This pricing supplement, which is not complete and may be changed, relates to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933. This pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these Notes in any country or jurisdiction where such an offer would not be permitted.
Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms, Inc.
• |
The Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms, Inc., due October 26, 2027 (the “Notes”) are expected to price on October 21, 2024 and expected to issue on October 24, 2024. |
• |
Approximate 3 year term if not called prior to maturity. |
• |
Payments on the Notes will depend on the performance of the Class A common stock of Meta Platforms, Inc. (the “Underlying Stock”). |
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Contingent coupon rate of at least 12.00% per annum (at least 3.00% per quarter) payable quarterly if the Observation Value of the Underlying Stock on the applicable Observation Date is greater than or equal to 70.00% of its Starting Value, assuming the Notes have not been called. The actual contingent coupon rate will be determined on the pricing date. |
• |
Beginning with the January 21, 2025 Call Observation Date, automatically callable quarterly for an amount equal to the principal amount plus the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment, if the Observation Value of the Underlying Stock is greater than or equal to 100.00% of its Starting Value on any Call Observation Date. |
• |
Assuming the Notes are not called prior to maturity, if the Underlying Stock declines by more than 30% from its Starting Value, at maturity your investment will be subject to 1:1 downside exposure to decreases in the value of the Underlying Stock, with up to 100% of the principal at risk; otherwise, at maturity, you will receive the principal amount. At maturity you will also receive a final Contingent Coupon Payment if the Observation Value of the Underlying Stock on the final Observation Date is greater than or equal to 70.00% of its Starting Value. |
• |
All payments on the Notes are subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance LLC (“BofA Finance” or the “Issuer”), as issuer of the Notes, and Bank of America Corporation (“BAC” or the “Guarantor”), as guarantor of the Notes. |
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The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. |
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CUSIP No. 09711FWW3. |
The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date is expected to be between $920.00 and $970.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes, which is less than the public offering price listed below. The actual value of your Notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-9 of this pricing supplement and “Structuring the Notes” on page PS-15 of this pricing supplement for additional information.
There are important differences between the Notes and a conventional debt security. Potential purchasers of the Notes should consider the information in “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-9 of this pricing supplement, page PS-5 of the accompanying product supplement, page S-6 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, and page 7 of the accompanying prospectus.
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 pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Public offering price(1) |
Underwriting discount(1)(2) |
Proceeds, before expenses, to BofA Finance(2) |
|
Per Note |
$1,000.00 |
$20.00 |
$980.00 |
Total |
(1) |
Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forgo some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these fee-based advisory accounts may be as low as $980.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes. |
(2) |
The underwriting discount per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes may be as high as $20.00, resulting in proceeds, before expenses, to BofA Finance of as low as $980.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes. |
The Notes and the related guarantee:
Are Not FDIC Insured |
Are Not Bank Guaranteed |
May Lose Value |
 |
Selling Agent |
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
Terms of the Notes
Issuer: |
BofA Finance |
Guarantor: |
BAC |
Denominations: |
The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000.00 and whole multiples of $1,000.00 in excess thereof. |
Term: |
Approximately 3 years, unless previously automatically called. |
Underlying Stock: |
The Class A common stock of Meta Platforms Inc. (Nasdaq Global Select Market symbol: “META”). |
Pricing Date*: |
October 21, 2024 |
Issue Date*: |
October 24, 2024 |
Valuation Date*: |
October 21, 2027, subject to postponement as described under “Description of the Notes—Certain Terms of the Notes—Events Relating to Observation Dates” in the accompanying product supplement. |
Maturity Date*: |
October 26, 2027 |
Starting Value: |
The Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the pricing date. |
Observation Value: |
The Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the applicable Observation Date or Call Observation Date, as applicable, multiplied by its Price Multiplier. |
Ending Value: |
The Observation Value of the Underlying Stock on the Valuation Date. |
Call Value: |
100.00% of the Starting Value. |
Price Multiplier: |
1, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to that Underlying Stock as described in “Description of the Notes — Anti-Dilution Adjustments” beginning on page PS-23 of the accompanying product supplement. |
Coupon Barrier: |
70.00% of the Starting Value. |
Threshold Value: |
70.00% of the Starting Value. |
Contingent Coupon Payment: |
If, on any quarterly Observation Date, the Observation Value of the Underlying Stock is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier, we will pay a Contingent Coupon Payment of at least $30.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes (equal to a rate of at least 3.00% per quarter or at least 12.00% per annum) on the applicable Contingent Payment Date (including the Maturity Date). The actual Contingent Coupon Payment will be determined on the pricing date. |
Automatic Call: |
Beginning with the January 21, 2025 Call Observation Date, all (but not less than all) of the Notes will be automatically called if the Observation Value of the Underlying Stock is greater than or equal to the Call Value on any Call Observation Date. If the Notes are automatically called, the Early Redemption Amount will be paid on the applicable Call Payment Date. No further amounts will be payable following an Automatic Call. |
Early Redemption Amount: |
For each $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes, $1,000.00, plus the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment. |
Redemption Amount: |
If the Notes have not been automatically called prior to maturity, the Redemption Amount per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes will be:
a) If the Ending Value of the Underlying Stock is greater than or equal to the Threshold Value:
 b) If the Ending Value of the Underlying Stock is less than the Threshold Value:
|
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-2
|
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
 In this case, the Redemption Amount (excluding any final Contingent Coupon Payment) will be less than 70.00% of the principal amount and you could lose up to 100.00% of your investment in the Notes.
The Redemption Amount will also include a final Contingent Coupon Payment if the Ending Value of the Underlying Stock is greater than or equal to the Coupon Barrier. |
|
Observation Dates*: |
As set forth beginning on page PS-4 |
Contingent Payment Dates*: |
As set forth beginning on page PS-4 |
Call Observation Dates*: |
As set forth beginning on page PS-5 |
Call Payment Dates*: |
As set forth beginning on page PS-5. Each Call Payment Date is also a Contingent Payment Date. |
Calculation Agent: |
BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”), an affiliate of BofA Finance. |
Selling Agent: |
BofAS |
CUSIP: |
09711FWW3 |
Underlying Stock Return: |
 |
Events of Default and Acceleration: |
If an Event of Default, as defined in the senior indenture relating to the Notes and in the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities of BofA Finance LLC—Events of Default and Rights of Acceleration; Covenant Breaches” on page 54 of the accompanying prospectus, with respect to the Notes occurs and is continuing, the amount payable to a holder of the Notes upon any acceleration permitted under the senior indenture will be equal to the amount described under the caption “Redemption Amount” above, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the Maturity Date of the Notes and as though the Valuation Date were the third Trading Day prior to the date of acceleration. We will also determine whether a final Contingent Coupon Payment is payable based upon the price of the Underlying Stock on the deemed Valuation Date; any such final Contingent Coupon Payment will be prorated by the calculation agent to reflect the length of the final contingent payment period. In case of a default in the payment of the Notes, whether at their maturity or upon acceleration, the Notes will not bear a default interest rate. |
* Subject to change.
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-3
|
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
Observation Dates, Contingent Payment Dates, Call Observation Dates and Call Payment Dates
Observation Dates* |
Contingent Payment Dates |
January 21, 2025 |
January 24, 2025 |
April 21, 2025 |
April 24, 2025 |
July 21, 2025 |
July 24, 2025 |
October 21, 2025 |
October 24, 2025 |
January 21, 2026 |
January 26, 2026 |
April 21, 2026 |
April 24, 2026 |
July 21, 2026 |
July 24, 2026 |
October 21, 2026 |
October 26, 2026 |
January 21, 2027 |
January 26, 2027 |
April 21, 2027 |
April 26, 2027 |
July 21, 2027 |
July 26, 2027 |
October 21, 2027 (the “Valuation Date”) |
October 26, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”) |
* The Observation Dates are subject to postponement as set forth in “Description of the Notes—Certain Terms of the Notes—Events Relating to Observation Dates” on page PS-21 of the accompanying product supplement.
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-4
|
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
Call Observation Dates* |
Call Payment Dates |
January 21, 2025 |
January 24, 2025 |
April 21, 2025 |
April 24, 2025 |
July 21, 2025 |
July 24, 2025 |
October 21, 2025 |
October 24, 2025 |
January 21, 2026 |
January 26, 2026 |
April 21, 2026 |
April 24, 2026 |
July 21, 2026 |
July 24, 2026 |
October 21, 2026 |
October 26, 2026 |
January 21, 2027 |
January 26, 2027 |
April 21, 2027 |
April 26, 2027 |
July 21, 2027 |
July 26, 2027 |
* The Call Observation Dates are subject to postponement as set forth in “Description of the Notes—Certain Terms of the Notes—Events Relating to Observation Dates” on page PS-21 of the accompanying product supplement, with references to “Observation Dates” being read as references to “Call Observation Dates.”
Any payments on the Notes depend on the credit risk of BofA Finance, as Issuer, and BAC, as Guarantor, and on the performance of the Underlying Stock. The economic terms of the Notes are based on BAC’s internal funding rate, which is the rate it would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes, and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements BAC’s affiliates enter into. BAC’s internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate it would pay when it issues conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. This difference in funding rate, as well as the underwriting discount, if any, and the hedging related charges described below (see “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-9), will reduce the economic terms of the Notes to you and the initial estimated value of the Notes. Due to these factors, the public offering price you pay to purchase the Notes will be greater than the initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date.
The initial estimated value range of the Notes is set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement. The final pricing supplement will set forth the initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the Notes, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-9 and “Structuring the Notes” on page PS-15.
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-5
|
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
Contingent Coupon Payment and Redemption Amount Determination
On each Contingent Payment Date, if the Notes have not been previously called, you may receive a
Contingent Coupon Payment per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes determined as follows:
Assuming the Notes have not been automatically called, on the Maturity Date, you will receive a cash payment per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes determined as follows:
All payments described above are subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance, as Issuer, and BAC, as Guarantor.
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-6
|
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
Total Contingent Coupon Payment Examples
The table below illustrates the hypothetical total Contingent Coupon Payments per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes over the term of the Notes, based on a Contingent Coupon Payment of $30.00, depending on how many Contingent Coupon Payments are payable prior to an Automatic Call or maturity. Depending on the performance of the Underlying Stock, you may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments during the term of the Notes.
Number of Contingent Coupon Payments |
Total Contingent Coupon Payments |
0 |
$0.00 |
2 |
$60.00 |
4 |
$120.00 |
6 |
$180.00 |
8 |
$240.00 |
10 |
$300.00 |
12 |
$360.00 |
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-7
|
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments at Maturity
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Table
The following table is for purposes of illustration only. It assumes the Notes have not been automatically called prior to maturity and is based on hypothetical values and shows hypothetical returns on the Notes. The table illustrates the calculation of the Redemption Amount and the return on the Notes based on a hypothetical Starting Value of 100, a hypothetical Coupon Barrier of 70, a hypothetical Threshold Value of 70, a Contingent Coupon Payment of $30.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes and a range of hypothetical Ending Values of the Underlying Stock. The actual amount you receive and the resulting return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Coupon Barrier, Threshold Value, Observation Values and Ending Value of the Underlying Stock, the actual Contingent Coupon Payment, whether the Notes are automatically called prior to maturity, and whether you hold the Notes to maturity. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the Notes.
For recent actual values of the Underlying Stock, see “The Underlying Stock” section below. The Ending Value of the Underlying Stock will not include any income generated by dividends or other distributions paid with respect to shares of the Underlying Stock. In addition, all payments on the Notes are subject to Issuer and Guarantor credit risk.
Ending Value |
Underlying Stock Return |
Redemption Amount per Note (including any final Contingent Coupon Payment) |
Return on the Notes(1) |
160.00 |
60.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
150.00 |
50.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
140.00 |
40.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
130.00 |
30.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
120.00 |
20.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
110.00 |
10.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
105.00 |
5.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
102.00 |
2.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
100.00(2) |
0.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
90.00 |
-10.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
80.00 |
-20.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
70.00(3) |
-30.00% |
$1,030.00 |
3.00% |
69.99 |
-30.01% |
$699.90 |
-30.01% |
60.00 |
-40.00% |
$600.00 |
-40.00% |
50.00 |
-50.00% |
$500.00 |
-50.00% |
0.00 |
-100.00% |
$0.00 |
-100.00% |
(1) |
The “Return on the Notes” is calculated based on the Redemption Amount and potential final Contingent Coupon Payment, not including any Contingent Coupon Payments paid prior to maturity. |
(2) |
The hypothetical Starting Value of 100 used in the table above has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent a likely Starting Value for the Underlying Stock. |
(3) |
This is the hypothetical Coupon Barrier and Threshold Value. |
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-8
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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
Risk Factors
Your investment in the Notes entails significant risks, many of which differ from those of a conventional debt security. Your decision to purchase the Notes should be made only after carefully considering the risks of an investment in the Notes, including those discussed below, with your advisors in light of your particular circumstances. The Notes are not an appropriate investment for you if you are not knowledgeable about significant elements of the Notes or financial matters in general. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the Notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page PS-5 of the accompanying product supplement, page S-6 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and page 7 of the accompanying prospectus, each as identified on page PS-19 below.
Structure-related Risks
• |
Your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal. There is no fixed principal repayment amount on the Notes at maturity. If the Notes are not automatically called prior to maturity and the Ending Value of the Underlying Stock is less than the Threshold Value, at maturity, your investment will be subject to 1:1 downside exposure to decreases in the value of the Underlying Stock and you will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Ending Value of the Underlying Stock is less than the Starting Value. In that case, you will lose a significant portion or all of your investment in the Notes. |
• |
Your return on the Notes is limited to the return represented by the Contingent Coupon Payments, if any, over the term of the Notes. Your return on the Notes is limited to the Contingent Coupon Payments paid over the term of the Notes, regardless of the extent to which the Observation Value or Ending Value of the Underlying Stock exceeds its Coupon Barrier or Starting Value, as applicable. Similarly, the amount payable at maturity or upon an Automatic Call will never exceed the sum of the principal amount and the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment, regardless of the extent to which the Observation Value or Ending Value of the Underlying Stock exceeds its Starting Value. In contrast, a direct investment in the Underlying Stock would allow you to receive the benefit of any appreciation in its price. Any return on the Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of the Underlying Stock and received the dividends paid or distributions made on them. |
• |
The Notes are subject to a potential Automatic Call, which would limit your ability to receive the Contingent Coupon Payments over the full term of the Notes. The Notes are subject to a potential Automatic Call. Beginning with the January 21, 2025 Call Observation Date, the Notes will be automatically called if, on any Call Observation Date, the Observation Value of the Underlying Stock is greater than or equal to its Call Value. If the Notes are automatically called prior to the Maturity Date, you will be entitled to receive the Early Redemption Amount on the applicable Call Payment Date, and no further amounts will be payable on the Notes. In this case, you will lose the opportunity to continue to receive Contingent Coupon Payments after the date of the Automatic Call. If the Notes are called prior to the Maturity Date, you may be unable to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk that could provide a return that is similar to the Notes. |
• |
You may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments. The Notes do not provide for any regular fixed coupon payments. Investors in the Notes will not necessarily receive any Contingent Coupon Payments on the Notes. If the Observation Value of the Underlying Stock is less than its Coupon Barrier on an Observation Date, you will not receive the Contingent Coupon Payment applicable to that Observation Date. If the Observation Value of the Underlying Stock is less than its Coupon Barrier on all the Observation Dates during the term of the Notes, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments during the term of the Notes, and will not receive a positive return on the Notes. |
• |
Your return on the Notes may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity. Any return that you receive on the Notes may be less than the return you would earn if you purchased a conventional debt security with the same Maturity Date. As a result, your investment in the Notes may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you consider factors, such as inflation, that affect the time value of money. In addition, if interest rates increase during the term of the Notes, the Contingent Coupon Payment (if any) may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity. |
• |
The Contingent Coupon Payment, Early Redemption Amount or Redemption Amount, as applicable, will not reflect changes in the price of the Underlying Stock other than on the Observation Dates or Call Observation Dates, as applicable. The price of the Underlying Stock during the term of the Notes other than on the Observation Dates or Call Observation Dates, as applicable, will not affect payments on the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, investors should generally be aware of the performance of the Underlying Stock while holding the Notes, as the performance of the Underlying Stock may influence the market value of the Notes. The calculation agent will determine whether each Contingent Coupon Payment is payable and will calculate the Early Redemption Amount or the Redemption Amount, as applicable, by comparing only the Starting Value, the Coupon Barrier, the Call Value or the Threshold Value, as applicable, to the Observation Value or the Ending Value for the Underlying Stock. No other price of the Underlying Stock will be taken into account. As a result, if the Notes are not automatically called prior to maturity and the Ending Value of the Underlying Stock is less than the Threshold Value, you will receive less than the principal amount at maturity even if the price of the Underlying Stock was always above the Threshold Value prior to the Valuation Date. |
• |
Any payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk and the credit risk of the Guarantor, and any actual or perceived changes in our or the Guarantor’s creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the Notes. The Notes are our senior unsecured debt securities. Any payment on the Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor. The Notes are not guaranteed by any entity other than the Guarantor. As a result, your receipt of any payments on the Notes will be dependent upon our ability and the ability of the Guarantor to repay our respective obligations under the Notes on the applicable payment date, regardless of the performance of the Underlying Stock. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition or the financial condition of the |
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-9
|
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
Guarantor will be at any time after the pricing date of the Notes. If we and the Guarantor become unable to meet our respective financial obligations as they become due, you may not receive the amount(s) payable under the terms of the Notes. In addition, our credit ratings and the credit ratings of the Guarantor are assessments by ratings agencies of our respective abilities to pay our obligations. Consequently, our or the Guarantor’s perceived creditworthiness and actual or anticipated decreases in our or the Guarantor’s credit ratings or increases in the spread between the yield on our respective securities and the yield on U.S. Treasury securities (the “credit spread”) 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 and the ability of the Guarantor to pay our respective obligations, such as the price of the Underlying Stock, an improvement in our or the Guarantor’s credit ratings will not reduce the other investment risks related to the Notes. |
• |
We are a finance subsidiary and, as such, have no independent assets, operations, or revenues. We are a finance subsidiary of the Guarantor, have no operations other than those related to the issuance, administration and repayment of our debt securities that are guaranteed by the Guarantor, and are dependent upon the Guarantor and/or its other subsidiaries to meet our obligations under the Notes in the ordinary course. Therefore, our ability to make payments on the Notes may be limited. |
Valuation and Market-related Risks
• |
The public offering price you pay for the Notes will exceed their initial estimated value. The range of initial estimated values of the Notes that is provided on the cover page of this preliminary pricing supplement, and the initial estimated value as of the pricing date that will be provided in the final pricing supplement, are each estimates only, determined as of a particular point in time by reference to our and our affiliates’ pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables, including our credit spreads and those of the Guarantor, the Guarantor’s internal funding rate, mid-market terms on hedging transactions, expectations on interest rates, dividends and volatility, price-sensitivity analysis, and the expected term of the Notes. These pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. If you attempt to sell the Notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and lower than their initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the price of the Underlying Stock, changes in the Guarantor’s internal funding rate, and the inclusion in the public offering price of the underwriting discount, if any, and the hedging related charges, all as further described in “Structuring the Notes” below. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the Notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the Notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the Notes in complex and unpredictable ways. |
• |
The initial estimated value does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we, BAC, BofAS or any of our other affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your Notes at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including the performance of the Underlying Stock, our and BAC’s creditworthiness and changes in market conditions. |
• |
We cannot assure you that a trading market for your Notes will ever develop or be maintained. 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. |
Conflict-related Risks
• |
Trading and hedging activities by us, the Guarantor and any of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may create conflicts of interest with you and may affect your return on the Notes and their market value. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may buy or sell shares of the Underlying Stock, or futures or options contracts or exchange traded instruments on the Underlying Stock, or other instruments whose value is derived from the Underlying Stock. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may execute such purchases or sales for our own or their own accounts, for business reasons, or in connection with hedging our obligations under the Notes. These transactions may present a conflict of interest between your interest in the Notes and the interests we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including BofAS, may have in our or their proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions, including block trades, for our or their other customers, and in accounts under our or their management. These transactions may adversely affect the price of the Underlying Stock in a manner that could be adverse to your investment in the Notes. On or before the pricing date, any purchases or sales by us, the Guarantor or our other affiliates, including BofAS or others on our or their behalf (including those for the purpose of hedging some or all of our anticipated exposure in connection with the Notes), may affect the price of the Underlying Stock. Consequently, the price of the Underlying Stock may change subsequent to the pricing date, which may adversely affect the market value of the Notes. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, also expect to engage in hedging activities that could affect the price of the Underlying Stock on the pricing date. In addition, these hedging activities, including the unwinding of a hedge, may decrease the market value of your Notes prior to maturity, and may affect the amounts to be paid on the Notes. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may purchase or otherwise acquire a long or short position in the Notes and may hold or resell the Notes. For example, BofAS may enter into these transactions in connection with any market making activities in which it engages. We cannot assure you that these activities will not adversely affect the price of the Underlying Stock, the market value of your Notes prior to maturity or the amounts payable on the Notes. |
• |
There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent. One of our affiliates will be the calculation agent for the Notes and, as such, will make a variety |
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-10
|
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
of determinations relating to the Notes, including the amounts that will be paid on the Notes. Under some circumstances, these duties could result in a conflict of interest between its status as our affiliate and its responsibilities as calculation agent. |
Underlying Stock-related Risks
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The terms of the Notes will not be adjusted for all corporate events that could affect the issuer of the Underlying Stock. The Price Multiplier of the Underlying Stock, the determination of the payments on the Notes, and other terms of the Notes may be adjusted for the specified corporate events affecting the Underlying Stock, as described in the section entitled “Description of the Notes—Anti-Dilution Adjustments” beginning on page PS-23 of the accompanying product supplement. However, these adjustments do not cover all corporate events that could affect the market price of the Underlying Stock, such as offerings of common shares for cash or in connection with certain acquisition transactions. The occurrence of any event that does not require the calculation agent to adjust the applicable Price Multiplier or the amounts that may be paid on the Notes at maturity may adversely affect the price of the Underlying Stock, and, as a result, the market value of the Notes. |
Tax-related Risks
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The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the Notes. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the Notes or securities similar to the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are not certain. Under the terms of the Notes, you will have agreed with us to treat the Notes as contingent income-bearing single financial contracts, as described below under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary—General.” If the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) were successful in asserting an alternative characterization for the Notes, the timing and character of income, gain or loss with respect to the Notes may differ. No ruling will be requested from the IRS with respect to the Notes and no assurance can be given that the IRS will agree with the statements made in the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary.” You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the Notes. |
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-11
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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
The Underlying Stock
We have derived the following information on the Underlying Stock and the company issuing the Underlying Stock (the “Underlying Company”) from publicly available documents. Because the Underlying Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Underlying Company is required to file periodically certain financial and other information specified by the SEC. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the Underlying Company can be located through the SEC’s web site at sec.gov by reference to the CIK number set forth below.
This document relates only to the offering of the Notes and does not relate to any offering of Underlying Stock or any other securities of the Underlying Company. None of us, the Guarantor, BofAS or any of our other affiliates has made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Underlying Company in connection with the offering of the Notes. None of us, the Guarantor, BofAS or any of our other affiliates has independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the Underlying Company and hence makes no representation regarding the same. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that all events occurring prior to the date of this document, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of these publicly available documents that could affect the trading price of the Underlying Stock, have been or will be publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the Underlying Company could affect the price of the Underlying Stock and therefore could affect your return on the Notes. The selection of the Underlying Stock is not a recommendation to buy or sell the Underlying Stock.
Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms, Inc.
Meta Platforms, Inc. operates as a social technology company. The company builds applications and technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. The company is also involved in advertisements, augmented, and virtual reality. This Underlying Stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "META." The company's CIK number is 0001326801.
Historical Performance of META
The following graph sets forth the daily historical performance of META in the period from January 2, 2019 through October 16, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. The Closing Market Prices reflected in the graph below may have been adjusted to reflect certain corporate actions, such as stock splits and reverse stock splits. On October 16, 2024, the Closing Market Price of META was $576.79.
This historical data on META is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of META or what the value of the Notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the Closing Market Price of META during any period set forth above is not an indication that the Closing Market Price of META is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the Notes.
Before investing in the Notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the Closing Market Prices and trading pattern of META.
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-12
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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
Supplement to the Plan of Distribution; Role of BofAS and Conflicts of Interest
BofAS, a broker-dealer affiliate of ours, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and will participate as selling agent in the distribution of the Notes. Accordingly, the offering of the Notes will conform to the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121. BofAS may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the account holder.
We expect to deliver the Notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than one business day 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 one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the Notes occurs more than one business day from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes more than one business day prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
Under our distribution agreement with BofAS, BofAS will purchase the Notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this pricing supplement, less the indicated underwriting discount, if any. BofAS will sell the Notes to other broker-dealers that will participate in the offering and that are not affiliated with us, at an agreed discount to the principal amount. Each of those broker-dealers may sell the Notes to one or more additional broker-dealers. BofAS has informed us that these discounts may vary from dealer to dealer and that not all dealers will purchase or repurchase the Notes at the same discount. Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forgo some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these fee-based advisory accounts may be as low as $980.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
BofAS and any of our other broker-dealer affiliates may use this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus for offers and sales in secondary market transactions and market-making transactions in the Notes. However, they are not obligated to engage in such secondary market transactions and/or market-making transactions. These broker-dealer affiliates may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and any such sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market conditions at the time of the sale.
At BofAS’s discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the Notes, BofAS may offer to buy the Notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the Notes. Any price offered by BofAS for the Notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Underlying Stock and the remaining term of the Notes. However, none of us, the Guarantor, BofAS or any of our other affiliates is obligated to purchase your Notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that any party will purchase your Notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the Notes.
Any price that BofAS may pay to repurchase the Notes will depend upon then prevailing market conditions, the creditworthiness of us and the Guarantor, and transaction costs. At certain times, this price may be higher than or lower than the initial estimated value of the Notes.
European Economic Area and United Kingdom
None of this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation (as defined below). This pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement have been prepared on the basis that any offer of Notes in any Member State of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”) or in the United Kingdom (each, a “Relevant State”) will only be made to a legal entity which is a qualified investor under the Prospectus Regulation (“Qualified Investors”). Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant State of Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement may only do so with respect to Qualified Investors. Neither BofA Finance nor BAC has authorized, nor does it authorize, the making of any offer of Notes other than to Qualified Investors. The expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
PROHIBITION OF SALES TO EEA AND UNITED KINGDOM RETAIL INVESTORS – The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the United Kingdom. For these purposes: (a) a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (the Insurance Distribution Directive) where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; and (b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Notes. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or in the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
United Kingdom
The communication of this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any other document or materials relating to the issue of the Notes offered hereby is not being made, and such documents and/or
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-13
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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of Section 21 of the United Kingdom’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the “FSMA”). Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who fall within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”)), or who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order, or who are any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as “Relevant Persons”). In the United Kingdom, the Notes offered hereby are only available to, and any investment or investment activity to which this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relates will be engaged in only with, Relevant Persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any of their contents.
Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of the Notes may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to BofA Finance, as Issuer, or BAC, as Guarantor.
All applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with in respect to anything done by any person in relation to the Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-14
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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
Structuring the Notes
The Notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Underlying Stock. The related guarantee is BAC’s obligation. As is the case for all of our and BAC’s respective debt securities, including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the Notes reflect our and BAC’s actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. In addition, because market-linked notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us and BAC, BAC typically borrows the funds under these types of notes at a rate, which we refer to in this pricing supplement as BAC’s internal funding rate, that is more favorable to BAC than the rate that it might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security. This generally relatively lower internal funding rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the Notes, along with the fees and charges associated with market-linked notes, typically results in the initial estimated value of the Notes on the pricing date being less than their public offering price.
In order to meet our payment obligations on the Notes, at the time we issue the Notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with BofAS or one of our other affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined based upon terms provided by BofAS and its affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our and BAC’s creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Underlying Stock, the tenor of the Notes and the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the Notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.
BofAS has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include hedging related charges, reflecting the costs associated with, and our affiliates’ profit earned from, these hedging arrangements. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, actual profits or losses from these hedging transactions may be more or less than any expected amounts.
For further information, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-5 and “Supplemental Use of Proceeds” on page PS-18 of the accompanying product supplement.
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-15
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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary
The following summary of the material U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the Notes supplements, and to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus 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 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.
Although the Notes are issued by us, they will be treated as if they were issued by BAC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly throughout this tax discussion, references to “we,” “our” or “us” are generally to BAC unless the context requires otherwise.
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.
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.
General
Although there is no statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addressing the characterization of the Notes, we intend to treat the Notes for all tax purposes as contingent income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Underlying Stock and under the terms of the Notes, we and every investor in the Notes agree, in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat the Notes in accordance with such characterization. In the opinion of our counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, it is reasonable to treat the Notes as contingent income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Underlying Stock. This discussion assumes that the Notes constitute contingent income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Underlying Stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Notes did not constitute contingent income-bearing single financial contracts, the tax consequences described below would be materially different.
This characterization of the Notes is not binding on the IRS or the courts. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the Notes or any similar instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no ruling is being requested from the IRS with respect to their proper characterization and treatment. Due to the absence of authorities on point, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are not certain, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or any court will agree with the characterization and tax treatment described in this pricing supplement. Accordingly, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes, including possible alternative characterizations.
Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion is based on the characterization described above. The discussion in this section assumes that there is a significant possibility of a significant loss of principal on an investment in the Notes.
We will not attempt to ascertain whether the issuer of the Underlying Stock would be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”), within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code, or a United States real property holding corporation, within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code. If the issuer of the Underlying Stock were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply to a holder of the Notes. You should refer to information filed with the SEC by the issuer of the Underlying Stock and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you, if any, if the issuer of the Underlying Stock is or becomes a PFIC or is or becomes a United States real property holding corporation.
U.S. Holders
Although the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any Contingent Coupon Payment on the Notes is uncertain, we intend to take the position, and the following discussion assumes, that any Contingent Coupon Payment constitutes taxable ordinary income to a U.S. Holder at the time received or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting. By purchasing the Notes you agree, in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat any Contingent Coupon Payment as described in the preceding sentence.
Upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes prior to maturity, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized (other than amounts representing any Contingent Coupon Payment, which would be taxed as described above) and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Notes. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Notes will equal the amount paid by that holder to acquire them. This capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the Notes for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Alternative Tax Treatments. Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the proper tax treatment of the Notes, prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding all possible alternative tax treatments of an investment in the Notes. In particular, the IRS could seek to
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-16
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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
subject the Notes to the Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments. If the IRS were successful in that regard, the timing and character of income on the Notes would be affected significantly. Among other things, a U.S. Holder would be required to accrue original issue discount every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of issuance. In addition, any gain realized by a U.S. Holder at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes generally would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes generally would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s prior accruals of original issue discount, and as capital loss thereafter.
In addition, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as a unit consisting of a deposit and a put option written by the Note holder, in which case the timing and character of income on the Notes would be affected significantly.
The IRS released Notice 2008-2 (the "Notice"), which sought comments from the public on the taxation of financial instruments currently taxed as “prepaid forward contracts.” This Notice addresses instruments such as the Notes. According to the Notice, the IRS and Treasury are considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the Notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis, regardless of whether any payments are made prior to maturity. It is not possible to determine what guidance the IRS and Treasury will ultimately issue, if any. Any such future guidance may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain, or loss in respect of the Notes, possibly with retroactive effect.
The IRS and Treasury are also considering additional issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether foreign holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, whether Section 1260 of the Code, concerning certain “constructive ownership transactions,” generally applies or should generally apply to such instruments, and whether any of these determinations depend on the nature of the underlying asset.
In addition, proposed Treasury regulations require the accrual of income on a current basis for contingent payments made under certain notional principal contracts. The preamble to the regulations states that the “wait and see” method of accounting does not properly reflect the economic accrual of income on those contracts, and requires current accrual of income for some contracts already in existence. While the proposed regulations do not apply to prepaid forward contracts, the preamble to the proposed regulations expresses the view that similar timing issues exist in the case of prepaid forward contracts. If the IRS or Treasury publishes future guidance requiring current economic accrual for contingent payments on prepaid forward contracts, it is possible that you could be required to accrue income over the term of the Notes.
Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of the Notes, it is also possible that the IRS could seek to characterize the Notes in a manner that results in tax consequences that are different from those described above. For example, the IRS could possibly assert that any gain or loss that a holder may recognize at maturity or upon the sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes should be treated as ordinary gain or loss.
Non-U.S. Holders
Because the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Notes (including any Contingent Coupon Payment) is uncertain, we (or the applicable paying agent) will withhold U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the entire amount of any Contingent Coupon Payment made unless such payments are effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the U.S. (in which case, to avoid withholding, the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide a Form W-8ECI). We (or the applicable paying agent) will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. To claim benefits under an income tax treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder must obtain a taxpayer identification number and certify as to its eligibility under the appropriate treaty’s limitations on benefits article, if applicable. In addition, special rules may apply to claims for treaty benefits made by Non-U.S. Holders that are entities rather than individuals. The availability of a lower rate of withholding under an applicable income tax treaty will depend on whether such rate applies to the characterization of the payments under U.S. federal income tax laws. A Non-U.S. Holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Except as discussed below, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax for amounts paid in respect of the Notes (not including, for the avoidance of doubt, amounts representing any Contingent Coupon Payment which would be subject to the rules discussed in the previous paragraph) upon the sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes or their settlement at maturity, provided that the Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification requirements and that the payment is not effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a U.S. trade or business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes or their settlement at maturity may be subject to U.S. federal income tax if that Non-U.S. Holder is a non-resident alien individual and is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale, exchange, redemption, or settlement and certain other conditions are satisfied.
If a Non-U.S. Holder of the Notes is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and if any Contingent Coupon Payment and gain realized on the settlement at maturity, or upon sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes, is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the U.S.), the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax, generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such Contingent Coupon Payment and gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder. Such Non-U.S. Holders should read the material under the heading “—U.S. Holders,” for a description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the Notes. In addition, if such Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by any applicable tax treaty) of a portion of its earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., subject to certain adjustments.
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-17
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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
A “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a Non-U.S. Holder. Under Treasury regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, IRS guidance provides that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2027. Based on our determination that the Notes are not delta-one instruments, Non-U.S. Holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the Notes. However, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the Underlying Stock or the Notes, and following such occurrence the Notes could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S. Holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the Underlying Stock or the Notes should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the Notes and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable paying agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.
As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative characterization, by reason of change or clarification of the law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments as to the Notes to become subject to withholding tax in addition to the withholding tax described above, tax will be withheld at the applicable statutory rate. Prospective Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of such alternative characterizations.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax. Under current law, while the matter is not entirely clear, individual Non-U.S. Holders, and entities whose property is potentially includible in those individuals’ gross estates for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty benefit, a Note is likely to be treated as U.S. situs property, subject to U.S. federal estate tax. These individuals and entities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in a Note.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Please see the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — General — 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.
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-18
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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Class A Common Stock of Meta Platforms Inc.
Where You Can Find More Information
The terms and risks of the Notes are contained in this pricing supplement and in the following related product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, which can be accessed at the following links:
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Product Supplement STOCK-1 dated December 30, 2022: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1682472/000119312522315468/d427660d424b2.htm |
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Series A MTN prospectus supplement dated December 30, 2022 and prospectus dated December 30, 2022: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1682472/000119312522315195/d409418d424b3.htm |
This pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or obtained from BofAS by calling 1-800-294-1322. Before you invest, you should read this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus for information about us, BAC and this offering. Any prior or contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you may have received are superseded by this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. Certain terms used but not defined in this pricing supplement have the meanings set forth in the accompanying product supplement or 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 BofA Finance, and not to BAC.
The Notes are our senior debt securities. Any payments on the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by BAC. The Notes and the related guarantee are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or secured by collateral. The Notes will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, except obligations that are subject to any priorities or preferences by law. The related guarantee will rank equally in right of payment with all of BAC’s other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, except obligations that are subject to any priorities or preferences by law, and senior to its subordinated obligations. Any payments due on the Notes, including any repayment of the principal amount, will be subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance, as Issuer, and BAC, as Guarantor.
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CONTINGENT INCOME AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-19
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