FWP 1 a19-5732_37fwp.htm FWP

 

 

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Term Sheet dated

April 1, 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 EQUITY INDICES ARN-1 dated March 30, 2017)

 

 

Units

$10 principal amount per unit
CUSIP No.   


Pricing Date*
Settlement Date*
Maturity Date*


April  , 2019
May  , 2019
June  , 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 the JPX-Nikkei Index 400

§                Maturity of approximately 14 months

§                3-to-1 upside exposure to increases in the Index, subject to a capped return of [17% to 21%]

§                1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Index, 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 EQUITY INDICES ARN-1.

 

The initial estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date is expected to be between $9.487 and $9.719 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-12 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.

 

April     , 2019

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 2020

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

The Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 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 in 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 JPX-Nikkei Index 400 (the “Index”), is greater than the 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 Index, 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-12.

 

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:

The JPX-Nikkei Index 400 (Bloomberg symbol: “JPNK400”), a price return index

Starting Value:

The closing level of the Market Measure on the pricing date

Ending Value:

The average of the closing levels of the Market Measure on each calculation day occurring during the Maturity Valuation Period. The scheduled calculation days are subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-17 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1.

Participation Rate:

300%

Capped Value:

[$11.70 to $12.10] per unit, which represents a return of [17% to 21%] over the principal amount. The actual Capped Value will be determined on the pricing date.

Maturity Valuation Period:

Five scheduled calculation days shortly before the maturity date

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-12.

Calculation Agent:

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

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 

TS-2

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 2020

 

 

 

 

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

 

§                   Product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1 dated March 30, 2017:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045520/000110465917020283/a17-7416_11424b5.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 EQUITY INDICES 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 Index will increase moderately from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.

§                  You are willing to risk a loss of principal and return if the Index 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 stocks included in the Index.

§                  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 Index 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 stocks included in the Index.

§                  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 the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 2020

 

 

 

 

Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments at Maturity

 

The graph below 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 $11.90 per unit (the midpoint of the Capped Value range of [$11.70 to $12.10]). The green line reflects the returns on the notes, while the dotted gray line reflects the returns of a direct investment in the stocks included in the Index, 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 a hypothetical Starting Value of 100, the Participation Rate of 300%, a hypothetical Capped Value of $11.90 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 Starting Value, Ending Value, 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 actual levels of the Market Measure, see “The Index” section below. The Index is a price return index and as such the Ending Value will not include any income generated by dividends paid on the stocks included in the Index, 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%

106.34

 

6.34%

 

   $11.90(2)

 

19.00%

110.00

 

10.00%

 

 $11.90

 

19.00%

120.00

 

20.00%

 

 $11.90

 

19.00%

130.00

 

30.00%

 

 $11.90

 

19.00%

140.00

 

40.00%

 

 $11.90

 

19.00%

150.00

 

50.00%

 

 $11.90

 

19.00%

160.00

 

60.00%

 

 $11.90

 

19.00%

 

(1)      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 for the Market Measure.

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

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 

TS-4

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 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 $11.90 per unit

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 

TS-5

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 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 EQUITY INDICES 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 Index 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 stocks included in the Index.

 

§                  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-12, 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.

 

§                  Your return on the notes may be affected by factors affecting the international securities markets, specifically changes in Japan. In addition, you will not obtain the benefit of any increase in the value of the yen against the U.S. dollar which you would have received if you had owned the securities in the Index during the term of your notes, although the level of the Index may be adversely affected by general exchange rate movements in the market.

 

§                  Our business, hedging, and trading activities, and those of MLPF&S and our respective affiliates (including trades in shares of companies included in the Index), 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.

 

§                  The Index sponsor may adjust the Index in a way that affects its level, and has no obligation to consider your interests.

 

§                  You will have no rights of a holder of the securities represented by the Index, and you will not be entitled to receive securities or dividends or other distributions by the issuers of those securities.

 

§                  While we, MLPF&S or our respective affiliates may from time to time own securities of companies included in the Index, we, MLPF&S and our respective affiliates do not control any company included in the Index, and have not verified any disclosure made by any other company.

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 

TS-6

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 2020

 

 

 

 

§                  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.

 

§                  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-29 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES 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

 

There are uncertainties regarding the Index because of its limited performance history. The Index was first published in January 2014. Accordingly, there is limited trading history available for the Index upon which you can evaluate its prior performance, and it may perform in unexpected ways.  Because the Index’s past historical performance is limited, your investment in the notes may involve a greater risk than investing in securities linked to one or more indices with an established record of performance. A longer history of actual performance may be helpful in providing more reliable information on which to assess the validity of the methodology that the Index uses to select its components, as described below under “The Index”. The historical levels of the Index should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to its closing level on any given date.

 

There is no assurance that the investment view implicit in the Index will be successful. The Index constituents will be selected from time to time during the term of the notes in the manner described in “The Index.”  The criteria used for selecting the Index stocks may not result in stocks that outperform Japanese stocks generally, or the stocks that may be included in other indices that track Japanese securities markets. Although the Index stocks may satisfy the quantitative and qualitative criteria of the Index at the time they are selected, there can be no assurance that they will continue to do so thereafter, which may reduce the level of the Index. There can be no assurance that the future performance of the Index will result in your receiving an amount greater than or equal to the principal amount of your notes.  The performance of the Index may be worse than the performance of the equity markets generally, and worse than the performance of specific sectors of the equity markets (including Japanese equities in particular), or other securities in which you may choose to invest.

 

 

Other Terms of the Notes

 

The following definition shall supersede and replace the definition of a “Market Measure Business Day” set forth in product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1.

 

Market Measure Business Day

 

A “Market Measure Business Day” means a day on which:

 

(A) the Tokyo Stock Exchange (or any successor) is open for trading; and

 

(B) the Index or any successor thereto is calculated and published.

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 

TS-7

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 2020

 

 

 

 

The Index

 

All disclosures contained in this term sheet regarding the Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have been derived from publicly available sources without independent verification. This information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by Japan Exchange Group, Inc. (“JPX”), Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc. (“TSE,” and together with JPX, the “JPX Group”) and Nikkei Inc. (the “Nikkei,” and together with the JPX Group, the “Index sponsor”). The Index was developed by the Index sponsor and is calculated, maintained and published by the Index sponsor. The Index sponsor has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Index. The consequences of the Index sponsor discontinuing publication of the Index are discussed in the section entitled “Description of ARNs-Discontinuance of an Index” on page PS-19 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES ARN-1. None of us, the calculation agent, or MLPF&S accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Index or any successor index.

 

The Index is reported by Bloomberg L.P. under the ticker symbol “JPNK400.”

 

The Index is composed of stocks listed on the TSE’s First Section (large companies), Second Section (mid-size companies), Mothers (Market Of The High-growth and Emerging Stocks – for start-ups) and JASDAQ market.  Stocks included in the Index are selected based on market capitalization, trading value, return on equity, and other factors, as described in more detail below.  The Index was first calculated and published on January 6, 2014.  The inception value of the Index was 10,000 on August 30, 2013. The Index is calculated every one second during the trading hours of the TSE.

 

Additional information relating to the composition and calculation of the Index is available on the Index sponsor’s website:  http://www.jpx.co.jp/english/markets/indices/jpx-nikkei400/. However, information included in that website shall not be deemed to be included or incorporated by reference in this document.

 

Index Composition and Maintenance

 

The index components are reviewed annually based on the selection criteria applied as of the final business day of June (the “base selection date”). The calculation of the Index using the new constituents will begin at the final Business Day of August.  The selection process and criteria are as follows:

 

(1)  1,000 stocks are selected based on their trading value over the past three years and their market value on the base selection date.  Stocks are excluded from selection if they fall under any of the following criteria:

 

o                 the stock has been listed for less than three years;

 

o                 the company’s liabilities have been in excess of its assets during any of the past three fiscal years;

 

o                 the company has had an operating loss in each of the past three fiscal years;

 

o                 the company has had a net loss in each of the past three fiscal years;

 

o                 the company’s financials have disclosed doubt regarding its ability to continue as a going concern;

 

o                 there has been disclosure of insufficient financial controls;

 

o                 the stock has been designated as a security to be delisted or security on alert; or

 

o                 certain listing violations have occurred over the past year.

 

(2)  Each stock is scored by (a) three-year average return on equity (“ROE”) (weighted 40%), (b) three-year cumulative operating profit (weighted 40%) and (c) market capitalization on the base selection date (weighted 20%), determined as follows:

 

Three-year average return on equity is calculated as follows:

 

 

Three-year cumulative operating profit is the sum of reported operating profit over the past three years.

 

The market capitalization of a stock is calculated based on the number of listed shares multiplied by its closing share price as of the annual base selection date.

 

(3)  400 stocks are selected by the final ranking with the scores calculated above in (2) and qualitative factors from the perspectives of corporate governance and disclosure.  These factors are applied as of the base selection date and include the appointment of at least two independent outside directors, releasing the most recent earnings report according to international financial reporting standards and the release of English language earnings information via Timely Disclosure Network (TDnet).  The final score for each stock equals the sum of the score calculated above in (2) plus the score from the qualitative factors.  Stocks are ranked from highest to lowest based on

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 

TS-8

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 2020

 

 

 

 

their final scores, with the exception that stocks with negative three-year average ROE and most recent ROE are negative or that have negative three-year cumulative operating profit are moved to the bottom of the ranking.  In the event of a tie in final scores, the stock with the higher market capitalization is ranked higher.

 

Index Calculation

 

The Index is calculated using free-float adjusted market value weighting and is calculated to two decimal places.  The level of the Index equals the current total free-float adjusted market value divided by the base market value.  The market value is the sum of the number of shares of each constituent stock multiplied by its stock price.  The base market value is adjusted to maintain continuity in the Index when the market value of constituents changes for non-market reasons.  The weight of each index component is capped at 1.5% of the Index, and if any component exceeds that weight, it is adjusted downwards at the time of the annual review. In case of delisting of the components due to a merger, bankruptcy, or other corporate event, new stocks are not added until the next annual review.

 

The free-float adjustment market value is determined by excluding the estimated number of listed shares that are deemed not to be available for trading in the market, using publicly available documents. Among the shares that are not treated as available are, among others, shares held by specified types of major shareholders, and shares held by board members and other representatives. The free-float weights are reviewed annually for each index component, with the announcement and effective date for each index component occurring on a quarterly basis, depending upon the relevant company’s earnings release schedule. In addition to this annual review, the Index sponsor may also adjust a company’s free-float weight to reflect extraordinary events.

 

The index components can be updated from time to time to reflect, for example, the establishment of a new company as a result of a corporate consolidation, or the delisting of a company.  A variety of corporate events will result in the change of the number of shares used to calculate the Index, including securities offerings, exercises of warrants and share dividends.

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 

TS-9

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 2020

 

 

 

 

The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the Index in the period from January 6, 2014 through March 26, 2019. The Index was first published on January 6, 2014 and, accordingly, only limited historical information exists with respect to it. 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 March 26, 2019, the closing level of the Index was 14,385.63.

 

Historical Performance of the Index

 

 

This historical data on the Index is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Index or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the Index during any period set forth above is not an indication that the level of the Index is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

 

Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the levels of the Index.

 

License Agreement

 

We expect to enter into an agreement with the Index sponsor providing us with a non-exclusive license with the right to use the Index in exchange for a fee.  The Index is the intellectual property of the Index sponsor.

 

The Index is a copyrighted material using a methodology independently developed and created by the Index sponsor, and the Index sponsor owns the copyrights and other intellectual property rights subsisting in the Index itself and the methodology used to calculate the Index. Ownership of trademarks and any other intellectual property rights with respect to the marks to indicate the Index belong to the Index sponsor. The notes are arranged, managed and sold exclusively at the risk of CIBC, and the Index sponsor does not guarantee the notes and shall assume no obligation or responsibility with respect to the notes.

 

The Index sponsor shall not be obligated to continuously publish the Index and shall not be liable for any errors, delays, or suspensions of the publication of the Index. The Index sponsor shall have the right to change the composition of the stocks included in the Index, the calculation methodology of the Index or any other details of the Index and shall have the right to discontinue the publication of the Index at any time.

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 

TS-10

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 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, BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”). BofAS 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 BofAS effective on the “Transfer Date”. Accordingly, if the pricing date of the notes occurs on or after the Transfer Date, BofAS will be responsible for the pricing of the notes. If the settlement date of the notes occurs on or after the Transfer Date, BofAS 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 BofAS 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 Index 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-11

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 2020

 

 

 

 

Structuring the Notes

 

The notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Index.  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 Index 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 Index, 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 EQUITY INDICES 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, BofAS 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 BofAS. 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 BofAS to the extent these services are to be performed on or after the Transfer Date.

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 

TS-12

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 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-29 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES 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-13

 

 

Accelerated Return Notes® 
Linked to the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, due June  , 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-14