Subject to Completion Preliminary Term Sheet dated May 31, 2024 | Filed Pursuant to Rule 433 Registration Statement No. 333-262557 (To Prospectus dated March 4, 2022 and Product Supplement STEPS-1 dated July 15, 2022) |
Units $10 principal amount per unit CUSIP No. ![]() | Pricing Date* Settlement Date* Maturity Date* | June , 2024 July , 2024 July , 2025 | |||
*Subject to change based on the actual date the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”) | |||||
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. • Maturity of approximately one year and one week • Interest payable quarterly at the rate of 10.00% per year • A payment of [$0.10 to $0.50] per unit if the Underlying Stock increases to or above 110.00% of the Starting Value • 1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Underlying Stock, with up to 100.00% of your principal at risk • All payments on the notes subject to the credit risk of The Toronto-Dominion Bank • In addition to the underwriting discount set forth below, the notes include a hedging-related charge of $0.05 per unit. See “Structuring the Notes” • Limited secondary market liquidity, with no exchange listing • The notes are unsecured debt securities and are not savings accounts or insured deposits of TD. The notes are not insured or guaranteed by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “CDIC”), the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) or any other governmental agency of Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction | |||||
The notes are being issued by The Toronto-Dominion Bank (“TD”). There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks and certain additional costs. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-6 of product supplement STEPS-1 and page 1 of the prospectus.
The initial estimated value of the notes at the time the terms of the notes are set on the pricing date is expected to be between $9.231 and $9.531 per unit, which is less than the public offering price listed below. See “Summary” on the following page, “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-10 of this term sheet for additional information. The actual value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.
None of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these notes or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this document, product supplement STEPS-1 or the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per Unit | Total | |
Public offering price(1)(2) | $10.00 | $ |
Underwriting discount(2) | $0.15 | $ |
Proceeds, before expenses, to TD | $9.85 | $ |
(1) | Plus accrued interest from the scheduled settlement date, if settlement occurs after that date. |
(2) | For any purchase of 300,000 units or more in a single transaction by an individual investor or in combined transactions with the investor's household in this offering, the public offering price and the underwriting discount will be $9.95 per unit and $0.10 per unit, respectively. See “Supplement to the Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below. |
The notes:
Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
BofA Securities
June , 2024
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
Summary
The STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities, Series E. The notes are not guaranteed or insured by the CDIC, the FDIC or any other governmental agency and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. The notes are not bail-inable debt securities (as defined in the prospectus) under the CDIC Act. The notes will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured debt. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of TD. The notes provide quarterly interest payments. Additionally, if the Ending Value of the Underlying Stock, which is the common stock of United Parcel Service, Inc., is at or above the Step Level, the notes will also provide a payment of [$0.10 to $0.50] per unit at maturity. If the Ending Value is less than the Step Level, the Redemption Amount will not be greater than your principal amount. If the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value, the Redemption Amount will be less than the principal amount of your notes, and may be as low as zero. Payments on the notes, including the amount you receive at maturity, will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit and will depend on the performance of the Underlying Stock, subject to our credit risk. See “Terms of the Notes” below.
The economic terms of the notes (including the Step Payment) are based on our internal funding rate (which is our internal borrowing rate based on variables such as market benchmarks and our appetite for borrowing) and several factors, including selling concessions, discounts, commissions or fees expected to be paid in connection with the offering of the notes, the estimated profit that we expect to earn in connection with structuring the notes, estimated costs which we may incur in connection with the notes and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements as discussed further below and under “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-10.
On the cover page of this term sheet, we have provided the initial estimated value range for the notes. The initial estimated value of your notes on the pricing date will be less than their public offering price. The range of initial estimated values was determined by reference to our internal pricing models, which take into account a number of variables, typically including expected volatility of the Market Measure, interest rates (forecasted, current and historical rates), price-sensitivity analysis, time to maturity of the notes and our internal funding rate which take into account a number of variables and are based on a number of subjective assumptions, which are not evaluated or verified on an independent basis and may or may not materialize. Because our internal funding rate generally represents a discount from the levels at which our benchmark debt securities trade in the secondary market, the use of an internal funding rate for the notes rather than the levels at which our benchmark debt securities trade in the secondary market is expected, assuming all other economic terms are held constant, to increase the initial estimated value of the notes and to have an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the notes, see the related discussion under “Risk Factors” and “Structuring the Notes” herein.
Terms of the Notes |
Issuer: | The Toronto-Dominion Bank (“TD”) | ||
Principal Amount: | $10.00 per unit | ||
Term: | Approximately one year and one week | ||
Underlying Stock: | The Common stock of United Parcel Service, Inc., (the “Underlying Company”) (Bloomberg symbol: UPS) | ||
Starting Value: | The Volume Weighted Average Price on the pricing date. | ||
Volume Weighted Average Price: | Absent a determination of a manifest error or a Market Disruption Event, the volume weighted average price (rounded to two decimal places) shown on page “AQR” on Bloomberg L.P. for trading in the Underlying Stock taking place from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 4:02 p.m. on all U.S. exchanges. | ||
Ending Value: | The Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the valuation date, multiplied by the Price Multiplier. The valuation date is subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-22 of product supplement STEPS-1. | ||
Valuation Date: | Approximately the fifth scheduled trading day immediately prior to the maturity date. | ||
Interest Rate: | 10.00% per year, payable quarterly | ||
Interest Payment Dates: | October , 2024, January , 2025, April , 2025 and July , 2025 | ||
Step Payment: | [$0.10 to $0.50] per unit, which represents a return of [1.00% to 5.00%] of the principal amount. The actual Step Payment will be determined on the pricing date. | ||
Step Level: | 110.00% of the Starting Value, rounded to two decimal places. | ||
Threshold Value: | 100.00% of the Starting Value. | ||
Price Multiplier: | 1, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to the Underlying Stock described beginning on page PS-24 of product supplement STEPS-1. | ||
Fees and Charges: | The underwriting discount of $0.15 per unit listed on the cover page and the hedging related charge of $0.05 per unit described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-10. | ||
Calculation Agents: | BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”) and TD, acting jointly. |
Redemption Amount Determination |
In addition to interest payable, on the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows: ![]() |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:
◾ | Product supplement STEPS-1 dated July 15, 2022: |
◾ | Prospectus dated March 4, 2022: |
These documents, including this term sheet (together, the “Note Prospectus”), have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC and may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website as indicated above or obtained from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) or BofAS by calling 1-800-294-1322.
Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, for information about us and this offering. Any prior or contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you may have received are superseded by the Note Prospectus. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement STEPS-1. In the event of any conflict the following hierarchy will govern: first, this term sheet; second, product supplement STEPS-1; and last, the prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to TD.
Investor Considerations
You may wish to consider an investment in the notes if:
◾ | You anticipate that the Ending Value will be greater than or equal to the Starting Value. |
◾ | You seek interest payments on your investment. |
◾ | You accept that the maximum return on the notes is limited to the sum of the quarterly interest payments and the Step Payment, if any. |
◾ | You accept that your investment may result in a loss, which could be significant, if the Ending Value is below the Threshold Value. |
◾ | You are willing to forgo dividends or other benefits of owning the Underlying Stock. |
◾ | You are willing to accept that a limited market or no market exists for sales of the notes prior to maturity, and understand that the market price for the notes in any secondary market may be adversely affected by various factors, including, but not limited to, our actual and perceived creditworthiness, our internal funding rate and fees and charges on the notes, as described on page TS-2. |
◾ | You are willing to assume our credit risk, as issuer of the notes, for all payments under the notes, including the Redemption Amount. |
The notes may not be an appropriate investment for you if:
◾ | You anticipate that the Ending Value will be less than the Starting Value. |
◾ | You anticipate that the price of the Underlying Stock will increase substantially and do not want a payment at maturity that is limited to the Step Payment. |
◾ | You seek principal repayment or preservation of capital. |
◾ | In addition to interest payments, you seek an additional guaranteed return above the principal amount. |
◾ | You seek to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the Underlying Stock. |
◾ | You seek an investment for which there will be a liquid secondary market. |
◾ | You are unwilling or are unable to take market risk on the notes or to accept the credit risk of TD as issuer of the notes. |
We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors concerning an investment in the notes.
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
Hypothetical Payments at Maturity
The following examples are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical payments on the notes. The actual amount you receive and the resulting return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Threshold Value, Ending Value, Step Level, Step Payment and the term of your investment. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes. These examples are based on:
1) | a Starting Value of $100.00; |
2) | a Threshold Value of $100.00; |
3) | a Step Level of $110.00; |
4) | a Step Payment of $0.30 per unit (the midpoint of the Step Payment range of [$0.10 to $0.50] per unit); |
5) | an expected term of the notes of approximately one year and one week; and |
6) | the Interest Rate of 10.00% per year. |
The hypothetical Starting Value of $100.00 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent a likely actual Starting Value of the Underlying Stock. For recent actual prices of the Underlying Stock, see “The Underlying Stock” section below. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.
Example 1
The Ending Value is $125.00 (125.00% of the Starting Value)
The Ending Value is greater than the Step Level. Consequently, in addition to the quarterly interest payments, you will receive on the maturity date the principal amount of your notes plus the Step Payment of $0.30 per unit. The Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date will therefore be equal to $10.30 ($10.00 plus the Step Payment of $0.30 per unit).
Example 2
The Ending Value is $105.00 (105.00% of the Starting Value)
The Ending Value is greater than the Starting Value and the Threshold Value but below the Step Level. Consequently, you will receive the quarterly interest payments, but you will not receive the Step Payment on the maturity date. The Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date will therefore be equal to $10.00.
Example 3
The Ending Value is $70.00 (70.00% of the Starting Value)
The Ending Value is less than the Starting Value and the Threshold Value. Consequently, you will receive the quarterly interest payments, but you will not receive the Step Payment on the maturity date, and you will participate on a 1-for-1 basis in the decrease in the price of the Underlying Stock. The Redemption Amount per unit will equal:
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/FWP/0001140361-24-028324/image2.jpg)
On the maturity date, you will receive the Redemption Amount per unit of $7.00.
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
Summary of the Hypothetical Examples
Example 1 | Example 2 | Example 3 | ||
The Ending Value is greater than or equal to the Step Level | The Ending Value is less than the Step Level but greater than or equal to the Starting Value | The Ending Value is less than the Starting Value and the Threshold Value | ||
Starting Value | $100.00 | $100.00 | $100.00 | |
Ending Value | $125.00 | $105.00 | $70.00 | |
Step Level | $110.00 | $110.00 | $110.00 | |
Threshold Value | $100.00 | $100.00 | $100.00 | |
Interest Rate (per year) | 10.00% | 10.00% | 10.00% | |
Step Payment | $0.30 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Redemption Amount per Unit | $10.30 | $10.00 | $7.00 | |
Total Return of the Underlying Stock(1) | 29.86% | 9.86% | -25.14% | |
Total Return on the Notes(2) | 13.17% | 10.17% | -19.83% |
(1) | The total return of the Underlying Stock may be rounded for ease of analysis and assumes: |
(a) | the percentage change in the price of the Underlying Stock from the Starting Value to the Ending Value; |
(b) | a constant dividend yield of 4.78% per year; and |
(c) | no transaction fees or expenses. |
(2) | The total return on the notes may be rounded for ease of analysis, includes interest paid on the notes and assumes an expected term of the notes of approximately one year and one week. |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
Risk Factors
There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security. An investment in the notes involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page PS-6 of product supplement STEPS-1 and page 1 of the prospectus. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors as to the risks entailed by an investment in the notes and the suitability of the notes in light of your particular circumstances before you invest in the notes.
Structure-Related Risks
◾ | Depending on the performance of the Underlying Stock as measured shortly before the maturity date, your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal. |
◾ | You will not receive a Step Payment at maturity unless the Ending Value is greater than or equal to the Step Level. |
◾ | Your return on the notes may be less than the yield you could earn by owning a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. |
◾ | Your investment return is limited to the return represented by the periodic interest payments over the term of the notes and the Step Payment, if any, and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the Underlying Stock. |
Market Measure-Related Risks
◾ | The Underlying Company will have no obligations relating to the notes, and neither we nor MLPF&S will perform any due diligence procedures with respect to the Underlying Company in connection with this offering. |
◾ | You will have no rights that a security holder of the Underlying Stock would have, you will have no rights to receive any shares of the Underlying Stock, and you will not be entitled to dividends or other distributions by the Underlying Company. |
◾ | While we, MLPF&S, BofAS or our or their respective affiliates may from time to time own securities of the Underlying Company, none of us, MLPF&S, BofAS or our or their respective affiliates control the Underlying Company, and have not verified any disclosure made by the Underlying Company. |
◾ | The Redemption Amount will not be adjusted for all corporate events that could affect the Underlying Stock. See “Description of the Notes—Anti-Dilution Adjustments” beginning on page PS-23 of product supplement STEPS-1. |
Valuation- and Market-Related Risks
◾ | The initial estimated value of your notes on the pricing date will be less than their public offering price. The difference between the public offering price of your notes and the initial estimated value of the notes reflects costs and expected profits associated with selling and structuring the notes, as well as hedging our obligations under the notes (including, but not limited to, the hedging related charge, as further described under “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-10). Because hedging our obligations entails risks and may be influenced by market forces beyond our control, this hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or a loss and the amount of any such profit or loss will not be known until the maturity date. |
◾ | The initial estimated value of your notes is based on our internal funding rate. The internal funding rate used in the determination of the initial estimated value of the notes generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities and the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities. This discount is based on, among other things, our view of the funding value of the notes as well as the higher issuance, operational and ongoing liability management costs of the notes in comparison to those costs for our conventional fixed-rate debt, as well as estimated financing costs of any hedge positions (including, but not limited to, the hedging related charge, as further described under “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-10), taking into account regulatory and internal requirements. If the interest rate implied by the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities, or the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities were to be used, we would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you. Additionally, assuming all other economic terms are held constant, the use of an internal funding rate for the notes is expected to increase the initial estimated value of the notes and have an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes. |
◾ | The initial estimated value of the notes is based on our internal pricing models, which may prove to be inaccurate and may be different from the pricing models of other financial institutions, including BofAS and MLPF&S. The initial estimated value of your notes when the terms of the notes are set on the pricing date is based on our internal pricing models, which take into account a number of variables, typically including the expected volatility of the Market Measure, interest rates (forecasted, current and historical rates), price-sensitivity analysis, time to maturity of the notes and our internal funding rate, and are based on a number of subjective assumptions, which are not evaluated or verified on an independent basis and may or may not materialize. Further, our pricing models may be different from other financial institutions’ pricing models, including those of BofAS and MLPF&S, and the methodologies used by us to estimate the value of the notes may not be consistent with those of other financial institutions that may be purchasers or sellers of notes in any secondary market. As a result, the secondary market price of your notes, if any, may be materially less than the initial estimated value of the notes determined by reference to our internal pricing models. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change and any assumptions may prove to be incorrect. |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
◾ | The initial estimated value of your notes is not a prediction of the prices at which you may sell your notes in the secondary market, if any exists, and such secondary market prices, if any, will likely be less than the public offering price of your notes, may be less than the initial estimated value of your notes and could result in a substantial loss to you. The initial estimated value of the notes will not be a prediction of the prices at which MLPF&S, BofAS, their or our respective affiliates or third parties may be willing to purchase the notes from you in secondary market transactions (if they are willing to purchase, which they are not obligated to do). The price at which you may be able to sell your notes in the secondary market at any time, if any, will be influenced by many factors that cannot be predicted, such as market conditions, and any bid and ask spread for similar sized trades, and may be substantially less than the initial estimated value of the notes. Further, as secondary market prices of your notes take into account the levels at which our debt securities trade in the secondary market, and do not take into account our various costs and expected profits associated with selling and structuring the notes, as well as hedging our obligations under the notes, secondary market prices of your notes will likely be less than the public offering price of your notes. As a result, the price at which MLPF&S, BofAS, their or our respective affiliates or third parties may be willing to purchase the notes from you in secondary market transactions, if any, will likely be less than the price you paid for your notes, and any sale prior to maturity could result in a substantial loss to you. |
◾ | A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. None of us, any of our affiliates, MLPF&S or BofAS is obligated to make a market for, or to repurchase, the notes. There is no assurance that any party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price in any secondary market. |
Conflict-Related Risks
◾ | Our business, hedging and trading activities, and those of MLPF&S, BofAS and our and their respective affiliates relating to the Underlying Company or the notes and any hedging and trading activities we, MLPF&S, BofAS or our or their respective affiliates engage in for our clients’ accounts, may affect the market value of, and return on, the notes and may create conflicts of interest with you. |
◾ | There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agents, one of which is us and one of which is BofAS, as the determinations made by the calculation agents may be discretionary and could adversely affect any payment on the notes. |
General Credit Related Risks
◾ | Payments on the notes are subject to our credit risk, and actual or perceived changes in our creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the notes. If we become unable to meet our financial obligations as they become due, you may lose some or all of your investment. |
Tax-Related Risks
◾ | The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the notes are uncertain and, because of this uncertainty, there is a risk that the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the notes could differ materially and adversely from the treatment described below in “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, as described further in product supplement STEPS-1 under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Alternative Treatments”. You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of an investment in the notes and the potential alternative treatments. |
◾ | For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the notes, please see the discussion in product supplement STEPS-1 under “Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Tax Consequences” and the further discussion herein under “Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences”. If you are not a Non-resident Holder (as that term is defined in the prospectus) for Canadian federal income tax purposes or if you acquire the notes in the secondary market, you should consult your tax advisors as to the consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of the notes and receiving the payments that might be due under the notes. |
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
The Underlying Stock
We have derived the following information from publicly available documents. According to publicly available information, United Parcel Service, Inc. (“UPS”) is a package delivery company that provides logistics services for the global market. Information filed by UPS with the SEC can be located by reference to its SEC file number: 001-15451, or its CIK Code: 0001090727. UPS’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “UPS”.
Because the Underlying Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Underlying Company is required to file periodically certain financial and other information specified by the SEC. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the Underlying Company can be located at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov by reference to the Underlying Stock’s SEC CIK number.
This term sheet relates only to the notes and does not relate to the Underlying Stock or to any other securities of the Underlying Company. None of us, MLPF&S, or any of our respective affiliates has participated or will participate in the preparation of the Underlying Company’s publicly available documents. None of us, MLPF&S, or any of our respective affiliates has made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Underlying Company in connection with the offering of the notes. None of us, MLPF&S, or any of our respective affiliates makes any representation that the publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the Underlying Company are accurate or complete. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that all events occurring prior to the date of this term sheet, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of these publicly available documents that would affect the trading price of the Underlying Stock, have been or will be publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the Underlying Company could affect the price of the Underlying Stock and therefore could affect your return on the notes. The selection of the Underlying Stock is not a recommendation to buy or sell the Underlying Stock.
Historical Data
The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the Underlying Stock on its primary exchange in the period from January 1, 2014 through May 24, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On May 24, 2024, the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock was $138.66. The graph below may have been adjusted to reflect certain corporate actions such as stock splits and reverse stock splits.
Historical Performance of the Underlying Stock
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/FWP/0001140361-24-028324/image3.jpg)
This historical data on the Underlying Stock is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Underlying Stock or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the price per share of the Underlying Stock during any period set forth above is not an indication that the price per share of the Underlying Stock is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.
Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the prices and trading pattern of the Underlying Stock.
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
Supplement to the Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)
Under our distribution agreement, we have appointed TDS, an affiliate of TD, and BofAS as agents for the sale of the notes. TDS will purchase the notes from us, and BofAS will purchase the notes from TDS, each at the public offering price less the indicated underwriting discount indicated on the cover hereof MLPF&S will purchase the notes from BofAS for resale, and will receive a selling concession in connection with the sale of the notes in an amount up to the full amount of the underwriting discount indicated on the cover of this term sheet. Except as described below, BofAS and MLPF&S will offer the notes at the public offering price set forth on the cover page hereof. We or one of our affiliates will also pay a fee to LFT Securities, LLC for providing certain electronic platform services with respect to this offering, which will have an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes. An affiliate of each of TD and BofAS has an ownership interest in LFT Securities, LLC.TD will reimburse TDS for certain expenses in connection with its role in the offer and sale of the notes, and TD will pay TDS a fee in connection with its role in the offer and sale of the notes.
We may deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than one business day following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the notes occurs more than one business day from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than one business day prior to the settlement date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. In the original offering of the notes, the notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units. If you place an order to purchase the notes, you are consenting to MLPF&S and/or one of its affiliates acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.
MLPF&S, BofAS or our or their affiliates may repurchase and resell the notes, with repurchases and resales being made at prices related to then-prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, and these prices will include MLPF&S’ and BofAS’ (or such other entity’s) trading commissions and mark-ups or mark-downs. MLPF&S and BofAS (or such other entity) may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions, but is not obligated to engage in any such transactions. At MLPF&S’ and BofAS’ discretion, MLPF&S and BofAS may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed TD’s initial estimated value of the notes for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any price offered by us, MLPF&S, BofAS or our or their affiliates for the notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Underlying Stock and the remaining term of the notes. However, none of us, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our or their respective affiliates is obligated to purchase your notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that we, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our or their respective affiliates will purchase your notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the notes.
BofAS has informed us that, as of the date hereof, it expects that if you hold your notes in a BofAS account, the value of the notes shown on your account statement will be based on BofAS’ estimate of the value of the notes if BofAS or another of its affiliates were to make a market in the notes, which it is not obligated to do. That estimate will be based upon the price that BofAS may pay for the notes in light of then-prevailing market conditions, and other considerations, as mentioned above, and will include transaction costs. At certain times, this price may be higher than or lower than our initial estimated value of the notes.
TDS is an affiliate of TD and, as such, has a “conflict of interest” in this offering within the meaning of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) Rule 5121. Additionally, TD will receive the net proceeds from the initial public offering of the notes, thus creating an additional conflict of interest within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. Consequently, this offering of the notes will be conducted in compliance with the provisions of FINRA Rule 5121 and TDS is not permitted to sell the notes to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the account holder.
The distribution of the Note Prospectus in connection with these offers or sales will be solely for the purpose of providing investors with the description of the terms of the notes that was made available to investors in connection with their initial offering. Secondary market investors should not, and will not be authorized to, rely on the Note Prospectus for information regarding TD or for any purpose other than that described in the immediately preceding sentence.
An investor’s household, as referenced on the cover of this term sheet, will generally include accounts held by any of the following, as determined by MLPF&S in its discretion and acting in good faith based upon information then available to MLPF&S:
• | the investor’s spouse (including a domestic partner), siblings, parents, grandparents, spouse’s parents, children and grandchildren, but excluding accounts held by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews or any other family relationship not directly above or below the individual investor; |
• | a family investment vehicle, including foundations, limited partnerships and personal holding companies, but only if the beneficial owners of the vehicle consist solely of the investor or members of the investor’s household as described above; and |
• | a trust where the grantors and/or beneficiaries of the trust consist solely of the investor or members of the investor’s household as described above; provided that, purchases of the notes by a trust generally cannot be aggregated together with any purchases made by a trustee’s personal account. |
Purchases in retirement accounts will not be considered part of the same household as an individual investor’s personal or other non-retirement account, except for individual retirement accounts, simplified employee pension plans, savings incentive match plan for employees and single-participant or owners only accounts (i.e., retirement accounts held by self-employed individuals, business owners or partners with no employees other than their spouses).
Please contact your Merrill financial advisor if you have any questions about the application of these provisions to your specific circumstances or think you are eligible.
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
Structuring the Notes
The notes are our senior unsecured debt securities, Series E, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Underlying Stock. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the notes reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. Our internal funding rate generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities and the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities. If the interest rate implied by the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities, or the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities were to be used, we would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you. Therefore, due to these factors, the public offering price you pay to purchase the notes will be greater than the initial estimated value of the notes.
At maturity, we are required to pay the Redemption Amount to holders of the notes, which will be calculated based on the performance of the Underlying Stock and the $10 per unit principal amount. In order to meet these payment obligations, at the time we issue the notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with BofAS, MLPF&S or one of their affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined by seeking bids from market participants, which may include MLPF&S, BofAS and one or more of our or their affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Underlying Stock, the tenor of the notes and the tenor of the hedging arrangements. The economic terms and initial estimated value of the notes depend, in part, on the terms of these hedging arrangements.
BofAS has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include a hedging related charge of approximately $0.05 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit to be credited to BofAS from these transactions. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, additional profits and losses from these hedging arrangements may be realized by BofAS or any third party hedge providers.
For further information, see “Risk Factors — Conflict-Related Risks” beginning on page PS-14 and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page PS-18 of product supplement STEPS-1.
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the notes, please see the discussion in product supplement STEPS-1 under “Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Tax Consequences” and under “Tax Consequences – Canadian Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus. If you are not a Non-resident Holder (as that term is defined in the prospectus) for Canadian federal income tax purposes or if you acquire the notes in the secondary market, you should consult your tax advisors as to the consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of the notes and receiving the payments that might be due under the notes. We will not pay any additional amounts as a result of any withholding required by reason of the Hybrid Mismatch Proposals (as defined in product supplement STEPS-1).
Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes are uncertain. No statutory, regulatory, judicial or administrative authority directly discusses how the notes should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Some of these tax consequences are summarized below, but we urge you to read the more detailed discussion under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page PS-33 of product supplement STEPS-1 and to discuss the tax consequences of your particular situation with your tax advisor. This discussion is based upon the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), final, temporary and proposed U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) regulations, rulings and decisions, in each case, as available and in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Tax consequences under state, local and non-U.S. laws are not addressed herein. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been sought as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes, and the following discussion is not binding on the IRS. Except as discussed under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders”, this discussion is applicable only to a U.S. holder that acquires notes upon initial issuance and holds its notes as a capital asset for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Tax Treatment. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, TD and you agree, in the absence of a statutory or regulatory change or an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to characterize your notes as prepaid derivative contracts with respect to the Market Measure. Interest payments on the notes (including any interest payments paid on or with respect to the maturity date) will be treated as ordinary income includable in income by you in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above characterization.
If your notes are so treated, upon the taxable disposition (including cash settlement) of a note, you generally should recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized (less any accrued and unpaid interest, which would be taxable as such and, at maturity, inclusive of the step payment, if received) on such taxable disposition and your tax basis in the note. Your tax basis in a note generally should equal your cost for the note. Such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your notes for more than one year (otherwise such gain or loss should be short-term capital gain or loss if held for one year or less). However, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with this characterization (including treatment of any step payment as capital gain). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Based on certain factual representations received from us, our special U.S. tax counsel, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, is of the opinion that it would be reasonable to treat your notes in the manner described above. However, because there is no authority that specifically addresses the tax treatment of the notes, it is possible that your notes could alternatively be treated for tax purposes as a single contingent payment debt instrument or pursuant to some other characterization, such that the timing and character of your income from the notes could differ materially and adversely from the treatment described above, as described further under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Alternative Treatments” on page PS-36 of product supplement STEPS-1.
Notice 2008-2. In 2007, the IRS released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the notes. According to Notice 2008-2, the IRS and the Treasury are actively considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis. It is not possible to determine what guidance they will ultimately issue, if any. It is possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the notes will ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The IRS and the Treasury are also considering other relevant issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether non-U.S. holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, and whether the special “constructive ownership rules” of Section 1260 of the Code should be applied to such instruments. Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above considerations on their investments in the notes.
Except to the extent otherwise required by law, TD intends to treat your notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described above and under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” of the product supplement STEPS-1, unless and until such time as the Treasury and the IRS determine that some other treatment is more appropriate.
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income. U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or certain trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” or “undistributed net investment income” in the case of an estate or trust, which may include any income or gain realized with respect to the notes, to the extent of their net investment income or undistributed net investment income (as the case may be) that, when added to their other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds $200,000 for an unmarried individual, $250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse), $125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return or the dollar amount at which the highest tax bracket begins for an estate or trust. The 3.8% Medicare tax is determined in a different manner than the regular income tax. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of the 3.8% Medicare tax.
Specified Foreign Financial Assets. Certain U.S. holders that own “specified foreign financial assets” in excess of an applicable threshold may be subject to reporting obligations with respect to such assets with their tax returns, especially if such assets are held outside the custody of a U.S. financial institution. Significant penalties can apply if a U.S. holder is required to disclose its notes and fails to do so.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. The proceeds received from a taxable disposition of the notes will be subject to information reporting unless you are an “exempt recipient” and may also be subject to backup withholding at the rate specified in the Code if you fail to provide certain identifying information (such as an accurate taxpayer number, if you are a U.S. holder) or meet certain other conditions.
Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not additional taxes and may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Holders. If you are a non-U.S. holder, subject to Section 871(m) of the Code, Section 897 of the Code, and FATCA, discussed below, you should generally not be subject to generally applicable information reporting and backup withholding requirements with respect to payments on your notes if you comply with certain certification and identification requirements as to your non-U.S. status, including providing us (and/or the applicable withholding agent) a properly executed and fully completed applicable IRS Form W-8. Subject to Section 897 of the Code and Section 871(m) of the Code, discussed herein, gain realized from the taxable disposition of a note generally will not be subject to U.S. tax unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by you in the U.S., (ii) you are a non-resident alien individual and are present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of such taxable disposition and certain other conditions are satisfied or (iii) you have certain other present or former connections with the U.S.
Section 897. We will not attempt to ascertain whether the issuer of the Underlying Stock would be treated as a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. We also have not attempted to determine whether the notes should be treated as “United States real property interests” (“USRPI”) as defined in Section 897 of the Code. If such entity and/or the notes were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply, including subjecting any gain realized by a non-U.S. holder in respect of the notes upon a taxable disposition of the notes to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis, and the proceeds from such a taxable disposition to a withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential treatment of any such entity as a USRPHC and/or the notes as USRPI.
Section 871(m). A 30% withholding tax (which may be reduced by an applicable income tax treaty) is imposed under Section 871(m) of the Code on certain “dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to a “specified equity-linked instrument” that references one or more dividend-paying U.S. equity securities or indices containing U.S. equity securities. The withholding tax can apply even if the instrument does not provide for payments that reference dividends. Treasury regulations provide that the withholding tax applies to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on specified equity-linked instruments that have a delta of one (“delta-one specified equity-linked instruments”) issued after 2016 and to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on all other specified equity-linked instruments issued after 2017. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the Treasury and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the Treasury regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid will not apply to specified equity-linked instruments that are not delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and are issued before January 1, 2027.
Based on our determination that the notes are not “delta-one” with respect to the Underlying Stock, our special U.S. tax counsel is of the opinion that the notes should not be delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and thus should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Furthermore, the application of Section 871(m) of the Code will depend on our determinations made on the date the terms of the notes are set. If withholding is required, we will not make payments of any additional amounts.
Nevertheless, after the date the terms of the notes are set, it is possible that your notes could be deemed to be reissued for tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the Underlying Stock or your notes, and following such occurrence your notes could be treated as delta-one specified equity-linked instruments that are subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. It is also possible that withholding tax or other tax under Section 871(m) of the Code could apply to the notes under these rules if a non-U.S. holder enters, or has entered, into certain other transactions in respect of the Underlying Stock or the notes. A non-U.S. holder that enters, or has entered, into other transactions in respect of the Underlying Stock or the notes should consult its tax advisor regarding the application of Section 871(m) of the Code to its notes in the context of its other transactions.
Because of the uncertainty regarding the application of the 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents to the notes, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) of the Code and the 30% withholding tax to an investment in the notes.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders. A note may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if an individual non-U.S. holder holds the note at the time of his or her death. The gross estate of a non-U.S. holder domiciled outside the U.S. includes only property situated in the U.S. Individual non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of holding the notes at death.
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of United Parcel Service, Inc. due July , 2025 |
FATCA. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) was enacted on March 18, 2010, and imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (i.e., certain U.S.-source payments, including interest (and original issue discount), dividends or other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of property of a type which can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends) and “passthru payments” (i.e., certain payments attributable to withholdable payments) made to certain foreign financial institutions (and certain of their affiliates) unless the payee foreign financial institution agrees (or is required), among other things, to disclose the identity of any U.S. individual with an account at the institution (or the relevant affiliate) and to annually report certain information about such account. FATCA also requires withholding agents making withholdable payments to certain foreign entities that do not disclose the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of any substantial U.S. owners (or do not certify that they do not have any substantial U.S. owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.
Pursuant to final and temporary Treasury regulations and other IRS guidance, the withholding and reporting requirements under FATCA will generally apply to certain “withholdable payments”, will not apply to gross proceeds on a sale or disposition and will apply to certain foreign passthru payments only to the extent that such payments are made after the date that is two years after final regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payment” are published. If withholding is required, we (and/or the applicable paying agent) will not be required to pay additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.
Investors should consult their own advisors about the application of FATCA, in particular if they may be classified as financial institutions (or if they hold their notes through a foreign entity) under the FATCA rules.
Proposed Legislation. In 2007, legislation was introduced in Congress that, if it had been enacted, would have required accrual of income on certain prepaid forwards prior to maturity.
Furthermore, in 2013 the House Ways and Means Committee released in draft form certain proposed legislation relating to financial instruments. If it had been enacted, the effect of this legislation generally would have been to require instruments such as the notes to be marked to market on an annual basis with all gains and losses to be treated as ordinary, subject to certain exceptions.
It is impossible to predict what any such legislation or administrative or regulatory guidance might provide, and whether the effective date of any legislation or guidance will affect securities that were issued before the date that such legislation or guidance is issued. You are urged to consult your tax advisor as to the possibility that any legislative or administrative action may adversely affect the tax treatment of your notes.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction (including that of TD).
Where You Can Find More Information
We have filed a registration statement (including a product supplement and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this term sheet relates. Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, and the other documents that we have filed with the SEC, for more complete information about us and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we, any agent, or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you these documents if you so request by calling MLPF&S or BofAS toll-free at 1-800-294-1322.
“STEP Income Securities®” and “STEPS®” are registered service marks of Bank of America Corporation, the parent company of MLPF&S and BofAS.
STEP Income Securities® | TS-13 |