424B2 1 d339354d424b2.htm PRICING SUPPLEMENT Pricing Supplement

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount

to be

Registered

 

Proposed
Maximum

Offering

Price Per

Unit

  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
  Amount of
Registration
Fee(1)

Fixed to Floating Rate Notes with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016

  120,000   $1,000.00   $120,000,000   $13,752

 

 

(1) Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933.


Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration No. 333-180488

 

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The Fixed to Floating Rate Notes with a Minimum Coupon (the “notes”) are being offered by Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”). The notes will have the terms specified in this term sheet as supplemented by the documents indicated below under “Additional Terms” (together, the “Note Prospectus”). Investing in the notes involves a number of risks. There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-3 of this term sheet and beginning on page S-5 of the MTN prospectus supplement identified below under “Additional Terms.” The notes:

 

        Are Not FDIC Insured    Are Not Bank Guaranteed    May Lose Value        

In connection with this offering, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) is acting in its capacity as principal for your account.

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Note Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

    

Per Unit

      

Total

        

Public offering price (1)

     $1,000.00           $120,000,000        

Underwriting commission

     $10.00           $1,200,000        

Proceeds, before expenses, to Bank of America Corporation

     $990.00           $118,800,000        

 

  (1) 

Plus accrued interest from the scheduled settlement date, if settlement occurs after that date.

 

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

 

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  April 20, 2012   

 

120,000 Units Pricing Date April 20, 2012 Fixed to Floating Rate Notes with a Minimum Coupon, Settlement Date April 27, 2012 due April 27, 2016 Maturity Date April 27, 2016 $1,000 principal amount per unit CUSIP No. 06048WLP3 Term Sheet No. 916 Fixed to Floating Rate Notes with a Minimum Coupon Interest payable quarterly, beginning on July 27, 2012 The notes have a maturity of four years The notes will accrue interest at the following rates: From the settlement date to, but excluding, April 27, 2013: at a fixed rate of 5.10% per annum. From April 27, 2013 to, but excluding, the maturity date: at a floating rate equal to 3-month LIBOR plus 1.50%. The interest rate during this period will not be less than 1.50% per annum. Payment of principal plus any accrued and unpaid interest at maturity Payments on the notes are subject to the credit risk of Bank of America Corporation No listing on any securities exchange Market Downside Protection


Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016

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Summary

The Fixed to Floating Rate Notes with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016 (the “notes”), are our senior debt securities and are not secured by collateral. The notes will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding, and any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of BAC. The notes are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of a bank. The notes are not guaranteed by Bank of America, N.A. or any other bank and not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

From the settlement date to, but excluding, April 27, 2013, the notes will bear interest at the fixed rate of 5.10% per annum. From April 27, 2013 to, but excluding, the maturity date, the notes will bear interest at a floating rate equal to 3-month LIBOR (the “Reference Rate”) plus 1.50% (the “Spread”). During the floating rate period, the interest rate payable on the notes will not be less than 1.50% per annum (the “Minimum Coupon”).

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in the MTN prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to BAC.

Terms of the Notes

 

Issuer:

 

 

Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”)

 

Original Offering Price:  

 

 

$1,000.00 per unit

 

Term:

 

 

Four years

 

Payment at Maturity:

 

 

At maturity, you will receive for each unit of your notes a cash payment of $1,000 plus any accrued and unpaid interest, subject to our credit risk. See “Risk Factors—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” on page TS-3 of this term sheet.

 

Interest Periods:

 

 

Quarterly. Each interest period (other than the first interest period, which will begin on the settlement date) will begin on, and will include, an interest payment date, and will extend to, but will exclude, the next succeeding interest payment date (or the maturity date, as applicable).

 

Interest Payment Dates:

 

 

January 27, April 27, July 27, and October 27 of each year, beginning on July 27, 2012, with the final interest payment due on the maturity date, subject to postponement as described in the section entitled “Other Terms of the Notes—Interest” beginning on page TS-5 of this term sheet.

 

Interest Rate:  

Fixed Rate Period. From the settlement date to, but excluding, April 27, 2013, the notes will bear interest at a fixed of 5.10% per annum.

 

Floating Rate Period. From April 27, 2013 to, but excluding, the maturity date (the “Floating Rate Period”), the notes will bear interest at a floating rate equal to the Reference Rate plus the Spread. The minimum rate of interest payable on the notes during the Floating Rate Period will be the Minimum Coupon.

 

For additional information as to the calculation of interest during the Floating Rate Period, see “Description of Debt Securities—Floating-Rate Notes” beginning on page 15 of the prospectus.

 

Spread:

 

 

1.50%

 

Minimum Coupon:

 

 

1.50% per annum

 

Reference Rate:   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR that appears on Reuters page LIBOR01, or any page substituted for that page, as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on the applicable London Banking Day (as defined below), as determined by the calculation agent in the manner described in the section entitled “Other Terms of the Notes—Interest” on page TS-5 of this term sheet. The Reference Rate is more fully described beginning on page TS-7.

Day Count Fraction:

 

  30/360

Listing:

 

 

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.

 

Calculation Agent:

 

 

Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc. (“MLCS”), a subsidiary of BAC

 

Fees Charged:  

The public offering price of the notes includes the underwriting commission of $10.00 per unit as listed on the cover page and an additional charge of $7.50 per unit as more fully described on page TS-6.

 

 

 

Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

 

 

TS-2


Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016

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Risk Factors

Your investment in the notes entails significant risks, many of which differ from those of 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 S-5 of the MTN prospectus supplement identified below under “Additional Terms.” We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

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.

The notes are our senior unsecured debt securities. As a result, your receipt of each payment of interest and the principal amount at maturity is dependent upon our ability to repay our obligations on the applicable interest payment date and the maturity date. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition will be on any payment date. If we default upon our financial obligations, you may not receive any payments due on the notes.

Our credit ratings are an assessment by ratings agencies of our ability to pay our obligations. Consequently, our perceived creditworthiness and actual or anticipated decreases in our credit ratings or increases in our credit spreads prior to the maturity date may adversely affect the market value of the notes. However, because your return on the notes depends upon factors in addition to our ability to pay our obligations, such as the level of the Reference Rate during the Floating Rate Period, an improvement in our credit ratings will not reduce the other investment risks related to the notes.

We have included in the terms of the notes the costs of developing, hedging, and distributing them, and the price, if any, at which you may sell the notes in any secondary market transaction will likely be less than the public offering price due to, among other things, the inclusion of these costs.

In determining the economic terms of notes, and consequently the potential return on notes to you, a number of factors are taken into account. Among these factors are certain costs associated with developing, hedging, and offering the notes. In addition to the underwriting commission, the applicable public offering price may include a hedging related charge, which reflects an estimated profit earned by one of our affiliates from the hedging related transactions associated with the notes, as described on page TS-6. In entering into the hedging arrangements for the notes, we seek competitive terms and may enter into hedging transactions with one of our affiliates. All of these charges related to the notes reduce the economic terms of the notes.

Assuming there is no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which MLPF&S or another purchaser might be willing to purchase your notes in a secondary market transaction is expected to be less than the applicable public offering price due to, among other things, the inclusion of these costs and the costs of unwinding any related hedging.

The quoted price of any of our affiliates for the notes could be higher or less than the applicable public offering price.

A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. MLPF&S is not obligated to make a market for, or to repurchase, the notes.

We will not list the notes on any securities exchange. We cannot predict how the notes will trade in any secondary market or whether that market will be liquid or illiquid.

The development of a trading market for the notes will depend on our financial performance and other factors. The number of potential buyers of your notes in any secondary market may be limited. We anticipate that MLPF&S will act as a market-maker for the notes, but it is not required to do so. MLPF&S may discontinue its market-making activities as to the notes at any time. To the extent that MLPF&S engages in any market-making activities, it may bid for or offer the notes. Any price at which MLPF&S may bid for, offer, purchase, or sell any notes may differ from the values determined by pricing models that it may use, whether as a result of dealer discounts, mark-ups, or other transaction costs. These bids, offers, or completed transactions may affect the prices, if any, at which the notes might otherwise trade in the market.

In addition, if at any time MLPF&S were to cease acting as a market-maker for the notes, it is likely that there would be significantly less liquidity in the secondary market. In such a case, the price at which the notes could be sold likely would be less than if an active market existed.

If you attempt to sell the notes prior to maturity, their market value, if any, will be affected by various factors that interrelate in complex ways, and their market value may be less than the principal amount of the notes.

Unlike savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and other similar investment products, you have no right to have your notes redeemed prior to maturity. If you wish to liquidate your investment in the notes prior to maturity, your only option would be to sell them. At that time, there may be an illiquid market for your notes or no market at all. Even if you were able to sell your notes, there are many factors outside of our control that may affect their market value, some of which, but not all, are stated below. Some of these factors are interrelated in complex ways. As a result, the effect of any one factor may be offset or magnified by the effect of another factor. The following paragraphs describe the expected impact on the market value of the notes from a change in a specific factor, assuming all other conditions remain constant.

 

  §  

Changes in Interest Rates. Changes in prevailing interest rates may adversely impact the market value of the notes. However, as the levels of prevailing interest rates increase or decrease, the market value of the notes is not expected to increase or decrease at the same rate.

 

  §  

Volatility of Market Interest Rates. Volatility is the term used to describe the size and frequency of market fluctuations. An unsettled international environment and related uncertainties may result in greater interest rate volatility, which may continue over the term of the notes. Increases or decreases in the volatility of market interest rates have an adverse impact on the market value of the notes.

 

  §  

Economic and Other Conditions Generally. The general economic conditions of the capital markets in the U.S. and globally, as well as geopolitical conditions and other financial, political, regulatory, and judicial events that affect the capital markets generally, may affect the value of the notes.

 

  §  

Our Financial Condition and Creditworthiness. Our perceived creditworthiness, including any increases in our credit spreads and any actual or anticipated decreases in our credit ratings, may adversely affect the market value of the notes. In general, we expect the longer the amount of time that remains until maturity, the more significant the impact will be on the value of the notes. However, a decrease in our credit spreads or an improvement in our credit ratings will not necessarily increase the market value of the notes.

 

 

Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

 

 

TS-3


Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016

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  §  

Time to Maturity. There may be a disparity between the market value of the notes prior to maturity and their value at maturity. This disparity is often called a time “value,” “premium,” or “discount,” and reflects expectations concerning market interest rates prior to the maturity date. As the time to maturity decreases, this disparity will likely decrease, such that the value of the notes will approach the expected remaining payments on the notes.

Our hedging activities may affect the market value of the notes.

We, or one or more of our affiliates, including MLPF&S, may engage in hedging activities that may increase or decrease the market value of the notes prior to maturity. In addition, we or one or more of our affiliates, including MLPF&S, may purchase or otherwise acquire a long or short position in the notes. We or any of our affiliates, including MLPF&S, may hold or resell the notes. We cannot assure you that these activities will not affect the market value of the notes prior to maturity.

Our trading and hedging activities may create conflicts of interest with you.

We or one or more of our affiliates, including MLPF&S, may engage in trading activities that are not for your account or on your behalf. We expect to enter into arrangements to hedge the market risks associated with our obligation to pay the amounts due under the notes. We may seek competitive terms in entering into the hedging arrangements for the notes, but are not required to do so, and we may enter into such hedging arrangements with one of our subsidiaries or affiliates. This hedging activity is expected to result in a profit to those engaging in the hedging activity, which could be more or less than initially expected, but which could also result in a loss for the hedging counterparty. These trading and hedging activities may present a conflict of interest between your interest in the notes and the interests we and our affiliates may have in our and our affiliates’ proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions for our and our affiliates’ customers, and in accounts under our and our affiliates’ management. These trading and underwriting activities could affect secondary trading in the notes in a manner that would be adverse to your interests as a beneficial owner of the notes.

There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent.

Our subsidiary, MLCS, is the calculation agent for the notes and, as such, will determine the rate of interest on the notes for each interest period during the Floating Rate Period. Under some circumstances, these duties could result in a conflict of interest between MLCS’s status as our subsidiary and its responsibilities as calculation agent. These conflicts could occur, for instance, in connection with judgments that it would be required to make if the Reference Rate is unavailable on any interest determination period, as described beginning on page 18 of the prospectus. The calculation agent will be required to carry out its duties in good faith and using its reasonable judgment. However, because we expect to control the calculation agent, potential conflicts of interest could arise.

 

 

Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

 

 

TS-4


Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016

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Investor Considerations

 

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

 

§  

You anticipate that the sum of the interest payments on the notes will be sufficient to provide you with your desired return.

 

§  

You accept that, although you will be entitled to receive the principal amount of the notes at maturity, the interest rate applicable to each quarterly interest period of the notes during the Floating Rate Period above the Minimum Coupon is uncertain.

 

§  

You are willing to accept that a trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. You understand that secondary market prices for the notes, if any, will be affected by various factors, including our actual and perceived creditworthiness.

 

§  

You are willing to accept that all payments on the notes depend on our creditworthiness, as the issuer of the notes.

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

 

§  

You anticipate that the sum of the interest payments on the notes will not be sufficient to provide you with your desired return.

 

§  

You seek an investment with a fixed or guaranteed rate of return throughout the term of the notes.

 

§  

You seek assurances that there will be a liquid market if and when you want to sell the notes prior to maturity.

 

§  

You are unwilling or are unable to assume the credit risk associated with us, as the issuer of the notes.

 

 

Other Terms of the Notes

General

The notes are part of a series of medium-term notes entitled “Medium-Term Notes, Series L” issued under the Senior Indenture, as amended and supplemented from time to time. The Senior Indenture is more fully described in the prospectus supplement and prospectus identified below under “Additional Terms.” The following description of the notes supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the notes and debt securities set forth under the headings “Description of the Notes” in the prospectus supplement and “Description of Debt Securities” in the prospectus. These documents should be read in connection with this term sheet.

The notes will be issued in denominations of whole units. Each unit will have a principal amount of $1,000. You may transfer the notes only in whole units. The notes will mature on April 27, 2016.

Prior to maturity, the notes are not repayable at our option or your option. The notes are not subject to any sinking fund.

The notes will be issued in book-entry form only.

Interest

If any interest payment date, including the maturity date of the notes, falls on a day that is not a business day, no adjustment will be made to the length of the corresponding interest period; however, we will make the required payment on the next business day and no additional interest will accrue in respect of the payment made on the next business day.

The interest rate for each quarterly interest period during the Floating Rate Period will be reset on the first day of that interest period, which we refer to as the “interest reset date.” For each such interest period, the applicable rate of interest will be determined on the second London Banking Day preceding the applicable interest reset date (each, an “interest determination date”). The calculation agent will determine the applicable interest rate for each interest period in the Floating Rate Period. Once determined by the calculation agent, the applicable interest rate for each such quarterly interest period will apply from and including the interest reset date, through, but excluding, the next interest reset date (or maturity date, as applicable).

A “London Banking Day” is a day on which commercial banks are open for business in London, England.

A “business day” means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation, or executive order to close or a day on which transactions in U.S. dollars are not conducted.

For as long as the notes are held in book-entry only form, the record date for each payment of interest will be the business day prior to the payment date. If the notes are issued at any time in a form that is other than book-entry only, the regular record date for an interest payment date will be the 15th day of the calendar month preceding the interest payment date.

For additional information as to the calculation of interest on the notes, including the determination of the Reference Rate during the Floating Rate Period, see “Description of Debt Securities—Fixed-Rate Notes” and “—Floating-Rate Notes” beginning on page 15 of the prospectus.

Payment at Maturity

If the maturity date of the notes falls on a day that is not a business day, we will make the required payment on the next business day and no interest will accrue in respect of the payment made on the next business day.

A “business day” means any day other than a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation, or executive order to close or a day on which transactions in U.S. dollars are not conducted.

Role of the Calculation Agent

The calculation agent has the sole discretion to make all determinations regarding the notes, including determinations regarding the interest rate for each applicable interest period during the Floating Rate Period, the amount of each interest payment, London Banking Days, and business days. Absent manifest error, all determinations of the calculation agent will be final and binding on you and us, without any liability on the part of the calculation agent.

We have initially appointed our subsidiary, MLCS, as the calculation agent, but we may change the calculation agent at any time without notifying you.

 

 

Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

 

 

TS-5


Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016

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Events of Default and Rights of Acceleration

If an event of default (as defined in the Senior Indenture) occurs and is continuing, holders of the notes may accelerate the maturity of the notes, as described under “Description of Debt Securities—Events of Default and Rights of Acceleration” in the prospectus identified below under “Additional Terms.” Upon an event of default, you will be entitled to receive the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest through the payment date. In case of an event of default, the notes will not bear a default interest rate.

Supplement to the Plan of Distribution; Role of MLPF&S and Conflicts of Interest

We will deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than three business days following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than three 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.

MLPF&S, a broker-dealer subsidiary of BAC, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and will participate as selling agent in the distribution of the notes. Accordingly, offerings of the notes will conform to the requirements of Rule 5121 applicable to FINRA members. MLPF&S may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the account holder.

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, and will receive the indicated underwriting commission. The public offering price includes, in addition to the underwriting commission, a charge of approximately $7.50 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit earned by MLPF&S from transactions through which the notes are structured and resulting obligations hedged. Actual profits or losses from these hedging transactions may be more or less than this amount. In entering into the hedging arrangements for the notes, we seek competitive terms and may enter into hedging transactions with MLPF&S or another of our affiliates.

All charges related to the notes, including the underwriting commission and the hedging related costs and charges, reduce the economic terms of the notes. For further information regarding these charges, our trading and hedging activities and conflicts of interest, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-3 and “Use of Proceeds” on page 11 of the prospectus identified below under “Additional Terms.”

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. MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these transactions; however it is not obligated to engage in any such transactions.

 

 

Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

 

 

TS-6


Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016

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3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR

The Reference Rate, 3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR, will be determined based on Reuters page LIBOR01, or any page substituted for that page, as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on the applicable London Banking Day. For additional information as to the determination of the Reference Rate, see “Description of Debt Securities—Floating-Rate Notes—LIBOR Notes” on page 18 of the prospectus.

The following graph sets forth the monthly historical performance of the Reference Rate in the period from January 2007 through March 2012. Any historical upward or downward trend in the Reference Rate during any period set forth below is not an indication that the Reference Rate is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes. On the pricing date, the Reference Rate was 0.46565%.

 

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Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

 

 

TS-7


Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016

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U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary

The following summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the notes is based upon the advice of Morrison & Foerster LLP, our tax counsel. The following discussion supplements the discussions under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus and under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), regulations promulgated under the Code by the U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury”) (including proposed and temporary regulations), rulings, current administrative interpretations and official pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. This summary does not include any description of the tax laws of any state or local governments, or of any foreign government, that may be applicable to a particular holder.

This summary is directed solely to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders that, except as otherwise specifically noted, will purchase the notes upon original issuance and will hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, which generally means property held for investment, and that are not excluded from the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus. This summary assumes that the issue price of the notes, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, equals the principal amount thereof.

You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws.

U.S. Holders

The notes will be treated as variable rate debt instruments providing for stated interest at a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating rates. Under Treasury regulations applicable to such instruments, you generally will be required to account for interest on the notes as described below. You will be required to construct an “equivalent fixed rate debt instrument” for the notes and apply the general rules applicable to debt instruments described under the section of the prospectus entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Debt Securities.” The applicable rules require (i) replacing the initial fixed rate by a “qualified floating rate” that would preserve the fair market value of the notes, and (ii) determining the fixed rate substitute for each floating rate. The fixed rate substitute for each qualified floating rate is the value of the rate on the issue date of the notes. The equivalent fixed rate debt instrument is the hypothetical instrument that has terms that are identical to those of the notes, except that the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument provides for the fixed rate substitutes in lieu of the rates on the notes. Under these rules, the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument will have stated interest equal to the fixed rate substitutes. The amount of OID is determined for the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument under the rules applicable to fixed rate debt instruments and is taken into account as if the holder held the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument. Please see the discussion in the prospectus under the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Debt Securities—Consequences to U.S. Holders—Original Issue Discount” for a discussion of these rules. Under these rules, based on the rates in effect as of the date of this pricing supplement, we expect that the notes may be issued with OID. You will be required to make appropriate adjustments for interest actually paid on the notes. Qualified stated interest and OID, if any, allocable to an accrual period must be increased (or decreased) if the interest actually accrued or paid during an accrual period exceeds (or is less than) the interest assumed to be accrued or paid during the accrual period under the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument. This increase or decrease is an adjustment to qualified stated interest for the accrual period if the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument provides for qualified stated interest and the increase or decrease is reflected in the amount actually paid during the accrual period. Otherwise, this increase or decrease is an adjustment to OID, if any, for the accrual period.

Upon the sale, exchange, retirement, or other disposition of a note, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale, exchange, retirement, or other disposition (less an amount equal to any accrued interest not previously included in income if the note is disposed of between interest payment dates, which will be included in income as interest income for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note generally will be the cost of the note to such U.S. Holder, increased by any OID previously included in income with respect to the note, and decreased by the amount of any payment (other than a payment of qualified stated interest) received in respect of the note. Any gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange, retirement, or other disposition of a note generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the note has been held for more than one year. The ability of U.S. Holders to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations under the Code.

Non-U.S. Holders

Please see the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Debt Securities—Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” in the accompanying prospectus for the material U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to Non-U.S. Holders of the notes.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Please see the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Debt Securities—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” in the accompanying prospectus for a description of the applicability of the backup withholding and information reporting rules to payments made on the notes.

You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws.

 

 

Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

 

 

TS-8


Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016

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ERISA Considerations

Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing, or other employee benefit plan subject to ERISA (a “Plan”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the Plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the notes. Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the Plan.

In addition, we and certain of our subsidiaries and affiliates, including MLPF&S, may be each considered a party in interest within the meaning of ERISA, or a disqualified person within the meaning of the Code, with respect to many Plans, as well as many individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans (also “Plans”). Prohibited transactions within the meaning of ERISA or the Code would likely arise, for example, if the notes are acquired by or with the assets of a Plan with respect to which MLPF&S or any of our other affiliates is a party in interest, unless the notes are acquired under an exemption from the prohibited transaction rules. A violation of these prohibited transaction rules could result in an excise tax or other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for such persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory or administrative exemption.

Under ERISA and various PTCEs issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, exemptive relief may be available for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the purchase, holding, or disposition of the notes. Those exemptions are PTCE 96-23 (for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), PTCE 95-60 (for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTCE 91-38 (for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving insurance company separate accounts), PTCE 84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified asset managers), and the exemption under Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code for certain arm’s-length transactions with a person that is a party in interest solely by reason of providing services to Plans or being an affiliate of such a service provider (the “Service Provider Exemption”).

Because we may be considered a party in interest with respect to many Plans, the notes may not be purchased, held, or disposed of by any Plan, any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity (a “Plan Asset Entity”), or any person investing plan assets of any Plan, unless such purchase, holding, or disposition is eligible for exemptive relief, including relief available under PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1, or 84-14 or the Service Provider Exemption, or such purchase, holding, or disposition is otherwise not prohibited. Any purchaser, including any fiduciary purchasing on behalf of a Plan, transferee, or holder of the notes will be deemed to have represented, in its corporate and its fiduciary capacity, by its purchase and holding of the notes that either (a) it is not a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity and is not purchasing such notes on behalf of or with plan assets of any Plan or with any assets of a governmental, church, or foreign plan that is subject to any federal, state, local, or foreign law that is substantially similar to the provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or (b) its purchase, holding, and disposition are eligible for exemptive relief or such purchase, holding, and disposition are not prohibited by ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (or in the case of a governmental, church, or foreign plan, any substantially similar federal, state, local, or foreign law).

Further, any person acquiring or holding the notes on behalf of any plan or with any plan assets shall be deemed to represent on behalf of itself and such plan that (x) the plan is paying no more than, and is receiving no less than, adequate consideration within the meaning of Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA in connection with the transaction or any redemption of the notes, (y) neither MLPF&S nor any of its affiliates directly or indirectly exercises any discretionary authority or control or renders investment advice (as defined above) or otherwise acts in a fiduciary capacity with respect to the assets of the plan within the meaning of ERISA and (z) in making the foregoing representations and warranties, such person has applied sound business principles in determining whether fair market value will be paid, and has made such determination acting in good faith.

The fiduciary investment considerations summarized above generally apply to employee benefit plans maintained by private-sector employers and to individual retirement accounts and other arrangements subject to Section 4975 of the Code, but generally do not apply to governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA), and foreign plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA). However, these other plans may be subject to similar provisions under applicable federal, state, local, foreign, or other regulations, rules, or laws (“similar laws”). The fiduciaries of plans subject to similar laws should also consider the foregoing issues in general terms as well as any further issues arising under the applicable similar laws.

Purchasers of the notes have exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their purchase, holding, and disposition of the notes do not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or the Code or any similar regulations applicable to governmental or church plans, as described above.

This discussion is a general summary of some of the rules which apply to benefit plans and their related investment vehicles. This summary does not include all of the investment considerations relevant to Plans and other benefit plan investors such as governmental, church, and foreign plans and should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the notes on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan or other benefit plan investor consult with their legal counsel prior to directing any such purchase.

 

 

Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

 

 

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Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016

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Validity of the Notes

In the opinion of McGuireWoods LLP, as counsel to BAC, when the trustee has made an appropriate entry on Schedule 1 to the Master Registered Global Senior Note, dated March 30, 2012 (the “Master Note”) identifying the notes offered hereby as supplemental obligations thereunder in accordance with the instructions of BAC, and the notes have been delivered against payment therefor as contemplated in this Note Prospectus, all in accordance with the provisions of the Senior Indenture, such notes will be legal, valid and binding obligations of BAC, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors now or hereafter in effect, and to equitable principles that may limit the right to specific enforcement of remedies, and further subject to 12 U.S.C. §1818(b)(6)(D) (or any successor statute) and any bank regulatory powers now or hereafter in effect and to the application of principles of public policy. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the federal laws of the United States, the laws of the State of New York and the Delaware General Corporation Law (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting the foregoing). In addition, this opinion is subject to the assumption that the trustee’s certificate of authentication of the Master Note has been manually signed by one of the trustee’s authorized officers and to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the Senior Indenture, the validity, binding nature and enforceability of the Senior Indenture with respect to the trustee, the legal capacity of natural persons, the genuineness of signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to McGuireWoods LLP as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to McGuireWoods LLP as photocopies thereof, the authenticity of the originals of such copies and certain factual matters, all as stated in the letter of McGuireWoods LLP dated March 30, 2012, which has been filed as an exhibit to BAC’s Registration Statement relating to the notes filed with the SEC on March 30, 2012.

 

 

Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

 

 

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Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

with a Minimum Coupon, due April 27, 2016

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Additional Terms

You should read this term sheet, together with the documents listed below, which together contain the terms of the notes and supersede all prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth under “Risk Factors” in the sections indicated on the cover of this term sheet. The notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

You may access the following documents on the SEC Website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC Website):

 

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Series L MTN prospectus supplement dated March 30, 2012 and prospectus dated March 30, 2012:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70858/000119312512143855/d323958d424b5.htm

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC Website is 70858.

We have filed a registration statement (including 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 prospectus supplement and the prospectus in that registration statement, and the other documents relating to this offering that we have filed with the SEC for more complete information about us and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we, any agent, or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the Note Prospectus if you so request by calling MLPF&S toll-free at 1-866-500-5408.

 

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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 Market Downside Protection Market-Linked Investment or guarantee any performance.

Market Downside Protection Market-Linked Investments combine some of the capital preservation features of traditional bonds with the growth potential of equities and other asset classes. They offer full or partial market downside protection at maturity, while offering market exposure that may provide better returns than comparable fixed income securities. It is important to note that the market downside protection feature provides investors with protection only at maturity, subject to issuer credit risk. In addition, in exchange for full or partial protection, you forfeit dividends and full exposure to the linked asset’s upside. In some circumstances, this could result in a lower return than with a direct investment in the asset.

 

 

Fixed to Floating Rate Notes

 

 

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