Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration No. 333-158663
Subject to Completion
Preliminary Term Sheet dated November 24, 2009
The MITTS® are being offered by Bank of America Corporation (BAC). The MITTS will have the terms specified in this term sheet as supplemented by the documents indicated below under Additional Terms (together, the Note Prospectus). Investing in the MITTS involves a number of risks. There are important differences between the MITTS and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks. See Risk Factors on page TS-5 of this term sheet and beginning on page S-13 of product supplement MITTS-4. MITTS:
Are Not FDIC Insured
|
Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
In connection with this offering, each of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) and its broker-dealer affiliate First Republic Securities Company, LLC (First Republic) is acting in its capacity as principal for your account.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Note Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per Unit |
Total | |||
Public offering price (1) |
$10.00 | $ | ||
Underwriting discount (1) |
$0.25 | $ | ||
Proceeds, before expenses, to Bank of America Corporation |
$9.75 | $ |
(1) | The public offering price and underwriting discount for any purchase of 500,000 units or more in a single transaction by an individual investor will be $9.95 per unit and $0.20 per unit, respectively. |
*Depending on the date the MITTS® are priced for initial sale to the public (the pricing date), which may be in December 2009 or January 2010, the settlement date may occur in December 2009 or January 2010, and the maturity date may occur in December 2014 or January 2015. Any reference in this term sheet to the month in which the pricing date, the settlement date, or the maturity date will occur is subject to change as specified above.
Merrill Lynch & Co.
December , 2009
Units Expected Pricing Date* December , 2009 Market Index Target-Term Securities® Settlement Date* December , 2009
Linked to the MSCI World IndexSM, Maturity Date* December , 2014
due December , 2014 CUSIP No.
$10 principal amount per unit
Term Sheet No.
Market Index Target-Term Securities®
100% participation in increases in the level of the MSCI World IndexSM (the Index), subject to a cap of between 45% and 55%.
100% principal protected at maturity against decreases in the level of the Index
A maturity of approximately 5 years
Repayment of principal at maturity is subject to the credit risk of Bank of America Corporation
No periodic interest payments
No listing on any securities exchange
This debt is not guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporations Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program Program
STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS
ENHANCED INCOME
PRINCIPAL PROTECTION
MARKET PARTICIPATION
ENHANCED PARTICIPATION
Summary
The Market Index Target-Term Securities® Linked to the MSCI World IndexSM, due December , 2014 (the MITTS), are our senior unsecured debt securities and are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or secured by collateral. The MITTS will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt, and any payments due on the MITTS, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of BAC. The MITTS provide investors with a 100% participation rate in increases in the level of the MSCI World IndexSM (the Index) from the Starting Value of the Index, determined on the pricing date, to the Ending Value of the Index, determined during the Maturity Valuation Period shortly before the maturity date, subject to a maximum return of 45% to 55% over the Original Offering Price. Investors must be willing to forgo interest payments on the MITTS and be willing to accept a return that is capped.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement MITTS-4. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to we, us, our, or similar references are to BAC.
TS-2
Hypothetical Payout Profile
|
This graph reflects the hypothetical returns on the MITTS at maturity, based upon the Participation Rate of 100% and a hypothetical Capped Value of $15.00 (a 50% return), the midpoint of the Capped Value range of $14.50 to $15.50. The blue line reflects the hypothetical returns on the MITTS, while the dotted gray line reflects the hypothetical returns of a direct investment in the stocks included in the Index, excluding dividends.
This graph has been prepared for purposes of illustration only. Your actual return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Ending Value, Capped Value, and the term of your investment. |
Hypothetical Redemption Amounts
Examples
Set forth below are three examples of Redemption Amount calculations (rounded to two decimal places) payable at maturity, based upon the Participation Rate of 100%, the Base Value of $10.00 (per unit), a hypothetical Starting Value of 1,158.26, which was the closing level of the Index on November 13, 2009, the Minimum Redemption Amount of $10.00 (per unit), and a hypothetical Capped Value of $15.00 (per unit), the midpoint of the Capped Value range of $14.50 to $15.50.
Example 1The hypothetical Ending Value is 90% of the hypothetical Starting Value:
Hypothetical Starting Value: |
1,158.26 | |||
Hypothetical Ending Value: |
1,042.43 |
Redemption Amount = |
$10 + |
[ | $10 × 100% × | ( | 1,042.43 1,158.26
|
) | ] | = $9.00 | ||||||||
1,158.26 |
Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10.00 (The Redemption Amount cannot be less than the $10.00 Minimum Redemption Amount.)
Example 2The hypothetical Ending Value is 130% of the hypothetical Starting Value:
Hypothetical Starting Value: |
1,158.26 | |||
Hypothetical Ending Value: |
1,505.74 |
Redemption Amount = |
$10 + |
[ | $10 × 100% × | ( | 1,505.74 1,158.26
|
) | ] | = $13.00 | ||||||||
1,158.26 |
Redemption Amount (per unit) = $13.00
Example 3The hypothetical Ending Value is 210% of the hypothetical Starting Value:
Hypothetical Starting Value: |
1,158.26 | |||
Hypothetical Ending Value: |
2,432.35 |
Redemption Amount = |
$10 + |
[ | $10 × 100% × | ( | 2,432.35 1,158.26
|
) | ] | = $21.00 | ||||||||
1,158.26 |
Redemption Amount (per unit) = $15.00 (The Redemption Amount cannot be greater than the Capped Value.)
TS-3
The following table illustrates, for a hypothetical Starting Value of 1,158.26 (the closing level of the Index on November 13, 2009) and a range of hypothetical Ending Values:
§ | the percentage change from the hypothetical Starting Value to the hypothetical Ending Value; |
§ | the hypothetical Redemption Amount per unit of the MITTS (rounded to two decimal places); |
§ | the total rate of return to holders of the MITTS; |
§ | the pretax annualized rate of return to holders of the MITTS; and |
§ | the pretax annualized rate of return of a hypothetical direct investment in the stocks included in the Index, which includes an assumed aggregate dividend yield of 2.67% per annum, as more fully described below. |
The table below reflects the Participation Rate of 100%, the Base Value of $10.00 (per unit), the Minimum Redemption Amount of $10.00 (per unit), and a hypothetical Capped Value of $15.00 (per unit), the midpoint of the Capped Value range of $14.50 to $15.50.
Hypothetical Ending Value |
Percentage Change from the Hypothetical Starting Value to the Hypothetical Ending Value |
Hypothetical Redemption |
Total Rate of Return on the MITTS |
Pretax Annualized Rate of Return on the MITTS(1) |
Pretax Annualized Rate of Return of Stocks Included in the Index(1)(2) | |||||
579.13 | -50.00% | $10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | -10.49% | |||||
694.96 | -40.00% | $10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | -7.10% | |||||
810.78 | -30.00% | $10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | -4.16% | |||||
926.61 | -20.00% | $10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | -1.57% | |||||
1,042.43 | -10.00% | $10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.75% | |||||
1,100.35 | -5.00% | $10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.82% | |||||
1,129.30 | -2.50% | $10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 2.34% | |||||
1,158.26(3) | 0.00% | $10.00(4) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 2.85% | |||||
1,187.22 | 2.50% | $10.25 | 2.50% | 0.50% | 3.35% | |||||
1,216.17 | 5.00% | $10.50 | 5.00% | 0.98% | 3.83% | |||||
1,274.09 | 10.00% | $11.00 | 10.00% | 1.92% | 4.78% | |||||
1,389.91 | 20.00% | $12.00 | 20.00% | 3.69% | 6.56% | |||||
1,505.74 | 30.00% | $13.00 | 30.00% | 5.33% | 8.21% | |||||
1,621.56 | 40.00% | $14.00 | 40.00% | 6.86% | 9.76% | |||||
1,737.39 | 50.00% | $15.00(5) | 50.00% | 8.29% | 11.21% | |||||
1,853.22 | 60.00% | $15.00 | 50.00% | 8.29% | 12.58% | |||||
1,969.04 | 70.00% | $15.00 | 50.00% | 8.29% | 13.88% | |||||
2,084.87 | 80.00% | $15.00 | 50.00% | 8.29% | 15.11% | |||||
2,200.69 | 90.00% | $15.00 | 50.00% | 8.29% | 16.28% | |||||
2,316.52 | 100.00% | $15.00 | 50.00% | 8.29% | 17.40% | |||||
2,432.35 | 110.00% | $15.00 | 50.00% | 8.29% | 18.48% | |||||
2,548.17 | 120.00% | $15.00 | 50.00% | 8.29% | 19.50% | |||||
2,664.00 | 130.00% | $15.00 | 50.00% | 8.29% | 20.49% |
(1) | The annualized rates of return specified in this column are calculated on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis and assume an investment term from November 20, 2009 to November 17, 2014, a term expected to be similar to that of the MITTS. |
(2) | This rate of return assumes: |
(a) | a percentage change in the aggregate price of the stocks included in the Index that equals the percentage change in the level of the Index from the hypothetical Starting Value to the relevant hypothetical Ending Value; |
(b) | a constant dividend yield of 2.67% per annum, paid quarterly from the date of initial delivery of the MITTS, applied to the level of the Index at the end of each quarter, assuming this level increases or decreases linearly from the hypothetical Starting Value to the relevant hypothetical Ending Value; and |
(c) | no transaction fees or expenses. |
(3) | This is the hypothetical Starting Value, which was the closing level of the Index on November 13, 2009. The actual Starting Value will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth in the final term sheet made available in connection with sales of the MITTS. |
(4) | The Redemption Amount will not be less than the Minimum Redemption Amount of $10.00 per unit of the MITTS. |
(5) | The Redemption Amount per unit of the MITTS cannot exceed the hypothetical Capped Value of $15.00 (the midpoint of the Capped Value range of $14.50 to $15.50). The actual Capped Value will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth in the final term sheet made available in connection with sales of the MITTS. |
The above figures are for purposes of illustration only. The actual amount you receive and the resulting total and pretax annualized rates of return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Ending Value, Capped Value, and the term of your investment.
TS-4
Risk Factors
There are important differences between the MITTS and a conventional debt security. An investment in the MITTS involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the MITTS in the Risk Factors sections included in product supplement MITTS-4 and the MTN prospectus supplement identified below under Additional Terms. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the MITTS.
§ | You may not earn a return on your investment. |
§ | Your yield may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity. |
§ | Your investment return on the MITTS, if any, is limited to the return represented by the Capped Value. |
§ | Your investment return, if any, may be less than a comparable investment directly in the Index or the stocks included in the Index. |
§ | You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to the Index. |
§ | In seeking to provide you with what we believe to be commercially reasonable terms for the MITTS while providing the selling agents with compensation for their services, we have considered the costs of developing, hedging, and distributing the MITTS. |
§ | A trading market for your MITTS is not expected to develop. |
§ | The Redemption Amount will not be affected by all developments relating to the Index. |
§ | MSCI Inc. (MSCI) may adjust the Index in a way that affects its level, and MSCI has no obligation to consider your interests. |
§ | You will have no rights of a holder of the securities represented by the Index, and you will not be entitled to receive securities or dividends or other distributions of the issuers of those securities. |
§ | Your return on the MITTS may be affected by factors affecting the international securities markets. |
§ | Exchange rate movements may impact the value of the MITTS. |
§ | While we or our affiliates may from time to time own shares of companies included in the Index, we do not control any company included in the Index and are not responsible for any disclosure made by any other company. |
§ | If you attempt to sell the MITTS prior to maturity, their market value, if any, will be affected by various factors that interrelate in complex ways and their market value may be less than their Original Offering Price. |
§ | Payments on the MITTS are subject to our credit risk, and changes in our credit ratings are expected to affect the value of the MITTS. |
§ | Purchases and sales by us and our affiliates of shares of companies included in the Index may affect your return. |
§ | Our trading and hedging activities may create conflicts of interest with you. |
§ | Our hedging activities may affect your return on the MITTS and their market value. |
§ | Our business activities relating to the companies represented by the Index may create conflicts of interest with you. |
§ | There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent. |
§ | You should consider the tax consequences of investing in the MITTS. |
Investor Considerations
TS-5
Other Terms of the MITTS
Market Measure Business Day
The following definition shall supersede and replace the definition of a Market Measure Business Day set forth in product supplement MITTS-4.
A Market Measure Business Day means a day on which:
(A) the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Stock Market, the London Stock Exchange, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the Paris Bourse, and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (or any successor to the foregoing exchanges) are open for trading; and
(B) the Index or any successor thereto is calculated and published.
Other Provisions
We may deliver the MITTS against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than three business days following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the MITTS occurs more than three business days from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the MITTS more than three business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
If you place an order to purchase the MITTS, you are consenting to each of MLPF&S and its broker-dealer affiliate First Republic acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.
Supplement to the Plan of Distribution
MLPF&S and First Republic, each a broker-dealer subsidiary of BAC, are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the NASD)) and will participate as selling agents in the distribution of the MITTS. Accordingly, offerings of the MITTS will conform to the requirements of NASD Rule 2720. Under our distribution agreement with the selling agents, MLPF&S will purchase the MITTS from us on the issue date as principal at the purchase price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount. In the original offering of the MITTS, the MITTS will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units.
MLPF&S and First Republic may use this Note Prospectus for offers and sales in secondary market transactions and market-making transactions in the MITTS but are not obligated to engage in such secondary market transactions and/or market-making transactions. MLPF&S and First Republic may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and any such sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.
TS-6
The Index
All disclosures contained in this term sheet 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 MSCI, and is subject to change by MSCI. MSCI has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Index. The consequences of MSCI discontinuing publication of the Index are discussed in the section of product supplement MITTS-4 entitled Description of the MITTS-Discontinuance of a Market Measure Discontinuance of a Non-Exchange Traded Fund-Based Market Measure Equity-Based or Commodity-Based Market Measures that Are Not Exchange Traded Funds. None of us, the calculation agent, or any of the selling agents accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Index or any successor index.
MSCI World IndexSM is a service mark of MSCI and has been licensed for use for certain purposes by us. MITTS based on the MSCI World IndexSM are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by MSCI, and MSCI makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the MITTS.
The Index is intended to measure the performance of the equity markets in developed countries, including the United States and Canada. The Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization equity index with a base date of December 31, 1969 and an initial value of 100. The Index is calculated daily in U.S. dollars and published in real time every 15 seconds during market trading hours. The Index currently consists of the following 23 developed market country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. As of November 13, 2009, the five largest country weights were United States (47.7%), the United Kingdom (10.4%), Japan (9.5%), France (5.2%), and Canada (4.7%), and the five largest sector weights were Financials (21.1%), Information Technology (11.6%), Energy (11.1%), Industrials (10.5%), and Consumer Staples (10.3%).
The Index is part of the MSCI Regional Equity Indices series and is an MSCI Global Investable Market Index, which is a family within the MSCI International Equity Indices.
General - MSCI Indices
MSCI provides global equity indices intended to measure equity performance in international markets and the MSCI International Equity Indices are designed to serve as global equity performance benchmarks. In constructing these indices, MSCI applies its index construction and maintenance methodology across developed, emerging, and frontier markets.
MSCI recently enhanced the methodology used in its MSCI International Equity Indices. The MSCI Standard and MSCI Small Cap Indices, along with the other MSCI equity indices based on them, transitioned to the global investable market indices methodology described below. The transition was completed at the end of May 2008. The enhanced MSCI Standard Indices are composed of the MSCI Large Cap and Mid Cap Indices. The MSCI Global Small Cap Index transitioned to the MSCI Small Cap Index resulting from the Global Investable Market Indices methodology and contains no overlap with constituents of the transitioned MSCI Standard Indices. Together, the relevant MSCI Large Cap, Mid Cap, and Small Cap Indices will make up the MSCI investable market index for each country, composite, sector, and style index that MSCI offers.
Constructing the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices. MSCI undertakes an index construction process, which involves:
| defining the equity universe; |
| determining the market investable equity universe for each market; |
| determining market capitalization size segments for each market; |
| applying index continuity rules for the MSCI Standard Index; |
| creating style segments within each size segment within each market; and |
| classifying securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard (the GICS). |
Defining the Equity Universe. The equity universe is defined by:
| Identifying Eligible Equity Securities: the equity universe initially looks at securities listed in any of the countries in the MSCI Global Index Series, which will be classified as either Developed Markets (DM) or Emerging Markets (EM). All listed equity securities, or listed securities that exhibit characteristics of equity securities, except mutual funds, ETFs, equity derivatives, limited partnerships, and most investment trusts, are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in some countries and certain income trusts in Canada are also eligible for inclusion. |
| Classifying Eligible Securities into the Appropriate Country: each company and its securities (i.e., share classes) are classified in only one country. |
Determining the Market Investable Equity Universes. A market investable equity universe for a market is derived by applying investability screens to individual companies and securities in the equity universe that are classified in that market. A market is equivalent to a single country, except in DM Europe, where all DM countries in Europe are aggregated into a single market for index construction purposes. Subsequently, individual DM Europe country indices within the MSCI Europe Index are derived from the constituents of the MSCI Europe Index under the global investable market indices methodology.
The investability screens used to determine the investable equity universe in each market are as follows:
| Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the company level. In order to be included in a market investable equity universe, a company must have the required minimum full market capitalization. |
| Equity Universe Minimum Free FloatAdjusted Market Capitalization Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have a free floatadjusted market capitalization equal to or higher than 50% of the equity universe minimum size requirement. |
TS-7
| DM and EM Minimum Liquidity Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have adequate liquidity. The twelve-month and three-month Annual Traded Value Ratio (ATVR), a measure that screens out extreme daily trading volumes and takes into account the free floatadjusted market capitalization size of securities, together with the three-month frequency of trading are used to measure liquidity. In the calculation of the ATVR, the trading volumes in depository receipts associated with that security, such as ADRs or GDRs, are also considered. A minimum liquidity level of 20% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 90% of three-month frequency of trading over the last four consecutive quarters are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of a DM, and a minimum liquidity level of 15% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 80% of three-month frequency of trading over the last four consecutive quarters are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of an EM. |
| Global Minimum Foreign Inclusion Factor Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a securitys Foreign Inclusion Factor (FIF) must reach a certain threshold. The FIF of a security is defined as the proportion of shares outstanding that is available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. This proportion accounts for the available free float of and/or the foreign ownership limits applicable to a specific security (or company). In general, a security must have an FIF equal to or larger than 0.15 to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe. |
| Minimum Length of Trading Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For an initial public offering (IPO) to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the new issue must have started trading at least four months before the implementation of the initial construction of the index or at least three months before the implementation of a semiannual index review (as described below). This requirement is applicable to small new issues in all markets. Large IPOs are not subject to the minimum length of trading requirement and may be included in a market investable equity universe and the Standard Index outside of a Quarterly or SemiAnnual Index Reviews (as described below). |
Defining Market Capitalization Size Segments for Each Market. Once a market investable equity universe is defined, it is segmented into the following sizebased indices:
| Investable Market Index (Large + Mid + Small); |
| Standard Index (Large + Mid); |
| Large Cap Index; |
| Mid Cap Index; or |
| Small Cap Index. |
Creating the size segment indices in each market involves the following steps:
| defining the market coverage target range for each size segment; |
| determining the global minimum size range for each size segment; |
| determining the market sizesegment cutoffs and associated segment number of companies; |
| assigning companies to the size segments; and |
| applying final sizesegment investability requirements. |
Index Continuity Rules for the Standard Indices. In order to achieve index continuity, as well as to provide some basic level of diversification within a market index, and notwithstanding the effect of other index construction rules described in this section, a minimum number of five constituents will be maintained for a DM Standard Index and a minimum number of three constituents will be maintained for an EM Standard Index.
Creating Style Indices within Each Size Segment. All securities in the investable equity universe are classified into value or growth segments using the MSCI Global Value and Growth methodology.
Classifying Securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard. All securities in the global investable equity universe are assigned to the industry that best describes their business activities. To this end, MSCI has designed, in conjunction with Standard & Poors, the GICS. Under the GICS, each company is assigned to one subindustry according to its principal business activity. Therefore, a company can belong to only one industry grouping at each of the four levels of the GICS.
Index Maintenance
The MSCI global investable market indices are maintained with the objective of reflecting the evolution of the underlying equity markets and segments on a timely basis, while seeking to achieve index continuity, continuous investability of constituents and replicability of the indices, and index stability and low index turnover. In particular, index maintenance involves:
(i) SemiAnnual Index Reviews (SAIRs) in May and November of the Size Segment and Global Value and Growth Indices which include:
| updating the indices on the basis of a fully refreshed equity universe; |
| taking buffer rules into consideration for migration of securities across size and style segments; and |
| updating FIFs and Number of Shares (NOS). |
TS-8
(ii) Quarterly Index Reviews (QIRs) in February and August of the Size Segment Indices aimed at:
| including significant new eligible securities (such as IPOs that were not eligible for earlier inclusion) in the index; |
| allowing for significant moves of companies within the Size Segment Indices, using wider buffers than in the SAIR; and |
| reflecting the impact of significant market events on FIFs and updating NOS. |
(iii) Ongoing EventRelated Changes: changes of this type are generally implemented in the indices as they occur. Significantly large IPOs are included in the indices after the close of the companys tenth day of trading.
Neither we nor any of our affiliates, including our selling agents, accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of, or for any error, omission, or disruption in, the Index or any successor to the Index. MSCI does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the Index, or any data included in the Index. MSCI assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or disruption in the calculation and dissemination of the Index. MSCI disclaims all responsibility for any errors or omissions in the calculation and dissemination of the Index, or the manner in which the Index is applied in determining the amount payable on the MITTS at maturity.
The following graph sets forth the monthly historical performance of the Index in the period from January 2004 through October 2009. This historical data on the Index is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Index or what the value of the MITTS 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 MITTS. On November 13, 2009, the closing level of the Index was 1,158.26.
Before investing in the MITTS, you should consult publicly available sources for the levels and trading pattern of the Index. The generally unsettled international environment and related uncertainties, including the risk of terrorism, may result in the Index and financial markets generally exhibiting greater volatility than in earlier periods.
TS-9
License Agreement
Our right to use the Index in connection with the MITTS is subject to a license agreement between us and MSCI. In connection with that license, please note the following:
THE MITTS ARE NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD, OR PROMOTED BY MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, ANY OF ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS, OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, COMPILING, COMPUTING, OR CREATING THE INDEX (COLLECTIVELY, THE MSCI PARTIES). THE INDEX IS THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MSCI. MSCI AND THE INDEX ARE SERVICE MARKS OF MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED TO US FOR USE FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES. THE MITTS HAVE NOT BEEN PASSED ON BY ANY OF THE MSCI PARTIES AS TO THEIR LEGALITY OR SUITABILITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY PERSON OR ENTITY AND NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY WARRANTIES OR BEARS ANY LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE MITTS. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO US OR OWNERS OF THE MITTS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN ANY SECURITIES GENERALLY OR IN THIS OFFERING PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF THE INDEX TO TRACK CORRESPONDING STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE. MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES ARE THE LICENSORS OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS, AND TRADE NAMES AND OF THE INDEX, WHICH ARE DETERMINED, COMPOSED, AND CALCULATED BY MSCI WITHOUT REGARD TO THE MITTS, TO US, TO THE OWNERS OF THE MITTS, OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF US OR OWNERS OF THE MITTS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING, OR CALCULATING THE INDEX. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR QUANTITIES OF THE MITTS TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT THAT MAY BE PAID AT MATURITY ON THE MITTS. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAS ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY TO US OR TO OWNERS OF THE MITTS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR, OFFERING OF THE MITTS.
ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE INDEX FROM SOURCES THAT MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, AND/OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX, OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN OR THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, OWNERS OF THE MITTS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX, OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY PERSON OR ENTITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE INDEX, OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FURTHER, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND AND THE MSCI PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION AND FOR PURPOSES OF EXAMPLE ONLY, ALL WARRANTIES OF TITLE, SEQUENCE, AVAILABILITY, ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARISING FROM TRADE USAGE, COURSE OF DEALING, AND COURSE OF PERFORMANCE) WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX, AND ALL DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY PERSON OR ENTITY FOR ANY DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, OR OTHER ECONOMIC LOSS), AND WHETHER IN TORT (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, STRICT LIABILITY, AND NEGLIGENCE), CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF IT MIGHT HAVE ANTICIPATED, OR WAS ADVISED OF, THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
No purchaser, seller, or holder of the MITTS, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trademark, or service mark to sponsor, endorse, market, or promote the MITTS without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCIs permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim any affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.
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Summary Tax Consequences
You should consider the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the MITTS, including the following:
| Although there are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings, or judicial decisions addressing the characterization, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of the MITTS, we intend to treat the MITTS as debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, where required, intend to file information returns with the IRS in accordance with such treatment. |
| A U.S. Holder will be required to report original issue discount (OID) or interest income based on a comparable yield with respect to a MITTS without regard to cash, if any, received on the MITTS. |
| Upon a sale, exchange, or retirement of a MITTS prior to maturity, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange, or retirement and the holders tax basis in the MITTS. A U.S. Holder generally will treat any gain as ordinary interest income, and any loss as ordinary up to the amount of previously accrued OID and then as capital loss. At maturity, (i) if the actual Redemption Amount exceeds the projected Redemption Amount, a U.S. Holder must include such excess as interest income, or (ii) if the projected Redemption Amount exceeds the actual Redemption Amount, a U.S. Holder will generally treat such excess first as an offset to previously accrued OID for the taxable year, then as an ordinary loss to the extent of all prior OID inclusions, and thereafter as a capital loss. |
Certain U.S. Federal Income Taxation Considerations
Set forth below is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to an investment in the MITTS. The following summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by the discussion under the section entitled U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary in product supplement MITTS-4, which you should carefully review prior to investing in the MITTS. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in product supplement MITTS-4.
General. There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings, or judicial decisions addressing the characterization, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of MITTS or other instruments with terms substantially the same as the MITTS. However, although the matter is not free from doubt, under current law, each MITTS should be treated as a debt instrument for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We currently intend to treat the MITTS as debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, where required, intend to file information returns with the IRS in accordance with such treatment, in the absence of any change or clarification in the law, by regulation or otherwise, requiring a different characterization of the MITTS. You should be aware, however, that the IRS is not bound by our characterization of the MITTS as indebtedness and the IRS could possibly take a different position as to the proper characterization of the MITTS for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the MITTS are not in fact treated as debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the MITTS could differ materially from the treatment discussed below, with the result that the timing and character of income, gain, or loss recognized in respect of a MITTS could differ materially from the timing and character of income, gain, or loss recognized in respect of a MITTS had the MITTS in fact been treated as debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, prospective purchasers are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of investing in the MITTS. The following summary assumes that the MITTS will be treated as debt instruments of BAC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Interest Accruals. The amount payable on the MITTS at maturity will depend on the performance of the Index. Accordingly, we intend to take the position that the MITTS will be treated as contingent payment debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, subject to taxation under the noncontingent bond method, and the balance of this discussion assumes that this characterization is proper and will be respected. Under this characterization, the MITTS generally will be subject to the Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments. Under those regulations, a U.S. Holder will be required to report OID or interest income based on a comparable yield and a projected payment schedule, established by us for determining interest accruals and adjustments with respect to a MITTS. A U.S. Holder who does not use the comparable yield and follow the projected payment schedule to calculate its OID and interest income on a MITTS must timely disclose and justify the use of other estimates to the IRS.
Sale, Exchange, or Retirement of the MITTS. Upon a sale, exchange, or retirement of a MITTS prior to maturity, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange, or retirement and the holders tax basis in the MITTS. A U.S. Holders tax basis in a MITTS generally will equal the cost of that MITTS, increased by the amount of OID previously accrued by the holder for that MITTS (without regard to any positive or negative adjustments under the contingent payment debt regulations). A U.S. Holder generally will treat any gain as interest income, and will treat any loss as ordinary loss to the extent of the excess of previous interest inclusions over the total negative adjustments previously taken into account as ordinary losses, and the balance as long-term or short-term capital loss depending upon the U.S. Holders holding period for the MITTS. At maturity, (i) if the actual Redemption Amount exceeds the projected Redemption Amount, a U.S. Holder must include such excess as interest income, or (ii) if the projected Redemption Amount exceeds the actual Redemption Amount, a U.S. Holder will generally treat such excess first as an offset to previously accrued OID for the taxable year, then as an ordinary loss to the extent of all prior OID inclusions, and thereafter as a capital loss. The deductibility of capital losses by a U.S. Holder is subject to limitations.
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Hypothetical Tax Accrual Table. The following table is based upon a hypothetical projected payment schedule (including a hypothetical Redemption Amount) and a hypothetical comparable yield equal to 4.25% per annum (compounded semi-annually), which is our current estimate of the comparable yield, based upon market conditions as of the date of this term sheet as determined by us for purposes of illustrating the application of the Code and the Treasury regulations to the MITTS as if the MITTS had been issued on December 29, 2009 and were scheduled to mature on December 31, 2014. This tax accrual table is based upon a hypothetical projected payment schedule per $10 principal amount of the MITTS, which would consist of a single payment of $12.3430 at maturity. The following table is for illustrative purposes only, and we make no representations or predictions as to what the actual Redemption Amount will be. The actual projected payment schedule will be completed on the pricing date, and included in the final term sheet.
Accrual Period |
Interest Deemed to Accrue on the MITTS During Accrual Period (per Unit of the MITTS) |
Total Interest Deemed to Have Accrued on the MITTS as of End of Accrual Period (per Unit of the MITTS) | ||
December 29, 2009 to December 31, 2009 |
$0.0024 | $0.0024 | ||
January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 |
$0.4297 | $0.4321 | ||
January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 |
$0.4481 | $0.8802 | ||
January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012 |
$0.4673 | $1.3475 | ||
January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 |
$0.4874 | $1.8349 | ||
January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 |
$0.5081 | $2.3430 |
Hypothetical Projected Redemption Amount = $12.3430 per unit of the MITTS.
You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the MITTS, 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. See the discussion under the section entitled U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary in product supplement MITTS-4.
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Additional Terms
You should read this term sheet, together with the documents listed below (collectively, the Note Prospectus), which together contain the terms of the MITTS and supersede all prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth under Risk Factors in the sections indicated on the cover of this term sheet. The MITTS involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the MITTS.
You may access the following documents on the SEC Website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC Website):
§ | Product supplement MITTS-4 dated September 24, 2009: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000119312509197085/d424b5.htm
§ | Series L MTN prospectus supplement dated April 21, 2009 and prospectus dated April 20, 2009: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000095014409003387/g18667b5e424b5.htm
Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC Website is 70858.
We have filed a registration statement (including a product supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this term sheet relates. Before you invest, you should read the product supplement, the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus in that registration statement, and the other documents relating to this offering that we have filed with the SEC for more complete information about us and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we, any agent, or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the Note Prospectus if you so request by calling MLPF&S toll-free at 1-866-500-5408.
Structured Investments Classification
MLPF&S classifies certain structured investments (the Structured Investments), including the MITTS, into four categories, each with different investment characteristics. The description below is intended to briefly describe the four categories of Structured Investments offered: Principal Protection, Enhanced Income, Market Participation, and Enhanced Participation. A Structured Investment may, however, combine characteristics that are relevant to one or more of the other categories. As such, a category should not be relied upon as a description of any particular Structured Investment.
Principal Protection: Principal Protected Structured Investments offer full or partial principal protection against decreases in the value of the underlying market measure (or increases in the value of an underlying market measure for bearish Structured Investments), while offering market exposure and the opportunity for a better return than may be available from comparable fixed income securities. Principal protection may not be achieved if the investment is sold prior to maturity.
Enhanced Income: Structured Investments offering enhanced income may offer an enhanced income stream through interim fixed or variable coupon payments. However, in exchange for receiving current income, investors may forfeit upside potential on the underlying asset. These investments generally do not include the principal protection feature.
Market Participation: Market Participation Structured Investments can offer investors exposure to specific market sectors, asset classes, and/or strategies that may not be readily available through traditional investment alternatives. Returns obtained from these investments are tied to the performance of the underlying asset. As such, subject to certain fees, the returns will generally reflect any increases or decreases in the value of such assets. These investments generally do not include the principal protection feature.
Enhanced Participation: Enhanced Participation Structured Investments may offer investors the potential to receive better than market returns on the performance of the underlying asset. Some structures may offer leverage in exchange for a capped or limited upside potential and also in exchange for downside risk. These investments generally do not include the principal protection feature.
The classification of Structured Investments is meant solely for informational purposes and is not intended to fully describe any particular Structured Investment nor guarantee any particular performance.
MITTS® and Market Index Target-Term Securities® are registered service marks of our subsidiary, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
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