CM Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

 

Subject to Completion Preliminary Term Sheet dated September 30, 2024

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433 Registration Statement No. 333-272447 (To Prospectus dated September 5, 2023, Prospectus Supplement dated September 5, 2023 and Product Supplement EQUITY STR-1 dated September 5, 2023)

 

Units $10 principal amount per unit CUSIP No.			Pricing Date* Settlement Date* Maturity Date*		October           , 2024 October           , 2024 October           , 2027
			*Subject to change based on the actual date the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”)
Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket §          Automatically callable if the value of the Basket, on any Observation Date, occurring approximately one, two and three years after the pricing date, is at or above the Starting Value   §          In the event of an automatic call, the amount payable per unit will be:   §         [$10.80 to $10.90] if called on the first Observation Date   §         [$11.60 to $11.80] if called on the second Observation Date   §         [$12.40 to $12.70] if called on the final Observation Date   §         If not called on the first two Observation Dates, a maturity of approximately three years   §         If not called, 1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Basket, with up to 100.00% of the principal amount at risk   §         The Basket will be comprised of the EURO STOXX 50® Index, the FTSE® 100 Index, the Nikkei Stock Average Index, the Swiss Market Index®, the S&P®/ASX 200 Index, and the FTSE® China 50 Index. The EURO STOXX 50® Index will be given an initial weight of 40.00%, each of the FTSE® 100 Index and the Nikkei Stock Average Index will be given an initial weight of 20.00%, each of the Swiss Market Index® and the S&P®/ASX 200 Index will be given an initial weight of 7.50%, and the FTSE® China 50 Index will be given an initial weight of 5.00%   §         All payments are subject to the credit risk of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce   §         No periodic interest payments   §         In addition to the underwriting discount set forth below, the notes include a hedging-related charge of $0.05 per unit. See “Structuring the Notes”   §         Limited secondary market liquidity, with no exchange listing   §         The notes are unsecured debt securities and are not savings accounts or insured deposits of a bank. The notes are not insured or guaranteed by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Canada, or any other jurisdiction

 

The notes are being issued by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”). There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks and certain additional costs. See “Risk Factors” and “Additional Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-7 of product supplement EQUITY STR-1.

 

The initial estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date is expected to be between $9.132 and $9.423 per unit, which is less than the public offering price listed below. See “Summary” on the following page, “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-27 of this term sheet for additional information. The actual value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.

 

_______________________

 

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Note Prospectus (as defined below) is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

_________________________

 

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

 

(1)

For any purchase of 300,000 units or more in a single transaction by an individual investor or in combined transactions with the investor's household in this offering, the public offering price and the underwriting discount will be $9.95 per unit and $0.15 per unit, respectively. See “Supplement to the Plan of Distribution” below.

 

The notes:

Are Not FDIC Insured

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

May Lose Value

 

 

BofA Securities

October       , 2024

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

Summary

 

The Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities^® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October  , 2027 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The notes are not guaranteed or insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Canada or any other jurisdiction or secured by collateral. The notes are not bail-inable debt securities (as defined on page 6 of the prospectus). The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of CIBC. The notes will be automatically called at the applicable Call Amount if the Observation Level of the Market Measure, which is the international equity index basket described below (the “Basket”), on any Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Starting Value. You will not receive any notice from us if the notes are automatically called. If your notes are not called, you will lose all or a portion of the principal amount of your notes. Any payments on the notes will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit and will depend on the performance of the Basket, subject to our credit risk. See “Terms of the Notes” below.

 

The Basket will be comprised of the EURO STOXX 50^® Index, the FTSE^® 100 Index, the Nikkei Stock Average Index, the Swiss Market Index^®, the S&P^®/ASX 200 Index, and the FTSE^® China 50 Index (each, a “Basket Component”). On the pricing date, the EURO STOXX 50^® Index will be given an initial weight of 40.00%, each of the FTSE^® 100 Index and the Nikkei Stock Average Index will be given an initial weight of 20.00%, each of the Swiss Market Index^® and the S&P^®/ASX 200 Index will be given an initial weight of 7.50%, and the FTSE^® China 50 Index will be given an initial weight of 5.00%.

 

The economic terms of the notes (including the Call Premiums and the Call Amounts) are based on our internal funding rate, which is the rate we would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes, and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements. Our internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed rate debt securities. This difference in funding rate, as well as the underwriting discount and the hedging-related charge and certain service fee described below, will reduce the economic terms of the notes to you and the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date. Due to these factors, the public offering price you pay to purchase the notes will be greater than the initial estimated value of the notes.

 

On the cover page of this term sheet, we have provided the initial estimated value range for the notes. This initial estimated value range was determined based on our pricing models. The initial estimated value as of the pricing date will be based on our internal funding rate on the pricing date, market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, and our assumptions about market parameters. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the notes, see “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-27.

 

Terms of the Notes		Payment Determination
Issuer:	Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”)	Automatic Call Provision:         Redemption Amount Determination: If the notes are not called, you will receive the Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date, determined as follows:     Because the Threshold Value for the notes is equal to the Starting Value, you will lose all or a portion of your investment if the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value.
Principal Amount:	$10.00 per unit
Term:	Approximately three years, if not called on the first two Observation Dates
Market Measure:	An international equity index basket comprised of the EURO STOXX 50® Index (Bloomberg symbol: “SX5E”), the FTSE® 100 Index (Bloomberg symbol: “UKX”), the Nikkei Stock Average Index (Bloomberg symbol: “NKY”), the Swiss Market Index® (Bloomberg symbol: “SMI”), the S&P®/ASX 200 Index (Bloomberg symbol: “AS51”), and the FTSE® China 50 Index (Bloomberg symbol: “XIN0I”). Each Basket Component is a price return index.
Starting Value:	The Starting Value will be set to 100.00 on the pricing date
Ending Value:	The Observation Level of the Basket on the final Observation Date
Observation Level:	The value of the Basket on the applicable Observation Date, calculated as specified in “The Basket” on page TS-8.
Observation Dates:	On or about October , 2025, October , 2026 and October , 2027 (the final Observation Date), approximately one, two and three years after the pricing date.   The scheduled Observation Dates are subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described on page PS-34 of product supplement EQUITY STR-1.
Call Level:	100% of the Starting Value
Call Amounts (per Unit) and Call Premiums:	[$10.80 to $10.90] representing a Call Premium of [8.00% to 9.00%] of the principal amount, if called on the first Observation Date; [$11.60 to $11.80] representing a Call Premium of [16.00% to 18.00%] of the principal amount, if called on the second Observation Date; [$12.40 to $12.70] representing a Call Premium of [24.00% to 27.00%] of the principal amount, if called on the final Observation Date.   The actual Call Amounts and Call Premiums will be determined on the pricing date.
Call Settlement Dates:	Approximately the fifth business day following the applicable Observation Date, subject to postponement as described on page PS-22 of product supplement EQUITY STR-1; provided however, that the Call Settlement Date related to the final Observation Date will be the maturity date.
Threshold Value:	100.00% of the Starting Value
Fees and Charges:	The underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit listed on the cover page and the hedging-related charge of $0.05 per unit described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-27.
Calculation Agent:	BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”)

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:

 

§	Product supplement EQUITY STR-1 dated September 5, 2023:

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045520/000110465923098260/tm2325339d4_424b5.htm

 

§	Prospectus supplement dated September 5, 2023:
	https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045520/000110465923098166/tm2322483d94_424b5.htm

 

§	Prospectus dated September 5, 2023: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045520/000110465923098163/tm2325339d10_424b3.htm

 

These documents (together, the “Note Prospectus”) have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website as indicated above or obtained from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) or BofAS by calling 1-800-294-1322. Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, for information about us and this offering. Any prior or contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you may have received are superseded by the Note Prospectus. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement EQUITY STR-1. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to CIBC.

 

Investor Considerations

 

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

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

Examples of Hypothetical Payments

 

The following examples are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical returns on the notes. They illustrate the calculation of the Call Amount or Redemption Amount, as applicable, based on the hypothetical terms set forth below. The actual amount you receive and the resulting return will depend on the actual Observation Levels, Call Premiums, and term of your investment.

 

The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes. These examples are based on:

 

	1)	the Starting Value of 100.00;
	2)	the Threshold Value of 100.00;
	3)	the Call Level of 100.00;
	4)	an expected term of the notes of approximately three years, if the notes are not called on the first two Observation Dates;
	5)	a Call Premium of 8.50% of the principal amount if the notes are called on the first Observation Date; 17.00% if called on the second Observation Date; and 25.50% if called on the final Observation Date (the midpoint of the applicable Call Premium ranges); and
	6)	Observation Dates occurring approximately one, two and three years after the pricing date.

 

For hypothetical historical values of the Basket, see “The Basket” section below. For recent actual levels of the Basket Components, see “The Basket Components” section below. Each Basket Component is a price return index and as such the value of the Basket will not include any income generated by dividends paid on the stocks included in any Basket Component, which you would otherwise be entitled to receive if you invested in those stocks directly. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.

 

Notes Are Called on an Observation Date

 

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

 

Example 1 - The Observation Level on the first Observation Date is 110.00. Therefore, the notes will be called at $10.00 plus the Call Premium of $0.85 = $10.85 per unit.

 

Example 2 - The Observation Level on the first Observation Date is below the Call Level, but the Observation Level on the second Observation Date is 150.00. Therefore, the notes will be called at $10.00 plus the Call Premium of $1.70 = $11.70 per unit.

 

Example 3 - The Observation Levels on the first two Observation Dates are below the Call Level, but the Observation Level on the third and final Observation Date is 105.00. Therefore, the notes will be called at $10.00 plus the Call Premium of $2.55 = $12.55 per unit.

 

Notes Are Not Called on Any Observation Date

 

Example 4 - The notes are not called on any Observation Date and the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value. The Redemption Amount will be less, and possibly significantly less, than the principal amount. For example, if the Ending Value is 50.00, the Redemption Amount per unit will be:

 

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

Summary of the Hypothetical Examples

 

	Notes Are Called on an Observation Date			Notes Are Not Called on Any Observation Date
	Example 1	Example 2	Example 3	Example 4
Starting Value	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Call Level	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Threshold Value	100.00	100.00	100.00	100.00
Observation Level on the First Observation Date	110.00	90.00	90.00	88.00
Observation Level on the Second Observation Date	N/A	150.00	80.00	78.00
Observation Level on the Final Observation Date	N/A	N/A	105.00	50.00
Return on the Basket	10.00%	50.00%	5.00%	-50.00%
Return on the Notes	8.50%	17.00%	25.50%	-50.00%
Call Amount / Redemption Amount per Unit	$10.85	$11.70	$12.55	$5.00

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

Risk Factors

 

There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security. An investment in the notes involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page PS-7 of product supplement EQUITY STR-1, page S-1 of the prospectus supplement, and page 1 of the prospectus identified above. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

 

Structure-related Risks

 

§

If the notes are not automatically called, you will lose up to 100% of the principal amount.

 

§

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

 

§

Changes in the level of one of the Basket Components may be offset by changes in the levels of the other Basket Components. Due to the different Initial Component Weights, changes in the levels of some Basket Components will have a more substantial impact on the value of the Basket than similar changes in the levels of the other Basket Components.

 

§

Your return on the notes may be less than the yield you could earn by owning a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity.

 

§

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

 

Valuation- and Market-related Risks

 

§

Our initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than the public offering price of the notes. The public offering price of the notes will exceed our initial estimated value because costs associated with selling and structuring the notes, as well as hedging the notes, all as further described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-27, are included in the public offering price of the notes.

 

§

Our initial estimated value does not represent future values of the notes and may differ from others’ estimates. Our initial estimated value is only an estimate, which will be determined by reference to our internal pricing models when the terms of the notes are set. This estimated value will be based on market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, our internal funding rate on the pricing date and our assumptions about market parameters, which can include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide valuations for the notes that are greater or less than our initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change, and any assumptions may prove to be incorrect. On future dates, the market value of the notes could change significantly based on, among other things, changes in market conditions, including the value of the Basket, our creditworthiness, interest rate movements and other relevant factors, which may impact the price at which MLPF&S, BofAS or any other party would be willing to buy notes from you in any secondary market transactions. Our estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which MLPF&S, BofAS or any other party would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time.

 

§

Our initial estimated value of the notes will not be determined by reference to credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The internal funding rate to be used in the determination of our initial estimated value of the notes generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The discount is based on, among other things, our 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 our conventional fixed-rate debt. If we were to use the interest rate implied by our conventional fixed-rate debt, we would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you. Consequently, our use of an internal funding rate for market-linked notes would have an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes, the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date, and any secondary market prices of the notes.

 

§

A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. None of us, MLPF&S or BofAS is obligated to make a market for, or to repurchase, the notes. There is no assurance that any party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price in any secondary market.

 

Conflict-related Risks

 

§

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

 

§

There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent, which is BofAS. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

Market Measure-related Risks

 

§

An index sponsor may adjust the relevant Basket Component in a way that affects its level, and has no obligation to consider your interests.

 

§

As a noteholder, you will have no rights of a holder of the securities represented by the Basket Components, and you will not be entitled to receive securities, dividends or other distributions by the issuers of those securities.

 

§

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

 

§

Your return on the notes may be adversely affected by factors affecting the international securities markets, specifically markets in the countries represented by the Basket Components. In addition, you will not obtain the benefit of any increase in the value of the currencies in which the securities included in the Basket Components trade against the U.S. dollar, which you would have received if you had owned the securities included in the Basket Components during the term of your notes, although the value of the Basket may be adversely affected by general exchange rate movements in the market.

 

Tax-related Risks

 

§

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the notes. See “Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” below and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page PS-40 of product supplement EQUITY STR-1. For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the notes, see “Material Income Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the prospectus, as supplemented by the discussion under “Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations” herein.

 

Additional Risk Factors

 

Recent executive orders could adversely affect your investment in the notes. Pursuant to an executive order issued in November 2020, as amended (the “Executive Order”), U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions in publicly traded securities of certain companies that are determined to be linked to the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) military, intelligence and security apparatus. The prohibition also covers any securities that are derivative of, or are designed to provide investment exposure to, such securities.

 

If the issuer of any of the component securities of the FTSE^® China 50 Index is in the future designated as such a prohibited company, the value of such company may be adversely affected, perhaps significantly, which would adversely affect the performance of the FTSE^® China 50 Index. In addition, under these circumstances, FTSE Russell has publicly indicated that they expect to remove the securities of any such prohibited company from the FTSE^® China 50 Index. Any changes to the composition of the FTSE^® China 50 Index in response to the Executive Order could adversely affect the performance of the FTSE^® China 50 Index and, therefore, the market value of, and return on, the notes.

 

It is impossible to predict whether the securities of any particular company will become subject to the Executive Order or any similar executive action or other legal restrictions and, in such circumstances, there is no assurance that FTSE Russell would ultimately remove such prohibited securities from the FTSE^® China 50 Index. Although none of us, MLPF&S or BofAS believe the notes to be subject to the Executive Order at this time, it is possible that the Executive Order could be expanded or modified to include the notes or that the notes could become subject to the Executive Order if any component security of the FTSE^® China 50 Index is so prohibited and is not removed from the FTSE^® China 50 Index. Under those circumstances, the value of the notes may be adversely affected and transactions in or holdings of the notes may become prohibited under U.S. law. You may suffer significant losses if you are forced to sell the notes prior to scheduled maturity.

 

Other Terms of the Notes

 

Market Measure Business Day

 

The following definition shall supersede and replace the definition of “Market Measure Business Day” set forth in product supplement EQUITY STR-1.

 

A “Market Measure Business Day” means a day on which:

 

	(A)	each of the Eurex (as to the EURO STOXX 50® Index), the London Stock Exchange (as to the FTSE® 100 Index), the Tokyo Stock Exchange (as to the Nikkei Stock Average Index), the SIX Swiss Exchange (as to the Swiss Market Index®), the Australian Stock Exchange (as to the S&P®/ASX 200 Index), and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (as to the FTSE® China 50 Index) (or any successor to the foregoing exchanges) are open for trading; and
	(B)	the Basket Components or any successors thereto are calculated and published.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

The Basket

 

The Basket is designed to allow investors to receive payment on the notes based on the performance of the Basket from the Starting Value to any Observation Level, including the Ending Value. The Basket Components are described in the section entitled “The Basket Components” below. Each Basket Component will be assigned an initial weight on the pricing date, as set forth in the table below.

 

For more information on the calculation of the value of the Basket, please see the section entitled “Description of the Notes—Basket Market Measures” beginning on page PS-32 of product supplement EQUITY STR-1.

 

If September 19, 2024 were the pricing date, for each Basket Component, the Initial Component Weight, the closing level, the hypothetical Component Ratio and the initial contribution to the Basket value would be as follows:

 

Basket Component		Bloomberg Symbol		Initial Component Weight		Closing Level(1)(2)		Hypothetical Component Ratio(1)(3)		Initial Basket Value Contribution
EURO STOXX 50® Index		SX5E		40.00%		4,943.38		0.00809163		40.00
FTSE® 100 Index		UKX		20.00%		8,328.72		0.00240133		20.00
Nikkei Stock Average Index		NKY		20.00%		37,155.33		0.00053828		20.00
Swiss Market Index®		SMI		7.50%		12,058.30		0.00062198		7.50
S&P®/ASX 200 Index		AS51		7.50%		8,191.924		0.00091554		7.50
FTSE® China 50 Index		XIN0I		5.00%		12,075.79		0.00041405		5.00
								Starting Value		100.00

 

(1)

The actual closing level of each Basket Component and the resulting actual Component Ratios will be determined on the pricing date, subject to adjustment as more fully described in the section entitled “Description of the Notes—Basket Market Measures—Determination of the Component Ratio for Each Basket Component” beginning on page PS-32 of product supplement EQUITY STR-1 if a Market Disruption Event occurs on the pricing date as to any Basket Component or the pricing date is determined by the calculation agent not to be a Market Measure Business Day for any Basket Component by reason of an extraordinary event, occurrence, declaration or otherwise.

 

(2)

These were the closing levels of the Basket Components on September 19, 2024.

 

(3)

Each hypothetical Component Ratio equals the Initial Component Weight of the relevant Basket Component (as a percentage) multiplied by 100, and then divided by the closing level of that Basket Component on September 19, 2024 and rounded to eight decimal places.

 

The calculation agent will calculate the value of the Basket on each Observation Date by summing the products of the closing level for each Basket Component on such day and the Component Ratio for such Basket Component. If any scheduled Observation Date is determined by the calculation agent not to be a Market Measure Business Day or a Market Disruption Event occurs on that day as to any Basket Component, the closing level of that Basket Component will be determined as more fully described in the section entitled “Description of the Notes—Basket Market Measures—Observation Level of the Basket” on page PS-34 of product supplement EQUITY STR-1.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

While actual historical information on the Basket will not exist before the pricing date, the following graph sets forth the hypothetical historical daily performance of the Basket from January 1, 2014 through September 19, 2024. The graph is based upon actual daily historical levels of the Basket Components, hypothetical Component Ratios based on the closing levels of the Basket Components as of December 31, 2013, and a Basket value of 100.00 as of that date. This hypothetical historical data on the Basket is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Basket or what the value of the notes may be. Any hypothetical historical upward or downward trend in the value of the Basket during any period set forth below is not an indication that the value of the Basket is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

 

Hypothetical Historical Performance of the Basket

 

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

The Basket Components

 

All disclosures contained in this term sheet regarding the Basket Components, including, without limitation, their make-up, method of calculation, and changes in their components, have been derived from publicly available sources, which we have not independently verified. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, each of STOXX Limited (“STOXX”) with respect to the EURO STOXX 50^® Index (the “SX5E”), FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) with respect to the FTSE^® 100 Index (the “UKX”) and the FTSE^® China 50 Index (the “XIN0I”), Nikkei Inc. (“Nikkei”) with respect to the Nikkei Stock Average Index (the “NKY”), the Geneva, Zurich, SIX Group Ltd., certain of its subsidiaries, and the Management Committee of the SIX Swiss Exchange (the “SIX Exchange”), with respect to the Swiss Market Index^® (the “SMI”), and S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”) with respect to the S&P^®/ASX 200 Index (the “AS51”) (STOXX, FTSE, Nikkei, SPDJI, and Six Exchange together, the “index sponsors”). The index sponsors, which license the copyright and all other rights to the Basket Components, have no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue or suspend the publication of, any Basket Component. The consequences of any index sponsor discontinuing publication of a Basket Component are discussed in the section entitled “Description of the Notes—Discontinuance of an Index” on page PS-27 of product supplement EQUITY STR-1. None of us, the calculation agent, MLPF&S or BofAS accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of any Basket Component or any successor index.

 

The EURO STOXX 50^® Index

 

The SX5E was created by STOXX, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Börse AG. Publication of the SX5E began in February 1998, based on an initial index level of 1,000 at December 31, 1991. The SX5E is derived from the EURO STOXX Total Market Index (“TMI”) and covers 50 blue-chip stocks from 8 Eurozone countries: Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. The SX5E is reported by Bloomberg under the ticker symbol “SX5E.”

 

Index Composition and Maintenance

 

The stocks in the represented Eurozone countries are ranked in terms of free-float market capitalization. The largest stocks are added to the selection list until the coverage is close to, but still less than, 60% of the free-float market capitalization of the corresponding EURO STOXX TMI, which covers 95% of the free-float market capitalization of the represented Eurozone countries. If the next highest-ranked stock brings the coverage closer to 60% in absolute terms, then it is also added to the selection list. All current stocks in the SX5E are added to the selection list. All of the stocks on the selection list are then ranked in terms of free-float market capitalization to produce the final index selection list. The largest 40 stocks on the selection list are selected; the remaining 10 stocks are selected from the largest remaining current stocks ranked between 41 and 60; if the number of stocks selected is still below 50, then the largest remaining stocks are selected until there are 50 stocks. The minimum liquidity criteria of the EURO STOXX TMI also applies to the selection of SX5E components.

 

The SX5E components are subject to a capped maximum index weight of 10%, which is applied on a quarterly basis.

 

The composition of the SX5E is reviewed annually in September. The review cut-off date is the last trading day of August.

 

The free-float factors for each component stock used to calculate the SX5E, as described below, are reviewed, calculated, and implemented on a quarterly basis and are fixed until the next quarterly review.

 

The SX5E is subject to a “fast exit rule.” The index components are monitored for any changes based on the monthly selection list ranking (i.e., on an ongoing monthly basis). A component is deleted from the SX5E if: (a) it ranks 75 or below on the monthly selection list and (b) it ranked 75 or below on the selection list of the previous month. The highest-ranked stock that is not an index component will replace it. Changes will be implemented on the close of the fifth trading day of the month, and are effective the next trading day.

 

The SX5E is also subject to a “fast entry rule.” All stocks on the latest selection lists and initial public offering (“IPO”) stocks are reviewed for a fast-track addition on a quarterly basis. A stock is added, if (a) it qualifies for the latest STOXX blue-chip selection list generated at the end of February, May, August or November and (b) it ranks within the “lower buffer” (ranks 1-25) on this selection list. If the stock is added, it replaces the smallest component stock in the SX5E.

 

The SX5E is also reviewed on an ongoing basis. Corporate actions (including IPOs, mergers and takeovers, spin-offs, delistings, and bankruptcy) that affect the index composition are immediately reviewed. Any changes are announced, implemented, and effective in line with the type of corporate action and the magnitude of the effect.

 

A deleted stock is replaced immediately to maintain the fixed number of 50 component stocks. If a stock is deleted in between regular review dates but is still a component of the EURO STOXX TMI, then the stock will remain in the SX5E until the next regular review.

 

Index Calculation

 

The SX5E is calculated with the “Laspeyres formula,” which measures the aggregate price changes in the component stocks against a fixed base quantity weight. The formula for calculating the index level can be expressed as follows:

 

Index =	Free float market capitalization of the Index
	Divisor of the Index

 

The “free float market capitalization of the Index” is equal to the sum of the product of the price, number of shares outstanding, free float factor, weighting cap factor and exchange rate from local currency to index currency, for each component stock as of the time the SX5E is being calculated.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

The SX5E is also subject to a divisor, which is adjusted to maintain the continuity of the index levels across changes due to corporate actions, such as the deletion and addition of stocks, the substitution of stocks, stock dividends, and stock splits.

 

Neither we nor any of our affiliates, including the selling agent, accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of, or for any error, omission, or disruption in, the SX5E or any successor to the SX5E. STOXX does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the SX5E or any data included in the SX5E. STOXX assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or disruption in the calculation and dissemination of the SX5E. STOXX disclaims all responsibility for any errors or omissions in the calculation and dissemination of the SX5E or the manner in which the SX5E is applied in determining the amount payable on the notes at maturity.

 

The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the SX5E in the period from January 1, 2014 through September 19, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On September 19, 2024, the closing level of the SX5E was 4,943.38.

 

Historical Performance of the EURO STOXX 50^® Index

 

 

This historical data on the SX5E is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the SX5E or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the SX5E during any period set forth above is not an indication that the level of the SX5E is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

 

Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the levels of the SX5E.

 

License Agreement

 

We have entered into an agreement with STOXX providing us and certain of our affiliates or subsidiaries identified in that agreement with a non-exclusive license and, for a fee, with the right to use the SX5E, which is owned and published by STOXX, in connection with certain securities, including the notes.

 

STOXX and its licensors (the “Licensors”) have no relationship to us, other than the licensing of the SX5E and the related trademarks for use in connection with the notes.

 

STOXX and its Licensors do not sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the notes; recommend that any person invest in the notes; have any responsibility or liability for or make any decisions about the timing, amount or pricing of the notes; have any responsibility or liability for the administration, management or marketing of the notes; or consider the needs of the notes or the owners of the notes in determining, composing or calculating the SX5E or have any obligation to do so.

 

STOXX and its Licensors will not have any liability in connection with the notes. Specifically, STOXX and its Licensors do not make any warranty, express or implied and disclaim any and all warranty about: the results to be obtained by the notes, the owners of the notes or any other person in connection with the use of the SX5E and the data included in the SX5E; the accuracy or completeness of the SX5E and its data; and the merchantability and the fitness for a particular purpose or use of the SX5E and its data. STOXX and its Licensors will have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions in the SX5E or its data. Under no circumstances will STOXX or its Licensors be liable for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages or losses, even if STOXX or its Licensors knows that they might occur. The licensing agreement between us and STOXX is solely for our benefit and the benefit of STOXX and not for the benefit of the owners of the notes or any other third parties.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

The FTSE^® 100 Index

 

The UKX is a market-capitalization weighted index calculated, published and disseminated by FTSE Russell. The UKX is designed to measure the composite performance of the 100 largest UK-listed blue chip companies that pass screening for size and liquidity traded on the London Stock Exchange Group plc (the “LSE”). The UKX was launched on January 3, 1984 and has a base date of December 30, 1983. The UKX is reported by Bloomberg under the ticker symbol “UKX.”

 

Index Composition

 

Only equity shares that are “premium listed,” as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority in its Listing Rules Sourcebook, which have been admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange with a Sterling denominated price on Stock Exchange Electronic Trading Service (SETS) are eligible for inclusion in the UKX. All securities in the index universe are assigned a nationality. Only companies assigned U.K. nationality are eligible for inclusion in the UKX.

 

Eligible securities are required to pass the following screens before being added to the UKX:

 

	·	Price: there must be an accurate and reliable price for the purposes of determining the market value of a company.
	·	Minimum voting rights: companies are required to have greater than 5% of the company’s voting rights in the hands of unrestricted shareholders.
	·	Investability weightings: constituents of the UKX are adjusted for free float and foreign ownership limits (where applicable to U.K. investors). Free float is calculated using available published information rounded to 12 decimal places. Companies with a free float of 5% or below are excluded from the UKX. To be eligible for inclusion in UKX, a security must have a minimum free float of 10% if the issuing company is U.K. incorporated and 25% if it is non-U.K. incorporated. However, a new company may be initially included in the UKX with a free float below the above parameters (provided it is above 5%) where the free float is expected to meet the minimum requirements within 12 months of the company’s first day of trading. New companies with an initial free float of 5% or below are not eligible for inclusion in the UKX.
	·	Liquidity: each security will be tested for liquidity annually in June by calculation of its monthly median of daily trading volume. For the annual test, liquidity will be calculated from the first business day in May of the previous year to the last business day of April in the current year. For each month, the daily volume for each security is calculated as a percentage of the shares in issue for that day adjusted by the free float at the end of the month. These daily values are then ranked in descending order and the median is taken by selecting the value for the middle ranking day if there is an odd number of days and the mean of the middle two if there is an even number of days:

o

Securities which do not turnover at least 0.025% of their shares in issue (after the application of any investability weightings) based on their monthly median for at least ten of the twelve months prior to the annual index review, will not be eligible for inclusion in the UKX until the next annual review.

o

An existing constituent which does not turnover at least 0.015% of its shares in issue (after the application of any investability weightings) based on its monthly median per month for at least eight of the twelve months prior to the annual index review will be removed and will not be eligible for inclusion in the UKX until the next annual review.

o

New issues which do not have a twelve month trading record must have a minimum 20 day trading record when reviewed. They must turnover at least 0.025% of their shares in issue (after the application of any investability weightings) based on their monthly median each month, on a pro-rata basis since premium listing or U.K. Nationality allocation date if non-U.K. incorporated.

 

Index Calculation

 

The UKX is an arithmetic weighted index where the weights are the market capitalization of each company. The UKX is calculated as the summation of the free float adjusted market values (or capitalizations) of all companies within the UKX divided by the divisor. On the base date, the divisor was calculated as the sum of the market capitalizations of the UKX constituents divided by the initial index value of 1,000. The divisor is subsequently adjusted for any capital changes in the UKX constituents. In order to prevent discontinuities in the UKX in the event of a corporate action or change in constituents it is necessary to make an adjustment to the prices used to calculate the UKX to ensure that the change in the UKX between two consecutive dates reflects only market movements rather than including changes due to the impact of corporate actions or constituent changes. This ensures that the index values remain comparable over time and that changes in the level of the UKX properly reflect the change in value of a portfolio of UKX constituents with weights the same as in the UKX. The adjustment used by FTSE Russell is based on the Paasche formula (also known as the current-weighted formula) which adjusts the divisor for the UKX for the day before a corporate action and calculates the change from that adjusted index to the index for the following day in which the corporate action occurs.

 

Index Maintenance

 

The UKX is reviewed on a quarterly basis in March, June, September and December based on data from the close of business on the Tuesday before the first Friday of the review month. Securities eligible for inclusion in the UKX will comprise the Monitored List. At the periodic review, all securities including in the Monitored List will be ranked by full market capitalization (i.e., before the application of investability weightings) from largest to smallest. A security will be inserted if it rises to 90^th or above on the Monitored List, and a security will be deleted if it falls to 111^th or below on the Monitored List. Where a greater number of companies qualify to be inserted in the UKX than those qualifying to be deleted, the lowest ranking constituents presently included in the UKX will be deleted to ensure that an equal number of companies are inserted and deleted at the periodic review. Likewise, where a greater number of companies qualify to be deleted than those qualifying to be inserted, the securities of the highest ranking companies which are presently not included in the UKX will be inserted to match the number of companies being deleted at the periodic review.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

Where a UKX constituent is scheduled to be deleted after the periodic review changes have been announced but before they have been implemented, the highest ranking constituent of the FTSE All-Share (which is not currently a member of the UKX) is selected as the replacement company. However, if that replacement company is already scheduled to be added as part of the index review, then the next highest-ranking company is selected as the replacement. Where a company being deleted is already due to be replaced in the UKX as part of the periodic review, it will be replaced by the largest company previously announced as a review addition to the index. In other words, the review addition will be brought forward and implemented concurrent with the intra-quarter deletion.

 

A new security (IPO) will be added to the UKX outside a quarterly review if it satisfies the eligibility criteria and the screens other than the liquidity screen and its full market capitalization (i.e. before the application of any investability weighting) using the closing price on the first day of official non-conditional trading is greater than the Fast Entry Level. Fast Entry Level means the company full market capitalization i.e., before the application of individual constituent investability weightings) must rank at position 75th or above in the monitored list; and the security investable market capitalization (i.e., after the application of any investability weighting) must amount to or be greater than GBP 2 billion. The security which is the lowest ranking constituent of the UKX will be selected for removal.

 

The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the UKX in the period from January 1, 2014 through September 19, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On September 19, 2024, the closing level of the UKX was 8,328.72.

 

Historical Performance of the FTSE^® 100 Index

 

 

This historical data on the UKX is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the UKX or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the UKX during any period set forth above is not an indication that the level of the UKX is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

 

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

 

License Agreement

 

We have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with FTSE, whereby we, in exchange for a fee, will be permitted to use the UKX, which is owned and published by FTSE, in connection with certain products, including the notes.

 

Neither FTSE nor the LSE makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in structured products generally or in the notes particularly, or the ability of the UKX to track general stock market performance. FTSE and the LSE’s only relationship with the Issuer is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of FTSE, respectively, without regard to us or the notes. FTSE and the LSE have no obligation to take the needs of the Issuer or the holders of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the UKX. Neither FTSE nor the LSE is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing, price or quantity of the notes to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the amount due at maturity of the notes. Neither FTSE nor the LSE has any obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

The notes are not in any way sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FTSE or the LSE, and neither FTSE nor the LSE makes any warranty or representation whatsoever, express or implied, either as to the results to be obtained from the use of the UKX and/or the figure at which the said component stands at any particular time on any particular day or otherwise. The UKX is compiled and calculated by FTSE. However, neither FTSE nor the LSE shall be liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to any person for any error in the UKX and neither FTSE nor the LSE shall be under any obligation to advise any person of any error therein.

 

“FTSE^®,” “FTSETM,” “FT-SE^®” and “Footsie^®” are trademarks of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and are used by FTSE International Limited under license. “All-World,” “All-Share” and “All-Small” are trademarks of FTSE International Limited.

 

The Nikkei Stock Average Index

 

The Nikkei Stock Average Index, also known as the Nikkei, the Nikkei Index, or the Nikkei 225, is calculated, maintained and published by Nikkei. The NKY is reported by Bloomberg L.P. under the symbol “NKY.”

 

The NKY is an adjusted price weight index that measures the composite price performance of certain Japanese stocks. The NKY currently is based on 225 underlying stocks trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc. (“TSE”) representing a broad cross-section of Japanese industries. ETFs, REITs, preferred stocks, preferred securities and tracking stocks are excluded. All 225 components of the NKY are listed on the TSE Prime Market. Stocks listed on the TSE Prime Market are among the most actively traded stocks on the TSE. The index rules require that the 75 most liquid issues (one-third of the components of the NKY) be included in the NKY.

 

Index Composition and Maintenance

 

The NKY is reviewed twice a year with a base date at the end of January and July, and the result becomes effective in the beginning of April and October respectively. The maximum number of constituents reshuffled is 3. However, constituent changes due to corporate reorganizations near the time of periodic review are not subject to such limit. Stocks with high market liquidity are added and those with low liquidity are deleted. At the same time, to take into account changes in industry structure, the index sponsor examines the balance of the sectors, in terms of the number of constituents. Liquidity of a stock is assessed by the two measures: “trading value” and “magnitude of price fluctuation by volume,” which is calculated as (High price/Low price) / Volume. Among stocks on the TSE Prime Market, the top 450 stocks in terms of liquidity are selected to form the “high liquidity group”. Those constituents not in the high liquidity group are deleted. Those non-constituent stocks which are in the top 75 of the high liquidity group are added. After the liquidity deletions and additions, constituents are deleted and added to balance the number of constituents among sectors, and to make the total number of the constituents equal 225.

 

The 225 companies included in the NKY are divided into six sector categories: Technology, Financials, Consumer Goods, Materials, Capital Goods/Others and Transportation and Utilities. The six sector categories are divided into 36 industrial classifications as follows:

 

·

Technology — Pharmaceuticals, Electric Machinery, Automobiles and Auto Parts, Precision Instruments, Communications;

 

·

Financials — Banking, Other Financial Services, Securities, Insurance;

 

·

Consumer Goods — Fishery, Foods, Retail, Services;

 

·

Materials — Mining, Textiles and Apparel, Paper and Pulp, Chemicals, Petroleum, Rubber, Glass and Ceramics, Steel, Nonferrous Metals, Trading Companies;

 

·

Capital Goods/Others — Construction, Machinery, Shipbuilding, Transportation Equipment, Other Manufacturing, Real Estate; and

 

·

Transportation and Utilities — Railway and Bus, Land Transport, Marine Transport, Air Transport, Warehousing, Electric Power, Gas.

 

Among the 450 “high liquidity” stocks, half of those that belong to any sector are designated as the “appropriate number of stocks” for that sector. The actual number of constituents in a sector is then compared with its “appropriate number,” and if the actual number is larger or smaller than the “appropriate number,” then components are deleted or added, as necessary. Stocks to be deleted are selected from stocks with lower liquidity and stocks to be added are selected from stocks with higher liquidity. Stocks selected according to the foregoing procedures are candidates for addition or deletion, as applicable, and the final determinations will be made by the index sponsor.

 

The NKY is also reviewed on an ongoing basis in response to extraordinary developments, such as bankruptcies or mergers. Any stock removed from the TSE Prime Market due to any of the following reasons will be removed from the NKY: (i) designated to be “securities to be delisted” or “securities on alert”; (ii) delisted due to corporate restructuring such as merger, share exchange or share transfer; or (iii) transfer to a market other than the Prime Market. In addition, component stocks designated as “securities under supervision” remain to be constituents at the time of designation. However, Nikkei may replace such a constituent with a pre-announcement when it is highly inappropriate to keep such stock as a constituent. Upon deletion of a stock from the NKY, the index sponsor will generally select as a replacement the most liquid stock that is both in the “high liquidity group” and in the same sector as the deleted stock. When deletions are known in advance, replacements may be selected as part of the periodic review process or by using similar procedures.

 

Index Calculation

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

The NKY is an adjusted price-weighted index (i.e., a stock’s weight in the NKY is based on its price per share rather than the total market capitalization of the issuer) where the sum of the constituent stock prices, adjusted by the presumed par value, is divided by a divisor.

 

The NKY is calculated by (i) converting the component stocks that do not have a par value of 50 yen to 50 yen par value; (ii) calculating the sum of the adjusted share prices of each component stock; and (iii) dividing such sum by a divisor. Most listed companies in Japan have a par value of 50 yen. All companies included in the NKY are given an equal weighting based on a par value of 50 yen. Stocks with irregular par values are modified to reflect a 50 yen par value. For example, a stock with a 500 yen par value will have its share price divided by 10 to give a 50 yen par value price. The level of the NKY is calculated every 5 seconds during TSE trading hours.

 

In order to maintain continuity in the NKY in the event of certain changes due to non-market events, the divisor is changed. The non-market factors affecting the component stocks, such as the addition or deletion of stocks, substitution of stocks, stock splits or distributions of assets to stockholders, the divisor used in calculating the NKY is adjusted in a manner designed to prevent any instantaneous change or discontinuity in the level of the NKY. Thereafter, the divisor remains at the new value until a further adjustment is necessary as the result of another change. As a result of such change affecting any component stock, the divisor is adjusted in such a way that the sum of all share prices immediately after such change multiplied by the applicable weight factor and divided by the new divisor (i.e., the level of the NKY immediately after such change) will equal the level of the NKY immediately prior to the change. The price adjustment factor may also be changed for large scale splits and reverse splits to keep its continuity. The divisor is not changed so long as the adjusted price is unchanged before and after such split.

 

The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the NKY in the period from January 1, 2014 through September 19, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On September 19, 2024, the closing level of the NKY was 37,155.33.

 

Historical Performance of the Nikkei Stock Average Index

 

 

This historical data on the NKY is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the NKY or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the NKY during any period set forth above is not an indication that the level of the NKY is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

 

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

 

License Agreement

 

We will enter into an agreement with Nikkei providing us with a non-exclusive license with the right to use the NKY in exchange for a fee. The NKY is the intellectual property of Nikkei. “Nikkei,” “Nikkei 225,” “Nikkei Stock Average” and “Nikkei Average” are the service marks of Nikkei. Nikkei reserves all the rights, including copyright, to the NKY.

 

The notes are not in any way sponsored, endorsed or promoted by Nikkei. Nikkei does not make any warranty or representation whatsoever, express or implied, either as to the results to be obtained as to the use of the NKY or the figure at which the NKY stands at

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

any particular day or otherwise. The NKY is compiled and calculated solely by Nikkei. However, Nikkei shall not be liable to any person for any error in the NKY and Nikkei shall not be under any obligation to advise any person, including a purchaser or seller of the notes, of any error therein. Nikkei shall be entitled to change the details of the NKY and to suspend the announcement thereof. In addition, Nikkei gives no assurance regarding any modification or change in any methodology used in calculating the NKY and is under no obligation to continue the calculation, publication and dissemination of the NKY.

 

The Swiss Market Index^®

 

The SMI is a price return float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index of the 20 largest stocks traded on the SIX Exchange. The SMI was first launched with a base level of 1,500 as of June 30, 1988. It is calculated, published and maintained by SIX Group Ltd., certain of its subsidiaries, and the management committee of the SIX Exchange (the “Management Committee”) (collectively, for purposes of this section, the “index sponsor”). The SMI is reported by Bloomberg under the ticker symbol “SMI.”

 

The Management Committee of the SIX Exchange is supported by an advisory board (the “Index Commission”) in all index-related matters, notably in connection with changes to the index rules and adjustments, additions and exclusions outside of the established review and acceptance period. The Index Commission meets at least twice annually.

 

Index Composition and Selection Criteria

 

The SMI is designed to measure the performance of the blue-chip securities in the SIX Exchange. The 20 largest and most liquid equity securities traded at the SIX Exchange are selected as index components, which are weighted by their free float market capitalization. The weighting of each index component is capped at 18%.

 

Each year on the third Friday of September, the index composition is updated in the ordinary index review based on the selection list of June. With the cut-off dates on March 31, September 30 and December 31, a provisional selection list is created. It is the basis for the adjustment of extraordinary corporate actions.

 

Component Selection Rules. The index universe of the index is the Swiss Performance Index (“SPI”), which serves as a benchmark for the overall Swiss equity market. The component selection of the index is shown in the following table:

 

Index	Number of Components	Direct Selection	Buffer
SMI	20	Rank 1-18	Rank 19-22

 

The 20 components of the index are selected from the selection list. To reduce fluctuations in the index, a buffer is applied for candidates ranked 19 to 22. The first 18 candidates are selected directly into the index. Out of the candidates ranked 19 to 22, current components are selected with priority over the other candidates. New components out of the buffer are selected until 20 components have been reached. Securities that are primary listed at more than one stock exchange and generate less than 50% of their total turnover at the SIX Exchange need to fulfill additional liquidity criteria in order to be selectable for the index. For this purpose, all the components of the SPI are ranked based on their cumulated on order book turnover over the past 12 months relative to the total turnover of the index universe. For this list, only turnovers of stock exchanges are considered where a security is primary listed. A security with several primary listings must rank amongst the first 18 components of the on order book turnover list in order to be selectable for the index. A security is excluded from the index once it ranks 23 or lower.

 

Index Maintenance

 

Constituent Changes. In the case of major market changes as a result of corporate actions, the Management Committee of the SIX Exchange can decide at the request of the Index Commission that a security should be admitted to the index outside the ordinary index review period as long as it clearly fulfills the index selection rules. For the same reasons, a component can be excluded if the requirements for admission to the index are no longer fulfilled. As a general rule, extraordinary acceptances into the index take place after a three-month period on a quarterly basis after the close of trading on the third Friday of March, June, September and December (for example, a security listed on or before the fifth Trading Day prior to the end of November cannot be included until the following March). In case of a planned delisting, the exclusion of an index component is made, if possible, on the next ordinary index review date at the third Friday of March, June, September or December. However, if the delisting would be effective before the ordinary index review, the component is excluded from the index on the effective date of the delisting. If the index component no longer meets the criteria for remaining in the index due to a pending acquisition, it may be removed ahead of time. If a component is excluded from the index outside of the ordinary index review, it will be replaced by the best ranked candidate on the selection list which is not yet part of the index in order to maintain 20 components.

 

Number of Shares and Free Float. The reviewed number of shares and free float factors are communicated to the market with a review list. It presents the number of shares and the free float factor for each index component. It serves as the basis to calculate the free float market capitalization of an index component. The free float factor is a relative fraction multiplied with the number of shares in order to ensure that only share that are available for trading are considered in the index calculation. The free float factor is only calculated for shares with voting rights. Large stakes that reach or exceed the threshold of 5% and are held in firm hands are subtracted from the total market capitalization.

 

The following stakes are deemed to be held in firm hands:

 

·

shareholding that have been acquired by one person or a group of persons who are subject to a shareholder or lockup agreement.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

·

shareholding that have been acquired by one person or a group of persons who according to publicly known facts, have a long-term interest in a company.

 

Independent from the above, the stakes held by institutions of the following kinds are deemed free-floating:

 

·

custodian nominees

 

·

trustee companies

 

·

investment funds

 

·

pension funds

 

·

investment companies

 

The SIX Exchange classifies at its own discretion persons and groups of persons who cannot be clearly assigned because of their area of activity or the absence of important information. Where an issuer has different categories of shares listed, these are considered separately for the free float calculation.

 

Index Calculation

 

The index sponsor calculates the SMI using the “Laspeyres formula,” with a weighted arithmetic mean of a defined number of securities issues. The formula for calculating the index value can be expressed as follows:

 

Index =	Free Float Market Capitalization of the Index
	Divisor

 

The “free float market capitalization of the index” is equal to the sum of the product of the last-paid price, the number of shares, the free-float factor and, if a foreign stock is included, the current CHF exchange rate of all component stocks as of the time the index value is being calculated. The index value is calculated in real time and is updated whenever a trade is made in a component stock. Where any index component stock price is unavailable on any trading day, the index sponsor will use the last reported price for such component stock. Only prices from the SIX Exchange’s electronic order book are used in calculating the SMI.

 

The divisor is a technical number used to calculate the SMI and is adjusted to reflect changes in market capitalization due to corporate events, and is adjusted by the index sponsor to reflect corporate events, as described in the index rules.

 

 

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The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the SMI in the period from January 1, 2014 through September 19, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On September 19, 2024, the closing level of the SMI was 12,058.30.

 

Historical Performance of the Swiss Market Index^®

 

 

This historical data on the SMI is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the SMI or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the SMI during any period set forth above is not an indication that the level of the SMI is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

 

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

 

License Agreement

 

We have entered into an agreement with SIX Exchange providing us and certain of our affiliates or subsidiaries identified in that agreement with a non-exclusive license and, for a fee, with the right to use the SMI, which is owned and published by SIX Exchange, in connection with certain securities, including the notes.

 

SIX Exchange and its licensors (the “Licensors”) have no relationship to us, other than the licensing of the SMI and the related trademarks for use in connection with the notes.

 

SIX Exchange and its Licensors do not sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the notes; recommend that any person invest in the notes; have any responsibility or liability for or make any decisions about the timing, amount or pricing of the notes; have any responsibility or liability for the administration, management or marketing of the notes; or consider the needs of the notes or the owners of the notes in determining, composing or calculating the SMI or have any obligation to do so.

 

SIX Exchange and its Licensors will not have any liability in connection with the notes. Specifically, SIX Exchange and its Licensors do not make any warranty, express or implied and disclaim any and all warranty about: the results to be obtained by the notes, the owners of the notes or any other person in connection with the use of the SMI and the data included in the SMI; the accuracy or completeness of the SMI and its data; and the merchantability and the fitness for a particular purpose or use of the SMI and its data. SIX Exchange and its Licensors will have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions in the SMI or its data. Under no circumstances will SIX Exchange or its Licensors be liable for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages or losses, even if SIX Exchange or its Licensors knows that they might occur. The licensing agreement between us and SIX Exchange will be solely for our benefit and the benefit SIX Exchange and not for the benefit of the owners of the notes or any other third parties.

 

 

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The S&P^®/ASX 200 Index

 

The AS51 is designed to measure the performance of the 200 largest index-eligible stocks listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”). The AS51 is sponsored, calculated, published and disseminated by SPDJI. The AS51 is reported by Bloomberg under the symbol “AS51.”

 

Index Composition

 

The AS51 weights companies according to the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS^®”), which creates uniform ground rules for replicable, custom-tailored, industry-focused portfolios. It also enables meaningful comparisons of sectors and industries across regions.

 

Standards for Listing and Maintenance

 

The S&P^®/ASX Index Committee (for purposes of this section, the “Index Committee”) aims to design a highly liquid and tradable index whose total market capitalization is large enough to approximate the market segment it is capturing while keeping the number of stocks at a minimum. Both market capitalization and liquidity are assessed using the previous six months’ worth of data. Quarterly review changes take effect the third Friday of March, June, September and December.

 

The criteria for index additions include, but are not limited to:

 

·

Listing. Only securities listed on the ASX are considered for inclusion in the AS51;

 

·

Market Capitalization. The market capitalization criterion for stock inclusion is based upon the daily average market capitalization of a security over the last six months. The stock price history (last six months, adjusted for price-adjusting corporate actions), latest available shares on issue and the investable weight factor (“IWF”) are the relevant variables for the calculation. The IWF is a variable that is primarily used to determine the available float of a security for ASX listed securities; and

 

·

Liquidity. Only securities that are regularly traded are eligible for inclusion in the AS51. A stock’s liquidity is measured relative to its peers. Relative Liquidity is calculated as follows:

 

Relative Liquidity =	Stock Median Liquidity
	Market Liquidity

 

Where:

 

o

Stock Median Liquidity is the median daily value traded for each stock divided by the average float/index weight-adjusted market capitalization for the previous six months; and

 

o

Market Liquidity is determined using the market capitalization weighted average of the stock median liquidities of the 500 companies in the All Ordinaries index, an index that includes nearly all ordinary shares listed on the ASX.

 

Stocks must have a minimum Relative Liquidity of 50% to be included in the AS51 and higher hierarchical indices. If any stock’s Relative Liquidity drops below half of the 50% threshold, it becomes ineligible and is removed at the next rebalancing.

 

·

Eligible Securities. Common and equity preferred stocks (which are not of a fixed income nature) must be classified by GICS. Hybrid stocks, such as convertible stock, bonds, warrants and preferred stock that provide a guaranteed fixed return, are not eligible. Listed investment companies (LICs) and listed investment trusts (LITs) that invest in a portfolio of securities are not eligible for index inclusion. Equity and mortgage REITs are eligible for inclusion.

 

Intra-Quarter Additions/Deletions. Between rebalancing dates, an addition to the AS51 is generally made only if a vacancy is created by an index deletion. Index additions are made according to market size and liquidity. An IPO or direct listing is added to the AS51 only when an appropriate vacancy occurs or due to a rebalance, and is subject to proven liquidity for at least eight weeks. An exception may be made for extraordinary large offerings where sizeable trading volumes justify index inclusion. Deletions can occur between index rebalancing dates due to acquisitions, mergers and spin-offs or due to suspension or bankruptcies. The decision to remove a stock from the AS51 will be made once there is sufficient evidence that the transaction will be completed. Stocks that are removed due to mergers & acquisitions activity are removed from the AS51 at the cash offer price for cash-only offers. Otherwise, the best available price in the market is used.

 

Rebalancing. Rebalancing of the AS51 series occurs on a regular basis. Both market capitalization and liquidity are assessed using the previous six months’ worth of data to determine index eligibility. Shares and IWFs updates are also applied regularly. Rebalancing announcements are made on the first Friday of March, June, and December; therefore, a two-week notice period is provided before the rebalancing takes effect at these reviews. For the September rebalancing, the reference date used for the six months’ worth of trading data is the second to last Friday of the month prior to the rebalancing.

 

The Index Committee may change the date of a given rebalancing for reasons including market holidays occurring on the scheduled rebalancing date. Any such change will be announced with proper advance notice where possible.

 

 

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Buffers. In order to limit the level of index turnover, eligible non-constituent securities will only be considered for index inclusion once another current constituent stock is excluded due to a sufficiently low rank and/or liquidity, based on the float-adjusted market capitalization. Potential index inclusions and exclusions need to satisfy a buffer requirement in terms of the rank of the stock relative to the AS51. The following buffer aims to limit the level of index turnover that may take place at each quarterly rebalancing, maximizing the efficiency and limiting the cost associated with holding the index portfolio.

 

The Rank Buffer for addition to the AS51 is 179^th or higher, and for deletion, 221^st or lower.

 

This float-adjusted market capitalization rank buffer serves as the guideline used by the Index Committee to arrive at any potential constituent changes to the AS51. However, the Index Committee has complete discretion to by-pass these rules when circumstances warrant.

 

Frequency. The AS51 constituents are rebalanced quarterly to ensure adequate market capitalization and liquidity. Quarterly rebalancing changes take effect after the market close on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December.

 

Share Updates. The share count for all index constituents are updated quarterly and are rounded to the nearest thousand (‘000). Share updates for foreign-domiciled securities will take place at each quarterly rebalancing. The update to the number of shares outstanding will only take place when the three-month average of CDIs or the Total Securities held in the Australian branch of issuer sponsored register (where supplied) and in CHESS, on the rebalancing reference date, differs from the current number of shares used by 5% or more.

 

Index Calculation

 

The AS51 is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology so that the level of the AS51 reflects the total market value of all the component stocks relative to a particular base period. The total market value of a company is determined by multiplying the price of its stock by the number of shares available after float (IWF) adjustment. An indexed number is used to represent the result of this calculation in order to make the value easier to work with and track over time.

 

A stock’s weight in the AS51 is determined by the float-adjusted market capitalization of the stock. The number of shares outstanding is reduced to exclude closely held shares from the index calculation because such shares are not available to investors. The AS51 calculates an Investable Weight Factor (“IWF”), which is the percentage of total shares outstanding that are included in the index. All constituents in the AS51 are assigned an IWF. A company must have a minimum IWF of 0.3 to be eligible for index inclusion, however an IWF at or above that level is not necessary for ongoing index membership.

 

On any given day, the index value is the quotient of the total available market capitalization of its constituents and its divisor. Continuity in the index value is maintained by adjusting the divisor for all changes in the constituents’ share capital after the base date. This includes additions and deletions to the AS51, rights issues, share buybacks and issuances, spin-offs, and adjustments in availability. The divisor’s time series is, in effect, a chronological summary of all changes affecting the base capital of the index. The divisor is adjusted such that the index value at an instant just prior to a change in base capital equals the index value at an instant immediately following that change. The divisor will be adjusted to account for new addition to or deletion from the AS51 and certain corporate actions, such as special cash dividend, certain stock dividend, rights offering, new share issuance, reduction of capital and merger.

 

Index Governance

 

The AS51 is maintained by the Indices Committee. SPDJI chairs the Index Committee, which is comprised of five voting members representing both SPDJI and the ASX.

 

Decisions made by the Index Committee include all matters relating to index construction and maintenance. The Index Committee meets regularly to review market developments and convenes as needed to address major corporate actions. It is the sole responsibility of the Index Committee to decide on all matters relating to methodology, maintenance, constituent selection and index procedures. The Index Committee makes decisions based on all publicly available information and discussions are kept confidential to avoid any unnecessary impact on market trading.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the AS51 in the period from January 1, 2014 through September 19, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On September 19, 2024, the closing level of the AS51 was 8,191.924.

 

Historical Performance of the S&P^®/ASX 200 Index

 

 

This historical data on the AS51 is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the AS51 or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the AS51 during any period set forth above is not an indication that the level of the AS51 is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

 

Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the levels of the AS51.

 

License Agreement

 

We have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement providing for the sublicense to us, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use the AS51 in connection with the issuance of the notes.

 

The AS51 is a product of SPDJI, and has been licensed for use by us. Standard & Poor’s^® and S&P^® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC; and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by us. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly or the ability of the AS51 to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to the AS51 is the licensing of the AS51 and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices or its licensors. The AS51 is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us or the notes. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the AS51. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the notes or the timing of the issuance or sale of the notes or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the notes are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes. There is no assurance that investment products based on the AS51 will accurately track AS51 performance or provide positive investment returns. SPDJI is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within an AS51 is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.

 

S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE AS51 OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES,

 

 

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OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE AS51 OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.

 

The FTSE^® China 50 Index

 

The XIN0I was previously known as the “FTSE China 25 index.” On September 22, 2014, FTSE Russell expanded the XIN0I to a 50 stock index, and changed its name from FTSE China 25 Index to FTSE^® China 50 Index. The XIN0I is a stock index calculated, published and disseminated by FTSE Russell, and is designed to represent the performance of the mainland Chinese market that is available to international investors. The XIN0I is currently based on the 50 largest and most liquid Chinese stocks (called “H” shares, “P Chips” and “Red Chips”), listed and trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Currently, only “H” shares, “Red Chip” shares and “P Chip” shares are eligible for inclusion in the XIN0I. “H” shares are securities of companies incorporated in the People’s Republic of China and nominated by the Chinese government for listing and trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. “Red Chip” shares are securities of companies incorporated outside the People’s Republic of China, which are substantially owned directly or indirectly by the Chinese government, have the majority of their revenue or assets derived from mainland China and are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. “P Chip” shares are securities of companies incorporated outside the People’s Republic of China, which are controlled by individuals located in mainland China, have the majority of their revenue or assets derived from mainland China and are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

 

The FTSE^® China 50 Index is calculated and published in Hong Kong dollars and United States dollars. The FTSE^® China 50 Index (in Hong Kong dollars) is reported by Bloomberg under the ticker symbol “XIN0I.”

 

Standards for Listing and Maintenance

 

All classes of equity in issue are eligible for inclusion in the XIN0I, subject to certain restrictions, however, each constituent must also be a constituent of the FTSE^® All-World Index. The FTSE^® All-World Index is a market-capitalization weighted index designed to represent the performance of the large- and mid- capitalization stocks from the FTSE^® Global Equity Index Series and covers approximately 90.00% to 95.00% of the world’s investable market capitalization. Companies whose business is that of holding equity and other investments (e.g., investment trusts) are not eligible for inclusion. Convertible preference shares and loan stocks are excluded until converted.

 

Securities must be sufficiently liquid to be traded, therefore, the following criteria, among others, are used to ensure that illiquid securities are excluded:

 

	·	Price. There must be an accurate and reliable price for the purposes of determining the market value of a company.
	·	Liquidity. Each security is tested for liquidity on a semi-annual basis in March and September by calculation of its monthly median of daily trading volume as part of the FTSE® All-World Index review. When calculating the median of daily trading volume of any security for a particular month, a minimum of 5 trading days in that month must exist, otherwise the month will be excluded from the test.

 

For each month, the daily trading volume for each security is calculated as a percentage of the shares in issue for that day adjusted by the free float at the review cut-off date. These daily values are then ranked in descending order and the median is taken by selecting the value for the middle ranking day if there is an odd number of days and the mean of the middle two if there is an even number of days.

 

Daily totals with zero trades are included in the ranking; therefore, a security that fails to trade for more than half of the days in a month will have a zero median trading volume for that month.

 

Any period suspension will not be included in the test.

 

The liquidity test will be applied on a pro-rata basis where the testing period is less than 12 months:

 

	i.	A non-constituent which does not turnover at least 0.05% of their shares in issue (after the application of any free float weightings) based on their median daily trading volume per month in ten of the twelve months prior to a full market review, will not be eligible for inclusion in the XIN0I.
	ii.	An existing constituent which does not turnover at least 0.04% of its shares in issue (after the application of any free float weightings) based on its median daily trading volume per month for a least eight of the twelve months prior to a full market review will be removed from the XIN0I.
	iii.	New issues which do not have a twelve month trading record must have a minimum three month trading record when reviewed. They must turnover at least 0.05% of their free float adjusted shares based on their median daily trading volume each month, on a pro-rata basis since listing. When testing liquidity, the free float weight as at the last date in the testing period will be used for the calculation for the whole of that period. This rule will not apply to new issues added under fast entry inclusion as part of the FTSE® All-World Index review.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

At the sole discretion of FTSE Russell, the above percentage figures may be adjusted by up to 0.01% at the March and September review so that, in FTSE Russell’s opinion, the XIN0I better reflects the liquid investable market of the region. This discretion may only be exercised across the whole market and may not be applied to individual securities.

 

At the March and September reviews of the FTSE^® All-World Index, newly listed companies will have their liquidity assessed on a pro-rata basis.

 

·

New Issues. New issues, which do not qualify as early entrants, will become eligible for inclusion at the March and September reviews of the FTSE All-World Index providing they have, since the commencement of official non-conditional trading, a minimum of at least three trading months prior to the date of that review and turnover of at least 0.05% of their free float adjusted shares based in issue based on their median daily trading volume each month, on a pro rata basis since their listing.

 

The inclusion of early entries will not require a minimum trading record.

 

The XIN0I, like other indices of FTSE Russell, is governed by an independent advisory committee, the FTSE Russell Asia Pacific Regional Equity Advisory Committee, that ensures that the XIN0I is operated in accordance with its published ground rules, and that the rules remain relevant to the XIN0I. The FTSE Russell Asia Pacific Regional Equity Advisory Committee is responsible for undertaking the review of the XIN0I and for approving changes of constituents.

 

Index Calculation

 

The XIN0I is calculated using the free float index calculation methodology of FTSE Russell. The XIN0I is calculated using the following formula:

 

 

Where:

 

“N” is the number of securities in the XIN0I;

 

“pi” is the latest trade price of the component security “i” (or the price at the close of the XIN0I on the previous day);

 

“ei” is the exchange rate required to convert the security’s currency into the XIN0I’s base currency;

 

“si” is the number of shares in issue used by FTSE for the security;

 

“fi” is the investability weighting factor published by FTSE, to be applied to such security to all amendments to its weighting, expressed as a number between 0 and 1, where 1 represents a 100.00% free float;

 

“ci” is the capping factor published by FTSE to be applied to a security to correctly weight that security in the XIN0I; and

 

“d” is the divisor, a figure that represents the total issued share capital of the XIN0I at the base date, which may be adjusted to allow for changes in the issued share capital of individual securities to be made without distorting the XIN0I.

 

The capping factor serves to limit the weight of any individual company to no more than 9.00% of the XIN0I and to limit the aggregate weight of all companies that have a weight greater than 4.50% to no more than 38.00% of the XIN0I.

 

The XIN0I uses actual trade prices for securities with local stock exchange quotations.

 

Free float restrictions are calculated using available published information. Companies with a free float of 5.00% or below are excluded from the XIN0I. In June, a constituent’s free float will be updated regardless of size. No buffers are applied. Quarterly updates to free float will be applied after the close of business on the third Friday of March, June, September and December. Free float changes resulting from corporate events will not be subject to the buffers as detailed above and will be implemented in line with the event.

 

The XIN0I will be periodically reviewed for changes in free float. These reviews will coincide with the quarterly reviews of the XIN0I. Implementation of any changes will happen at close of trading on the third Friday in March, June, September and December.

 

A constituent’s free float will also be reviewed and adjusted if necessary:

 

	·	By identifying information which necessitates a change in free float weighting;
	·	Following a corporate event; or
	·	Expiry of a lock-in clause.

 

If a corporate event includes a corporate action which affects the XIN0I, any change in free float will be implemented at the same time as the corporate action.

 

Foreign ownership limits, if any, will be applied after calculating the actual free float restriction. FTSE’s methodology takes account of the restrictions placed on the equity holdings of foreigners in a company where these have been imposed by governments or regulatory authorities, for example on strategically sensitive industrial sectors such as defense and telecommunications, or where they have been explicitly set out in a company’s constitution. Where the presence of foreign ownership restrictions creates a limit on foreign ownership

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

that is more restrictive than the calculated free float for a company, the precise foreign ownership limit is used in place of the free float for the purposes of calculating the company’s investability weight. If the foreign ownership limit is less restrictive or equal to the free float restriction, the free float restriction is applied, subject to the above.

 

Where a company’s shares are issued partly, or nil, paid and the call dates are already determined and known, the market price will, for the purposes of calculating its market capitalization, be adjusted so as to include all such calls (i.e., the fully paid price).

 

Periodic Review of Constituents

 

The quarterly review of the XIN0I constituents takes place in March, June, September and December. The constituents will be reviewed using data from the close of business on the Monday following the third Friday in February, May, August and November. Where there is a market holiday in either China or Hong Kong on the Monday following the third Friday, the close of business on the last trading day prior to the Monday after the third Friday, where both markets are open, will be used. Any constituent changes will be implemented after the close of business on the third Friday of March, June, September and December.

 

At the quarterly review, the constituents of the XIN0I are capped using prices adjusted for corporate actions as at the close of business on the second Friday in March, June, September and December. The capping is implemented after close of business on the third Friday in March, June, September and December based on the constituents, shares in issue and free float on the next trading day following the third Friday of the review month.

 

Quarterly changes are published after the close of business on the Wednesday before the first Friday of March, June, September and December to give users of the XIN0I sufficient notification of the changes before their implementation.

 

At review, all constituents of the XIN0I must be existing or pending constituents to the FTSE^® All-World Index, i.e., the review will take into consideration any constituent changes to the FTSE^® All-World Index as announced by FTSE and will therefore be conducted before the implementation date of these changes.

 

A company will be inserted into the XIN0I at the periodic review if it rises to 40th position or above when the eligible companies are ranked by full market capitalization (before the application of any investability weightings).

 

A company in the XIN0I will be deleted at the periodic review if it falls to 61st position or below when the eligible companies are ranked by full market value (before the application of any investability weightings).

 

A constant number of constituents will be maintained for the XIN0I. Where a greater number of companies qualify to be inserted in the XIN0I than those qualifying to be deleted, the lowest ranking constituents presently included in the XIN0I will be deleted to ensure that an equal number of companies are inserted and deleted at the periodic review. Likewise, where a greater number of companies qualify to be deleted than those qualifying to be inserted, the securities of the highest ranking companies which are presently not included in the XIN0I will be inserted to match the number of companies being deleted at the periodic review.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the XIN0I in the period from January 1, 2014 through September 19, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On September 19, 2024, the closing level of the XIN0I was 12,075.79.

 

Historical Performance of the FTSE^® China 50 Index

 

 

This historical data on the XIN0I is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the XIN0I or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the XIN0I during any period set forth above is not an indication that the level of the XIN0I is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

 

Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the levels of the XIN0I.

 

License Agreement

 

We will enter into a non-exclusive license agreement with FTSE, whereby we and our affiliates and subsidiaries, in exchange for a fee, will be permitted to use the XIN0I, which is owned and published by FTSE, in connection with certain products, including the notes.

 

Neither FTSE nor the LSE makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in structured products generally or in the notes particularly, or the ability of the XIN0I to track general stock market performance. FTSE and the LSE’s only relationship with us is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of FTSE, respectively, without regard to us or the notes. FTSE and the LSE have no obligation to take the needs of us or the holders of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the XIN0I. Neither FTSE nor the LSE is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing, price or quantity of the notes to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the amount due at maturity of the notes. Neither FTSE nor the LSE has any obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes.

 

The notes are not in any way sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FTSE or the LSE, and neither FTSE nor the LSE makes any claim, prediction, warranty or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to the results to be obtained from the use of the XIN0I and/or the figure at which the said component stands at any particular time on any particular day or otherwise, or the suitability of the XIN0I for the purpose to which it is being put in connection with the notes. The XIN0I is compiled and calculated by FTSE. However, neither FTSE nor the LSE shall be liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to any person for any error in the XIN0I and neither FTSE nor the LSE shall be under any obligation to advise any person of any error therein.

 

“FTSE^®,” and “FTSE^TM,” are trademarks of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and are used by FTSE International Limited under license. “All-World,” “All-Share” and “All-Small” are trademarks of FTSE International Limited.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

Supplement to the Plan of Distribution

 

Under our distribution agreement with BofAS, BofAS will purchase the notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount.

 

MLPF&S will in turn purchase the notes from BofAS for resale, and it will receive a selling concession in connection with the sale of the notes in an amount up to the full amount of the underwriting discount set forth on the cover of this term sheet.

 

We will pay a fee to a broker dealer in which an affiliate of BofAS has an ownership interest for providing certain services with respect to this offering, which will reduce the economic terms of the notes to you.

 

We may deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than one business day following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the notes occurs more than one business day from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than one business day prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

 

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. In the original offering of the notes, the notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units. If you place an order to purchase the notes, you are consenting to MLPF&S and/or one of its affiliates acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.

 

MLPF&S and BofAS may repurchase and resell the notes, with repurchases and resales being made at prices related to then-prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, and these prices will include MLPF&S’s and BofAS’s trading commissions and mark-ups or mark-downs. MLPF&S and BofAS may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions; however, neither is obligated to engage in any such transactions. At their discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the notes, MLPF&S and BofAS may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the notes. Any price offered by MLPF&S or BofAS for the notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Basket and the remaining term of the notes. However, none of us, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates is obligated to purchase your notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that we, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates will purchase your notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the notes.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

•

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

Structuring the Notes

 

The notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Basket. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the notes reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. The internal funding rate we use in pricing the market-linked notes is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed-rate debt securities of comparable maturity. This difference is based on, among other things, our 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 our conventional fixed-rate debt. This generally relatively lower internal funding rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the notes, along with the fees and charges associated with market-linked notes, typically results in the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date being less than their public offering price.

 

Payments on the notes, including the amount you receive at maturity or upon an automatic call, will be calculated based on the performance of the Basket and the $10 per unit principal amount. In order to meet these payment obligations, at the time we issue the notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with BofAS or one of its affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined by seeking bids from market participants, including BofAS and its affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Basket Components, the tenor of the notes and the tenor of the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.

 

BofAS has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include a hedging-related charge of approximately $0.05 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit to be credited to BofAS from these transactions. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, additional profits and losses from these hedging arrangements may be realized by BofAS or any third party hedge providers.

 

For further information, see “Risk Factors—Valuation- and Market-related Risks” beginning on page PS-8 of product supplement EQUITY STR-1 and “Use of Proceeds” on page S-14 of prospectus supplement.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

In the opinion of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, our Canadian tax counsel, the following summary describes the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereto (the “Canadian Tax Act”) generally applicable at the date hereof to a purchaser who acquires beneficial ownership of a note pursuant to this term sheet and who for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and at all relevant times: (a) is neither resident nor deemed to be resident in Canada; (b) deals at arm’s length with CIBC and any transferee resident (or deemed to be resident) in Canada to whom the purchaser disposes of the note; (c) does not use or hold and is not deemed to use or hold the note in, or in the course of, carrying on a business in Canada; (d) is entitled to receive all payments (including any interest and principal) made on the note; (e) is not a, and deals at arm’s length with any, “specified shareholder” of CIBC for purposes of the thin capitalization rules in the Canadian Tax Act; and (f) is not an entity in respect of which CIBC or any transferee resident (or deemed to be resident) in Canada to whom the purchaser disposes of, loans or otherwise transfers the note is a “specified entity”, and is not a “specified entity” in respect of such a transferee, in each case, for purposes of the Hybrid Mismatch Rules, as defined below (a “Non-Resident Holder”). Special rules which apply to non-resident insurers carrying on business in Canada and elsewhere are not discussed in this summary.

 

This summary assumes that no amount paid or payable to a holder described herein will be the deduction component of a “hybrid mismatch arrangement” under which the payment arises within the meaning of the rules in the Canadian Tax Act with respect to “hybrid mismatch arrangements” (the “Hybrid Mismatch Rules”). Investors should note that the Hybrid Mismatch Rules are highly complex and there remains significant uncertainty as to their interpretation and application.

 

This summary is supplemental to and should be read together with the description of material Canadian federal income tax considerations relevant to a Non-Resident Holder owning notes under “Material Income Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus and a Non-Resident Holder should carefully read that description as well.

 

This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular Non-Resident Holder. Non-Resident Holders are advised to consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.

 

Based on Canadian tax counsel’s understanding of the Canada Revenue Agency’s administrative policies, and having regard to the terms of the notes, interest payable on the notes should not be considered to be “participating debt interest” as defined in the Canadian Tax Act and accordingly, a Non-Resident Holder should not be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax in respect of amounts paid or credited or deemed to have been paid or credited by CIBC on a note as, on account of or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, interest.

 

Non-Resident Holders should consult their own advisors regarding the consequences to them of a disposition of the notes to a person with whom they are not dealing at arm’s length for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act.

 

 

Autocallable Strategic Accelerated Redemption Securities® Linked to an International Equity Index Basket, due October   , 2027

 

Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

The following discussion is a brief summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to an investment in the notes. The following summary is not complete and is both qualified and supplemented by, or in some cases supplements, the discussion entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” in product supplement EQUITY STR-1, which you should carefully review prior to investing in the notes.

 

The U.S. federal income tax considerations of your investment in the notes are uncertain. No statutory, judicial or administrative authority directly discusses how the notes should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the opinion of our tax counsel, Mayer Brown LLP, it would generally be reasonable to treat the notes as prepaid cash-settled derivative contracts. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, you agree to treat the notes in this manner for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. If this treatment is respected, you should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption or payment on maturity in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time and the amount that you paid for your notes. Such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your notes for more than one year. Non-U.S. holders should consult the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary—Non-U.S. Holders” in product supplement EQUITY STR-1.

 

The expected characterization of the notes is not binding on the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or the courts. Thus, it is possible that the IRS would seek to characterize your notes in a manner that results in tax consequences to you that are different from those described above or in the accompanying product supplement. Such alternate treatments could include a requirement that a holder accrue ordinary income over the life of the notes or treat all gain or loss at maturity as ordinary gain or loss. For a more detailed discussion of certain alternative characterizations with respect to your notes and certain other considerations with respect to your investment in the notes, you should consider the discussion set forth in “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” of the product supplement. We are not responsible for any adverse consequences that you may experience as a result of any alternative characterization of the notes for U.S. federal income tax or other tax purposes.

 

With respect to the discussion in the product supplement regarding “dividend equivalent” payments, the IRS has issued a notice that provides that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2027.

 

You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of such characterization and any possible alternative characterizations of the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. You should also consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax and other tax consequences of your investment in the notes in your particular circumstances, including the application of state, local or other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.

 

Where You Can Find More Information

 

We have filed a registration statement (including a product supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this term sheet relates. Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, and the other documents that we have filed with the SEC, for more complete information about us and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we, any agent, or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you these documents if you so request by calling MLPF&S or BofAS toll-free at 1-800-294-1322.

 

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

 

 

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