424B2 1 dp73912_424b2-312.htm PRELIMINARY PRICING SUPPLEMENT

The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to completion dated March 8, 2017

 

Pricing supplement
To prospectus dated April 15, 2016,
prospectus supplement dated April 15, 2016,
product supplement no. 4-I dated April 15, 2016 and

underlying supplement no. 1-I dated April 15, 2016 

Registration Statement Nos. 333-209682 and 333-209682-01

Dated March , 2017

 Rule 424(b)(2)

 

JPMorgan Chase Financial Company LLC

 

$

Digital Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000® Index due September 26, 2019 

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

General

·The notes are designed for investors who seek a fixed return of 14.55% if the Ending Index Level of each of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000® Index (based on the arithmetic average of the closing level of that Index on the Ending Averaging Dates) is greater than or equal to its Initial Index Level or is less than its Initial Index Level by up to 20%.

·Investors should be willing to forgo interest and dividend payments and, if the Ending Index Level of either Index is less than its Initial Index Level by more than 20%, be willing to lose up to 80% of their principal amount at maturity.

·The notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of JPMorgan Chase Financial Company LLC, which we refer to as JPMorgan Financial, the payment on which is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by JPMorgan Chase & Co. Any payment on the notes is subject to the credit risk of JPMorgan Financial, as issuer of the notes, and the credit risk of JPMorgan Chase & Co., as guarantor of the notes.

·Minimum denominations of $10,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof

Key Terms 

Issuer: JPMorgan Chase Financial Company LLC
Guarantor: JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Indices: The S&P 500® Index (Bloomberg ticker: SPX) and the Russell 2000® Index (Bloomberg ticker: RTY) (each, an “Index” and collectively, the “Indices”)
Payment at Maturity:

If the Ending Index Level of each Index is greater than or equal to its Initial Index Level or is less than its Initial Index Level by up to the Buffer Amount, at maturity you will receive a cash payment that provides you with a return per $1,000 principal amount note equal to the Contingent Digital Return.  Accordingly, under these circumstances, your payment at maturity per $1,000 principal amount note will be calculated as follows:
  $1,000 + ($1,000 × Contingent Digital Return)
  If the Ending Index Level of either Index is less than its Initial Index Level by more than the Buffer Amount at maturity, you will lose 1% of the principal amount of your notes for every 1% that the Ending Index Level of the Lesser Performing Index is less than its Initial Index Level by more than the Buffer Amount.  Under these circumstances, your payment at maturity per $1,000 principal amount note will be calculated as follows:
  $1,000 + [$1,000 × (Lesser Performing Index Return + Buffer Amount)]
  If the Ending Index Level of either Index is less than its Initial Index Level by more than the Buffer Amount of 20%, you will lose up to 80% of your principal amount at maturity.
Contingent Digital Return: 14.55%, which reflects the maximum return on the notes.  Accordingly, the maximum payment at maturity per $1,000 principal amount note is $1,145.50.
Buffer Amount: 20%
Index Return:

With respect to each Index,

(Ending Index Level – Initial Index Level)

              Initial Index Level 

Initial Index Level: With respect to each Index, the closing level of that Index on the Pricing Date
Ending Index Level: With respect to each Index, the arithmetic average of the closing levels of that Index on the Ending Averaging Dates
Lesser Performing Index: The Index with the Lesser Performing Index Return
Lesser Performing Index Return: The lower of the Index Returns of the Indices
Pricing Date: On or about March 9, 2017
Original Issue Date: On or about March 14, 2017 (Settlement Date)
Ending Averaging Dates*: Each day that is a scheduled trading day with respect to both Indices in the period from and including June 24, 2019 to and including September 23, 2019
Maturity Date*: September 26, 2019
CUSIP: 46646QU37
*Subject to postponement in the event of certain market disruption events and as described under “General Terms of Notes — Postponement of a Determination Date — Notes Linked to Multiple Underlyings” and “General Terms of Notes — Postponement of a Payment Date” in the accompanying product supplement

Investing in the notes involves a number of risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-10 of the accompanying product supplement, “Risk Factors” beginning on page US-2 of the accompanying underlying supplement and “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page PS-4 of this pricing supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or passed upon the accuracy or the adequacy of this pricing supplement or the accompanying product supplement, underlying supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

  Price to Public (1) Fees and Commissions (2) Proceeds to Issuer
Per note $1,000 $ $
Total $ $ $
(1)See “Supplemental Use of Proceeds” in this pricing supplement for information about the components of the price to public of the notes.

(2)J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, which we refer to as JPMS, acting as agent for JPMorgan Financial, will pay all of the selling commissions it receives from us to other affiliated or unaffiliated dealers. In no event will these selling commissions exceed $4.00 per $1,000 principal amount note. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying product supplement

If the notes priced today, the estimated value of the notes would be approximately $991.40 per $1,000 principal amount note. The estimated value of the notes, when the terms of the notes are set, will be provided in the pricing supplement and will not be less than $970.00 per $1,000 principal amount note. See “The Estimated Value of the Notes” in this pricing supplement for additional information.

The notes are not bank deposits, are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency and are not obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank.

 

 

 

Additional Terms Specific to the Notes

 

You may revoke your offer to purchase the notes at any time prior to the time at which we accept such offer by notifying the applicable agent. We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase, the notes prior to their issuance. In the event of any changes to the terms of the notes, we will notify you and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes, in which case we may reject your offer to purchase.

 

You should read this pricing supplement together with the accompanying prospectus, as supplemented by the accompanying prospectus supplement, relating to our Series A medium-term notes, of which these notes are a part, and the more detailed information contained in the accompanying product supplement and the accompanying underlying supplement. This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the notes and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, fact sheets, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in the “Risk Factors” sections of the accompanying product supplement and the accompanying underlying supplement, as the notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the notes.

 

You may access these 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):

 

·Product supplement no. 4-I dated April 15, 2016:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/19617/000095010316012644/crt_dp64831-424b2.pdf

 

·Underlying supplement no. 1-I dated April 15, 2016:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/19617/000095010316012649/crt-dp64909_424b2.pdf

 

·Prospectus supplement and prospectus, each dated April 15, 2016:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/19617/000095010316012636/crt_dp64952-424b2.pdf

 

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1665650, and JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s CIK is 19617. As used in this pricing supplement, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to JPMorgan Financial.

 

JPMorgan Structured Investments — PS- 1
Digital Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000® 

What Is the Total Return on the Notes at Maturity, Assuming a Range of Performances for the Indices?

 

The following table and examples illustrate the hypothetical total return and the hypothetical payment at maturity on the notes. The “total return” as used in this pricing supplement is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the payment at maturity per $1,000 principal amount note to $1,000. Each hypothetical total return or payment at maturity set forth below assumes that the Lesser Performing Index is the Russell 2000® Index. We make no representation or warranty as to which of the Indices will be the Lesser Performing Index for purposes of calculating your actual payment at maturity. In addition, each hypothetical total return or payment at maturity set forth below assumes an Initial Index Level of the Lesser Performing Index of 1,370 and reflects the Buffer Amount of 20% and the Contingent Digital Return of 14.55%. The Ending Index Level of each Index is the arithmetic average of the closing levels of that Index on the Ending Averaging Dates and is not the closing level of that Index on the Final Ending Averaging Date. Each hypothetical total return or payment at maturity set forth below is for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual total return or payment at maturity applicable to a purchaser of the notes. The numbers appearing in the following table and in the examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis.

 

Ending Index

Level of the Lesser Performing Index

Lesser Performing Index Return Total Return
2,466.000 80.00% 14.55%
2,260.500 65.00% 14.55%
2,055.000 50.00% 14.55%
1,918.000 40.00% 14.55%
1,781.000 30.00% 14.55%
1,644.000 20.00% 14.55%
1,575.500 15.00% 14.55%
1,569.335 14.55% 14.55%
1,507.000 10.00% 14.55%
1,438.500 5.00% 14.55%
1,404.250 2.50% 14.55%
1,370.000 0.00% 14.55%
1,335.750 -2.50% 14.55%
1,301.500 -5.00% 14.55%
1,233.000 -10.00% 14.55%
1,096.000 -20.00% 14.55%
959.000 -30.00% -10.00%
822.000 -40.00% -20.00%
685.000 -50.00% -30.00%
548.000 -60.00% -40.00%
411.000 -70.00% -50.00%
274.000 -80.00% -60.00%
137.000 -90.00% -70.00%
0.000 -100.00% -80.00%

 

JPMorgan Structured Investments — PS- 2
Digital Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000® 

Hypothetical Examples of Amount Payable at Maturity

 

The following examples illustrate how the payment at maturity in different hypothetical scenarios is calculated.

 

Example 1: The level of the Lesser Performing Index increases from its Initial Index Level of 1,370 to an Ending Index Level of 1,404.25.

 

Because the Ending Index Level of the Lesser Performing Index of 1,404.25 is greater than its Initial Index Level of 1,370, regardless of the Lesser Performing Index Return, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,145.50 per $1,000 principal amount note, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × 14.55%) = $1,145.50

 

Example 2: The level of the Lesser Performing Index decreases from its Initial Index Level of 1,370 to an Ending Index Level of 1,096.

 

Although the Lesser Performing Index Return is negative, because the Ending Index Level of the Lesser Performing Index of 1,096 is less than its Initial Index Level of 1,370 by up to the Buffer Amount of 20%, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,145.50 per $1,000 principal amount note, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × 14.55%) = $1,145.50

 

Example 3: The level of the Lesser Performing Index increases from its Initial Index Level of 1,370 to an Ending Index Level of 1,918.

 

Because the Ending Index Level of the Lesser Performing Index of 1,918 is greater than its Initial Index Level of 1,370 and although the Lesser Performing Index Return of 40% exceeds the Contingent Digital Return of 14.55%, the investor is entitled to only the Contingent Digital Return and receives a payment at maturity of $1,145.50 per $1,000 principal amount note, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × 14.55%) = $1,145.50

 

Example 4: The level of the Lesser Performing Index decreases from its Initial Index Level of 1,370 to an Ending Index Level of 685.

 

Because the Ending Index Level of the Lesser Performing Index of 685 is less than its Initial Index Level of 1,370 by more than the Buffer Amount of 20% and the Lesser Performing Index Return is -50%, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $700 per $1,000 principal amount note, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + [$1,000 × (-50% +20%)] = $700

 

The hypothetical returns and hypothetical payments on the notes shown above apply only if you hold the notes for their entire term. These hypotheticals do not reflect fees or expenses that would be associated with any sale in the secondary market. If these fees and expenses were included, the hypothetical returns and hypothetical payments shown above would likely be lower.

 

JPMorgan Structured Investments — PS- 3
Digital Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000® 

Selected Purchase Considerations

 

·FIXED APPRECIATION POTENTIAL — If the Ending Index Level of each Index (based on the arithmetic average of the closing level of that Index on the Ending Averaging Dates) is greater than its Initial Index Level or is less than its Initial Index Level by up to the Buffer Amount, you will receive a fixed return equal to the Contingent Digital Return of 14.55% at maturity, which also reflects the maximum return on the notes at maturity. Because the notes are our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, the payment of which is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by JPMorgan Chase & Co., payment of any amount on the notes is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due and JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s ability to pay its obligations as they become due.

 

·LIMITED PROTECTION AGAINST LOSS — We will pay you at least your principal back at maturity if the Ending Index Level of each Index is greater than its Initial Index Level or is less than its Initial Index Level by up to the Buffer Amount of 20%.  If the Ending Index Level of either Index is less than its Initial Index Level by more than the Buffer Amount, for every 1% that the Ending Index Level of the Lesser Performing Index is less than its Initial Index Level by more than the Buffer Amount, you will lose an amount equal to 1% of the principal amount of your notes.  Under these circumstances, you will lose up to 80% of your principal amount at maturity.

 

·EXPOSURE TO THE LESSER PERFORMING OF THE INDICES — The return on the notes is linked to the Lesser Performing Index, which will be the S&P 500® Index or the Russell 2000® Index.

 

The S&P 500® Index consists of stocks of 500 companies selected to provide a performance benchmark for the U.S. equity markets. For additional information about the S&P 500® Index, see the information set forth under “Equity Index Descriptions — The S&P U.S. Indices” in the accompanying underlying supplement.

 

The Russell 2000® Index consists of the middle 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000ETM Index and, as a result of the index calculation methodology, consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000® Index. The Russell 2000® Index is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. For additional information about the Russell 2000® Index, see the information set forth under “Equity Index Descriptions — The Russell Indices” in the accompanying underlying supplement.

 

·TAX TREATMENT— You should review carefully the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying product supplement no. 4-I.  The following discussion, when read in combination with that section, constitutes the full opinion of our special tax counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, regarding the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of notes.

 

Based on current market conditions, in the opinion of our special tax counsel it is reasonable to treat the notes as “open transactions” that are not debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as more fully described in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders — Notes Treated as Open Transactions That Are Not Debt Instruments” in the accompanying product supplement.  Assuming this treatment is respected, the gain or loss on your notes should be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if you hold your notes for more than a year, whether or not you are an initial purchaser of notes at the issue price.  However, the IRS or a court may not respect this treatment, in which case the timing and character of any income or loss on the notes could be materially and adversely affected.  In addition, in 2007 Treasury and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments.  The notice focuses in particular on whether to require investors in these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment.  It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; the relevance of factors such as the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; the degree, if any, to which income (including any mandated accruals) realized by non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” regime, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose a notional interest charge.  While the notice requests comments on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the notes, possibly with retroactive effect.  You should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, including possible alternative treatments and the issues presented by this notice.

 

Section 871(m) of the Code and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% withholding tax (unless an income tax treaty applies) on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities or indices that include U.S. equities.  Section 871(m) provides certain exceptions to this withholding regime, including for instruments linked to certain broad-based indices that meet requirements set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations (such an index, a “Qualified Index”).  Additionally, the applicable regulations exclude from the scope of Section 871(m) instruments issued in 2017 that do not have a delta of one with respect to underlying securities that could pay U.S.-source dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes (each an “Underlying Security”).  Based on certain determinations made by us, we expect that Section 871(m) will not apply to the notes with regard to Non-U.S. Holders.  Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination.  Section 871(m) is complex and its application may depend on your particular circumstances, including whether you enter into other transactions with respect to an Underlying Security.  If necessary, further information regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) will be provided in the pricing supplement for the notes.  You should consult your tax adviser regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the notes.

 

Withholding under legislation commonly referred to as “FATCA” may (if the notes are recharacterized as debt instruments) apply to amounts treated as interest paid with respect to the notes, as well as to payments of gross

 

JPMorgan Structured Investments — PS- 4
Digital Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000® 

proceeds of a taxable disposition, including redemption at maturity, of a note.  However, under a recent IRS notice, this regime will not apply to payments of gross proceeds (other than any amount treated as interest) with respect to dispositions occurring before January 1, 2019.  You should consult your tax adviser regarding the potential application of FATCA to the notes.

 

JPMorgan Structured Investments — PS- 5
Digital Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000® 

Selected Risk Considerations

 

An investment in the notes involves significant risks. Investing in the notes is not equivalent to investing directly in one or more of the Indices or any of the component securities included in the Indices. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Risk Factors” sections of the accompanying product supplement and the accompanying underlying supplement.

 

·YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES MAY RESULT IN A LOSS — The notes do not guarantee any return of principal.  The return on the notes at maturity is linked to the performance of the Lesser Performing Index and will depend on whether, and the extent to which, the Ending Index Level of the Lesser Performing Index (based on the arithmetic average of the closing level of that Index on the Ending Averaging Dates) is less than its Initial Index Level. If the Ending Index Level of either Index declines below its Initial Index Level by more than the Buffer Amount of 20%, you will lose 1% of the principal amount of your notes for every 1% that the Ending Index Level of the Lesser Performing Index is less than its Initial Index Level by more than the Buffer Amount.  Under these circumstances, you may lose up to 80% of your principal amount at maturity.

 

·YOUR MAXIMUM GAIN ON THE NOTES IS LIMITED TO THE CONTINGENT DIGITAL RETURN — If the Ending Index Level of each Index is not less than its Initial Index Level by more than the Buffer Amount, for each $1,000 principal amount note, you will receive at maturity $1,000 plus an additional return equal to the Contingent Digital Return of 14.55%, regardless of the appreciation of either or both of the Indices, which may be significant.

 

·YOUR ABILITY TO RECEIVE THE CONTINGENT DIGITAL RETURN MAY TERMINATE ON THE FINAL ENDING AVERAGING DATE — If the Ending Index Level of either Index is less than its Initial Index Level by more than the Buffer Amount, you will not be entitled to receive the Contingent Digital Return at maturity. Under these circumstances, you may lose up to 80% of your principal amount at maturity.

 

·THE AVERAGING CONVENTION USED TO CALCULATE THE ENDING INDEX LEVEL OF EACH INDEX COULD LIMIT RETURNS — Your investment in the notes may not perform as well as an investment the return of which is based solely on the performance of the Indices on a single day. Your ability to earn a positive return on the notes at maturity may be limited by the averaging convention used to calculate the Ending Index Level of each Index, especially if there is a significant decline in the closing level of the Lesser Performing Index on the Ending Averaging Dates or if there is significant volatility in the closing level of the Lesser Performing Index during the term of the notes. Accordingly, you may not receive the Contingent Digital Return even if the Lesser Performing Index has appreciated between the Pricing Date and the final Ending Averaging Date.

 

·CREDIT RISKS OF JPMORGAN FINANCIAL AND JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. — The notes are subject to our and JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s credit risks, and our and JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s credit ratings and credit spreads may adversely affect the market value of the notes. Investors are dependent on our and JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s ability to pay all amounts due on the notes. Any actual or potential change in our or JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s creditworthiness or credit spreads, as determined by the market for taking that credit risk, is likely to adversely affect the value of the notes. If we and JPMorgan Chase & Co. were to default on our payment obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the notes and you could lose your entire investment.

 

·AS A FINANCE SUBSIDIARY, JPMORGAN FINANCIAL HAS NO INDEPENDENT OPERATIONS AND HAS LIMITED ASSETS — As a finance subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co., we have no independent operations beyond the issuance and administration of our securities. Aside from the initial capital contribution from JPMorgan Chase & Co., substantially all of our assets relate to obligations of our affiliates to make payments under loans made by us or other intercompany agreements. As a result, we are dependent upon payments from our affiliates to meet our obligations under the notes. If these affiliates do not make payments to us and we fail to make payments on the notes, you may have to seek payment under the related guarantee by JPMorgan Chase & Co., and that guarantee will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

·POTENTIAL CONFLICTS — We and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the notes, including acting as calculation agent and as an agent of the offering of the notes, hedging our obligations under the notes and making the assumptions used to determine the pricing of the notes and the estimated value of the notes when the terms of the notes are set, which we refer to as the estimated value of the notes. In performing these duties, our and JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s economic interests and the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the notes. In addition, our and JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s business activities, including hedging and trading activities, could cause our and JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s economic interests to be adverse to yours and could adversely affect any payment on the notes and the value of the notes. It is possible that hedging or trading activities of ours or our affiliates in connection with the notes could result in substantial returns for us or our affiliates while the value of the notes declines. Please refer to “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying product supplement for additional information about these risks.

 

In addition, JPMorgan Chase & Co. is currently one of the companies that make up the S&P 500® Index, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. will have no obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the notes in taking any corporate action that might affect the value of the S&P 500® Index.

 

·YOU ARE EXPOSED TO THE RISK OF DECLINE IN THE LEVEL OF EACH INDEX — Your return on the notes and your payment at maturity is not linked to a basket consisting of the Indices. Your payment at maturity is contingent upon the performance of each individual Index such that you will be equally exposed to the risks related to each of the Indices. The performance of the Indices may not be correlated. Poor performance by either of the

 

JPMorgan Structured Investments — PS- 6
Digital Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000® 

Indices over the term of the notes may negatively affect your payment at maturity and will not be offset or mitigated by positive performance by the other Index. Accordingly, your investment is subject to the risk of decline in the level of each Index.

 

·YOUR PAYMENT AT MATURITY MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE LESSER PERFORMING INDEX — Because the payment at maturity will be determined based on the performance of the Lesser Performing Index, you will not benefit from the performance of the other Index.  Accordingly, if the Ending Index Level of the Lesser Performing Index is less than its Initial Index Level by more than the Buffer Amount, you will lose up to 80% of your principal amount at maturity, even if the Ending Index Level of the other Index is not less than its Initial Index Level by more than the Buffer Amount.

 

·THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE NOTES WILL BE LOWER THAN THE ORIGINAL ISSUE PRICE (PRICE TO PUBLIC) OF THE NOTES — The estimated value of the notes is only an estimate determined by reference to several factors. The original issue price of the notes will exceed the estimated value of the notes because costs associated with selling, structuring and hedging the notes are included in the original issue price of the notes. These costs include the selling commissions, the projected profits, if any, that our affiliates expect to realize for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the notes and the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the notes. See “The Estimated Value of the Notes” in this pricing supplement.

 

·THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE NOTES DOES NOT REPRESENT FUTURE VALUES OF THE NOTES AND MAY DIFFER FROM OTHERS’ ESTIMATES — The estimated value of the notes is determined by reference to internal pricing models of our affiliates when the terms of the notes are set. This estimated value of the notes is based on market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time and 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 than or less than the estimated value of the notes. 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 value of the notes could change significantly based on, among other things, changes in market conditions, our or JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s creditworthiness, interest rate movements and other relevant factors, which may impact the price, if any, at which JPMS would be willing to buy notes from you in secondary market transactions. See “The Estimated Value of the Notes” in this pricing supplement.

 

·THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE NOTES IS DERIVED BY REFERENCE TO AN INTERNAL FUNDING RATE — The internal funding rate used in the determination of the estimated value of the notes is based on, among other things, our and our affiliates’ 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 the conventional fixed-rate debt of JPMorgan Chase & Co. The use of an internal funding rate and any potential changes to that rate may have an adverse effect on the terms of the notes and any secondary market prices of the notes. See “The Estimated Value of the Notes” in this pricing supplement.

 

·THE VALUE OF THE NOTES AS PUBLISHED BY JPMS (AND WHICH MAY BE REFLECTED ON CUSTOMER ACCOUNT STATEMENTS) MAY BE HIGHER THAN THE THEN-CURRENT ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE NOTES FOR A LIMITED TIME PERIOD — We generally expect that some of the costs included in the original issue price of the notes will be partially paid back to you in connection with any repurchases of your notes by JPMS in an amount that will decline to zero over an initial predetermined period. These costs can include projected hedging profits, if any, and, in some circumstances, estimated hedging costs and our internal secondary market funding rates for structured debt issuances. See “Secondary Market Prices of the Notes” in this pricing supplement for additional information relating to this initial period. Accordingly, the estimated value of your notes during this initial period may be lower than the value of the notes as published by JPMS (and which may be shown on your customer account statements).

 

·SECONDARY MARKET PRICES OF THE NOTES WILL LIKELY BE LOWER THAN THE ORIGINAL ISSUE PRICE OF THE NOTES — Any secondary market prices of the notes will likely be lower than the original issue price of the notes because, among other things, secondary market prices take into account our internal secondary market funding rates for structured debt issuances and, also, because secondary market prices (a) exclude selling commissions and (b) may exclude projected hedging profits, if any, and estimated hedging costs that are included in the original issue price of the notes. As a result, the price, if any, at which JPMS will be willing to buy notes from you in secondary market transactions, if at all, is likely to be lower than the original issue price. Any sale by you prior to the Maturity Date could result in a substantial loss to you. See the immediately following risk consideration for information about additional factors that will impact any secondary market prices of the notes.

 

The notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your notes to maturity. See “— Lack of Liquidity” below.

 

·SECONDARY MARKET PRICES OF THE NOTES WILL BE IMPACTED BY MANY ECONOMIC AND MARKET FACTORS — The secondary market price of the notes during their term will be impacted by a number of economic and market factors, which may either offset or magnify each other, aside from the selling commissions, projected hedging profits, if any, estimated hedging costs and the levels of the Indices, including:

 

·any actual or potential change in our or JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s creditworthiness or credit spreads;

 

·customary bid-ask spreads for similarly sized trades;

 

·our internal secondary market funding rates for structured debt issuances;

 

·the actual and expected volatility of the Indices;

 

·the time to maturity of the notes;

 

·the dividend rates on the equity securities included in the Indices;

 

JPMorgan Structured Investments — PS- 7
Digital Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000® 

·the actual and expected positive or negative correlation among the Indices, or the actual or expected absence of any such correlation;

 

·interest and yield rates in the market generally; and

 

·a variety of other economic, financial, political, regulatory and judicial events.

 

Additionally, independent pricing vendors and/or third party broker-dealers may publish a price for the notes, which may also be reflected on customer account statements. This price may be different (higher or lower) than the price of the notes, if any, at which JPMS may be willing to purchase your notes in the secondary market.

 

·NO INTEREST OR DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR VOTING RIGHTS — As a holder of the notes, you will not receive interest payments, and you will not have voting rights or rights to receive cash dividends or other distributions or other rights that holders of securities included in either Index would have.

 

·an investment in the notes is subject to risks associated with small capitalization stocks WITH RESPECT TO THE RUSSELL 2000® INDEX — The stocks that constitute the Russell 2000® Index are issued by companies with relatively small market capitalization. The stock prices of smaller companies may be more volatile than stock prices of large capitalization companies. Small capitalization companies may be less able to withstand adverse economic, market, trade and competitive conditions relative to larger companies. Small capitalization companies are less likely to pay dividends on their stocks, and the presence of a dividend payment could be a factor that limits downward stock price pressure under adverse market conditions.

 

·LACK OF LIQUIDITY — The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. JPMS intends to offer to purchase the notes in the secondary market but is not required to do so. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the notes easily. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the notes, the price at which you may be able to trade your notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which JPMS is willing to buy the notes.

 

·THE FINAL TERMS AND VALUATION OF THE NOTES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE PRICING SUPPLEMENT — The final terms of the notes will be based on relevant market conditions when the terms of the notes are set and will be provided in the pricing supplement. In particular, the estimated value of the notes will be provided in the pricing supplement and may be as low as the minimum for the estimated value of the notes set forth on the cover of this pricing supplement. Accordingly, you should consider your potential investment in the notes based on the minimum for the estimated value of the notes.

 

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Digital Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000® 

Historical Information

 

The following graph sets forth the historical weekly performance of the Indices from January 6, 2012 through March 3, 2017. The closing level of the S&P 500® Index on March 7, 2017 was 2,368.39. The closing level of the Russell 2000® Index on March 7, 2017 was 1,374.876.

 

We obtained the closing levels of the Indices above and below from the Bloomberg Professional® service (“Bloomberg”), without independent verification. The historical levels of each Index should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the closing level of either Index on the Pricing Date or any Ending Averaging Date. There can be no assurance that the performance of the Indices will result in the return of any of your principal amount in excess of $20 per $1,000 principal amount note, subject to the credit risks of JPMorgan Financial and JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

 

The Estimated Value of the Notes

 

The estimated value of the notes set forth on the cover of this pricing supplement is equal to the sum of the values of the following hypothetical components: (1) a fixed-income debt component with the same maturity as the notes, valued using the internal funding rate described below, and (2) the derivative or derivatives underlying the economic terms of the notes. The estimated value of the notes does not represent a minimum price at which JPMS would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The internal funding rate used in the determination of the estimated value of the notes is based on, among other things, our and our affiliates’ 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 the conventional fixed-rate debt of JPMorgan Chase & Co. For additional information, see “Selected Risk Considerations — The Estimated Value of the Notes Is Derived by Reference to an Internal Funding Rate” in this pricing supplement. The value of the derivative or derivatives underlying the economic terms of the notes is derived from internal pricing models of our affiliates. These models are dependent on inputs such as the traded market prices of comparable derivative instruments and on various

 

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Digital Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000® 

other inputs, some of which are market-observable, and which can include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors, as well as assumptions about future market events and/or environments. Accordingly, the estimated value of the notes is determined when the terms of the notes are set based on market conditions and other relevant factors and assumptions existing at that time. See “Selected Risk Considerations — The Estimated Value of the Notes Does Not Represent Future Values of the Notes and May Differ from Others’ Estimates” in this pricing supplement.

 

The estimated value of the notes will be lower than the original issue price of the notes because costs associated with selling, structuring and hedging the notes are included in the original issue price of the notes. These costs include the selling commissions paid to JPMS and other affiliated or unaffiliated dealers, the projected profits, if any, that our affiliates expect to realize for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the notes and the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the notes. Because hedging our obligations entails risk and may be influenced by market forces beyond our control, this hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or it may result in a loss. We or one or more of our affiliates will retain any profits realized in hedging our obligations under the notes. See “Selected Risk Considerations — The Estimated Value of the Notes Will Be Lower Than the Original Issue Price (Price to Public) of the Notes” in this pricing supplement.

 

Secondary Market Prices of the Notes

 

For information about factors that will impact any secondary market prices of the notes, see “Selected Risk Considerations — Secondary Market Prices of the Notes Will Be Impacted by Many Economic and Market Factors ” in this pricing supplement. In addition, we generally expect that some of the costs included in the original issue price of the notes will be partially paid back to you in connection with any repurchases of your notes by JPMS in an amount that will decline to zero over an initial predetermined period that is intended to be the shorter of six months and one-half of the stated term of the notes. The length of any such initial period reflects the structure of the notes, whether our affiliates expect to earn a profit in connection with our hedging activities, the estimated costs of hedging the notes and when these costs are incurred, as determined by our affiliates. See “Selected Risk Considerations — The Value of the Notes as Published by JPMS (and Which May Be Reflected on Customer Account Statements) May Be Higher Than the Then-Current Estimated Value of the Notes for a Limited Time Period.”

 

Supplemental Use of Proceeds

 

The notes are offered to meet investor demand for products that reflect the risk-return profile and market exposure provided by the notes. See “What Is the Total Return on the Notes at Maturity, Assuming a Range of Performances for the Indices?” and “Hypothetical Examples of Amount Payable at Maturity” in this pricing supplement for an illustration of the risk-return profile of the notes and “Selected Purchase Considerations — Exposure to the Lesser Performing of the Indices” in this pricing supplement for a description of the market exposure provided by the notes.

 

The original issue price of the notes is equal to the estimated value of the notes plus the selling commissions paid to JPMS and other affiliated or unaffiliated dealers, plus (minus) the projected profits (losses) that our affiliates expect to realize for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the notes, plus the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the notes.

 

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Digital Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Lesser Performing of the S&P 500® Index and the Russell 2000®