Subject to Completion

Preliminary Term Sheet dated February 21, 2019

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-216286
(To Prospectus dated March 28, 2017,
Prospectus Supplement dated November 6, 2018 and
Product Supplement STOCK ARN-1 dated July 21, 2017)

    Units
$10 principal amount per unit
CUSIP No.   

Pricing Date*
Settlement Date*
Maturity Date*

March  , 2019
April  , 2019
May  , 2020

*Subject to change based on the actual date the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks

§                  Maturity of approximately 14 months

§                  3-to-1 upside exposure to increases in the Basket, subject to a capped return of [20.00% to 24.00%]

§                  The Basket will be comprised of the common stock of each of Citigroup Inc., KeyCorp and Wells Fargo & Company (the “Basket Stocks”)

§                  1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Basket, with up to 100% of your investment at risk

§                  All payments occur at maturity and are subject to the credit risk of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

§                  No periodic interest payments

§                  In addition to the underwriting discount set forth below, the notes include a hedging-related charge of $0.075 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 a bank. The notes are not insured or guaranteed by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Canada, or any other jurisdiction

 

 

 

The notes are being issued by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”). There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks and certain additional costs. See “Risk Factors” and “Additional Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-6 of product supplement STOCK ARN-1.

 

The initial estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date is expected to be between $9.481 and $9.733 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-15 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Note Prospectus (as defined below) is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

_________________________

 

 

 

Per Unit

 

Total

Public offering price(1)

 

$  10.00

 

$

Underwriting discount(1)

 

$    0.20

 

$

Proceeds, before expenses, to CIBC

 

$    9.80

 

$

 

(1)       For any purchase of 500,000 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 $0.15 per unit, respectively. See “Supplement to the Plan of Distribution” below.

 

The notes:

 

Are Not FDIC Insured

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

May Lose Value

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

March     , 2019

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

Summary

 

The Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The notes are not guaranteed or insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Canada or any other jurisdiction or secured by collateral. The notes are not bail-inable notes (as defined on page S-2 of the prospectus supplement). The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of CIBC.  The notes provide you a leveraged return, subject to a cap, if the Ending Value of the Market Measure, which is the basket of three financial sector stocks described below (the “Basket”), is greater than its Starting Value. If the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value, you will lose all or a portion of the principal amount of your notes. Any payments on the notes will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit and will depend on the performance of the Basket, subject to our credit risk. See “Terms of the Notes” below.

 

The economic terms of the notes (including the Capped Value) are based on our internal funding rate, which is the rate we would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes, and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements.  Our internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed rate debt securities. This difference in funding rate, as well as the underwriting discount and the hedging related charge described below, will reduce the economic terms of the notes to you and the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date. 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. 

 

On the cover page of this term sheet, we have provided the initial estimated value range for the notes. This initial estimated value range was determined based on our pricing models. The initial estimated value as of the pricing date will be based on our internal funding rate on the pricing date, market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, and our assumptions about market parameters. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the notes, see “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-15.

 

Terms of the Notes

 

Redemption Amount Determination

Issuer:

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”)

 

On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows:

Principal Amount:

$10.00 per unit

 

 

Term:

Approximately 14 months

 

Market Measure:

An approximately equally weighted basket of three financial sector stocks comprised of the common stock of each of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE symbol: “C”), KeyCorp (NYSE symbol: “KEY”) and Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE symbol: “WFC”) (each, a “Basket Stock”).

 

Starting Value:

The Starting Value will be set to 100.00 on the pricing date.

 

Ending Value:

The value of the Basket on the calculation day, calculated as specified in “The Basket” on page TS-8 and “Description of ARNs—Basket Market Measures—Ending Value of the Basket" beginning on page PS-26 of product supplement STOCK ARN-1. The scheduled calculation day is subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-26 of product supplement STOCK ARN-1.

 

Participation Rate:

300%

 

 

Capped Value:

[$12.00 to $12.40] per unit, which represents a return of [20.00% to 24.00%] over the principal amount. The actual Capped Value will be determined on the pricing date.

 

 

Calculation Day:

Approximately the fifth scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date.

 

 

Price Multiplier:

1, for each Basket Stock, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to the Basket Stocks described beginning on page PS-18 of product supplement STOCK ARN-1.

 

 

Fees and Charges:

The underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit listed on the cover page and the hedging-related charge of $0.075 per unit described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-15.

 

 

Calculation Agent:

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”).

 

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-2

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:

 

§                   Product supplement STOCK ARN-1 dated July 21, 2017:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045520/000110465917046181/a17-16880_24424b5.htm

 

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

 

These documents (together, the “Note Prospectus”) have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website as indicated above or obtained from MLPF&S 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. When you read the accompanying product supplement, please note that all references in such supplement to the prospectus supplement dated March 28, 2017, or to any sections therein, should refer instead to the accompanying prospectus supplement dated November 6, 2018 or to the corresponding sections of such prospectus supplement, as applicable, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement STOCK ARN-1. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to CIBC.

 

Investor Considerations

 

You may wish to consider an investment in the notes if:

 

The notes may not be an appropriate investment for you if:

§      You anticipate that the value of the Basket will increase moderately from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.

§      You are willing to risk a loss of principal and return if the value of the Basket decreases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.

§      You accept that the return on the notes will be capped.

§      You are willing to forgo the interest payments that are paid on conventional interest bearing debt securities.

§      You are willing to forgo dividends or other benefits of owning the Basket Stocks.

§      You are willing to accept a limited or no market for sales prior to maturity, and understand that the market prices for the notes, if any, will be affected by various factors, including our actual and perceived creditworthiness, our internal funding rate and fees and charges on the notes.

§      You are willing to assume our credit risk, as issuer of the notes, for all payments under the notes, including the Redemption Amount.

 

§      You believe that the value of the Basket will decrease from the Starting Value to the Ending Value or that it will not increase sufficiently over the term of the notes to provide you with your desired return.

§      You seek principal repayment or preservation of capital.

§      You seek an uncapped return on your investment.

§      You seek interest payments or other current income on your investment.

§      You want to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the Basket Stocks.

§      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 take our credit risk as issuer of the notes.

 

We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-3

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments at Maturity

 

The below graph is based on hypothetical numbers and values.

 

Accelerated Return Notes®          

 

This graph reflects the returns on the notes, based on the Participation Rate of 300% and a hypothetical Capped Value of $12.20 per unit (the midpoint of the Capped Value range of [$12.00 to $12.40]). The green line reflects the returns on the notes, while the dotted gray line reflects the returns of a direct investment in the Basket Stocks, excluding dividends.

 

This graph has been prepared for purposes of illustration only.

 

 

The following table and examples are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical returns on the notes. They illustrate the calculation of the Redemption Amount and total rate of return based on the Starting Value of 100.00, the Participation Rate of 300%, a hypothetical Capped Value of $12.20 per unit and a range of hypothetical Ending Values. The actual amount you receive and the resulting total rate of return will depend on the actual Ending Value and Capped Value, and whether you hold the notes to maturity. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes.

 

For recent hypothetical values of the Basket, see “The Basket” section below. For recent actual prices of the Basket Stocks, see “The Basket Stocks” section below. The Ending Value will not include any income generated by dividends paid on the Basket Stocks, which you would otherwise be entitled to receive if you invested in those stocks directly. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.

 

Ending Value

 

 

Percentage Change from the
Starting Value to the Ending Value

 

 

Redemption Amount
per Unit

 

 

Total Rate of Return on the
Notes

 

0.00

 

-100.00%

 

$0.00

 

-100.00%

50.00

 

-50.00%

 

$5.00

 

-50.00%

80.00

 

-20.00%

 

$8.00

 

-20.00%

90.00

 

-10.00%

 

$9.00

 

-10.00%

94.00

 

-6.00%

 

$9.40

 

-6.00%

97.00

 

-3.00%

 

$9.70

 

-3.00%

   100.00(1)

 

0.00%

 

$10.00

 

0.00%

102.00

 

2.00%

 

$10.60

 

6.00%

103.00

 

3.00%

 

$10.90

 

9.00%

105.00

 

5.00%

 

$11.50

 

15.00%

107.34

 

7.34%

 

   $12.20(2)

 

22.00%

110.00

 

10.00%

 

$12.20

 

22.00%

120.00

 

20.00%

 

$12.20

 

22.00%

130.00

 

30.00%

 

$12.20

 

22.00%

140.00

 

40.00%

 

$12.20

 

22.00%

150.00

 

50.00%

 

$12.20

 

22.00%

160.00

 

60.00%

 

$12.20

 

22.00%

 

(1)                     The Starting Value will be set to 100.00 on the pricing date.

(2)                     The Redemption Amount per unit cannot exceed the hypothetical Capped Value.

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-4

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

Redemption Amount Calculation Examples

 

Example 1

 

The Ending Value is 50.00, or 50.00% of the Starting Value:

 

Starting Value:

100.00

 

Ending Value:

50.00

 

= $5.00 Redemption Amount per unit

 

 

 

Example 2

 

The Ending Value is 103.00, or 103.00% of the Starting Value:

 

Starting Value:

100.00

 

Ending Value:

103.00

= $10.90 Redemption Amount per unit

 

 

Example 3

 

The Ending Value is 130.00, or 130.00% of the Starting Value:

 

Starting Value:

100.00

 

Ending Value:

130.00

= $19.00, however, because the Redemption Amount for the notes cannot exceed the hypothetical Capped Value, the Redemption Amount will be $12.20 per unit

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-5

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

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 STOCK ARN-1, page S-1 of the prospectus supplement, and page 1 of the prospectus identified above. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

 

§                  Depending on the performance of the Basket as measured shortly before the maturity date, you may lose up to 100% of the principal amount.

 

§                  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 Capped Value and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the Basket Stocks.

 

§                  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 insolvent or are unable to pay our obligations, you may lose your entire investment.

 

§                  Our initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than the public offering price of the notes. The public offering price of the notes will exceed our initial estimated value because costs associated with selling and structuring the notes, as well as hedging the notes, all as further described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-15, are included in the public offering price of the notes.

 

§                  Our initial estimated value does not represent future values of the notes and may differ from others’ estimates. Our initial estimated value is only an estimate, which will be determined by reference to our internal pricing models when the terms of the notes are set. This estimated value will be based on market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, our internal funding rate on the pricing date and our assumptions about market parameters, which can include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide valuations for the notes that are greater or less than our initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change, and any assumptions may prove to be incorrect. On future dates, the market value of the notes could change significantly based on, among other things, changes in market conditions, including the value of the Market Measure, our creditworthiness, interest rate movements and other relevant factors, which may impact the price at which MLPF&S or any other party would be willing to buy notes from you in any secondary market transactions. Our estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which MLPF&S or any other party would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time.

 

§                  Our initial estimated value of the notes will not be determined by reference to credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The internal funding rate to be used in the determination of our initial estimated value of the notes generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The discount is based on, among other things, our view of the funding value of the notes as well as the higher issuance, operational and ongoing liability management costs of the notes in comparison to those costs for our conventional fixed-rate debt. If we were to use the interest rate implied by our conventional fixed-rate debt, we would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you. Consequently, our use of an internal funding rate for market-linked notes would have an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes, the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date, and any secondary market prices of the notes.

 

§                  A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. Neither we nor MLPF&S 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. Our business, hedging and trading activities, and those of MLPF&S and our respective affiliates (including trading in shares of the Basket Stocks), and any hedging and trading activities we, MLPF&S or our respective affiliates engage in for our clients’ accounts, may affect the market value and return of the notes and may create conflicts of interest with you.

 

§                  None of Citigroup Inc., KeyCorp or Wells Fargo & Company (collectively, the “Underlying Companies”) will have any obligations relating to the notes, and neither we nor MLPF&S will perform any due diligence procedures with respect to the Underlying Companies in connection with this offering.

 

§                  Changes in the prices of the Basket Stocks may offset each other.

 

§                  You will have no rights of a holder of the Basket Stocks, and you will not be entitled to receive shares of the Basket Stocks or dividends or other distributions by the Underlying Companies.

 

§                  While we, MLPF&S or our respective affiliates may from time to time own securities of the Underlying Companies, we, MLPF&S and our respective affiliates do not control any of the Underlying Companies, and have not verified any disclosure made by the Underlying Companies.

 

§                  The Redemption Amount will not be adjusted for all corporate events that could affect a Basket Stock. See “Description of ARNs—Anti-Dilution Adjustments” beginning on page PS-19 of product supplement STOCK ARN-1.

 

§                  There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent, which is MLPF&S.  We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent.

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-6

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

§                The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the notes.  See “Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” below and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page PS-34 of product supplement STOCK ARN-1.  For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the notes, see “Material Income Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the prospectus dated March 28, 2017, as supplemented by the discussion under “Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations” herein.

 

Additional Risk Factors

 

The stocks included in the Basket are concentrated in one sector.  All of the stocks included in the Basket are issued by companies in the financial sector. Although an investment in the notes will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the Basket Stocks, the return on an investment in the notes will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct equity investment in companies in the financial services sector. Accordingly, by investing in the notes, you will not benefit from the diversification which could result from an investment linked to companies that operate in multiple sectors.

 

Adverse conditions in the financial sector may reduce your return on the notes.  All of the Basket Stocks are issued by companies whose primary lines of business are directly associated with the financial services sector. The profitability of these companies is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds, and can fluctuate significantly, particularly when market interest rates change. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of these companies’ customers can negatively impact the sector. In addition, adverse economic, business, or political developments affecting the U.S., including with respect to the insurance sector, or to real estate and loans secured by real estate, could have a major effect on the value of the Basket. As a result of these factors, the value of the notes may be subject to greater volatility and be more adversely affected by economic, political, or regulatory events relating to the financial services sector.

 

Economic conditions have adversely impacted the stock prices of many companies in the financial services sector, and may do so during the term of the notes.  In recent years, economic conditions in the U.S. have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant losses among many companies that operate in the financial services sector. These conditions have also resulted, and may continue to result, in a high degree of volatility in the stock prices of financial institutions, and substantial fluctuations in the profitability of these companies. Numerous financial services companies have experienced substantial decreases in the value of their assets, taken action to raise capital (including the issuance of debt or equity securities), or even ceased operations. Further, companies in the financial services sector have been subject to unprecedented government actions and regulation, which may limit the scope of their operations and, in turn, result in a decrease in value of these companies. Any of these factors may have an adverse impact on the performance of the Basket. As a result, the value of the Basket may be adversely affected by economic, political, or regulatory events affecting the financial services sector or one of the sub-sectors of the financial services sector. This in turn could adversely impact the market value of the notes and decrease the Redemption Amount.

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-7

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

The Basket

 

The Basket is designed to allow investors to participate in the percentage changes of the Basket from the Starting Value to the Ending Value. The Basket Stocks are described in the section entitled “The Basket Stocks” below. Each Basket Stock will be assigned an initial weight on the pricing date, as set forth in the table below.

 

For more information on the calculation of the value of the Basket, please see the section entitled “Description of ARNs—Basket Market Measures” beginning on page PS-25 of product supplement STOCK ARN-1.

 

If February 13, 2019 were the pricing date, for each Basket Stock, the Initial Component Weight, the Closing Market Price, the hypothetical Component Ratio and the initial contribution to the Basket value would be as follows:

 

Basket
Stock

 

Bloomberg
Symbol

 

Initial
Component
Weight

 

Closing
Market
Price
(1)(2)

 

Hypothetical  Component
Ratio
((1)(3)

 

Initial Basket
Value
Contribution

Citigroup Inc.

 

C

 

33.30%

 

63.04

 

0.52823604

 

33.30

KeyCorp

 

KEY

 

33.40%

 

17.18

 

1.94412107

 

33.40

Wells Fargo & Company

 

WFC

 

33.30%

 

49.02

 

0.67931457

 

33.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting Value

 

100.00

 

(1)       The actual Closing Market Price of each Basket Stock and the resulting actual Component Ratios will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth in the final term sheet that will be made available in connection with sales of the notes.

(2)       These were the Closing Market Prices of the Basket Stocks on February 13, 2019.

(3)       Each hypothetical Component Ratio equals the Initial Component Weight of the relevant Basket Stock (as a percentage) multiplied by 100, and then divided by the Closing Market Price of that Basket Stock on February 13, 2019 and rounded to eight decimal places.

 

The calculation agent will calculate the Ending Value of the Basket by summing the products of the Closing Market Price for each Basket Stock (multiplied by its Price Multiplier) on the calculation day and the Component Ratio applicable to that Basket Stock. The Price Multiplier for each Basket Stock will initially be 1, and is subject to adjustment as described in product supplement STOCK ARN-1. If a Market Disruption Event occurs as to any Basket Stock on the scheduled calculation day, the Closing Market Price of that Basket Stock will be determined as more fully described in the section entitled “Description of ARNs–Basket Market Measures—Ending Value of the Basket” beginning on page PS-26 of product supplement STOCK ARN-1.

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-8

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

While actual historical information on the Basket will not exist before the pricing date, the following graph sets forth the hypothetical historical daily performance of the Basket from January 1, 2008 through February 13, 2019. The graph is based upon actual daily historical prices of the Basket Stocks, hypothetical Component Ratios based on the closing prices of the Basket Stocks as of December 31, 2007, and a Basket value of 100.00 as of that date. This hypothetical historical data on the Basket is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Basket or what the value of the notes may be. Any hypothetical historical upward or downward trend in the value of the Basket during any period set forth below is not an indication that the value of the Basket is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

 

 

Hypothetical Performance of the Basket

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-9

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

The Basket Stocks

 

We have derived the following information from publicly available documents. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the following information.

 

Because each Basket Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each 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 Companies can be located at the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549 or through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov by reference to the applicable CIK number set forth below.

 

This term sheet relates only to the notes and does not relate to any securities of the Underlying Companies. Neither we nor any of our affiliates have participated or will participate in the preparation of the Underlying Companies’ publicly available documents. Neither we nor any of our affiliates have made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Underlying Companies in connection with the offering of the notes. None of us, MLPF&S or any of our affiliates makes any representation that the publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the Underlying Companies 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 Basket Stocks, 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 Companies could affect the value of the Basket Stocks and therefore could affect your return on the notes. Information from outside sources is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this term sheet or any accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement or product supplement. The selection of the Basket Stocks is not a recommendation to buy or sell shares of the Basket Stocks.

 

The tables set forth below show the quarterly high and low Closing Market Prices of the shares of the Basket Stocks on their primary exchange from the first quarter of 2008 through February 13, 2019.  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. These historical trading prices may have been adjusted to reflect certain corporate actions such as stock splits and reverse stock splits.

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-10

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

Citigroup Inc.

Citigroup Inc. is a financial services holding company that provides a range of financial services to consumer and corporate customers around the world. The company’s services include investment banking, retail brokerage, corporate banking, and cash management products and services. This Basket Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “C.” The company’s CIK number is 831001.

 

High ($)

Low ($)

2008

 

 

                   First Quarter

296.90

186.20

                   Second Quarter

268.10

167.60

                   Third Quarter

211.20

140.30

                   Fourth Quarter

230.00

37.70

2009

 

 

                   First Quarter

74.60

10.20

                   Second Quarter

40.20

26.80

                   Third Quarter

52.30

25.90

                   Fourth Quarter

50.00

32.00

2010

 

 

                   First Quarter

43.10

31.50

                   Second Quarter

49.70

36.30

                   Third Quarter

43.00

36.60

                   Fourth Quarter

48.10

39.50

2011

 

 

                   First Quarter

51.30

43.90

                   Second Quarter

46.00

36.81

                   Third Quarter

42.88

23.96

                   Fourth Quarter

34.17

23.11

2012

 

 

                   First Quarter

38.08

28.17

                   Second Quarter

36.87

24.82

                   Third Quarter

34.79

25.24

                   Fourth Quarter

40.17

32.75

2013

 

 

                   First Quarter

47.60

41.15

                   Second Quarter

53.27

42.50

                   Third Quarter

53.00

47.67

                   Fourth Quarter

53.29

47.67

2014

 

 

                   First Quarter

55.20

46.34

                   Second Quarter

49.58

45.68

                   Third Quarter

53.66

46.90

                   Fourth Quarter

56.37

49.68

2015

 

 

                   First Quarter

54.26

46.95

                   Second Quarter

57.39

51.52

                   Third Quarter

60.34

49.00

                   Fourth Quarter

55.87

49.88

2016

 

 

                   First Quarter

51.13

34.98

                   Second Quarter

47.33

38.48

                   Third Quarter

47.90

40.78

                   Fourth Quarter

61.09

47.03

2017

 

 

                   First Quarter

61.55

55.68

                   Second Quarter

66.98

57.72

                   Third Quarter

72.74

65.95

                   Fourth Quarter

77.10

71.33

2018

 

 

                   First Quarter

80.08

67.50

                   Second Quarter

72.86

65.46

                   Third Quarter

74.79

66.06

                   Fourth Quarter

72.62

49.26

2019

 

 

                   First Quarter (through February 13, 2019)

64.46

52.56

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-11

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

KeyCorp

 

KeyCorp is a financial services holding company.  The company provides a range of retail and commercial banking, commercial leasing, investment management, consumer finance and investment banking products and services to individual, corporate and institutional clients. This Basket Stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “KEY.” The company’s CIK number is 91576.

 

 

High ($)

Low ($)

2008

 

 

                   First Quarter

26.42

20.50

                   Second Quarter

25.61

10.98

                   Third Quarter

14.88

8.37

                   Fourth Quarter

13.73

6.27

2009

 

 

                   First Quarter

9.14

5.36

                   Second Quarter

9.23

4.60

                   Third Quarter

7.02

4.82

                   Fourth Quarter

6.68

5.32

2010

 

 

                   First Quarter

7.93

5.94

                   Second Quarter

9.19

7.47

                   Third Quarter

8.91

7.22

                   Fourth Quarter

8.85

7.53

2011

 

 

                   First Quarter

9.71

8.40

                   Second Quarter

8.98

7.93

                   Third Quarter

8.44

5.71

                   Fourth Quarter

7.78

5.72

2012

 

 

                   First Quarter

8.69

7.62

                   Second Quarter

8.48

6.89

                   Third Quarter

9.04

7.56

                   Fourth Quarter

8.90

7.90

2013

 

 

                   First Quarter

10.15

8.78

                   Second Quarter

11.08

9.33

                   Third Quarter

12.59

11.24

                   Fourth Quarter

13.46

11.30

2014

 

 

                   First Quarter

14.43

12.31

                   Second Quarter

14.49

13.11

                   Third Quarter

14.51

12.99

                   Fourth Quarter

14.10

12.14

2015

 

 

                   First Quarter

14.65

12.16

                   Second Quarter

15.65

14.06

                   Third Quarter

15.33

12.67

                   Fourth Quarter

13.90

12.42

2016

 

 

                   First Quarter

12.96

10.00

                   Second Quarter

12.96

10.29

                   Third Quarter

12.62

10.68

                   Fourth Quarter

18.54

12.15

2017

 

 

                   First Quarter

19.36

16.90

                   Second Quarter

18.90

17.00

                   Third Quarter

19.37

16.47

                   Fourth Quarter

20.44

17.64

2018

 

 

                   First Quarter

22.15

19.04

                   Second Quarter

20.67

18.87

                   Third Quarter

21.74

19.56

                   Fourth Quarter

20.52

13.82

2019

 

 

                   First Quarter (through February 13, 2019)

17.23

15.02

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-12

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

Wells Fargo & Company

 

Wells Fargo & Company is a financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, leasing, credit cards, and consumer finance.  The company operates through physical stores, the Internet and other distribution channels across North America and elsewhere internationally. This Basket Stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “WFC.” The company’s CIK number is 72971.

 

 

High ($)

Low ($)

2008

 

 

                   First Quarter

34.01

25.48

                   Second Quarter

31.49

23.75

                   Third Quarter

39.80

20.51

                   Fourth Quarter

36.70

21.76

2009

 

 

                   First Quarter

30.00

8.12

                   Second Quarter

28.18

14.48

                   Third Quarter

29.41

22.87

                   Fourth Quarter

31.38

25.32

2010

 

 

                   First Quarter

31.22

26.43

                   Second Quarter

33.88

25.60

                   Third Quarter

28.57

23.25

                   Fourth Quarter

31.31

23.59

2011

 

 

                   First Quarter

34.10

31.20

                   Second Quarter

32.40

25.36

                   Third Quarter

29.38

22.88

                   Fourth Quarter

27.80

23.18

2012

 

 

                   First Quarter

34.47

28.43

                   Second Quarter

34.51

30.05

                   Third Quarter

36.13

32.85

                   Fourth Quarter

35.97

31.43

2013

 

 

                   First Quarter

38.20

34.66

                   Second Quarter

41.56

36.27

                   Third Quarter

44.63

41.08

                   Fourth Quarter

45.54

40.24

2014

 

 

                   First Quarter

49.74

44.23

                   Second Quarter

52.98

47.71

                   Third Quarter

53.36

49.70

                   Fourth Quarter

55.71

47.85

2015

 

 

                   First Quarter

56.17

50.72

                   Second Quarter

57.91

53.94

                   Third Quarter

58.52

50.02

                   Fourth Quarter

55.97

51.26

2016

 

 

                   First Quarter

52.91

45.16

                   Second Quarter

51.11

45.01

                   Third Quarter

50.80

44.28

                   Fourth Quarter

57.29

43.75

2017

 

 

                   First Quarter

59.73

53.78

                   Second Quarter

55.78

51.14

                   Third Quarter

55.78

49.58

                   Fourth Quarter

61.61

53.19

2018

 

 

                   First Quarter

65.93

50.98

                   Second Quarter

56.18

50.39

                   Third Quarter

59.19

52.56

                   Fourth Quarter

54.46

43.60

2019

 

 

                   First Quarter (through February 13, 2019)

50.13

46.57

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-13

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

Supplement to the Plan of Distribution

 

Under our distribution agreement with MLPF&S, MLPF&S will purchase the notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount.

 

The current business of MLPF&S is being reorganized into two affiliated broker-dealers: MLPF&S and a new broker-dealer, BofAML Securities, Inc. (“BofAMLS”). BofAMLS will be the new legal entity for the institutional services that are now provided by MLPF&S. MLPF&S will be assigning its rights and obligations as agent for the notes under our distribution agreement to BofAMLS effective on the “Transfer Date”. Accordingly, if the pricing date of the notes occurs on or after the Transfer Date, BofAMLS will be responsible for the pricing of the notes. If the settlement date of the notes occurs on or after the Transfer Date, BofAMLS will, subject to the terms and conditions of the distribution agreement, purchase the notes from us as principal on the settlement date. MLPF&S will in turn purchase the notes from BofAMLS for resale, and it will receive a selling concession in connection with the sale of the notes in an amount up to the full amount of underwriting discount set forth on the cover of this term sheet.

 

We may deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than two business days following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the notes occurs more than two business days from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than two business days prior to the original issue 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 acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.

 

MLPF&S 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’s trading commissions and mark-ups. MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions; however, it is not obligated to engage in any such transactions. At MLPF&S’s discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the notes, MLPF&S may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the notes. Any price offered by MLPF&S for the notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Basket and the remaining term of the notes. However, none of us, MLPF&S, or any of our respective affiliates is obligated to purchase your notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that we, MLPF&S or any of our respective affiliates will purchase your notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the notes.

 

The value of the notes shown on your account statement will be based on MLPF&S’s estimate of the value of the notes if MLPF&S 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 MLPF&S 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 the initial estimated value of the notes.

 

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 CIBC 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 (“IRAs”), simplified employee pension plans (“SEPs”), savings incentive match plan for employees (“SIMPLEs”), 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 Lynch financial advisor if you have any questions about the application of these provisions to your specific circumstances or think you are eligible.

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-14

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

Structuring the Notes

 

The notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Basket. 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. The internal funding rate we use in pricing the market-linked notes is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed-rate debt securities of comparable maturity. This difference 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. This generally relatively lower internal funding rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the notes, along with the fees and charges associated with market-linked notes, typically results in the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date being less than their public offering price.

 

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 Basket 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 MLPF&S or one of its affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined by seeking bids from market participants, including MLPF&S and its affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Basket Stocks, the tenor of the notes and the tenor of the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.

 

MLPF&S has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include a hedging related charge of approximately $0.075 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit to be credited to MLPF&S 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 MLPF&S or any third party hedge providers.

 

For further information, see “Risk Factors—General Risks Relating to ARNs” beginning on page PS-6 and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page PS-15 of product supplement STOCK ARN-1.

 

MLPF&S Reorganization

 

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

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-15

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

The following discussion is a brief summary of the material U.S. federal income consequences relating to an investment in the notes.  The following summary is not complete and is both qualified and supplemented by, or in some cases supplements, the discussion entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page PS-34 of product supplement STOCK ARN-1, which you should carefully review prior to investing in the notes.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-16

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to a Basket of Three Financial Sector Stocks, due May  , 2020

 

Where You Can Find More Information

 

We have filed a registration statement (including a product supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this term sheet relates. Before you invest, you should read the 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 toll-free at 1-800-294-1322.

 

Market-Linked Investments Classification

 

 

MLPF&S classifies certain market-linked investments (the “Market-Linked Investments”) into categories, each with different investment characteristics. The following description is meant solely for informational purposes and is not intended to represent any particular Enhanced Return Market-Linked Investment or guarantee any performance.

 

Enhanced Return Market-Linked Investments are short- to medium-term investments that offer you a way to enhance exposure to a particular market view without taking on a similarly enhanced level of market downside risk. They can be especially effective in a flat to moderately positive market (or, in the case of bearish investments, a flat to moderately negative market). In exchange for the potential to receive better-than market returns on the linked asset, you must generally accept market downside risk and capped upside potential. As these investments are not market downside protected, and do not assure full repayment of principal at maturity, you need to be prepared for the possibility that you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

“Accelerated Return Notes®” and “ARNs®” are registered service marks of Bank of America Corporation, the parent company of MLPF&S.

 

Accelerated Return Notes®

TS-17