Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration No. 333-216286

 

The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying underlying supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, Dated February 5, 2019

Pricing Supplement dated               , 2019

(To ETF Underlying Supplement dated November 15, 2018,

Prospectus Supplement dated November 6, 2018, and Prospectus dated March 28, 2017)

 

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Senior Global Medium-Term Notes

$               Contingent Coupon Autocallable Notes Linked to the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF due February 15, 2024

 

·                  The Contingent Coupon Autocallable Notes (the “notes”) will provide quarterly Contingent Coupon Payments at a rate of at least 2.80% (or at least 11.20% per annum, to be determined on the Trade Date) until the earlier of maturity or automatic call if, and only if, the Closing Price of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF (the “Fund”) on the applicable quarterly Coupon Determination Date is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier Price (80% of its Initial Price).

·                  If the Closing Price of the Fund on any quarterly Call Observation Date is greater than or equal to its Call Price (100% of its Initial Price), we will automatically call the notes and pay you on the applicable Call Payment Date the principal amount plus the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment. No further amounts will be owed to you.

·                  If the notes have not been previously called, the Payment at Maturity will depend on the Final Price of the Fund and will be calculated as follows:

a.                If the Final Price of the Fund is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier Price: (i) the principal amount plus (ii) the final Contingent Coupon Payment.

b.               If the Final Price of the Fund is less than its Coupon Barrier Price but greater than or equal to its Principal Barrier Price (65% of its Initial Price): the principal amount.

c.                If the Final Price of the Fund is less than its Principal Barrier Price: (i) the principal amount plus (ii) the product of the principal amount multiplied by the Percentage Change of the Fund. In this case, you will lose some or all of the principal amount at maturity. Even with any Contingent Coupon Payments, the return on the notes could be negative.

·                  The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.

·                  The notes will be issued in minimum denomination of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

 

The notes are unsecured obligations of the Bank and any payments on the notes are subject to the credit risk of the Bank. The notes will not constitute deposits insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any other government agency or instrumentality of Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. The notes are not bail-inable notes (as defined on page S-2 of the prospectus supplement).

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state or provincial securities commission has approved or disapproved of these notes or determined if this pricing supplement or the accompanying underlying supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Investing in the notes involves risks not associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See “Additional Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-8 of this pricing supplement, and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the accompanying underlying supplement, page S-1 of the prospectus supplement and page 1 of the prospectus.

 

 

Price to Public (Initial Issue Price)

Underwriting Discount

Proceeds to Issuer

Per Note

$1,000

$0

$1,000

Total

$

$

$

 

The initial estimated value of the notes on the Trade Date as determined by the Bank is expected to be between $963.30 and $983.30 per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, which is expected to be less than the price to public. See “The Bank’s Estimated Value of the Notes” in this pricing supplement.

 

We will deliver the notes in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) on or about    , 2019 against payment in immediately available funds.

 

CIBC World Markets

 

ADDITIONAL TERMS OF THE NOTES

 

You should read this pricing supplement together with the prospectus dated March 28, 2017 (the “prospectus”), the prospectus supplement dated November 6, 2018 (the “prospectus supplement”) and the ETF Underlying Supplement dated November 15, 2018 (the “underlying supplement”).  Information in this pricing supplement supersedes information in the underlying supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus to the extent it is different from that information. Certain capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the underlying supplement, the prospectus supplement or the prospectus.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement and the accompanying underlying supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus. This pricing supplement may be used only for the purpose for which it has been prepared. No one is authorized to give information other than that contained in this pricing supplement and the accompanying underlying supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus, and in the documents referred to in those documents and which are made available to the public. We, CIBC World Markets Corp. (“CIBCWM”) and our other affiliates have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it.

 

We and CIBCWM are not making an offer to sell the notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement or the accompanying underlying supplement, the prospectus supplement or the prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. Neither this pricing supplement nor the accompanying underlying supplement, the prospectus supplement or the prospectus constitutes an offer, or an invitation on behalf of us or CIBCWM, to subscribe for and purchase any of the notes and may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.

 

References to “CIBC,” “the Issuer,” “the Bank,” “we,” “us” and “our” in this pricing supplement are references to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and not to any of our subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires.

 

You may access the underlying supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus on the SEC website www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filing for the relevant date on the SEC website):

 

·                  Underlying supplement dated November 15, 2018:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045520/000110465918068970/a18-39408_20424b2.htm

 

·                  Prospectus supplement dated November 6, 2018 and prospectus dated March 28, 2017:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045520/000110465918066166/a18-37094_1424b2.htm

 

PS-1

 

 

SUMMARY

 

The information in this “Summary” section is qualified by the more detailed information set forth in the underlying supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus. See “Additional Terms of the Notes” in this pricing supplement.

 

Issuer:

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

 

 

Reference Asset:

The SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF (Bloomberg ticker “XBI UP Equity”)

 

 

Principal Amount:

$1,000 per note

 

 

Aggregate Principal Amount:

$              

 

 

Term:

Approximately five years, unless previously called

 

 

Trade Date/Pricing Date:

Expected to be February 11, 2019

 

 

Original Issue Date:

Expected to be February 14, 2019 (to be determined on the Trade Date and expected to be the third scheduled Business Day after the Trade Date)

 

 

Final Valuation Date:

Expected to be February 12, 2024, subject to postponement as described under “Certain Terms of the Notes—Valuation Dates—For Notes Where the Reference Asset Is a Single Fund” in the underlying supplement.

 

 

Maturity Date:

Expected to be February 15, 2024. The Maturity Date is subject to the Call Feature and may be postponed as described under “Certain Terms of the Notes— Valuation Dates—For Notes Where the Reference Asset Is a Single Fund” in the underlying supplement.

 

 

Contingent Coupon Payment:

 

On each Coupon Payment Date, you will receive a payment at the Contingent Coupon Rate if, and only if, the Closing Price of the Fund on the related Coupon Determination Date is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier Price.

 

If the Closing Price of the Fund on any Coupon Determination Date is less than its Coupon Barrier Price, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon Payment on the related Coupon Payment Date. If the Closing Price of the Fund is less than its Coupon Barrier Price on all quarterly Coupon Determination Dates, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments over the term of the notes.

 

Each quarterly Contingent Coupon Payment, if payable, will be calculated per note as follows: $1,000 × Contingent Coupon Rate × (90/360). Any Contingent Coupon Payments will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent rounded upward.

 

 

Contingent Coupon Rate:

At least 11.20% per annum (or at least 2.80% per quarter, to be determined on the Trade Date).

 

 

Coupon Barrier Price:

80% of the Initial Price (rounded to two decimal places).

 

PS-2

 

Coupon Determination Dates:

 

Expected Coupon Determination Dates*

 

 

May 13, 2019

November 12, 2021

 

 

 

August 12, 2019

February 11, 2022

 

 

 

November 12, 2019

May 11, 2022

 

 

 

February 11, 2020

August 11, 2022

 

 

 

May 11, 2020

November 14, 2022

 

 

 

August 11, 2020

February 13, 2023

 

 

 

November 12, 2020

May 11, 2023

 

 

 

February 11, 2021

August 11, 2023

 

 

 

May 11, 2021

November 13, 2023

 

 

 

August 11, 2021

February 12, 2024

 

 

*Each Coupon Determination Date is subject to postponement as described under “Certain Terms of the Notes— Valuation Dates—For Notes Where the Reference Asset Is a Single Fund” in the underlying supplement.

 

 

Coupon Payment Dates:

The third Business Day following the related Coupon Determination Date, provided that the final Coupon Payment Date will be the Maturity Date.

 

Each Coupon Payment Date is subject to postponement as described under “Certain Terms of the Notes— Valuation Dates—For Notes Where the Reference Asset Is a Single Fund” in the underlying supplement.

 

 

Call Feature:

If the Closing Price of the Fund on any quarterly Call Observation Date is greater than or equal to its Call Price, we will automatically call the notes and pay you on the applicable Call Payment Date the principal amount plus the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment otherwise due for that Call Observation Date.

 

If the notes are automatically called, they will cease to be outstanding on the related Call Payment Date and you will have no further rights under the notes after such Call Payment Date. You will not receive any notice from us if the notes are automatically called.

 

 

Call Price:

100% of the Initial Price.

 

 

Call Observation Dates:

The Coupon Determination Dates beginning on February 11, 2020 and ending on November 13, 2023.

 

 

Call Payment Dates:

The relevant Coupon Payment Date.

 

 

Payment at Maturity:

If the notes have not been previously called, the Payment at Maturity will be based on the Final Price of the Fund and will be calculated as follows:

 

·             If the Final Price of the Fund is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier Price:

 

Principal Amount + Final Contingent Coupon Payment

 

·             If the Final Price of the Fund is less than its Coupon Barrier Price but greater than or equal to its Principal Barrier Price: Principal Amount.

 

·             If the Final Price of the Fund is less than its Principal Barrier Price:

 

Principal Amount + (Principal Amount x Percentage Change of the Fund)

 

In this case, you will lose some or all of the principal amount at maturity. Even with any Contingent Coupon Payments, the return on the notes could be negative.

 

PS-3

 

Percentage Change:

The “Percentage Change” of the Fund, expressed as a percentage, is calculated as follows:

 

Final Price – Initial Price

Initial Price

 

 

Principal Barrier Price:

65% of the Initial Price (rounded to two decimal places).

 

 

Initial Price:

The Closing Price of the Fund on the Trade Date, subject to adjustment as described under “Certain Terms of the Notes—Anti-Dilution Adjustments” in the underlying supplement.

 

 

Final Price:

The Closing Price of the Fund on the Final Valuation Date.

 

 

Calculation Agent:

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

 

 

CUSIP/ISIN:

CUSIP: 13605WPT2 / ISIN: US13605WPT26

 

 

Fees and Expenses:

The price at which you purchase the notes includes costs that the Bank or its affiliates expect to incur and profits that the Bank or its affiliates expect to realize in connection with hedging activities related to the notes.

 

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

 

 

 

PS-4

 

HYPOTHETICAL PAYMENT AT MATURITY

 

The following table and examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are hypothetical. They do not purport to be representative of every possible scenario concerning increases or decreases in the Final Price of the Fund relative to its Initial Price. We cannot predict the Closing Price of the Fund on any Coupon Determination Date, including the Final Valuation Date. The assumptions we have made in connection with the illustrations set forth below may not reflect actual events. You should not take this illustration or these examples as an indication or assurance of the expected performance of the Fund or return on the notes. The numbers appearing in the table below and following examples have been rounded for ease of analysis.

 

The table below illustrates the Payment at Maturity on a $1,000 investment in the notes for a hypothetical range of Percentage Changes of the Fund from -100% to +100%. The following results are based solely on the assumptions outlined below.  The “Hypothetical Return on the Notes” as used below is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the Payment at Maturity per $1,000 principal amount to $1,000. The potential returns described below assume that the notes have not been automatically called prior to maturity and are held to maturity, and are calculated excluding any Contingent Coupon Payments paid prior to maturity. The following table and examples assume the following:

 

Principal Amount:

$1,000

 

 

Hypothetical Contingent Coupon Rate:

11.20% per annum (or 2.80% per quarter) (The actual Contingent Coupon Rate will be determined on the Trade Date and will be at least 11.20% per annum)

 

 

Hypothetical Initial Price of the Fund:

$100

 

 

Hypothetical Coupon Barrier Price of the Fund:

$80 (80% of its Initial Price)

 

 

Hypothetical Principal Barrier Price of the Fund:

$65 (65% of its Initial Price)

 

Hypothetical Final
Price of the Fund

Hypothetical
Percentage Change of
the Fund

Hypothetical Payment at
Maturity

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

$200.00

100.00%

  $1,028.00 (1)

2.80%

$175.00

75.00%

$1,028.00

2.80%

$150.00

50.00%

$1,028.00

2.80%

$125.00

25.00%

$1,028.00

2.80%

   $100.00(2)

0.00%

$1,028.00

2.80%

$90.00

-10.00%

$1,028.00

2.80%

   $80.00(3)

-20.00%

$1,028.00

2.80%

$70.00

-30.00%

$1,000.00

0.00%

   $65.00(4)

-35.00%

$1,000.00

0.00%

$60.00

-40.00%

$600.00

-40.00%

$50.00

-50.00%

  $500.00

-50.00%

$25.00

-75.00%

$250.00

-75.00%

$10.00

-90.00%

$100.00

-90.00%

$0.00

-100.00%

$0.00

-100.00%

 

(1)                            The Payment at Maturity will not exceed the principal amount plus the final Contingent Coupon Payment.

 

(2)                            The hypothetical Initial Price of $100 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only, and does not represent a likely actual Initial Price of the Fund.

 

(3)                            This is the hypothetical Coupon Barrier Price of the Fund.

 

(4)                            This is the hypothetical Principal Barrier Price of the Fund

 

PS-5

 

The following examples indicate how the Payment at Maturity would be calculated with respect to a hypothetical $1,000 investment in the notes.

 

Example 1: The Percentage Change of the Fund Is 50.00%.

 

Because the Final Price of the Fund is greater than its Coupon Barrier Price, the Payment at Maturity would be $1,028.00 per $1,000 principal amount, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + Final Contingent Coupon Payment

 

= $1,000 + ($1,000 × 2.80%)

 

= $1,028.00

 

Example 1 shows that the Payment at Maturity will be fixed at the principal amount plus the final Contingent Coupon Payment when the Final Price of the Fund is at or above its Coupon Barrier Price, regardless the extent to which the price of the Fund increases.

 

Example 2: The Percentage Change of the Fund Is -10.00%.

 

Because the Final Price of the Fund is greater than its Coupon Barrier Price, the Payment at Maturity would be $1,028.00 per $1,000 principal amount, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + Final Contingent Coupon Payment

 

= $1,000 + ($1,000 × 2.80%)

 

= $1,028.00

 

Example 2 shows that the Payment at Maturity will equal the principal amount plus the final Contingent Coupon Payment when the Final Price of the Fund is at or above its Coupon Barrier Price, although the price of the Fund has decreased.

 

Example 3: The Percentage Change of the Fund Is -30.00%.

 

Because the Final Price of the Fund is less than its Coupon Barrier Price but greater than its Principal Barrier Price, the Payment at Maturity would be $1,000.00 per $1,000 principal amount.

 

Example 3 shows that the Payment at Maturity will equal the principal amount when the Final Price of the Fund is at or above its Principal Barrier Price but below its Coupon Barrier Price, although the price of the Fund has decreased.

 

Example 4: The Percentage Change of the Fund Is -75.00%.

 

Because the Final Price of the Fund is less than its Principal Barrier Price, the Payment at Maturity would be $250.00 per $1,000 principal amount, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × Percentage Change of the Fund)

 

= $1,000 + ($1,000 × -75.00% )

 

= $250.00

 

Example 4 shows that you are exposed on a 1-to-1 basis to any decrease in the price of the Fund from its Initial Price if its Final Price is less than its Principal Barrier Price.  You may lose up to 100% of your principal amount at maturity. Even with any Contingent Coupon Payments, the return on the notes could be negative.

 

These examples illustrate that you will not participate in any appreciation of the Fund, and will be fully exposed to a decrease in the Fund if the Final Price of the Fund is less than its Principal Barrier Price.

 

PS-6

 

 

INVESTOR SUITABILITY

 

 

The notes may be suitable for you if:

·                  You believe that the Closing Price of the Fund will be at or above its Coupon Barrier Price on most or all of the Coupon Determination Dates, and the Final Price of the Fund will be at or above its Principal Barrier Price.

·                  You seek an investment with quarterly Contingent Coupon Payments at a rate of at least 2.80% (or at least 11.20% per annum, to be determined on the Trade Date) until the earlier of maturity or automatic call, if, and only if, the Closing Price of the Fund on the applicable Coupon Determination Date is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier Price.

·                  You are willing to lose a substantial portion or all of the principal amount of the notes if the notes are not called and the Final Price of the Fund is less than its Principal Barrier Price.

·                  You are willing to accept the risk that you may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments on most or all of the Coupon Payment Dates and may lose up to 100% of the principal amount of the notes at maturity.

·                  You are willing to invest in the notes based on the fact that your maximum potential return is the sum of any Contingent Coupon Payments payable on the notes.

·                  You are willing to forgo participation in any appreciation of the Fund.

·                  You understand that the notes may be automatically called prior to maturity and that the term of the notes may be as short as approximately 12 months, or you are otherwise willing to hold the notes to maturity.

·                  You do not seek certainty of current income over the term of the notes.

·                  You are willing to forgo dividends or other distributions paid on the Fund.

·                  You do not seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.

·                  You are willing to assume the credit risk of the Bank for any payments under the notes.

The notes may not be suitable for you if:

·                  You believe that the Closing Price of the Fund will be below its Coupon Barrier Price on most or all of the Coupon Determination Dates, and the Final Price of the Fund will be below its Principal Barrier Price.

·                  You believe that the Contingent Coupon Payments, if any, will not provide you with your desired return.

·                  You are unwilling to lose a substantial portion or all of the principal amount of the notes if the notes are not called and the Final Price of the Fund is less than its Principal Barrier Price.

·                  You are unwilling to accept the risk that you may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments on most or all of the Coupon Payment Dates and may lose up to 100% of the principal amount of the notes at maturity.

·                  You seek full payment of the principal amount of the notes at maturity.

·                  You seek an uncapped return on your investment.

·                  You seek exposure to the upside performance of the Fund.

·                  You are unable or unwilling to hold the notes that may be automatically called prior to maturity, or you are otherwise unable or unwilling to hold the notes to maturity.

·                  You seek certainty of current income over the term of the notes.

·                  You want to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the Fund.

·                  You seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.

·                  You are not willing to assume the credit risk of the Bank for all payments under the notes.

The investor suitability considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the notes are a suitable investment for you will depend on your individual circumstances and you should reach an investment decision only after you and your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors have carefully considered the suitability of an investment in the notes in light of your particular circumstances. You should also review ‘‘Additional Risk Factors’’ below for risks related to the notes.

 

PS-7

 

ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in the notes involves significant risks. In addition to the following risks included in this pricing supplement, we urge you to read “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the accompanying underlying supplement, page S-1 of the prospectus supplement and page 1 of the prospectus.

 

You should understand the risks of investing in the notes and should reach an investment decision only after careful consideration, with your advisers, of the suitability of the notes in light of your particular financial circumstances and the information set forth in this pricing supplement and the accompanying underlying supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus.

 

If the notes are not called, you may lose all or a substantial portion of the principal amount of your notes.

 

The notes do not guarantee any return of principal. The repayment of any principal on the notes at maturity depends on the Final Price of the Fund. The Bank will only repay you the full principal amount of your notes if the Final Price of the Fund is equal to or greater than its Principal Barrier Price. If the Final Price of the Fund is less than its Principal Barrier Price, you will lose 1% of the principal amount for each percentage point that the Final Price of the Fund is less than its Initial Price. You may lose a substantial portion or all of the principal amount. Even with any Contingent Coupon Payments, the return on the notes could be negative.

 

The automatic Call Feature limits your potential return.

 

If the notes are called, the payment on the notes on any Call Payment Date is limited to the principal amount plus the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment. In addition, if the notes are called, which may occur as early as the first Coupon Determination Date, the amount of coupon payable on the notes will be less than the full amount of coupon that would have been payable if the notes had not been called prior to maturity. If the notes are automatically called, you will lose the opportunity to continue to receive the Contingent Coupon Payments from the relevant Call Payment Date to the scheduled Maturity Date, and the total return on the notes could be minimal. Because of the automatic Call Feature, the term of your investment in the notes may be limited to a period that is shorter than the original term of the notes and may be as short as 12 months. There is no guarantee that you would be able to reinvest the proceeds from an investment in the notes at a comparable return for a similar level of risk in the event the notes are automatically called prior to the Maturity Date.

 

The notes do not provide for fixed payments of interest and you may receive no Contingent Coupon Payments on most or all of the Coupon Payment Dates.

 

On each Coupon Payment Date, you will receive a Contingent Coupon Payment if, and only if, the Closing Price of the Fund on the related Coupon Determination Date is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier Price. If the Closing Price of the Fund on any Coupon Determination Date is less than its Coupon Barrier Price, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon Payment on the related Coupon Payment Date, and if the Closing Price of the Fund is less than its Coupon Barrier Price on each Coupon Determination Date over the term of the notes, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments over the entire term of the notes.

 

You will not participate in any appreciation of the Fund and your return on the notes will be limited to the Contingent Coupon Payments paid on the notes, if any.

 

The Payment at Maturity will not exceed the principal amount plus the final Contingent Coupon Payment and any positive return you receive on the notes will be composed solely of the sum of any Contingent Coupon Payments received prior to and at maturity. You will not participate in any appreciation of the Fund. Therefore, if the appreciation of the Fund exceeds the sum of the Contingent Coupon Payments paid to you, if any, the notes will underperform an investment in securities linked to the Fund providing full participation in the appreciation. Accordingly, the return on the notes may be less than the return would be if you made an investment in securities directly linked to the positive performance of the Fund.

 

PS-8

 

The payments on the notes are not linked to the price of the Fund at any time other than the Coupon Determination Dates.

 

The payments on the notes will be based on the Closing Price of the Fund on the Coupon Determination Dates. Therefore, for example, if the Closing Price of the Fund declined substantially as of a Coupon Determination Date compared to its Initial Price or Coupon Barrier Price, as applicable, the notes will not be called and the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment will not be payable. Similarly, if the Final Price of the Fund declined substantially as of the Final Valuation Date compared to its Principal Barrier Price, the Payment at Maturity may be significantly less than it would otherwise have been had the Payment at Maturity been linked to the Closing Price of the Fund prior to the Final Valuation Date. Although the actual price of the Fund at other times during the term of the notes may be higher than its Closing Price on a Coupon Determination Date, the payments on the notes will not benefit from the Closing Price of the Fund at any time other than the Coupon Determination Dates.

 

Payments on the notes are subject to our credit risk, and actual or perceived changes in our creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the notes.

 

The notes are our senior unsecured debt obligations and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. As further described in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement, the notes will rank on par with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt obligations, except such obligations as may be preferred by operation of law. Any payment to be made on the notes depends on our ability to satisfy our obligations as they come due. As a result, the actual and perceived creditworthiness of us may affect the market value of the notes and, in the event we were to default on our obligations, you may not receive the amounts owed to you under the terms of the notes. If we default on our obligations under the notes, your investment would be at risk and you could lose some or all of your investment. See “Description of the Notes We May Offer—Events of Default” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than the initial issue price (price to public) of the notes.

 

The initial issue price of the notes will exceed the Bank’s initial estimated value because costs associated with selling and structuring the notes, as well as hedging the notes, are included in the initial issue price of the notes. See “The Bank’s Estimated Value of the Notes” in this pricing supplement.

 

The Bank’s initial estimated value does not represent future values of the notes and may differ from others’ estimates.

 

The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes is only an estimate, which will be determined by reference to the Bank’s internal pricing models when the terms of the notes are set. This estimated value will be based on market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, the Bank’s internal funding rate on the Trade Date and the Bank’s assumptions about market parameters, which can include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide valuations for the notes that are greater or less than the Bank’s initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change, and any assumptions may prove to be incorrect. On future dates, the market value of the notes could change significantly based on, among other things, changes in market conditions, including the price of the Fund, the Bank’s creditworthiness, interest rate movements and other relevant factors, which may impact the price at which the agent or any other party would be willing to buy the notes from you in any secondary market transactions. The Bank’s initial estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which the agent or any other party would be willing to buy the notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. See “The Bank’s Estimated Value of the Notes” in this pricing supplement.

 

PS-9

 

The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes will not be determined by reference to credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt.

 

The internal funding rate to be used in the determination of the Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The discount is based on, among other things, our view of the funding value of the notes as well as the higher issuance, operational and ongoing liability management costs of the notes in comparison to those costs for our conventional fixed-rate debt. If the Bank were to use the interest rate implied by our conventional fixed-rate debt, we would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you. Consequently, our use of an internal funding rate for market-linked notes would have an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes, the initial estimated value of the notes on the Trade Date, and any secondary market prices of the notes. See “The Bank’s Estimated Value of the Notes” in this pricing supplement.

 

Certain business, trading and hedging activities of us, the agent, and our other affiliates may create conflicts with your interests and could potentially adversely affect the value of the notes.

 

We, the agent, and our other affiliates may engage in trading and other business activities related to the Fund or any of its underlying assets that are not for your account or on your behalf. We, the agent, and our other affiliates also may issue or underwrite other financial instruments with returns based upon the Fund. These activities may present a conflict of interest between your interest in the notes and the interests that we, the agent, and our other affiliates may have in our or their 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 price of the Fund or secondary trading in your notes, could be adverse to your interests as a beneficial owner of the notes.

 

Moreover, we and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the notes, including hedging our obligations under the notes and making the assumptions and inputs used to determine the pricing of the notes and the initial estimated value of the notes when the terms of the notes are set. We expect to hedge our obligations under the notes through the agent, one of our other affiliates, and/or another unaffiliated counterparty. Any of these hedging activities may adversely affect the price of the Fund and therefore the market value of the notes and the amount you will receive, if any, on the notes. In connection with such activities, the economic interests of us, the agent, and our other affiliates may be adverse to your interests as an investor in the notes. Any of these activities may adversely affect the value of the notes. In addition, because hedging our obligations entails risk and may be influenced by market forces beyond our control, this hedging activity may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or it may result in a loss. We, the agent, or one or more of our other affiliates will retain any profits realized in hedging our obligations under the notes even if investors do not receive a favorable investment return under the terms of the notes or in any secondary market transaction. Any profit in connection with such hedging activities will be in addition to any other compensation that we, the agent, and our other affiliates receive for the sale of the notes, which creates an additional incentive to sell the notes to you. We, the agent, and our other affiliates will have no obligation to take, refrain from taking or cease taking any action with respect to these transactions based on the potential effect on an investor in the notes.

 

There are potential conflicts of interest between you and the calculation agent.

 

The calculation agent will determine, among other things, the amount of payments on the notes. The calculation agent will exercise its judgment when performing its functions. For example, the calculation agent will determine whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred, and make a good faith estimate in its sole discretion of the Closing Price for the Fund if the relevant Coupon Determination Date is postponed to the last possible day, and make certain anti-dilution adjustments with respect to the Fund if certain corporate events occur. See “Certain Terms of the Notes—Valuation Dates” and “—Anti-Dilution Adjustments” in the underlying supplement. This determination may, in turn, depend on the calculation agent’s judgment as to whether the event has materially interfered with our ability or the ability of one of our affiliates to unwind our hedge positions. The calculation agent will be required to carry out its duties in good faith and use its reasonable judgment. However, because we will be the calculation agent, potential conflicts of interest could arise. Neither we nor any of our affiliates will have any obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the notes in taking any action that might affect the value of your notes.

 

The performance of the Fund may not correlate with the performance of the Underlying Index as well as the net asset value per share of the Fund, especially during periods of market volatility.

 

Although the Fund is designed to track the performance of the Underlying Index, the performance of the Fund and that of the Underlying Index generally will vary due to, for example, transaction costs, management fees, certain

 

PS-10

 

corporate actions, and timing variances. Moreover, it is also possible that the performance of the Fund may not fully replicate or may, in certain circumstances, diverge significantly from the performance of the Underlying Index. This could be due to, for example, the Fund not holding all or substantially all of the underlying assets included in the Underlying Index and/or holding assets that are not included in the Underlying Index, the temporary unavailability of certain securities in the secondary market, the performance of any derivative instruments held by the Fund, differences in trading hours between the Fund (or the underlying assets held by the Fund) and the Underlying Index, or due to other circumstances. This variation in performance is called the “tracking error,” and, at times, the tracking error may be significant.

 

In addition, because the shares of the Fund are traded on a securities exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market price of one share of the Fund may differ from its net asset value per share; shares of the Fund may trade at, above, or below its net asset value per share.

 

During periods of market volatility, securities held by the Fund may be unavailable in the secondary market, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the net asset value per share of the Fund and the liquidity of the Fund may be adversely affected. This kind of market volatility may also disrupt the ability of market participants to create and redeem shares of the Fund. Further, market volatility may adversely affect, sometimes materially, the prices at which market participants are willing to buy and sell shares of the Fund. As a result, under these circumstances, the market value of shares of the Fund may vary substantially from the net asset value per share of the Fund.

 

For the foregoing reasons, the performance of the Fund may not match the performance of the Underlying Index over the same period. Because of this variance, the return on the notes, to the extent dependent on the performance of the Fund, may not be the same as an investment directly in the securities, commodities, or other assets included in the Underlying Index or the same as a debt security with a return linked to the performance of the Underlying Index.

 

Investing in the notes exposes investors to risks associated with investments with a concentration in the biotechnology sector.

 

The stocks included in the S&P Biotechnology Select IndustryTM Index and that are generally tracked by the Fund are stocks of companies primarily engaged in research, development, manufacturing and/or marketing of products based on genetic analysis and genetic engineering. Because the value of the notes is linked to the performance of the underlying shares, an investment in the notes exposes investors to risks associated with investments in securities with a concentration in the biotechnology sector. Industry-specific risks to which companies in the biotechnology sector are subject may include the following:

 

·                  After spending heavily on research and development, their products or services may not prove commercially successful or may become obsolete quickly;

·                  The biotechnology industry may be subject to greater governmental regulation than other industries, and changes in governmental policies and the need for regulatory approvals may have a material adverse effect on the industry;

·                  Companies in the biotechnology industry are subject to risks arising from new technologies and competitive pressures; and

·                  Companies in the biotechnology industry are heavily dependent on patents and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

·                  The Fund may be subject to increased price volatility as it is linked to a single industry, market or sector and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that industry, market or sector. The price of the Fund may be, and has recently been, volatile, and we can give you no assurance that the volatility will lessen.

 

Higher Contingent Coupon Rate or lower Principal Barrier Value are generally associated with Funds with greater expected volatility and therefore can indicate a greater risk of loss.

 

“Volatility” refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the price of the Fund. The greater the expected volatility with respect to the Fund on the Trade Date, the higher the expectation as of the Trade Date that the price of the Fund could close below its Principal Barrier Value on the Final Valuation Date, indicating a higher expected risk of loss on the notes. This greater expected risk will generally be reflected in a higher Contingent Coupon Rate than the yield payable on our conventional debt securities with a similar maturity, or in more favorable terms (such as a lower Coupon Barrier Price or a higher Contingent Coupon Rate) than for similar securities linked to the performance of the Fund with a lower expected volatility as of the Trade Date. You should therefore understand that

 

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a relatively higher Contingent Coupon Rate may indicate an increased risk of loss. Further, a relatively lower Principal Barrier Value may not necessarily indicate that the notes have a greater likelihood of a repayment of principal at maturity. The volatility of the Fund can change significantly over the term of the notes. The price of the Fund could fall sharply, which could result in a significant loss of principal. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Fund and the potential to lose some or all of your principal at maturity.

 

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or any inter-dealer quotation system, and there may be no secondary market for the notes.

 

The notes are most suitable for purchasing and holding to maturity or automatic call. The notes will be new securities for which there is no trading market. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or any inter-dealer quotation system. We cannot assure you as to whether there will be a trading or secondary market for the notes or, if there were to be such a trading or secondary market, that it would be liquid.

 

Under ordinary market conditions, CIBCWM or any of our other affiliates may (but are not obligated to) make a secondary market for the notes. However, they may cease doing so at any time. Because we do not expect other broker-dealers to participate in the secondary market for the notes, the price at which you may be able to trade your notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which CIBCWM or any of our other affiliates are willing to transact. If none of CIBCWM or any of our other affiliates makes a market for the notes, there will not be a secondary market for the notes. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to the development or liquidity of any secondary market for the notes. If a secondary market in the notes is not developed or maintained, you may not be able to sell your notes easily or at prices that will provide you with a yield comparable to that of similar securities that have a liquid secondary market.

 

The tax treatment of the notes is uncertain.

 

Significant aspects of the tax treatment of the notes are uncertain. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax situation. See “Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this pricing supplement, “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the underlying supplement and “Material Income Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the prospectus.

 

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INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND

 

The SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF

 

The Fund is an investment portfolio maintained and managed by SSgA Funds Management, Inc. The inception date of the Fund is January 31, 2006. The Fund is an exchange traded fund that trades on NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “XBI.”

 

The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P® Biotechnology Select Industry™ Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index represents the biotechnology sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Market Index (“S&P TMI”), an index that measures the performance of the U.S. equity market. The Fund is composed of companies that are in the biotechnology sector. The returns of the Fund may be affected by certain management fees and other expenses, which are detailed in its prospectus.

 

The Fund utilizes a “replication” investment approach in attempting to track the performance of its Underlying Index. The Fund typically invests in substantially all of the securities which comprise the Underlying Index in approximately the same proportions as the Underlying Index. The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in the common stocks that comprise the Underlying Index.

 

The S&P® Biotechnology Select Industry™ Index

 

The Underlying Index is an equal-weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of the biotechnology sub-industry portion of the S&P TMI. The S&P TMI includes all U.S. common equities listed on the NYSE (including NYSE Arca), the NYSE MKT, the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and the NASDAQ Capital Market. Each of the component stocks in the Underlying Index is a constituent company within the biotechnology sub-industry portion of the S&P TMI.

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

Eligibility factors include:

 

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

 

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

 

Takeover Restrictions:  At the discretion of S&P, constituents with shareholder ownership restrictions defined in company bylaws may be deemed ineligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index. Ownership restrictions preventing

 

PS-13

 

entities from replicating the index weight of a company may be excluded from the eligible universe or removed from the Underlying Index.

 

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

 

Historical Performance of the Fund

 

The following graphs set forth daily Closing Prices of the Fund for the period from January 1, 2014 to February 4, 2019. We obtained the Closing Prices below from Bloomberg Professional® Service (“Bloomberg”) without independent verification. The historical performance of the Fund should not be taken as an indication of its future performance, and no assurances can be given as to the price of the Fund at any time during the term of the notes, including the Coupon Determination Dates. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Fund will result in any positive return on your investment.

 

 

PS-14

 

SUMMARY OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

 

The following discussion is a brief summary of the material U.S. federal income consequences relating to an investment in the notes.  The following summary is not complete and is both qualified and supplemented by, or in some cases supplements, the discussion entitled “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page S-51 of the underlying supplement, which you should carefully review prior to investing in the notes.

 

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes are uncertain. No statutory, judicial or administrative authority directly discusses how the notes should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the opinion of our tax counsel, Mayer Brown LLP, it would generally be reasonable to treat the notes as prepaid cash-settled derivative contracts. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, you agree to treat the notes in this manner for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. If your notes are so treated, you should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption or payment on maturity in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time and the amount that you paid for your notes. Such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your notes for more than one year.  The Issuer will report periodic payments designated as interest as ordinary income to U.S. Holders.

 

The constructive ownership rules of Section 1260 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) could possibly apply to securities that have a term in excess of one year and reference a “pass-thru entity” (as defined in Section 1260(c)(2) of the Code). Examples of “pass-thru entities” include (but are not limited to) regulated investment companies (e.g., most exchange-traded funds), real estate investment trusts, passive foreign investment companies and partnerships. It is not entirely clear how Section 1260 applies to an ETF that is wholly or partially comprised of “pass-thru entities.” We generally do not intend to make an inquiry as to whether the ETFs contain any “pass-thru entities”, and it is possible that securities for which an ETF contains a “pass-thru entity” could be wholly or partially subject to Section 1260 of the Code. If the securities were subject to Section 1260 of the Code, then, among other consequences, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain that you realize upon the sale, redemption or stated maturity of the securities would be recharacterized as ordinary income (and you would be subject to an interest charge on deferred tax liability with respect to such recharacterized amount) to the extent that such capital gain exceeds the amount of long-term capital gain that you would have realized had you purchased interests in the ETF on the date that you purchased the securities and sold those interests on the date of the sale, redemption or stated maturity of the securities. Accordingly, if an ETF contains a “pass-thru entity,” you should consult your tax advisor about the potential application of Section 1260 of the Code to the securities.

 

The characterization described above is not binding on the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or the courts. Thus, it is possible that the IRS would seek to characterize your notes in a manner that results in tax consequences to you that are different from those described above or in the accompanying underlying supplement. For a more detailed discussion of certain alternative characterizations with respect to your notes and certain other considerations with respect to your investment in the notes, you should consider the discussion set forth in “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” of the underlying supplement. We are not responsible for any adverse consequences that you may experience as a result of any alternative characterization of the notes for U.S. federal income tax or other tax purposes.

 

Regarding the discussion in the underlying supplement with respect to a dividend equivalent payment made with respect to a U.S. stock or equity-linked debt instrument under the section entitled Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders, the IRS has issued a Notice that excludes financial products issued prior to 2021 that are not “delta-one” with respect to underlying securities that could pay withholdable dividend equivalent payments.  Even if the notes should be treated as equity-linked instruments, since the notes should not be considered to have a delta of 1.0, the notes should be exempt from the withholding tax rules specified for dividend equivalents.

 

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

 

PS-15

 

CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

In the opinion of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, our Canadian tax counsel, the following summary describes the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereto (the “Canadian Tax Act”) generally applicable at the date hereof to a purchaser who acquires beneficial ownership of a note pursuant to this pricing supplement and who for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and at all relevant times: (a) is neither resident nor deemed to be resident in Canada; (b) deals at arm’s length with the Issuer and any transferee resident (or deemed to be resident) in Canada to whom the purchaser disposes of the notes; (c) does not use or hold and is not deemed to use or hold the note in, or in the course of, carrying on a business in Canada; (d) is entitled to receive all payments (including any interest and principal) made on the notes; and (e) is not a, and deals at arm’s length with any, “specified shareholder” of the Issuer for purposes of the thin capitalization rules in the Canadian Tax Act (a “Non-Resident Holder”). A “specified shareholder” for these purposes generally includes a person who (either alone or together with persons with whom that person is not dealing at arm’s length for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act) owns or has the right to acquire or control or is otherwise deemed to own 25% or more of the Issuer’s shares determined on a votes or fair market value basis. Special rules which apply to non-resident insurers carrying on business in Canada and elsewhere are not discussed in this summary.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

PS-16

 

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

 

Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, CIBCWM will purchase the notes from the Bank for distribution to other affiliated or unaffiliated dealers.

 

The notes sold by CIBCWM to the public will initially be offered at the price to public set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement. CIBCWM intends to purchase each of the notes from the Bank at a purchase price equal to the price to public. Any notes sold by CIBCWM to securities dealers may be sold at an agreed discount to the price to public. If all of the offered notes are not sold at the price to public, CIBCWM may change the offering price and other selling terms. In addition to offers and sales at the price to public, CIBCWM may offer the notes from time to time for sale in one or more transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to market prices or at negotiated prices.

 

We expect to deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is more than two Business Days following the Trade Date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two Business Days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes on any date prior to two Business Days before delivery will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

 

The Bank owns, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding equity securities of CIBCWM.  In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, CIBCWM may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer.

 

The Bank may use this pricing supplement in the initial sale of the notes.  In addition, CIBCWM or another of the Bank’s affiliates may use this pricing supplement in market-making transactions in any notes after their initial sale.  Unless CIBCWM or we inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used by CIBCWM in a market-making transaction.

 

While CIBCWM may make markets in the notes, it is under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice. See the section titled “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

The price at which you purchase the notes includes costs that the Bank or its affiliates expect to incur and profits that the Bank or its affiliates expect to realize in connection with hedging activities related to the notes. These costs and profits will likely reduce the secondary market price, if any secondary market develops, for the notes. As a result, you may experience an immediate and substantial decline in the market value of your notes on the Original Issue Date.

 

PS-17

 

THE BANK’S ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE NOTES

 

The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes set forth on the cover of this pricing supplement is equal to the sum of the values of the following hypothetical components: (1) a fixed-income debt component with the same maturity as the notes, valued using our internal funding rate for structured debt described below, and (2) the derivative or derivatives underlying the economic terms of the notes. The Bank’s initial estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which CIBCWM or any other person would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The internal funding rate used in the determination of the Bank’s initial estimated value generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The discount is based on, among other things, our view of the funding value of the notes as well as the higher issuance, operational and ongoing liability management costs of the notes in comparison to those costs for our conventional fixed-rate debt. For additional information, see “Additional Risk Factors—The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes will not be determined by reference to credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt” in this pricing supplement. The value of the derivative or derivatives underlying the economic terms of the notes is derived from the Bank’s or a third party hedge provider’s internal pricing models. These models are dependent on inputs such as the traded market prices of comparable derivative instruments and on various other inputs, some of which are market-observable, and which can include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors, as well as assumptions about future market events and/or environments. Accordingly, the Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes will be determined when the terms of the notes are set based on market conditions and other relevant factors and assumptions existing at that time. See “Additional Risk Factors—The Bank’s initial estimated value does not represent future values of the notes and may differ from others’ estimates” in this pricing supplement.

 

The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than the initial issue price of the notes because costs associated with selling, structuring and hedging the notes are included in the initial issue price of the notes. These costs include the selling commissions paid to the Bank and other affiliated or unaffiliated dealers, the projected profits that our hedge counterparties, which may include our affiliates, expect to realize for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the notes and the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the notes. Because hedging our obligations entails risk and may be influenced by market forces beyond our control, this hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or it may result in a loss. We or one or more of our affiliates will retain any profits realized in hedging our obligations under the notes. See “Additional Risk Factors—The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than the initial issue price (price to public) of the notes” in this pricing supplement.

 

PS-18