FWP 1 d238770dfwp.htm FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS--ML SPX STEP UP NOTES Free Writing Prospectus--ML SPX Step Up Notes

Free Writing Prospectus

(To the Prospectus dated August 31, 2010, the

Prospectus Supplement dated May 27, 2011, and the

Product Supplement SUN-1 dated May 27, 2011)

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration No. 333-169119

 

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Term Sheet dated October 3, 2011

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The notes are being offered by Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”). 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” on page TS-5 of this term sheet and beginning on page S-8 of product supplement SUN-1. 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)

     $10.00         $     

Underwriting discount (1)

     $0.20         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to Barclays Bank PLC

     $9.80         $     

 

  (1)

The public offering price and underwriting discount for any purchase of 500,000 units or more in a single transaction by an individual investor will be $9.95 per unit and $0.15 per unit, respectively. The public offering price and underwriting discount for any purchase by certain fee-based trusts and fee-based discretionary accounts managed by U.S. Trust operating through Bank of America, N.A. will be $9.80 per unit and $0.00 per unit, respectively.

*Depending on the date the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”), any reference in this term sheet to the month in which the pricing date, the settlement date, or the maturity date will occur is subject to change.

 

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

 

  

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October     , 2011

  

 

Units Pricing Date* October     , 2011 Market-Linked Step Up Notes Settlement Date* November     , 2011 Linked to the S&P 500® Index Maturity Date* October     , 2013 due October     , 2013 CUSIP No. $10 principal amount per unit Term Sheet No.

Barclays Bank PLC

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

The notes have a maturity of approximately two years

Step Up Payment of 20% to 26% over the Original Offering Price at maturity if the level of the S&P 500® Index (the “Index”) is unchanged or increases from the Starting Value, but does not increase above the Step Up Value 100% participation in any increase in the level of the Index if it increases above the Step Up Value of 120% to 126% of the Starting Value 1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the level of the Index, with no downside limit Payment of the Redemption Amount at maturity is subject to the credit risk of Barclays Bank PLC

No periodic interest payments No listing on any securities exchange

The notes are senior unsecured debt securities and are not deposit liabilities of Barclays Bank PLC. The notes are not insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction

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Summary

The Market-Linked Step Up Notes Linked to the S&P 500® Index, due October     , 2013 (the “notes”) are senior unsecured debt securities of Barclays Bank PLC. The notes are not guaranteed or insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction or secured by collateral. The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt, and any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of Barclays.

The notes provide investors with a Step Up Payment if the level of the S&P 500® Index (the “Index”) is unchanged or increases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value, but does not increase above the Step Up Value. If the level of the Index increases from the Starting Value to an Ending Value that is above the Step Up Value, investors will participate on a 1-for-1 basis in the increase above the Starting Value. The notes may be suitable investments for investors that believe that the level of the Index will increase over the term of the notes. Investors must be willing to forgo interest payments on the notes and be willing to accept a repayment that will be less, and potentially significantly less, than the Original Offering Price if the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value.

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement SUN-1. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to Barclays.

 

Terms of the Notes

Issuer:

 

 

Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”)

 

Original Offering Price:

 

 

$10.00 per unit

 

Term:

 

 

Approximately two years

 

Market Measure:

 

 

S&P 500® Index (Bloomberg symbol: “SPX”)

 

Starting Value:

 

 

The closing level of the Market Measure on the pricing date.

 

Ending Value:

 

 

The closing level of the Market Measure on the calculation day. If it is determined that the scheduled calculation day is not a Market Measure Business Day, or if a Market Disruption Event occurs on the scheduled calculation day, the Ending Value will be determined as more fully described beginning on page S-19 of product supplement SUN-1.

 

Step Up Value:

 

 

The Step Up Value will be between 120% and 126% of the Starting Value. The actual Step Up Value will be determined on the pricing date.

 

Step Up Payment:

 

 

The Step Up Payment will be between $2.00 and $2.60 per unit at maturity (representing a return of between 20% and 26% over the Original Offering Price). The actual Step Up Payment will be determined on the pricing date.

 

Threshold Value:

 

 

100% of the Starting Value. Accordingly, you will lose all or a portion of your investment if the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value.

 

Calculation Day:

 

 

The fifth scheduled Market Measure Business Day immediately prior to the maturity date, determined on the pricing date.

 

Joint Calculation Agents:

 

 

Barclays and MLPF&S.

 

Fees Charged:

 

 

The public offering price of the notes includes the underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit as listed on the cover page and an additional charge of $0.075 per unit more fully described on page TS-6.

 

Redemption Amount Determination

On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit (the “Redemption Amount”) determined as follows:

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Because the Threshold Value for the notes is equal to the Starting Value, you will receive a Redemption Amount that is less, and possibly significantly less, than the Original Offering Price per unit of the notes if the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value. You may lose up to 100% of the principal amount of your notes.

 

 

 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

 

 

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Hypothetical Payout Profile

The below graph is based on hypothetical numbers and values

 

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This graph reflects the returns on the notes at maturity, based on a Step Up Payment of $2.30 (the midpoint of the Step Up Payment range of $2.00 to $2.60), a Step Up Value of 123% of the Starting Value (the midpoint of the Step Up Value range of 120% to 126%), and the Threshold Value of 100% of the Starting Value. The green line reflects the returns on the notes while the grey dotted line reflects the returns of a direct investment in the stocks included in the Index, excluding dividends.

 

This graph has been prepared for purposes of illustration only. Your actual return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Threshold Value, Step Up Payment, Step Up Value, Ending Value, and the term of your investment.

Hypothetical Redemption Amounts

The below table and examples are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show a hypothetical return on the notes. The actual amount you receive and the resulting total rate of return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Threshold Value, Ending Value, Step Up Value, Step Up Payment, and the term of your investment. These examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes.

The following table illustrates, for a Starting Value of 100 and a range of Ending Values:

 

  §  

the percentage change from the Starting Value to the Ending Value;

 

  §  

the Redemption Amount per unit of the notes; and

 

  §  

the total rate of return to holders of the notes.

The Index is a price return index. Accordingly, the Ending Value will not include any income generated by dividends paid on the stocks included in the Index, which you would otherwise be entitled to receive if you invested in those stocks directly.

The table and examples are based on a Step Up Payment of $2.30 and a Step Up Value of 123% of the Starting Value.

 

Ending Value

 

Percentage Change from

the Starting

Value to the

Ending Value

 

Redemption

Amount per Unit

 

Total Rate

of Return on

the Notes

    50.00         -50.00 %       $5.00         -50.00 %
    60.00         -40.00 %       $6.00         -40.00 %
    70.00         -30.00 %       $7.00         -30.00 %
    80.00         -20.00 %       $8.00         -20.00 %
    85.00         -15.00 %       $8.50         -15.00 %
    90.00         -10.00 %       $9.00         -10.00 %
    95.00         -5.00 %       $9.50         -5.00 %
    98.00         -2.00 %       $9.80         -2.00 %
    100.00  (1)       0.00 %       $12.30  (2)       23.00 %
    102.00         2.00 %       $12.30         23.00 %
    105.00         5.00 %       $12.30         23.00 %
    110.00         10.00 %       $12.30         23.00 %
    123.00  (3)       23.00 %       $12.30         23.00 %
    125.00         25.00 %       $12.50         25.00 %
    130.00         30.00 %       $13.00         30.00 %
    140.00         40.00 %       $14.00         40.00 %
    150.00         50.00 %       $15.00         50.00 %

 

(1) This is the hypothetical Starting Value and Threshold Value. The hypothetical Starting Value of 100 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only, and does not represent a likely actual Starting Value for the Index. For recent actual levels of the Index, see “The Index” section below, beginning on page TS-7.

 

(2) This amount represents the sum of the Original Offering Price and the hypothetical Step Up Payment.

 

(3) This is the hypothetical Step Up Value, the midpoint of the Step Up Value range of 120% to 126% of the hypothetical Starting Value.

 

 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

 

 

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Example 1 — The Ending Value is 80% of the Starting Value and the Threshold Value:

 

Starting Value:

     100.00      

Threshold Value:

     100.00      

Ending Value:

     80.00      

 

Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10 –

  [   $10 ×   (   100.00 –  80.00   )   ]   = $8.00  
        100.00        

Example 2 — The Ending Value is 110% of the Starting Value but is less than the Step Up Value:

 

Starting Value:

     100.00      

Step Up Value:

     123.00      

Ending Value:

     110.00      

Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10.00 + $2.30 = $12.30

In this case, because the Ending Value is greater than or equal to the Starting Value but less than or equal to the Step Up Value, the Redemption Amount (per unit) will equal $12.30, which is the sum of the Original Offering Price and the Step Up Payment of $2.30.

Example 3 — The Ending Value is 150% of the Starting Value and is greater than the Step Up Value:

 

Starting Value:

     100.00      

Step Up Value:

     123.00      

Ending Value:

     150.00      

 

Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10 +

  [   $10 ×   (   150.00 –  100.00   )   ]   = $15.00  
        100.00        

 

 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

 

 

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Risk Factors

There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security. An investment in the notes involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page S-8 of product supplement SUN-1 and page S-6 of the Series A 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.

 

  §  

Your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal.

 

  §  

Your yield may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity.

 

  §  

Payments on the notes are subject to our credit risk, and changes in our credit ratings are expected to affect the value of the notes.

 

  §  

The Redemption Amount will not be affected by all developments relating to the Index.

 

  §  

You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to the Index.

 

  §  

The costs of developing, hedging, and distributing the notes described on page TS-6 are reflected in the public offering price, and will not be reflected in secondary market prices. As a result the price at which you may sell the notes in any secondary market may be lower than the public offering price due to, among other things, the inclusion of these costs.

 

  §  

A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. We, MLPF&S, and our respective affiliates are not obligated to make a market for, or to repurchase, the notes.

 

  §  

Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) may adjust the Index in a way that affects its level, and S&P has no obligation to consider your interests.

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

While we, MLPF&S, and our respective affiliates may from time to time own shares of companies included in the Index, except to the extent that the common stock of Bank of America Corporation (the parent company of MLPF&S) is included in the Index, we, MLPF&S, and our respective affiliates do not control any company included in the Index, and are not responsible for any disclosure made by any other company.

 

  §  

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 their Original Offering Price.

 

  §  

Purchases and sales by us, MLPF&S, and our respective affiliates of shares of companies included in the Index may affect your return.

 

  §  

Our trading and hedging activities, and those of MLPF&S, may create conflicts of interest with you.

 

  §  

Our hedging activities, and those of MLPF&S, may affect your return on the notes and their market value.

 

  §  

Our business activities and those of MLPF&S relating to the companies represented by the Index may create conflicts of interest with you.

 

  §  

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

 

  §  

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the notes. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Taxation Considerations” below and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page S-27 of product supplement SUN-1.

Investor Considerations

 

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

 

§  

You anticipate that the Ending Value will increase from the Starting Value.

 

§  

You accept that your investment will result in a loss, which could be significant, if the level of the Index decreases from the Starting Value.

 

§  

You are willing to forgo interest payments on the notes, such as fixed or floating rate interest paid on traditional interest bearing debt securities.

 

§  

You seek exposure to the Index with no expectation of dividends or other benefits of owning the stocks included in the Index.

 

§  

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 make an investment, the payment on which depends on our creditworthiness, as the issuer of the notes.

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

 

§  

You anticipate that the level of the Index will decrease from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.

 

§  

You seek principal protection or preservation of capital.

 

§  

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

 

§  

You want to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the stocks included in the Index.

 

§  

You seek 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.

 

 

 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

 

 

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Supplement to the Plan of Distribution; Role of MLPF&S

We may 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, if the initial settlement of the notes occurs more than three business days from the pricing date, 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. In the original offering of the notes, the notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units.

MLPF&S will participate as selling agent in the distribution of the notes. Under our distribution agreement with MLPF&S, MLPF&S will purchase the notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount. The public offering price includes, in addition to the underwriting discount, a charge of approximately $0.075 per unit. This charge reflects an estimated profit earned by MLPF&S from transactions through which the notes are structured and resulting obligations hedged. The fees charged reduce the economic terms of the notes. Actual profits or losses from hedging transactions may be more or less than this amount. In entering into hedging arrangements for the notes, we seek competitive terms and may enter into hedging transactions with a division of MLPF&S or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates. For further information regarding these charges, our trading and hedging activities, and conflicts of interest, see “Risk Factors—General Risks Relating to the Notes” beginning on page S-8 and “Use of Proceeds” on page S-17 in Product Supplement No. SUN-1.

MLPF&S will not receive an underwriting discount for notes sold to certain fee-based trusts and fee-based discretionary accounts managed by U.S. Trust operating through Bank of America, N.A.

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 market-making transactions; however it is not obligated to engage in any such transactions.

The distribution of the Note Prospectus in connection with these offers or sales will be solely for the purpose of providing investors with the description of the terms of the notes that was made available to investors in connection with their initial offering. Secondary market investors should not, and will not be authorized to, rely on the Note Prospectus for information regarding Barclays or for any purpose other than that described in the immediately preceding sentence.

 

 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

 

 

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The Index

All disclosures contained in this term sheet regarding the Index, including, without limitation, its make up, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, S&P. S&P, which owns the copyright and all other rights to the Index, has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Index. The consequences of S&P discontinuing publication of the Index are discussed in the section entitled “Description of the Notes—Discontinuance of a Market Measure” beginning on page S-30 of product supplement SUN-1. None of us, the calculation agent, or the selling agent accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of the Index or any successor index.

The Index is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of stock price movement in the U.S. equities market. The daily calculation of the level of the Index, discussed below in further detail, is based on the aggregate market value of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943.

Composition of the Index

S&P chooses companies for inclusion in the Index with the aim of achieving a distribution by broad industry groupings that approximates the distribution of these groupings in the common stock population of the U.S. equities market. Relevant criteria employed by S&P for new additions include the financial viability of the particular company, the extent to which that company represents the industry group to which it is assigned, adequate liquidity and reasonable price, an unadjusted market capitalization of US$3.5 billion or more, U.S. domicile, a public float of at least 50% and company classification (i.e. U.S. common equities listed on the NYSE and the NASDAQ stock market and not closed-end funds, holding companies, tracking stocks, partnerships, investment vehicles, royalty trusts, preferred shares, unit trusts, equity warrants, convertible bonds or investment trusts). The ten main groups of companies that comprise the Index include: Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Energy, Financials, Health Care, Industrials, Information Technology, Materials, Telecommunication Services and Utilities. S&P may from time to time, in its sole discretion, add companies to, or delete companies from, the Index to achieve the objectives stated above.

The Index does not reflect the payment of dividends on the stocks included in the Index. Because of this the return on the notes will not be the same as the return you would receive if you were to purchase those stocks and hold them for a period equal to the term of the notes.

Computation of the Index

As of September 16, 2005, S&P has used a full float-adjusted formula to calculate the Index. With a float-adjusted index, the share counts used in calculating the Index will reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all of a company’s outstanding shares.

The float-adjusted Index is calculated as the quotient of (1) the sum of the products of (a) the price of each common stock, (b) the total shares outstanding of each common stock and (c) the investable weight factor and (2) the index divisor.

The investable weight factor is calculated by dividing (1) the available float shares by (2) the total shares outstanding. Available float shares reflect float adjustments made to the total shares outstanding. Float adjustments seek to distinguish strategic shareholders (whose holdings depend on concerns such as maintaining control rather than the economic fortunes of the company) from those holders whose investments depend on the stock’s price and their evaluation of the company’s future prospects. S&P defines three groups of shareholders whose holdings are subject to float adjustment:

 

  §  

holdings by other publicly traded corporations, venture capital firms, private equity firms, strategic partners, or leveraged buyout groups;

 

  §  

holdings by government entities, including all levels of government in the United States or foreign countries; and

 

  §  

holdings by current or former officers and directors of the company, founders of the company, or family trusts of officers, directors, or founders, as well as holdings of trusts, foundations, pension funds, employee stock ownership plans, or other investment vehicles associated with and controlled by the company.

In cases where holdings in a group as described above exceed 10% of the outstanding shares of a company, the holdings of that group are excluded from the float-adjusted count of shares to be used in the Index’s calculation. In addition, treasury stock, stock options, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock, and rights are not part of the float. Shares held by mutual funds, investment advisory firms, pension funds, or foundations not associated with the company and investment funds in insurance companies, shares held in a trust to allow investors in countries outside the country of domicile (such as ADRs and Canadian exchangeable shares), shares that trust beneficiaries may buy or sell without difficulty or significant additional expense beyond typical brokerage fees, and, if a company has multiple classes of stock outstanding, shares in an unlisted or non-traded class if such shares are convertible by shareholders without undue delay and cost, are, however, considered part of the float.

Changes in a company’s total shares outstanding of 5.0% or more due to public offerings, tender offers, Dutch auctions, or exchange offers are made as soon as reasonably possible. Other changes of 5.0% or more (for example, due to company stock repurchases, private placements, an acquisition of a privately held company, redemptions, exercise of options, warrants, conversion of preferred stock, notes, debt, equity participations, or other recapitalizations) are made weekly and are announced on Wednesdays for implementation after the close of trading on the following Wednesday (one week later). Changes of less than 5.0% are accumulated and made quarterly on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December.

Changes due to mergers or acquisitions of publicly held companies are made as soon as reasonably possible, regardless of the size of the change, although de minimis merger and acquisition share changes may be accumulated and implemented with the quarterly share rebalancing. Corporate actions such as stock splits, stock dividends, spinoffs and rights offerings are generally applied after the close of trading on the day prior to the ex-date. Share changes resulting from exchange offers are made on the ex-date. Changes in investable weight factors of more than five percentage points caused by corporate actions will be made as soon as possible. Changes in investable weight factors of less than five percentage points will be made annually, in September when revised investable weight factors are reviewed. A share freeze is implemented the week of the rebalancing effective date, the third Friday of the last month of each quarter, during which shares are not changed except for certain corporate actions (merger activity, stock splits, rights offerings and certain dividend payable events).

As discussed above, the value of the Index is the quotient of (1) the total float-adjusted market capitalization of the Index’s constituents (i.e., the sum of the products of (a) the price of each common stock, (b) the total shares outstanding of each common stock and (c) the investable weight factor) and (2) the index divisor. Continuity in index values is maintained by adjusting the divisor for all changes in the constituents’ share capital after the base date,

 

 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

 

 

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which is the period from 1941 to 1943. This includes additions and deletions to the index, rights issues, share buybacks and issuances, and spin-offs. The index divisor’s time series is, in effect, a chronological summary of all changes affecting the base capital of the Index since the base date. The index divisor is adjusted such that the index value at an instant just prior to a change in base capital equals the index value at an instant immediately following that change. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits require simple changes in the common shares outstanding and the stock prices of the companies in the Index and do not require adjustments to the index divisor.

Additional information on the Index is available on the following website: http://www.standardandpoors.com. Information included on this website is not part of, or incorporated by reference in, this term sheet.

The following graph sets forth the monthly historical performance of the Index in the period from January 2006 through August 2011. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg, L.P. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information from Bloomberg, L.P. This historical data on the Index is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Index or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the Index during any period set forth below is not an indication that the level of the Index is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes. On September 26, 2011, the closing level of the Index was 1,162.95.

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PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS

Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the levels and trading pattern of the Index. The generally unsettled international environment and related uncertainties, including the risk of terrorism, may result in the Index and financial markets generally exhibiting greater volatility than in earlier periods.

License Agreement

We have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with S&P whereby we, in exchange for a fee, are permitted to use the Index in connection with certain securities, including the notes. We are not affiliated with S&P; the only relationship between S&P and us is any licensing of the use of S&P’s indices and trademarks relating to them.

The license agreement between S&P and Barclays Bank PLC provides that the following disclaimer must be set forth herein:

“The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P. S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly, or the ability of the Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s only relationship to Barclays Bank PLC is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P and of the Index which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P without regard to Barclays Bank PLC or the notes. S&P has no obligation to take the needs of MLPF&S, Barclays Bank PLC or the owners of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. S&P is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the notes to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the notes are to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes.

S&P DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND S&P SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY BARCLAYS BANK PLC, OWNERS OF THE LRINS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL S&P HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.”

“Standard & Poor’s®”, “S&P®”, “S&P 500®” and “500” are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and have been licensed for use by Barclays Bank PLC. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P and S&P makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the notes.

 

 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

 

 

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Certain U.S. Federal Income Taxation Considerations

Some of the tax consequences of your investment in the notes are summarized below. The discussion below supplements the discussions under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary”, beginning on page S-27 of product supplement SUN-1, and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”, beginning on page S-132 of the Series A MTN prospectus supplement. As described in product supplement SUN-1, this section applies to you only if you are a U.S. holder (as defined in product supplement SUN-1) and you hold your notes as capital assets for tax purposes and does not apply to you if you are a member of a class of holders subject to special rules or are otherwise excluded from the discussion in product supplement SUN-1 (for example, if you did not purchase your notes in the initial issuance of the notes).

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes are uncertain and the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the notes should be taxed in a manner that is different than described below. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, Barclays Bank PLC and you agree, in the absence of a change in law or an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary, to characterize your notes as a pre-paid cash-settled executory contract with respect to the Index. If your notes are so treated, you should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale or maturity of your notes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time and the amount you paid for your notes. Such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your notes for more than one year.

In the opinion of our special tax counsel, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, your notes should be treated in the manner described above. This opinion assumes that the description of the terms of the notes in this term sheet is materially correct.

As discussed further in product supplement SUN-1, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are actively considering various alternative treatments that may apply to instruments such as the notes, possibly with retroactive effect.

For a further discussion of the tax treatment of your notes as well as possible alternative characterizations, please see the discussions under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” in product supplement SUN-1 and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Certain Notes Treated as Forward Contracts or Executory Contracts” in the Series A MTN prospectus supplement. For additional, important considerations related to tax risks associated with investing in the notes, you should also examine the discussion in “Risk Factors—General Risks Relating to the Notes—Significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the notes are uncertain” on page S-14 of product supplement SUN-1. You should consult your tax advisor as to the possible alternative treatments in respect of the notes.

“Specified Foreign Financial Asset” Reporting. Under legislation enacted in 2010, individuals that own “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000 are generally required to file an information report with respect to such assets with their tax returns. “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts maintained by foreign financial institutions, as well as any of the following (which may include your notes), but only if they are not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions: (i) stocks and securities issued by non-U.S. persons, (ii) financial instruments and contracts held for investment that have non-U.S. issuers or counterparties and (iii) interests in foreign entities. The Internal Revenue Service has suspended this filing requirement for tax returns that are filed before it issues the form on which to report the relevant information. However, once the Internal Revenue Service issues the form, taxpayers that were not required to report in prior years because of the suspension will nevertheless be required to report the relevant information for such prior years on such form. Individuals are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of this legislation to their ownership of the notes.

 

 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

 

 

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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):

 

  §  

Product supplement SUN-1 dated May 27, 2011:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/312070/000119312511153084/d424b3.htm

 

  §  

Series A MTN prospectus supplement dated May 27, 2011:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/312070/000119312511152766/d424b3.htm

 

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Prospectus dated August 31, 2010:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/312070/000119312510201448/df3asr.htm

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC Website is 312070.

We have filed a registration statement (including a product supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this term sheet relates. Before you invest, you should read the product supplement, 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 Enhanced Return Market-Linked Investment or guarantee any performance.

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

 

 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

 

 

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