The information in this Preliminary Pricing Supplement is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these notes until the Pricing Supplement is
delivered in final form. We are not selling these notes, nor are we soliciting offers to buy these notes, in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion. Dated May 24, 2024
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-261476
The Bank of Nova Scotia
$ Capped Buffered Index-Linked Notes
Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the S&P 500® Index Due January 2, 2026
The notes will not bear interest. The amount that you will be paid on your notes at maturity (expected to be January 2, 2026) is based on the performance of
the least performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the S&P 500® Index (each, a “reference asset”) as measured from the trade date (expected to be June 27, 2024) to and including the valuation date (expected to be December
29, 2025).
If the final level of each reference asset on the valuation date is greater than its initial level (set on the trade date and will be the closing
level or an intra-day level of such reference asset on the trade date, which may be higher or lower than its closing level on the trade date), the return on your notes will be positive and will equal the participation rate of 120.00% times the reference asset return of the least performing reference asset, subject to the maximum upside payment amount (set on the trade date and expected to be at least $1,210.00 for each $1,000 principal
amount of your notes). If the final level of any reference asset is equal to or less than its initial level, but the final level of each reference
asset is greater than or equal to 90.00% of its initial level, the return on your notes will equal the participation rate times
the absolute value of the reference asset return of the least performing reference asset (e.g., if the reference asset return of the least performing reference asset is -5.00%, your return will be +6.00%).
If the final level of any reference asset is less than 90.00% of its initial level, the return on your notes will be negative and
will equal the reference asset return of the least performing reference asset plus 10.00%. Specifically, you will lose 1% for every 1% negative percentage change in the level of the least performing reference asset below 90.00% of its initial
level. You may lose up to 90.00% of the principal amount of your notes. Any payment on your notes is subject to the creditworthiness of The Bank of Nova Scotia.
The amount that you will be paid on your notes at maturity is based on the performance of the least performing reference asset, which is the reference asset with the lowest reference asset return.
The reference asset return of each reference asset is the percentage increase or decrease from its initial level to its final level.
At maturity, for each $1,000 principal amount of your notes, you will receive an amount in cash equal to:
| ● |
if the final level of each reference asset is greater than its initial level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus
(ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the least performing reference asset return times (c) the participation
rate, subject to the maximum upside payment amount;
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if the final level of any reference asset is equal to or less than its initial level, but the final level of each reference asset is greater than or equal to 90.00% of its initial level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the absolute value of the least performing reference asset return times (c) the participation rate; or
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if the final level of any reference asset is less than 90.00% of its initial level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus
(ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the sum of (1) the least performing reference asset return plus (2) 10.00%. You will receive less than the principal amount of your notes and could lose up to 90.00% of the principal amount of your notes.
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Following the determination of the initial levels, the amount you will be paid on your notes at maturity will not be affected by the closing level of any reference asset on any day other than the
valuation date. In addition, no payments on your notes will be made prior to maturity.
Investment in the notes involves certain risks. You should refer to “Additional Risks” beginning on page P-14 of this pricing supplement and “Additional Risk Factors Specific to
the Notes” beginning on page PS-6 of the accompanying product supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-2 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and on page 7 of the accompanying prospectus.
The initial estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date is expected to be between $929.57 and
$959.57 per $1,000 principal amount, which will be less than the original issue price of your notes listed below. See “Additional Information Regarding Estimated Value of the Notes” on the following page and “Additional Risks” beginning
on page P-14 of this document for additional information. The actual value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.
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Per Note
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Total1
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Original Issue Price
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100.00%
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$
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Underwriting commissions1
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Up to 2.10%
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$
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Proceeds to The Bank of Nova Scotia1
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At least 97.90%
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$
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1 For additional information, see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” herein.
Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or passed upon the accuracy or
the adequacy of this pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement, underlier supplement or product supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The notes are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “CDIC”) pursuant to the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (the “CDIC Act”) or the U.S. Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency of Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction.
| Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. |
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
Dealer
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Pricing Supplement dated , 2024
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The Capped Buffered Index-Linked Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the S&P 500® Index Due January 2, 2026 (the “notes”)
offered hereunder are unsubordinated and unsecured obligations of The Bank of Nova Scotia (the “Bank”) and are subject to investment risks including possible loss of the principal amount invested due to the negative performance of any of the
reference assets and the credit risk of the Bank. As used in this pricing supplement, the “Bank,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to The Bank of Nova Scotia. The notes will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or automated quotation system.
The return on your notes will relate to the price return of the least performing reference asset and will not include a total return or dividend component. The notes are derivative
products based on the performance of the least performing reference asset. The notes do not constitute a direct investment in any of the respective shares, units or other securities represented by any reference asset. By acquiring the notes, you
will not have a direct economic or other interest in, claim or entitlement to, or any legal or beneficial ownership of any such share, unit or security and will not have any rights as a shareholder, unitholder or other security holder of any of the
issuers including, without limitation, any voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions.
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. (“SCUSA”), our affiliate, will purchase the notes from us for distribution to other registered broker dealers. SCUSA or any of its affiliates or agents may
use this pricing supplement in market-making transactions in notes after their initial sale. Unless we, SCUSA or another of our affiliates or agents selling such notes to you informs you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing
supplement is being used in a market-making transaction. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in this pricing supplement and “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying product
supplement.
The original issue price, commissions and proceeds to the Bank listed above relate to the notes we issue initially. We may decide to sell additional notes after the date of the
final pricing supplement, at original issue prices and with commissions and proceeds to the Bank that differ from the amounts set forth above. The return (whether positive or negative) on your investment in the notes will depend in part on the
original issue price you pay for such notes.
Additional Information Regarding Estimated Value of the Notes
On the cover page of this pricing supplement, the Bank has provided the initial estimated value range for the notes. This range of estimated values was determined by reference to
the Bank’s internal pricing models, which take into consideration certain factors, such as the Bank’s internal funding rate on the trade date and the Bank’s assumptions about market parameters. For more information about the initial estimated
value, see “Additional Risks — Risks Relating to Estimated Value and Liquidity” herein.
The economic terms of the notes (including the maximum upside payment amount) are based on the Bank’s internal funding rate, which is the rate the Bank would pay to borrow funds
through the issuance of similar market-linked notes, the underwriting commissions, the structuring fee, other costs associated with selling and structuring the notes and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements. Due to these
factors, the original issue price you pay to purchase the notes will be greater than the initial estimated value of the notes. The Bank’s internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate the Bank would pay when it issues conventional fixed
rate debt securities as discussed further under “Additional Risks — Risks Relating to Estimated Value and Liquidity — Neither the Bank’s nor GS&Co.’s estimated value of the notes at any time is determined by reference to credit spreads or the
borrowing rate the Bank would pay for its conventional fixed-rate debt securities”. The Bank’s use of its internal funding rate reduces the economic terms of the notes to you.
The value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted; however, the price (not including Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC’s (“GS&Co.’s”) customary bid
and ask spreads) at which GS&Co. would initially buy or sell notes in the secondary market (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) and the value that GS&Co. will initially use for account statements and otherwise is
equal to approximately GS&Co.’s estimate of the market value of your notes on the trade date, based on its pricing models and taking into account the Bank’s internal funding rate, plus an additional amount (initially equal to $ per $1,000
principal amount).
Prior to , the price (not including GS&Co.’s customary bid and ask spreads) at which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if it makes a market, which it is not obligated to
do) will equal approximately the sum of (a) the then-current estimated value of your notes (as determined by reference to GS&Co.’s pricing models) plus (b) any remaining additional amount (the additional amount will decline to zero on a
straight-line basis from the time of pricing through approximately 3 months). On and after , the price (not including GS&Co.’s customary bid and ask spreads) at which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if it makes a market) will equal
approximately the then-current estimated value of your notes determined by reference to such pricing models. For additional information regarding the value of your notes shown in your GS&Co. account statements and the price at which GS&Co.
would buy or sell your notes (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do), each based on GS&Co.’s pricing models; see “Additional Risks — Risks Relating to Estimated Value and Liquidity — The price at which GS&Co. would
buy or sell your notes (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) will be based on GS&Co.’s estimated value of your notes” herein.
We urge you to read the “Additional Risks” beginning on page P-14 of this pricing supplement.
P-2
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SUMMARY
The information in this “Summary” section is qualified by the more detailed information set forth in this pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement
and product supplement, each filed with the SEC. See “Additional Terms of Your Notes” in this pricing supplement.
The terms included in the table below are expected to be as indicated, but such terms will be set on the trade date.
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Issuer:
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The Bank of Nova Scotia (the “Bank”)
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Issue:
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Senior Note Program, Series A
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CUSIP / ISIN:
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06418LDQ6 / US06418LDQ68
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Type of Notes:
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Capped Buffered Index-Linked Notes
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Reference Assets:
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The Russell 2000® Index (Bloomberg Ticker: RTY) and the S&P 500® Index (Bloomberg Ticker: SPX). We may refer to the Russell 2000®
Index as the “RTY” and the S&P 500® Index as the “SPX” herein.
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Minimum Investment and
Denominations:
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$1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof
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Principal Amount:
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$1,000 per note; $[•] in the aggregate for all the notes; the aggregate principal amount of the notes may be increased if the Bank, at its sole option, decides to sell an
additional amount of the notes on a date subsequent to the date of the final pricing supplement
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Original Issue Price:
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100% of the principal amount of each note
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Currency:
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U.S. dollars
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Trade Date:
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Expected to be June 27, 2024
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Original Issue Date:
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Expected to be July 2, 2024
We expect that delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about the 3rd business day following the date of pricing of the notes (this
settlement cycle being referred to as “T+3”). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day (“T+1”), unless the parties to any such
trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes prior to one business day before delivery of the notes will be required, by virtue of the fact that each note initially will settle in three business days
(T+3), to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
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Valuation Date:
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Expected to be December 29, 2025
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the product supplement, if the originally scheduled valuation date is not a trading day with respect to any reference asset,
the valuation date will be the first day thereafter that is a trading day for all reference assets (the “first qualified trading day”).
The valuation date is subject to postponement for certain market disruption events as described under “General Terms of the Notes — Market Disruption Events” and “—
Valuation Dates” in the accompanying product supplement.
If, on the originally scheduled valuation date (or the first qualified trading day, as applicable), no market disruption event is occurring with respect to a particular reference asset, the
closing level for such reference asset will be determined on the originally scheduled valuation date (or the first qualified trading day, as applicable) irrespective of the occurrence of a market disruption event with respect to any other
reference asset.
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P-3
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Maturity Date:
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Expected to be January 2, 2026, subject to adjustment due to a market disruption event, or a non-business day as described in more detail under “General Terms of the Notes
— Maturity Date” in the accompanying product supplement.
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Principal at Risk:
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You may lose a substantial portion of your investment at maturity if there is a percentage decrease in the least performing reference asset from its initial level to its
final level of more than 10.00%.
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Purchase at amount other
than principal amount:
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The amount we will pay you on the maturity date for your notes will not be adjusted based on the original issue price you pay for your notes, so if you acquire notes at a
premium (or discount) to the principal amount and hold them to the maturity date, it could affect your investment in a number of ways. The return on your investment in such notes will be lower (or higher) than it would have been had you
purchased the notes at the principal amount. Additionally, the maximum upside payment amount would be triggered at a lower (or higher) percentage return than indicated below, relative to your initial investment. Also, the stated buffer
level would not afford the same potential return from the absolute least performing reference asset return feature or offer the same measure of protection to your investment as would be the case if you had purchased the notes at the
principal amount. See “Additional Risks — Risks Relating to Return Characteristics — If you purchase your notes at a premium to the principal amount, the return on your investment will be lower than the return on notes purchased at the
principal amount and the impact of certain key terms of the notes will be negatively affected” in this pricing supplement.
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Fees and Expenses:
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As part of the distribution of the notes, SCUSA or one of our other affiliates will sell the notes to GS&Co. at a discount reflecting selling commissions of up to
1.50% of the principal amount. GS&Co. proposes to initially offer the notes to the public at the original issue price set forth on the cover of this pricing supplement and to certain securities dealers at such price less a concession
not in excess of 1.50% of the principal amount. In addition to the concession, GS&Co. will pay any such securities dealer a structuring fee of up to 0.60% of the principal amount.
A fee will also be paid to iCapital Markets LLC, a broker-dealer in which an affiliate of GS&Co. holds an indirect minority equity interest, for services it is
providing in connection with this offering.
The actual commissions will be specified in the final pricing supplement.
At the time we issue the notes, we will enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with GS&Co. or one
of its affiliates.
See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in this pricing supplement.
The price at which you purchase the notes includes costs that the Bank, GS&Co. or our or their respective affiliates expect to incur and profits that the Bank, GS&Co. or our or their
respective affiliates expect to realize in connection with hedging activities related to the notes, as set forth above. These costs and profits will likely reduce the secondary market price, if any secondary market develops, for the notes.
As a result, you may experience an immediate and substantial decline in the market value of your notes on the trade date. See “Additional Risks — Risks Relating to Hedging Activities and Conflicts of Interest — Hedging activities by the
Bank and GS&Co. may negatively impact investors in the notes and cause our respective interests and those of our clients and counterparties to be contrary to those of investors in the notes” and “— Risks Relating to Estimated Value and
Liquidity — The underwriting commissions, structuring fee and other expenses, result in less favorable economic terms of the notes and could adversely affect any secondary market price for the notes” in this pricing supplement.
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Payment at Maturity:
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The payment at maturity, for each $1,000 principal amount of notes, will be based on the performance of the least performing reference asset and will be calculated as follows:
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P-4
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• If the
final level of each reference asset is greater than its initial level, then the payment at maturity will equal:
o The
lesser of (a) principal amount + (principal amount × least performing reference asset return × participation rate) and (b) maximum upside payment amount
• If the
final level of any reference asset is equal to or less than its initial level but the final level of each reference asset is greater than or equal to its buffer level, then the
payment at maturity will equal:
o principal
amount + (principal amount × absolute least performing reference asset return × participation rate)
• If the
final level of any reference asset is less than its buffer level, then the payment at maturity will equal:
o principal
amount + [principal amount × (least performing reference asset return + buffer percentage)]
In this case you will suffer a percentage loss on your principal amount equal to the negative reference asset return of the least
performing reference asset in excess of the buffer percentage. Accordingly, you could lose up to 90.00% of the principal amount of your notes.
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Closing Level:
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With respect to a reference asset, as used herein, the “closing level” of such reference asset on any date will be determined based upon the closing level published on the
relevant Bloomberg Professional® service (“Bloomberg”) page for such reference asset or any successor page on Bloomberg or any successor service, as applicable, on such date.
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Initial Level:
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With respect to the RTY, [●] (to be set on the trade date)
With respect to the SPX, [●] (to be set on the trade date)
In each case, equal to the closing level or an intra-day level of such reference asset on the trade date
If the initial level of any reference asset is an intra-day level, it may be higher or lower than its closing level on the trade date
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Final Level:
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For each reference asset, the closing level of such reference asset on the valuation date
In certain special circumstances, the final level of a reference asset will be determined by the calculation agent. See “General Terms of the Notes — Unavailability of the
Closing Value of a Reference Asset; Adjustments to a Reference Asset — Unavailability of the Closing Value of a Reference Index; Alternative Calculation Methodology” and “General Terms of the Notes — Market Disruption Events” in the
accompanying product supplement.
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Reference Asset Return:
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For each reference asset, the reference asset return, expressed as a percentage, with respect to the payment at maturity, is calculated as follows:
final level – initial level
initial level
For the avoidance of doubt, the reference asset return may be a negative value.
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Least Performing
Reference Asset:
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The reference asset with the lowest reference asset return
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Least Performing
Reference Asset Return:
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The reference asset return of the least performing reference asset
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P-5
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Absolute Least
Performing Reference
Asset Return:
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The absolute value of the least performing reference asset return, expressed as a percentage (e.g., a -5% least performing reference asset return will equal a +5% absolute
least performing reference asset return). The ability to participate in the absolute least performing reference asset return is limited due to the buffer level of the least performing reference asset.
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Participation Rate:
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120.00%
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Maximum Upside
Payment Amount:
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Expected to be at least $1,210.00 for each $1,000 principal amount of your notes, which equals the principal amount × at least 121.000% (the actual maximum upside payment
amount to be determined on the trade date). Assuming that the actual maximum upside payment amount is set at $1,210.00 on the trade date, the maximum upside payment amount sets a cap on any increase of the least performing reference asset
to 17.50%.
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Buffer Level:
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With respect to each reference asset, 90.00% of its initial level
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Buffer Percentage:
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10.00%
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Form of Notes:
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Book-entry
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Calculation Agent:
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Scotia Capital Inc., an affiliate of the Bank
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Status:
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The notes will constitute direct, unsubordinated and unsecured obligations of the Bank ranking pari passu with all other direct,
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Bank from time to time outstanding (except as otherwise prescribed by law). Holders will not have the benefit of any insurance under the provisions of the CDIC Act, the U.S. Federal Deposit
Insurance Act or under any other deposit insurance regime of any jurisdiction.
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Tax Redemption:
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The Bank (or its successor) may redeem the notes, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price determined by the calculation agent in a manner reasonably calculated to
preserve your and our relative economic position, if it is determined that changes in tax laws or their interpretation will result in the Bank (or its successor) becoming obligated to pay additional amounts with respect to the notes. See
“Tax Redemption” in the accompanying product supplement.
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Listing:
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The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or quotation system
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Use of Proceeds:
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General corporate purposes
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Clearance and
Settlement:
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Depository Trust Company
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Trading Day:
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With respect to a reference asset, a day on which the respective principal securities markets for all of the stocks comprising such reference asset (its “reference asset
constituent stocks”) are scheduled to be open for trading, the sponsor of such reference asset (its “sponsor”) is scheduled to be open for business and such reference asset is expected to be calculated and published by its sponsor
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Business Day:
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A day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law to close
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Terms Incorporated:
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All of the terms appearing above the item under the caption “General Terms of the Notes” in the accompanying product supplement, as modified by this pricing supplement
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Canadian Bail-in:
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The notes are not bail-inable debt securities under the CDIC Act
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Investing in the notes involves significant risks. You may lose a substantial portion of your investment. Any payment on the notes, including any repayment of principal, is subject
to the creditworthiness of the Bank. If the Bank were to default on its payment obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the notes and you could lose up to your entire investment.
P-6
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ADDITIONAL TERMS OF YOUR NOTES
You should read this pricing supplement together with the prospectus dated December 29, 2021, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated December 29, 2021, the underlier
supplement dated December 29, 2021 and the product supplement (Market-Linked Notes, Series A) dated December 29, 2021, relating to our Senior Note Program, Series A, of which these notes are a part. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this
pricing supplement will have the meanings given to them in the product supplement. In the event of any conflict between this pricing supplement and any of the foregoing, the following hierarchy will govern: first, this pricing supplement; second,
the accompanying product supplement; third, the underlier supplement; fourth, the prospectus supplement; and last, the prospectus. The notes may vary from the terms described in the accompanying
prospectus, prospectus supplement, underlier supplement and product supplement in several important ways. You should read this pricing supplement carefully, including the documents incorporated by reference herein.
This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the notes and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other
written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things,
the matters set forth in “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the accompanying product supplement, as the notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax,
accounting and other advisors concerning an investment in the notes. You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if that address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website).
Product Supplement (Market-Linked Notes, Series A) dated December 29, 2021:
Underlier Supplement dated December 29, 2021:
Prospectus Supplement dated December 29, 2021:
Prospectus dated December 29, 2021:
P-7
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INVESTOR SUITABILITY
The notes may be suitable for you if:
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You fully understand and are willing to accept the risks inherent in an investment in the notes, including the risk of losing up to 90.00% of the principal amount of your notes
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| • |
You understand and accept that an investment in the notes is linked to the performance of the least performing reference asset and not a basket of the reference assets, and that you will be exposed to the
individual market risk of each reference asset
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| • |
You are willing to make an investment that, if the final level of any reference asset is less than its buffer level, has a downside risk similar to the downside market risk of a hypothetical investment in the
least performing reference asset or in its reference asset constituent stocks, subject to the buffer percentage
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| • |
You believe that (a) the level of each reference asset will appreciate over the term of the notes and that such appreciation is unlikely to exceed the cap on appreciation set by the maximum upside payment amount
(the actual maximum upside payment amount will be determined on the trade date) or (b) the level of any reference asset will decline over the term of the notes but not by more than its buffer percentage
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| • |
You can accept that the risks of each reference asset are not mitigated by the performance of any other reference asset and the risks of investing in securities with a return based on the performance of multiple
reference assets
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You are willing to invest in the notes based on the participation rate indicated on the cover hereof
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| • |
You understand and accept that, while the notes provide an opportunity for you to earn a positive return if the level of the least performing reference asset declines, such opportunity is limited to declines from
its initial level to a final level that is not less than its buffer level
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You understand and accept that your potential payment at maturity from any appreciation in the least performing reference asset from its initial level is limited to the maximum upside payment amount and you would
be willing to invest in the notes if the maximum upside payment amount was set equal to the minimum indicated on the cover hereof (the actual maximum upside payment amount will be determined on the trade date)
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You are willing to hold the notes to maturity, a term of approximately 18 months, and accept that there may be little or no secondary market for the notes
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| • |
You can tolerate fluctuations in the price of the notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside fluctuations in the levels of the reference assets or in the prices of the reference asset
constituent stocks
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| • |
You do not seek current income from your investment and are willing to forgo dividends paid on the reference asset constituent stocks
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| • |
You are willing to assume the credit risk of the Bank for all payments under the notes, and understand that if the Bank defaults on its obligations you may not receive any amounts due to you including any
repayment of principal
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The notes may not be suitable for you if:
| • |
You do not fully understand or are unwilling to accept the risks inherent in an investment in the notes, including the risk of losing up to 90.00% of the principal amount of your notes
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| • |
You require an investment designed to guarantee a full return of principal at maturity
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| • |
You do not understand or are unwilling to accept that an investment in the notes is linked to the performance of the least performing reference asset and not a basket of the reference assets, or that you will be
exposed to the individual market risk of each reference asset
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| • |
You are not willing to make an investment that, if the final level of any reference asset is less than its buffer level, has a downside risk similar to the downside market risk of a hypothetical investment in the
least performing reference asset or in its reference asset constituent stocks, subject to the buffer percentage
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| • |
You believe that the level of any reference asset will decline during the term of the notes such that the final level of any reference asset will be less than its buffer level, or you believe that the level of
the least performing reference asset will appreciate over the term of the notes and that the appreciation is likely to equal or exceed the cap on appreciation set by the maximum upside payment amount (the actual maximum upside payment
amount will be determined on the trade date)
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You seek an investment that has unlimited return potential without a cap on appreciation or you are unwilling to invest in the notes if the maximum upside payment amount was set equal to the minimum indicated on
the cover hereof (the actual maximum upside payment amount will be determined on the trade date)
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You cannot tolerate fluctuations in the price of the notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside fluctuations in the levels of the reference assets or in the prices of the reference
asset constituent stocks
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You seek current income from your investment or prefer to receive dividends paid on the reference asset constituent stocks
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You cannot accept that the risks of each reference asset are not mitigated by the performance of any other reference asset or the risks of investing in securities with a return based on the performance of
multiple reference assets
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You are unwilling to invest in the notes based on the participation rate indicated on the cover hereof
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You are unable or unwilling to hold the notes to maturity, a term of approximately 18 months, or you seek an investment for which there will be a secondary market
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You are not willing to assume the credit risk of the Bank for all payments under the notes
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The investor suitability considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the notes are a suitable 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 suitability of an investment in the notes in light of your particular
circumstances. You should also review “Additional Risks” in this pricing supplement and the “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” beginning on page PS-6 of the accompanying product supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-2 of
the accompanying prospectus supplement and on page 7 of the accompanying prospectus for risks related to an investment in the notes.
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HYPOTHETICAL PAYMENTS AT MATURITY ON THE NOTES
The examples set out below are included for illustration purposes only. They should not be taken as an indication or prediction of future investment results and are intended merely
to illustrate the impact that the various hypothetical closing levels of the reference assets on the valuation date could have on the payment at maturity assuming all other variables remain constant.
The examples below are based on a range of final levels that are entirely hypothetical; the levels of the reference assets on any day throughout the term of the notes, including the
final levels on the valuation date, cannot be predicted. The reference assets have been highly volatile in the past, meaning that the levels of the reference assets have changed considerably in relatively short periods, and their performance cannot
be predicted for any future period.
The information in the following examples reflects hypothetical rates of return on the notes assuming that they are purchased on the original issue date at the
principal amount and held to the maturity date. If you sell your notes in a secondary market prior to the maturity date, your return will depend upon the market value of your notes at the time of sale, which may be affected by a number of factors
that are not reflected in the examples below, such as interest rates, the volatility of the reference assets, the correlation of the reference assets and our creditworthiness. In addition, the estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of
your notes are set on the trade date (as determined by reference to pricing models used by us) will be less than the original issue price of your notes. For more information on the estimated value of your notes, see “Additional Risks — Risks
Relating to Estimated Value and Liquidity — The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes at the time of pricing (when the terms of your notes are set on the trade date) will be lower than the original issue price of the notes” in this pricing
supplement. The information in the examples also reflect the key terms and assumptions in the box below.
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Key Terms and Assumptions
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Principal amount
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$1,000
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Participation rate
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120.00%
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Maximum upside payment
amount
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$1,210.00 for each $1,000 principal amount of your notes*
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Buffer level
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With respect to each reference asset, 90.00% of its initial level
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Buffer percentage
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10.00%
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* The lowest potential maximum upside payment amount. The actual maximum upside payment amount will be determined on the trade date.
Neither a market disruption event nor a non-trading day occurs on the originally scheduled valuation date
No change in or affecting any of the reference asset constituent stocks or the method by which the applicable sponsor calculates any reference asset
Notes purchased on the original issue date at the principal amount and held to the maturity date
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Moreover, we have not yet set the initial levels that will serve as the baseline for determining the reference asset returns and, consequently, the least performing reference asset,
each of which will affect the amount that we will pay on your notes at maturity. We will not do so until the trade date. As a result, the actual initial levels may differ substantially from the levels of the reference assets prior to the trade
date.
For these reasons, the actual performance of the reference assets over the term of your notes, as well as the amount payable at maturity may bear little relation to the hypothetical
examples shown below or to the historical levels of the reference assets shown elsewhere in this pricing supplement. For information about the historical levels of the reference assets, see “Information Regarding the Reference Assets” below. You
should consult publicly available information to determine the levels of the reference assets between the date of this pricing supplement and the date of your purchase of the notes.
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Also, the hypothetical examples shown below do not take into account the effects of applicable taxes. Because of the U.S. tax treatment applicable to your notes, tax liabilities
could affect the after-tax rate of return on your notes to a comparatively greater extent than the after-tax return on the reference asset constituent stocks.
The levels in the left column of the table below represent hypothetical final levels of the least performing reference asset and are expressed as percentages of
its initial level. The amounts in the right column of the table below represent the hypothetical payment at maturity, based on the corresponding hypothetical final level of the least performing reference asset, and are expressed as percentages of
the principal amount of a note (rounded to the nearest thousandth of a percent). Thus, a hypothetical payment at maturity of 100.000% means that the value of the cash payment that we would pay for each $1,000 of the outstanding principal amount of
the notes on the maturity date would equal 100.000% of the principal amount of a note, based on the corresponding hypothetical final level of the least performing reference asset and the assumptions noted above.
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Hypothetical Final Level of
the Least Performing Reference Asset
(as Percentage of its Initial Level)
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Hypothetical Payment at Maturity
(as Percentage of Principal Amount)
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150.000%
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121.000%
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140.000%
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121.000%
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130.000%
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121.000%
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120.000%
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121.000%
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117.500%
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121.000%
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115.000%
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118.000%
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110.000%
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112.000%
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105.000%
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106.000%
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100.000%
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100.000%
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97.000%
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103.600%
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94.000%
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107.200%
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91.000%
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110.800%
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90.000%
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112.000%
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89.000%
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99.000%
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80.000%
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90.000%
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70.000%
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80.000%
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60.000%
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70.000%
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50.000%
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60.000%
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25.000%
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35.000%
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0.000%
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10.000%
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If, for example, the final level of the least performing reference asset were determined to be 25.000% of its initial level, the payment at maturity that we would pay on your notes
at maturity would be 35.000% of the principal amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you purchased your notes on the original issue date at the principal amount and held them to the maturity date, you would lose 65.000%
of your investment (if you purchased your notes at a premium to the principal amount you would lose a correspondingly higher percentage of your investment). If the final level of the least performing reference asset were determined to be 0.000% of
its initial level, you would lose 90.000% of the principal amount of your notes.
If the final level of the least performing reference asset were determined to be 90.000% of its initial level, the absolute least performing reference asset return would be 10.000%
and the payment at maturity that we would pay on your notes would be 112.000% of the principal amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. In addition, if the final level of the least performing reference asset were determined to be 150.000%
of the initial level, the payment at maturity that we would pay on your notes would be capped at the maximum upside payment amount, or 121.000% of each $1,000 principal amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. If you hold your notes to
maturity, you will not benefit from any increase in the level of the least performing reference asset to a final level of the least performing reference asset that is greater than 117.500% of its initial level.
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The following chart shows a graphical illustration of the hypothetical payment at maturity that we would pay on your notes on the maturity date, if the final level of the least performing reference
asset were any of the hypothetical levels shown on the horizontal axis. The hypothetical payments at maturity in the chart are expressed as percentages of the principal
amount of your notes and the hypothetical final levels of the least performing reference asset are expressed as percentages of its initial level. The chart shows that any hypothetical final level of the least performing reference asset of less
than 90.000% (the section left of the 90.000% marker on the horizontal axis) would result in a hypothetical payment at maturity of less than 100.000% of the principal amount of your notes (the section below the 100.000% marker on the vertical
axis) and, accordingly, in a loss of principal to the holder of the notes. The chart also shows that any hypothetical final level of the least performing reference asset of greater than or equal to 117.500% (the section right of the 117.500%
marker on the horizontal axis) would result in a capped return on your investment.
Any payment on the notes, including any repayment of principal, is subject to the creditworthiness of the Bank. If the Bank were to default
on its payment obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the notes and you could lose up to your entire investment.
The payments at maturity shown above are entirely hypothetical; they are based on a hypothetical maximum upside payment amount, hypothetical levels of the reference assets that may
not be achieved on the valuation date and on assumptions that may prove to be erroneous. The actual market value of your notes on the maturity date or at any other time, including any time you may wish to sell your notes, may bear little relation
to the hypothetical payments at maturity shown above, and these amounts should not be viewed as an indication of the financial return on an investment in the notes. The hypothetical payments at maturity on the notes held to the maturity date in the
examples above assume you purchased your notes at their principal amount and have not been adjusted to reflect the actual original issue price you pay for your notes. The return on your investment (whether positive or negative) in your notes will
be affected by the amount you pay for your notes. If you purchase your notes for a price other than the principal amount, the return on your investment will differ from, and may be significantly lower than, the hypothetical returns suggested by the
above examples. Please read “Additional Risks — Risks Relating to Estimated Value and Liquidity — The price at which the notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors and may be substantially less than the amount for which
they were originally purchased” in this pricing supplement.
Payments on the notes are economically equivalent to the amounts that would be paid on a combination of other instruments. For example, payments on the notes are economically
equivalent to a combination of a non- interest-bearing bond bought by the holder and one or more options entered into between the holder and us (with one or more implicit option premiums paid over time). The discussion in this paragraph does not
modify or affect the terms of the notes or the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the notes, as described elsewhere in this pricing supplement.
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We cannot predict the actual final levels of the reference assets or what the market value of your notes will be on any particular trading day, nor can we
predict the relationship between the levels of the reference assets and the market value of your notes at any time prior to the maturity date. The actual amount that you will receive at maturity and the rate of return on the notes will
depend on the actual initial levels and the actual maximum upside payment amount, each of which we will set on the trade date, and the actual final levels to be determined by the calculation agent as described above. Moreover, the
assumptions on which the hypothetical returns are based may turn out to be inaccurate. Consequently, the amount of cash to be paid in respect of your notes on the maturity date may be very different from the information reflected in the
examples above.
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ADDITIONAL RISKS
An investment in the notes involves significant risks. In addition to the following risks included in this pricing supplement, we urge you to read “Additional Risk Factors Specific
to the Notes” beginning on page PS-6 of the accompanying product supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-2 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and page 7 of the accompanying prospectus.
You should understand the risks of investing in the notes and should reach an investment decision only after careful consideration, with your advisors, of the suitability of the
notes in light of your particular financial circumstances and the information set forth in this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement, underlier supplement and product supplement.
Risks Relating to Return Characteristics
Risk of loss at maturity
You may lose a substantial portion of your investment in the notes. The payment at maturity depends on the reference asset return of the least performing reference asset. The Bank
will only repay you the full principal amount of your notes if the final level of each reference asset is greater than or equal to its buffer level and therefore the least performing reference asset return is greater than or equal to -10.00%. If
the final level of any reference asset is less than its buffer level, and therefore the least performing reference asset return is less than -10.00%, you will have a loss for each $1,000 principal amount of your notes equal to the product of (i) the sum of the least performing reference asset return plus the buffer percentage times (ii) $1,000. Accordingly, you may lose up to 90.00% of your investment in the notes if the percentage decline of the least performing reference asset from its initial level to its final
level is greater than 10.00%.
The downside market exposure to the reference assets is buffered only at maturity
You should be willing to hold your notes to maturity. If you are able to sell your notes prior to maturity in the secondary market, you may have to sell them at a loss relative to
your initial investment even if the level of each reference asset at such time is greater than or equal to its buffer level.
Your potential payment at maturity from any appreciation in the least performing reference asset is limited by the maximum upside payment amount
The payment at maturity from any appreciation in the least performing reference asset will not exceed the maximum upside payment amount. Therefore, if the appreciation of the level
of the least performing reference asset exceeds the cap on appreciation in the maximum upside payment amount, the notes will provide less opportunity to participate in the appreciation of the least performing reference asset than an investment in a
security linked to the level of the least performing reference asset providing full participation in the appreciation. Accordingly, the return on the notes may be less than the return would be if you made an investment in a security directly linked
to the positive performance of the least performing reference asset.
The stated payout applies only at maturity
You should be willing to hold your notes to maturity. If you are able to sell your notes prior to maturity in the secondary market, the price you receive will likely not reflect the
full economic value of the payment at maturity or the notes themselves, and you may have to sell them at a loss relative to your initial investment even if the level of the least performing reference asset at such time performs favorably to you.
You may receive the stated payout only if you hold your notes to maturity.
The potential for the value of your notes to increase due to a decrease in the level of the least performing reference asset is limited
Although the notes provide an opportunity for you to earn a positive return based on the decline in the level of the least performing reference asset from its
initial level to its final level, such opportunity is limited and you will have the ability to participate in the absolute value of such decline only if the final level of the least performing reference asset is greater than or equal to its buffer
level. If the final level of the least performing reference asset is less than its initial level but greater than or equal to its buffer level, the amount you may receive at maturity will not exceed $1,120.00 for each $1,000 principal amount of
your notes. If the final level is less than the buffer level, you may lose up to 90.00% of the principal amount of your notes, as described above.
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The initial level of each reference asset may be based on its intra-day level, which may be higher or lower than its closing level on the trade date.
The initial level of each reference asset will be its closing level or an intra-day level on the trade date. If the initial level of any reference asset is an intra-day level, it may
be higher or lower than its closing level on the trade date. All things being equal, a higher initial level for any reference asset (relative to its closing level on the trade date) increases the likelihood of a lower return on the notes.
The notes differ from conventional debt instruments
The notes are not conventional notes or debt instruments. The notes do not provide you with interest payments prior to maturity as a conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt
security with the same maturity would. The return that you will receive on the notes, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. Even if your return is positive, your return may be less than the return
you would earn if you bought a conventional, interest-bearing senior debt security of the Bank.
No interest
The notes will not bear interest and, accordingly, you will not receive any interest payments on the notes.
The payment at maturity is not linked to the level of any reference asset at any time other than the valuation date (except in the case of tax redemptions)
The payment at maturity will be based on the final level of the least performing reference asset. If the level of the least performing reference asset drops on the valuation date,
the payment at maturity for the notes may be significantly less than it would otherwise have been had the payment at maturity been linked to the level of the least performing reference asset at any time prior to such drop. Although the actual
closing levels of the reference assets on the maturity date or at other times during the term of the notes may be higher than the closing levels of the reference assets on the valuation date, you will not benefit from the closing level of any
reference asset at any time other than the valuation date (except in the case of tax redemptions as described further under “Tax Redemption” in the accompanying product supplement).
Holding the notes is not the same as holding the reference asset constituent stocks and the absolute least performing reference asset return feature is not the
same as taking a short position directly in the reference asset constituent stocks
Holding the notes is not the same as holding the reference asset constituent stocks. As a holder of the notes, you will not be entitled to the voting rights or rights to receive
dividends or other distributions or other rights that holders of the reference asset constituent stocks would enjoy. Further, the return on your notes may not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of the reference asset
constituent stocks. For instance, you will not benefit from any positive least performing reference asset return in excess of an amount that, when multiplied by the participation rate, exceeds the cap on appreciation set by the maximum upside
payment amount.
Similarly, if the level of the least performing reference asset declines and its final level is less than its buffer level, you will not benefit from any decline in the level of the
least performing reference asset (and you will instead lose a portion of the principal amount of your notes), as discussed further under “— The potential for the value of your notes to increase due to a decrease in the level of the least performing
reference asset is limited” herein. Additionally, if you actually took a short position in a reference asset constituent stock, you would be required to pay dividend payments (if any) to the entity that lends you the reference asset constituent
stock for your short sale and you would receive certain interest payments (the short interest rebate) from the lender.
Because the notes are linked to the least performing reference asset, you are exposed to a greater risk of losing a substantial portion of the principal amount of
your notes at maturity than if the notes were linked to a single reference asset
The risk that you will lose a substantial portion of your initial investment in the notes is greater if you invest in the notes than the risk of investing in substantially similar
securities that are linked to the performance of only one reference asset. With more reference assets, it is more likely that the final level of any reference asset will be less than its buffer level than if the notes were linked to a single
reference asset.
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In addition, a lower correlation between the performance of a pair of reference assets results in a greater likelihood that a reference asset will decline in value to a final level
that is less than its buffer level. Although the correlation of the reference assets’ performance may change over the term of the notes, the economic terms of the notes, including the participation rate and buffer levels, are determined, in part,
based on the correlation of the reference assets’ performance calculated using our internal models at the time when the terms of the notes are finalized. All things being equal, a higher participation rate and lower buffer levels are generally
associated with lower correlation of the reference assets. Therefore, if the performance of a pair of reference assets is not correlated to each other or is negatively correlated, the risk that the final level of any reference asset is less than
its buffer level will occur is even greater despite lower buffer levels. Therefore, it is more likely that you will lose a substantial portion of the principal amount of your notes at maturity.
If you purchase your notes at a premium to the principal amount, the return on your investment will be lower than the return on notes purchased at the principal
amount and the impact of certain key terms of the notes will be negatively affected
The payment at maturity will not be adjusted based on the original issue price you pay for the notes. If you purchase notes at a price that differs from the principal amount of the
notes, then the return on your investment in such notes held to the maturity date will differ from, and may be substantially less than, the return on notes purchased at the principal amount. If you purchase your notes at a premium to the principal
amount and hold them to the maturity date, the return on your investment in the notes will be lower than it would have been had you purchased the notes at the principal amount or at a discount to the principal amount. In addition, the impact of the
maximum upside payment amount and the buffer percentage on the return on your investment will depend upon the price you pay for your notes relative to the principal amount. For example, if you purchase your notes at a premium to the principal
amount, the maximum upside payment amount and the limit on the absolute least performing reference asset return implied by the buffer level of the least performing reference asset will permit a lower positive return on your investment in the notes
than would have been the case for notes purchased at the principal amount or at a discount to the principal amount. Similarly, the buffer level, while still providing some protection for the return on the notes, will allow a greater percentage
decrease in your investment in the notes than would have been the case for notes purchased at the principal amount or a discount to the principal amount.
Risks Relating to Characteristics of the Reference Asset
The notes are subject to the market risk of each reference asset
The return on the notes is directly linked to the performance of the reference assets and indirectly linked to the performance of the reference asset constituent stocks, and the
extent to which the least performing reference asset return is positive or negative. The level of each reference asset can rise or fall sharply due to factors specific to its reference asset constituent stocks, as well as general market factors,
such as general market volatility and levels, interest rates and economic, political and other conditions.
Investors are exposed to the market risk of each reference asset on the valuation date and the payment at maturity will be based solely on the least performing
reference asset return
Your return on the notes is not linked to a basket consisting of the reference assets. Rather, it will be contingent upon the performance of each reference asset. Unlike an
instrument with a return linked to a basket of indices, common stocks or other underlying securities, in which risk is mitigated and diversified among all of the components of the basket, you will be exposed equally to the risks related to each
reference asset on the valuation date. Poor performance by any reference asset over the term of the notes will negatively affect your return and will not be offset or mitigated by a positive performance by any other reference asset. For instance,
you will receive a negative return based upon the least performing reference asset return if the final level of any reference asset is less than its buffer level on its valuation date, even if the reference asset return of another reference asset
is positive or has not declined as much. Accordingly, your investment is subject to the market risk of each reference asset.
Changes affecting a reference asset could have an adverse effect on the value of, and return on, the notes
The policies of a sponsor, concerning additions, deletions and substitutions of the applicable reference asset constituent stocks and the manner in which such sponsor takes account
of certain changes affecting those reference asset constituent stocks may adversely affect the level of a reference asset. The policies of a sponsor with respect to the calculation of a reference asset could also adversely affect the level of such
reference asset. A sponsor may discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of a reference asset. Any such actions could have a material adverse effect on the value of, and return on, the notes.
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There is no assurance that the investment view implicit in the notes will be successful
It is impossible to predict with certainty whether and the extent to which the levels of the reference assets will rise or fall. There can be no assurance that the level of each
reference asset will rise above its buffer level on the valuation date. The levels of the reference assets may be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors that affect the levels of the reference asset
constituent stocks. You should be willing to accept the risks of the price performance of equity securities in general and the reference asset constituent stocks in particular, and the risk of losing a significant portion of your initial
investment.
Furthermore, we cannot give you any assurance that the future performance of the reference assets or the reference asset constituent stocks will result in you receiving an amount
greater than or equal to the principal amount of your notes. Certain periods of historical performance of the reference assets or the reference asset constituent stocks would have resulted in you receiving less than the principal amount of your
notes if you had owned notes with terms similar to these notes in the past. See “Information Regarding the Reference Assets” in this pricing supplement for further information regarding the historical performance of the reference assets.
Investors should investigate each reference asset and the reference asset constituent stocks as if making a hypothetical direct investment in the reference asset
constituent stocks
Investors should conduct their own diligence of each reference asset and reference asset constituent stocks as an investor would if it were making a hypothetical direct investment in
the reference asset constituent stocks. Neither we nor any of our affiliates have participated in the preparation of any publicly available information or made any “due diligence” investigation or inquiry with respect to any reference asset or the
reference asset constituent stocks. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the original issue date have been properly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure or failure to disclose
material future events concerning any reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks could adversely affect the market value of, and return on, the notes. Investors should not conclude that the sale by the Bank of the notes is any form
of investment recommendation by the Bank or any of its affiliates to invest in securities linked to the performance of the reference assets or the reference asset constituent stocks.
There is no assurance as to the performance of any reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks; past performance of the reference assets or the
reference asset constituent stocks should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the reference assets or the reference asset constituent stocks
The notes are linked directly to the levels of the reference assets (specifically, the least performing reference asset) and indirectly to the levels of the reference asset
constituent stocks, which are speculative and involve a high degree of risk. None of the Bank, the calculation agent, GS&Co. or any of our other or their respective affiliates gives any assurance as to the performance of the reference assets or
the reference asset constituent stocks. Investors should not conclude that the sale by the Bank of the notes is an investment recommendation by it or by any of the other entities mentioned above to invest in securities linked to the performance of
the reference assets or the reference asset constituent stocks. Investors should consult with their own financial advisors as to whether an investment in the notes is appropriate for them. Past performance of the reference assets and the reference
asset constituent stocks should not be taken as a guarantee or assurance of the future performance of the reference assets or the reference asset constituent stocks, and it is impossible to predict whether the levels of the reference assets or the
reference asset constituent stocks will rise or fall during the term of the notes.
The reference assets reflect price return only and not total return
The return on your notes is based on the performance of the reference assets, each of which reflects the changes in the market prices of its reference asset constituent stocks. They
are not, however, linked to a “total return” index or strategy, which, in addition to reflecting those price returns, would also reflect dividends paid on the reference asset constituent stocks. The return on your notes will not include such a
total return feature or dividend component.
The Bank cannot control actions by any sponsor and the sponsors have no obligation to consider your interests
The Bank and its affiliates are not affiliated with any sponsor and have no ability to control or predict their actions, including any errors
in or discontinuation of public disclosure regarding methods or policies relating to the calculation of a reference asset. No sponsor is involved in the notes offering in any way and no sponsor has any obligation to consider your interest as an owner of the notes in taking any actions that might negatively affect the market value of, and return on, your notes.
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The notes are subject to small-capitalization stock risks
The notes are subject to risks associated with small-capitalization companies because the RTY is comprised of stocks of companies that are considered small-capitalization companies.
These companies often have greater stock price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalization companies and therefore the reference asset may be more volatile than an index in which a greater percentage of the
reference asset constituent stocks are issued by large-capitalization companies. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies are also 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. In addition, small-capitalization companies are typically less stable financially than large-capitalization companies and may depend on a small number of key personnel, making them
more vulnerable to loss of personnel. Small-capitalization companies are often given less analyst coverage and may be in early, and less predictable, periods of their corporate existences. Such companies tend to have smaller revenues, less diverse
product lines, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources and less competitive strengths than large-capitalization companies and are more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products.
Risks Relating to Estimated Value and Liquidity
The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes at the time of pricing (when the terms of your notes are set on the trade date) will be lower than the original
issue price of the notes
The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes is only an estimate. The original issue price of the notes will exceed the Bank’s initial estimated value. The difference between the
original issue price of the notes and the Bank’s initial estimated value reflects costs associated with selling and structuring the notes, including the underwriting commissions, the structuring fee, as well as hedging its obligations under the
notes. Therefore, the economic terms of the notes are less favorable to you than they would have been had these expenses not been paid or been lower, as discussed further under “— The underwriting commissions, structuring fee and other expenses,
result in less favorable economic terms of the notes and could adversely affect any secondary market price for the notes” herein.
Neither the Bank’s nor GS&Co.’s estimated value of the notes at any time is determined by reference to credit spreads or the borrowing rate the Bank would pay
for its conventional fixed-rate debt securities
The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes and GS&Co.’s estimated value of the notes at any time are determined by reference to the Bank’s internal funding rate. The
internal funding rate used in the determination of the estimated value of the notes generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for the Bank’s conventional fixed-rate debt securities and the borrowing rate the Bank would pay for its
conventional fixed-rate debt securities. This discount is based on, among other things, the Bank’s view of the funding value of the notes as well as the higher issuance, operational and ongoing liability management costs of the notes in comparison
to those costs for the Bank’s conventional fixed-rate debt. If the interest rate implied by the credit spreads for the Bank’s conventional fixed-rate debt securities, or the borrowing rate the Bank would pay for its conventional fixed-rate debt
securities were to be used, the Bank would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you. Consequently, the use of an internal funding rate for the notes increases the estimated value of the notes at any time and has an adverse
effect on the economic terms of the notes.
The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes does not represent future values of the notes and may differ from others’ (including GS&Co.’s) estimates
The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes is determined by reference to its internal pricing models when the terms of the notes are set. These pricing models consider certain
factors, such as the Bank’s internal funding rate on the trade date, the expected term of the notes, market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, and the Bank’s assumptions about market parameters, which can include
volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. Different pricing models and assumptions (including the pricing models and assumptions used by GS&Co.) could provide valuations for the notes that are different, and perhaps
materially lower, from the Bank’s initial estimated value. Therefore, the price at which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) may be materially lower than the Bank’s initial
estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change, and any assumptions may prove to be incorrect.
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If the levels of the reference assets or their reference asset constituent stocks change, the market value of your notes may not change in the same manner
Your notes may trade quite differently from the performance of the reference assets or their reference asset constituent stocks. Changes in the levels of the reference assets or
their reference asset constituent stocks may not result in a comparable change in the market value of your notes. We discuss some of the reasons for this disparity under “— The price at which the notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a
number of factors and may be substantially less than the amount for which they were originally purchased” herein.
The price at which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) will be based on GS&Co.’s estimated
value of your notes
GS&Co.’s estimated value of the notes is determined by reference to its pricing models and takes into account the Bank’s internal funding rate. The price at which GS&Co.
would initially buy or sell your notes in the secondary market (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) exceeds GS&Co.’s estimated value of your notes at the time of pricing. As agreed by GS&Co. and the distribution
participants, this excess (i.e., the additional amount described under “Additional Information Regarding Estimated Value of the Notes” herein) will decline to zero on a straight line basis over the period from the trade date through the applicable
date set forth under “Additional Information Regarding Estimated Value of the Notes” herein. Thereafter, if GS&Co. buys or sells your notes it will do so at prices that reflect the estimated value determined by reference to GS&Co.’s pricing
models at that time. The price at which GS&Co. will buy or sell your notes at any time also will reflect its then current bid and ask spread for similar sized trades of structured notes. If GS&Co. calculated its estimated value of your
notes by reference to the Bank’s credit spreads or the borrowing rate the Bank would pay for its conventional fixed-rate debt securities (as opposed to the Bank’s internal funding rate), the price at which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes
(if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) could be significantly lower.
GS&Co.’s pricing models consider certain variables, including principally the Bank’s internal funding rate, interest rates (forecasted, current and historical rates), volatility,
price-sensitivity analysis and the time to maturity of the notes. These pricing models are proprietary and rely in part on certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. As a result, the actual value you would receive if
you sold your notes in the secondary market, if any, to others may differ, perhaps materially, from the estimated value of your notes determined by reference to GS&Co.’s models, taking into account the Bank’s internal funding rate, due to,
among other things, any differences in pricing models or assumptions used by others. See “— The price at which the notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors and may be substantially less than the amount for which they
were originally purchased” herein.
In addition to the factors discussed above, the value and quoted price of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted. If GS&Co. makes a market in
the notes, the price quoted by GS&Co. would reflect any changes in market conditions and other relevant factors, including any deterioration in the Bank’s creditworthiness or perceived creditworthiness. These changes may adversely affect the
value of your notes, including the price you may receive for your notes in any market making transaction. To the extent that GS&Co. makes a market in the notes, the quoted price will reflect the estimated value determined by reference to
GS&Co.’s pricing models at that time, plus or minus GS&Co.’s then current bid and ask spread for similar sized trades of structured notes (and subject to the declining excess amount described above).
Furthermore, if you sell your notes, you will likely be charged a commission for secondary market transactions, or the price will likely reflect a dealer discount. This commission or
discount will further reduce the proceeds you would receive for your notes in a secondary market sale.
There is no assurance that GS&Co. or any other party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price and, in this regard, GS&Co. is not obligated to make a market in the
notes. See “— The notes lack liquidity”.
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The underwriting commissions, structuring fee and other expenses, result in less favorable economic terms of the notes and could adversely affect any secondary
market price for the notes
The economic terms of the notes, as well as the difference between the Bank’s initial estimated value of your notes as of the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date
and the original issue price, take into consideration, among other expenses, the underwriting commissions, the structuring fee and hedging costs paid in connection with the notes. Therefore, the economic terms of the notes are less favorable to you
than they would have been if these expenses had not been paid or had been lower. Further, the price, if any, at which SCUSA or GS&Co. will buy or sell your notes (if SCUSA or GS&Co. makes a market, which they are not obligated to do) at any
time will reflect, among other things, the economic terms of the notes. Therefore, the secondary market price for the notes could also be adversely affected by the underwriting commissions, the structuring fee and other expenses, including hedging
costs, paid in connection with the notes. See “— The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes at the time of pricing (when the terms of your notes are set on the trade date) will be lower than the original issue price of the notes” herein.
The market value of the notes may be influenced by many unpredictable factors
When we refer to the market value of your notes, we mean the value that you could receive for your notes if you chose to sell them in the open market before the maturity date. A
number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, will influence the market value of your notes, including:
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the levels of the reference assets;
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the volatility – i.e., the frequency and magnitude of changes – in the closing levels of the reference assets;
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the dividend rates of the reference asset constituent stocks;
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the correlation of the reference assets;
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economic, financial, political, military, regulatory, legal, public health and other events that affect the applicable securities markets generally and which may affect the levels of the reference asset
constituent stocks and the closing level of the reference assets;
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interest rate and yield rates in the market;
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the time remaining until your notes mature; and
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our creditworthiness, whether actual or perceived, and including actual or anticipated upgrades or downgrades in our credit ratings or changes in other credit measures.
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These and other factors may influence the market value of your notes if you sell your notes before maturity, including the price you may receive for your notes in any market making
transaction. If you sell your notes prior to maturity, you may receive less than the principal amount of your notes. You cannot predict the future performance of the reference assets based on their historical performance.
The price at which the notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors and may be substantially less than the amount for which they were
originally purchased
The price at which the notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to: (i) actual or anticipated
changes in the levels of the reference assets over the full term of the notes, (ii) volatility of the levels of the reference assets and the market’s perception of future volatility of the levels of the reference assets, (iii) the correlation of
the reference assets; (iv) changes in interest rates generally, (v) any actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads and (vi) time remaining to maturity. In particular, because the provisions of the notes relating to the
payment at maturity behave like options, the value of the notes will vary in ways which are non-linear and may not be intuitive. Depending on the actual or anticipated levels of the reference assets and other relevant factors, the market value of
the notes may decrease and you may receive substantially less than 100% of the issue price if you sell your notes prior to maturity.
See “— The market value of the notes may be influenced by many unpredictable factors” herein.
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The notes lack liquidity
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the notes. SCUSA, any other
affiliates of the Bank and GS&Co. may, but are not obligated to, make a market in the notes. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the notes easily. Because we do not expect that
other broker-dealers will participate significantly in the secondary market for the notes, the price at which you may be able to trade your notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which SCUSA and GS&Co. are willing to purchase the
notes from you. If at any time SCUSA and GS&Co. were not to make a market in the notes, it is likely that there would be no secondary market for the notes. Accordingly, you should be willing to hold your notes to maturity.
Risks Relating to Hedging Activities and Conflicts of Interest
Hedging activities by the Bank and GS&Co. may negatively impact investors in the notes and cause our respective interests and those of our clients and
counterparties to be contrary to those of investors in the notes
The Bank, GS&Co. or one or more of our or their respective affiliates has hedged or expects to hedge the obligations under the notes by purchasing futures and/or other
instruments linked to the reference assets. The Bank, GS&Co. or one or more of our or their respective affiliates also expects to adjust the hedge by, among other things, purchasing or selling any of the foregoing, and perhaps other instruments
linked to the reference assets and/or one or more of the reference asset constituent stocks, at any time and from time to time, and to unwind the hedge by selling any of the foregoing on or before the valuation date.
The Bank, GS&Co. or one or more of our or their respective affiliates may also enter into, adjust and unwind hedging transactions relating to other basket- or index-linked notes
whose returns are linked to changes in the levels or prices of the reference assets or their reference asset constituent stocks. Any of these hedging activities may adversely affect the levels of the reference assets, including the initial levels
of the reference assets — directly or indirectly by affecting the price of their reference asset constituent stocks — and therefore the market value of, and return on, the notes. Because the dealer, or an affiliate, from which you purchase notes is
to conduct hedging activities for us in connection with the notes, that dealer or affiliate may profit in connection with such hedging activities and such profit, if any, will be in addition to the compensation that the dealer or affiliate receives
for the sale of the notes 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 notes to you in addition to the compensation they would receive
for the sale of the notes. In addition, you should expect that these transactions will cause the Bank, GS&Co. or our or their respective affiliates, or our or their respective clients or counterparties, to have economic interests and incentives
that do not align with, and that may be directly contrary to, those of an investor in the notes. The Bank, GS&Co. or our or their respective affiliates will have no obligation to take, refrain from taking or cease taking any action with respect
to these transactions based on the potential effect on an investor in the notes, and may receive substantial returns with respect to these hedging activities while the market value of, and return on, the notes may decline.
The Bank, SCUSA, GS&Co. and our or their respective affiliates regularly provide services to, or otherwise have business relationships with, a broad client
base, which has included and may include us and the issuers of the reference asset constituent stocks and the market activities by the Bank, GS&Co. or our or their respective affiliates for our or their own respective accounts or for our or
their respective clients could negatively impact investors in the notes
We, GS&Co. and our or their respective affiliates regularly provide a wide range of financial services, including financial advisory, investment advisory and transactional
services to a substantial and diversified client base. As such, we each may act as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, investment advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker or lender. In those and other
capacities, we, GS&Co. and/or our or their respective affiliates purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments, actively trade securities (including the notes or other securities that we have issued), the reference asset constituent
stocks, derivatives, loans, credit default swaps, indices, baskets and other financial instruments and products for our or their own respective accounts or for the accounts of our or their respective customers, and we will have other direct or
indirect interests, in those securities and in other markets that may not be consistent with your interests and may adversely affect the level of a reference asset and/or the value of the notes. You should assume that we or they will, at present or
in the future, provide such services or otherwise engage in transactions with, among others, us and the issuers of the reference asset constituent stocks (the “reference asset constituent stock issuers”), or transact in securities or instruments or
with parties that are directly or indirectly related to these entities. These services could include making loans to or equity investments in those companies, providing financial advisory or other investment banking services, or issuing research
reports. Any of these financial market activities may, individually or in the aggregate, have an adverse effect on the level of a reference asset, including the
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initial level of a reference asset, and the market for your notes, and you should expect that our interests and those of GS&Co. and/or our or their respective affiliates, clients
or counterparties, will at times be adverse to those of investors in the notes.
You should expect that we, GS&Co. and our or their respective affiliates, in providing these services, engaging in such transactions, or acting for our or their own respective
accounts, may take actions that have direct or indirect effects on the notes or other securities that we may issue, the reference asset constituent stocks or other securities or instruments similar to or linked to the foregoing, and that such
actions could be adverse to the interests of investors in the notes. In addition, in connection with these activities, certain personnel within the Bank, GS&Co. or our or their respective affiliates may have access to confidential material
non-public information about these parties that would not be disclosed to investors in the notes.
We, GS&Co. and our or their respective affiliates regularly offer a wide array of securities, financial instruments and other products into the marketplace, including existing or
new products that are similar to the notes or other securities that we may issue, the reference asset constituent stocks or other securities or instruments similar to or linked to the foregoing. Investors in the notes should expect that the Bank,
GS&Co. and our or their respective affiliates offer securities, financial instruments, and other products that may compete with the notes for liquidity or otherwise.
Other investors in the notes may not have the same interests as you
The interests of other investors may, in some circumstances, be adverse to your interests. Other investors may make requests or recommendations to us, SCUSA, GS&Co. or our or
their respective affiliates regarding the establishment of transactions on terms that are adverse to your interests, and investors in the notes are not required to take into account the interests of any other investor in exercising remedies, voting
or other rights in their capacity as noteholders. Further, other investors may enter into market transactions with respect to the notes, assets that are the same or similar to the notes, assets referenced by the notes (such as stocks or stock
indices) or other similar assets or securities which may adversely impact the market for or value of your notes. For example, an investor could take a short position (directly or indirectly through derivative transactions) in respect of securities
similar to your notes or in respect of the reference assets.
There is no affiliation between the issuers of any reference asset constituent stock or any sponsor and us, SCUSA or, except to the extent its parent’s common
stock is included in the SPX, GS&Co.
The Bank, SCUSA, GS&Co. and our or their respective affiliates may currently, or from time to time in the future, engage in business with the reference asset constituent stock
issuers or any sponsor. None of the Bank, SCUSA or any of our other affiliates, or GS&Co. or its affiliates, except to the extent its parent’s common stock is included in the SPX, is affiliated with any reference asset constituent stock issuer
or any sponsor or has participated in the preparation of any publicly available information or made any “due diligence” investigation or inquiry with respect to the reference assets or the reference asset constituent stocks. You should make your
own investigation into the reference assets and the reference asset constituent stock issuers. See the section below entitled “Information Regarding the Reference Assets” herein for additional information about the reference assets.
There are potential conflicts of interest between you and the calculation agent
Scotia Capital Inc., the calculation agent, is one of our affiliates. In performing its duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent are potentially adverse to your
interests as an investor in the notes, including in its determination of the initial levels of the reference assets as discussed under “— Risks Relating to Return Characteristics — The initial level of each reference asset may be based on an
intra-day level of such reference asset, which may be higher or lower than its closing level on the trade date”. The calculation agent is under no obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the notes in taking any actions that might
affect the levels of the reference assets and the market value of, and return on, the notes.
The calculation agent can postpone the valuation date for the notes if a non-trading day or market disruption event with respect to a reference asset occurs
If the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, that, on a day that would otherwise be the valuation date, that day is not a trading day with respect to a reference
asset, the valuation date will be the first day thereafter that is a trading day for all reference assets (the “first qualified trading day”). In addition, if the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, that, on a day that would
otherwise be the originally scheduled valuation date (or the first qualified trading day, as applicable), a market disruption event has occurred or is continuing with respect to a reference asset, the valuation date for the affected reference asset
will be postponed until the first following trading day on which no market disruption event occurs or is continuing with respect to such reference asset, although the valuation date will not be postponed by more than eight trading days. Moreover,
if the valuation date for a reference asset is postponed to the last possible day due to a market disruption event, but a market
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disruption event occurs or is continuing with respect to such reference asset on that day, that day will nevertheless be the valuation date for such reference asset and the
calculation agent will determine the final level for such reference asset that must be used to determine the payment at maturity. For the avoidance of doubt, if on the originally scheduled valuation date (or the first qualified trading day, as
applicable) no market disruption event is occurring with respect to a particular reference asset, the final level for such reference asset will be determined on the originally scheduled valuation date (or the first qualified trading day, as
applicable), irrespective of the occurrence of a market disruption event with respect to any other reference asset. See "Summary — Valuation Date" herein and “General Terms of the Notes — Unavailability of the Closing Value of a Reference Asset;
Adjustments to a Reference Asset — Unavailability of the Closing Value of a Reference Index; Alternative Calculation Methodology” and “General Terms of the Notes — Market Disruption Events” in the accompanying product supplement.
Risks Relating to General Credit Characteristics
Your investment is subject to the credit risk of the Bank
The notes are senior unsecured debt obligations of the Bank, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. As further described in the accompanying
prospectus, prospectus supplement and product supplement, the notes will rank on par with all of the other unsecured and unsubordinated debt obligations of the Bank, except such obligations as may be preferred by operation of law. Any payment to be
made on the notes, including the payment at maturity, depends on the ability of the Bank to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, the actual and perceived creditworthiness of the Bank may affect the market value of the notes and,
in the event the Bank were to default on its obligations, you may not receive the amounts owed to you under the terms of the notes. If you sell the notes prior to maturity, you may receive substantially less than the principal amount of your notes.
Risks Relating to Canadian and U.S. Federal Income Taxation
Uncertain tax treatment
Significant aspects of the tax treatment of the notes are uncertain. You should consult your tax advisor about your tax situation. See “Material Canadian Income Tax Consequences” and
“Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in this pricing supplement.
General Risk Factors
We may sell an additional aggregate principal amount of the notes at a different issue price
We may decide to sell an additional aggregate principal amount of the notes subsequent to the date of the final pricing supplement. The issue price of the notes in the subsequent
sale may differ substantially (higher or lower) from the original issue price you paid as provided on the cover of this pricing supplement.
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INFORMATION REGARDING THE REFERENCE ASSETS
The Russell 2000® Index
We have derived all information contained herein regarding the RTY, including without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components from publicly
available information. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, FTSE Russell (its “sponsor”), and/or its affiliates.
The RTY is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. It includes the stocks of approximately 2,000 of the smallest companies
that form the Russell 3000® Index, which is comprised of approximately 3,000 of the largest U.S. companies. Please see “Indices — The Russell 2000® Index” in the accompanying underlier supplement for additional information
regarding the RTY, its sponsor and our license agreement with respect to the RTY. Additional information regarding the RTY, including its sectors, sector weightings and top constituents, may be available on its sponsor’s website.
Historical Information
We obtained the information regarding the historical performance of the RTY in the graph below from Bloomberg, without
independent review or verification. The graph below illustrates the performance of the RTY from January 1, 2019 through May 23, 2024. The closing level of the RTY on May 23, 2024 was 2,048.409.
Past performance of a reference asset is not indicative of its
future performance. No assurance can be given as to the final level of a reference asset, and we cannot give you any assurance that the performance of any reference asset will result in a positive return on your investment.
Historical Performance of the Russell 2000® Index
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The S&P 500® Index
We have derived all information contained herein regarding the SPX, including without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its
components from publicly available information. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (its “sponsor”), and/or its affiliates.
The SPX includes a representative sample of 500 companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy and is intended to provide a performance benchmark for the
large-cap U.S. equity markets. Please see “Indices—The S&P 500® Index” in the accompanying underlier supplement for additional information regarding the SPX, the sponsor and our license agreement with respect to the SPX. Additional
information regarding the SPX, including its sectors, sector weightings and top constituents, may be available on its sponsor’s website.
Historical Information
We obtained the information regarding the historical performance of the SPX in the graph below from Bloomberg, without
independent review or verification. The graph below illustrates the performance of the SPX from January 1, 2019 through May 23, 2024. The closing level of the SPX on May 23, 2024 was 5,267.84.
Past performance of a reference asset is not indicative of its future performance. No assurance can
be given as to the final level of a reference asset, and we cannot give you any assurance that the performance of any reference asset will result in a positive return on your investment.
Historical Performance of the S&P 500® Index
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SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)
SCUSA, our affiliate, will purchase the notes at the principal amount and, as part of the distribution of the notes, will sell the notes to GS&Co. at a discount reflecting
selling commissions of up to 1.50% of the principal amount. In accordance with the terms of a distributor accession letter, GS&Co. has been appointed as a distribution agent under the distribution agreement and may purchase notes from the Bank
or its affiliates for sale to the public at the original issue price set forth on the cover of this pricing supplement and to a securities dealer at such price less a concession not in excess of 1.50% of the principal amount. In addition to the
concession described above, GS&Co. will pay a structuring fee of up to 0.60% of the principal amount to an affiliate of such dealer in connection with certain services provided by such affiliate to the dealer.
A fee will also be paid to iCapital Markets LLC, a broker-dealer in which an affiliate of GS&Co. holds an indirect minority equity interest, for services it is providing in
connection with this offering.
The actual commissions will be specified in the final pricing supplement.
At the time we issue the notes, we will enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with GS&Co. or one of its
affiliates.
In addition, SCUSA, GS&Co. and their respective affiliates or agents may use the accompanying product supplement to which this pricing supplement relates in market-making
transactions after the initial sale of the notes. While SCUSA and GS&Co. may make markets in the notes, they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice. See the sections titled
“Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and accompanying product supplement.
The price at which you purchase the notes includes costs that the Bank, GS&Co. or our or their respective affiliates expect to incur and profits that the Bank, GS&Co. or our
or their respective affiliates expect to realize in connection with hedging activities related to the notes, as set forth above. These costs and profits will likely reduce the secondary market price, if any secondary market develops, for the notes.
As a result, you may experience an immediate and substantial decline in the market value of your notes on the trade date.
Conflicts of Interest
SCUSA is an affiliate of the Bank and, as such, has a “conflict of interest” in this offering within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. In addition, the Bank will receive the gross
proceeds from the initial public offering of the notes, thus creating an additional conflict of interest within the meaning of Rule 5121. Consequently, the offering is being conducted in compliance with the provisions of Rule 5121. SCUSA is not
permitted to sell notes in this offering to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the account holder.
SCUSA, GS&Co. and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and
investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. SCUSA, GS&Co. and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in
the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for the Bank, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, SCUSA, GS&Co. and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt
and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or
instruments of the Bank. SCUSA, GS&Co. and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or
recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Additionally, because the dealer from which you purchase the notes is to conduct hedging activities for us in connection with the notes, that dealer 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 notes 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 notes to you in addition to the compensation they would receive for the sale of the notes.
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Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors
The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European
Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); (ii) a customer within the meaning
of Directive (EU) 2016/97, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended.
Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”), for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and
therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
Prohibition of Sales to United Kingdom Retail Investors
The only categories of person in the United Kingdom to whom this pricing supplement may be distributed are those persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to
investments falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the “Financial Promotion Order”)), (ii) are persons
falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (“high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.”) of the Financial Promotion Order, or (iii) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of
section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”)) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons in (i)-(iii) above together being
referred to as “Relevant Persons”). This pricing supplement is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this pricing supplement
relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. This pricing supplement may only be provided to persons in the United Kingdom in circumstances where section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to the Bank.
The notes are not being offered to “retail investors” within the meaning of the Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulations 2017 and accordingly no Key Information Document has been produced under these regulations.
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MATERIAL CANADIAN INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
See “Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Tax Consequences” in the accompanying product supplement. In addition to the assumptions, limitations and conditions described therein, such
discussion assumes that a Non-Resident Holder is not an entity in respect of which the Bank is a “specified entity” as defined in proposals to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Act”) released by the Minister of Finance (Canada) on November
28, 2023 with respect to “hybrid mismatch arrangements”, as defined (the “Hybrid Mismatch Proposals”). In general terms, the Hybrid Mismatch Proposals provide that two entities will be treated as specified entities in respect of one another if one
entity, directly or indirectly, holds a 25% equity interest in the other entity, or a third entity, directly or indirectly, holds a 25% equity interest in both entities.
Such discussion further assumes that no amount paid or payable to a Non-Resident Holder will be the deduction component of a “hybrid mismatch arrangement” under which the payment
arises within the meaning of proposed paragraph 18.4(3)(b) of the Act contained in the Hybrid Mismatch Proposals.
Investors should note that the Hybrid Mismatch Proposals are in consultation form, are highly complex, and there remains significant uncertainty as to their
interpretation and application. There can be no assurance that the Hybrid Mismatch Proposals will be enacted in their current form, or at all.
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes are uncertain. There are no 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 notes. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been sought as to the
U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes, and the following discussion is not binding on the IRS. Some of these tax consequences are summarized below, but we urge you to read the more detailed discussion under “Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the product supplement and to discuss the tax consequences of your particular situation with your tax advisor. This discussion is based upon the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),
final, temporary and proposed U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) regulations, rulings and decisions, in each case, as available and in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
Tax consequences under state, local and non-U.S. laws are not addressed herein.
U.S. Tax Treatment. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, 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 your notes as prepaid derivative contracts with respect to the reference assets. If your notes are so treated, you should generally recognize long-term capital gain or
loss if you hold your notes for more than one year (and, otherwise, short-term capital gain or loss) upon the taxable disposition (including cash settlement) of your notes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such
time and the amount you paid for your notes. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
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 notes in the manner described above. However, because there is no authority that specifically addresses the tax treatment of the notes, it is possible that your notes 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 notes could differ materially and adversely from the treatment
described above. There may also be a risk that the IRS could assert that the notes should not give rise to long-term capital gain or loss because the notes offer, at least in part, short exposure to the
reference assets. You should consult your tax advisor regarding this risk.
Notice 2008-2. In 2007, the IRS released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the notes. According to Notice 2008-2, the IRS
and the Treasury are actively considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis. It is not possible to determine what guidance they will ultimately issue, if any. It is
possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the notes will ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The IRS and the Treasury are also considering other relevant issues,
including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether non-U.S. holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, and whether the special
“constructive ownership rules” of Section 1260 of the Code should be applied to such instruments. Both U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible consequences to them of the above
considerations.
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Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income. U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or certain trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on
all or a portion of their “net investment income,” or “undistributed net investment income” in the case of an estate or trust, which may include any income or gain realized with respect to the notes, to the extent of their net investment income or
undistributed net investment income (as the case may be) that, when added to their other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds $200,000 for an unmarried individual, $250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse),
$125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return or the dollar amount at which the highest tax bracket begins for an estate or trust. The 3.8% Medicare tax is determined in a different manner than the regular income tax. U.S. holders
should consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of the 3.8% Medicare tax.
Specified Foreign Financial Assets. U.S. holders may be subject to reporting obligations with respect to their notes if they do not hold
their notes in an account maintained by a financial institution and the aggregate value of their notes and certain other “specified foreign financial assets” (applying certain attribution rules) exceeds an applicable threshold. Significant
penalties can apply if a U.S. holder is required to disclose its notes and fails to do so.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. The proceeds received from a taxable disposition of the notes will be subject to information
reporting unless you are an “exempt recipient” and may also be subject to backup withholding at the rate specified in the Code if you fail to provide certain identifying information (such as an accurate taxpayer number, if you are a U.S. holder) or
meet certain other conditions.
Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not additional taxes and may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Holders. If you are a non-U.S. holder, subject to Section 871(m) of the Code and FATCA, discussed below, you should generally not be
subject to U.S. withholding tax with respect to payments on your notes or to generally applicable information reporting and backup withholding requirements with respect to payments on your notes if you comply with certain certification and
identification requirements as to your non-U.S. status including providing us (and/or the applicable withholding agent) a properly executed and fully completed applicable IRS Form W-8. Subject to Section 897 of the Code and Section 871(m) of the
Code, as discussed below, gain realized from a taxable disposition of the notes generally will not be subject to U.S. tax unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by you in the U.S., (ii) you are a
non-resident alien individual and are present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of such taxable disposition and certain other conditions are satisfied or (iii) you have certain other present or former connections with the
U.S.
Section 897. We will not attempt to ascertain whether any reference asset constituent stock issuer would be treated as a “United States real
property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. We also have not attempted to determine whether the notes should be treated as “United States real property interests” (“USRPI”) as defined in Section 897 of
the Code. If any such entity and/or the notes were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply, including subjecting any gain to a non-U.S. holder in respect of a note upon a taxable disposition of the note
to the U.S. federal income tax on a net basis, and the proceeds from such a taxable disposition to a 15% withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential treatment of any such entity as a USRPHC and/or the
notes as USRPI.
Section 871(m). A 30% withholding tax (which may be reduced by an applicable income tax treaty) is imposed under Section 871(m) of the Code
on certain “dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to a “specified equity-linked instrument” that references one or more dividend-paying U.S. equity securities or indices containing U.S. equity securities. The
withholding tax can apply even if the instrument does not provide for payments that reference dividends. Treasury regulations provide that the withholding tax applies to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on specified equity-linked
instruments that have a delta of one (“delta-one specified equity-linked instruments”) issued after 2016 and to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on all other specified equity-linked instruments issued after 2017. However, the IRS has
issued guidance that states that the Treasury and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the Treasury regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid will not apply to specified equity-linked instruments
that are not delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and are issued before January 1, 2027.
Based on the nature of the reference assets and our determination that the notes are not “delta-one” with respect to the reference assets or any reference asset constituent stocks,
our special U.S. tax counsel is of the opinion that the notes should not be delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and thus should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the
IRS may disagree with this determination. Furthermore, the application of Section 871(m) of the Code will depend on our determinations on the date the terms of the notes are set. If withholding is required, we will not make payments of any
additional amounts.
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Nevertheless, after the date the terms are set, it is possible that your notes could be deemed to be reissued for tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting a
reference asset, any reference asset constituent stocks or your notes, and following such occurrence your notes could be treated as delta-one specified equity-linked instruments that are subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. It is also
possible that withholding tax or other tax under Section 871(m) of the Code could apply to the notes under these rules if you enter, or have entered, into certain other transactions in respect of the reference assets, any reference asset
constituent stocks or the notes. If you enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the reference assets, any reference asset constituent stocks or the notes, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the application of
Section 871(m) of the Code to your notes in the context of your other transactions.
Because of the uncertainty regarding the application of the 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents to the notes, you are urged to consult your tax advisor
regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) of the Code and the 30% withholding tax to an investment in the notes.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders. A note may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if an individual non-U.S. holder
holds the note at the time of his or her death. The gross estate of a non-U.S. holder domiciled outside the U.S. includes only property situated in the U.S. Individual non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal
estate tax consequences of holding the notes at death.
FATCA. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) was enacted on March 18, 2010, and imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on
“withholdable payments” (i.e., certain U.S.-source payments, including interest (and original issue discount), dividends, other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of
property of a type which can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends) and “passthru payments” (i.e., certain payments attributable to withholdable payments) made to certain foreign financial institutions (and certain of their affiliates) unless
the payee foreign financial institution agrees (or is required), among other things, to disclose the identity of any U.S. individual with an account at the institution (or the relevant affiliate) and to annually report certain information about
such account. FATCA also requires withholding agents making withholdable payments to certain foreign entities that do not disclose the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of any substantial U.S. owners (or do not certify that they do
not have any substantial U.S. owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.
Pursuant to final and temporary Treasury regulations and other IRS guidance, the withholding and reporting requirements under FATCA will generally apply to certain “withholdable
payments”, will not apply to gross proceeds on a sale or disposition and will apply to certain foreign passthru payments only to the extent that such payments are made after the date that is two years after final regulations defining the term
“foreign passthru payment” are published. If withholding is required, we (or the applicable paying agent) will not be required to pay additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial
foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.
Investors should consult their own advisors about the application of FATCA, in particular if they may be classified as financial institutions (or if they hold their notes through a
foreign entity) under the FATCA rules.
Proposed Legislation. In 2007, legislation was introduced in Congress that, if it had been enacted, would have required holders of notes
purchased after the bill was enacted to accrue interest income over the term of the notes despite the fact that there will be no interest payments over the term of the notes.
Furthermore, in 2013, the House Ways and Means Committee released in draft form certain proposed legislation relating to financial instruments. If it had been enacted, the effect of
this legislation generally would have been to require instruments such as the notes to be marked to market on an annual basis with all gains and losses to be treated as ordinary, subject to certain exceptions.
It is impossible to predict whether any similar or identical bills will be enacted in the future, or whether any such bill would affect the tax treatment of your notes. You are urged
to consult your tax advisor regarding the possible changes in law and their possible impact on the tax treatment of your notes.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, as well as any
tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction (including that of the Bank).
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