Preliminary Pricing Supplement - Subject to Completion
(To Prospectus dated December 30, 2022,
Prospectus Supplement dated December 30, 2022 and
Product Supplement EQUITY-1 dated December 30, 2022)
October , 2024
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Series A Registration Statement Nos. 333-268718 and 333-268718-01
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BofA Finance LLC $---- Trigger Autocallable Notes
Linked to the S&P 500® Index Due October 8, 2026
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Bank of America Corporation
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Investment Description
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The Trigger Autocallable Notes linked to the S&P 500® Index (the “Underlying”) due October 8, 2026 (the “Notes”) are senior unsecured obligations issued by BofA Finance LLC (“BofA Finance”), a consolidated finance subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BAC” or the “Guarantor”), which are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor. If the Current Underlying Level is greater than or equal to the Initial Value on any quarterly Observation Date, we will automatically call the Notes and pay you a Call Price equal to the Stated Principal Amount plus a Call Return based on the Call Return Rate, and no further amounts will be owed to you. The Call Return increases the longer the Notes are outstanding, based on a fixed Call Return Rate per annum, as indicated on page PS-6. If by maturity the Notes have not been automatically called and the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date is less than the Initial Value but greater than or equal to the Downside Threshold, you will receive the Stated Principal Amount. However, if by maturity the Notes have not been automatically called and the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date is less than the Downside Threshold, you will receive less than the Stated Principal Amount at maturity, resulting in a loss that is proportionate to the decline in the closing level of the Underlying from the Trade Date to the Final Observation Date, up to a 100% loss of your investment.
Investing in the Notes involves significant risks. You may lose a substantial portion or all of your initial investment. You will not receive dividends or other distributions paid on any stocks included in the Underlying or participate in any appreciation of the Underlying. The contingent repayment of the Stated Principal Amount applies only if you hold the Notes to automatic call. Any payment on the Notes, including any repayment of the Stated Principal Amount, is subject to the creditworthiness of BofA Finance and the Guarantor and is not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party.
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Features
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Key Dates1
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❑ Automatic Call Feature— We will automatically call the Notes for a Call Price equal to the Stated Principal Amount plus a Call Return based on the Call Return Rate if the Current Underlying Level is greater than or equal to the Initial Value on any quarterly Observation Date (beginning approximately six months after issuance). The Call Return increases the longer the Notes are outstanding, based on a fixed Call Return Rate per annum, as indicated on page PS-6. If the Notes are not automatically called, investors will have full downside market exposure to the Underlying at maturity.
❑ Contingent Repayment of Principal at Maturity with Potential for Full Downside Market Exposure—If you hold the Notes to maturity and the Notes have not been automatically called on any Observation Date, including the Final Observation Date, and the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Downside Threshold, you will receive the Stated Principal Amount of your Notes at maturity. If, however, you hold the Notes to maturity and the Notes have not been automatically called on any Observation Date, including the Final Observation Date, and the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date is less than the Downside Threshold, you will receive less than the Stated Principal Amount of your Notes at maturity, resulting in a loss that is proportionate to the decline in the closing level of the Underlying from the Trade Date to the Final Observation Date, up to a 100% loss of your investment.
Any payment on the Notes is subject to the creditworthiness of BofA Finance and the Guarantor.
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Trade Date2
Issue Date2
Observation Dates3
Final Observation Date3
Maturity Date
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October 3, 2024
October 8, 2024
Quarterly, beginning on April 3, 2025
October 5, 2026
October 8, 2026
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1
Subject to change and will be set forth in the final pricing supplement relating to the Notes.
2
See “Supplement to the Plan of Distribution; Role of BofAS and Conflicts of Interest” in this pricing supplement for additional information.
3
See page PS-6 for additional details.
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NOTICE TO INVESTORS: THE NOTES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY RISKIER THAN CONVENTIONAL DEBT INSTRUMENTS. BOFA FINANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY OBLIGATED TO REPAY THE STATED PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT MATURITY, AND THE NOTES CAN HAVE DOWNSIDE MARKET RISK SIMILAR TO THE UNDERLYING. THIS MARKET RISK IS IN ADDITION TO THE CREDIT RISK INHERENT IN PURCHASING A DEBT OBLIGATION OF BOFA FINANCE THAT IS GUARANTEED BY BAC. YOU SHOULD NOT PURCHASE THE NOTES IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE SIGNIFICANT RISKS INVOLVED IN INVESTING IN THE NOTES.
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE RISKS DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS’’ BEGINNING ON PAGE PS-7 OF THIS PRICING SUPPLEMENT, PAGE PS-5 OF THE ACCOMPANYING PRODUCT SUPPLEMENT, PAGE S-6 OF THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND PAGE 7 OF THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS BEFORE PURCHASING ANY NOTES. EVENTS RELATING TO ANY OF THOSE RISKS, OR OTHER RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET VALUE OF, AND THE RETURN ON, YOUR NOTES. YOU MAY LOSE SOME OR ALL OF YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES. THE NOTES WILL NOT BE LISTED ON ANY SECURITIES EXCHANGE AND MAY HAVE LIMITED OR NO LIQUIDITY.
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Notes Offering
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We are offering Trigger Autocallable Notes linked to the S&P 500® Index due October 8, 2026. The Call Return Rate, Initial Value and Downside Threshold will be determined on the Trade Date. The Notes are our senior unsecured obligations, guaranteed by BAC, and are offered for a minimum investment of 100 Notes (each Note corresponding to $10.00 in Stated Principal Amount) at the Public Offering Price described below.
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Underlying
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Call Return Rate
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Initial Value
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Downside Threshold
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CUSIP/ISIN
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S&P 500® Index (Ticker: SPX)
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Between [8.25% to 8.75%] per annum
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, which is 80% of the Initial Value
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09710T868 / US09710T8687
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Public Offering Price
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Underwriting Discount(1)
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Proceeds (before expenses) to BofA Finance
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Per Note
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$10.000
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$0.15
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$9.85
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Total
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$
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$
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$
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UBS Financial Services Inc. |
BofA Securities |
Additional Information about BofA Finance LLC, Bank of America Corporation and the Notes
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You should read carefully this entire pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus to understand fully the terms of the Notes, as well as the tax and other considerations important to you in making a decision about whether to invest in the Notes. In particular, you should review carefully the section in this pricing supplement entitled “Risk Factors,” which highlights a number of risks of an investment in the Notes, to determine whether an investment in the Notes is appropriate for you. If information in this pricing supplement is inconsistent with the product supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus, this pricing supplement will supersede those documents. You are urged to consult with your own attorneys and business and tax advisors before making a decision to purchase any of the Notes.
The information in the “Summary” section is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed explanation set forth elsewhere in this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. You should rely only on the information contained in this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. None of us, the Guarantor, BofAS or UBS is making an offer to sell these Notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement, and prospectus is accurate only as of the date on their respective front covers.
Certain terms used but not defined in this pricing supplement have the meanings set forth in the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this pricing supplement to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to BofA Finance, and not to BAC (or any other affiliate of BofA Finance).
The above-referenced accompanying documents may be accessed at the following links:
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Product supplement EQUITY-1 dated December 30, 2022:
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Series A MTN prospectus supplement dated December 30, 2022 and prospectus dated December 30, 2022:
The Notes are our senior debt securities. Any payments on the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by BAC. The Notes and the related guarantee are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or secured by collateral. The Notes will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, except obligations that are subject to any priorities or preferences by law. The related guarantee will rank equally in right of payment with all of BAC’s other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, except obligations that are subject to any priorities or preferences by law, and senior to its subordinated obligations. Any payments due on the Notes, including any repayment of the principal amount, will be subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance, as issuer, and BAC, as guarantor.
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Investor Suitability
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The Notes may be suitable for you if, among other considerations:
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You fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the Notes, including the risk of loss of your entire investment.
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You can tolerate a loss of all or a substantial portion of your investment and are willing to make an investment that will have the full downside market risk of an investment in the Underlying.
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You understand and accept the risks associated with the Underlying.
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You are willing to invest in the Notes based on the Downside Threshold indicated on the cover hereof.
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You believe the Current Underlying Level will be greater than or equal to the Initial Value on any Observation Date prior to the Final Observation Date.
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You can tolerate fluctuations in the value of the Notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside fluctuations in the level of the Underlying.
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You are willing to hold Notes that will be called on the earliest Observation Date (beginning approximately six months after issuance) on which the Current Underlying Level is greater than or equal to the Initial Value.
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You are willing to make an investment whose positive return is limited to the Call Return, regardless of the potential appreciation of the Underlying, which could be significant.
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You are willing and able to hold the Notes to maturity, and accept that there may be little or no secondary market for the Notes.
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You do not seek current income from your investment and are willing to forgo dividends or any other distributions paid on the stocks included in the Underlying.
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You are willing to invest in the Notes if the Call Return Rate were set equal to the bottom of the range indicated on the cover page of this pricing supplement (the actual Call Return Rate will be set on the Trade Date).
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You are willing to assume the credit risk of BofA Finance and BAC for all payments under the Notes, and understand that if BofA Finance and BAC default on their obligations, you might not receive any amounts due to you, including any repayment of the Stated Principal Amount.
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The Notes may not be suitable for you if, among other considerations:
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You do not fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the Notes, including the risk of loss of your entire investment.
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You cannot tolerate the loss of all or a substantial portion of your initial investment, or you are not willing to make an investment that will have the full downside market risk of an investment in the Underlying.
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You are unwilling to invest in the Notes based on the Downside Threshold specified on the cover hereof.
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You require an investment designed to guarantee a full return of the Stated Principal Amount at maturity.
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You do not understand or are not willing to accept the risks associated with the Underlying.
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You do not believe the Current Underlying Level is likely to be greater than or equal to the Initial Value on any Observation Date, exposing you to the full downside performance of the Underlying.
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You believe that the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date will be less than the Downside Threshold.
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You cannot tolerate fluctuations in the value of the Notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside fluctuations in the level of the Underlying.
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You are unwilling to hold Notes that will be called on the earliest Observation Date (beginning approximately six months after issuance) on which the Current Underlying Level is greater than or equal to the Initial Value.
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You seek an investment that participates in the full appreciation of the Underlying and whose positive return is not limited to the Call Return.
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You seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.
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You seek current income from this investment or prefer to receive the dividends and any other distributions paid on the stocks included in the Underlying.
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You would be unwilling to invest in the Notes if the Call Return Rate were set equal to the bottom of the range indicated on the cover page of this pricing supplement (the actual Call Return Rate will be set on the Trade Date).
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You prefer the lower risk of conventional fixed income investments with comparable maturities and credit ratings.
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You are not willing to assume the credit risk of BofA Finance and BAC for all payments under the Notes, including any repayment of the Stated Principal Amount.
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The 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 review “The Underlying” herein for more information on the Underlying. You should also review carefully the “Risk Factors” section herein for risks related to an investment in the Notes.
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Summary
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Issuer
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BofA Finance
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Guarantor
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BAC
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Public Offering Price
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100% of the Stated Principal Amount
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Stated Principal Amount
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$10.00 per Note
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Minimum Investment
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$1,000 (100 Notes)
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Term
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Approximately two years, unless earlier automatically called
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Trade Date1,2
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October 3, 2024
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Issue Date1,2
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October 8, 2024
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Final Observation Date1
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October 5, 2026
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Maturity Date1
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October 8, 2026
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Underlying
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S&P 500® Index (Ticker: SPX)
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Automatic Call Feature
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The Notes will be automatically called if the Current Underlying Level is greater than or equal to the Initial Value on any Observation Date.
If the Notes are automatically called, we will pay you on the applicable Call Settlement Date a cash payment per $10.00 Stated Principal Amount equal to the Call Price for the applicable Observation Date.
If the Notes are automatically called, no further payments will be made on the Notes.
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Observation Dates1
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See “Observation Dates, Call Returns, Call Prices and Call Settlement Dates” on page PS-6.
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Call Settlement Dates1
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See “Observation Dates, Call Returns, Call Prices and Call Settlement Dates” on page PS-6.
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Call Price
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The Call Price will be calculated based on the following formula:
$10.00 + applicable Call Return
See “Observation Dates, Call Returns, Call Prices and Call Settlement Dates” on page PS-6.
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Call Return/Call Return Rate
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The Call Return increases the longer the Notes are outstanding and will be based on the fixed Call Return Rate of between [8.25% and 8.75%] per annum, as indicated on page PS-6. The actual Call Returns and Call Return Rate will be determined on the Trade Date.
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Payment At Maturity (per $10.00 Stated Principal Amount)
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If the Notes are not automatically called and the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date is less than the Initial Value but greater than or equal to the Downside Threshold,
we will pay you a cash payment on the Maturity Date that is equal to the Stated Principal Amount.
However, if the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date is less than the Downside Threshold, we will pay you a cash payment on the Maturity Date that is less than the Stated Principal Amount and may be zero, resulting in a loss that is proportionate to the negative Underlying Return on the Final Observation Date, equal to:
$10.00 × (1 + Underlying Return on the Final Observation Date)
Accordingly, you will lose all or a substantial portion of your Stated Principal Amount at
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maturity, depending on how significantly the Underlying declines.
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Underlying Return
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On the Final Observation Date, calculated as follows:
Current Underlying Level – Initial Value
Initial Value |
Downside Threshold
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80% of the Initial Value, as specified on the cover page of this pricing supplement.
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Initial Value
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The closing level of the Underlying on the Trade Date, as specified on the cover page of this pricing supplement.
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Current Underlying Level
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On any Observation Date, the closing level of the Underlying on that Observation Date.
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Calculation Agent
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BofAS, an affiliate of BofA Finance.
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Selling Agents
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BofAS and UBS.
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Events of Default and Acceleration
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If an Event of Default, as defined in the senior indenture relating to the Notes and in the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities of BofA Finance LLC—Events of Default and Rights of Acceleration; Covenant Breaches” on page 54 of the accompanying prospectus, with respect to the Notes occurs and is continuing, the amount payable to a holder of the Notes upon any acceleration permitted under the senior indenture will be equal to the amount described under the caption “—Payment at Maturity” above, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the Maturity Date of the Notes and as though the Final Observation Date were the third trading day prior to the date of acceleration, except that if on the deemed Final Observation Date the Current Underlying Level is greater than or equal to the Initial Value, payment will be made as described under the caption “—Automatic Call Feature” above with reference to the scheduled Observation Date immediately following the deemed Final Observation Date. The calculation agent shall prorate the period of time elapsed between the issue date of the Notes and the date of acceleration. In case of a default in the payment of the Notes, whether at their maturity or upon acceleration, the Notes will not bear a default interest rate.
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1
Subject to change and will be set forth in the final pricing supplement relating to the Notes.
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2
See “Supplement to the Plan of Distribution; Role of BofAS and Conflicts of Interest” in this pricing supplement for additional information.
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Investment Timeline
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Trade Date
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The closing level of the Underlying (the Initial Value) is observed, the Call Returns/ Call Return Rate are set and the Downside Threshold is determined.
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Quarterly, beginning April 3, 2025
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The Current Underlying Level will be determined on each Observation Date.
The Notes will be automatically called if the Current Underlying Level is greater than or equal to the Initial Value on any Observation Date.
If the Notes are automatically called on any Observation Date, we will pay you on the related Call Settlement Date (or the Maturity Date, in the case of the Final Observation Date) the Call Price for the applicable Observation Date, equal to the Stated Principal Amount plus the applicable Call Return (as indicated on page PS-6).
If the Notes are automatically called, no further payments will be made on the Notes.
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Maturity Date (if not previously automatically called)
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If the Notes are not automatically called and the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date is less than the Initial Value but greater than or equal to the Downside Threshold, we will pay you a cash payment on the Maturity Date that is equal to the Stated Principal Amount.
However, if the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date is less than the Downside Threshold, we will pay you a cash payment on the Maturity Date that is less than the Stated Principal Amount and may be zero, resulting in a loss that is proportionate to the negative Underlying Return on the Final Observation Date, equal to:
$10.00 × (1 + Underlying Return on the Final Observation Date)
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Observation Dates1,2
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Call Returns3
(Per $10 Stated Principal Amount, based on a Call Return Rate of between [8.25% to 8.75%] per annum.)
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Call Prices3
(Per $10 Stated Principal Amount)
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Call Settlement Dates1
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April 3, 2025
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4.125% to 4.375% of the Stated Principal Amount
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$10.4125 to $10.4375
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April 7, 2025
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July 3, 2025
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6.188% to 6.563% of the Stated Principal Amount
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$10.6188 to $10.6563
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July 8, 2025
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October 3, 2025
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8.250% to 8.750% of the Stated Principal Amount
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$10.8250 to $10.8750
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October 7, 2025
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January 5, 2026
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10.313% to 10.938% of the Stated Principal Amount
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$11.0313 to $11.0938
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January 7, 2026
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April 6, 2026
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12.375% to 13.125% of the Stated Principal Amount
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$11.2375 to $11.3125
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April 8, 2026
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July 6, 2026
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14.438% to 15.313% of the Stated Principal Amount
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$11.4438 to $11.5313
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July 8, 2026
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October 5, 2026
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16.500% to 17.500% of the Stated Principal Amount
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$11.6500 to $11.7500
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October 8, 2026
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Risk Factors
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♦
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The Notes do not bear interest. Unlike a conventional debt security, no interest payments will be paid over the term of the Notes, regardless of the extent to which the Current Underlying Level exceeds the Initial Value.
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♦
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Your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal. There is no fixed principal repayment amount on the Notes at maturity. If the Notes are not automatically called and the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date is less than the Downside Threshold, at maturity, you will lose 1% of the Stated Principal Amount for each 1% that the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date is less than the Initial Value. In that case, you will lose a significant portion or all of your investment in the Notes.
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♦
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The appreciation potential of the Notes is limited. Your potential total return on the Notes is limited to the applicable Call Return, which will only be received if the Notes are automatically called. Because the Call Return increases the longer the Notes have been outstanding and because the Notes could be called as early as approximately six months after the Issue Date, you may not receive the higher Call Return associated with a later Observation Date. You will not participate in any potential appreciation of the Underlying even though you may be subject to the full downside performance of the Underlying. As a result, the return on an investment in the Notes may be significantly less than the return on a hypothetical direct investment in the stocks included in the Underlying. Furthermore, if the Notes are automatically called, you may be unable to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk that could provide a return that is similar to the Notes.
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♦
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The limited downside protection provided by the Downside Threshold applies only upon an automatic call or at maturity. You should be willing to hold your Notes to maturity. If you are able to sell your Notes in the secondary market prior to an automatic call, you may have to sell them at a loss relative to your initial investment even if the level of the Underlying at that time is equal to or greater than the Downside Threshold. All payments on the Notes are subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance, as issuer, and BAC, as guarantor.
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♦
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The Payment at Maturity and the determination as to whether the Notes will be automatically called will not reflect the levels of the Underlying other than on the Observation Dates. The levels of the Underlying during the term of the Notes other than on the Observation Dates will not affect payments on the Notes or the determination as to whether the Notes will be automatically called. Notwithstanding the foregoing, investors should generally be aware of the performance of the Underlying while holding the Notes, as the performance of the Underlying may influence the market value of the Notes. The calculation agent will determine whether the Notes are automatically called or will calculate the Payment at Maturity, as applicable, by comparing only the Initial Value or the Downside Threshold, as applicable, to the Current Underlying Level. No other levels of the Underlying will be taken into account. As a result, the Notes will not be automatically called if the Current Underlying Level is less than the Initial Value on each Observation Date, even if the level of the Underlying was always above the Initial Value on each other day during the term of the Notes. Similarly, if the Notes are not automatically called and the Current Underlying Level on the Final Observation Date is less than the Downside Threshold, you will receive less than the Stated Principal Amount at maturity, even if the level of the Underlying was always above the Downside Threshold prior to the Final Observation Date.
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♦
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Your return on the Notes may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity. Any return that you receive on the Notes may be less than the return you would earn if you purchased a conventional debt security with the same Maturity Date. As a result, your investment in the Notes may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you consider factors, such as inflation, that affect the time value of money. In addition, if interest rates increase during the term of the Notes, the Call Return Rate may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity.
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♦
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Any payment on the Notes is subject to our credit risk and the credit risk of the Guarantor, and actual or perceived changes in our or the Guarantor’s creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the Notes. The Notes are our senior unsecured debt securities. Any payment on the Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor. The Notes are not guaranteed by any entity other than the Guarantor. As a result, your receipt of all payments on the Notes will be dependent upon our ability and the ability of the Guarantor to repay our respective obligations under the Notes on the applicable payment date, regardless of the Current Underlying Level as compared to the Downside Threshold or Initial Value, as applicable. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition or the financial condition of the Guarantor will be on the applicable payment date. If we and the Guarantor become unable to meet our respective financial obligations as they become due, you may not receive the amounts payable under the terms of the Notes and you could lose all of your initial investment.
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♦
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We are a finance subsidiary and, as such, have no independent assets, operations or revenues. We are a finance subsidiary of BAC, have no operations other than those related to the issuance, administration and repayment of our debt securities that are guaranteed by the Guarantor, and are dependent upon the Guarantor and/or its other subsidiaries to meet our obligations under the Notes in the ordinary course. Therefore, our ability to make payments on the Notes may be limited.
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♦
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The public offering price you pay for the Notes will exceed their initial estimated value. The range of initial estimated values of the Notes that is provided on the cover page of this preliminary pricing supplement, and the initial estimated value as of the Trade Date that will be provided in the final pricing supplement, are each estimates only, determined as of a particular point in time by reference to our and our affiliates' pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables, including our credit spreads and those of the Guarantor, the Guarantor’s internal funding rate, mid-market terms on hedging transactions, expectations on interest rates, dividends and volatility, price-sensitivity analysis, and the expected term of the Notes. These pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. If you attempt to sell the Notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and lower than their initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the levels of the Underlying, changes in the Guarantor’s internal funding rate, and the inclusion in the public offering price of the underwriting discount and the hedging related charges, all as further described in "Structuring the Notes" below. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the Notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the Notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the Notes in complex and unpredictable ways.
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♦
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The initial estimated value does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we, BAC, BofAS or any of our other affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your Notes at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including the performance of the Underlying, our and BAC’s creditworthiness and changes in market conditions.
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♦
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The price of the Notes that may be paid by BofAS in any secondary market (if BofAS makes a market, which it is not required to do), as well as the price which may be reflected on customer account statements, will be higher than the then-current estimated value of the Notes for a limited time period after the Trade Date. As agreed by BofAS and the UBS, for approximately a five-month period after the Trade Date, to the extent BofAS offers to buy the Notes in the secondary market, it will do so at a price that will exceed the estimated value of the Notes at that time. The amount of this excess, which represents a portion of the hedging-related charges expected to be realized by BofAS and UBS over the term of the Notes, will decline to zero on a straight line basis over that five-month period. Accordingly, the estimated value of your Notes during this initial five-month period may be lower than the value shown on your customer account statements. Thereafter, if BofAS buys or sells your Notes, it will do so at prices that reflect the estimated value determined by reference to its pricing models at that time. Any price at any time after the Trade Date will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Underlying and the remaining term of the Notes. However, none of us, the Guarantor, BofAS or any other party is obligated to purchase your Notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that any party will purchase your Notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the Notes.
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♦
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We cannot assure you that a trading market for your Notes will ever develop or be maintained. We will not list the Notes on any securities exchange. We cannot predict how the Notes will trade in any secondary market or whether that market will be liquid or illiquid.
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Economic and market factors have affected the terms of the Notes and may affect the market value of the Notes prior to maturity or an automatic call. Because market-linked notes, including the Notes, can be thought of as having a debt component and a derivative component, factors that influence the values of debt instruments and options and other derivatives will also affect the terms and features of the Notes at issuance and the market price of the Notes prior to maturity or an automatic call. These factors include the levels of the Underlying and the securities included in the Underlying; the volatility of the Underlying and the securities included in the Underlying; the dividend rate paid on the securities included in the Underlying, if applicable; the time remaining to the maturity of the Notes; interest rates in the markets; geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, force majeure and regulatory or judicial events; whether the Underlying is currently or has been less than the Downside Threshold; the availability of comparable instruments; the creditworthiness of BofA Finance, as issuer, and BAC, as guarantor; and the then current bid-ask spread for the Notes and the factors discussed under “— Trading and hedging activities by us, the Guarantor and any of our other affiliates, including BofAS, and UBS and its affiliates, may create conflicts of interest with you and may affect your return on the Notes and their market value” below. These factors are unpredictable and interrelated and may offset or magnify each other.
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Greater expected volatility generally indicates an increased risk of loss. Volatility is a measure of the degree of variation in the levels of the Underlying over a period of time. The greater the expected volatility of the Underlying at the time the terms of the Notes are set, the greater the expectation is at that time that the Notes will not be automatically called and that you may lose a significant portion or all of the Stated Principal Amount at maturity. In addition, the economic terms of the Notes, including the Call Return Rate and the Downside Threshold, are based, in part, on the expected volatility of the Underlying at the time the terms of the Notes are set, where higher expected volatility will generally be reflected in a higher Call Return Rate than the fixed rate we would pay on conventional debt securities of the same maturity and/or on otherwise comparable securities and/or a lower Downside Threshold as compared to otherwise comparable securities. However, the Underlying’s volatility can change significantly over the term of the Notes and a relatively higher Call Return Rate and/or a lower Downside Threshold may not necessarily indicate that the Notes have a greater likelihood of being automatically called. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Underlying and the potential to lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment.
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Trading and hedging activities by us, the Guarantor and any of our other affiliates, including BofAS, and UBS and its affiliates, may create conflicts of interest with you and may affect your return on the Notes and their market value. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, and UBS and its affiliates, may buy or sell the securities held by or included in the Underlying, or futures or options contracts on the Underlying or those securities, or other listed or over-the-counter derivative instruments linked to the Underlying or those securities. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, and UBS and its affiliates also may issue or underwrite other financial instruments with returns based upon the Underlying. We expect to enter into arrangements or adjust or close out existing transactions to hedge our obligations under the Notes. We, the Guarantor or our other affiliates, including BofAS, and UBS and its affiliates also may enter into hedging transactions relating to other Notes or instruments, some of which may have returns calculated in a manner related to that of the Notes offered hereby. We or UBS may enter into such hedging arrangements with one of our or their affiliates. Our affiliates or their affiliates may enter into additional hedging transactions with other parties relating to the Notes and the Underlying. This hedging activity is expected to result in a profit to those engaging in the hedging activity, which could be more or less than initially expected, or the hedging activity could also result in a loss. We and our affiliates and UBS and its affiliates will price these hedging transactions with the intent to realize a profit, regardless of whether the value of the Notes increases or decreases. Any profit in connection with such hedging activities will be in addition to any other compensation that we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including BofAS, and UBS and its affiliates receive for the sale of the Notes, which creates an additional incentive to sell the Notes to you. While we, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, and UBS and its affiliates may from time to time own securities represented by the Underlying, except to the extent that BAC’s or UBS Group AG’s (the parent company of UBS) common stock may be included in the Underlying, as applicable, we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including BofAS, and UBS and its affiliates do not control any company included in the Underlying, and have not verified any disclosure made by any other company. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, and UBS and its affiliates may execute such purchases or sales for our own or their own accounts, for business reasons, or in connection with hedging our obligations under the Notes. The transactions described above may present a conflict of interest between your interest in the Notes and the interests we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including BofAS, and UBS and its 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.
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There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent. One of our affiliates will be the calculation agent for the Notes and, as such, will make a variety of determinations relating to the Notes, including the amounts that will be paid on the Notes. Under some circumstances, these duties could result in a conflict of interest between its status as our affiliate and its responsibilities as calculation agent.
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The Notes are subject to the market risk of the Underlying. The return on the Notes, which may be negative, is directly linked to the performance of the Underlying and indirectly linked to the value of the securities included in the Underlying. The level of the Underlying can rise or fall sharply due to factors specific to the Underlying and the securities included in the Underlying and the issuers of such securities, such as stock price volatility, earnings and financial conditions, corporate, industry and regulatory developments, management changes and decisions and other events, as well as general market factors, such as general stock market or commodity market volatility and levels, interest rates and economic and political conditions.
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The publisher of the Underlying may adjust the Underlying in a way that affects its levels, and the publisher has no obligation to consider your interests. The publisher of the Underlying can add, delete, or substitute the components included in the Underlying or make other methodological changes that could change its level. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of your Notes.
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The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the Notes. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the Notes or securities similar to the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are not certain. Under the terms of the Notes, you will have agreed with us to treat the Notes as single financial contracts, as described below under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary—General.” If the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) were successful in asserting an alternative characterization for the Notes, the timing and character of gain or loss with respect to the Notes may differ. No ruling will be requested from the IRS with respect to the Notes and no assurance can be given that the IRS will agree with the statements made in the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary.” You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the Notes.
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Hypothetical Examples
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Stated Principal Amount: $10
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Term: Approximately 2 years, unless earlier automatically called
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Hypothetical Initial Value: 100
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Hypothetical Call Return Rate: 8.25% per annum (the lower end of the range for the Call Return Rate)
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Hypothetical Call Returns/Call Prices: As set forth on page PS-6 of this pricing supplement, based on the lower end of each range
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Observation Dates: Quarterly, as set forth on page PS-6 of this pricing supplement
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Hypothetical Downside Threshold: 80.00, which is 80% of the hypothetical Initial Value
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Current Underlying Level on first Observation Date:
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110 (greater than the Initial Value)
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Call Price per Note:
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$10.0000 + applicable Call Return
$10.0000 + $0.4125
=$10.4125
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Current Underlying Level on first Observation Date:
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85 (less than the Initial Value)
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Current Underlying Level on second Observation Date:
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115 (greater than the Initial Value)
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Call Price per Note:
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$10.0000 + applicable Call Return
$10.0000 + $0.6188
=$10.6188
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Current Underlying Level on first Observation Date:
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90 (less than the Initial Value)
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Current Underlying Level on second through sixth Observation Dates:
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80 (less than the Initial Value)
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Current Underlying Level on Final Observation Date:
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95 (less than the Initial Value; greater than the Downside Threshold)
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Payment At Maturity (per Note):
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$10.00
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Current Underlying Level on first Observation Date:
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90 (less than the Initial Value)
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Current Underlying Level on second through sixth Observation Dates:
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80 (less than the Initial Value)
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Current Underlying Level on Final Observation Date:
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30 (less than the Initial Value; less than the Downside Threshold)
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Payment At Maturity (per Note):
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$10.00 × [1 + Underlying Return on the Final Observation Date]
$10.00 × [ 1 + -70.00%]
=$3.00
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Supplement to the Plan of Distribution; Role of BofAS and Conflicts of Interest
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Australia
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Barbados
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Belgium
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Crimea
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Cuba
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Curacao Sint Maarten
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Gibraltar
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Indonesia
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Iran
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Italy
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Kazakhstan
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Malaysia
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New Zealand
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North Korea
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Norway
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Russia
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Syria
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Venezuela
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary
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