This pricing supplement, which is not complete and may be changed, relates to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933. This pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these notes in any country or jurisdiction where such an offer would not be permitted.

Preliminary Pricing Supplement - Subject to Completion  
(To Prospectus dated November 4, 2016, Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Series A Prospectus Supplement dated November 4, 2016 and Registration Statement No. 333-213265
Product Supplement COMM-1 dated April 3, 2017)  
Dated February 26, 2019  

BofA Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Notes Linked to the S&P GSCI® Brent Crude Oil Index– Excess Return, due March 28, 2022

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Bank of America Corporation

·The notes are unsecured senior notes issued by BofA Finance LLC (“BofA Finance”), a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BAC” or the “Guarantor”), which are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance, as issuer of the notes, and the credit risk of Bank of America Corporation, as guarantor of the notes.
·The notes do not guarantee a full return of your principal at maturity, and you could lose up to 100% of the principal amount at maturity.
·The notes are expected to price on March 26, 2019 (the “pricing date”).
·The notes are expected to mature on March 28, 2022, unless previously called.
·Payments on the notes will depend on the performance of the S&P GSCI® Brent Crude Oil Index–Excess Return (Bloomberg ticker: SPGCBRP) (the “Index”).
·For the Fixed Coupon Payment Dates, we will pay the Fixed Coupon Payment of $20.00 per $1,000 in principal amount (a rate of 2.00% per quarter, or 8.00% per annum) on the applicable Fixed Coupon Payment Date.
·For the Contingent Coupon Payment Dates, if the Observation Value of the Index on the applicable Observation Date is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier (as defined below), we will pay on the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment Date a Contingent Coupon Payment equal to (i) the product of $20.00 times the number of Contingent Coupon Payment Dates that have occurred up to the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment Date (inclusive of the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment Date) minus (ii) the sum of all Contingent Coupon Payments previously paid per $1,000 in principal amount.
·Prior to the maturity date, if the Observation Value of the Index is greater than or equal to the Starting Value on any quarterly Observation Date other than the final Observation Date, the notes will be automatically redeemed, in whole but not in part, at 100% of the principal amount, together with the Coupon Payment with respect to that Observation Date. No further amounts will be payable following an early redemption.
·At maturity, the amount you will be entitled to receive per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes (the “Redemption Amount”) will depend on the performance of the Index. If the notes are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity, the Redemption Amount will be determined as follows:
a)If the Ending Value of the Index is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier (as defined below), the Redemption Amount will equal the principal amount plus the Contingent Coupon Payment with respect to the final Observation Date.
b)If the Ending Value of the Index is less than the Coupon Barrier but greater than or equal to the Threshold Value, the Redemption Amount will equal the principal amount.
c)If the Ending Value of the Index is less than the Threshold Value, you will be subject to 1-1 downside exposure to any decrease in the level of the Index from the Starting Value. In that case, the Redemption Amount will be less than 65% of the principal amount and could be zero.
·The “Coupon Barrier” will be 80% of the Starting Value
·The “Threshold Value” will be 65% of the Starting Value.
·The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
·The notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000.
·The CUSIP number of the notes is 09709TGR6.
·The initial estimated value of the notes will be less than the public offering price. The initial estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date is expected to be between $920.00 and $960.00 per $1,000 in principal amount. See “Summary” beginning on page PS-2 of this pricing supplement, “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-7 of this pricing supplement and “Structuring the Notes” on page PS-21 of this pricing supplement for additional information. The actual value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.
·The notes and the related guarantee:
Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

 

  Per Note   Total
Public Offering Price $1,000.00   $
Underwriting Discount $25.00   $
Proceeds (before expenses) to BofA Finance $975.00   $
 

 

The notes and the related guarantee of the notes by the Guarantor are unsecured and are not savings accounts, deposits, or other obligations of a bank. The notes are not guaranteed by Bank of America, N.A. or any other bank, are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency and involve investment risks. Potential purchasers of the notes should consider the information in “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-7 of this pricing supplement, page PS-5 of the accompanying product supplement, page S-4 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, and page 7 of the accompanying prospectus. You may lose some or all of your principal amount in the notes.

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these notes or the guarantee, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this pricing supplement, or the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

We will deliver the notes in book-entry form only through The Depository Trust Company on or about March 28, 2019 against payment in immediately available funds.

BofA Merrill Lynch

Selling Agent

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

SUMMARY pS-2
RISK FACTORS pS-9
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES pS-14
THE INDEX pS-17
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION — CONFLICTS OF INTEREST pS-22
STRUCTURING THE NOTES pS-24
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX SUMMARY pS-25

 

 

 

SUMMARY

The Contingent Income Auto-Callable Notes Linked to the S&P GSCI® Brent Crude Oil Index–Excess Return, due March 28, 2022 (the “notes”) are our senior debt securities. Any payments on the notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by BAC. The notes and the related guarantee are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or secured by collateral. The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior debt, and the related guarantee will rank equally with all of BAC’s other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of the principal amount, will be subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance, as issuer, and BAC, as guarantor. Unless earlier called, the notes will mature on March 28, 2022.

For the Fixed Coupon Payment Dates, we will pay the Fixed Coupon Payment of $20.00 per $1,000 in principal amount (a rate of 2.00% per quarter, or 8.00% per annum) on the applicable Fixed Coupon Payment Date. For the Contingent Coupon Payment Dates, if on any quarterly Observation Date, the Observation Value of the Index is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier, we will pay a Contingent Coupon Payment per $1,000 in principal amount equal to (i) the product of $20.00 times the number of Coupon Observation Dates that have occurred up to the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment Date (inclusive of the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment Date) minus (ii) the sum of all Contingent Coupon Payments previously paid. Prior to the maturity date, if the Observation Value of the Index is greater than or equal to the Starting Value on any quarterly Observation Date other than the final Observation Date, the notes will be automatically redeemed, in whole but not in part, at 100% of the principal amount, together with the Coupon Payment with respect to that Observation Date. No further amounts will be payable following an early redemption. If the notes are not called prior to maturity, and if the Ending Value of the Index is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier, at maturity you will receive the principal amount plus the Contingent Coupon Payment with respect to the final Observation Date. If the Ending Value of the Index is less than the Coupon Barrier but greater than or equal to the Threshold Value, at maturity you will receive the principal amount. If the Ending Value of the Index is less than the Threshold Value, you will be subject to 1-1 downside exposure to any decrease in the level of the Index from the Starting Value. In that case, the Redemption Amount will be less than 65% of the principal amount and could be zero. The notes are not traditional debt securities and it is possible that the notes will not pay any Contingent Coupon Payments, and you may lose some or all of your principal amount at maturity.

Payments on the notes, including any Coupon Payments, depend on the credit risk of BofA Finance and BAC and on the performance of the Index. The economic terms of the notes are based on BAC’s internal funding rate, which is the rate it would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes, and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements it enters into. BAC’s internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate it would pay when it issues conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. This difference in funding rate, as well as the underwriting discount and the hedging related charges described below, will reduce the economic terms of the notes to you and the initial estimated value of the notes. 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 as of the pricing date.

On the cover page of this preliminary pricing supplement, we have provided the initial estimated value range for the notes. The final pricing supplement will set forth the initial estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the notes, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-9 and “Structuring the Notes” on page PS-24.

Issuer: BofA Finance LLC (“BofA Finance”)
Guarantor: Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”)
Term: Approximately three years, unless previously called.
Pricing Date: March 26, 2019
Issue Date: March 28, 2019
Maturity Date: March 28, 2022
Market Measure: The S&P GSCI® Brent Crude Oil Index–Excess Return (Bloomberg ticker: “SPGCBRP”)

PS-2

 

 

Automatic Call: All (but not less than all) of the notes will be automatically called if the Observation Value of the Index is greater than or equal to the Starting Value on any quarterly Observation Date other than the final Observation Date.  If the notes are automatically called, the Early Redemption Payment will be paid on the applicable Coupon Payment Date.

PS-3

 

 

Observation Dates: The most proximate day to the Final Fixed Coupon Payment Date (the Final Fixed Coupon Payment Date is March 28, 2020) that is at least three scheduled Market Measure Business Days prior to the Final Fixed Coupon Date and the most proximate day to the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment Date (the Contingent Coupon Payment Dates commence on June 28, 2020 and end on the maturity date), that is at least three scheduled Market Measure Business Days prior to such Contingent Coupon Payment Date. The Observation Dates are subject to postponement as set forth in “Description of the Notes — Market Disruption Events — Observation Values and Ending Values” beginning on page PS-21 of product supplement COMM-1. For the avoidance of doubt, the Observation Date corresponding to the Final Fixed Coupon Date will be an Observation Date solely for determining whether the notes will be automatically called.
Early Redemption Payment: The sum of the principal amount plus the Coupon Payment with respect to the applicable Observation Date.
Fixed Coupon Payment: For the Fixed Coupon Payment Dates, we will pay the Fixed Coupon Payment of $20.00 per $1,000 in principal amount (a rate of 2.00% per quarter or 8.00% per annum) on the applicable Fixed Coupon Payment Date.
Contingent Coupon Payment: For the Contingent Coupon Payment Dates, if on any quarterly Observation Date, the Observation Value of the Index is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier, we will pay a Contingent Coupon Payment per $1,000 in principal amount equal to (i) the product of $20.00 times the number of Contingent Coupon Payment Dates that have occurred up to the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment Date (inclusive of the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment Date) minus (ii) the sum of all Contingent Coupon Payments previously paid on the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment Date. The Contingent Coupon Payments, together with the Fixed Coupon Payments, are “Coupon Payments”.
Fixed Coupon Payment Dates: Quarterly, on June 28, 2019, September 28, 2019, December 28, 2019 and March 28, 2020 (the “Final Fixed Coupon Payment Date”).
Contingent Coupon Payment Dates: Quarterly, on the 28th day of each March, June, September, and December, commencing on June 28, 2020 and ending on the maturity date (the last quarterly Contingent Coupon Payment Date will be the maturity date). The Contingent Coupon Payment Dates, together with the Fixed Coupon Payment Dates, are “Coupon Payment Dates”.
Redemption Amount:

If the notes have not been automatically called, the Redemption Amount per note will be:

a)     If the Ending Value of the Index is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier:

$1,000

Plus the Contingent Coupon Payment with respect to the final Observation Date.

b)     If the Ending Value of the Index is less than the Coupon Barrier but greater than or equal to the Threshold Value: $1,000.

c)     If the Ending Value of the Index is less than the Threshold Value:

$1,000 + ($1,000 x Index Return)

In that case, the Redemption Amount will be less than 65% of the principal amount and could be zero.

Coupon Barrier: 80% of the Starting Value, rounded to two decimal places.
Threshold Value: 65% of the Starting Value, rounded to two decimal places.
Starting Value: The closing level of the Index on the pricing date.
Observation Value: The closing level of the Index on the applicable Observation Date.
Ending Value: The closing level of the Index on the final Observation Date.
Index Return:

(Ending Value – Starting Value)

 

PS-4

 

 

 

Starting Value

Calculation Agent: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), an affiliate of BofA Finance.
Selling Agent: MLPF&S. For further information, see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution; Role of MLPF&S and Conflicts of Interest” beginning on page on PS-25 of this pricing supplement.

The pricing date, issue date and other dates set forth above are subject to change, and will be set forth in the final pricing supplement relating to the notes.

PS-5

 

You should read carefully this entire pricing supplement, product supplement, prospectus supplement, and prospectus to understand fully the terms of the notes, as well as the tax and other considerations important to you in making a decision about whether to invest in the notes. In particular, you should review carefully the section in this pricing supplement entitled “Risk Factors,” which highlights a number of risks of an investment in the notes, to determine whether an investment in the notes is appropriate for you. If information in this pricing supplement is inconsistent with the product supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus, this pricing supplement will supersede those documents. You are urged to consult with your own attorneys and business and tax advisors before making a decision to purchase any of the notes.

The information in this “Summary” section is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed explanation set forth elsewhere in this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. You should rely only on the information contained in this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. None of us, the Guarantor or any selling agent is making an offer to sell these notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement, and prospectus is accurate only as of the date on their respective front covers.

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this pricing supplement have the meanings set forth in the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this pricing supplement to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to BofA Finance, and not to BAC (or any other affiliate of BofA Finance).

The above documents may be accessed at the following links:

·Product supplement COMM-1 dated April 3, 2017:

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000119312517108683/d354136d424b5.htm

·Series A MTN prospectus supplement dated November 4, 2016 and prospectus dated November 4, 2016:

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000119312516760144/d266649d424b3.htm

PS-6

 

Hypothetical Payments on the Notes

The table below illustrates hypothetical Redemption Amounts on a $1,000 investment in the notes for a range of Ending Values of the Index, assuming the notes have not been called prior to maturity.

The table below is based on a hypothetical Starting Value of 100, a hypothetical Coupon Barrier of 80 (80% of the hypothetical Starting Value) and a hypothetical Threshold Value of 65 (65% of the hypothetical Starting Value). The actual Starting Value, Coupon Barrier and the Threshold Value will be determined on the pricing date. The table below also assumes that all Contingent Coupon Payments are payable on each Contingent Coupon Payment Date prior to maturity.

The hypothetical payments and examples set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual payments applicable to the notes. The numbers appearing in the following examples have been rounded for ease of analysis. 

Ending Value

Index Return

Redemption Amount per Note

Return on the Notes (Excluding Any Contingent Coupon Payments Paid Prior to Maturity)

0.00 -100.00% $0.00 -100.00%
20.00 -80.00% $200.00 -80.00%
40.00 -60.00% $400.00 -60.00%
50.00 -50.00% $500.00 -50.00%
64.99 -35.01% $649.90 -35.01%
  65.00(1) -35.00% $1,000.00 0.00%
  70.00 -30.00% $1,000.00 0.00%
75.00 -25.00% $1,000.00 0.00%
80.00 (2) -20.00% $1,020.00 2.00%
85.00 -15.00% $1,020.00 2.00%
95.00 -5.00% $1,020.00 2.00%
   100.00(3) 0.00% $1,020.00 2.00%
110.00 10.00% $1,020.00 2.00%
120.00 20.00% $1,020.00 2.00%
140.00 40.00% $1,020.00 2.00%
160.00 60.00% $1,020.00 2.00%
180.00 80.00% $1,020.00 2.00%
200.00 100.00% $1,020.00 2.00%

 

(1)This is the hypothetical Threshold Value.
(2)This is the hypothetical Coupon Barrier.
(3)The hypothetical Starting Value of 100 used in the table above has been chosen for illustrative purposes only, and does not represent a likely actual Starting Value for the Index.

 

PS-7

 

Total Coupon Payments

The tables below illustrate the hypothetical total Coupon Payments per $1,000 in principal amount over the term of the notes, depending on how many Coupon Payments are payable prior to early redemption or maturity. Depending on the performance of the Index, you may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments during the term of the notes.

 

Hypothetical Table 1:

This table assumes that you receive a Contingent Coupon Payment on each quarterly Contingent Coupon Payment Date.

 

Number of Coupon Payments Total Coupon Payments
4 $80.00(1)
5(2)  $100.00
8 $160.00
10 $200.00
12 $240.00
(1)This represents the sum of the Fixed Coupon Payments.
(2)There are 4 Fixed Coupon Payments over the term of the notes. Receipt of 5 or more Coupon Payments is not guaranteed and will depend on the performance of the Index.

 

Hypothetical Table 2:

This table assumes that you receive no Contingent Coupon Payments until the last possible Contingent Coupon Payment Date (i.e., the maturity date). Under these circumstances you would receive a 5th Coupon Payment on the maturity date of $160.00 (the product of (i) $20.00 times 8 Contingent Coupon Payment Dates that have occurred (inclusive of the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment Date) minus (ii) $0.00).

Number of Coupon Payments Total Coupon Payments
4 $80.00(1)
5(2) $240.00(3)
(1)This represents the sum of the Fixed Coupon Payments.
(2)There are 4 Fixed Coupon Payments over the term of the notes. Receipt of 5 or more Coupon Payments is not guaranteed and will depend on the performance of the Index.
(3)This includes a single Contingent Coupon Payment of $160.00 paid at maturity, calculated as described above.

PS-8

 

RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the notes entails significant risks, many of which differ from those of a conventional debt security. Your decision to purchase the notes should be made only after carefully considering the risks of an investment in the notes, including those discussed below, with your advisors in light of your particular circumstances. The notes are not an appropriate investment for you if you are not knowledgeable about significant elements of the notes or financial matters in general.

Your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal. The notes are not principal protected. There is no fixed principal repayment amount on the notes at maturity. If the notes are not called and the Ending Value of the Index is less than the Threshold Value, you will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value. As a result, depending on the performance of the Index, you may lose all or a substantial portion of your principal.

The notes are subject to a potential automatic early redemption, which would limit your ability to receive the Contingent Coupon Payments over the full term of the notes. The notes are subject to a potential automatic early redemption. Prior to maturity, the notes will be automatically called on any quarterly Observation Date other than the final Observation Date if the Observation Value of the Index is greater than or equal to the Starting Value. If the notes are redeemed prior to the maturity date, you will be entitled to receive the principal amount and the Coupon Payment with respect to the applicable Observation Date. In this case, you will lose the opportunity to continue to receive Contingent Coupon Payments after the date of early redemption. If the notes are redeemed prior to the maturity date, you may be unable to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk that could provide a return that is similar to the notes.

You may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments. The terms of the notes differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that they do not provide for the regular periodic payments of interest. Instead, investors in the notes will not necessarily receive Contingent Coupon Payments on the notes. If the Observation Value of the Index is less than the Coupon Barrier on an Observation Date, you will not receive the Contingent Coupon Payment applicable to that Observation Date. If the Observation Value of the Index is less than the Coupon Barrier on all the Observation Dates during the term of the notes, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments during the term of the notes.

Your return on the notes may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity. Any return that you receive on the notes, which could be negative, may be less than the return you would earn if you purchased a conventional debt security with the same maturity date. As a result, your investment in the notes may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you consider factors, such as inflation, that affect the time value of money.

Your investment return is limited and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the commodities or futures contracts represented by the Index. Your return on the notes is limited to the Fixed Coupon Payments and any Contingent Coupon Payments paid over the term of the notes, regardless of the extent to which the Observation Value of the Index exceeds the Starting Value. Similarly, the Redemption Amount payable at maturity or the Early Redemption Payment payable upon an automatic call will never exceed the principal amount and the applicable Coupon Payment, regardless of the extent to which the Observation Value of the Index exceeds the Threshold Value or the Starting Value, as aplicable.

In contrast, a direct investment in the commodities or futures contracts represented by the Index would allow you to receive the benefit of any appreciation in their value. Thus, any return on the notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned any commodities or futures contracts represented by the Index.

Any payments on the notes are subject to our credit risk and the credit risk of the Guarantor, and actual or perceived changes in our or the Guarantor’s creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the notes. The notes are our senior unsecured debt securities. Any payments on the notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor. The notes are not guaranteed by any entity other than the Guarantor. As a result, your receipt of all payments on the notes will be dependent upon our ability and the ability of the Guarantor to repay our obligations under the notes on the applicable payment date, regardless of the performance of the Index. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition or the financial condition of the Guarantor will be at any time during the term of the notes. If we and the Guarantor become unable to meet our respective financial obligations as they become due, you may not receive the amounts payable under the terms of the notes.

PS-9

 

In addition, our credit ratings and the credit ratings of the Guarantor are assessments by ratings agencies of our respective abilities to pay our obligations. Consequently, our or the Guarantor’s perceived creditworthiness and actual or anticipated decreases in our or the Guarantor’s credit ratings or increases in the spread between the yield on our respective securities and the yield on U.S. Treasury securities (the “credit spread”) prior to the maturity date may adversely affect the market value of the notes. However, because your return on the notes depends upon factors in addition to our ability and the ability of the Guarantor to pay our respective obligations, such as the level of the Index, an improvement in our or the Guarantor’s credit ratings will not reduce the other investment risks related to the notes.

We are a finance subsidiary and, as such, will have limited assets and operations. We are a finance subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation and will have no assets, operations or revenues other than those related to the issuance, administration and repayment of our debt securities that are guaranteed by the Guarantor. As a finance subsidiary, to meet our obligations under the notes, we are dependent upon payment or contribution of funds and/or repayment of outstanding loans from the Guarantor and/or its other subsidiaries. Therefore, our ability to make payments on the notes may be limited. In addition, we will have no independent assets available for distributions to holders of the notes if they make claims in respect of the notes in a bankruptcy, resolution or similar proceeding. Accordingly, any recoveries by such holders may be limited to those available under the related guarantee by the Guarantor, and that guarantee will rank equally with all other unsecured senior obligations of the Guarantor.

The public offering price you pay for the notes will exceed the initial estimated value. The initial estimated value range of the notes that is provided in this preliminary pricing supplement, and that will be provided in the final pricing supplement, are each an estimate only, determined as of a particular point in time by reference to our and our affiliates’ pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables, including our credit spreads and those of the Guarantor, the Guarantor’s internal funding rate, mid-market terms on hedging transactions, expectations on interest rates and volatility, price-sensitivity analysis, and the expected term of the notes. These pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect.

The initial estimated value does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we, the Guarantor, MLPF&S or any of our other affiliates would be willing to purchase your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your notes at any time after the date of this pricing supplement will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including our and the Guarantor’s creditworthiness and changes in market conditions.

If you attempt to sell the notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and lower than their initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the level of the Index, the Guarantor’s internal funding rate, and the inclusion in the public offering price of the underwriting discount and the hedging related charges, all as further described in “Structuring the Notes” below. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the notes in complex and unpredictable ways.

We cannot assure you that a trading market for your notes will ever develop or be maintained. We will not list the notes on any securities exchange. We cannot predict how the notes will trade in any secondary market or whether that market will be liquid or illiquid.

The development of a trading market for the notes will depend on the Guarantor’s financial performance and other factors, including changes in the level of the Index. The number of potential buyers of your notes in any secondary market may be limited. We anticipate that MLPF&S will act as a market-maker for the notes, but none of us, the Guarantor or MLPF&S is required to do so. There is no assurance that any party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price in any secondary market. MLPF&S may discontinue its market-making activities as to the notes at any time. To the extent that MLPF&S engages in any market-making activities, it may bid for or offer the notes. Any price at which MLPF&S may bid for, offer, purchase, or sell any notes may differ from the values determined by pricing models that it may use, whether as a result of dealer discounts, mark-ups, or other transaction costs. These bids, offers, or completed transactions may affect the prices, if any, at which the notes might otherwise trade in the market.

In addition, if at any time MLPF&S were to cease acting as a market-maker as to the notes, it is likely that there would be significantly less liquidity in the secondary market. In such a case, the price at which the notes could be sold likely would be lower than if an active market existed.

PS-10

 

The payments on the notes (including the Coupon Payments) will not reflect changes in the level of the Index other than on the Observation Dates. Changes in the level of the Index during the term of the notes other than on the Observation Dates will not affect the amount of payments on the notes or whether the notes will be called. The Calculation Agent will determine whether each Contingent Coupon Payment is payable, or whether the notes will be called, and calculate the Redemption Amount and Early Redemption Amount, by comparing only the Starting Value, the Coupon Barrier or the Threshold Value to the Observation Value or the Ending Value, as applicable. No other level of the Index will be taken into account. As a result, if the notes are not called prior to maturity, you will receive less than the principal amount at maturity even if the level of the Index has increased at certain times during the term of the notes before the Index decreases to a level that is less than the Threshold Value as of the final Observation Date.

The notes do not offer direct exposure to Brent crude oil’s spot price. The notes are linked to the Index, which tracks commodity futures contracts, not physical commodities (or their spot prices). The price of a futures contract reflects the expected value of the commodity upon delivery in the future, whereas the spot price of a commodity reflects the immediate delivery value of the commodity. A variety of factors can lead to a disparity between the expected future price of a commodity and the spot price at a given point in time, such as the cost of storing the commodity for the term of the futures contract, interest charges incurred to finance the purchase of the commodity and expectations concerning supply and demand for the commodity. The price movements of a futures contract are typically correlated with the movements of the spot price of the referenced commodity, but the correlation is generally imperfect and price movements in the spot market may not be reflected in the futures market (and vice versa). Accordingly, the notes may underperform a similar investment that is linked to commodity spot prices.

The notes include the risk of a concentrated position in a single commodity. The notes are linked to the Index, which tracks Brent crude oil futures contracts. An investment in the notes may therefore carry risks similar to a concentrated investment in a single commodity. Accordingly, a decline in the price of Brent crude oil may adversely affect the price of Brent crude oil futures contracts, the level of the Index, and the value of the notes. Technological advances or the discovery of new oil reserves could lead to increases in worldwide production of oil and corresponding decreases in the price of Brent crude oil. In addition, further development and commercial exploitation of alternative energy sources and technologies, including solar, wind, or geothermal energy and hybrid and electric automobiles, could reduce the demand for Brent crude oil and result in lower prices. As a result of any of these events, the value of the notes could decrease.

Brent Crude oil prices can be volatile as a result of various factors that we cannot control, and this volatility may reduce the value of the notes. Historically, oil prices have been highly volatile. They are affected by numerous factors, including oil supply and demand, the level of global industrial activity, the driving habits of consumers, speculative actions, currency exchange rates, economic conditions, political events and policies, regulations, weather, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs, and, especially, direct government intervention such as embargoes, and supply disruptions in major producing or consuming regions such as the Middle East, the United States, Latin America, and Russia. The outcome of meetings of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries also can affect liquidity and world oil supply and, consequently, the price of Brent crude oil futures contracts. Market expectations about these events and speculative activity also may cause oil prices to fluctuate unpredictably. If the volatility of Brent crude oil and Brent crude oil futures contracts increases or decreases, the value of the notes may be adversely affected.

Furthermore, a significant proportion of world oil production capacity is controlled by a small number of producers. These producers have, in certain recent periods, implemented curtailments of output and trade. These efforts at supply curtailment, or the cessation of supply, could affect the price of Brent crude oil futures contracts. Additionally, the development of substitute products for oil could adversely affect the price of Brent crude oil futures contracts and the value of the notes.

Future prices of the commodity included in the Index that are different from its spot prices may have a negative effect on the level of the Index, and therefore the value of the notes. The Index generally reflects movements in commodity prices by measuring the value of futures contracts for Brent crude oil. To maintain the Index, as futures contracts approach expiration, they are replaced by similar contracts that have a later expiration. This process is referred to as “rolling.” The level of the Index is calculated as if the expiring futures contracts are sold and the proceeds from those sales are used to purchase longer-dated futures contracts. The difference in the price between the contracts that are sold and the new contracts for more distant delivery that are purchased is called “roll yield,” and the change in price that contracts experience while they are components of the Index is sometimes referred to as “spot return.”

PS-11

 

If the expiring Brent crude oil futures contract included in the Index is “rolled” into a less expensive futures contract with a more distant delivery date, the market for that futures contract is (putting aside other considerations) trading in “backwardation.” In this case, the effect of the roll yield on the level of the Index will be positive because it costs less to replace the expiring futures contract. However, if the expiring futures contract included in the Index is “rolled” into a more expensive futures contract with a more distant delivery date, the market for that futures contract is trading in “contango.”

There is no indication that the markets for Brent crude oil will consistently be in backwardation or that there will be a positive roll yield that increases the level of the Index. It is possible, when near-term or spot prices of Brent crude oil are decreasing, for the level of the Index to decrease significantly over time even when Brent crude oil is experiencing backwardation. If all other factors remain constant, the presence of contango in the market for Brent crude oil could generally result in negative roll yield, even when the near-term or spot prices of Brent crude oil are stable or increasing, which could decrease the level of the Index and the market value of the notes.

A decision by the Ice Futures UK, or the Ice-UK, to increase margin requirements for Brent crude oil futures contracts may affect the level of the Index. If the Ice-UK increases the amount of collateral required to be posted to hold positions in the futures contracts on Brent crude oil (i.e., the margin requirements), market participants who are unwilling or unable to post additional collateral may liquidate their positions, which may cause the level of the Index to decline significantly.

Suspension or disruptions of market trading in Brent crude oil and related futures contracts may adversely affect the value of the notes. The commodity markets are subject to temporary distortions or other disruptions due to various factors, including the lack of liquidity in the markets, the participation of speculators and government regulation and intervention. In addition, U.S. futures exchanges have regulations that limit the amount of fluctuation in futures contract prices that may occur during a single business day. These limits are generally referred to as “daily price fluctuation limits,” and the maximum or minimum price of a contract on any given day as a result of these limits is referred to as a “limit price.” Once the limit price has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made at a different price. Limit prices have the effect of precluding trading in a particular contract or forcing the liquidation of contracts at disadvantageous times or prices. Any such distortion, disruption, or any other force majeure (such as an act of God, fire, flood, severe weather conditions, act of governmental authority, labor difficulty, etc.), may adversely affect the level of the Index, or the manner in which it is calculated, and therefore, the value of the notes.

The Index is an excess return index and not a total return index. An excess return index, such as the Index, reflects the returns that are potentially available through an unleveraged investment in the contracts composing that index. By contrast, a “total return” index, in addition to reflecting those returns, also reflects interest that could be earned on funds committed to the trading of the underlying futures contracts.

Trading and hedging activities by us, the Guarantor and any of our other affiliates may affect your return on the notes and their market value. We, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including MLPF&S, may buy or sell the commodities or futures contracts represented by or included in the Index, or futures or options contracts on the Index or its components, or other listed or over-the-counter derivative instruments linked to the Index or its components. We, the Guarantor and any of our other affiliates, including MLPF&S, may execute such purchases or sales for our own or their own accounts, for business reasons, or in connection with hedging our obligations under the notes. These transactions could affect the level of the Index in a manner that could be adverse to your investment in the notes. On or before the pricing date, any purchases or sales by us, the Guarantor or our other affiliates, including MLPF&S or others on its behalf (including for the purpose of hedging anticipated exposures), may affect the level of the Index. Consequently, the level of the Index may change subsequent to the pricing date, adversely affecting the market value of the notes.

We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including MLPF&S, may also engage in hedging activities that could affect the level of the Index on the pricing date. In addition, these activities may decrease the market value of your notes prior to maturity, and may affect the amounts to be paid on the notes. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including MLPF&S, may purchase or otherwise acquire a long or short position in the notes and may hold or resell the notes. For example, MLPF&S may enter into these transactions in connection with any market making activities in which they engage. We cannot assure you that these activities will not adversely affect the level of the Index, the market value of your notes prior to maturity or the amounts payable on the notes.

PS-12

 

Our trading, hedging and other business activities may create conflicts of interest with you. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including MLPF&S, may engage in trading activities related to the Index and to components included in the Index (and related futures and options contracts on the Index or its components) that are not for your account or on your behalf. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including MLPF&S, also may issue or underwrite other financial instruments with returns based upon the Index or its components. These trading and other business activities may present a conflict of interest between your interest in the notes and the interests we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including MLPF&S, may have in our proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions, including block trades, for our or their other customers, and in accounts under our or their management. These trading and other business activities, if they influence the level of the Index or secondary trading in your notes, could be adverse to your interests as a beneficial owner of the notes.

We expect to enter into arrangements or adjust or close out existing transactions to hedge our obligations under the notes. We, the Guarantor or our other affiliates also may enter into hedging transactions relating to other notes or instruments, some of which may have returns calculated in a manner related to that of a particular issue of the notes. We may enter into such hedging arrangements with one of our affiliates. Our affiliates may enter into additional hedging transactions with other parties relating to the notes and the Index. This hedging activity is expected to result in a profit to those engaging in the hedging activity, which could be more or less than initially expected, or the hedging activity could also result in a loss. We and our affiliates will price these hedging transactions with the intent to realize a profit, regardless of whether the value of the notes increases or decreases. Any profit in connection with such hedging activities will be in addition to any other compensation that we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including MLPF&S, receive for the sale of the notes, which creates an additional incentive to sell the notes to you.

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the notes. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the notes or securities similar to the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes are not certain. Under the terms of the notes, you will have agreed with us to treat the notes as income-bearing single financial contracts, as described under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary—General.” If the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) were successful in asserting an alternative characterization for the notes, the timing and character of income, gain or loss with respect to the notes may differ. No ruling will be requested from the IRS with respect to the notes and no assurance can be given that the IRS will agree with the statements made in the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary.”

You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the notes.

*   *   *

Investors in the notes should review the additional risk factors set forth beginning on page PS-5 of the product supplement prior to making an investment decision.

PS-13

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

General

The notes will be part of a series of medium-term notes entitled “Medium-Term Notes, Series A” issued under the Senior Indenture, as amended and supplemented from time to time, among us, the Guarantor and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as trustee. The Senior Indenture is more fully described in the prospectus supplement and prospectus. The following description of the notes supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the notes and debt securities set forth under the headings “Description of the Notes” in the prospectus supplement and “Description of Debt Securities” in the prospectus. These documents should be read in connection with this pricing supplement.

Our payment obligations on the notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor. The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior debt from time to time outstanding. The guarantee of the notes will rank equally with all other unsecured senior obligations of the Guarantor. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, are subject to our credit risk, as issuer, and the credit risk of BAC, as guarantor.

The notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000. You may transfer the notes only in whole multiples of $1,000.

Prior to maturity, the notes are not repayable at our option or at your option. The notes may be automatically called prior to maturity as described under “—Automatic Early Redemption.”

If any Payment Date, including the scheduled maturity date is not a business day, the payment will be postponed to the next business day, and no interest will be payable as a result of that postponement.

Fixed Coupon Payment

For the Fixed Coupon Payment Dates, we will pay the Fixed Coupon Payment.

The “Fixed Coupon Payment” will be $20.00 per $1,000 in principal amount (a rate of 2.00% per quarter, or 8.00% per annum).

The “Fixed Coupon Payment Dates” will be quarterly, on June 28, 2019, September 28, 2019, December 28, 2019 and March 28, 2020.

Contingent Coupon Payment

For the Contingent Coupon Payment Dates, if on any quarterly Observation Date, the Observation Value of the Index is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier, we will pay a Contingent Coupon Payment per $1,000 in principal amount equal to (i) the product of $20.00 times the number of Contingent Coupon Payment Dates that have occurred up to the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment Date (inclusive of the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment Date) minus (ii) the sum of all Contingent Coupon Payments previously paid on the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment Date.

The “Coupon Barrier” will be 80% of the Starting Value.

The “Contingent Coupon Payment Dates” will be quarterly, on the 28th day of each March, June, September, and December, commencing on June 28, 2020 and ending on the maturity date (the last quarterly Contingent Coupon Payment Date will be the maturity date).

The “Observation Dates” will be the most proximate day to the Final Fixed Coupon Payment Date (the Final Fixed Coupon Payment Date is March 28, 2020) that is at least three scheduled Market Measure Business Days prior to the Final Fixed Coupon Date and the most proximate day to the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment Date (the Contingent Coupon Payment Dates commence on June 28, 2020 and end on the maturity date), that is at least three scheduled Market Measure Business Days prior to such Contingent Coupon Payment Date. The Observation Dates are subject to postponement as set forth in “Description of the Notes—Market Disruption Events—Observation Values and Ending Values” beginning on page PS-21 of product supplement COMM-1. For the avoidance of doubt, the Observation Date corresponding to the Final Fixed Coupon Date will be an Observation Date solely for determining whether the notes will be automatically called.

For so long as the notes are held in book-entry only form, we will pay the Fixed Coupon Payment and any Contingent Coupon Payment to the persons in whose names the notes are registered at the close

PS-14

 

of business one business day prior to each Coupon Payment Date. If the notes are not held in book-entry only form, the record dates will be the first day of the month in which the applicable payment date occurs.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Redemption Amount, including the final Contingent Coupon Payment with respect to the final Observation Date, if payable, will be paid to the persons in whose names the notes are registered on the maturity date.

PS-15

 

Automatic Early Redemption

The notes will be automatically called in whole, but not in part, prior to maturity if the Observation Value of the Index on any quarterly Observation Date other than the final Observation Date is greater than or equal to the Starting Value. Upon an early redemption, you will receive the Early Redemption Payment on the applicable Coupon Payment Date. You will not receive any additional payments on the notes after the early redemption date.

The “Early Redemption Payment” will be the principal amount of your notes, plus the Coupon Payment due with respect to the applicable Observation Date.

Redemption Amount

If your notes are not automatically called prior to maturity, then at maturity, subject to our credit risk as issuer of the notes and the credit risk of the Guarantor as guarantor of the notes, you will receive the Redemption Amount per note that you hold, denominated in U.S. dollars. The Redemption Amount per note will be calculated as follows:

·If the Ending Value of the Index is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier, the Redemption Amount will equal the principal amount plus the Contingent Coupon Payment with respect to the final Observation Date.
·If the Ending Value of the Index is less than the Coupon Barrier but greater than or equal to the Threshold Value: $1,000.

·         If the Ending Value of the Index is less than the Coupon Barrier, at maturity, you will receive an amount calculated as follows:

$1,000 + ($1,000 x the Index Return)

In that case, the Redemption Amount will be less than 65% of the principal amount and could be zero.

The “Threshold Value” will be 65% of the Starting Value.

The “Index Return” will equal:

Ending Value – Starting Value

Starting Value

Determining the Starting Value, the Observation Value and the Ending Value of the Index

The “Starting Value” will be the closing level of the Index on the pricing date.

The “Observation Value” will be the closing level of the Index on the applicable Observation Date.

The “Ending Value” will be the closing level of the Index on the final Observation Date.

A day is a scheduled Market Measure Business Day if, as of the pricing date, such day is expected to be a Market Measure Business Day for the Index.

Events of Default and Acceleration

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Senior Indenture and in the section entitled “Events of Default and Rights of Acceleration” beginning on page 35 of the accompanying prospectus, with respect to the notes occurs and is continuing, the amount payable to a holder of the notes upon any acceleration permitted under the Senior Indenture will be equal to the amount described under the caption “—Redemption Amount,” calculated as though the date of acceleration were the maturity date of the notes and as though the final Observation Date were the third trading day prior to the date of acceleration. We will also determine whether the final Contingent Coupon Payment is payable based upon the level of the Index on that day; any such final Contingent Coupon Payment will be prorated by the Calculation Agent to reflect the length of the final contingent payment period. In case of a default in the payment of the notes, whether at their maturity or upon acceleration, the notes will not bear a default interest rate.

PS-16

 

THE INDEX

All disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI” or the “Index sponsor”). SPDJI licenses the copyright and all other rights to the Index, has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Index. The consequences of the Index sponsor discontinuing publication of the Index are discussed in “Discontinuance of a Market Measure” beginning on page PS-22 of product supplement COMM-1. None of us, BAC, the Calculation Agent, or MLPF&S accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Index or any successor index.

The Index is a sub-index of the S&P GSCI®, a composite index of commodity sector returns. The S&P GSCI® is a world production-weighted index that is designed to reflect the relative significance of principal non-financial commodities (i.e., physical commodities) in the world economy. The S&P GSCI® represents the return of a portfolio of the futures contracts for the underlying commodities. The Index references the front-month Brent crude oil futures contract (i.e., the Brent crude futures contract generally closest to expiration) traded on Ice-UK. The Index provides investors with a publicly available benchmark for investment performance in the Brent crude oil commodity markets. The Index is an excess return index and not a total return index. An excess return index reflects the returns that are potentially available through an unleveraged investment in the contracts composing the index (which, in the case of the Index, are the designated crude oil futures contracts). By contrast, a “total return” index, in addition to reflecting those returns, also reflects interest that could be earned on funds committed to the trading of the underlying futures contracts.

None of us, the Guarantor, the Calculation Agent, MLPF&S or any of our other affiliates makes any representation to you as to the future performance of the Index.

You should make your own investigation into the Index. Additional information about the Index and its calculation may be found at SPDJI’s website, https://us.spindices.com/indices/commodities/sp-gsci-brent-crude. Please note that information included on that website is not included or incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement.

The S&P GSCI®

The S&P GSCI® is an index on a world production-weighted basket of principal non-financial commodities (i.e., physical commodities) that satisfy specified criteria. The S&P GSCI® is designed to be a measure of the performance over time of the markets for these commodities. The only commodities represented in the S&P GSCI® are those physical commodities on which active and liquid contracts are traded on trading facilities in major industrialized countries. The commodities included in the S&P GSCI® are weighted, on a production basis, to reflect the relative significance (in the view of S&P, as described below) of such commodities to the world economy. The fluctuations in the value of the S&P GSCI® are intended generally to correlate with changes in the prices of such physical commodities in global markets.

SPDJI has established an index committee (the “Index Committee”) to oversee the daily management and operations of the S&P GSCI®, and is responsible for all analytical methods and calculation of the S&P GSCI® Indices. In addition, SPDJI has established an index advisory panel (the “Advisory Panel”) to assist it in connection with the operation of the S&P GSCI®. The principal purpose of the Advisory Panel is to advise the Index Committee with respect to, among other things, the calculation of the S&P GSCI®, the effectiveness of the S&P GSCI® as a measure of commodity futures market performance and the need for changes in the composition or in the methodology of the S&P GSCI®. The Advisory Panel acts solely in an advisory and consultative capacity; the Index Committee makes all decisions with respect to the composition, calculation and operation of the S&P GSCI®.

Composition of the S&P GSCI®

In order to be included in the S&P GSCI®, a contract must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

§the contract must be in respect of a physical commodity and not a financial commodity;
§the contract must have a specified expiration or term or provide in some other manner for delivery or settlement at a specified time, or within a specified period, in the future;
§the contract must, at any given point in time, be available for trading at least five months prior to its expiration or such other date or time period specified for delivery or settlement;
§the contract must be traded on an exchange, facility or other platform (referred to as a “trading facility”) that allows market participants to execute spread transactions, through a single order entry, between the pairs of contract expirations included in the S&P GSCI® that, at any given

PS-17

 

point in time, will be involved in the rolls to be effected in the next three roll periods (defined below);

§the contract must be denominated in U.S. dollars; and
§the contract must be traded on or through a trading facility that has its principal place of business or operations in a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and that:
§makes price quotations generally available to its members or participants (and to SPDJI) in a manner and with a frequency that is sufficient to provide reasonably reliable indications of the level of the relevant market at any given point in time;
§makes reliable trading volume information available to SPDJI with at least the frequency required by SPDJI to make the monthly determinations;
§accepts bids and offers from multiple participants or price providers; and
§is accessible by a sufficiently broad range of participants.

The price of the relevant contract that is used as a reference or benchmark by market participants (referred to as the “daily contract reference price”) generally must have been available on a continuous basis for at least two years prior to the proposed date of inclusion in the S&P GSCI®. In appropriate circumstances, SPDJI may determine that a shorter time period is sufficient or that historical daily contract reference prices for such contract may be derived from daily contract reference prices for a similar or related contract. The daily contract reference price may be (but is not required to be) the price (a) used by the relevant trading facility or clearing facility to determine the margin obligations (if any) of its members or participants or margining transactions or for other purposes or (b) referred to generally as the reference, closing or settlement price of the relevant contract.

At and after the time a contract is included in the S&P GSCI®, the daily contract reference price for such contract must be published between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., New York City Eastern Time, on each business day relating to such contract by the trading facility on or through which it is traded and must generally be available to all members of, or participants in, such facility (and to SPDJI) on the same day from the trading facility or through a recognized third-party data vendor. Such publication must include, at all times, daily contract reference prices for at least one expiration or settlement date that is five months or more from the date the determination is made, as well as for all expiration or settlement dates during such five-month period.

For a contract to be eligible for inclusion in the S&P GSCI®, volume data with respect to such contract must be available for at least the three months immediately preceding the date on which the determination is made. The following eligibility criteria apply:

§In order to be added to the S&P GSCI®, a contract that is not included in the S&P GSCI® at the time of determination and that is based on a commodity that is not represented in the S&P GSCI® at such time must have an annualized total dollar value traded over the relevant period of at least U.S. $15 billion. The total dollar value traded is the dollar value of the total quantity of the commodity underlying transactions in the relevant contract over the period for which the calculation is made, based on the average of the daily contract reference prices on the last day of each month during the period.
§In order to continue to be included in the S&P GSCI®, a contract that is already included in the S&P GSCI® at the time of determination and that is the only contract on the relevant commodity included in the S&P GSCI® must have an annualized total dollar value traded of at least U.S. $5 billion over the relevant period and of at least U.S. $10 billion during at least one of the three most recent annual periods used in making the determination.
§In order to be added to the S&P GSCI®, a contract that is not included in the S&P GSCI® at the time of determination and that is based on a commodity on which there are one or more contracts already included in the S&P GSCI® at such time must have an annualized total dollar value traded over the relevant period of at least U.S. $30 billion.
§In order to continue to be included in the S&P GSCI®, a contract that is already included in the S&P GSCI® at the time of determination and that is based on a commodity on which there are one or more contracts already included in the S&P GSCI® at such time must have an annualized total dollar value traded, over the relevant period of at least U.S. $10 billion over the relevant period and of at least U.S. $20 billion during at least one of the three most recent annual periods used in making the determination.

In addition to the volume requirements described above, a contract must have a minimum reference percentage dollar weight:

PS-18

 
§In order to continue to be included in the S&P GSCI®, a contract that is already included in the S&P GSCI® at the time of determination must have a reference percentage dollar weight of at least 0.10%. The reference percentage dollar weight of a contract is determined by multiplying the CPW (defined below) of a contract by the average of its daily contract reference prices on the last day of each month during the relevant period. These amounts are summed for all contracts included in the S&P GSCI® and each contract’s percentage of the total is then determined.
§In order to be added to the S&P GSCI®, a contract that is not included in the S&P GSCI® at the time of determination must have a reference percentage dollar weight of at least 1.00% at the time of determination.

Maintenance of the S&P GSCI®

The quantity of each of the contracts included in the S&P GSCI® is determined on the basis of a five-year average (referred to as the “world production average”) of the production quantity of the underlying commodity from sources determined by SPDJI to be reasonably accurate and reliable, such as the United Nations Industrial Commodity Statistics Yearbook. However, if a commodity is primarily a regional commodity, based on its production, use, pricing, transportation or other factors, SPDJI may calculate the weight of such commodity based on regional, rather than world, production data. At present, natural gas is the only commodity the weight of which is calculated on the basis of regional production data, with the relevant region being North America.

The five-year moving average is updated annually for each commodity included in the S&P GSCI®, based on the most recent five-year period (ending approximately two years prior to the date of calculation and moving backwards) for which complete data for all commodities is available. The contract production weights (the “CPWs”) used in calculating the S&P GSCI® are derived from world or regional production averages, as applicable, of the relevant commodities, and are calculated based on the total quantity traded for the relevant contract and the world or regional production average, as applicable, of the underlying commodity. However, if the volume of trading in the relevant contract, as a multiple of the production levels of the commodity, is below specified thresholds, the CPW of the contract is reduced until the threshold is satisfied. This is designed to ensure that trading in each such contract is sufficiently liquid relative to the production of the commodity.

In addition, SPDJI performs this calculation on a monthly basis and, if the multiple of any contract is below the prescribed threshold, the composition of the S&P GSCI® is reevaluated, based on the criteria and weighting procedure described above. This procedure is undertaken to allow the S&P GSCI® to shift from contracts that have lost substantial liquidity into more liquid contracts, during the course of a given year. As a result, it is possible that the composition or weighting of the S&P GSCI® will change on one or more of these monthly evaluation dates. In addition, regardless of whether any changes have occurred during the year, SPDJI reevaluates the composition of the S&P GSCI® at the conclusion of each year, based on the above criteria. Other commodities that satisfy such criteria, if any, will be added to the S&P GSCI®. Commodities included in the S&P GSCI® that no longer satisfy such criteria, if any, will be deleted.

SPDJI also determines whether modifications in the selection criteria or the methodology for determining the composition and weights of and for calculating the S&P GSCI® are necessary or appropriate in order to assure that the S&P GSCI® represents a measure of commodity market performance. SPDJI has the discretion to make any such modifications.

PS-19

 

The following graph sets forth the daily historical performance of the Index in the period from January 1, 2008 through February 25, 2019. This historical data on the Index is not necessarily indicative of its future performance or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the Index during any period set forth below is not an indication that the level of the Index is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes. The horizontal green line in the graph represents a hypothetical Threshold Value of 242.05, which is 65% of a hypothetical Starting Value of 372.38, which was the closing level of the Index on February 25, 2019. The horizontal red line in the graph represents the hypothetical Coupon Barrier of 297.90, which is 80% of the hypothetical Starting Value. The actual Starting Value, the Threshold Value and the Coupon Barrier will be determined on the pricing date.

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

PS-20

 

License Agreement

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

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

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

PS-21

 

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION; ROLE OF MLPF&S AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

MLPF&S, a broker-dealer affiliate of ours, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and will participate as selling agent in the distribution of the notes. Accordingly, the offering of the notes will conform to the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121. MLPF&S may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the account holder.

Under our distribution agreement with MLPF&S, MLPF&S will purchase the notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount. MLPF&S will sell the notes to other broker-dealers that will participate in the offering and that are not affiliated with us, at an agreed discount to the principal amount. Each of those broker-dealers may sell the notes to one or more additional broker-dealers. MLPF&S has informed us that these discounts may vary from dealer to dealer and that not all dealers will purchase or repurchase the notes at the same discount.

The current business of MLPF&S is being reorganized into two affiliated broker-dealers: MLPF&S and a new broker-dealer, BofAML Securities, Inc. (“BofAMLS”). BofAMLS will be the new legal entity for the institutional services that are now provided by MLPF&S. MLPF&S will be assigning its rights and obligations as selling agent for the notes under our distribution agreement to BofAMLS effective on the “Transfer Date”. Accordingly, if the pricing date of the notes occurs on or after the Transfer Date, BofAMLS will be responsible for the pricing of the notes. If the settlement date of the notes occurs on or after the Transfer Date, BofAMLS will, subject to the terms and conditions of the distribution agreement, purchase the notes from us as principal on the settlement date and BofAMLS will sell the notes to other broker-dealers that will participate in the offering as discussed in the prior paragraph.

MLPF&S and any of our other broker-dealer affiliates, may use this pricing supplement, and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus for offers and sales in secondary market transactions and market-making transactions in the notes. However, they are not obligated to engage in such secondary market transactions and/or market-making transactions. The selling agent may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and any such sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market conditions at the time of the sale.

At MLPF&S’s discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the notes, MLPF&S may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the notes. Any price offered by MLPF&S for the notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Index and the remaining term of the notes. However, none of us, the Guarantor, MLPF&S or any of our other affiliates is obligated to purchase your notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that any party will purchase your notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the notes.

Any price that MLPF&S may pay to repurchase the notes will depend upon then prevailing market conditions, the creditworthiness of us and the Guarantor, and transaction costs. At certain times, this price may be higher than or lower than the initial estimated value of the notes.

No Prospectus (as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended (the “Prospectus Directive”)) will be prepared in connection with these notes. Accordingly, these notes may not be offered to the public in any member state of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”), and any purchaser of these notes who subsequently sells any of these notes in any EEA member state must do so only in accordance with the requirements of the Prospectus Directive, as implemented in that member state.

The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, any retail investor in the EEA. For these purposes, the expression “offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the notes, and a “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of: (a) a retail client, as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); or (b) a customer, within the meaning of Insurance Distribution Directive 2016/97/EU, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (c) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”), for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared, and therefore, offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

PS-22

 

MLPF&S Reorganization

As discussed above under “Supplemental Plan of Distribution; Role of MLPF&S and Conflicts Of Interest”, the current business of MLPF&S is being reorganized into two affiliated broker-dealers. Effective on the Transfer Date, BofAMLS will be the new legal entity for the institutional services that are now provided by MLPF&S. As such, beginning on the Transfer Date, the institutional services currently being provided by MLPF&S, including acting as selling agent for the notes, acting as calculation agent for the notes, acting as principal or agent in secondary market-making transactions for the notes, estimating the value of the notes using pricing models, and entering into hedging arrangements with respect to the notes, are expected to be provided by BofAMLS. Accordingly, references to MLPF&S in this preliminary pricing supplement as such references relate to MLPF&S’s institutional services, such as those described above, should be read as references to BofAMLS to the extent these services are to be performed on or after the Transfer Date.

PS-23

 

STRUCTURING THE NOTES

The notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Index. The related guarantees are BAC’s obligations. As is the case for all of our and BAC’s respective debt securities, including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the notes reflect our and BAC’s actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. In addition, because market-linked notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us and BAC, BAC typically borrows the funds under these types of notes at a rate, which we refer to in this pricing supplement as BAC’s internal funding rate, that is more favorable to BAC than the rate that it might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security. 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.

In order to meet our payment obligations on the notes, at the time we issue the notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with MLPF&S or one of our other affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined based upon terms provided by MLP&S and its affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our and BAC’s creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Index, the tenor of the notes and the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.

MLPF&S has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include hedging related charges, reflecting the costs associated with, and our affiliates’ profit earned from, these hedging arrangements. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, actual profits or losses from these hedging transactions may be more or less than any expected amounts.

For further information, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-9 above and “Supplemental Use of Proceeds” on page PS-17 of product supplement COMM-1.

PS-24

 

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX SUMMARY

The following summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the notes supplements and, to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussions under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus and under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations. In addition, any reference to “Morrison & Foerster LLP” in the aforementioned tax discussions in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement should be read as a reference to “Sidley Austin LLP.” This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), regulations promulgated under the Code by the U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury”) (including proposed and temporary regulations), rulings, current administrative interpretations and official pronouncements of the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. This summary does not include any description of the tax laws of any state or local governments, or of any foreign government, that may be applicable to a particular holder.

Although the notes are issued by us, they will be treated as if they were issued by Bank of America Corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly throughout this tax discussion, references to “we,” “our” or “us” are generally to Bank of America Corporation unless the context requires otherwise.

This summary is directed solely to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders that, except as otherwise specifically noted, will purchase the notes upon original issuance and will hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, which generally means property held for investment, and that are not excluded from the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus.

You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws.

General

Although there is no statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addressing the characterization of the notes, we intend to treat the notes for all tax purposes as income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Index and under the terms of the notes, we and every investor in the notes agree, in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat the notes in accordance with such characterization. In the opinion of our counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, it is reasonable to treat the notes as income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Index. However, Sidley Austin LLP has advised us that it is unable to conclude that it is more likely than not that this treatment will be upheld. This discussion assumes that the notes constitute income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Index for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the notes did not constitute income-bearing single financial contracts, the tax consequences described below would be materially different.

This characterization of the notes is not binding on the IRS or the courts. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the notes or any similar instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no ruling is being requested from the IRS with respect to their proper characterization and treatment. Due to the absence of authorities on point, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes are not certain, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or any court will agree with the characterization and tax treatment described in this pricing supplement. Accordingly, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, including possible alternative characterizations.

Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion is based on the characterization described above. The discussion in this section assumes that there is a significant possibility of a significant loss of principal on an investment in the notes.

PS-25

 

U.S. Holders

Although the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any Fixed Coupon Payment and any Contingent Coupon Payment on the notes is uncertain, we intend to take the position, and the following discussion assumes, that any Fixed Coupon Payment and any Contingent Coupon Payment constitutes taxable ordinary income to a U.S. Holder at the time received or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting. By purchasing the notes you agree, in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat any Fixed Coupon Payment and any Contingent Coupon Payment as described in the preceding sentence.

Upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the notes prior to maturity, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized (other than amounts representing any Fixed Coupon Payment and any Contingent Coupon Payment, which would be taxed as described above) and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the notes. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the notes will equal the amount paid by that holder to acquire them. This capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the notes for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Alternative Tax Treatments. Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the proper tax treatment of the notes, prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding all possible alternative tax treatments of an investment in the notes. In particular, the IRS could seek to subject the notes to the Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments. If the IRS were successful in that regard, the timing and character of income on the notes would be affected significantly. Among other things, a U.S. Holder would be required to accrue original issue discount every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of issuance. In addition, any gain realized by a U.S. Holder at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the notes generally would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the notes generally would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s prior accruals of original issue discount, and as capital loss thereafter.

In addition, it is possible that the notes could be treated as a unit consisting of a deposit and a put option written by the note holder, in which case the timing and character of income on the notes would be affected significantly.

The IRS released Notice 2008-2 (the “Notice”), which sought comments from the public on the taxation of financial instruments currently taxed as “prepaid forward contracts.” This Notice addresses instruments such as the notes. According to the Notice, the IRS and Treasury are considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis, regardless of whether any payments are made prior to maturity. It is not possible to determine what guidance the IRS and Treasury will ultimately issue, if any. Any such future guidance may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain, or loss in respect of the notes, possibly with retroactive effect.

The IRS and Treasury are also considering additional issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether foreign holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, whether Section 1260 of the Code, concerning certain “constructive ownership transactions,” generally applies or should generally apply to such instruments, and whether any of these determinations depend on the nature of the underlying asset.

In addition, proposed Treasury regulations require the accrual of income on a current basis for contingent payments made under certain notional principal contracts. The preamble to the regulations states that the “wait and see” method of accounting does not properly reflect the economic accrual of income on those contracts, and requires current accrual of income for some contracts already in existence. While the proposed regulations do not apply to prepaid forward contracts, the preamble to the proposed regulations expresses the view that similar timing issues exist in the case of prepaid forward contracts. If the IRS or Treasury publishes future guidance requiring current economic accrual for contingent payments on prepaid forward contracts, it is possible that you could be required to accrue income over the term of the notes.

It is also possible that the IRS could assert that Section 1256 of the Code should apply to your notes. If Section 1256 were to apply to your notes, gain or loss recognized with respect to your notes would be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss without regard to your holding period in the notes. You would also be required to mark your notes to market at the end of each year (i.e., recognize income as if the notes had been sold for fair market value).

PS-26

 

Alternatively, it is also possible that you could be required to recognize gain or loss each time a futures contract rolls. Such gain or loss may also be subject to Section 1256 as discussed above, under which 60% of the gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss and 40% will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.

Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of the notes, it is also possible that the IRS could seek to characterize the notes in a manner that results in tax consequences that are different from those described above. For example, the IRS could possibly assert that any gain or loss that a holder may recognize at maturity or upon the sale, exchange, or redemption of the notes should be treated as ordinary gain or loss.

Because the Index is an index that periodically rebalances, and because the Index tracks what is known as a rolling futures position, it is possible that the notes could be treated as a series of single financial contracts, each of which matures on the earlier of (i) the next rebalancing date or (ii) the next date on which futures contracts are “rolled” into other futures contracts (each such date, a “deemed exchange date”). If the notes were properly characterized in such a manner, a U.S. Holder would be treated as disposing of the notes on each deemed exchange date in return for new notes that mature on the next deemed exchange date, and a U.S. Holder would accordingly likely recognize capital gain or loss on each such deemed exchange date equal to the difference between the holder’s tax basis in the notes (which would be adjusted to take into account any prior recognition of gain or loss) and the fair market value of the notes on such deemed exchange date.

Non-U.S. Holders

Because the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the notes (including any Coupon Payment) is uncertain, we will withhold U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the entire amount of any Fixed Coupon Payment and any Contingent Coupon Payment made unless such payments are effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the U.S. (in which case, to avoid withholding, the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide a Form W-8ECI). We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. To claim benefits under an income tax treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder must obtain a taxpayer identification number and certify as to its eligibility under the appropriate treaty’s limitations on benefits article, if applicable. In addition, special rules may apply to claims for treaty benefits made by Non-U.S. Holders that are entities rather than individuals. The availability of a lower rate of withholding under an applicable income tax treaty will depend on whether such rate applies to the characterization of the payments under U.S. federal income tax laws. A Non-U.S. Holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

Except as discussed below, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax for amounts paid in respect of the notes (not including, for the avoidance of doubt, amounts representing any Fixed Coupon Payment and any Contingent Coupon Payment which would be subject to the rules discussed in the previous paragraph), upon the sale, exchange, or redemption of the notes or their settlement at maturity, provided that the Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification requirements and that the payment is not effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a U.S. trade or business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale or exchange of the notes or their settlement at maturity may be subject to U.S. federal income tax if that Non-U.S. Holder is a non-resident alien individual and is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale, exchange, redemption, or settlement and certain other conditions are satisfied.

If a Non-U.S. Holder of the notes is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and if any Fixed Coupon Payment any Contingent Coupon Payment, and gain realized on the settlement at maturity, sale, exchange, or redemption of the notes, is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the U.S.), the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax, generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such Fixed Coupon Payment, Contingent Coupon Payment, and gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder. Such Non-U.S. Holders should read the material under the heading “—U.S. Holders,” for a description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the notes. In addition, if such Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by any applicable tax treaty) of a portion of its earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., subject to certain adjustments.

PS-27

 

As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative characterization, by reason of change or clarification of the law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments as to the notes to become subject to withholding tax in addition to the withholding tax described above, tax will be withheld at the applicable statutory rate. Prospective Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of such alternative characterizations.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax. Under current law, while the matter is not entirely clear, individual Non-U.S. Holders, and entities whose property is potentially includible in those individuals’ gross estates for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty benefit, a note is likely to be treated as U.S. situs property, subject to U.S. federal estate tax. These individuals and entities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in a note.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Please see the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Taxation of Debt Securities — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” in the accompanying prospectus for a description of the applicability of the backup withholding and information reporting rules to payments made on the notes.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”)

The discussion in the accompanying prospectus under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations – Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” is hereby modified to reflect regulations proposed by Treasury indicating its intent to eliminate the requirements under FATCA of withholding on gross proceeds from the sale, exchange, maturity or other disposition of relevant financial instruments. Treasury has indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization.

PS-28