payments that might be due under the securities.
If the Bank redeems the securities prior to stated maturity:
If the Bank redeems the securities prior to stated maturity, you will receive the face amount of your securities plus any final contingent coupon payment otherwise due on the optional redemption
date. In the event the Bank redeems the securities, your total return on the securities will equal any contingent coupon payments received prior to the optional redemption date and any contingent coupon payment received on the optional redemption
date.
If the Bank does not redeem the securities prior to stated maturity:
If the Bank does not redeem the securities prior to stated maturity, the following table illustrates, for a range of hypothetical performance factors of the lowest performing Index on the final
calculation day, the hypothetical maturity payment amount payable at stated maturity per security (excluding the final contingent coupon payment, if any). The performance factor of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is its
ending level expressed as a percentage of its starting level (i.e., its ending level divided by its starting level).
Hypothetical performance factor of
lowest performing Index on final
calculation day
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Hypothetical maturity payment amount
per security
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175.00%
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$1,000.00
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160.00%
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$1,000.00
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150.00%
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$1,000.00
|
140.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
130.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
120.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
110.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
100.00%
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$1,000.00
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90.00%
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$1,000.00
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80.00%
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$1,000.00
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75.00%
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$1,000.00
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74.00%
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$740.00
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70.00%
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$700.00
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60.00%
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$600.00
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50.00%
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$500.00
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40.00%
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$400.00
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30.00%
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$300.00
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25.00%
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$250.00
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The above figures do not take into account contingent coupon payments, if any, received during the term of the securities. As evidenced above, in no event will you have a positive rate of return
based solely on the maturity payment amount received at maturity; any positive return will be based solely on the contingent coupon payments, if any, received during the term of the securities.
The above figures are for purposes of illustration only and may have been rounded for ease of analysis. If the Bank does not redeem the securities prior to stated maturity, the actual amount you will
receive at stated maturity will depend on the actual ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day. The performance of the better performing Indices is not relevant to your return on the securities.
Hypothetical Contingent Coupon Payments
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Set forth below are examples that illustrate how to determine whether a contingent coupon payment will be paid on a contingent coupon payment date prior to the stated maturity date. The examples do not reflect any
specific contingent coupon payment date. The following examples reflect a hypothetical contingent coupon rate of 9.00% per annum (the minimum contingent coupon rate specified herein) and assume the hypothetical starting level, coupon threshold
level and closing levels for each Index indicated in the examples. The terms used for purposes of these hypothetical examples do not represent any actual starting level or coupon threshold level. The hypothetical starting level of 100.00 for each
Index has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual starting level for any Index. The actual starting level and coupon threshold level for each Index will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth
under “Terms of the Securities” above. For historical data regarding the actual closing levels of the Indices, see the historical information provided herein. These examples are for purposes of illustration only and the values used in the
examples may have been rounded for ease of analysis. If the Bank were to redeem the securities on the relevant contingent coupon payment date in either of the examples below, you would receive the face amount on the contingent coupon payment date
in addition to the contingent coupon payment, if any.
Example 1. The closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day is greater than or equal to its coupon threshold level. As a result, investors receive a
contingent coupon payment on the applicable contingent coupon payment date.
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Dow Jones
Industrial
Average®
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Russell 2000®
Index
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S&P 500®
Index
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Hypothetical starting level:
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100.00
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100.00
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100.00
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Hypothetical closing level on relevant calculation day:
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90.00
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95.00
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80.00
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Hypothetical coupon threshold level:
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75.00
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75.00
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75.00
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Performance factor (closing level on calculation day divided by starting level):
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90.00%
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95.00%
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80.00%
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Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day.
In this example, the S&P 500® Index has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation
day.
Step 2: Determine whether a contingent coupon payment will be paid on the applicable contingent coupon payment date.
Since the hypothetical closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day is greater than or equal to its coupon threshold level, you
would receive a contingent coupon payment on the applicable contingent coupon payment date. The contingent coupon payment would be equal to $22.50 per security, determined as follows: (i) $1,000 multiplied by
9.00% per annum divided by (ii) 4, rounded to the nearest cent.
Example 2. The closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day is less than its coupon threshold level. As a result, investors do
not receive a contingent coupon payment on the applicable contingent coupon payment date.
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Dow Jones
Industrial
Average®
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Russell 2000®
Index
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S&P 500®
Index
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Hypothetical starting level:
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100.00
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100.00
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100.00
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Hypothetical closing level on relevant calculation day:
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74.00
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125.00
|
105.00
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Hypothetical coupon threshold level:
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75.00
|
75.00
|
75.00
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Performance factor (closing level on calculation day divided by starting level):
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74.00%
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125.00%
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105.00%
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Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day.
In this example, the Dow Jones Industrial Average® has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the relevant
calculation day.
Step 2: Determine whether a contingent coupon payment will be paid on the applicable contingent coupon payment date.
Since the hypothetical closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day is less than its coupon threshold level, you would not receive a contingent
coupon payment on the applicable contingent coupon payment date. As this example illustrates, whether you receive a contingent coupon payment will depend solely on the closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day.
The performance of the better performing Indices is not relevant to your return on the securities.
Hypothetical Payment at Stated Maturity
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Set forth below are examples of calculations of the maturity payment amount payable at stated maturity, assuming that the Bank does not elect to redeem the securities prior to stated maturity and
assuming the hypothetical starting level, coupon threshold level, downside threshold level and ending levels for each Index indicated in the examples. The terms used for purposes of these hypothetical examples do not represent any actual starting
level, coupon threshold level or downside threshold level. The hypothetical starting level of 100.00 for each Index has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual starting level for any Index. The actual starting
level, coupon threshold level and downside threshold level for each Index will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth under “Terms of the Securities” above. For historical data regarding the actual closing levels of the Indices,
see the historical information provided herein. These examples are for purposes of illustration only and the values used in the examples may have been rounded for ease of analysis.
Example 1. The ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is greater than its starting level, the maturity payment amount is equal to the face amount
of your securities at maturity and you receive a final contingent coupon payment:
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Dow Jones
Industrial
Average®
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Russell
2000® Index
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S&P 500®
Index
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Hypothetical starting level:
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100.00
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100.00
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100.00
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Hypothetical ending level:
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145.00
|
135.00
|
125.00
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Hypothetical coupon threshold level:
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75.00
|
75.00
|
75.00
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Hypothetical downside threshold level:
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75.00
|
75.00
|
75.00
|
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Performance factor (ending level divided by starting level):
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145.00%
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135.00%
|
125.00%
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Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.
In this example, the S&P 500® Index has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.
Step 2: Determine the maturity payment amount based on the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.
Since the hypothetical ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is greater than its hypothetical downside threshold level, the maturity payment
amount would equal the face amount. Although the hypothetical ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is significantly greater than its hypothetical starting level in this scenario, the maturity payment amount will
not exceed the face amount.
In addition to any contingent coupon payments received during the term of the securities, on the stated maturity date you would receive $1,000 per security. In addition, because
the hypothetical ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is greater than its coupon threshold level, you would receive a final contingent coupon payment on the stated maturity date.
Example 2. The ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its starting level but greater than its downside threshold level and its coupon
threshold level, the maturity payment amount is equal to the face amount of your securities at maturity and you receive a final contingent coupon payment:
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Dow Jones
Industrial
Average®
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Russell
2000® Index
|
S&P 500®
Index
|
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Hypothetical starting level:
|
100.00
|
100.00
|
100.00
|
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Hypothetical ending level:
|
80.00
|
115.00
|
110.00
|
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Hypothetical coupon threshold level:
|
75.00
|
75.00
|
75.00
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Hypothetical downside threshold level:
|
75.00
|
75.00
|
75.00
|
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Performance factor (ending level divided by starting level):
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80.00%
|
115.00%
|
110.00%
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Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.
In this example, the Dow Jones Industrial Average® has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.
Step 2: Determine the maturity payment amount based on the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.
Since the hypothetical ending level of the lowest performing Index is less than its hypothetical starting level, but not by more than 25%, you would receive the face amount of your
securities at maturity.
In addition to any contingent coupon payments received during the term of the securities, on the stated maturity date you would receive $1,000 per security. In addition, because the hypothetical
ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is greater than its coupon threshold level, you would receive a final contingent coupon payment on the stated maturity date.
Example 3. The ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its coupon threshold level and its downside threshold level, the maturity
payment amount is less than the face amount of your securities at maturity and you do not receive a final contingent coupon payment:
|
|
Dow Jones
Industrial
Average®
|
Russell
2000® Index
|
S&P 500®
Index
|
|
Hypothetical starting level:
|
100.00
|
100.00
|
100.00
|
|
Hypothetical ending level:
|
120.00
|
45.00
|
90.00
|
|
Hypothetical coupon threshold level:
|
75.00
|
75.00
|
75.00
|
|
Hypothetical downside threshold level:
|
75.00
|
75.00
|
75.00
|
|
Performance factor (ending level divided by starting level):
|
120.00%
|
45.00%
|
90.00%
|
Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.
In this example, the Russell 2000® Index has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.
Step 2: Determine the maturity payment amount based on the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.
Since the hypothetical ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its hypothetical starting level by more than 25%, you would lose a
portion of the face amount of your securities and receive the maturity payment amount equal to $450.00 per security, calculated as follows:
= $1,000 × performance factor of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day
= $1,000 × 45.00%
= $450.00
In addition to any contingent coupon payments received during the term of the securities, on the stated maturity date you would receive $450.00 per security. Because the
hypothetical ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its coupon threshold level, you would not receive a final contingent coupon payment on the stated maturity date.
These examples illustrate that you will not participate in any appreciation of any Index, but will be fully exposed to a decrease in the lowest performing Index if the ending level of the lowest
performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its downside threshold level, even if the ending levels of the other Indices have appreciated or have not declined below their respective downside threshold level.
To the extent that the starting level, coupon threshold level, downside threshold level and ending level of the lowest performing Index differ from the values assumed above, the results indicated
above would be different.
Information Regarding The Market Measures
|
All disclosures contained in this document regarding the Market Measures, including, without limitation, their make-up, methods of calculation, and changes in any index constituent stock issuers
, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, the respective Index Sponsors (as defined herein). The Index Sponsors, own the copyrights
and all other rights to the applicable Index, have no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Indices. None of the websites referenced in the Index descriptions below, or any materials included in those
websites, are incorporated by reference into this document or any document incorporated herein by reference.
The graphs below sets forth the information relating to the historical performance of the Indices for the periods specified. We obtained the information regarding the historical performance of the
Indices in the graphs below from Bloomberg Professional® service (“Bloomberg”). We have not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information or historical performance information from Bloomberg
with respect to the Indices. You are urged to make your own investigation into the Indices.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average®
|
The Dow Jones Industrial Average
® (“INDU”) is a benchmark of performance for companies in the U.S. stock market by measuring the price-weighted average of 30 “blue-chip” U.S. stocks in all industries, with the exception of those in the
transportation and utilities industry. The number of stocks in INDU was 12 in 1896, rose to 20 in 1916, then to 30 in 1928, and has been at that level ever since. INDU is calculated in U.S. dollars as well as Japanese yen.
While there are no quantitative rules for component selection, a stock typically is added only if it has an excellent reputation, demonstrates sustained growth, is of interest to a large number of
investors. Maintaining adequate sector representation within INDU is also a consideration in the selection process. Companies should be incorporated and headquartered in the U.S., with a plurality of revenues derived from the U.S.
INDU is maintained by an Averages Committee comprised of three representatives of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and two representatives of The Wall Street Journal (“WSJ”). The Averages Committee
was created in March 2010, when Dow Jones Indexes became part of CME Group Index Services, LLC, a joint venture company owned by CME Group Inc. and by Dow Jones & Company, Inc. In July 2012, The McGraw-Hill Companies, now S&P Global Inc.,
and CME Group Inc. launched S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Sponsor”).
Changes to INDU are made on an as-needed basis. There is no annual or semi-annual reconstitution. Rather, changes in response to corporate actions and market developments can be made at any time.
INDU is price weighted rather than market capitalization weighted. Therefore, the component stock weightings are affected only by changes in the stocks’ prices, in contrast with the weightings of
other indices that are affected by both price changes and changes in the number of shares outstanding. The value of INDU is the sum of the primary exchange prices of each of the 30 common stocks included in INDU, divided by a divisor. The divisor
is changed in accordance with a mathematical formula to adjust for composition changes, stock dividends, stock splits, other corporate actions and other price adjustments. The current divisor of INDU is published daily in the WSJ and other
publications. While this methodology reflects current practice in calculating INDU, no assurance can be given that the Index Sponsor will not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect the return on your investment.
The level of INDU is the sum of the primary exchange prices of each of the 30 component stocks included in INDU, divided by a divisor that is designed to provide a meaningful continuity in the
level of INDU. Because INDU is price-weighted, stock splits or changes in the component stocks could result in distortions in INDU level. In order to prevent these distortions related to extrinsic factors, the divisor is periodically changed in
accordance with a mathematical formula that reflects adjusted proportions within INDU. The current divisor of INDU is published daily in the WSJ and other publications. In addition, other statistics based on INDU may be found in a variety of
publicly available sources. The current formula used to calculate divisor adjustments is as follows: the new divisor (i.e., the divisor on the next trading session) is equal to (1) the divisor on the current trading session times (2) the quotient
of (a) the sum of the adjusted (for stock dividends, splits, spin-offs and other applicable corporate actions) closing prices of the constituents of INDU on the current trading session and (b) the sum of the unadjusted closing prices of the
constituents of INDU on the current trading session.
Select information regarding top constituents and industry and/or sector weightings may be made available by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC on its website.
We have derived all information regarding INDU from publicly available information. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, the Index Sponsor. The Index Sponsor
owns the copyright and all other rights to INDU. The Index Sponsor has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, INDU. Historical performance of INDU is not an indication of future performance. Future performance of
INDU may differ significantly from historical performance, either positively or negatively.
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. Dow Jones®, DJIA®, The Dow® and INDU are trademarks of Dow Jones and have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones
Indices LLC and its affiliates and sublicensed for certain purposes by us. INDU is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by us.
The Securities 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 the holders of the Securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Securities particularly or the ability of INDU to
track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to
INDU is the licensing of INDU and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors. INDU is determined, composed and calculated
by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us or the Securities. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the Securities into consideration in determining, composing or calculating INDU.
S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the Securities or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Securities or in the determination or calculation of the
equation by which the Securities 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 Securities. There is no assurance that investment
products based on INDU will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. 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 Securities currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the Securities. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of
INDU. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the Securities.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF INDU 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 SECURITIES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF INDU 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.
Historical Information
We obtained the closing levels of the Dow Jones Industrial Average® in the graph below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.
The following graph sets forth daily closing levels of the Dow Jones Industrial Average® for the period from January 1, 2018 to July 11, 2023. The closing level on July 11, 2023 was
34,261.42. The historical performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average® should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average®, and no assurance can be given as to the closing
level of the Dow Jones Industrial Average® on any day during the term of the securities. We cannot give you any assurance that the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average® will result in any positive return on your
initial investment.
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
All disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Russell 2000® Index (the “RTY”), including, without limitation, its makeup, 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, the Frank Russell Company (“FTSE Russell”).
FTSE Russell, which owns the copyright and all other rights to the RTY, has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the RTY at any time. The RTY is determined,
comprised, and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to the securities, and FTSE Russell may discontinue publication of the RTY at any time. Neither we nor TDS accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the
RTY or any successor index.
The RTY measures the performance of stocks of 2,000 companies in the U.S. equity market and is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. The RTY
is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index, which is an index that measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. The RTY was set to 135 as of the close of
business on December 31, 1986 and is calculated, maintained and published by FTSE Russell.
Select information regarding top constituents and industry and/or sector weightings may be made available by FTSE Russell on its website.
Selection of Stocks Underlying the RTY
All companies eligible for inclusion in the RTY must be classified as a U.S. company under FTSE Russell’s country-assignment methodology. If a company is incorporated, has a stated headquarters
location and also trades on a “standard exchange” in the same country (American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares are not eligible), then the company is assigned to its country of incorporation. If any of the three factors are not
the same, FTSE Russell defines three Home Country Indicators (“HCIs”): country of incorporation, country of headquarters, and country of the most liquid exchange (as defined by a two-year average daily dollar trading volume). Using the HCIs, FTSE
Russell compares the primary location of the company’s assets with the three HCIs. If the primary location of its assets matches any of the HCIs, then the company is assigned to the primary location of its assets. If there is insufficient
information to determine the country in which the company’s assets are primarily located, FTSE Russell will use the primary country from which the company’s revenues are primarily derived for the comparison with the three HCIs in a similar manner.
FTSE Russell uses an average of two years of assets or revenues data for this analysis to reduce potential turnover. If conclusive country details cannot be derived from assets or revenues data, FTSE Russell will assign the company to the country
in which its headquarters (which is defined as the address of the company’s principal executive offices are located) unless that country is a Benefit Driven Incorporation “BDI” country, in which case the company will be assigned to the country of
its most liquid stock exchange. BDI countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Curacao, Falkland Islands, Faroe
Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Panama, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Suriname and Turks and Caicos Islands. For any companies incorporated or headquartered in a U.S.
territory, including countries such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. HCI is assigned. A U.S.-listed company is not eligible for inclusion within the U.S. equity market if it has been classified by FTSE Russell as a China N
share on the rank date of the index reconstitution. A company will be considered a China N share if the following criteria are satisfied: (i) the company is incorporated outside of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”), (ii) the company is
listed on the NYSE, the Nasdaq or the NYSE American (formerly the NYSE MKT), (iii) over 55% of the revenue or assets of the company are derived from the PRC, and (iv) the company is controlled by a mainland Chinese entity, company or individual,
provided that if the shareholder background cannot be determined with publicly available information, FTSE Russell will consider other criteria, including whether the establishment and origin of the company are in mainland China and whether the
company is headquartered in mainland China. An existing China N Share which fails one or more of the following criteria will cease to be classified as a China N share: (i) the company is no longer incorporated outside the PRC, (ii) the company is
no longer listed on the NYSE, the Nasdaq or the NYSE American, (iii) the percentages of revenue and assets derived from the PRC have both fallen below 45%, or (iv) the company is acquired by, or a controlling stake is held by, a non-Mainland
Chinese state entity, company or individual. Only asset and revenue data from the most recent annual report is considered when evaluating whether a company should be classified a China N share (i.e., there will be no two year averaging).
FTSE Russell requires that all securities eligible for inclusion in the RTY trade on CBOE (formerly bats), NYSE, the Nasdaq exchange, NYSE American (formerly NYSE MKT) or NYSE Arca, each a “standard
exchange”. Bulletin board, pink-sheets, and over-the-counter (“OTC”) traded securities are not eligible for inclusion. Stocks must trade at or above $1.00 on their primary exchange on the last trading day in May to be eligible for inclusion during
annual reconstitution. However, in order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last day of May, it will be considered eligible if the average of the daily closing prices (from its primary
exchange) during the month of May is equal to or greater than $1.00. If an existing index member does not trade on the rank day in May, it must price at $1.00 or above on another eligible U.S. exchange to remain eligible. Initial public offerings
are added each quarter and must have a closing price on its primary exchange at or above $1.00 on the last day of their eligibility period in order to qualify for index inclusion.
An important criteria used to determine the list of securities eligible for the RTY is total market capitalization, which is defined as the market price as of the last trading day in May for those
securities being considered at annual reconstitution times the total number of shares outstanding. Where applicable, common stock, non-restricted exchangeable shares and partnership units/membership interests are used to determine market
capitalization. Any other form of shares such as preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants and rights, or trust receipts, are excluded from the calculation. If multiple share classes of
common stock exist, they are combined. In cases where the common stock share classes act independently of each other (e.g., tracking stocks), each class is considered for inclusion separately. If multiple share classes exist, FTSE Russell will
determine a primary trading vehicle, and the price of that primary trading vehicle (usually the most liquid) is used to calculate market capitalization.
Companies with a total market capitalization of $30 million or less are not eligible for the RTY. Similarly, companies with only 5% or less of their shares available in the marketplace are not
eligible for the RTY. Royalty trusts, limited liability companies, closed-end investment companies, blank check companies, special-purpose acquisition companies, and limited partnerships are also not eligible for inclusion in the Russell U.S.
Indices. Business development companies, exchange traded funds and mutual funds are also excluded. Bulletin board, pink-sheets, and OTC traded securities are not eligible for inclusion. Finally, to be eligible for the RTY a company must have
average daily dollar trading volume that exceeds the global median, which is determined each reconstitution rank day by ranking all securities in investable countries by average daily dollar trading volume.
Annual reconstitution is a process by which the RTY is completely rebuilt. Based on closing levels of the company’s common stock on its primary exchange on the last trading day of May of each year,
FTSE Russell reconstitutes the composition of the RTY using the then existing market capitalizations of eligible companies. Reconstitution of the RTY occurs on the last Friday in June or, when the last Friday in June is the 29th or 30th,
reconstitution occurs on the prior Friday. In addition, FTSE Russell adds initial public offerings to the RTY on a quarterly basis based on market capitalization guidelines established during the most recent reconstitution.
After membership is determined, a security’s shares are adjusted to include only those shares available to the public. This is often referred to as “free float.” The purpose of the adjustment is to
exclude from market calculations the capitalization that is not available for purchase and is not part of the investable opportunity set.
License Agreement
The Russell 2000® Index is a trademark of FTSE Russell and has been licensed for use by the Bank. The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FTSE Russell and FTSE
Russell makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the securities.
FTSE Russell does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Russell 2000® Index or any data included in the Russell 2000® Index and has no liability for any
errors, omissions, or interruptions in the Russell 2000® Index. FTSE Russell makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the calculation agent, holders of the securities, or any other person or entity from the
use of the Russell 2000® Index or any data included in the Russell 2000® Index in connection with the rights licensed under the license agreement described in this document or for any other use. FTSE Russell makes no express
or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the Russell 2000® Index or any data included in the Russell 2000® Index. Without
limiting any of the above information, in no event will FTSE Russell have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, including lost profits, even if notified of the possibility of these damages.
The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FTSE Russell. FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the securities or any member of
the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the securities particularly or the ability of the Russell 2000® Index to track general stock market performance or a segment of the same. FTSE Russell’s
publication of the Russell 2000® Index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by FTSE Russell as to the advisability of investment in any or all of the stocks upon which the Russell 2000® Index is based. FTSE Russell's only
relationship to the Bank is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of FTSE Russell and of the Russell 2000® Index, which is determined, composed and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to the Bank or the securities.
FTSE Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the securities nor any associated literature or publications and FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. FTSE
Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the Russell 2000® Index. FTSE Russell has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading
of the securities.
“Russell 2000®” and “Russell 3000®” are registered trademarks of FTSE Russell in the U.S. and other countries.
Historical Information
We obtained the closing levels of the Russell 2000® Index in the graph below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.
The following graph sets forth daily closing levels of the Russell 2000® Index for the period from January 1, 2018 to July 11, 2023. The closing level on July 11, 2023 was 1,913.361. The
historical performance of the Russell 2000® Index should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the Russell 2000® Index, and no assurance can be given as to the closing level of the Russell 2000®
Index on any day during the term of the securities. We cannot give you any assurance that the performance of the Russell 2000® Index will result in any positive return on your initial investment.
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
The S&P 500® Index (the “SPX”) includes a representative sample of 500 companies in
leading industries of the U.S. economy. The 500 companies are not the 500 largest companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and not all 500 companies are listed on the NYSE. The Index Sponsor, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, chooses
companies for inclusion in the SPX with an aim of achieving a distribution by broad industry groupings that approximates the distribution of these groupings in the common stock population of the U.S. domiciled equity market. Although the SPX
contains 500 constituent companies, at any one time it may contain greater than 500 constituent trading lines since some companies included in the SPX prior to July 31, 2017 may be represented by multiple share class lines in the SPX. The SPX is
calculated, maintained and published by the Index Sponsor and is part of the S&P Dow Jones Indices family of indices. Additional information (including sectors and sector weights and top constituents) is available on the following website:
spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/equity/sp-500. We are not incorporating by reference the websites or any material they include in this document or any document incorporated herein by reference.
The Index Sponsor intends for the SPX to provide a performance benchmark for the large-cap U.S. domiciled equity markets. Constituent changes are made on an
as-needed basis and there is no schedule for constituent reviews. Index additions and deletions are announced with at least three business days advance notice. Less than three business days’ notice may be given at the discretion of the S&P
Index Committee. Relevant criteria for additions to the SPX that are employed by the Index Sponsor include: the company proposed for addition should have an unadjusted company market capitalization of $12.7 billion or more and a security level
float-adjusted market capitalization of at least 50% of such threshold (for spin-offs, eligibility is determined using when-issued prices, if available); the float-adjusted liquidity ratio of the stock (defined as the annual dollar value traded
divided by the float-adjusted market capitalization) should be greater than or equal to 0.75 at the time of the addition to the SPX and the stock should trade a minimum of 250,000 shares in each of the six months leading up to the evaluation date
(current constituents have no minimum requirement), where the annual dollar value traded is calculated as the average closing price multiplied by the historical volume over the 365 calendar days prior to the evaluation date (reduced to the
available trading period for IPOs, spinoffs or public companies considered to be U.S. domiciled for index purposes that do not have 365 calendar days of trading history on a U.S. exchange); the company must be a U.S. company (characterized as a
Form 10-K filer with its U.S. portion of fixed assets and revenues constituting a plurality of the total and with a primary listing of the common stock on the NYSE, NYSE Arca, NYSE American (formerly NYSE MKT), Nasdaq Global Select Market, Nasdaq
Select Market, Nasdaq Capital Market, Cboe BZX (formerly Bats BZX), Cboe BYX (formerly Bats BYX), Cboe EDGA (formerly Bats EDGA) or Cboe EDGX (formerly Bats EDGX) (each, an “eligible exchange”)); the proposed constituent has an investable weight
factor (“IWF”) of 10% or more; the inclusion of the company will contribute to sector balance in the SPX relative to sector balance in the market in the relevant market capitalization range; financial viability (the sum of the most recent four
consecutive quarters’ Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) earnings (net income excluding discontinued operations) should be positive as should the most recent quarter); and, for IPOs, the company must be traded on an eligible exchange
for at least twelve months (for former SPACs, S&P considers the de-SPAC transaction to be an event equivalent to an IPO, and 12 months of trading post the de-SPAC event are required before a former SPAC can be considered for inclusion in the
SPX; spin-offs or in-specie distributions from existing constituents do not need to be traded on an eligible exchange for twelve months prior to their inclusion in the SPX). In addition, constituents of the S&P MidCap 400® Index and
the S&P SmallCap 600® Index can be added to the SPX provided they meet the unadjusted company level market capitalization eligibility criteria for the SPX. Migrations from the S&P MidCap 400® Index or the S&P
SmallCap 600® Index do not need to meet the financial viability, liquidity, or 50% of the SPX’s unadjusted company level minimum market capitalization threshold criteria. Further, constituents of the S&P Total Market Index Ex S&P
Composite 1500 (which includes all eligible U.S. common equities except for those included in the SPX, the S&P MidCap 400® Index and the S&P SmallCap 600® Index) that acquire a constituent of the SPX, the S&P
MidCap 400® Index or the S&P SmallCap 600® Index that do not fully meet all of the eligibility criteria may still be added to the SPX at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee if the merger consideration includes
the acquiring company issuing stock to target company shareholders, and the S&P Index Committee determines that the addition could minimize turnover and enhance the representativeness of the SPX as a market benchmark. Certain types of
organizational structures and securities are always excluded, including, but not limited to, business development companies (BDCs), limited partnerships, master limited partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), OTC bulletin board issues,
closed-end funds, ETFs, ETNs, royalty trusts, tracking stocks, special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), preferred stock and convertible preferred stock, unit trusts, equity warrants, convertible bonds, investment trusts, rights and American
depositary receipts. SPX constituents are deleted from the SPX when they are involved in mergers, acquisitions or significant restructurings such that they no longer meet the inclusion criteria, and when they substantially violate one or more of
the addition criteria. SPX constituents that are delisted or moved to the pink sheets or the bulletin board are removed, and those that experience a trading halt may be retained or removed in the Index Sponsor’s discretion. The Index Sponsor
evaluates additions and deletions with a view to maintaining SPX continuity.
For constituents included in the SPX prior to July 31, 2017, all publicly listed multiple share class lines are included separately in the SPX, subject to, in the case of any such
share class line, that share class line satisfying the liquidity and float criteria discussed above and subject to certain exceptions. It is possible that one listed share class line of a company may be included in the SPX while a second listed
share class line of the same company is excluded. For companies that issue a second publicly traded share class to SPX share class holders, the newly issued share class line is considered for inclusion if the event is mandatory and the market
capitalization of the distributed class is not considered to be de minimis.
As of July 31, 2017, companies with multiple share class lines are no longer eligible for inclusion in the SPX. Only common shares are considered when determining whether a company has a multiple
share class structure. Constituents of the SPX prior to July 31, 2017 with multiple share class lines will be grandfathered in and continue to be included in the SPX. If a SPX constituent reorganizes into a multiple share class line structure, that
company will be reviewed for continued inclusion in the SPX at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee.
Calculation of the SPX
The SPX is calculated using a base-weighted aggregative methodology. The level of the SPX on any day for which a level is published is determined by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the aggregate of the market price of each SPX constituent times the number of shares of such SPX constituent, and the denominator of which is the divisor, which is described more fully below. The
“market value” of any SPX constituent is the product of the market price per share of that SPX constituent times the number of the then-outstanding shares of such
SPX constituent that are then included in the SPX.
The SPX is also sometimes called a “base-weighted aggregative index” because of its use of a divisor. The “divisor” is a value calculated by the Index Sponsor that is intended to
maintain conformity in SPX levels over time and is adjusted for all changes in the SPX constituents’ share capital after the “base date” as described below. The level of the SPX reflects the total market value of all SPX constituents relative to
the SPX’s base date of 1941-43.
In addition, the SPX is float-adjusted, meaning that the share counts used in calculating the SPX reflect only those shares available to investors rather than all of a company’s
outstanding shares. The Index Sponsor seeks to exclude shares held by long-term, strategic shareholders concerned with the control of a company, a group that generally includes the following: officers and directors and related individuals whose
holdings are publicly disclosed, private equity, venture capital, special equity firms, asset managers and insurance companies with board of director representation, publicly traded companies that hold shares in another company, holders of
restricted shares (except for shares held as part of a lock-up agreement), company-sponsored employee share plans/trusts, defined contribution plans/savings, investment plans, foundations or family trusts associated with the company, government
entities at all levels (except government retirement or pension funds), sovereign wealth funds and any individual person listed as a 5% or greater stakeholder in a company as reported in regulatory filings (collectively, “strategic holders”). To
this end, the Index Sponsor excludes all share-holdings (other than depositary banks, pension funds (including government pension and retirement funds), mutual funds, ETF providers, investment funds, asset managers that do not have direct board of
director representation (including stakeholders who may have the right to appoint a board of director member but choose not to do so, stakeholders who have exercised a right to appoint a board of director “observer” even if that observer is
employed by the stakeholder and stakeholders who have exercised a right to appoint an independent director who is not employed by the stakeholder), investment funds of insurance companies and independent foundations not associated with the company)
with a position greater than 5% of the outstanding shares of a company from the float-adjusted share count to be used in SPX calculations.
The exclusion is accomplished by calculating an IWF for each SPX constituent that is part of the numerator of the float-adjusted index fraction described above:
IWF = (available float shares)/(total shares outstanding)
where available float shares is defined as total shares outstanding less shares held by strategic holders. In most cases, an IWF is reported to the nearest one percentage point.
For companies with multiple share class lines, a separate IWF is calculated for each share class line.
Maintenance of the SPX
In order to keep the SPX comparable over time the Index Sponsor engages in an index maintenance process. The SPX maintenance process involves changing the constituents as
discussed above, and also involves maintaining quality assurance processes and procedures, adjusting the number of shares used to calculate the SPX, monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, adjusting for stock
splits and stock dividends and adjusting for other corporate actions. In addition to its daily governance of indices and maintenance of the SPX methodology, at least once within any 12 month period, the S&P Index Committee reviews the SPX
methodology to ensure the SPX continues to achieve the stated objective, and that the data and methodology remain effective. The S&P Index Committee may at times consult with investors, market participants, security issuers included in or
potentially included in the SPX, or investment and financial experts.
Divisor Adjustments
The two types of adjustments primarily used by the Index Sponsor are divisor adjustments and adjustments to the number of shares (including float adjustments) used to calculate
the SPX. Set forth below under “Adjustments for Corporate Actions” is a table of certain corporate events and their resulting effect on the divisor and the share count. If a corporate event requires an adjustment to the divisor, that event has the
effect of altering the market value of the affected SPX constituent and consequently of altering the aggregate market value of the SPX constituents following the event. In order that the level of the SPX not be affected by the altered market value
(which could be an increase or decrease) of the affected SPX constituent, the Index Sponsor generally derives a new divisor by dividing the post-event market value of the SPX constituents by the pre-event SPX level, which has the effect of reducing
the SPX’s post-event level to the pre-event level.
Changes to the Number of Shares of a Constituent
The index maintenance process also involves tracking the changes in the number of shares included for each of the index companies. Changes as a result of mandatory events, such as mergers or
acquisition driven share/IWF changes, stock splits and mandatory distributions are not subject to a minimum threshold for implementation and are implemented when the transaction occurs. At the Index Sponsor’s discretion, however, de minimis merger
and acquisition changes may be accumulated and implemented with the updates made with the quarterly share updates as described below. Material share/IWF changes resulting from certain non-mandatory corporate actions follow the accelerated
implementation rule. Non-material share/IWF changes are implemented quarterly.
Accelerated Implementation Rule
1. Public offerings. Public offerings of new company-issued shares and/or existing shares offered by selling shareholders, including block sales and spot secondaries, will be
eligible for accelerated implementation treatment if the size of the event meets the materiality threshold criteria:
(a) |
at least US $150 million, and
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(b) |
at least 5% of the pre-event total shares.
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In addition to the materiality threshold, public offerings must satisfy the following conditions:
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have a publicly available prospectus, offering document, or prospectus summary filed with the relevant authorities.
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have a publicly available confirmation from an official source that the offering has been completed.
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For public offerings that involve a concurrent combination of new company shares and existing shares offered by selling shareholders, both events are implemented if either of the
public offerings represent at least 5% of total shares and $150 million. Any concurrent share repurchase by the affected company will also be included in the implementation.
2. Dutch Auctions, self-tender offer buybacks, and split-off exchange offers. These nonmandatory corporate action types will be eligible for accelerated implementation treatment
regardless of size once the final results are publicly announced and verified by S&P.
For companies with multiple share class lines, the criteria specified above apply to each individual multiple share class line rather than total company shares.
Exception to the Accelerated Implementation Rule
For non-mandatory corporate actions subject to the accelerated implementation rule with a size of at least US $1 billion, S&P will apply the share change, and any resulting
IWF change, using the latest share and ownership information publicly available at the time of the announcement, even if the offering size is below the 5% threshold. This exception ensures that very large events are recognized in a timely manner
using the latest available information.
Any non-fully paid or non-fully settled offering such as forward sales agreements are not eligible for accelerated implementation. Share updates resulting from completion of
subscription receipts terms or the settlement of forward sale agreements are updated at a future quarterly share rebalancing.
All non-mandatory events not covered by the accelerated implementation rule (including but not limited to private placements, acquisition of private companies, and conversion of
non-index share lines) will be implemented quarterly coinciding with the third Friday of the third month in each calendar quarter. In addition, events that were not implemented under the accelerated implementation rule but were found to have been
eligible, (e.g. due to lack of publicly available information at the time of the event) are implemented as part of a quarterly rebalancing.
Announcement Policy
For accelerated implementation, the Index Sponsor will generally provide two (2) business days’ notice for all non-U.S. listed stocks and U.S. listed depositary receipts, and one
(1) business days’ notice for all non-depositary receipt U.S. listed stocks.
IWF Updates
Accelerated implementation for events less than $1 billion will include an adjustment to the company’s IWF only to the extent that such an IWF change helps the new float share
total mimic the shares available in the offering. To minimize unnecessary turnover, these IWF changes do not need to meet any minimum threshold requirement for implementation. Any IWF change resulting in an IWF of 0.96 or greater is rounded up to
1.00 at the next annual IWF review.
IWF changes will only be made at the quarterly review if the change represents at least 5% of total current shares outstanding and is related to a single corporate action that did
not qualify for the accelerated implementation rule, regardless of whether there is an associated share change.
Quarterly share change events resulting from the conversion of derivative securities, acquisitions of private companies, or acquisitions of non-index companies that do not trade
on a major exchange are considered to be available to investors unless there is explicit information stating that the new owner is a strategic holder.
Other than the situations described above, please note that IWF changes are only made at the annual IWF review.
Rebalancing Guidelines – Share/IWF Reference Date & Freeze Period
A reference date, after the market close five weeks prior to the third Friday in March, June, September, and December, is the cutoff for publicly available information used for quarterly shares
outstanding and IWF changes. All shares outstanding and ownership information contained in public filings and/or official sources dated on or before the reference date are included in that quarter’s update. In addition, there is a freeze period on
a quarterly basis for any changes that result from the accelerated implementation rules.
Pro-forma files for float-adjusted market capitalization indices are generally released after the market close on the first Friday, two weeks prior to the rebalancing effective
date. Pro-forma files for capped and alternatively weighted indices are generally released after the market close on the second Friday, one week prior to the rebalancing effective date. For illustration purposes, if rebalancing pro-forma files are
scheduled to be released on Friday, March 5, the share/IWF freeze period will begin after the close of trading on Tuesday, March 9 and will end after the close of trading the following Friday, March 19 (i.e. the third Friday of the rebalancing
month).
During the share/IWF freeze period, shares and IWFs are not changed and the accelerated implementation rule is suspended, except for mandatory corporate action events (such as
merger activity, stock splits, and rights offerings). The suspension includes all changes that qualify for accelerated implementation and would typically be announced or effective during the share/IWF freeze period. At the end of the freeze period
all suspended changes will be announced on the third Friday of the rebalancing month and implemented five business days after the quarterly rebalancing effective date.
Adjustments for Corporate Actions
There is a large range of corporate actions that may affect companies included in the SPX. Certain corporate actions require the Index Sponsor to recalculate the share count or
the float adjustment or to make an adjustment to the divisor to prevent the level of the SPX from changing as a result of the corporate action. This helps ensure that the movement of the SPX does not reflect the corporate actions of individual
companies in the SPX.
Spin-Offs
As a general policy, a spin-off security is added to the SPX on the ex-date at a price of zero (with no divisor adjustment) and will remain in the SPX for at least one trading
day. The spin-off security will remain in the SPX if it meets all eligibility criteria. If the spin-off security is determined ineligible to remain in the SPX, it will generally be removed after at least one day of regular way trading (with a
divisor adjustment). The weight of the spin-off being deleted is reinvested across all the SPX constituents proportionately such that the relative weights of all SPX constituents are unchanged. The net change in SPX market capitalization will cause
a divisor change.
Companies that are spun off from a SPX constituent do not need to meet the eligibility criteria for new constituents, but they should be considered U.S. domiciled for SPX
purposes. At the discretion of the S&P Index Committee, a spin-off company may be retained in the SPX if the S&P Index Committee determines it has a total market capitalization representative of the SPX. If the spin-off company’s estimated
market capitalization is below the minimum unadjusted company market capitalization for the SPX but there are other SPX constituents that have a significantly lower total market capitalization than the spin-off company, the S&P Index Committee
may decide to retain the spin-off company in the SPX.
Several additional types of corporate actions, and their related treatment, are listed in the table below.
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Corporate Action
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Treatment
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SPX constituent addition/deletion
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Addition
SPX constituents are added at the float market capitalization weight. The net change to the SPX market capitalization causes a divisor adjustment.
Deletion
The weights of all SPX constituents in the SPX will proportionally change. Relative weights will stay the same. The divisor will change due to the net change in the SPX market
capitalization.
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Change in shares outstanding
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Increasing (decreasing) the shares outstanding increases (decreases) the market capitalization of the SPX. The change to the SPX market capitalization causes a divisor adjustment.
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Split/reverse split
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Shares outstanding are adjusted by split ratio. Stock price is adjusted by split ratio. There is no change to the SPX market capitalization and no divisor adjustment.
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Change in IWF
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Increasing (decreasing) the IWF increases (decreases) the market capitalization of the index. A net change to the SPX market capitalization causes a divisor adjustment.
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Ordinary dividend
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When a company pays an ordinary cash dividend, the SPX does not make any adjustments to the price or shares of the stock. As a result there are no divisor adjustments to the SPX.
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Special dividend
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The stock price is adjusted by the amount of the special dividend. The net change to the SPX market capitalization causes a divisor adjustment.
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Rights offering
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All rights offerings that are in-the-money on the ex-date are applied under the assumption the rights are fully subscribed. The stock price is adjusted by the value of the rights and the
shares outstanding are increased by the rights ratio. The net change in market capitalization causes a divisor adjustment.
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Any company that is removed from the SPX, the S&P MidCap 400® Index or the S&P SmallCap 600® Index must wait a minimum of one year from its removal
date before being reconsidered as a replacement candidate for the SPX.
Recalculation Policy
The Index Sponsor reserves the right to recalculate and republish the SPX at its discretion in the event one of the following issues has occurred: (1) incorrect or revised closing
price of one or more constituent securities; (2) missed or misapplied corporate action; (3) incorrect application of SPX methodology; (4) late announcement of a corporate action; or (5) incorrect calculation or data entry error. The decision to
recalculate the SPX is made at the discretion of the index manager and/or index committee, as further discussed below. The potential market impact or disruption resulting from a recalculation is considered when making any such decision. In the
event of an incorrect closing price, a missed or misapplied corporate action, a late announcement of a corporate action, or an incorrect calculation or data entry error that is discovered within two trading days of its occurrence, generally the SPX
is recalculated. In the event any such event is discovered beyond the two trading day period, the index committee shall decide whether the SPX should be recalculated. In the event of an incorrect application of the methodology that results in the
incorrect composition and/or weighting of SPX constituents, the index committee shall determine whether or not to recalculate the SPX following specified guidelines. In the event that the SPX is recalculated, it shall be done within a reasonable
timeframe following the detection and review of the issue.
Calculations and Pricing Disruptions
Closing levels for the SPX are calculated by the Index Sponsor based on the closing price of the individual constituents of the SPX as set by their primary exchange. Closing
prices are received by the Index Sponsor from one of its third party vendors and verified by comparing them with prices from an alternative vendor. The vendors receive the closing price from the primary exchanges. Real-time intraday prices are
calculated similarly without a second verification. Official end-of-day calculations are based on each stock’s primary market closing price. Prices used for the calculation of real time SPX levels are based on the “Consolidated Tape”. The
Consolidated Tape is an aggregation of trades for each constituent over all regional exchanges and trading venues and includes the primary exchange. If there is a failure or interruption on one or more exchanges, real-time calculations will
continue as long as the “Consolidated Tape” is operational.
If an interruption is not resolved prior to the market close, official closing prices will be determined by following the hierarchy set out in NYSE Rule 123C.
A notice is published on the Index Sponsor website at spglobal.com indicating any changes to the prices used in SPX calculations. In extreme circumstances, the Index Sponsor may decide to delay SPX
adjustments or not publish the SPX. Real-time indices are not restated.
Unexpected Exchange Closures
An unexpected market/exchange closure occurs when a market/exchange fully or partially fails to open or trading is temporarily halted. This can apply to a single exchange or to a
market as a whole, when all of the primary exchanges are closed and/or not trading. Unexpected market/exchange closures are usually due to unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters, inclement weather, outages, or other events.
To a large degree, the Index Sponsor is dependent on the exchanges to provide guidance in the event of an unexpected exchange closure. The Index Sponsor’s
decision making is dependent on exchange guidance regarding pricing and mandatory corporate actions.
NYSE Rule 123C provides closing contingency procedures for determining an official closing price for listed securities if the exchange is unable to conduct a
closing transaction in one or more securities due to a system or technical issue.
3:00 PM ET is the deadline for an exchange to determine its plan of action regarding an outage scenario. As such, the Index Sponsor also uses 3:00 PM ET as
the cutoff.
If all major exchanges fail to open or unexpectedly halt trading intraday due to unforeseen circumstances, the Index Sponsor will take the following actions:
Market Disruption Prior to Open of Trading:
(i) If all exchanges indicate that trading will not open
for a given day, the Index Sponsor will treat the day as an unscheduled market holiday. The decision will be communicated to clients as soon as possible through the normal channels. Indices containing multiple markets will be calculated as normal,
provided that at least one market is open that day. Indices which only contain closed markets will not be calculated.
(ii) If exchanges indicate that trading, although delayed, will open for a
given day, the Index Sponsor will begin index calculation when the exchanges open.
Market Disruption Intraday:
(i) If exchanges indicate that trading will not resume for
a given day, the SPX level will be calculated using prices determined by the exchanges based on NYSE Rule 123C. Intraday SPX levels will continue to use the last traded composite price until the primary exchange publishes official closing prices.
License Agreement
S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings
LLC (“Dow Jones”). These trademarks have been licensed for use by the Index Sponsor. “Standard & Poor’s®,” “S&P 500®” and “S&P®” are trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC. These
trademarks have been sublicensed for certain purposes by us. The S&P 500® Index is a product of the Index Sponsor and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by us.
The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Index Sponsor, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC 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 the holders of the securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities
generally or in the securities particularly or the ability of the S&P 500® Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to the S&P 500® Index is the
licensing of the S&P 500® Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors. The S&P 500® Index is determined, composed and calculated by
S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us or the securities. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the securities into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500®
Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the securities or the timing of the issuance or sale of the securities or in the determination or calculation of
the equation by which the securities 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 securities. There is no assurance that investment
products based on the S&P 500® Index will accurately track S&P 500® Index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P 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 securities currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the securities. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial
products which are linked to the performance of the S&P 500® Index. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the securities.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P 500® 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 SECURITIES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY
FROM THE USE OF THE S&P 500® 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.
Historical Information
We obtained the closing levels of the S&P 500® Index in the graph below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.
The following graph sets forth daily closing levels of the S&P 500® Index for the period from January 1, 2018 to July 11, 2023. The closing level on July 11, 2023 was 4,439.26. The
historical performance of the S&P 500® Index should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the S&P 500® Index, and no assurance can be given as to the closing level of the S&P 500®
Index on any day during the term of the securities. We cannot give you any assurance that the performance of the S&P 500® Index will result in any positive return on your initial investment.
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
|
You should carefully review the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying product supplement. The following discussion, when read in
combination with that section, constitutes the full opinion of our special U.S. tax counsel, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, LLP, regarding the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the securities.
Due to the absence of statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of securities
with terms that are substantially the same as the securities, no assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or a court will agree with the tax treatment described herein. Pursuant to the terms of the securities, the Bank and
you agree, in the absence of a statutory or regulatory change or an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to characterize the securities as prepaid derivative contracts with respect to the Indices with associated
contingent coupon payments. If the securities are so treated, any contingent coupon payment paid on the securities would be treated as ordinary income includable in income by you in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, and upon the taxable disposition (including cash settlement) of your securities, you generally should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on such taxable disposition (adjusted for amounts
or proceeds attributable to any accrued and unpaid contingent coupon payments, which would be treated as ordinary income) and your tax basis in the securities. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your
securities for more than one year (and otherwise, short-term capital gain or loss).
Based on certain factual representations received from us, our special U.S. tax counsel, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, is of the opinion that it would be
reasonable to treat your securities in the manner described above. However, because there is no authority that specifically addresses the tax treatment of the securities, it is possible that your securities could alternatively be treated for tax
purposes as a single contingent payment debt instrument, or pursuant to some other characterization, such that the timing and character of your income from the securities could differ materially and adversely from the treatment described above, as
described further under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences – Alternative Treatments” in the product supplement.
The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have requested comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts”, such as the
securities, and similar financial instruments and have indicated that such transactions may be the subject of future regulations or other guidance. In addition, members of Congress have proposed legislative changes to the tax treatment of
derivative contracts. Any legislation, Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive
effect. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative tax treatments of the securities and potential changes in applicable law.
An investment in the securities is not appropriate for non-U.S. holders because such an investment may result in significant adverse tax consequences. In particular, persons having withholding
responsibility in respect of the securities may withhold on any coupon paid to you, generally at a rate of 30%, and to the extent that we have (or an affiliate of ours has) withholding responsibility in respect of the securities, we intend to so
withhold. This discussion does not otherwise address the tax consequences to non-U.S. holders of the ownership or disposition of the securities.
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